The Divergence

───

Lavinia stood near the center of the dungeon, unable to stop smiling.

She rolled her shoulders once.

The enormous black wings spread behind her once more.

This time she knew they were there.

She gave them an experimental flap.

The leathery membranes flexed smoothly.

The movement lifted them slightly before settling again.

Lavinia bounced once on the balls of her feet.

The wings bounced with her.

"...Hehe."

She bounced again.

"They bounce."

Rosaline laughed.

"I would imagine so."

Lavinia experimentally shifted them left.

Then right.

The motion felt...

Natural.

As though she'd done it thousands of times before.

"...This is so weird."

She folded them neatly against her back.

Then, with a thought, they disappeared.

The wings slipped back beneath her skin.

She laughed quietly.

"I am definitely flying later."

Celestine smiled.

"I don't blame you."

She glanced around the dungeon.

"I didn't notice any carvings like this in the rooms I explored."

She looked back toward the relief.

"This appears to be unique."

"It probably is."

Cordelia agreed.

"I certainly didn't see anything similar."

Further ahead...

Evangeline continued happily exploring.

Every few moments another door opened.

Another room inspected.

Another cheerful,

"Ooh!"

echoed back through the stone corridors.

Valerie sighed dramatically.

"No."

Lavinia looked over.

"...No?"

Valerie walked over.

Hooked an arm around Lavinia's.

Then began gently dragging her farther down the hallway.

"You are not immediately running outside to practice flying."

"I wasn't going to."

"You absolutely were."

"...Maybe."

Valerie smiled triumphantly.

"I knew it."

Lavinia groaned theatrically.

"...You're ruining my dreams."

"They'll survive another hour."

Lavinia sighed.

"...Probably."

She dismissed her wings completely.

The sensation of their absence felt...

Odd.

Not uncomfortable.

Simply...

Noticeable.

Like relaxing muscles she'd only just discovered she possessed.

She fell into step beside Valerie.

The group continued deeper into the dungeon.

Stone corridors branched in several directions.

Iron-barred cells lined portions of the walls.

Every one of them stood empty.

No furniture.

No chains.

No skeletons.

Nothing.

Only silence.

Then...

Lavinia felt movement behind her.

A hand rested gently between her shoulder blades.

"...Hm?"

She glanced back.

Gwendolyn.

The pale vampire looked fascinated.

Rather than touching Lavinia's dress...

Her hand moved directly against Lavinia's skin.

Lavinia blinked.

"...What're you doing?"

Instead of moving Gwendolyn's hand away...

She reached behind herself.

Her own fingers searched the place where the wings had emerged.

She expected...

Something.

Anything.

Instead...

Only smooth skin greeted her fingertips.

Gwendolyn slowly tilted her head.

"...I did hear it."

Everyone looked toward her.

"The ripping sound."

She gently slid her hand over Lavinia's back once more.

"I just..."

She smiled sheepishly.

"...didn't realize it was your dress."

Her fingers continued searching curiously.

"I can't feel anything."

Lavinia felt around as well.

"...Neither can I."

Rosaline stepped closer.

"...Turn around."

Lavinia obeyed.

Rosaline looked over the back of the dress.

"So that's what happened."

Valerie nodded.

"I thought so."

She gently pinched a section of fabric near the center of Lavinia's back.

"The material here is thinner."

Everyone looked.

It was subtle.

Very subtle.

Unless someone intentionally examined it...

It blended perfectly into the rest of the dress.

"It almost looks..."

Valerie smiled.

"...designed."

She lightly tugged at the thinner section.

"As though it's supposed to tear right where the wings come through."

Cordelia nodded.

"That makes sense."

"It would be awkward otherwise."

Lavinia puffed out her chest proudly.

"I don't care."

Everyone looked toward her.

"It was worth it."

She grinned.

"I was first."

Rosaline laughed.

"Yes."

"You certainly made sure of that."

"I always do."

Lavinia replied proudly.

