Caroline had just finished eating and sat down by the window with another latte macchiato when the door opened again. Instead of someone coming to get the dishes, Rebekka swept in.

"Good, you're done!" she noted as she passed by, looking at the used dishes.

Caroline had no desire to be in a hurry. "Almost." She held up her half-full glass.

"You are now. We're taking the tour."

Rebekka took Caroline's wrist and surveyed the pink line with satisfaction.

"Tour?" Caroline didn't move an inch.

"I have the honor of showing you the castle and giving you all the basic information." The vampiress didn't look happy.

"Who demoted you to baby-si…, or better, human-sitter?" She was beginning to enjoy this.

"Okay. Miss!" Rebekka took a step back and crossed her arms. "I'm sure you have some questions beyond the things I need to tell you. If you behave and we finish quickly, I might consider answering a few of them."

Five seconds later, the glass, still half-full, was on the table and Caroline ready to run. Rebekka rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched suspiciously.

By the time they left the first floor of the west wing behind and arrived at the pond, Caroline knew the basics about agriculture, culinary arts, trade, transportation, fashion, and even nightlife on the island. The mild climate and fertile volcanic soil allowed for the cultivation of most fruits and vegetables. Although some things were imported, the main goal was to be able to supply the entire population of the island self-sufficiently in case of doubt. Farms with pigs, cows and poultry were located in the inner part of the island.

Great importance was attached to the processing and preparation of food, because vampires, like humans, needed food, water and, as Rebekka confirmed, sleep. Not to the same extent as humans, but three to four hours all per day was recommended.

"So basically, you guys function biologically similar to us, right? What are the differences then?"

"Well, we're immune to all viruses and bacteria, we don't age, and we're physically superior to you. Maybe one or two other things."

"Do you get toothaches?" Caroline had asked the question without thinking and had to grin. Rebekka looked at her as if doubting her sanity.

"What makes you think that?" But before Caroline could answer and explain herself, she continued. "There's either something wrong with you or you have a sharper mind than most people."

Caroline quickly closed her mouth, which had been opened for an answer.

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"In fact, we have an issue with our teeth," Rebekka grumbled to herself.

"Would you please elaborate?" Caroline had taken her question as a joke and kept the confusion to herself.

"Everything in our, and up to a certain age your, bodies renews itself. Every cell reproduces itself regularly. That's why we always look like we've just had a week of intense spa treatments." Rebekka wrinkled her nose.

In fact, Caroline had noticed that vampires were more handsome than the classic average human. She had assumed that vampires would just turn attractive people, but apparently there were more components.

"Teeth, however, are only ever placed twice in the body. That's where the Others were a little ahead of us," Rebekka continued.

"Others? What others?"

The vampire lady looked like she wanted to slap herself. "Forget what I said. Do you want me to continue or not?"

Caroline made a mental note and nodded in disappointment.

"After all, we were all human once, and almost all of us became vampires when we had our second set."

Caroline did not dare to ask about how humans were made vampires. She would save that for later.

"Well, even those born in a time when there was some dental hygiene eventually have problems, because tooth enamel doesn't renew itself and gets worn down with every bite of an apple or a sweet drink."

"Second, are you saying that all vampires get toothaches after a while and eventually lose their teeth?" asked Caroline, honestly puzzled.

"I thought that's why you were asking!" Rebekka looked at her searchingly "Well, it takes a little longer than humans, two or three centuries at best, but yes. Then in the Middle Ages they made dentures from teeth of deceased people. Alternatively, from carved bones or horn, attached to the stumps with wire or drilled into them. The stories sound truly heinous. A few at some point focused on highlighting the canines. Not that you couldn't have just cut a human's throat with a knife, it was mostly about the fear and overcompensation factor, I guess."

"Is that where the idea of the overlong canines came from?"

"Probably." Rebekka ran her tongue over her upper row of teeth, as if to check that they were still there and of normal length.

"You can't imagine the relief when dentistry advanced, and today almost all older vampires have implants. It took a little while to figure out how to keep them from being rejected, but by now the issue has lost its terror."

"How old are you, anyway? If teeth were never an issue for you not more than two hundred years old, right?"

"If I didn't know it was useless, I would tell you that such a question is rude. But, knowing you by now ..." They settled down in the pergola and watched the ducks.

"I am one hundred and fourteen years old. Human time included. We average about two to three hundred years here on the island. And before you ask, I still have my own teeth."

They were silent for a while and Caroline let her mind wander. She realized that the vines, romantically entwined around the metal poles, were not vines, but blue ivy. Beautiful and highly poisonous.

"What does the vampire say to the dentist?" she asked suddenly.

Rebekka raised her eyebrows.

"Just sharpen, please!" she grinned, and her counterpart gave a tortured groan.

"Okay, okay, heavy audience. New try. How would two toothless lesbian vampires say goodbye?" Caroline looked at Rebekka with wide eyes. The vampiress sighed deeply and pressed her lips tightly together.

"See you next month!" grinned Caroline.

"Ok, that's it, I quit!" Rebekka stood up and walked on, grumbling to herself. " Shall he see for himself how he can bend you in shape!"

"Did you know that one already?" Caroline pushed herself off the bench and closed with a few quick steps.

"How about this: What does a toothless vampire do?"

When they finally arrived at the other end of the lock, Caroline had the impression that Rebekka had taken her to her heart. At least as far as that was possible with her grumpy personality.