After the ordeal of dealing with Jemma and setting up a cage for the gliders, the following weeks, ironically, were quiet. Or maybe you were just so laser-focused on finding a house, nothing else permeated your thoughts.
Tabaeus and you continue the established feeding schedule. They still 'snacked' when they could get away with it. However, they did honor your denials. An unforeseen benefit of the sugar gliders was Tabaeus wasn't prone to lonely wanderings to find you when you went to work. It was honestly a relief. The day after he brought the new furry family members home, you'd been so concerned they'd show up again. It was almost eerie when they didn't.
Your real estate search also eventually bears fruit.
The house you find, the one that calls out to you, is an old house, built in the 1800s, with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. A lovely shade of blue, with a large porch and fenced-in backyard. There's even two stone gargoyles that keep watch from the stoop.
It is located downtown, in an older part of the city. Which essentially means a diverse neighborhood filled with old homes, remodels, renters, and homeowners along with families, childless couples, and singletons.
With two stories, plus a basement and attic, it's roomy enough for your - grudgingly - growing family- ...er, roomateship? Plus there's a detached garage and roomy kitchen with plenty of storage for appliances. Off the dining room, a greenhouse is attached. The basement is unfinished, which means Tabaeus is less likely to sleep there, but the freezer the previous owner left behind made up for it.
Strangely, it has been on the market for the better part of a year. Either no one had placed an offer or the owner was excessively picky. Regardless, you contacted your real estate agent and asked for a tour. You and Tabaeus walked through the house, pointing out little things you liked and little problems that would need fixing.
By the end, however, the two of you agreed it certainly felt like home. From there, it had been back-and-forth discussions, inspections, and negotiations. It looked like the closing was on the horizon. Which meant gathering the additional funds together for the house and closing costs was needed.
That led you to your current undertaking with Tabaeus. Which entailed the two of you bumbling about in the local sewers.
"Why in the world do you have a cache of treasure here?" It's not the first time you ask the question and it likely won't be the last. Every inch of your body is covered in clothing, plus a mask to fight off the stench of the sewage. The acrid scent still manages to get into your nose and you're certain you'll have to burn the clothes once you get back to the apartment.
Tabaeus throws you a look, as if to say 'Are you genuinely asking that of I, your amnesiac vampire friend?' Their expression is no less stormy than yours.
They are dressed in just as much as you, in a dark hoodie, their hair tucked under the hood, and long pants and boots. Only their red glowing eyes are visible above their mask. An odd comfort, you realize.
Your expression doesn't falter and they sigh, shoulders slumping as they turn their flashlight back down the corridor. "I honestly do not know. I just know it is here."
"Well, hurry it up. We're not even supposed to be down here." You hiss, jumping out of the way of a rat scurrying by.
"Patience," Tabaeus sighs, swinging their lone beam of light to and fro. They're mumbling to themselves, their gloved hand tracing the wall. There's no way a hidden compartment or room is down here, you think. There's literally no way. The city would know about it! And if the city knew about it, it would've been pilfered a long time ago.
Something pinged at Tabaeus's memory as they started to stride with more purpose. You followed after them, weakly hoping this wasn't an utterly useless endeavor. It would just figure that, once you pursued a house, your vampire patron would run dry in finances. Or just not be able to find their literal treasure trove.
You're not sure how they managed to do it, but you watch as Tabaeus's touches a certain spot in the wall and twists a nearby knob. For a breathless second, you tense, waiting to hear the clatter of broken pipes or heightened water pressure. But you hear the sound of metal and rock shifting and your eyes widen as an entryway slides open in the wall.
Tabaeus glances to you over their shoulder, a teasing smirk in their voice as they hold out their hand to you. "See? The universe rewards those who hold their tongue."
You accept their hand, but shoot them a sharp look. It only makes their smirk broaden as they turn to lead you through the darker-than-pitch corridor. Your heart pounds as the world around you turns to deep shadows. There's no way to spy any silhouettes or make out faint shapes of pipes or gaskets. It's all so dark. And quiet. You don't even hear the skittering of rats.
It grows even darker as the door slides shut behind you. You jerk, turning to look, but only see a blanket of black. Fear dances in your stomach.
Sensing your apprehension, Tabaeus gives your hand a squeeze. "I am here."
"I know," you mumble as you turn back around, your face flaring with embarrassed heat. Their presence is part of the problem, though. They are a vampire. They feast on your blood. And though you two have grown closer, more amicable, you're worried where this all will end. It may not be tomorrow or in the year or even in ten years, but Tabaeus could always turn on you and then go on with their life.