"I'll remember this forever."

Gwendolyn suddenly smiled.

"...Lavi."

Lavinia blinked.

"...What?"

She looked over.

Gwendolyn pointed toward her back.

"Your dress."

"It's already closing."

Everyone looked.

The narrow slit running between Lavinia's shoulder blades slowly drew together.

The fabric gently knitted itself closed.

Within seconds...

The tear had begun closing.

As soon it would be as though though it had never existed.

Lavinia could feel the fabric shifting slightly as it finished repairing itself.

"...Neat."

Then she looked toward Gwendolyn.

"...Also."

She folded her arms.

"My name is already short enough."

Gwendolyn blinked innocently.

"...Yes?"

"Why are you shortening it even more?"

Gwendolyn's expression immediately became pitiful.

Her shoulders drooped slightly.

"...You don't like being called Lavi?"

Lavinia huffed.

"I don't."

She turned her head away.

Crossed her arms tighter.

"...It's Lavinia."

Gwendolyn remained silent for several long seconds.

Then...

She sighed dramatically.

A relieved smile spread across her face.

"Oh."

She placed one hand over her chest.

"I'm so glad..."

She smiled warmly.

"...that Lavi enjoys being called Lavi."

Silence.

Lavinia stared.

"..."

"..."

"...What?"

Rosaline immediately burst into laughter.

Valerie leaned against the wall.

Laughing just as hard.

"Oh..."

She shook her head.

"Poor Lavinia."

Lavinia pointed accusingly.

"She's disregarding my words."

"I did."

Gwendolyn admitted cheerfully.

"I don't appreciate it."

"I know."

"...Stop smiling."

"I can't."

Rosaline wiped an unnecessary tear from one eye.

"You've met your match."

Lavinia sighed dramatically and huffed.

"...I don't this development."

"You'll survive."

Cordelia said.

"Unfortunately."

Lavinia muttered.

The group continued farther into the dungeon.

Rows of empty cells stretched quietly beside them.

Heavy iron doors remained open.

Dust covered portions of the stone floor.

Violetta observed everything carefully.

After several moments...

She spoke.

"...It's interesting."

Everyone looked toward her.

"To us..."

She gestured around the dungeon.

"This isn't dark, and the only reason we are aware it is dark is due to the lack of shadows."

Indeed...

The corridors remained perfectly visible.

Every stone.

Every crack.

Every iron bar.

None of it hid from vampire eyes.

"But..."

She smiled faintly.

"To a human."

She looked into one of the cells.

"This would simply be..."

A brief pause.

"...a dark void."

Rosaline glanced into the darkness.

"...You're right."

"There isn't enough light for humans to see anything."

Evangeline giggled from farther ahead.

"...There goes my plan."

Everyone looked toward her.

She turned around with a bright smile.

"I was going to kidnap someone..."

She clasped her hands together happily.

"...and keep them down here as a blood bag."

She threw back her head.

"Mwahahahaha!"

Her theatrical evil laugh echoed through the dungeon.

Smack.

Adelaide's palm landed cleanly across Evangeline's backside.

Evangeline squeaked.

"Ow!"

Adelaide looked completely unimpressed.

"...We're not monsters."

Evangeline rubbed her backside dramatically.

"I know..."

Adelaide nodded once.

"If someone were kidnapped."

She spoke with complete seriousness.

"They'd sleep upstairs."

Silence.

Rosaline slowly looked toward Adelaide.

"...That wasn't..."

She blinked.

"...the part I expected you to correct."

Adelaide tilted her head.

"The beds are very comfortable."

Rosaline stared for another second.

Then sighed.

"...I genuinely don't know what I'm supposed to do with any of you."

Valerie laughed.

"I don't think any of us do."

Violetta merely hummed quietly.

The faint smile on her face betrayed her amusement.

Evangeline immediately straightened.

Her cheerful grin vanished.

An expression of perfect innocence replaced it.

