Of Silver And Gold (ONC 2023 Honorable Mentions)

Chapter 11

Zhea

1655 hours

Herbert Fletcher Zaeheri

His neat handwriting was slowly turning into ant-like scribbles. Who would have thought reserving two spaces for a party in JAL ended up from austere payments to a one-page letter as if he was sending a note to his war-tending lover? Herbert raised his head to glance at the receptionist who proceeded in picking up the undead ringing, switching tones from gentle to monstrous. Customer service seemed to have exploded off the politeness chart. It went from simple conversations of, "No, sir, we do not offer lunch and compensation" to "Get out of the hotel." When the Haranke wiggled its delft blue head towards his direction, Herbert bobbed his head earning a hiss from the other where he had a front-row seat to the slithering fork tongue. If he did not have an encounter with serpents before, he would have thought the receptionist took the fancy of him as her dinner palate.

"If you are in your room we will send you a friendly invitation reminder. You are required to bring the entry pass to our eighteenth floor," the receptionist said, pushing the silver glittering entry pass to her customer and proceeding to pick up his scribbles. "Alright, that will do. Two people for the evening, Fletcher and Yueru from room 345D join tonight's exclusive party. Are you planning to go in as a couple or as individuals?"

"How does revealing that information helps in enjoying our party night?" Herbert asked, taking the entry pass to read the details and silently admire the neat signature that smelt metallic as if it was real blood. "I thought it is a party for everyone regardless of singles or couples."

"Well, Sir Fletcher, we would like that information to prevent any mishaps like couple stealing or unwanted fights since all our decors are imported from other kingdoms," she revealed as she tapped the invisible board quickly with her sharp-manicured talons. "Not to mention the possible usage of magic or supernatural abilities that could cost JAL a huge amount of loss. Please understand our concern."

"We are going as a couple," answered Herbert without any second thoughts and in no time the receptionist provided him with two bracelets in half silver and half gold. "That's an exquisite taste for a going-in pass."

"Yes, it resonates with our kingdom's mission in manifesting the silver and be gold. We have it specially woven. Please wear it before you head to the party," she reminded and bowed. "That's all for the party's registration. We hope you have fun throughout the exclusive party. Thank you."

The elder vampire slipped the bracelets into his pocket. He couldn't help but play with the carefully braided cloth that felt like a freshly processed silk cloth. It would be a night for him to remember. Attending an exclusive party can be an experience he could bring back to Harl. In his mind, he already planned to drag one of the historically famous empire founders residing in Harl for centuries. It was time for the prominent founder to explore the evolution of the world. Just as Herbert was about to climb into the lift, he scented fresh blood from the outside. While none of the Harankes paid heed to the fishy odour, Herbert turned towards the open door with a large welcome mat and tracked it. Only when he did step outside of the hotel, he noticed the familiar mammal curling by the door.

He bit his inner cheeks, preventing the animalistic growl from fleeing its pit. Removing the cloth covering his weapon, Herbert pressed it to the wounded sides to prevent more blood from flowing. He lower his head close to Actticus', breathing in heavily as his shoulders rose and fall at the unsteady breaths. His sight was getting bloody. Everything around him was covered in red, replacing the beauty of their originality. Herbert could see his fingernails breaking into jet-black ones. No one and he could repeat it a zillion times, no one in this whole wide universe was allowed to hurt Actticus. The one and only wolf who dragged him out of the darkest pit of his life. Soft whines and weak purrs resonated against his ears, hauling his senses to their surface and painting his world lighter. A soft paw landed on his chest, tapping in rhythm. Herbert wrapped the cloth around Actticus' wound and cradled the wolf in his arms.