Chapter 92 Grassland Graces (3)

"Midnight is a really nice name, don't you think?" Lukas said as he folded his hands together. He watched the wholesome scene before him and bit back a smile. "It kind of reminds me of you too."

Stacy was currently holding a leaf and allowing the dark rabbit nibble on it, the bunny having warmed up to her. She coughed lightly at the sudden remark of Lukas and chose to focus on the first statement.

"That's quite a simple name. Not that it's bad or anything…"

"Why? Do you want it to have a name like Sharon or something?" Lukas grimaced at the idea of giving a pet a person's name–it didn't really work in his head.

"No. But I don't think we should name an animal, and more than that, it isn't possible for us to bring it with us. So it doesn't warrant any need for attention." Stacy pursed her lips as she focused on the creature.

She said one thing, but did the complete opposite of it.

"Er, have you never had any pets before?" Lukas raised a brow.

"Not really. And I don't know anybody who's had pets before." Stacy added.

"My bad."

Lukas tried to play it off coolly. While someone like him, a former human, knew that they've had animal companions like dogs and cats… he hadn't really seen any Vampires with pets either.

He hadn't even seen any rats inside his apartment.

Which should have tipped him off on how odd Vampires were, but he really didn't.

"But what about house plants, do you name them?" Lukas asked. "It's kind of like that. Well, not always, but it's caring for them and making sure that they're alright."

Honestly, Lukas was glad that with his luck of getting into things–they were in the face of a mostly friendly rabbit. If it had been hostile or dangerous, things would have ended far more differently now.

"If that's the definition of having a pet… won't that mean that you're my pet?" Stacy raised a brow.

"W-what?" Lukas bursted. He knew that the context was a little lost on Stacy, but he was embarrassed all the same.

"I've been making sure that you're alright with your situation with Chaerin and Lily." Stacy gave him an amused grin before she reluctantly patted the bunny's head. "I hope this little one grows safe and well from danger. It's a huge world, but it has to survive."

"I'm sure it will." Lukas said.

His words were a little meaningless considering that they'll leave it behind to fend for itself–and there were undoubtedly many dangers. Lukas had even seen a fox skulking around.

"Thanks, but who really knows?" Stacy slowly stood up and dusted herself. "I'm going back to the van now to catch some sleep. Will you stay here a bit longer?"

"...Yeah, you guessed right." Lukas gave her an apologetic smile. "I'll have to ask Midnight to keep me company a little bit more."

***

Once Stacy left him behind, Lukas glanced at the little dark rabbit. It was a lot more cautious around him than it did with Stacy, not really coming closer at all and it made him chuckle.

"Yeah, you got better company with her than me. I should know." Lukas eyed the surroundings one moment and before Midnight could scamper off–he took out the dagger and flung it.

The weapon flew straight across to the fox and missed somehow, but it was enough to make it run away.

"If you have to go little bud, make sure to not get caught by the foxes." Lukas said.

"I find it offensive that you're using this mighty weapon to fight off… creatures!" Drusilla's voice sounded in his ears. "This is a disgrace to the Sanguise House and I refuse to sink to this level."

"What did the Sanguise House even use the dagger for then?" Lukas rolled his eyes. "Be glad that I'm not using it to pick my teeth or anything."

"Just because you've passed my test does not mean that I appreciate this kind of tone, young man." Drusilla harrumphed. "When the dagger was in the hands of my progeny–they would use it for saboteur and intrigue."

"You mean they stabbed each other in the back?" Lukas raised a brow as he retrieved the dagger and spun it around his fingers and did his best not to cut himself.

At this point, Midnight was already scampering away and Lukas was sure that he was going to miss the little guy, or girl. If Chaerin was awake, he would have wanted to show it to her–it might have made her smile.

"Precisely." Drusilla said, vexed. "It was used against fellow Vampires but now you've wielded it against sandworms and foxes. What a… waste of beautiful metal and time. I cannot live with it."

"And yet you have to." Lukas coughed. "With you being stuck in the dagger and all. Unless you think you're able to escape?"

"I would have done it long ago if I thought I was capable of it." Drusilla said archly. "Alas, the only one who you'll free tonight is that Dream Eater."

'Do you think it's a good idea?' Lukas privately asked.

'Are you not a man of your words?' Drusilla sounded a little amused. 'But the fact that you're asking me is gratifying. If you set her free, then she will be able to enter the dreams of anyone she'd like and you lack the mental fortitude to control her. Then again, she does not seem to be powerful.'

Lukas considered Drusilla's words and he knew that she wouldn't mind if Rhea was trapped forever. It wasn't really in her nature to be benevolent and neither did it seem like a thing in her family too.

What about him though?

"Rhea." he finally spoke.

"Finally!" Rhea shouted in relief and it did seem like she had to mentally make herself louder to just be heard.

"I'll only set you free if you manage to prove yourself useful to me."