//------------------------------// // Bloody Bloodlines // Story: The Moon In Me // by Gray Compass //------------------------------// “Could you please, stop following me?” I said. “It’s not like you have become part of my shadow, for God’s sake!” It was one of those slightly cold afternoons; the gusts of wind stroked my face once in a while – a rainy, gelid, unpleasant wind, you could say. I’m not good with accurate weather descriptions; they change way too fast here. The warmness was gone, it had turned into one of those typical days where your body urges you to stay at home all bundled up. Even though I would love to cuddle up in front of a cozy fireplace, with a considerably huge cup of hot chocolate – I was here, lost in the middle of a moldy and uncomfortably wet parking lot – Life Inc’s parking lot; the only place inside the company's complex where not a single fuck was given about technology. “And why would I do that?” Luna asked, mindlessly walking by my side, as I zigzagged through the endless car rows. My white polo shirt had just been gifted with a mucky dark stain, right on my shoulder – thanks to Frank’s filthy truck, parked right beside my car. “Well ‘Princess’, I've just survived to one of the most embarrassing, awkward, horrendous, erasable days of my life – I could find more words, but I don't feel like doing so.” I said, struggling to find the car keys inside my pocket. “Think about it; a guy who feels aroused while poking his pimples just called me ‘weird’ – do you realize how ridiculous this shit is?” I asked, shaking my head in denial. “And should the fact that you’re ridiculous be a valid reason to stop following you?” “I’m not ridiculous! The fact you’re responsible for everything, should be a valid reason.” I got in the vehicle right on time, as the last reddish rays of sun disappeared behind a thick layer of storm clouds, and the rainy wind was in a matter of seconds, replaced by a massive downpour. “I shall not argue with your primitive mind anymore.” She sighed. I had locked myself inside the car, but apparently, locks couldn't prevent digital hallucinations from spawning in the passenger seat. It was funny to see how much effort she was putting on trying to look like a ‘physical’ entity, yet, her stupidly long alicorn horn sometimes seemed to pass through solid surfaces like a ‘noclip mode’ object. It was still scarily realistic though, in special when she brushed against you or something. My pony lover brother would be convulsing in my place – I frequently thought of him, he was a nice boy, Danny. It was so unfair, this shouldn't be happening with me. I had much to talk with Luna, I really had… Many important questions – and I was sure she wouldn't give me the exact answers. But that was my fault; she wasn't programmed to do so, after all. Luna required more, I needed to get her confidence first – and by my own fault again – get her confidence would be no easy task. The rain mercilessly splattered against the windshield, making the highway barely visible. I used to have a gps in my glasses, but the app disappeared a few days ago, probably due to an update failure or something like that. Technology can be frustrating, and when you think a neural chip would help you – an Equestrian ‘virus’ breaks into it. The trip back to my apartment was quieter than I expected, Luna divided her attention between the window by her side, and the wipers incessantly wiping the windshield. She kind of looked like one of those kittens, following a bouncing ball with their heads. I hate cats, I really do – those fluffy, obnoxious creatures can only make me sneeze. “Your kind makes an interesting use of technology.” Luna said, still marveled by the sight. “Who created such an apparatus?” “Ah… It’s just a windshield wiper, Luna.” I rolled my eyes. "I don't know when, or who invented it. Probably Volvo, they created most of the things that keep you alive inside a car." “We know it’s a ‘windshield wiper’, we could read the entire story of windshield wipers in a few milliseconds, if we pleased.” She frowned. “Then why don’t you read?” I asked, turning off the aforementioned wipers as I parked the car in front of my apartment. It was an old but cozy place; a three stories building, probably built around the 19th century, a large part of its brick facade was covered in vines – which at least in my opinion – gave the spacious building a ‘chateau-like’ look. It was a definitely respectable place to live, and the neighborhood wasn't bad as well, mostly composed of considerably rich old ladies and their considerably old husbands. And cats... “It would be terribly boring to know all the answers, without having a chance to ask them personally. Conversations would become useless.” She said. “I prefer to explore and understand this world by myself.” “Very well Columbus, why don’t you explore the way out of my car? We have arrived.” My expression quickly went from sarcastic to dumbfounded, as Luna literally opened the door and stepped out the car. I left as well, and stared at her from across the hood. “How did you do that? How for fuck’s sake did you opened the door?” I asked in disbelief. Luna gave me a mischievous smile. “We didn't, the door is still closed.” She caressed the car silvery surface with one of her wings, I could see as her feathers got wet from the thin droplets of rain still falling over our bodies. “Your mind opened it. Believe us Craig Astor, we can do much more than your little head is afraid of.” She closed her wing in a sharp movement. “Now open thy residence gates, your princess is getting drenched out here.” Now properly dried and accommodated, I took a very slow and generous sip of my hot latte. Rain trickled down the windows in front of me, streaming through the vines outside as a cascade. It was getting late, and most of the houses and apartments from across the cobblestone street were already plunged into shadows. From my warm and comfy couch by the glazed balcony – that my father once called a ‘winter garden’, even though there was barely any garden – unless you consider a few dull ferns and muzzy, colorless flowers, an opulent winter garden. – I could see a distant headlight, a lonely rider probably making his way back home. My breath blurred the cold window panes, as I followed the unexceptional sight with my eyes. Something about rainy nights just fascinated me. I liked the gloomy, cold atmosphere around the building, contrasting with the warm, half lit interiors. It never came to my mind changing the apartment decoration, it never bothered me. It used to bother my father though. He hated most of the furniture, the lampshades, the curtains, the exquisite porcelain – My father hated many things, luckily I wasn't included on his list. He was an important man, people