The pixie nurse’s wings shimmered as she leaned a little closer, the iridescent glow of her skin catching the light in a way that felt… intentional. The stereo-visio that I had due to my companions gave me an ample view of the Tinker Bell bombshell before me. And yes, I’ll admit it, I appreciated the sight. I may be undead, but I’m not buried.

As she spoke the hairs on the nape of my neck rose, and not in warning of a threat. The warm professionalism in her tone had shifted, dipping into something richer, almost purring.

“Mr. Mor,” she said, her voice dropping just a notch. “I can tell you’re quite… attentive. It’s refreshing to see someone who takes such good care of their companions.” Her eyes lingered on mine -or, well, my general face area- like she was sizing me up for more than just a routine check-in. “But I wonder… are you always this charming, or is today special?”

I blinked, caught off guard. “Uh, well, I like to think every day is special,” I said, aiming for humor and hoping I didn’t sound like a complete idiot. “But, uh, I try to make a good impression.”

Her lips curved into a slow, sultry smile, and she leaned forward just enough to blur the professional distance between us. “Oh, you’ve certainly made an impression.” She twirled a strand of her iridescent hair, her wings flickering with what I could only describe as playful energy. “You know, Mr. Mor, it’s not every day someone so... intriguing walks through my doors.”

I chuckled nervously, running a hand through my hair. “I think the credit goes to Netty and Nyx. They tend to steal the show.”

She laughed, a soft, melodic sound that sent a strange ripple of warmth through me. “Oh, they’re adorable, yes,” she said, brushing her fingers against the counter in an idle gesture. “But I’d say the real star of the show is standing right in front of me.”

I froze for half a beat, not sure how to navigate this sudden shift. “Well, uh, thank you. I do try to keep things interesting.”

She tilted her head, her gaze dipping briefly to my lips before snapping back to my face. “I have no doubt about that,” she murmured, her tone thick with implication. “You did say it was your first time, didn’t you? If you ever feel like exploring... beyond the standard tour, I’d be happy to guide you personally.

I coughed, trying to find my footing. “That’s, uh, very generous of you.”

She stepped closer, her wings brushing the air lightly as she gazed up at me, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “Generosity is one of my many virtues, Mr. Mor,” she said, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. “And I do love showing new arrivals all the best parts of the University. Perhaps later, over dinner?”

I laughed, a little too loudly. “Dinner? With me? I think you might have the wrong idea.”

Her smile turned wickedly coy. “Oh, I think I have exactly the right idea.” She gave me a challenging look, as if daring me to do -something.

For a second, I just stood there, completely unsure how to respond. Was this normal? Did everyone flirt this shamelessly, or was this some kind of Fae’ri thing? Either way, I wasn’t about to back down.

Challenge accepted.

“Well,” I said, recovering my composure and flashing her my best grin. “It’s hard to turn down an offer like that. But let’s start with Netty and Nyx, yeah? I wouldn’t want them thinking I’ve forgotten about them.”

She laughed, a genuine, sparkling sound that sent her wings into a delicate flutter. “Of course,” she said, stepping back but not before brushing a hand lightly against mine. “But don’t keep me waiting too long, Mr. Mor. I have a feeling you’re full of surprises.”

Just as I turned to leave, a soft ping echoed in the back of my mind, and the familiar shimmer of a System Notification appeared in my peripheral vision.

Glamour Detected: Charm Attempt (Fae’ri Allure)

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Status Effect: Immune to charm via natural resistance (Vampiric Will).

Note: You have successfully resisted a low-level glamour. No further action required.

System Commentary: "Congratulations, you’re officially the universe’s toughest customer. She’s trying her best, but you’ve got the cheat codes now. Might we suggest playing nice? Or, you know, taking advantage later -ethically, of course."

I blinked at the notification, glancing back at her. The warm, knowing smile on her lips suggested she wasn’t entirely unaware of her failed attempt. My Sight traced faint threads of magic that had dissipated into the air around her, a faint shimmer still lingering in her wings.

I resisted the urge to grin. Nice try, pixie. Still, the idea of “taking advantage later” stuck in my head. The Hunger stirred faintly at the thought, whispering about possibilities. A little essence drain, just enough to take the edge off was... tempting.

