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Now, most abnormalities in a student at nevermore can be explained by their specter. Like Berenice.
Berenice has sharper teeth and more sensitive hearing, along with a newfound urge to bite just about anything that breathes.
The Misfits don't know yet if blood will be a new necessary component of her diet or if she's even a full vampire. But she certainly acts like one.
The group also doesn't know what is going on with Eulalie.
They were all hanging out in the hideout late one night when Eula started freaking out. She was crying and stumbling into objects, all the while saying, “It hurts" before she darted off alone.
Bee was the one who found her, and had to oddly explain to the group that Eulalie was some sort of werewolf type creature.
Which brings them to now, the next day, where Eula is still not back to normal and seems to have no understanding of what she is.
"Come here." Morella cooed in a baby voice, calling Eulalie over to sit with her on the nest of pillows and blankets the group had set up.
The giant, mostly purple beast padded over with a quickly wagging tail and a friendly look about her. She circled around the redhead a couple times before curling up around her.
Morella giggled and ran her fingers through Eulalie's fluffy fur. Focusing her attention back on everyone else, she spoke again. "She's not aggressive at all. Maybe we just shouldn't worry about this too much?"
"She's not hurting us, doll, but what about somebody she doesn't know? We can't have the deans locking her up or kicking her out of the academy because of something she can't control." Berenice argued lightly. "She should stay here until we figure out what's going on."
"Has anyone thought about it being related to the moon?" Pluto suggested from his place by the window. He put out his cigarette and dropped it over the railing to the ground below. "Werewolves typically turn on the full moon."
"We don't know that she's a werewolf." Berenice pointed out, earning an irritated huff from Pluto.
"No, but if she turns back to normal when the moon changes stages, then we'll have proof." He snapped back, a little too aggressively.
"Listen," Lenore cut in, easing the tension away. "She's fine for now. We can wait until the full moon is over completely and if she's not back to normal then we do our best to find a way to fix this without getting her locked up."
"So she's staying here then?" Berenice inquired. "It's really the only place we can keep her."
Eulalie, all fluff and slobber, wallowed around in the blanket nest Morella had made. She kicked at pillows and shoved her head further into the ginger's belly.
Morella laughed and ran her hands through her friend's fur. "She's happy enough to be here!" Her smile was infectious, and Berenice couldn't help but soften up a little as she watched the two.
"How will we feed her?" Pluto asked, and while it was obvious that he was just worried and asking genuinely important questions, he still sounded condescending and against the idea of keeping her away from everyone.
Lenore sighed, placing a hand on Pluto's shoulder and giving him a reassuring smile. "Things will be okay. We'll figure this out."
"We could always sneak portions of our own dinners away, could we not?" Duke suggested. He'd been mostly silent so far, preferring to keep a wary eye on Eulalie over arguing about whether or not to keep her.
Berenice hoped he wasn't in the argument because he knew there was no way they're getting rid of her.
A hand touched her shoulder, snapping her into full awareness. "Mon amie?" Duke snapped his fingers in front of her face a few times and gently pulled her to sit down on the messy blanket nest. "Nobody is saying we get rid of her." The entertainer assured. "We simply want to make sure she is safe while we figure out what's going on."
Berenice nodded, leaning against the large purple beast that was previously her friend. Her fur was remarkably soft. A heavy weight landed in her lap, and Berenice reached out blindly to pet at what she assumed was Eulalie’s head. The relaxed movements of the assumed-werewolf breathing, coupled with a nagging tiredness worming it's way into her bones, had Berenice lulling off to what she hoped was a light nap.
---
It had been most of the night when Bee woke back up in a startled fit. Something was wrong. She pushed herself up and away from her bed.
Bed?
Didn't she fall asleep on...
Carefully, Berenice made her way to the door, listening for footsteps or any noise at all really, before opening it as quietly as possible and making her way out. She padded along the halls barefoot, the floor a shocking reminder of her vulnerable state for the moment. She stalked along the shadows, hiding from any noise at all as she made her way to the forbidden wing.
There wasn't a sound to be heard down the lengthy halls. The shadows crept eerily up the walls and moved with the shaking of the branches outside. It was a startling and terrifying scene that a nagging part of her tried to say was dangerous.
The sound of metal meeting wood rang out ahead of her, causing a full body flinch. Bee didn't breathe for several seconds, every nerve in her body burning with her natural instinct to run.
Softly stroking her hands over her arms to ward the goosebumps away, she began her journey again. Softer steps than before, heeded by an uncontrollable and unexplainable fear allowed her to get to the doorway of the observatory.
Taking a deep breath, Berenice pushed the door open just a bit. Inside, bright red eyes pierced through her soul in less than a second. She tried in vain to shut the door before the creature could get her, but a single clawed hand ripped the knob out of her hands as it swung the door open.
