Of Gods and Monsters

Ithaca At Last

"Of all creatures that breathe and move upon the earth, nothing is bred that is weaker than man."

-Homer

Elek didn't know what exactly he had expected from Vienna. Perhaps he'd maybe deluded himself into believing it'd be exotic, somehow vastly different from Budapest. However, he was sorely disappointed. Although he did feel more at home here. Simply due to the atmosphere. Here, in this place, had seen the likes of Mozart, Franz Schubert, Beethoven, and Haydn. A mecca for musical creatives. He'd learned that much from his studies. Simply breathing the same air as them made him feel more—connected, to the human world.

There were minor differences, of course, between his home and Austria. Budapest's buildings were regal, symmetrical, plain. They frequently feature prominent pillars or gothic high arches. Whereas the buildings here in Vienna were domed, with long sequenced columns, frequently freestanding, with a higher usage of colors. It wasn't the complete one-eighty Elek had hoped for, but it certainly was a start.

He'd arrived by train in four hours flat, which wasn't bad time. Although his legs ached from the lack of movement, he wasn't without entertainment. Lukas, his new friend, had been excellent in that department. He'd successfully distracted Elek from his woes. The fact he was such an enigma was refreshing. Where at first Elek had been put off and frustrated by not being able to read his thoughts, he now welcomed it. It was as if Lukas were also a part of his immortal brethren. But, he knew better.

He'd already broached that topic once before with him, earlier in their train ride, with a regrettable reaction. He knew what he'd do, deep down. But he had hoped maybe he'd found a mortal to share his secret with. He'd hoped wrong. He'd watched the horror spread across Lukas's face with a sort of mild fascination, when he'd asked him what he thought of vampír's.

"Vampír?! Herr, erbarme dich! They're damnable creatures. I've had the good fortune to never run into one and hope to continue to, God willing."

Elek had found humor in the situation, but had refrained from outright laughing. Though, he couldn't disagree. They were damnable creatures, after all. And now, four and a half hours later, this poor Austrian boy was his own personal tour guide.

Lukas was probably the best guide he could've asked for. He was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and possessed a certain youthful innocence that Elek enjoyed. He thought bitterly that at some point, someone would've thought the same about him, but certainly no more. The night was young when they'd arrived, which left a lot of time for Elek and Lukas to sight-see. Once they had their fill of that, he finally led him to Burgtheater.

They had just ended a show, of some sort, and his view became illuminated. The theater was magnificent. A royal red color on the vast amounts of ground seats, with gold lacing the box seating and ceiling. Sitting in the middle of that, a large crystal and gold chandelier, at least two full-grown people tall and wide. Lukas seemed starry-eyed and overly enthusiastic about it, rambling on about its rich history and the successful shows that had been performed here. Elek though, for his part, was barely listening. The atmosphere of theaters was really what drew him to him. It would matter not if there were an audience, or if the theater were completely empty. It was the air it possessed when one entered, the grandness of it, which almost gave off the air of being a living creature. A sort of magic existed in a slumbering theater.

Elek drew back to himself when he thought to check his pocket watch (courtesy of Ambrus, of course.) Just the thought of the gift being from him made Elek's hand tighten around it dangerously hard. For Lukas's part, he was still walking ahead of Elek, pointing to things and listing off their significance to the theaters success. Elek cleared his throat, drawing Lukas's attention. He blushed crimson when he realized how he'd been going on, uninterrupted. Elek didn't quite mind though. He liked the innocent and mind-numbing rambling.

"I'm afraid I don't have much time to linger here, Lukas. I have to find an appropriate lodging for tonight. And I'm much fatigued from our journey. Although, I'm very much grateful for this amazing tour you've given me of Vienna and your theater. It's quite brilliant."

Lukas's blushed faded and it was replaced by a sense of renewed pride. If Elek hadn't been aware of himself, it would've made him smile. But he had more pressing matters. The sun would eventually shine its damnable face upon the earth, and he needed to find a proper hiding place. Lukas seemed to have a thought, and nodded his understanding.

"Of course. It was the least I could do for my rude behavior on the train. If you'd like, I know of an inn nearby that could offer you shelter for the night."

Elek didn't see why it would hurt, and he gave him his best gentile smile. It worked, for Lukas gave another blush.

"That would be lovely."