It is nightfall when Talisman stalks through the sky. The wind flows through his hair, carrying with it the scents of the city below. The moon hangs high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the rooftops and streets. Talisman's keen senses pick up the faint sounds of life and movement below him, the beating hearts of the city's inhabitants echoing in his ears.

He lands gracefully on a rooftop, his eyes scanning the area. From his vantage point, he can see the city stretching out in all directions. Lights twinkle from windows, and the distant sounds of laughter and music drift up to him.

Closing his eyes, Talisman focuses his keen hearing. Voices, everyday conversations.

An elf fighting with a lover.

“You never understand, do you? Always putting your duty above everything else!"

An argument between two merchants.

"You think you can just undercut my prices and drive me out of business? I've been here longer than you!"

A group of orphans playing a game.

"Count to ten and we'll hide! No peeking!"

And finally, the voice he sought. Ano grumbling about how the inn was charging highway robbery.

"Fuckers, I hope they all die in a fire. And then their children too. Fuckers." She sighs. "I can't believe I got stuck with this shit. Fucking hell."

With an elegant descent, Talisman lands down onto the street, his cowl swaying as he touches down. Ano, who had been inspecting a small blade, perhaps contemplating murder, jumps at his sudden appearance.

"Fuck, Talisman! Make some noise when you land, would you?” Ano hisses, placing a hand over her racing heart.

Talisman raises an eyebrow, his expression one of mocking innocence. "My dearest Ano, it is not my intention to ruffle your delicate sensibilities but if I did that my prey would notice me.”

Ano glares at him. "Yeah, well, try landing like a normal creature for once. You're not auditioning for a fucking play every time you move."

Talisman chuckles softly, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Ah, my dearest Ano, you underestimate the importance of style! Life itself is a grand performance, after all. Plus, it amuses me."

"Amuse this, you pretentious vampire," Ano mutters, her middle finger raised.

Talisman's smile widens. "Ah, such eloquence. I am truly honored.”

Ano rolls her eyes, muttering something under her breath.

Talisman reaches out and pats her on the shoulder, his touch gentle, careful not to hurt her. "Fear not, my devoted companion. I shall endeavor to make my entrances more agreeable to your refined tastes."

Ano scoffs. "Oh, what a privilege that would be."

The wind blows, the scent clear and full of life.

Talisman's smile deepens. "Now, on to matters of business. Our stay in this city has proven to be quite fruitful."

Ano raises an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Fruitful as in finding a bountiful source of income, or fruitful as in finding fresh necks to sink your fangs into?"

“Income. My day at the marketplace was very successful." Talisman holds up a pouch, it is heavy and full of gold coins. "I sold our wares for quite a profit, I dare say."

He tosses the pouch to Ano, who catches it deftly.

"So, we have enough money to last us for some time?"

"Indeed. A year, two perhaps. I'd wager more." He smirks. "But I assume you have scouted the city for a list of—what the hell I'll just say it—do you have a list of targets I can feed on?"

Ano lets out a sigh, handing Talisman a crumpled piece of paper.

"I've scribbled a few names on here." She gestures to it. "I've taken the liberty of noting the places they frequent, based on their clothing and jewelry. If you do your thing, the Holy Order might not be able to trace your presence back to us."

"Hmm." Talisman mutters, his eyes scanning the list.

The perfect target was someone who would not be missed. Those with no family, no friends and lovers, and even no rivals or enemies were the most preferable.

No family because their absence wouldn't raise questions, no friends and lovers to report their disappearance, and no rivals or enemies to investigate their demise even if the death benefitted them. Talisman's selection criteria were rather specific, to say the least.

"My, my, Ano," Talisman muses, tapping his chin with a finger. "You do have a knack for efficiency. These choices are quite meticulous, I must admit."

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Ano shrugs. "Just doing my part to help you maintain your... lifestyle."

Talisman chuckles, folding the paper and tucking it into his coat pocket. "Indeed, you are a most dedicated enabler."

----------------------------------------

Ano kept watch as they entered the alleyway. The half-elf Beggar, apparently named humble Solus, leaned against the wall, a hood pulled low over his face. The shadows danced around him, concealing his features further. He had a certain air of desperation about him, the look of someone who had already lost everything. Just the type of person Talisman preferred to feed on.

Talisman approached with practiced ease; his footsteps silent against the cobbled ground. As he neared, Solus glanced up, his eyes widening as he saw the vampire's form approaching.

"Evening," Talisman purred, his voice a velvety undertone that sent a shiver down its listener's spine.

"Who the hell you be?" Solus's voice was cautious it seemed.

"Just a traveler passing through this wondrous city," Talisman replied, his smile charming and disarming. "And you, my friend, seem like someone in need. Someone who has faced the harshness of life head-on."

Solus's gaze dropped to the ground, his shoulders slumping. "Yeah, reckon that's about right."

Talisman tilted his head sympathetically. "It's a cruel world, isn't it? Full of heartless individuals who would sooner step over you than lend a hand."

Solus nodded, a bitter edge to his expression. "You're not wrong."

Talisman took a step closer, his movements smooth and deliberate. "Humble Solus they call you. Why is that? You must have a story."