She clasped both hands behind her back.

Blink.

Blink.

"...I was joking."

She blinked again.

Completely innocently.

"...Mostly."

Violetta smiled.

"I know."

Evangeline relaxed immediately.

"Oh."

"I was worried for a second."

"I've known you long enough."

Violetta replied warmly.

"I don't believe you'd actually imprison someone in a dungeon."

Evangeline smiled brightly again.

"No."

She paused thoughtfully.

"...Besides."

She pointed toward the staircase leading back upstairs.

"The bedrooms are much nicer."

Another smack landed on her backside.

"Ow!"

This time it came from Rosaline.

Evangeline rubbed the offended spot while looking genuinely surprised.

"...What?"

Rosaline smiled sweetly.

"You left yourself open."

"...That's fair."

The dungeon echoed with laughter once more.

Lavinia let out a long sigh as she stepped into the final chamber.

"...Well."

She slowly turned in a circle.

"I think that's everything."

The dungeon stretched behind them, branching hallways connecting furnished rooms, storage chambers, empty cells, and the occasional bedroom tucked behind sturdy wooden doors.

There had been more to it than she'd expected.

Not exactly...

Interesting.

Just...

Larger.

She glanced back toward one of the bedrooms they'd already passed.

"It does make sense."

Valerie looked over.

"What does?"

"The bedrooms."

Lavinia gestured behind herself.

"I mean..."

She shrugged.

"Vampires having rooms underground doesn't really seem that strange."

"They'd probably sleep wherever they pleased."

Violetta nodded once.

"Quite."

Evangeline emerged from another room, brushing imaginary dust from her dress.

"I think that's the last one."

She looked around with an exaggerated pout.

"...Aww."

Lavinia raised an eyebrow.

"You sound disappointed."

"I am."

"You do realize..."

Lavinia spread her hands.

"...it was a dungeon."

"What exactly were you expecting to find?"

Evangeline puffed out her cheeks.

"I don't know."

She smiled sheepishly.

"I just wanted to see one in person."

Rosaline laughed.

"I suppose that's fair."

"I've never explored a vampire manor before."

Evangeline looked around one final time.

"So everything is exciting."

The group lingered for another few minutes.

There wasn't much left to inspect.

Most of the rooms repeated the same themes.

Bedrooms.

Storage.

Cells.

Simple furnishings.

Stone walls.

Heavy wooden doors.

Nothing hidden.

Nothing magical.

Just...

An old place built for vampires.

Lavinia wandered into one of the furnished bedrooms lining the right side of the corridor.

Compared to the lavish suites upstairs...

This room was modest.

A wooden wardrobe.

A small desk.

A bookshelf.

An upholstered chair.

The bed wasn't nearly as ornate as the ones above.

Still...

She pressed a hand against the mattress.

"...Oh."

She pushed down experimentally.

"It actually feels nice."

Without another thought...

She flopped backward.

The mattress welcomed her immediately.

Soft.

Comfortable.

Cool.

"...Mm."

She smiled.

"I could nap here."

Then...

Pressure.

Lots of pressure.

"..."

"...Really?"

She didn't even need to open her eyes.

"...Did all of you simply exist for the exact moment I laid down..."

She sighed dramatically.

"...just so you could climb all over me?"

Laughter immediately answered.

Valerie.

"And what if we did?"

Gwendolyn giggled.

"I think that's exactly what happened."

Lavinia finally opened one eye.

Somehow...

Four vampires were sprawled across her.

Rosaline was comfortably draped across one side.

Valerie had claimed the center.

Gwendolyn rested happily against her shoulder.

Cordelia had somehow ended up partially across everyone's legs.

"...I was comfortable."

"You still are."

Rosaline replied lazily.

"We're comfortable too."

Lavinia looked upward.

"...I'm being compressed."

"You'll live."

"I think I'd tend to live through a lot, you know?"

Valerie rested her chin lightly against Lavinia's shoulder.

