Chapter Text
Silently flying through the outsides of the village, the fiery vampire could not find anyone outside. Every villager seemed to be asleep, which was great. But the garlic scent wasn't too strong, which could in fact attract some vampires. If the stalker was a vampire, then they could get in the village very easily. But alas, if there wasn’t anyone, then Seafoam was pretty out of her mind maybe.
Infernal Jam flew towards the forest, finding a couple of squirrels and rabbits to dig his fang on. The taste was horrible, sure, but it was better than nothing. He couldn't just go and attack a poor villager. Churro and the others would KILL him without thinking twice. “Stupid rabbits…” Infernal Jam muttered, icked by the flavour of their jam. That's when he suddenly felt that someone pinned him to the ground out of nowhere, catching him completely off guard. Fuck, was it a vampire hunter?! That thought quickly went away, seeing that it was just that one vampire. BloodMoon.
“Ohhh, BloodMoon! Geez, you are stronger than what you look…” The fiery vampire commented, making the other furrow her brows. “What's up with this sudden… attack??” He asked, trying to get free.
“You owe me a favour.” BloodMoon mentioned, seeing how Infernal Jam didn't quite understand her. “For saving you from that purple bat? Remember?? I simply just want answers.” She tilted her head to one side. “OHHH ohh yeah yeah, uh, that's fair, I appreciate that you saved me. But uhm, what exactly do you want me to answer?” He asked, feeling how BloodMoon got off him and allowed him to be more comfortable. Geez, she could be pretty aggressive sometimes.
“That blue haired woman. She entered the village with that one man and some critters, and you came from the village.” BloodMoon started speaking, seeing the other nod in confirmation that he knew who she was talking about. “Who… who is she? Do you even know who she is?” The lunar vampire questioned, her expression being troubled. She wanted to know who this woman is, and why she couldn't stop thinking about her most of the time. She just… had to know.
Infernal Jam thought for a moment. BloodMoon was kinda the princess of the Kingdom of Wizards afterall, he was there when she got turned into a vampire, so he knew she was close to Starfall in some way. But to Seafoam? Was she her moon?
“Well, her name is Seafoam. I don't know her that much though, she doesn't seem like she's the richest person, but I would bet she knows how to fight.” Infernal Jam explained, shrugging a bit as he talked. He didn't know Seafoam that much. But Blue Slushy did know her…
“I actually spoke to her not so along—” “Where is she. Is she safe??” BloodMoon interrupted Infernal Jam, grabbing him by the shoulders and looking him dead in the eyes. Her grasp almost was harming Infernal Jam.
“Uh, well yes. She's just uneasy because she has a feeling that someone's…” His words trailed off as he slowly realised something. BloodMoon seemed to be a bit fixated on this blue haired woman. “Hey, uhm… Have you been following Starfall and Seafoam around??” Infernal Jam asked.
“Ah, well, yes. I've been following them ever since you came to their room in the Kingdom of Wizards. Now I know whenever they are there and if they are sleeping peacefully.” BloodMoon explained, as if it was no big deal to casually observe some stranger that she had some familiar feeling with.
Infernal Jam blinked upon hearing this information. “Okay okay, that's uhm, a bit creepy, but I get that you have no ill intentions.” He started speaking, slowly removing her hands from his shoulders.
“But the thing is, they feel watched, and you are the one that is making them have a bit of trouble sleeping and being calm. You can't keep stalking them, it's not okay.”
BloodMoon thought about it for a second. She didn't want either Seafoam nor the other man to be uneasy, nor did she want to disturb their sleep. “But I saved them a couple of times! They should be grateful that I prevented them from being attacked by a vampire.” She crossed her arms, upset about it.
“Look, I don't think they even noticed you saving them. I'm glad you did, but it would be better if you tried to… talk with them.” Infernal Jam smiled a bit, analysing BloodMoon’s expressions. She was troubled about what to do. She could keep following them around, but if that makes them feel uneasy, then would it really be worth it to keep hiding in the shadows??
“Hey, I know it's hard to change. Especially as vampires, it can be a natural thing for us to be like this. But what matters is that you try. Do it for her.” Infernal Jam tried to comfort the other vampire, looking at each other for a bit.
“... Fine… fine. I'll stop following them.” She sighed in defeat, breaking eye contact between the two of them. “Just promise me that they'll be safe, alright? I don't want them to be bitten by a vampire, like that one vampire I just had to threaten earlier.” She grumbled, praying that Infernal Jam would keep them safe and round. He did owe her a favour, in her perspective at least.