Whenever you think of the disparate lifespans between you two, you find yourself wondering if you made a mistake.
"I believe this is it," Tabaeus says, rousing you from your thoughts. "Shield your eyes a moment."
You do as they say, before you listen to Tabaeus fumble in the dark. There's a click and you see lights flash behind your eyelids. Carefully, you squint open your eyes, letting them slowly adjust. After a few rapid blinks, your eyes widen.
It appears to be a huge corridor, with a tiled ceiling - plastered with cobwebs - and arching buttresses. Thankfully, it seems relatively dry, with no oozing sewage to squelch underfoot. It's not until your eye catches the dip in the floor, where railroad track is laid, that you realize this is an old train station or, perhaps, a closed section on a route. You take a few steps farther down the line. The lighting casts a slightly yellow tint on everything in the vicinity. And there is certainly a lot in the vicinity.
Furniture, racks of clothing, mannequins, shelving. It's a mishmash of things from different decades, perhaps even eras. You try to peer down the corridor, but the haphazard piles seem to go on forever with only carefully carved paths between their bases. The mingling scent of dust and mildew hang heavy in the air, along with rotting wood, but there's perfumes you wouldn't expect. Faintly, you wonder if there's colognes or potpourris in the mess of miscellany.
Tabaeus suddenly appears again at your elbow and you jump with a yelp.
"My apologies," they say, offering you an awkward smile. At some point, they had lowered the mask they wore and it hung beneath their chin. In their hands is a large wooden box, an ancient latch on its side.
You nod to it. "What's in there?"
"Replenished funds!" With a flourish, they open the lid to show off the contents. Inside are more gold coins and jewelry and gems. Much of it looks about the same time period as the other payments you've taken from them.
"Why don't you live here?" The thought strikes you quick and you glance around again. It is roomy and, with a little bit of elbow grease, you're certain it can become a livable place. Heck, there was probably an old abandoned train car somewhere further down the track. "I'm sure there's enough things to live comfortably and you could probably head up top for... food, when you need it."
You stumble when you think of what Tabaeus would have to do to survive in this place. Without thinking, you rub at the spot on your neck that has grown bruised from multiple feedings. The courage to let Tabaeus feed from somewhere else has yet to take root.
"There are a number of reasons," Tabaeus admits, closing the wooden box. Their shoulders hunch a little as they gaze about, their fingers playing with the latch of the box in their arms. "It is grimy and dusty. Not to mention rather isolating."
At that last point, they wince. You can't help the curiosity needling through your thoughts. Thus far, Tabaeus hasn't mentioned other vampires nor anyone else for that matter. Even if his amnesia was a result of a long sleep, you think there'd be someone they'd remember.
"Besides, I have found I quite enjoy being in the presence of others. Especially you." You focus on Tabaeus again. They smile crookedly at you, their red eyes flickering from your gaze to your reddening cheeks. More than once, Tabaeus has admitted to enjoying how your cheeks color.
Needing to break up the sudden warm heaviness surrounding you two, you scoff, "That's me, your little blood bag."
That draws Tabaeus's eyes back to your own, an ember in their red depths. "You're my amata trinkaĵo, actually."
"Oh, yes, I've been upgraded to a drink instead of a bag," you snort and roll your eyes. Tabaeus had actually taken to calling you Amata on occasion. And each time, you shot them a dirty look. In return, they'd only grin.
This time, however, Tabaeus's smile is soft and a little sad. They notice your stare and instantly reel back, clearing their throat as they cast their eyes about.
"Can you hold this? I might be able to find other little bits that are fairly valuable," they ask, holding out the wooden box to you. With a nod, you relieve Tabaeus of the crate, grunting as you realize how heavy it is. They don't seem to notice your struggle as they turn, off to investigate further.
"Do you think you'll remember anything if you poke around here?" The question comes so sudden and soft to your lips, you almost think Tabaeus didn't hear it. But, they did, and they stop suddenly, turning their eyes back to you. It's a roundabout question that you hope will stir their memories or a nugget of information to research. "There's got to be tons of memorabilia here."
"I... do not know." A complicated expression creases at Tabaeus's face, their eyes drifting from one item to the next. It wasn't a complete refusal, though, and they wander toward an old wardrobe. You watch as they pull out the drawers and shuffle through them. Papers, knick-knacks, photos. Picking every little thing up and examining it carefully.
