The Initiation

Ayano was told to sit and wait outside the room while Timothy made his way inside, shutting the ornate wooden door behind him. The bun wrapped the sheer white cloth around himself a little tighter, feeling nervous about the events to come. The vampire hadn’t told him much about why he was even here; it seemed that talking and asking questions was neither of their strong suits. Ayano had made peace with the fact that Timothy (probably) wasn’t going to attack him again. Just this once, they had to trust him - just like he trusted Mikohara. Timothy was still a doctor after all - at least Ayano thought, that is. He worked at the hospital therefore, he’s a doctor, right? Or perhaps a nurse? Ayano wasn’t quite sure. 

The bun was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of the door next to him opening. Out peeked Timothy, who looked a bit surprised that Ayano was still waiting outside. 

“Ah, you can come in now,” said the man, opening the ornate door a little wider. They paused for a moment - what was beyond that door? More vampires? Maybe it was Dr. Nishizono, waiting for him with open arms, ready to tell him that this was all a bad dream. Hesitantly, Ayano stood and took his first steps into his new life. 

The room was buzzing with activity; many well-dressed buns clustered together, drinking and laughing. The windows were draped in heavy velvet curtains, the walls adorned with sconces that dripped the wax of red candles burning blue hellfire. A long, red carpet ran down the center of the room, leading to a grand throne made of what looked like bone and black crystal. It was beautiful, harrowing, haunting…Ayano felt like his nerves were going to jump out of his skin. It was electrifying. 

By their side, Timothy gave Ayano a bit of a nudge. “You can, uh, walk further in. You don’t have to stand in the doorway…” 

“Oh, right, sorry,” they replied, scurrying nervously into the grand sanctum. Suddenly, the clamor and noise of the room had stopped; it was as if all eyes were on Ayano. Did they do something wrong? Did Timothy trick them? Were they underdressed for the occasion? Were-

“Hark!” a loud voice rang out. “Are cold stares any way to treat your new kin? Cheer, drink, etcetera.” 

The silence once again turned to chatter and cheers; this voice clearly had some sort of power, though Ayano knew not who it belonged to. As if the voice read his mind, it once again called out, “You yet not know of me? Approach the throne!” 

Ayano nervously walked down the long red carpet that led to the glorious throne. Two figures stood on either side, heads bowed. Just as the bun thought they knew what was going on, a flurry of red smoke wisped its way around them and swirled around the great throne. Ayano blinked a few times, and the smoke cleared, leaving a beautiful, pale-skinned vampire in its place. They lounged on the throne, feet dangling over the sides haphazardly. She yawned dramatically, seemingly already bored of the events that hadn’t even transpired yet. Ayano and the mysterious figure stared at each other for a solid 30 seconds before the woman spoke; “Are you not going to greet your new lord? Kneel.”

They paused before complying, getting down on their knees and looking up at the vampire on the throne. 

“Hm, aren’t you an interesting one,” she said. “My name is Lady Calla. I assume you are here to become a true vampire. As most new spawn are.”  

“Uhm,” mumbled Ayano. “Is that why I’m here? I’m still- I’m still kind of confused.” 

Calla rolled her eyes. “You were bitten, yes?”

“Yes…?”

“And you died, yes?”

“I think so?”

“And Timothy brought you here without…ugh,” Calla sighed, “I swear, you un-lords have no manners these days! Back when I was just a spawn…well, that doesn’t matter. Do you wish to become a true vampire?” 

Ayano tilted their head in thought. I suppose being a vampire won’t be so bad, they thought to themselves. Then, all the pain would stop. Then, they might finally be able to have a home outside of the hospital. Then…what would happen to them? 

Intrutped from their thoughts once again, Calla called for a servant to bring her ‘the chalice.’ Whatever that meant. Yet when the golden glass was placed so gently in her hand, Ayano noticed the fragrant smell wafting from the liquid inside. 

Blood. The pure blood of a vampire lord. Ayano wasn’t sure how they knew what was in the glass, but it was as if their body was being pulled towards it. They could feel themselves begin to salivate.

Screw whatever they were thinking before- they were drinking from that chalice. 

Ayano reached forward for the glass, just for Calla to pull it away at the last second. “There are some, ah, rules I must tell you first,” she smirked. The bun sat back down on their knees. Fine. 

“Ahem…” Calla began, as if she was reading from a script somewhere. “Vampires are not allowed to turn new vampires without the permission of the vampire lords, and any vampires found to be bringing harm or death to mortals will be ruthlessly punished. By drinking this blood, you hereby agree to these terms, and agree to serve in my court until un-death do us part.  Do you understand?” 

“Yes, I understand,” replied Ayano, not really understanding. He would say whatever it takes to drink that blood. 

“Good. You may now drink,” said Calla, offering the golden chalice to the kneeling bun. Ayano practically jumped toward it, lips instantly on the side of the glass, greedily gulping the blood into their mouth. Words could not describe the flavor that jumped onto his tongue: metals, rich earthly tones, and the finest wines that Ayano had never tasted before. They could feel warmth spreading throughout their body, once chilled flesh turning back to its soft pink. They drank and drank until there was nothing left, leaving not one drop in the bloodstained chalice. 

When Ayano had finished, they sat back on their knees, pupils wide with ecstasy with their newfound strength. They had never felt better; all the pain was gone, and the nausea that had been so everpresent throughout their life had disappeared. 

“Congratulations,” smiled Calla. “You may bow before me, then take your leave. Say ‘Thank you, Lady Calla.” 

“Thank you, Lady Calla,” Ayano parroted. They stood (without fear of falling) and bowed at the waist before turning and walking back down the long red carpet. Timothy was still waiting for him by the door.

“Congrats,” said Timothy, offering him a small smile. 

Ayano offered a weak smile back. “Uhm, thank you…what do I do now?”

“I’m not sure,” Timothy replied. “You can do whatever you want now.” 

“Hmmm…” Ayano muttered to himself for a moment. All of Burrowgatory was his oyster. But he had no home to go to; they had long forgotten anything about their life before they were sick. Were they really meant to survive outside of the cold white walls of the labs they had grown so fond of? 

“I think I’d like to go back to the hospital,” the bun finally said. “I don’t think … I don’t think I’m ready to be on my own yet.” 

“I’ll walk back with you, then,” said Timothy. The pair shut the ornate door behind them as they left the inner sanctum - though Ayano knew in his heart that this would be the last time he would bow before Lady Calla. But for now, Ayano was satiated. They didn’t know much, but something told them that this was only the beginning of their ‘un-life’ as a vampire.