Learning Curve

Chapter 2 - Hands-On

Hunchback's was a fine-dine eatery to say in the least.

With the best chefs in Transylvania, Ericka could see why it would be so difficult to try and dine there at times. A reservation would more often than not have to be booked weeks in advance, sometimes even months. Thus far her boyfriend, the one and only Count Dracula, had only been successful in ordering to go. But tonight he had promised to take her out to dine there, something that he claimed to have set up some time ago. Ericka had been excited to go, wondering what kind of atmosphere a dining establishment like this would have and glad to be sharing the experience with Drac. Presently however, she sighed, scraping her fork across the plate as she stuffed another mouthful of food into her face. It was delicious, sure - the bitter taste of the cockroach paste complimenting the fried scorpion well - but she wished that things had gone differently.

Things didn't seem off to a bad start when she had arrived to the place, decked out in a brand new fiesta-styled romper that was adorned with voluminous frills at the hems. Other couples were equally as extravagant in their attire - claws trimmed, teeth filed, and any horns, tentacles, or other extremities of the like polished to perfection. It didn't raise any concern at first when he hadn't shown up right away. As the manager of a hotel, it was only natural that he'd be caught up with some business, whether it was a clogged toilet or a call for housekeeping to clean up the mess a guest may have left in the lobby.

It wasn't until half an hour into waiting that she began to worry. Her fingers drummed against the tabletop in a restless manner as she began to recognize couples who had entered earlier and now departed. Some shot curious glances her way as they passed her table, likely wondering why she was all alone and with no food. By the time it was 1:30 am - a whole hour and a half after the time Drac was supposed to meet her - she waved the waiter over and informed him that she would be leaving.

"Are you sure?" the friendly gargoyle had asked. "You're free to stay as long as you'd like."

But Ericka shook her head. "No. I'm sure. I haven't got any word back from my date, so who knows."

The waiter gave her a sympathetic look and allowed her to take home an order of their special for the night at no charge. Now, she was finishing up the last few morsels within the confines of her suite when a sudden knock sounded on the door followed by a muffled voice calling for entrance.

"Ericka? Honeybat, are you inside?" she recognized the accented voice of Dracula call out.

Despite her disappointment in him standing her up, she couldn't help the flutter in her heart that arose as she made her way to open up for him. "Drac? I'm here. What's going - OH!"

Ericka stopped mid sentence as she took in his state of appearance. His immaculate black suit was rumpled and stained with a questionable yellow substance on its lapels. His hair hung in wild tousle around his pointed ears, and his pale skin seemed even more pale than usual. All in all, he was a pure mess.

"Honeyfangs!" she exclaimed in surprise.

"I know! I know," Drac said, raising his hands as he entered. "But sweetheart, you must understand it was out of my hands, and I'm so, so, SO sorry to have kept you waiting and - "

"Drac!" she exclaimed again a little more forcefully, and he quickly stopped his ramblings. She brought him over so that he could sit down on the edge of the bed before continuing. "Just tell me what happened."

The Count's brows furrowed and he flailed his arms out. "Tinkles happened! Tinkles and his group of mutts! First he ruined the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Gremlinburg, and then he and the dogs chased the Bones family out from the reception party! Oh, Ericka, it was a mess!"