New Year’s Castlevania City
@bernhard-castle-dracula
Dante left his wife and two sons inside the Hotel Castlevania with their Nonno Vincent and Nanni Maria. Normally his family couldn’t afford to stay in a five star place! But the rates had been deeply discounted while the old building was under repair.
There was construction everywhere in the city, scaffolding and some giant ads obscuring entire major street fronts.
Dante hadn’t planned on staying in Castlevania City long, but the place held an air of opportunity. Certainly he could get a translator’s job here. At least while he learned to hear from God, to discern where to live next.
The cost of living was low, and to Dante, the Eastern European country’s lagging in technological sophistication was a feature, not a bug. The city was walkable and had public transportation. Recent mysterious events would make it abidingly interesting. It’s rich history he hadn’t even scratched the surface of. And it was architecturally amazing, a potential paradise for a traceur. Dante had anticipated living off-grid in a low-tech village, but the vast expanse of roofs here invited endless exploration.
He’d still be able to eat very well here. There remained a tradition of good food made from scratch from healthy ingredients brought in from the countryside.
Beyond, the country possessed an unspoiled natural treasure in its mountains and forests, which the city’s geographic prominence granted views of. The girl at the tourist bureau had also mentioned the area enjoyed all four seasons, with fairly cool summers, attractive autumn leaves, snow in winter, and bright green grass and spring wildflowers.
He had been concerned about what he would find bringing his family 130 years into the future, for them, but in Castlevania City, at least, it wasn’t as bad as he had feared.
His wife’s excitement and delight to be in the future was infectious. Then it had been a second Christmas for his family as his wife and two little boys and Dante’s parents met each other for the first time.
Dante could tell his Dad was delighted with both children, but probably particularly pleased with the 3-year old who had the same white skin and black hair that he and Dante did. Dante’s elder son was comparatively colorful with light skin, rosy cheeks and his mother’s vibrant darker auburn hair, like Dante’s sister Rosemarie and grandmother Juntarra.
Dante’s parents invited them to ring in the new year with them and celebrate Cyrus’s 5th birthday in Eastern Europe, where some of his father’s work would be featured in a New Year’s Style Show. Earlier in the year the city they’d be going to had suffered damage in a brief conflict, but it was not reported outside the region, and now that it was over, the tourism industry was announcing great luxury vacation deals during the reconstruction.
The family had been worried about Dante’s wife not having an ID, even though they weren’t supposed to need it on this Orient Express route. When from the train window the snow-blessed Castlevania City gained strikingly above the trees against the thick winter clouds, they felt such relief and awe.
Stepping off the train they smiled looking at each other looking up and around at the expansive station, so vast and with such a high ceiling.
Outside Nonni encouraged the boys to try and get her with snowballs, while Dante helped get their party’s baggage into the hotel van. Dante’s family’s wardrobe was scant, but maybe they’d pick up some pieces in town. They stared out the windows during the ride, Dante lightly squeezing Cyrus’s numb hands to warm them. Cheerful Christmas lights and decorations were still up. “An interesting birthday, huh?” Dante let go of Cyrus’ hand for a moment to wrap his arm around his son’s red hair. He pulled him in and gave the top of his head a kiss. “Wait till you see the hotel.! We’ll go for a walk once we check in. You choose where we eat dinner.!”
He softly mouthed to his wife who had turned to him. “I don’t know what we’re in for,” but they ended up at a wonderful candlelit dinner in front of a roaring fireplace, eating delicious buttery spinach fettuccine, with chocolate mousse for dessert. Cyrus had announced to the host at the front, “It’s my birthday!” Dante pulled his son’s new fuchsia knit hat down the sides over his eyes. “Hey!!”
They then stayed out late in the streets enjoying the New Year’s celebration. 2058! Fireworks! The boys huddled close. The younger climbed into his mother’s coat and peeked out. Dante picked up and held Cyrus.
Dante’d had hope the kids might sleep in, but they didn’t, but he was able to send them to the connecting suite to their grandparents, and then spend more time in the fancy hotel room’s bed with his wife..
A lovely breakfast! Then accompanying Nonno to the Center where some of his suits would be worn at the fashion show. Later they explored a couple tourist sites that were open, and then had another fine dinner.
Having safely delivered his family to their hotel, Dante was eager for some quiet time alone to think. He arranged the same for his wife, which would allow her to relax in the bath while his parents took the kids.
He put his long coat and hat in the little closet. His thick long-sleeve top would keep him warm enough once he was moving. He considered going up to the roof from his room’s balcony but didn’t want to give his boys any ideas, so he left through the door and then took the stairs.
From an angular projection of the roof’s wall, he gazed out over the city through the dusk. He spent some minutes relaxing, before halfway turning his attention to mapping a path to higher ground.
Yes, he needed some peace.
He needed to get to know this city better.
By night.
He needed to have a better sense of the place before bringing up the idea of staying here with his wife.
He couldn’t expect perfection. All cities were dangerous in places. This one had a lot going for it.!
It had personality. Character. Culture.
Something shadowy about it. Obscured by the excitement and celebrations and happiness, of joy with family, and new things. There was something dark. But didn’t all cities have that?
His mind passed to different subjects as he hopped up onto the wall and started walking quickly, and jumped to a nearby building. He knew Cyrus would love a hat like his father’s and Nonno’s for his birthday, and Dante knew just where to take him for it, but he really shouldn’t be spending that kind of money right now..
He was extra careful on his landings and grabbing ledges in case there was a trace of ice that hadn’t melted during the day. He had been planning on going high for the view out over the city, but now was content with lower roofs. He was taking his time. He would leap and then linger, looking over one side of a building and then another side.
He resolved to get Cyrus the hat. He’d get a lot out of it. What color would his son choose? Probably something bright and reddish, like his cherry coat and shoes.
Suddenly, the atmosphere was different. As if a grainy dark and tingling, but not physically. It was almost breathtaking. He blinked, again and again, not really looking into the physical, not really looking at anything. He began to tremble or vibrate slightly. He wasn’t holding his breath, was he? Despite his exertion, he was breathing shallowly. His head began to turn slightly to one side, and the other, although his eyes weren’t focusing on anything. Oh shit. Like a wavering of the air. He put a hand below his ribs. He felt lightheadedly faint.
@writemeendlesssongs
