Vamps in Chaos

Chapter Four: New Era, New Rules

Back in the loft, Billy looked like he'd just escaped a battlefield. He stood stiffly by the window, gazing out at the city lights like he might need to plot an escape route. Babe leaned against the counter, sipping his iced coffee and trying not to laugh. For a guy who had lived through medieval warfare and vampire politics, Billy had a surprisingly low tolerance for modern drama.

"So," Babe said, grinning. "How'd you like your first taste of the Vampire Council? Bunch of charmers, huh?"

Billy glanced over, still looking as though he'd been asked to jump off a cliff. "They were... formidable," he admitted, a hint of awe in his voice. "I did not anticipate such... scrutiny."

Babe smirked, shrugging. "Eh, they're just power-tripping. Acting like they're all mysterious and untouchable. Don't let it get to you."

Billy took a deep breath, his gaze shifting back to the window. "It is... difficult. In my time, the council was revered. Challenging them was unthinkable."

"Yeah, well, that was then," Babe replied, crossing his arms. "Now, you don't have to treat them like they're some all-knowing gods or whatever. In this century, people question authority all the time. It's kind of our thing."

Billy frowned, clearly chewing over Babe's words like they were some strange, exotic dish. "I see," he said slowly, though he didn't sound fully convinced. "Still, I cannot deny... it is unnerving."

Babe rolled his eyes and tossed his empty coffee cup into the trash. "Alright, you know what? You need a night off. You need to unwind."

Billy turned to him, looking wary. "Unwind?"

"Yep. You're coming with me. We're doing something fun, no council nonsense, no ancient rules." Babe grabbed his keys, practically dragging Billy to the door. "Trust me, you'll thank me later."

They ended up at a local arcade—a neon-splashed haven for anyone wanting to lose themselves in flashing lights and button-mashing madness. Babe watched Billy take it all in, his eyes wide with cautious fascination as they wandered through aisles of blinking machines and retro game consoles.

"This," Babe announced, gesturing at the whole chaotic scene, "is what we call an arcade. Basically, it's where people come to play games, let loose, and forget their problems."

Billy looked around, his brows knitting together. "These... devices," he said slowly, "are for... recreation?"

"Exactly." Babe grinned, steering him toward a pinball machine. "Alright, first lesson in unwinding: hit those buttons, keep the ball from falling, and... don't overthink it."

Billy approached the machine with what looked like actual trepidation. He stood stiffly, his fingers hovering over the buttons like they might explode if he touched them. Babe fought back a laugh, giving Billy an encouraging nod.

"Go on. Just... hit the buttons."

Billy took a deep breath, then cautiously pressed one of the buttons. The machine whirred to life, lights flashing and noises blaring as the ball shot into play. Billy's eyes widened, and for a split second, he looked genuinely startled.

Babe couldn't resist a snicker. "See? Not so bad, right?"

Billy nodded, though his face was set in intense concentration. He pressed the buttons with a kind of deliberate caution, his gaze locked on the ball as though his unlife depended on it. When the ball finally slipped past the flippers and the machine let out a disappointing buzz, Billy stepped back, looking... almost insulted.

"It... bested me," he murmured, clearly affronted.

Babe snorted. "Relax, it's just a game. The whole point is to have fun, not to win."