Let's Go For A Pint (Vampire/Humor)

8.3 The Dinner

I told Carmen what had happened encountering Tino's family. I of course informed her about the invitation to dinner and she declined. She said she was busy that weekend completing her thesis draft. She advised that I should decline by making up an excuse, suggesting I say I have a family emergency.

Yeah right!

I was certain that would make them reschedule the dinner. I also asked James and Max if either wanted to accompany me, but both were busy that weekend with their own affairs. Max feared he would accidentally give away secrets that could help the hunters and too suggested I shouldn't go. Asking the Stoners was equal to finding the eight in Minesweeper on the first click. I mentioned nothing of it to Draven, and he also advised against attending. He even followed me to the house.

"I can face them alone. I don't see how telling me to turn back now is helping."

"Mistress, whether you die from this, it will benefit them, not you." He floated in front of me at least ten times before the ectoplasmy chill set in.

"Draven, there is a kid who has trouble expressing something to his parents and needs encouragement. I've come to the decision that while they're somehow programmed to kill me, Tino thinks differently. I'm going to support him."

"Mara says hunters are determined to get rid of anything they've sworn to get rid of. You can't convince this kid to hunt werewolves or witches or even ghosts ..."

Blah blah blah. Yes, I knew the dangers ahead of me, but I'm still alive and telling this story, aren't I? I stopped at the cedar bushes separating the two houses and said, "Draven, I have no idea who Mara is and she could be wrong about certain things. I'm going through with this. You're free to come along, but they'll definitely know something's up if they catch me talking to you."

Draven didn't respond. Instead, he floated away and vanished. With him gone, I approached the front door and rang the doorbell. Shortly after, a man answered the door. I didn't see him the last time, but he appeared exhausted, as if he recently returned home from a long business trip.

"You must be?"

"Lena. I was invited over for dinner."

"Ah yes! My wife has mentioned you the other day. Wasn't someone supposed to join you? Her name's Carmen, right?"

"Carmen? She can't make it. She'd love to, but she's busy."

I had a strong feeling he didn't trust me. I suspected he recently returned from a hunting trip and wanted to kill me on the spot. "Yes. You're a little early, but please, come in. Don't stay out in the cold."

I stepped in, making sure I didn't trip off any barriers or traps from crossing a threshold. I doubted Tino's family would improperly set up a barrier, but hey! They did invite me. He closed the door, hung up my coat, and led me to the living room. Just before I could sit, he, his wife, and their two oldest assembled in front of the dining room entrance.

"You've already met my wife, Louisa, and my children Jovi and Gabi. My name is Antonio, by the way."

All were dressed as if they arrived from a church service. The men wore shirts and pants while the women wore modest dresses. Then there was me, slightly underdressed for the occasion, wearing jeans and a t-shirt. I probably should've asked Carmen for something of hers. While I don't normally wear it, I made sure to put on my cross pendant. Anyway, why should I ramble about what I'm wearing? It was what Tino wore at first that caused quite a stir.

Just as I began to say something, Tino ran down the stairs, ecstatic I made it to dinner. "Lena! Lena! How do I look?" he exclaimed as he came down. He put on a similar outfit to the guys, but he had in addition a cape fashioned out of a bed sheet and a waistcoat. He also applied make-up on his face, but it was messy. Messy as in he used lipstick to draw on blood dripping from the side of his mouth and every colour of eye shadow to give himself raccoon eyes. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start to his Halloween costume.