Case Study of Vanitas

Altus Paris

Eira's POV

"Noé, look at me" I force him to look at me, "Breathe. . .  It's over . . . . . Deep breaths"

" . . . . Eira"

I give Noé a small smile, "Yeah . . . . Noé what happened?"

"I saw . . . . Charlatan."

"You saw Charlatan?"

"I don't know whether that was a dream or reality but," I back up to give him space as he pulls out a notepad and starts to write something, "there's no doubt that that thing warped Mlle Amelia's true name!"

Noé passes his notebook to Vanitas, "This is . . . awful. My, but you're a lousy artist!!"

I peek over Vanitas' shoulder to see, "Ummm Noé what is that supposed to be??"

"This is no time for jokes, you two!!"

"I'm being perfectly serious!!"

'Sorry Noé . . . . they look like a 3-year-olds scribbles. . . honestly the more I look at them the worst they get'

"If . . . if that black creature is behind the manifestation of all these curse-bearers . . . . . I'll never forgive it. Never!"

BAM! The door slams open and a young girl about my age walks through.

"I heard all, gentlemen!"

"Wait, Lady Dominique!" Nox cried.

"Ah- Domi!"

'Ahh, it seems she is a friend of Noé's then'

"Hello. I've missed you, my dear fiancée."

I turn to Noé with a surprised look, "Oh, I didn't realize you were engaged Noé. Congratulations!!"

"No, she's not my fiancée."

"Come, come, Noé! It's no fun if you give it away like that!" Lady Dominique slaps his back.

"It was a lie!?" Nox yelled.

"Non, non! Don't be angry, Mademoiselle," Dominique pulls Nox close, "You'll ruin your adorable face."

I stare at them, too shocked to look away while Vanitas turns to Noé for an explanation, "She's Dominique de Sade. And she's my childhood friend, not my fiancée. The thing by her feet is her attendant automaton, Chrysler."

I look down to see the automaton on wheels puffing out roses and rose petals.

"She was scattering actual roses!?"

"Wow!! I'd love to get one and have it scatter lily-of-the-valley flowers."

"Dominique de Sade . . . then she's the daughter of Count de Sade, a Lord of the Other World?"

"That's right."

"To think you had friends in the aristocracy. . . Frankly, I'm astounded."

'Huh I wonder if Noé is a noble's son . . . . . . . but he kinda reminds me of a country kid like I was . . . . . and he doesn't seem to know about other vampires like Jean and Luca.'

"Count Orlok, I do apologize for barging in abruptly like this."

"No matter. The House of De Sade was rude long before your generation."

"Hahaha! Ah, my burning ears."

'Wait a sec . . . How come she gets a free pass!?! Vanitas, Noé, and I all get threatened. . . . . . Just how often do the De Sade's barge into places that they get a reputation like this . . . I wonder if-'