"Some things stir memories," they admit, after a long few moments. You perk up, edging closer to them, though your loot weighs you down. Tabaeus tilts a photo toward you and you squint, looking over an array of faces frozen in time. "I feel I know these people. As if I grew up with them, but I cannot tell you their names or what year this was taken in."
They flip the photo back into the drawer it came from, before pulling out another paper. It looks like a letter, typed up on an old-timey typewriter. "And this here. I recognize the name Reginald Taylor. He was a chemist at a general store on Gooseberry Boulevard. Where that is, though, or how long I knew him, I have not the foggiest."
With a sigh, Tabaeus drops the note into its home drawer. With another look cast about the corridor, creases of wretchedness continue to mark their features.
"What is it?" You start to lift your hand to touch their shoulder, before realizing you're still hauling the gold around.
"There are many bad memories," Tabaeus shakes their head, taking a few steps away from you. Their expression is strained and you think you see their eyes growing glassy, wet. "Deaths by feeding and other means. Blackmail. Extortion. Cruelty."
You're not sure what to say, so you just remain quiet. Though your mind races with questions and theories.
It's when Tabaeus speaks again, their words making your stomach lurch, your worries solidify. "I... I do not believe I am a good person."
"What?" Without thinking you take a step closer. Your heart pounds and a spike of adrenaline has made you grow hot. A small fear of betrayal lashes in you - they said 'am' not 'was' a bad person - but you hold it down. "What did you remember?"
At that, Tabaeus's eyes dart to your face. A pained expression crosses their features briefly, before they manage to push it away. Their eyes draw away from you, their shoulders hunching. "Must I speak of it?"
Boldly or foolishly, you take another step forward. Your voice hardens. "Am I in danger?"
"No, not from me," Tabaeus startles at the accusation, their eyebrows drawing upward. "Never from me."
You press on, ignoring how a nervous flutter at those two words joins the pounding of your heart." Do others pose a danger to me?"
Tabaeus's lips pressed together, looking sad and wretched. Once more, their eyes flicker away from you, their fingers fidgeting with each other. "That I am not sure of."
"I would appreciate knowing whatever you know, Tabaeus." They flinch at the hard sharpness in your tone, but it's something that has to be said. Your mind is going a mile a minute, trying to confirm Tabaeus is a threat or make excuses for them. The longer you look at the misery dancing on his face, you sigh. "The memories may not be yours. They may be that of those you've fed on. Or maybe you have some sort of tactile memory powers."
That makes curiosity cut through their gloom. "Tactile memory powers?"
With a shrug, you try to explain as simply as possible. "It's like the ability to see memories tied to an object."
"Have you heard of such things?" Skepticism has Tabaeus's eyes narrowing, obviously not believing you.
"I mean, in comics and stuff." Now it's your turn to shrug. You're suddenly aware that you're still holding the box of valuables, your muscles aching from holding it. "You're literally a vampire, so I figure we keep our options open?"
"That is true." They do not sound convinced, though. Their dismal gaze scans the room, the furrow between their eyebrows deepening.
An awkward silence falls between the two of you. Tabaeus quietly wanders off after a polite amount of time, digging through items on the far side of the corridor. Still holding the box of treasure in your hands, you're not entirely certain what to do. Carefully, you set the valuables down on a larger trunk. After letting your arms rest, you decide to poke about the area yourself.
Half of your brain is looking for valuables or anything of interest. Any old little oddity or fascinating book or strange gadget. The other half is looking for information on Tabaeus. Photos, documents, anything that may lead to information.
"I know you are searching ways to kill vampires." Tabaeus's words, coming from behind you, makes you freeze.
You spin around, staring wide-eyed at Tabaeus. Suddenly, you are very aware you are underground, in a hidden place only Tabaeus knows of. Without thinking, your eyes dart around, hoping to scope out an exit. However, your brain starts wondering if the mounds of items are hiding dead bodies in their depths. Are those bad memories that keep Tabaeus from living here actually the souls of his victims?
"My apologies! I did not mean to startle you. I am not angry about it, I understand the need to protect yourself," they rush to explain, their own eyes widening as they realize how worried you were. You believe they would raise their hands in supplication, if it weren't for yet another box in their grasp. Warily, you stare at it, wondering what it could hold.
"I recalled this being here. Tied to those awful memories." Tabaeus mumbles before you can ask. Slowly, as if they were approaching a scared animal, they hold the box out to you. It takes you a breath to realize they're offering it to you to take. With lips pressed tight together, you don't take the box, but instead flip the lid open.
