DISENCHANTED

1 - DRIFT

Lucille Hyakuya doesn't remember a single thing that happened after five in the afternoon on the day of his escape from the vampires. One minute he's donating blood with Mika and Yuu, and the next he's being escorted by a nice lady in blue through a building too warm to be owned by a bloodsucker.

"Excuse me, miss... where am I?" He clutches her sleeve but doesn't dare look up - too scared of seeing red eyes again.

The lady offers a small, friendly chuckle, and Lucille thinks she may be smiling. She's an odd vampire. "We're in the JIDA head quarters, I'm taking you to meet the Lieutenant General."

Lucille halts, his grip on the lady somewhat tightening in confusion. "'M sorry, miss, but I don't know what that is."

"Not to worry. The Lieutenant General will explain everything to you. And please - call me Aoi. I get the feeling we'll be seeing a lot more of each other from now on."

There's a feeling of dread in the young blond's stomach and it burns right through to his gut. He doesn't want to spend more time with vampires. Isn't giving blood enough? Of course he doesn't voice his concern, instead opting to carry on walking until they reach a large set of double doors where the lady, Aoi, gestures for him to wait.

He still doesn't look up from the floor.

"I'm just going in here to let them know we're here. I'll call you soon."

"Yes miss Aoi..."

Who's 'them'? Lucille isn't sure of anything right now. He's used to almost no smell when he's in a building ran by vampires, so why does this one smell like old books and rain water? Why is Aoi being so nice to him? Yes, Aoi really is odd for a vampire.

Almost no time at all passes before Aoi's voice calls out to him - a distinct 'come on in, Lucille' - and he can't help but think she sounds like wind chimes when she talks. Lucille doesn't remember telling anyone his name, but he just assumes there's documents somewhere pertaining to every last detail about him.

His small hands reach up to twist the doorknob, and he's immediately greeted by a faint scent of old smoke laced with burned sugar. He likes it.

'Keep your eyes down when you're addressed, boy.'

"Take a seat." A new voice. It's male and so terrifyingly deep it reminds him of the vampires who put the sharp needles in his neck.

"Yes sir." The seats are comfy, he concludes, as he all but sinks into the soft padding. It's warm in the room, almost too warm compared to what he's used to but it feels like a hug with Mika so he doesn't mind. "Did I do something wrong?" He still doesn't look up.

He doesn't even look up at the deep chuckle he hears. "No, nothing like that." The man pauses for a moment. "My name is Lieutenant General Kureto Hiiragi. You've already met Aoi, and this is Major General Shinya Hiiragi."

Does this man, Kureto, expect him to speak freely? He's a little confused (an understatement, to say the least) as to what's going on. "I'm sorry, sir, but do you mind if I ask why I'm here?"

"Did that Ichinose fool tell you nothing?"

Lucille can't tell if the question's rhetorical or not, but he assumes not judging by the silence. "I don't know who that is, I'm sorry."

"Hm. Not to worry. Shinya will take you to get settled in. We'll meet again tomorrow, there are a few things we need to discuss, but it seems you're not in the right frame of mind. It's understandable, given the circumstances. Take the night to rest, and should you need anything, Shinya will be there to assist you."

"Why're you being so nice to me?" He keeps his voice low and briefly considers looking up. Perhaps he will if he plays his cards right and doesn't get punished for anything.