Berenice was greeted with sharp teeth just ahead of her face and hot breath forcing her to close her eyes. Something yanked on her side. Long claws digging into soft skin and pulling at it. Berenice tried to move away from the pain, unwilling to scream in case it alerted somebody to the fact that Eulalie was a werewolf.
It barely crossed her mind that she might die if she doesn't scream.
Barely registered that she might die at all.
But it did flash through her mind for a second. And that second was all it took for the panic to take hold.
She slammed her right hand against the beast's nose in a cruel manner, causing it to jerk back with a small yelp and whine.
Berenice was quick to scramble to her feet, though a fur covered claw wrapped itself around her arm roughly. She twisted slightly and jammed her sharper-than-normal teeth into the claw.
There was another yelp, this time accompanied by a deep growl.
The ground was hard when she hit it chin first. There was a bone crushing weight against her back now, one that she couldn't move no matter how much she wiggled and pushed against it.
Hot air blew against the back of her neck and a drawn out growl made her pause. She could feel the rumbling of the growl roll through her. Despite this, Berenice growled back. It was weak, partly because she couldn't breathe fully, but also because she was losing. She knew she was losing.
Sharp teeth scraped against her neck. Saliva dripped down onto her skin and rolled down to the front of her throat, soon followed by long canines.
Berenice hoped vaguely that Eulalie wouldn't remember this. That it was Lenore or Duke who found her body, and not Morella. She didn't think either girl could stand to face this reality. To face the fact that this is how Berenice comes to a final end.
She felt the jaws close around her neck. Felt the weight on her back lift. Then she shut her eyes tight as she could when she was lifted slightly and dragged into the hideout.
There was a crash. There was a hiss. Then Berenice was on the floor again completely and the weight, while not as pressing, was back.
Opening her eyes showed a dark shadow creature accented in orange growling and hissing in her direction- no, at the beast.
Some part of her brain recognized that this has to be Pluto. But her head was swimming and a mix of shadows and light spots danced in the corners of her vision.
She tried to push herself up. The weight over top of her pressed inward. Eulalie tucked herself in over Berenice now, seemingly giving up on fighting and instead trying to hide Berenice from Pluto.
Logically Berenice knew it was a tactic for the beast to keep it's prey. And Berenice supposes that she understands. When she bites, she gets aggressive about anyone touching her. Maybe this is similar? God, why is she trying to figure out the logic of a beast about to kill her?
The growling and hissing stops at some point. And a while later, however long it is, the weight lifts away from her mostly, and Pluto's very human face pops into view.
Berenice can't help the gasp and wince that leave her as she's moved around. She can hear Pluto speaking. Can make out his accent and the fact it's his voice. But the only thing she can focus on are big sad eyes and a bleeding, scratched up nose across the room.
The werewolf watched them with her head on her claws. Her tongue darting out randomly to lick up at her injured nose before the sting would hit and she'd shake her head to get rid of the pain.
Berenice flinched as Pluto prodded at her injured side. It was lazily bleeding, hardly anything to be too concerned about, Berenice hoped distantly.
Claws tapping against the hard wood floor had her shooting her gaze up at the approaching creature. She stared as it stopped, head hanging low and ears drooped down.
Eulalie whined, long and high pitched. She leaned her weight from one front claw to the other, shifting and lifting her free claw each time she moved. She made eye contact with Berenice briefly, before looking away and lowering her head to the floor.
Berenice barely noticed Pluto watching too.
The werewolf rubbed her face on the floor and gently lowered herself more so she could turn her head upside down and lay her shoulder on the floor.
Something in the back of her mind registered this as an apology, Berenice knew, but her side burned and her vision was still swimming with spots of light and darkness.
She watched with what interest she could manage, before she felt her head roll to the side as her head went fuzzy.
-------
Soft, warm fur greeted her as she awoke. Her head hurt like hell, and all she could smell and taste was blood. She could hear talking. She should probably go see about that.
Soft hands maneuvered her back into a laying position almost as soon as she tried to sit up. Gentle whispers and smooth skin and so so much soft soft fur. Whatever she was laying on moved with every breath she took, like it was breathing too. She blinked her eyes open blearily as she looked to her side, seeing blood soaked bandages and a distinct lack of shirt.
She could hardly bring herself to care. She was shrouded in warmth and comfort. Like for the first time in her afterlife she didn't need to be quite so tough. She rubbed her hand on purple fur and leaned her head back with her eyes closed again, drifting off.
----
Something wet touching her face woke her now. Strong arms wrapped themselves around her and what she quickly realized were tears continued to fall onto her cheek. There was arguing in the background, but when Berenice opened her eyes, it wasn't to a fight or even a beast. It was to the prettiest eyes she's ever seen, ones that had no reason to be cursed with the sadness that plagued them.
Purple hair draped around her like a curtain, framing Eulalie's pretty face in a way that had Berenice awestruck.
The arguing stopped as Bee lifted a hand to wipe away Eulalie's tears.
The other girl gave a weak smile, though mere seconds later she was crumbling and curling up over Berenice in harsher sobs. She hid her face from everyone in the room.