As you look at Tabaeus, a rush of confusion swarming your brain, they look away. Their shoulders jerk, as if to hunch in on themself, but holding out the box keeps them from performing the action.
"What is this, Tabaeus?" With a shaking hand, you reach into the box and pull out a wooden stake. It's old and gnarled looking, but there is a heft to it that isn't like other modern day wooden items you've held. There's other items in the box, as well.
Herbs and vials, bits of silver, a cross, a mirror, bound bags of who-knows-what, and more. At the very bottom, under everything, is what looks to be a notebook - perhaps a journal - with a crackling leather cover.
Their answer surprises you. "From what I remember, this is a vampire hunting kit."
"Why would you have this here?" It didn't make sense to you. Why would they have things around that could kill them? Though a small, dark part of you answers.
"I may have killed a few vampire hunters in my time." Tabaeus shrugs, as if taling about murder is no big deal. Though, you wryly suppose it's more self-defense, if these hunters were trying to kill Tabaeus. Your momentary amusement is gone when they voice what that dark part of you guessed, "Or perhaps it is just something all vampires keep. In case eternity becomes too great a burden."
You gently place the stake back into the box, closing the lid with a snap. "And why are you showing me this?"
"It is yours. For your protection." It is not a threat, you realize. Their words are too soft, their eyes downcast, their body language submissive for them to seem dangerous. "A token of my sincerity that I will never hurt you, but if I ever do, do not hesitate to use what is in this box."
The logical, paranoid part of you snorts derogatorily at the statement. There were any number of ways a sly vampire could sully a vampire hunting kit. The wrong herbs, fake silver, tap water in place of holy water. And it wasn't as if you hadn't left Tabaeus alone for long swaths of time for them to concoct such a ploy.
You had already begun stashing a cache of items at home and planning to grow anti-vampire herbs in your new greenhouse. Getting stakes was even easier, you'd found out, after being pointed toward the varieties available in the camping eisles. Nothing in lore said it had to be a wooden stake.
It is a struggle to believe Tabaeus would put together a fake vampire hunting kit. It seems too maliciously conniving. But, you suppose, if this was all an act, you wouldn't know what Tabaeus would or wouldn't do. Now would you?
Although, you are very curious to know what was in the journal. That is the only reason you relieve them of the box and offer up an uneasy smile to them, "Thank you, Tabaeus. I appreciate the understanding."
For once, they do not reply. They merely nod, humming an acknowledgement, as their gaze refuses to meet yours.
"We should head back home. I'm sure Bjarka and Liuva are missing you." You attempt to lighten the mood, balancing the much lighter box on your hip. With an nod to the heavier treasure-filled box, you ask, "Can you take that one? You're stronger than me."
With a silent nod, they shuffle to the other box and heft it in their arms. You can't even tell if it weighs anything to the vampire. There's no strain to their muscles, no bowing of their back.
Tabaeus finally looks at you and opens their mouth, as if to say something. But it instantly snaps closed and they look away from you.
"What?" You take a step closer to them, cocking your head as your free hand lightly touches their arm. The touch draws the attention of their eyes. Slowly, their gaze travels up your arm and tingles follow their path.
"Will you miss me?" Their words are soft, almost lost under the buzzing of the overhead lights. "When we part, I mean. Whenever that is."
You raise your eyebrows, trying to ignore the heavy grief painting the air around Tabaeus. "Are you planning to leave me?"
"No."
There's no 'not yet' or any other implication they ever thought to leave you. Just a simple 'no.' You wonder how far into the future Tabaeus has thought, has planned. Are they thinking just a week ahead? A month? A year? Ten years?
The thought brings a rush of conflicting sensations, warring for dominance in your chest. Overwhelming emotions make you feel the slightest bit dizzy. Abruptly, you pull your hand from Tabaeus and turn back the way you came, crisply saying, "That's better to ask when your leaving is inevitable, don't you think?"
You feel Tabaeus's eyes on your back. It makes those rush of contrary feelings spike and you swallow down uncertain tears. Finally, their feet start to shuffle after you and they say, a little defeatedly, "Yes, I suppose you are correct."
The two of you walk in silence, both carrying your own heavy baggage as you traverse the dark. When Tabaeus turns the lights off behind you - your hand already on the fabric of their jacket to be guided out - the forgotten world of items is plunged back into darkness.
You can't help but feel the two of you carry much more than the two boxes out of that place, though.