Road Trip with Vampires: one star, would not recommend.

Post-Atlantic Trauma

Naturally, nothing went well. They were both thrown onto the coast of Morocco, cursing and spluttering, by two very enraged Nereids.

Was it their fault? Yes, I can guarantee it was. But just in case you're one of those readers who insist on looking on both sides of a story, I give you a quick rundown:

1. They jumped off a boat leaving the east coast of North America.

2. The sea, as everyone probably knows, is the god Poseidon's territory. It is usually a good idea to inform him before you jump right in. Especially if you're a nymph. Tethis knows this. She just doesn't like lengthy procedures.

3. The one very nice Nereid they encountered (Hey, she didn't try to kill them on sight.) tried to give them a second chance (read: to explain themselves to a pissed-off Greek god). Tethis employed some Ancient Greek barbs. The Nereid didn't like it.

4. Nix got an idea in that abysmally small brain of hers that she could, somehow, intimidate her way out of trouble. The scheme involved a cannon. Nix didn't have a cannon. But she did have a trombone.

5. Poseidon was not thrilled about the trombone. Especially about the trombone.

6. No amount of dramatic speeches could get Nix, along with Tethis, out of this one. They were dumped on the coast of Morocco. It was midday in Morocco. You can probably guess what happened next.

'Tea?'

Nix carefully picked the last strand of seaweed out of the chipped teacup before chugging. 

'Can you talk now?'

She fixed her hair back into its bun. 'It's a sunburn. Not a cough.'

'So...you've always been able to speak?'

Nix held out her cup for more tea.

Tethis wasn't sure what to make of it. On one hand, the look on Poseidon's face when Nix pulled a trombone out of seemingly nowhere was priceless. On the other hand, she could never go back to Canada ever again.

'Cheers,' muttered Tethis to herself, as she collected more seaweed in the scorching midday heat. 

The waves lapped at her feet, warning her of what would happen if she ever went below them again.

The sea air would be good for Nix. If she hadn't gone insane from hours of sitting in a dark cave by that time. 

What was she thinking? She was a vampire. She lived in the dark.

Tethis noted the time. She hoped Nix would be able to recover by night. One moment lost was one moment less she had to live.

Inwardly, she hated those nymphs for telling her that she had a contagious toe-eating disease. If she had been out and about earlier, she wouldn't need to speedrun her life in the span of one year. 

She kicked a rock, completely disregarding Newton's third law. 

Limping back into the cave, she heated another pot of water and threw the seaweed into it. Thank goodness Nix didn't need water to stay alive, or Tethis would be arrested for first-degree murder. 

Handing the next cup of tea to Nix, she noticed that the vampire was looking rather pale. In fact, she looked positively sickly. Tethis was sure that it had nothing to do with the confiscation of her trombone by a Greek god.

'Are you okay?'

Nix nodded, chugging tea. 

'Are you absolutely sure?'