“Wait wait—” And before Infernal Jam could respond, BloodMoon yet again interrupted him again. “That vampire also seemed to know you?” The lunar vampire mentioned, making Infernal Jam a bit shocked about that. “That vampire was like— he gave these vibes that he was lazy, he had red, pinkish hair… He told me about how you fell in love with a mortal and that's what got you ‘killed’?”
“That kinda sounds like… Holy shit, you saw Vamp?!” Infernal Jam shook his head, eyes going wide as he figured out who she was describing. “I was so worried something could've happened to him— fuck! Do you think he's still around somewhere?? I bet he would love to hear everything I've been experiencing!” He questioned, needing to tell that guy everything that happened. The idea of reuniting with his friend after being presumed as dead was somewhat exciting.
“Easy there, hotshot. I have no idea where he went, but he seemed like he was starving. He probably already found a mortal to sink his teeth on.” BloodMoon pushed the other lightly, to cool off his fire. “But you can probably look for him. I'll… stay here. I have to think about how I could even… talk with that woman.”
“Sweet! You know, I could help you talk with Seafoam if you want to, but probably tomorrow would be better! I don't wanna wake her up now.” Infernal Jam chuckled, ruffling BloodMoon's hair before he floated away, waving goodbye and making his way to find Vamp. If he doesn't find him, then he'll just go back to the cabin and rest. Hopefully he can find that vampire, he had so many questions about how things were now in Dark Enchantress’ caves.
He just hoped Vamp was alright.
…
The mortal's screams were cut off by a sharp bite to the neck. Vampire cookie sunk his fangs into the poor mortal's dough with a sigh of relief. He didn't think all that clearly. His head was clouded by the need to feed and he couldn’t have cared about anything else.
He had finally ambushed a local traveler. Caught them off guard and finally had captured a meal. He drank their jam dry and finally pulled away, licking the jam that dripped down their neck like a feral animal. Hunger does that to you. Vamp had said it once and he’ll say it again. He would never wish hunger on his greatest enemy. It was painful.
The fiery vampire was flying through the forest, following the sound of a scream in hopes of finding what he was looking for. And for his luck, that's where he found his old buddy, Vampire Cookie. It's been a hot minute since Infernal Jam last saw this vampire, and he wasn't sure how he'll react to him after being presumed to be dead. Would he be upset? Happy? Only one way to find out.
“Got yourself a nice meal? Geez, what a lucky guy.” He figured out what would be appropriate to say, tilting his head to one side as he smiled. Staff in hand, as always. “You are making a mess too, unusual from you.”
The red haired vampire perked up at the sound of that familiar cocky voice. He thought BloodMoon was fucking with him when she said she had saw him. Him. Infernal Jam.
Vamp wiped his head behind him, suddenly not caring for the mortal corpse in his claws. And there he finally did see him. The same cookie he thought died a few months ago, standing right in front of him. “You gotta be shitting me… By the Witches… Infernal-???”
“The one and only! Man, it's been so many months! I was so worried about you.” Infernal Jam laughed lightly, floating a bit closer to Vamp, nudging his shoulder lightly. “I've experienced sooo much stuff in my absence! I have to update you sooo much.” He kept smiling, keeping his eyes on the other vampire.
“How have YOU been though! How are things with Dark Enchantress ever since I was gone?” Perhaps Infernal Jam could get a bit of information about Dark Enchantress while he's talking with Vamp. He looked so... Pale too. A bit worrying.
“I.J- I thought you were dead. What do you mean how have I been doing???” Vamp punched his shoulder lightly. He wasn’t mad, just relieved to see the other after so long. Maybe even shocked. He never thought he would see Infernal Jam again. Especially after seeing what Dark Enchantress did to him and.. dare he even say Night Gale. “How are you alive!? I saw Dark Choco Cookie and Licorice Cookie drag you out at sunrise! I saw what that bat did to you and you- you’re just fine???”
“Ehh, a lot of stuff happened, but I basically got saved before sunrise. This fire is never dying out, don't you worry!” Infernal Jam giggled, smiling big and wide. “Just got a lot of help in not dying, hanging around some other cookies I met, I've even started feeding myself only through animals. Which sucks, but eh. I'm starting to get used to it.” He shrugged, probably wanting to brag about how cool it was that he survived. Maybe everyone presumed he was dead, but perhaps it was for the best. He was sure the Dark Enchantress knew he wasn't dead, however.