As if sensing my lingering hesitation, she stepped closer, the sound of her heels clicking faintly against the marble floor, her lips pursing in the way that every fanboy of Miss Bell wished was real, Her hand brushed against my forearm, light and deliberate. “Mr. Mor,” she said, her voice low and teasing, “I do hope you’ll think about my offer. I’m quite good at making people feel… comfortable.”

Her gaze locked on mine, and though her glamour had fizzled, there was no denying the raw magnetism behind her words. It wasn’t just magic; she knew exactly how to play her cards. And she held a pair of aces.

Her wings fluttered softly as she tilted her head. “And if you ever need anything -anything at all- just ask for Lyra. I’ll make time for you.”

I raised an eyebrow, my mind already spinning with possibilities. “I’ll keep that in mind, Lyra,” I said, my voice smoother than I’d expected. “It’s good to know I have… options.” That was pretty slick. Maybe this vampire thing gave me super powers of flirtation.

Her laugh was a melodic ripple, and she leaned in just enough that I caught the faint scent of something floral -honeysuckle, maybe. “Oh, Mr. Mor, I promise you, I’m much more than an option.”

That earned a smirk from me. “Well, then I guess I’ll just have to see for myself. Later.” The word carried just enough weight to keep her guessing.

As I turned to leave again, I couldn’t help the stray thought: Maybe I should take her up on that offer. Just a little taste -nothing serious. The Hunger seemed to hum its agreement, though I shoved it back down. Later. Maybe. Right now, I had bigger things to figure out.

I could still feel her eyes on me as I walked away, her presence a faint pulse of energy lingering behind me. Guess being undead has its perks, I thought, grinning to myself.

∞

The moment I walked far enough away from my companions, it felt like I’d lost my sight all over again. The world, while still fascinating, seemed less vibrant -less alive. Without Netty and Nyx perched on my shoulders, feeding me their unique perspectives, everything felt muted.

Thankfully, my Sight was still active, leaving me with the woven threads of reality as my visual tapestry. It was functional, sure, but it wasn’t the same. Sometimes you just want to see the world in color, not through a magical dreamscape.

I sighed, frustration bubbling up as I realized I hadn’t actually asked for directions. Orientation Hall? Cafeteria? Anyplace useful? Nope. That damned temptress, Lyra, had been so distracting with her wings, her smirk, and her... everything, that I hadn’t noticed she’d whisked my familiars away without so much as pointing me toward my next objective.

“Focus, Declan,” I muttered under my breath. “This is why you don’t let shiny things distract you.”

Before I could stew too long, a soft chime interrupted my thoughts. A glowing System Notification appeared, hovering just at the edge of my Sight like a helpful -but slightly smug- reminder.

Quest Unlocked: Search for a Cure

Objective: Discover the secrets of the University. Complete exploratory tasks to uncover possible solutions to your affliction.

Reward: Skill advancement, unique (unknown), +XP.

Threat Level: Variable. Proceed with caution.

Accept Quest? [Yes] [No]

I didn’t even hesitate. Of course, I accepted. I mean, come on, that’s the whole reason I was here, wasn’t it? Well, that and not getting myself killed by the next eldritch horror or political faction I inevitably annoyed.

Quest Accepted!

“Congratulations, intrepid explorer! Your journey into the University’s secrets begins now. Watch your step, seek out glowing doors labeled ‘DO NOT ENTER,’ and maybe try asking for directions next time. Good luck!”

I snorted at the System’s snark as the notification winked out of existence. If it was going to mock me, it could at least give me an updated map. The fog of war was a killer.

Still, I couldn’t help but feel a little smug as I left the quarantine department. There’s something oddly satisfying about being mistaken for a responsible pet owner -or, in this case, familiar caretaker. It’s like getting bonus points for pretending to be a functional adult.

And let’s not forget the flirting. That definitely didn’t hurt either. Lyra’s lingering glances and playful innuendos replayed in my head as I walked, a smug grin creeping across my face. Sure, she might’ve tried to glamour me, but hey, even a failed attempt at romantic pursuit is sort of flattering, right?

Her smile, and flirting were going to be playing through my head later, but now I had other problems to deal with. Like where the hell to go next.