Vamps in Chaos

Chapter Five: Blending In

It was one of those nights when the city felt alive with a pulse all its own, the kind that buzzed through the streets and made everyone feel like they were part of something bigger. Babe figured it was the perfect backdrop to teach Billy a skill all vampires worth their fangs had to master: blending in.

"Alright," Babe said, striding confidently toward the entrance of a dimly lit bar tucked away in a side street. "Tonight's lesson: socializing. Think you're up for it?"

Billy hesitated, glancing at the bar's neon sign flashing above the doorway. "I... will endeavor to... socialize. Though I cannot say I am particularly skilled in such... informal gatherings."

Babe grinned, patting him on the back. "That's the spirit. Besides, it's not like we're storming a castle. Just be cool, follow my lead, and whatever you do, don't talk about ancient vampire customs."

As they walked in, a wave of music and chatter greeted them, mixing with the faint scent of aged whiskey and warm food. The bar wasn't packed, but there were enough people to make it feel lively. A group of friends laughed over drinks in one corner, while a couple played a slightly tipsy game of darts nearby. It was a regular night in a regular bar, but to Billy, it must have felt like stepping into a different world.

They found seats at the bar, and Babe ordered them both a round of drinks. He watched as Billy looked around, his gaze sweeping the room with a mixture of curiosity and hesitation. A glass was set in front of him, amber liquid catching the light, and Babe smirked as Billy picked it up, sniffing it like he was evaluating fine wine.

"So, first lesson," Babe said, raising his glass. "Toasting. Pick a reason, any reason, and clink glasses with me. It's tradition. A modern one."

Billy raised an eyebrow, looking uncertain. "To... not angering the council?"

Babe laughed, clinking his glass against Billy's. "I'll drink to that."

They both took a sip, and Billy's expression shifted from cautious curiosity to pleasant surprise. "This is... not unpleasant."

"Good, right?" Babe said, grinning. "Now, just relax, look around, and... let yourself enjoy the vibe. It's what we call 'chilling.'"

Billy gave a slight nod, though he still looked a bit too stiff to be "chilling" by any modern definition. But Babe decided to give him a pass. After all, it was his first time in a bar that didn't involve grand banquets or formal duels.

They sipped their drinks, talking here and there, mostly Babe pointing out the unspoken social cues around them-like nodding politely when people passed by, not staring too long, and the art of casual small talk. Billy tried to follow along, though he still had the air of someone bracing for a surprise attack.

Eventually, Babe noticed a couple of people eyeing Billy, one of them giving a friendly nod as he passed by. Babe nudged him, leaning in. "Alright, looks like you've got a fan. Here's your chance-try saying 'hey' and see where it goes."

Billy looked at him like he'd just suggested walking barefoot over hot coals. "Must I?"

Babe rolled his eyes. "Come on. It's just a friendly 'hey.' Nothing intense. You've got this."

Billy took a deep breath, then turned to the stranger, his expression a touch too serious. "Hey."

The guy smiled, giving him a friendly nod before walking off, clearly not thinking much of it. Babe held back a laugh, watching Billy's faint look of relief.

"See? That wasn't so hard," Babe teased. "Now, keep it casual. Just observe, and we'll work on blending in."

As the night went on, they practiced more basic social interactions, Babe nudging Billy into short, harmless exchanges with the bartender and a few other patrons. Each time, Billy seemed to grow a little more comfortable, and by the end of the evening, he was sitting with a slightly more relaxed posture, even nodding at a couple who walked by with a small, almost polite smile.

Babe leaned back, crossing his arms with a satisfied grin. "See? You're blending in already."

Billy looked around, his expression thoughtful. "It is... strange. But not without its appeal."

As they got up to leave, one of the bar regulars-a woman in her late twenties with a warm, slightly tipsy smile-approached Billy, clearly curious. "Hey, haven't seen you around here before. You new in town?"

Babe almost stepped in to save him, but Billy surprised him by giving a slight bow, an elegant but unnecessary gesture that somehow worked in his favor. "Indeed. I am... adjusting to the... recent move."

"Oh," she said, amused, "I like your style. You have this... old-world vibe. Very... knight in shining armor."

Babe grinned, watching Billy's face shift from surprise to something that looked almost like pride. He turned to Babe, a small, triumphant glint in his eye.

Before Babe could congratulate him, a loud voice from behind made them both turn.

"Hey, pretty boy!" a guy called out, leaning over from a nearby table. He had the classic air of someone who'd had one drink too many, and his swagger was bordering on sloppy. "You do magic tricks or somethin'? Lookin' like you just stepped out of a medieval theme park!"

Babe held back a laugh, nudging Billy to roll with it. "Just ignore him, or play along. He's harmless."

Billy looked at Babe, then back at the guy, clearly uncertain. "I... thank you," he said, choosing the polite route.

"Ha! Thought so. How 'bout a trick, magic man?" The guy pointed to a bottle of beer on his table, raising his eyebrows. "Make this disappear, why don't ya?"

Babe couldn't help himself. He leaned over to Billy and whispered, "Alright, how about a little theatrics? Just pretend you're about to do something, real mysterious-like."

Billy's lips twitched in amusement as he raised his hands slowly, putting on his best "vampire lord" face. He fixed his gaze on the bottle, his expression intense, and mumbled something in a low voice that sounded vaguely like Latin. The guy stared, wide-eyed, as if he'd actually witnessed a spell.

With a dramatic flick of his wrist, Billy lowered his hand and gave the man a dignified nod. The guy just gawked, clearly convinced he'd witnessed some kind of ancient magic. "Dude... you're serious, aren't you?"

Babe burst out laughing, grabbing Billy's arm as they headed for the door. "Perfect," he managed between laughs. "You're a natural. Told you you'd fit right in."

As they left, Babe gave Billy a playful punch on the shoulder. "Nice work, man. You're getting the hang of it. Think you're ready for more?"

Billy hesitated, looking back at the bar, a faint smile lingering on his face. "I believe... I am."

And for once, Babe didn't doubt it.