expected a lot of him, therefore, he expected a lot from people, and from things such as the exquisite porcelain. He hated many things, mainly because those things were never satisfactory enough for him. However, as his only child, and personal connoisseur of his traits and behavior, I can say that Sir. Willoughby Astor worst flaw was not his intense hatred towards everything, but his aversion to changes – he would never take risks. Even though my father disliked the decoration, he never changed it. My brother – actually, half-brother, Danny, is not his son – this way, I’m Astor’s only descendant, his only heir; financially and genetically speaking. A sound coming from across the room caught my attention, drawing my eyes away from the windows. As expected, it was Luna, slowly walking down the ornate, Victorian staircase. Her glittering hoof shoes made a distinct metallic sound at each step on the marble floor. “Interesting…” She said, sitting down on the velvety couch by her side. A faint table lamp was the only light source in that part of the room, and the princess body seemed to be partially shrouded in tenuous shadows. “What is interesting?” I asked, leaving the winter garden to sit somewhere closer to her. There was a comfortable chair by the fireplace, its back was adorned by a coat of arms featuring a large shield surrounded by rich flourishes, as well two crossed swords, which were displayed behind a medieval helmet. “It is interesting for you, Craig Astor, to live in such an adorable mansion – It is almost ironic in a way.” Luna said. “I mean, it’s a remarkably spacious apartment for you to live alone. Don’t you think so?” She asked. “Maybe... "I mused. "Sometimes It can be kinda depressive if you ask me.” I said, resting my head on the leather chair and closing my eyes. “It wasn't always like this, though. This place was very different a few years ago, my family used to live here back then.” I can't say I miss all my cousins, and the resembling scum, but I truly liked some of my aunts. Aunt Betty, for example, smoked the same filthy cigarette all day long, sometimes I wondered if she still had any lungs inside that old chest. She had a helluva sense of humor though; loved to bet on who would die first. She lost, unfortunately. “Oh… You talk about them?” As I looked at Luna, I noticed she was holding an old picture frame. “Damn Luna, where did you found this?” I asked, surprised at seeing it. The picture in question was one of those family shoots – one I particularly keep in my room. “It is in your nightstand, I’m merely reproducing its image.” She said as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “Are they thy relatives or not?” She insisted. “Yes, yes they are.” I sighed. “And where they live now?” Luna asked, her voice displaying a note of curiosity. “In Woodland Cemetery – Most of them… And they don’t live anymore, naturally.” I plainly stated. Death wasn't a touchy subject for me, at least not anymore. I had a big family, and people used to die all the time. Most of them were old, irrelevant cousins, uncles, great-aunts, etc... I once attended three funerals in a single morning, I swear; I've met most of my family members after they died! “I’m- I’m sorry Craig, I didn't meant to-” “You don’t have to, Luna. It’s okay, that’s how life works, you know? Humans die all the time.” I said. “Besides, it’s not like I’m a lonely orphan or something.” “Well, it is what it seems.” She said, looking around at the empty, lifeless apartment. “But I’m not, I’m not lonely. After my father died - Alice, my mother, moved to the family house in Loire Valley. She married again with a self-important french duke and they had my brother. It's not that bad, they just live in a fancy castle by the river side.” I sarcastically said. The Astor’s were an influential German family; naturally, German people were good in making profit out of everything, my great-great-grandfather established his business in America centuries ago, and since then our family has been accumulating lots of dough. I never gave a damn about this. In fact, I pretty much hated it. Not the money, but the unwanted attention. When I was young, my last name was a real nightmare; there was this guy, Timmy Grayhills, he was a jealous bastard, capable of absolutely anything to ruin your life. He spread a ridiculous rumor, saying that my family was part of the Illuminati, and I would soon kill everyone in a satanic ritual. The sonnuvabitch even convinced our history teacher, Professor Heinrich. To this day, he still believes I have a goat head tattooed somewhere in my body. For three years… Three entire years, everyone avoided me. No one talked to me at school, kids were afraid of having their brains controlled by me, or something. Illuminati… Can you believe it? “Then why you don’t live with them? Why be a commoner when you can be a noble? Thou art heir of one of this world most relevant-” “Because I never wanted none of this bullshit!” I said, harsher than I intended. “You've been snooping around about my life, don’t you? You have nothing to do with my family history!” “We were just curious about the Astor’s past-” “I don’t want to be like them, I just want a normal life, a normal job! Can’t you understand Luna?” I rubbed my face irritatingly. “If you had any idea of how much I suffered, of how much a pain in the ass it is to be their heir… It's an envy poisoned cash, listen to what I say!” I never asked for their help, everything I had – besides this apartment – was the result of my own efforts. I had a decent job on Life Inc. and I sincerely liked what I was doing. No one knew me, and 'Franks and Rileys' aside, it was a good place to work. There, I was Craig… Just ‘Craig’, the programming guy. “There’s no such thing as envy poisoning, you’re neglecting your own bloodline, your own ancestors! Stop living this artificial life you created around yourself! You’re not the programming guy, you’re Craig Willoughby Waldorf Astor, heir of a-” “Stop reading my mind!” I shouted, punching the armrest with my fists. “You know nothing about me and my family repulsive past, and believe me Luna, you’ll never – never, know.” I pressed my temples, as the uncomfortable memories came back to haunt me. “You can’t run from thy responsibilities forever, it’s a race one can never win. We have learned it from the hard way. It is a stupid decision of yours.” Luna said, looking at me with those shiny blue eyes – eyes that aren't even alive. “Humanity is stupid; you’ll soon realize that stupid decisions depend on your point of view, Luna.” I sighed, hastily getting up from the chair. “Now if you excuse me, I have to sleep.” She just stayed there staring at me in dead silence, as I pathetically made my way out of the room. Oh, the glamour of being an Astor…