Berenice looked around as best she could, the others watched the scene with varying expressions from fond to uncomfortable.
Lenore took the lead, it seemed. "Berenice..."
The vampire cringed at the group leader's tone of voice. "What?" She asked hesitantly.
"Nurse Dolly knows."
Berenice almost shot up into a full sitting position. The only thing stopping her being Eulalie. "How? Why?"
"Listen. There was a fight and you got hurt. We weren't sure what to do so we took you to the nurse and then we had to explain that Eulalie was a werewolf thing-" Lenore did her best to explain before Berenice could cut her off.
"So she's what? Just gonna screw us over now?!" Berenice hissed, hand gripping onto Eulalie's clothing. "I'm not letting them hurt her."
Lenore threw her hands up. "Neither are we. We've worked out a deal that Eulalie will roam the forbidden wing during full moons and nobody is to see her at night. Otherwise everything is fine."
"She almost killed you." Pluto spoke up. "Even if I personally think it was an accident," he got a dirty look from Lenore at that. "She still could have killed you for good there. And that means she's gotta be alone." He looked pissed off enough at saying that. Looked like he wanted to argue but knew he couldn't.
---
Berenice twirled the device in her hands around. Clicking the button a couple of times as a red dot appeared where she aimed the little thing. Of course she noticed how Eulalie watched it eagerly, nearly jumping from her seat multiple times as Berenice made it race across the bookshelves and walls.
She also noticed how Lenore had a hand to her mouth to keep from giggling, and how Duke was making small jokes to Morella and Pluto. They all knew it was only a matter of time before the new werewolf threw herself after the dot.
It had already happened a couple times before. Funny every time too. It gave Berenice something nice to do while she healed up.
---
The moon shone through the window lazily tonight. Not quite full, but still providing enough light for Berenice to see by.
Her and Eulalie had pushed their beds together at some point in the previous days. But as Berenice’s boredom with being injured grew, so did her need to bite someone.
Eulalie was still sensitive as ever about having almost killed Berenice, even if she couldn't remember it properly.
So when Berenice grew so visibly stressed over her need to bite something that she began chewing on her own knuckles, Eulalie volunteered to let Berenice bite her.
It was an attempt at another apology, Berenice figured. And as such, she refused at first, intent on making sure Eulalie knew she didn't need to do anything of the sort because it was never her fault. But eventually, Berenice had agreed to the idea, once it was clear Eulalie just wanted to help.
Which lead to now. With Berenice lazily chewing at the upper side of Eulalie’s forearm. It was calming enough, and Eulalie really didn't seem that bothered by the action as she cuddled into Berenice from behind. They were laying together, with Berenice’s head on Eulalie’s upper arm and Eulalie's forearm bent around to rest her hand on the vampire's shoulder while she chewed at her.
Eulalie was talking consistently about some type of coin. Specifically about how ridges on coins were different and so on.
It was such a domestic scene that Berenice almost found herself drifting off to sleep again.
Almost.
---
May it never be said that Berenice never tried.
It was a full moon again, and Pluto sat on the floor leaned against Berenice and Eulalie’s beds. Berenice and Pluto were up tonight, unable to sleep and talking about Eulalie.
It came out. Cause of course it did.
"That.." Pluto started, sounding a bit shocked. And maybe a bit.. let down? "That sucks." He mumbled, burying his face into his palms.
"Yeah. Not like we can both date her." Berenice replied solemnly. "Suppose we just wait and see if she chooses either of us?"
Pluto shrugged. "Not like I'm gonna force her to like me."
Berenice gave a small, sad smile. She wondered if things could ever work out good for everyone here. But in a place like this? Seems unlikely.
---
Eulalie obviously knew something was up between them. Berenice could tell. Pluto probably could too.
All because Bee asked a single, totally innocent question about multiple people being in a normal relationship with each other. She just needed to know what Eulalie knew about the subject.
---
The kiss was like fire and heaven all at once. She wanted to cry but she also didn't want it to end. It was the sweetest kiss she's ever had and it felt amazing to know that she had a chance at a happy ending.
Eulalie pulled back, hands cupping Berenice’s face gently as she started leaving small kisses all over. Her cheeks, her forehead, the tip of her nose, the corner of her mouth, nowhere was left untouched. It had Bee melting into a soft fondness. She glanced over at Pluto, who sat watching with curious eyes.
She gave a grin full of sharp teeth and reached out to grab him by his jacket, pulling him into her lap so Eulalie could kiss him too.
She wrapped her arms around his waist while Eulalie gave him the same treatment she gave Bee.
Sure, there was still a whole boatload of issues to solve. But maybe romantic ones could be wiped off the table for now. It didn't matter that Bee and Pluto don't have romantic attraction to each other. They got along fine, and having a shared girlfriend was cool. Especially when it was Eulalie. Oh how Berenice loved Eulalie.