Erwin heard as whispers the talk between the boy and and this Master Kaitsu, happy that the boy had decided not to say anything. For now, anyway, but it was enough. The vampire stretched, not that he really needed to do so, but the sensation in his muscles were still nice. And, more than anything, it reminded him that he could still feel. Sometimes, the silly worry that he would lose his capacity to feel - both physically and mentally - were terrifying. And these little things proved he could still do it.<br/><br/>Today, though, it was just a second thought, shoved deep down his mind. Erwin allowed himself to relax, long legs resting on the armrest of the couch, fallen head, looking upside down to a shelf. He allowed his eyes to travel lightly over the titles, all of them, before he began to mumble them out loud. And then, he clicked his tongue every second, counting time, allowing his mind to travel to any place it wanted. A minute had passed, sixty clicks of tongue, before he wondered why he even bothered with time anymore. The concept was ridiculous to most older vampires, and surely no one in his nest cared about it anymore. A human concept. This fleeting thought sent a pang of pain through his being, and Erwin closed his eyes.<br/><br/>It was still hard, to think of himself as not-human. At his age, most were used to it, understood already that the nature of what they were couldn't be changed. But Erwin... He still missed it. The long walks under the sun, the feeling of the sea in his skin, the warmth of simply being human. And he missed her. His lips pressed together, and he fought the sadness that overcame him. He had loved her so deeply, and if she wasn't dead when he woke up as a vampire, he would have turned her too. Sometimes he was glad she died before him. After her, there had been others. A few that he had loved from afar, afraid of getting closer, and one boy and one girl he had approached, aching for understanding. One had given it to him, had given everything he wished for. The other...<br/><br/>Erwin shot himself straight, standing up with a grunt. It was the past, and nothing good would come from focusing on it. He licked his lips when he heard the call, Akane calling him. Erwin left the library, careful not to be seen, and exited the grounds, meeting with her and Hayate under the forest's trees, the sky darkening already.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">"Hey mate!"</span>Hayate greeted him, the lopsided smile that told Erwin he was ready for a hunt.<span style="font-weight: bold">"I figured that since Akane would be watching your boy, we could go and hunt together."</span><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">"He's not my boy."</span>Erwin sighed, but couldn't help smiling, too. A hunt could be just what he needed to get these thoughts out of his head. And he could use the company, although he knew that once they set eyes on their preys, they would go separated ways.<span style="font-weight: bold">"I'll try to return quickly."</span>he said to Akane, apologizing.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">"Sorry, Akane."</span>Hayate smiled at her, throwing an arm around Erwin's shoulder.<span style="font-weight: bold">"You're not allowed in the fun today."</span><br/><br/>Erwin barely had time to say goodbye before Hayate was pulling him towards the city, fast. He could swear he saw a tiny smile on Akane's lips, though.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">"Just your luck, there is a party going on in a student's house."</span>Hayate whispered to him.<span style="font-weight: bold">"Lots of drunken people, not caring about a thing and just trying to get a kiss from beauties like me. Easy prey."</span>the vampire shot him a smile, and Erwin had to chuckle. But then, parties were really full of easy preys, although Erwin did like a challenge. But more than anything, he carved for contact. And the hunt was the only thing that gave it to him.