”Animal jam wha-…” Vamp looked surprised by this. But he squinted his eyes and looked closer. He had noticed something off about Infernal Jam for a moment. That cocky smile wasn’t the same now was it…? “Do you have only one fang?” He asked with a dumbfounded look and raised a brow, pointing to the other very obvious missing fang. Now that was new.
“Ah—” FUCK He forgot about the fact that he had a missing fang. And that Churro had it like it was a treasure. But he couldn't tell Vamp that a simple mortal just removed it with his full consent! That would be so humiliating!! “I got into a very nasty fight with some vampire hunters. They managed to remove my fang to sell it for profit. Can you believe this??” Infernal Jam crossed his arms, acting very offended about this fake story he just came up with. It sounded convincing enough, his lying skills never left him at least.
”Oh… sheesh. That had to hurt.” Vamp reeled back with a look of disgust. Seems he had believed it. He had no reason not to. “…So you have been just around by yourself. Can’t say that surprises me.” Vamp said with a furrowed brow. “Does she know you’re alive?”
Infernal Jam's smile slowly faded, eventually turning into an annoyed expression. “She's being very bothersome. Unfortunately, she does know I'm very alive, and she's probably aware of more things.” He sighed, shaking his head. Dark Enchantress was aware, probably because of her interactions with Night Gale. Infernal Jam really wanted to explain how they could dethrone Dark Enchantress, but it might be a bit hard to do, as Vamp still worked for her afterall. He couldn't take any risks. Not now.
“And how come you look so horrible?? I told you that being lazy could slowly kill you, but you never liiisten!” The fiery vampire tried to brighten up the mood a bit more, giggling a bit.
“Ha ha.. very funny.” He scowled. Vamp did look worse for wear. He looked more sickly if anything. Way more pale.
“After the stunt you pulled with Night Gale, Dark Enchantress and her goons grabbed me in for questioning. I swore I wouldn’t tell them anything but then she just- like went through my mind man! When she found out about all those talks we had at the bar about how she was a cruel ruler and that I knew about you and the mortal she… she didn’t crumble me thankfully. But she doesn’t trust me!” He tugged at his hair in frustration “She limits me from leaving the caves. She’s practically starving me! Do you know how hard it is to hunt on an empty stomach???”
Infernal Jam hummed a bit, finding it amusing. He looked up at the sky for a moment, still seeing that it was dark, but he shouldn't stay out for too long. If someone wakes up and finds that he's not in the cabin...
“I see, I see, and... How are things in the caves in general? Haven't heard about Sparkling and the others for a while. I kinda miss going to that bar…” He scratched the back of his head. Infernal Jam would kill for a glass of wine from Sparkling's bar.
“Sparkling…? He’s fine. More on watch if anything after the Night Gale incident because we were ‘plotting against’ Dark Enchantress at his bar. Kinda makes me feel bad that I accidentally dragged him into it.” Vamp sighed. Crossing his arms and pushing the dead mortal to the side behind the large willow tree.
“I'm glad everything is okay! Hopefully Dark Enchantress leaves you all alone for once.” He smiled as he spoke, lightly rolling his eyes while mentioning that dictator. That terrifying dictator that he hated. “It was nice to talk to you after some time. I should get going now though, I have some cookies waiting for me.” Infernal Jam shrugged, before suddenly ruffling the other's hair, intentionally making it a mess.
“I usually hang around here anyway, if you or anyone else wanna see me. Don't tell that to Dark Enchantress though. See ya!!” And with that, the fiery vampire waved goodbye to his old friend, starting to float back to that one cabin. He didn't mind that much if Vamp spread word in the caves that he's actually alive or not. He was just happy to see Vamp doing... Decent, at least. Hopefully everything is over soon, and he goes back to his usual life.
Vamp growled lightly under his breath as he watched the light from Infernal Jams flames fade off into the distance. To think that Infernal Jam had been alive this entire time made him feel a bit stupid. Was all the grief really for nothing?
Vampire cookie turned away to leave, stealing one last glance at his dead prey. He didn’t bother to clean up the body. “Tsk… what did he ever see in mortals.” He scoffed before transforming into a small bat to fly back to the caves. Wait until Sparkling hears this news.