3"May I ask why you're so quiet?"
Christina turned to look at Shaggy as they walked the grounds surrounding the manor.
"I've always been," she explained, "Hybrids aren't common. When the other children saw me they ran away. I learned if you're quiet no one notices you and you can notice things,"
"I'm sorry,"
"It's just the way things are," Christina brushed it off, "I preferred the company of books,"
"What kind of books do you like?"
"All kinds but I do love a good adventure and you?"
"I'm not much of a reader, I liked exploring the outdoors though,"
"Liked?"
"I like, don't have time to explore anymore. Like, I have to take care of Sugie,"
"I understand," Christina nodded, "I may have lived with my aunt and uncle but I took care of Chase."
"I think you did a wonderful job,"
"Not so great if he ran away from home,"
"He did it to be with you,"
"True,"
"SHAGGY!" Sugie shrieked racing toward them, dragging Chase with her.
"What's wro-"
A wolf was chasing behind them.
Shaggy went on high alert, preparing to defend the kids only for Christina to sprint past him
"JADE!
The wolf flopped over allowing Christina to rub its belly.
Chase finally wrenched his hand from Sugie's grasp to join his sister.
"You don't have to be afraid," Christina smiled, "This is Jade, she's my protector,"
"She was chasing us," Sugie said.
"She likes to play, she was just excited to see, Chase,"
"She won't bite?"
"No, of course not,"
Slowly, Sugie approached, Shaggy following behind her. Christina took Sugie's hand showing her jade's favorite spot, right between her ears.
"You said she was your protector?"
"Yes, hybrids are horribly mistreated so are wolves. On one of the days where my parents made me go outside, I rescued Jade from a group of boys,"
"How?"
"Well..."
…...
"But Mommy-"
"Now, Butterfly it's okay,"
"But someone might make fun of me,"
"Well, if they do they'll have to deal with me now shoo," Alissa smirked, pushing her daughter out the front door.
Sitting in the grass, Christina stared at passersby. Those who noticed her, gawked or sneered. She pretended not to notice, becoming very interested in the grass under her fingers.
"MUTT"
Startled, Christina looked up to see a group of boys kicking around a black furball that whimpered. Jumping to her feet, Christina rushed into the fray.
"Leave it alone!"
"Stay out of this, Freak!"
Christina found herself shoved to the ground but instead of crying she grabbed the tormented animal, pressed it against her chest and ran back inside, locking the door on the bullies who chased after her/
"Mommy, look!"
"It's just a pup," Alissa observed, "Poor thing,"
"Can we help it?"
"Of course ve can," Radu agreed.
"Can I keep it?"
"Yes,"
…...
"She's been with me ever since," Christina concluded.
Jade had stood by this point and was trying to take Chase somewhere. Noticing this, the others followed. Jade lead them to a bush before disappearing behind it, only to re-emerge with a snow-white wolf pup which she placed at Chase's feet.
"She trusts you, Chase," Christina nudged him, "Go on,"
Chase picked up the pup just in time for it to open its eyes.
"Is he yours?" Christina questioned, Jade.
Jade shook her head no.
"You rescued him?"
Jade shook her head yes.
"Good girl,"
"Can we keep them, Shaggy?" Sugie pleaded.
"I don't see why not,"
…...
Meanwhile, Sibella and her parents were reading Draculaura's letter again. Hoping that they would get a letter from Christina soon.
"Milady! Wait! You can't just barge in...!", Brunch called out from the hall near the front door, alerting the vampires as Crunch slobbered his agreement with Brunch. Dracula groaned as Lady Regina Elizabeth Bathory stormed into the sitting room with her arrogant son Drew. The Hunch Bunch followed.
"I'm sorry, Milord, they just pushed past us and...", Brunch started to apologize.
"It's all right, you two can vait in the hall", Dracula assured them. They bowed and stepped out of the room. "Lady Bathory, to vhat do ve owe the displeasure?"
"Charming to the last, Lord Dracula", the vampiress sneered sarcastically. "Is it true?"
"Is vhat true?", Dracula replied snidely.
"Enough games!", Drew snarled. "Is it true that you sent my princess to stay with some fleabag?!"