"It's a sign of intimacy."

"So is respecting my personal space."

"No."

Valerie answered immediately.

"It isn't."

Gwendolyn nodded earnestly.

"I don't think it is either."

Lavinia stared at the ceiling.

"...I've been outvoted."

"You have."

Valerie smiled.

Then...

Without warning...

She leaned closer.

Closer.

Closer.

Her lips hovered beside Lavinia's cheek.

Lavinia blinked.

"...Valerie."

"Hm?"

"...It's just a kiss."

Valerie's smile widened.

"It is."

Before Lavinia could continue...

Valerie shifted her weight.

Firmly.

Lavinia suddenly found herself pressed deeper into the mattress.

Not painfully.

But with enough force that she genuinely felt it.

"...Mm."

Valerie looked down at her.

"Do you have a problem with my kiss?"

Lavinia immediately reconsidered every decision she'd made.

"..."

"...No."

Valerie waited.

"...No problems at all."

Still waiting.

Lavinia sighed dramatically.

"...I would be honored to be kissed by Valerie!"

"Eeeee!"

Gwendolyn squealed happily.

Rosaline burst into laughter.

She laughed so hard her body shook.

The movement transferred through everyone piled on the bed.

The entire heap shifted several inches.

Cordelia chuckled as she carefully disentangled herself before climbing off altogether.

Valerie finally closed the remaining distance.

A soft kiss landed on Lavinia's cheek.

Then...

She abruptly hid her face behind one hand.

"...Oh no."

Lavinia blinked.

"...What?"

"I'm so embarrassed."

Valerie murmured dramatically.

Lavinia rolled her eyes.

"...It was just a kiss."

Valerie peeked through her fingers.

A smirk escaped despite her performance.

"It was."

She smiled thoughtfully.

"...I wonder when I stopped thinking a kiss was intimate."

Lavinia wriggled beneath her.

Eventually managing to rotate until she was lying flat on her back again.

"...It's been a little while."

Valerie hummed.

"I suppose it has."

Gwendolyn looked back and forth between them.

Once.

Twice.

Then dramatically lowered her shoulders.

"...My favorite ship."

She sighed.

"...It sank before it even left the harbor."

Lavinia immediately wrapped both legs around Gwendolyn's stomach.

The sudden movement earned a surprised squeak.

"You have the wrong idea."

She grinned proudly.

"You're all my harem."

Rosaline snorted.

Lavinia continued confidently.

"My entire fleet of ships."

Rosaline laughed again before rolling onto her side and finally sliding completely off the pile.

She rested comfortably beside the bed instead.

"...I really loved the proposal."

She smirked.

"I accept."

Lavinia pointed triumphantly.

"See?"

"I have witnesses."

A familiar voice echoed from the doorway.

"...Are you all flirting?"

Everyone looked over.

Evangeline stood with her head poking through the doorway.

Without missing a beat...

"Yes."

Lavinia answered.

"Yes."

Valerie answered.

"Yes."

Rosaline answered.

Meanwhile...

Gwendolyn squirmed happily.

Her cheeks colored slightly.

"I-I'm so shy..."

She covered part of her face.

"...I've never been proposed to before..."

Lavinia immediately stretched one foot over and poked Gwendolyn squarely in the side.

"You are not helping."

Gwendolyn giggled.

Evangeline looked around the room.

Then snorted.

"...I don't believe any of you."

Rosaline smiled.

"You should."

"I shouldn't."

"You shouldn't."

Valerie agreed.

Evangeline tilted her head thoughtfully.

"...I don't really think hugging or kissing feels very intimate."

She frowned slightly.

"...I don't know why."

The room quieted for a moment.

Lavinia looked toward her.

"...Biting is very intimate."

Evangeline's expression changed instantly.

"..."

"...Oh."

A faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

"...That's..."

She rubbed the back of her neck.

"...Different."

Valerie slowly looked toward Lavinia.

Then back toward the embarrassed Evangeline.

