Of Dusk And Roses

06. warm welcomes

VIKTOIR was about to head to her father's office the moment she strutted out of the ballroom until Hector grabbed her arm. He began dragging her to the other side of the mansion, towards the kitchen. Serafina would tell her that years ago, everything was made of wood and the room was filled with fresh goods from their own farm, but at present-day, nothing but high technology appliances and stuff from the supermarket occupied the kitchen. A few of the confused housekeepers wearing their black and white ensemble watched them pass by but said nothing.

"What in the bloody hell is this for, Hector?"

She knew he wanted to talk to her about something important because he always brought her there where everyone was boisterously working, so no one heard their conversation but a few loyal souls.

He stopped abruptly, positioning both of them behind the island bar. He was wearing a black and white suit, like he and Sebastian always did whenever there were occasions. He got his phone and typed something before letting her hear. I'm the clairvoyant.

She stiffened, throwing him a dirty look. "You know better than to tell me this. I felt so stupid earlier, even until now, and you have the decorum to throw that to my face? Serafina was right. I should've asked you first all this time."

His face scrunched up at the mention of her sister's name. He kept his phone in his pocket and switched to sign language.  You shouldn't go on that mission.

"Didn't you hear me?"

He looked at her as if he wanted to throttle her. It's not safe. It may not be the right time but weren't you listening? You're going to die.

"It doesn't matter." She shrugged. "What we need is to find a way to stop this Zenith from waking up."

He didn't even contradict the statement that she just assured that Zenith would, in fact, wake up. He didn't even try. Instead, he closed his eyes as he took a deep breath as he placed both of his hands on her shoulders.

"You've been keeping that secret from me for how long, Hector?" She said, not bothering to remove his hands on her shoulders. "Well, now we'll see. There's nothing you can do about me and Sebastian going on that mission. We've already made up our minds."

I can't let you die on me. He looked desperate, which bemused Viktoir for a moment. Both of you are all I have.

For a second, she was actually speechless. Hector was dear to her just as Sebastian was, but the three of them had never been that vocal of their fondness for each other. Nevertheless, they were inseparable ever since.

Even since Viktorina.

1924. New York, United States of America.

"Tone down on the drinking, Sebastian," Viktorina said teasingly, though she really was worried by the rate at which he was going. "I don't want to be the one to drag both you and Hector ossified back to the hotel."

"Don't worry too much. Everything's jake other than the fact that a sly fox really got me." He sneered and took yet another gulp of scotch in just one go. "I don't get it. How was she able to spin me around her fingers all this time? She's not even a pureblood."

From the corner of her eye, she swore she had seen Hector flinch at his words. Sebastian should definitely watch his tongue regardless of what he was feeling. He knew better than to throw that to their friend's face.

Hector and Sebastian were too much alike- a stark contrast to their relationship when they first met. Both of them loved wearing suits because it made them feel more sophisticated. They ordered the same pasta dish- fettucine alfredo- and both drank champagne. Jazz music flowed through the walls of the restaurant as a few of the guests danced in the middle of the room.