Vamparrot

Chapter 1 Origins of a Vamparrot

In the fading light of Papua New Guinea's montane rainforests, Varujan stood on the balcony of his castle, the echoes of the nature documentary's narration still lingering in the air. The rich tapestry of the landscape unfolded beneath him, a stark contrast to the haunting memories of his distant past.

Varujan turned to face the unseen narrator, his voice carrying the weight of centuries as he began to unravel the tale of his origin.

"I was born in the heart of Transylvania 320 years ago to a prestigious vampire family: the Orloks. They were feared by humans and respected by vampires throughout Eastern Europe. Our legacy was one of power and tradition," Varujan explained. My father, Alaric Orlok, was the family's patriarch. He was a strict man feared by even the bravest of vampires and had an air of respect that rivaled that of Dracula himself."

"My mother, Lillith Orlok, the family's matriarch, was the picture of elegance and beauty. Her personality, however, was quite ugly and had a venomous tongue." Varujan continued. As the only child of the most prestigious, I was under tremendous pressure to meet my father's standards and expectations. The stress was enough to kill even the hardiest of mortals within days.

As Varujan spoke, the scene shifted to Transylvania's dark, gothic landscapes, where the moon cast eerie shadows on centuries-old castles.

"As a child, my training in transformation was fraught with difficulties. Vampires my age often practiced turning into crows or ravens before mastering the forms of bats or wolves. However, my attempts took a peculiar turn. Instead of the expected crow or raven, I resembled a black parrot with a vulture-like face, an uncanny resemblance to the Pesquet's parrot. At that time, I didn't even know what they were."

The imagery shifted to a young Varujan struggling with his unique transformation, a black parrot form that set him apart from his peers.

"Hey guys! Check out that loser, Varujan!" One of the young vampires said as he saw Varujan's unusual transformation."

"I thought the Orloks were these elites among elites! Who has heard of a vampire that transforms into a parrot? Is he even a real vampire?" The young vampires exclaimed as they made fun of Varujan.

"As you can imagine, my peculiar appearance as a young vampire brought forth ridicule and scorn. The vampire community, known for its strict traditions and adherence to hierarchy, viewed me as an anomaly. It was the beginning of a troubled upbringing."

The scene transitioned to Varujan's teenage years, where the challenges only intensified. The lush Transylvanian landscapes witnessed the struggles of a young vampire grappling with his evolving identity.

"In my teenage years, I developed an unusual taste for fruit juice alongside human blood. It was a seemingly harmless quirk, but in the eyes of my fellow vampires, it was a betrayal of our primal nature. I became an outcast, bullied, and ostracized by my own kind.

One day, in the dimly lit corridors of a Transylvanian castle, a group of vampire peers were mocking Varujan for his unique abilities.

"Look who's here—it's Varujan the Vamparrot!" one of his peers snickered maliciously. "What kind of vampire turns into a parrot, anyway?"

"Well, at least I don't get stuck in chimneys during my nocturnal adventures," Varujan said with a mischievous smirk.

"Why don't you stick to a bat or a wolf like the rest of us, Varujan? "another of his peers wondered mean-spiritedly. "Turning into a parrot won't strike fear into the hearts of humans."

"Fear isn't the only way to survive, my friends. "Varujan explained. "Besides, have you ever tried the view from up high? It's quite breathtaking."

"And what's this I hear about you sipping fruit juice?" A third peer asked mockingly. "Are we having a picnic in the woods, Varujan?"

"It's not about picnics." I responded a bit agitated. "It's about savoring the finer things in life. A little fruit juice complements the taste of human blood quite well."

"How refined. Next, you'll be asking for a straw." The first of his peers asked sarcastically.

"Maybe I will," I answered with an air of mockery. "A straw would make my midnight snacks more enjoyable."

"The peers exchange puzzled glances, uncertain how to respond to my nonchalant demeanor. I walked away, leaving them in a state of bemused confusion."

"One fateful day, my parents confronted me about my unconventional choices while they met in a lavish drawing room in my ancestral castle."

"Varujan, we need to talk. "My father Alaric commanded as he faced me. "Your behavior has brought shame upon our family."

"Father, I assure you, my actions were never meant to disgrace our name," I responded nonchalantly.

"Turning into a parrot, sipping fruit juice – this is not what our family stands for," My mother Lillith responded in an annoyed and furious tone. "Our legacy is one of power and tradition."

"Mother, times are changing," Varujan pleaded, realizing he might be in serious trouble. "We don't have to adhere to the old ways. There's room for evolution, even among vampires."

"My father was losing his patience and smacked me, his son, to the floor as my mother grows even more furious at my demeanor.

"Evolution? Do you call this evolution?" Father asked furiously. "You're an embarrassment, Varujan. Our peers laugh at us because of your peculiar choices."

"I may be different, but isn't that what makes us strong? I asked as I was still bewildered by my father assaulting him. "Adapting to new ways, exploring uncharted territories?"

"This isn't about strength, Varujan. It's about tradition." My mother responded furiously. "You've strayed too far from our values, and we can't allow our family to be associated with your deviations."

"Are you disowning me, then? "I asked in disbelief. Even though my parents were very strict in his upbringing, I never expected them to be so hostile towards me. "Cast me aside because I don't fit your mold?" I continued as I managed to get back up."

"You leave us no choice," my father responded now that he had collected his cool. We can't let your actions tarnish our lineage any further. You're no longer a part of this family."

"So be it. I'll forge my path; maybe one day, you'll understand that strength comes in many forms." I said as I turned into my parrot form and flew out the window, pushing away the curtains slightly, but enough to leave burns on my former parents as I left my ancestral home.

"As bad as father was, mother was even worse. She resented me and my peculiarities so badly that she even tried to take my undead life. She was willing to swallow her pride to hire vampire hunters to remove me from existence."

The narrative wove through Varujan's turbulent adolescence, portraying the isolation and hostility he faced within the vampire community.

"In a desperate attempt to find solace, I sought refuge in remote corners of Transylvania. Yet, even in the depths of the Carpathian Mountains, the shadows of my past haunted me. Other vampires harassed and ridiculed me relentlessly."

The scene shifted to a desolate landscape, the Transylvanian wilderness, echoing Varujan's desperate attempts to find a place where he could belong.

"Any attempt by myself to build my own castle were thwarted by rival vampires and assassins hired by my parents."