"If you are referring to my niece Christina, it is not that simple", Dracula growled."It vas a royal request from Queen Elizzabat to end the var vith the Lycan Kingdom. And you know as vell as I that a royal request may as vell be a command! I had to send my dear, sveet Draculaura to another verevolf as vell! And if that vere not enough, Christina's brother Chase followed her! So do NOT test my patience! I have lost far more than you!"
"You are forgetting the debt your family owes ME, Lord Dracula! For breaking the Betrothal Contract betveen Radu and myself! It vas to be paid by the union of his daughter and my Drew!", Regina hissed."And I vill not allow some mutt 'prophesy' to stand in the vay! I demand that you send for her to return!"
"Or do I have to retrieve her MYSELF?!", Drew threatened. "If I do, I can promise more than enough bloodshed to make 'peace' but a distant impossible dream!"
"We vill not discuss your grievance vith my late in-laws again, Lady Bathory", Vanna said firmly while holding back her husband.
"Christina would never marry you anyway, Drew", Sibella snarked. "She hates you. Always has. She was sad to leave us, but I have no doubt that she's glad she never has to be bothered by you again."
Drew glared at the young vampire. "I don't have to take any sass from a normie-loving little...!"
"ENOUGH!", Dracula roared. "If you have a problem, take it up vith the Queen! Hunch Bunch! Show our 'guests' out!"
…...
Shaggy's friends arrive tomorrow and I am not ready. Not at all. He assures me they're kind. Still, the mere thought makes me squirm. In my time here I'm beginning to notice how nervous and sometimes flustered Shaggy is, walking on eggshells it seems. I do hope I'm not the cause as is often the case.
Chase seems to be enjoying himself. It used to be so difficult to drag him into bed but now as soon as his head hits the pillow he's out cold with his new friend, Snowball pressed against his face.
I'm too tired to write more.
Good night.
…...
Christina watched from her window as the carriages arrived. Stepping away from her window as soon as their doors opened. She paced the room, smoothing out her skirt, and questioning herself. Stepping in front of the mirror she took in her appearance hoping it was acceptable. She wore a simple violet gown with long sleeves and had braided her hair once more. She did this to blend in as much as possible.
"Christina?" came Shaggy's voice.
There was no going back now.
With a final deep breath, Christina opened the door noticing how Shaggy's eyes widened slightly when he saw her.
"Is it too much?" she asked when he failed to speak.
"No, no, not at all,"
I do make him nervous!
Wordlessly, she followed him to the parlor where his friends were waiting. She scarcely got a chance to ready herself before Shaggy made their presence known.
"Everyone, this is Christina,"
All eyes were suddenly on her.
"Hello," she whispered, trying not to shrink.
"Christina, this is Fred," Shaggy pointed to the first in the group that was watching her.
The boy with the mint green skin and black stitches waved, mismatched blue and brown eyes filled with curiosity.
"Daphne,"
A redhead with sparkling blue eyes smiled, her teeth perfectly straight, pearly white.
"Velma,"
Velma pushed her glasses back up, offering her own smile, seeming to study her as she was studying them.
"Cleo,"
Cleo also smiled she seemed distant but kind.
"Deuce,"
Christina felt her heart constrict but pushed past it to focus. Eyes hidden by dark glasses, the gorgon waved nonchalantly although Cleo had noticed her brief discomfort.
"Gil and his sister, Webbigale,"
Sugie darted in at that moment, Chase trailing behind her, Snowball behind him.
"Webbigale! Come play with us!" Sugie excitedly demanded, "Hide and seek!"
Christina relaxed seeing the children run outside but that nervous, anxious, terrifying feeling remained in the pit of her stomach as she took a seat beside Shaggy, wringing her hands continuously.
"It's okay, now one's going to judge you, Christina," Shaggy tried to reassure her, grabbing her wrists to keep her hands from shaking or otherwise moving.
"Heck, my sister is dating a normie. A lot of us had doubts at first, but we found that Kenny is ok." Fred spoke up.
Shaggy slowly released her wrists and she buried her hands in the folds of her skirt to hide the tremors.
You can do this, she told herself, Just stay calm.
She would try.
…...
Okay, good stopping place I think, considering how this was buried. Thank you to my friend, DRAGONDAVE45 for helping me. Please review. I've come to a wall here.
