Kinder Things | vampire chrollo

10

chapter ten: the gentleman

The city was much bigger than I had expected. With towering towers and blinding lights. Time didn't stop for anyone in this city and so far it felt as if everyone was going at a faster speed than my small slow paced town.

I sink deeper into my furred coat, growing overwhelmed by the hundreds of people and shops. It was like I was trapped in a maze, running around mindlessly. I focus on the raindrops instead. They traced the window in long lines, nonstop and always going just like the city. I shake my head, mentally cursing at myself for being so anxious. What are you so worried about? You begged to leave that castle and you're going shopping as well! This is suppose to be fun!

I had been by myself for so long that the thought of being around other people had me feeling like I was drowning.

"Nervous?" Chrollo asked from the driver seat. He glanced over his shoulder, giving me a comforting smile while I sat in the back, my legs stretched across the grey seats. I stare at my shoes, black, polished and new. Everything was new. From the dress to the stockings to the furred coat, it felt expensive. I felt expensive. And like a doll.

"It's a lot." I admit quietly.

"The city is a lot. That's why I stay in the kingdom."

"To rule a ghost kingdom." I mutter.

"You know I can just turn the car around." He slowed down and I jump out of my seat.

"No! Wait! I'm sorry, I'll stop saying that." I grab onto his shoulder and he just laughs. He slowed down anyway, stopping in front of a shop.

He grabs my hand, helping me out of the car. I pull my coat closer, the cold breeze hitting my face just as I step out. The store is small but full of clothes. There's women strolling around, searching for gifts or for their own little gifts since Christmas was just around the corner. There's a door boy at the front, he smiles, welcoming us in and then I'm no longer shivering from the cold as the strong scent of coffee and peppermint relaxes me. As we walk in deeper to the store I catch a glimpse of a mirror. I see myself but I don't see Lucilfer. He's standing right by me yet I'm holding onto no one's hand. I stare at myself, almost not recognizing the woman I'm looking at.

Vampire. I can hear the voice inside of me, terrified and anxious. I look away and remind myself instead, I'm still human.

"Ugh, you know this was kind of a bad idea." I grow overwhelmed. "We should just go back home."

"What? Already? We drove an hour to get to the city, it'd be a waste of gas if we went home already."

I'm not listening to his voice anymore. I hide my hands in my pockets and turn back around to the door when he grabs onto my arm. His arms wrap around my shoulders and he's guiding me through the store. I hold my breath as he presses me against his body. He's warm. Was my first thought. My second thought was that he smelled good.

"Look, there they are." He pulled me over to the counter full of warm gloves. Different colors and different sizes, different material as well. I forgot about the packed store and focused on the gloves instead, touching every single one in hopes of finding one to keep my fingers warm. "Any catch your eye?"

"Oh there's so many!" I dig through the pile, looking at each one. He looked over my shoulder and a whiff of metal hits my nose. I look up from the gloves and see the store that was once full now empty.

"Where's everyone at?"

He looked up as well. "Hm, don't know. So, which one are you going to pick?"

"I'm not sure. I need one that can match with every outfit."

"I promise you a couple of mittens aren't going to put me in debt, choose the ones you want. Choose all of them if that's what you want."

"Well don't tell me that. I might just get everything in the store then." I mutter. His lips tugged to a smile and he grabbed a few off the counter, tossing them into my basket.

"I won't stop you." He laughed, following me around the empty store.

-

"Will this be all?" The girl at the register choked out, struggling to even say the words. I glance over my shoulder at Chrollo. He only smiled and handed her the money.

"Keep the change." Was all he said before walking me out. We leave the store without another word.

"What did you do to make everyone go away?"

He tilted his head with confusion, opening the door to help me climb back inside the warm car. He leaned over the open door, caging me inside and blocking the cold wind from rushing in. "What are you talking about?"

I chuckle, rolling my eyes. "I'm not stupid, Lucilfer. One minute the store was packed and then the next we're the only two in the store. So don't try lying to me because it won't work."

"There's probably better stores across the street, they must've all gone together." He shrugged. "Do you like your gloves?"

"I love them." I painfully admit, taking them out of the bag to slip them on. They were a dark red, the wrists laced with a green gemstone. I had never seen such beautiful gloves and it kept me warm too. "But you're changing the subject again."

"You know a man's job is to make sure his lady is always comfortable," he licked his finger and flashed his fangs. I gasp, horrified. All those people, killed instantly just because of my own personal problems.

"You didn't!"

"I didn't, some vampires can mind control others." He winked, crouching down slightly to button up my coat. His eyes flickered to meet mine. "I just happened to fix your issue of dealing with people so I sent everyone away."

"Will they be okay?"

"They'll have the biggest headache tomorrow morning but nothing a few pills can't fix. I sent them to the store next door, they're fine." He nodded over to the overflowed store nearby. "Now put your seatbelt on, please."

He gently shut the door and walked from behind the car. "Mind control?" He scoffed at himself. "What a lame excuse to use." He looked down at his other hand, cleaning the blood off his fingers with his handkerchief before getting inside. "Alright! Where to next, my lady?"