Solus let out a hollow laugh, his gaze distant. "Just a name, no fancy mumbo-jumbo or fancy-shmancy bloodlines. Just plain ol' Solus, scrapin' by in a world that done forgotten 'bout me."

Talisman's eyes glinted, a mixture of understanding and intrigue. "Ah, but it is often those who go unnoticed by the world that possess the most fascinating stories, don't you think?"

Solus looked up, his gaze meeting Talisman's with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. "Why’s a feller like you so damn interested in my tale?"

"Because my friend, if you do not tell your story, you will disappear No memory that a man named humble Solus has ever existed on this mortal plane."

Solus hesitated, his fingers tracing a pattern on the wall as if lost in thought.

“Maybe you got a point, I guess sharin' ain't gonna hurt none. Truth is, I used to be a damn [Soldier], pretty damn good at it too," he mused, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips. "My old man, he was into war. [Mercenary Captain], one of the best I have seen. He swore loyalty to different leaders and fought in more damn battles than I can count."

Solus chuckled, shaking his head.

"Back in my youth, pops would yammer on 'bout the battlefield – how he crushed enemies like some kinda [Hero]. Couldn't help but..." His voice trailed off, his expression becoming enigmatic. "But enough of that bullshit. My days were spent on the east side, facin' off against that demon lord's mess. War came to a big damn finish, and people were dancin' in joy. Not me."

A deep breath punctuated his words as he paused, gathering his thoughts.

"I tried to make a go of it in different places, but each damn corner had its own way of chuckin' out the expendable – like garbage tossed in the damn gutters, just like them damn beastfolk. Claimin' the city, those bastards." His last words came out like venom, each word drippin' poison. "Vermin, they are, gnawin' at the roots of this nation, eatin' it up from the inside."

Talisman made sure to keep the interest on his face.

"Back when I was in the army, I woulda strung up every last one of those creatures," Solus growled, a real sharp edge to his voice. "But now here I am, stuck scavengin' for scraps, wearin' rags so messed up they barely pass for clothes. [Captain] kicked me out, said I was too damn violent, a liability. Couldn't lead me no more."

There was a pause, heavy with resentment.

"Regrets? Can't say I got many. Got some pieces of those old days I hold onto, like my old man's tales, talkin' 'bout our heroic deeds. But damn, I made those beastfolk pay, cleanin' up the mess they made in the streets."

A bitter twist contorted his features.

"Savage critters–only good thing 'bout 'em are their females. You know, the old [Captain] let us..."

Talisman maintained his façade of interest. Not yet.

"But let me make it damn clear," Solus's voice got cold, no remorse in it. "I ain't got no damn regrets 'bout what I did. Hell, I treasure them damn memories, the times I tore through the filth them beastfolk brought. Every slash I gave 'em felt like payback, makin' 'em suffer for the mess they caused."

His gaze turned distant once more, lost in his twisted convictions. "Took it on myself to teach 'em a lesson 'bout their mess–a lesson they damn well deserved."

A bitter smirk played across his lips, his eyes glinting with a disturbing blend of bitterness and satisfaction. "As for their women... oh yeah, them beastfolk females. New [Captain], he didn't get it like I did. But sometimes we showed 'em their place, gave 'em a taste of the hurt they deserved for bein' part of that messed-up race."

Solus's tone remained detached, devoid of any remorse or empathy.

"You gotta get it. Us real folks, we stick together. We—"

Talisman struck, quick and fast, his movements a blur of motion. His hand wrapped around Solus's throat, cutting off the man's words and his breath. The half-elf's eyes widened in shock, his body freezing as he realized the danger he was in, his Danger Sense finally tingling.

"Ah, my dear Solus," Talisman's voice remained calm, though there was an undercurrent of something darker beneath his words. "It appears that our conversation has taken a rather... unfortunate turn."

Nails bit into flesh and his fangs elongated as he leaned closer, his eyes locked onto Solus's with an intensity that sent a chill down the man's spine. The air grew heavy with tension as the seconds stretched on, Solus's struggles growing weaker against the vampire's iron grip.

"Y-yer not... not what ya seem," Solus choked out, his voice strained and desperate.

Talisman's lips curled into a predatory smile, his fangs glistening in the moonlight. "Oh, my dear Solus, appearances can be deceiving. And my true nature, well, it's something you won't live to fully comprehend like how I will never comprehend yours."

With a swift motion, Talisman sank his fangs into Solus's neck, the man's muffled cries of pain mingling with the sound of his own lifeblood being drawn away. The taste was exquisite, an intoxicating rush that flowed through Talisman's veins, invigorating him with each swallow.

As Solus's struggles weakened and his body grew limp, Talisman's grip remained unyielding, his hunger driving him to drain every last drop of life from his victim. The alleyway was filled with the sounds of his feeding, the desperate gasps and gurgles of the dying man intermingling with the night's ambient noises.

Finally, when Talisman had taken his fill, he released Solus's lifeless body, letting it slump to the ground. His lips were stained with blood, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, savoring the aftertaste of his meal.

Ano had watched the entire scene unfold from the shadows, her expression a mix of disgust and disinterest. "Well, that was messy. You really should work on your feeding technique."

Talisman observed her for a moment.

“We should talk.”