Lucard, Rajag, and Sanoj were on their way home from work.
"But no, really," Rajag was saying. "He'd make a terrible drinking buddy."
"You know this firsthand?" asked Lucard as Sanoj facepalmed.
"Well, no," Rajag admitted. "But Retsub does. Tells me he's the lightest lightweight ever to enter his bar."
"Like he's keeping track," grunted Sanoj. "He's just picking on me."
"That must be it," said Lucard as he winked at Rajag. Rajag giggled.
"Not to worry," he said, patting Sanoj's arm. "Nobody's gonna gauge your manliness by how well you hold your liquor."
"We just won't make you the Merfaen champion for the international drinking contest," Lucard added. Sanoj rolled his eyes.
"Here's my stop," said Rajag. "See you around, boys!" He darted off the street and onto an elevator basket.
"Sometimes I wonder how he's gotten such a high rank and lasted so long, with an attitude like that," said Lucard.
"He's an uncouth little nut, but we can always count on him to have our backs when we need it," said Sanoj. "Besides, I've been here almost my whole life and still can't beat him in a swordfight."
"That's true," said Lucard as they came up to his front door. On the door hung a sign that read:
HOUSE CLOSED
CREEPING HORROR
KEEP OUT
"...Good gods," Lucard said blankly.
"If you don't come to work tomorrow, I'll let everyone know what's happening," said Sanoj. "...Good luck." He turned and hurried away.
Lucard took a few calming breaths and stepped inside.
"Is that you, Lucard?" Vellatra called from the kitchen as he closed the door. "Because if it's not, you need to leave!"
"It's me," he said, looking into the kitchen. "What's happened? Who's sick?"
"No one yet," said Vellatra. "Nabikio encountered a friend who said his brother had it. I'm just taking precautions." She hadn't looked at Lucard at all as she said this. Finally she glanced up at him. "Nabikio should be okay, but what about the twins? Are they still young enough to...?"
Lucard sighed, and nodded.
Vellatra quickly looked away again.
"Where are they?" he asked.
"Bedroom."
"Thanks." he walked into his children's room.
"Daddy!" the twins yelled, dropping their dolls and running to meet him.
"Hey, you hoodlums!" He picked them up and gave them a squeeze, kissing each one in turn.
"Why are you squeezing me so hard, Daddy?" asked Aileev.
"Because I love you," said Lucard.