She sighed dramatically.

"...You corrupted the pure baby."

Rosaline snickered.

"I think she corrupted herself."

"I did not."

Evangeline protested.

"I was perfectly innocent until thirty seconds ago."

"You still are."

Violetta called from somewhere farther down the hallway.

"Mostly."

Evangeline brightened.

"I'll take mostly."

Gwendolyn climbed off the bed.

Brushing imaginary wrinkles from her dress.

"I think..."

She smiled.

"...I'm going back upstairs."

Lavinia's eyes widened.

"...You're what?"

"I'm going back to the surface."

Instantly...

Lavinia began squirming.

"I have to go too."

Valerie looked down suspiciously.

"...Why?"

"I have..."

Lavinia paused.

"...important business."

"What business?"

"...Flying."

Valerie immediately laughed.

"Oh no."

She shifted her weight again.

Pinning Lavinia in place.

"You are staying right here."

"I am not!"

"You are."

"I have wings now!"

"And they'll still be attached to you in five minutes."

"I want to fly now."

"No."

"Valerie."

"No."

Lavinia twisted.

Valerie countered.

Lavinia pushed.

Valerie shifted.

Within seconds...

Neither of them resembled anything approaching dignified.

Arms.

Legs.

Hair.

Dresses.

Everything became tangled together across the mattress.

"I want to fly!"

Lavinia complained.

"I know."

Valerie laughed.

"That's why I'm stopping you."

From the corner of the room...

Gwendolyn laughed so hard she had to lean against the wall.

"You two..."

A soft chuckle came from the doorway.

Cordelia looked inside.

She watched the two vampires tumbling around the bed for several amused seconds.

"...I'll leave you to..."

She smiled.

"...whatever this is."

Then calmly continued down the corridor toward the staircase leading upstairs.

Lavinia finally noticed something.

Valerie's right arm had become fully extended.

An opportunity.

She grabbed Valerie's hand.

Twisted.

Shifted her own weight sharply.

Valerie's eyes widened.

"Oh?"

In one smooth motion...

Lavinia rolled.

Valerie landed flat against the mattress.

Now beneath her.

"...Ha."

Lavinia grinned victoriously.

"I win."

Valerie looked up at her.

"...For the moment."

Lavinia leaned down.

A quiet...

Almost playful...

Low growl escaped her throat.

Then...

She gently bit Valerie's neck.

Just enough for her fangs to sink into the skin.

No more.

The familiar taste bloomed instantly.

Sweet tangerines.

Golden honey.

Warm.

Comforting.

Distinctly...

Valerie.

Lavinia lingered only a heartbeat.

Then released her.

She looked down.

Valerie simply stared back up at her.

Neither of them spoke.

"..."

"..."

Lavinia blinked.

"...Oh."

She suddenly rolled sideways off Valerie.

Landing lightly on her feet.

"...I got a little caught up in the moment."

She immediately made a beeline for the doorway.

Behind her...

Rosaline slapped the mattress repeatedly.

Kicking her feet against it as bright laughter filled the room.

"Lavinia!"

She called after her.

"Do you want to sample me next?"

Lavinia's pace noticeably increased.

"No!"

Rosaline laughed even harder.

"I don't think that answer was convincing!"

"I'm leaving!"

Her footsteps grew faster.

Then faster still.

The sound echoed farther down the corridor.

Growing fainter with every second.

Behind her...

Rosaline continued giggling without restraint.

Valerie slowly sat upright.

One hand drifted absentmindedly to the small bite marks on her neck.

She smiled to herself.

"...She really did get caught up in the moment."

Rosaline laughed again.

"Oh..."

"That was absolutely adorable."

From somewhere down the corridor...

Lavinia's indignant voice echoed back.

"I can still hear you!"

That only sent Rosaline into another fit of laughter, while Valerie finally rose to her feet, smoothing her dress with quiet amusement before following after the fleeing golden-haired vampire.