Chapter Text
The rain outside poured down. Semmelweis sat down in her apartment’s living room chair, collapsing into it whilst placing her hands on her lap and shutting her eyes. The young woman, who forever had a cheerful smile elude her, had a much more grisly frown then usual. Her usually stoic expression, noble in some respects, to being stalwart from anything thrown at her, had turned into what some colleagues had described to her as, ‘resting bitch face.’ But here, there were no colleagues to snarkly talk about her. None. No one. No one at all. Just herself… all alone.
Several months had passed since Vienna, and that storm. She hadn’t been the same after that incident. A few people suggested it was a progression of her infection, others counselled more empathetically it was at the loss of her close friend, Greta Hoffman. They had arranged for her to meet her late friends protégée, Marcus or something, Greta talked fondly about, however Marcus had transitioned to Team Timekeeper, and Semmelweis was stationed in the middle of nowhere, still in Vienna! She had increasingly begun to suspect the foundation was keeping her there so as not to deal with her, at least they gave her paper work and discs to transcribe.
However, amongst all her reasons for her depressive state, as she was starting to waver about denying the state she was in, was loss although not for Greta.
“That damned Lorelei…” She whispered faintly, scarcely heard above the rain outside. She had just shut her eyes and the memories returned to her. Memories of that siren’s song, about the saintly look of her, teasing her. Teasing her for answers to her condition, someone who seemed to know about her, who called out to her. Gone, lost in the storm.
“If only she could have been selfish… for once in that girl’s life.”
Bella, the personification of her desires, which had grown subtlety over the past months whispered, “Selfish, like us?”
“Shut it” Semmelweis uttered, and Bella retracted. Sometimes, she just wanted to hate herself it seemed, and Bella was more then happy to oblige.
She got up briefly, went to the kitchen, and returned with a bar of chocolate, which she began to nibble on.
“Does that keep you happy?” She asked.
“It does, thank you.” Bella said.
She wondered how unhealthy it was to talk to her own personified desires, and carnal urges. She then remembered how strongly she ought to avoid therapists like Kakania, who would undoubtedly have a field day with her if they managed to get their hands on poor Semmelweis’s brain.
“Now,” Semmelweis said, “leave me alone, I don’t want to deal with you telling me to go slaughter any children for their blood.”
Bella scoffed, “Hey! I never suggested you to actually kill them, I just suggest you should consume their blood.”
“And drink them dry!” Semmelweis retorted, “Which, is the same as killing them. Now please, leave me be. If you keep on tormenting me you’ll lose the body to inhabit and exercise your wants, so be content and leave me be.”
Bella flashed just taking a little tiny sip of blood in Semmelweis’s brain, and the thought made Semmelweis long, her whole body tensed, and she acted for a mere second as if she was intoxicated merely with the thought.
“NO! Leave!” She shouted, and trounced Bella’s insidious temptations… for a little while.
And Semmelweis was left alone again, in the room, on that chair, with nothing but the sound of rain as company.
Despite not needing to sleep, the fledging vampire retained both the ability, and the natural inclination to rest. Mainly, it helped due to the utter lack of blood she was ingesting, and her attempts at a human diet, plus the supplements. However, she also for some reason was naturally inclined to such things. She sometimes wondered if this set her apart like other vampires, if it made her more human then monsters like Valentina. She had no idea, of course, but, sometimes her mind thought it did, or it created fantasies for itself. She was awoken from a rest by the sound of something on wood. At first, she thought it was the building creaking, and she was about ready to damn the foundation given apartment and go sleep in their main lobby to avoid the run down abode they had kept her in. However, upon second consideration, it wasn’t the normal sound of aged and rotten wood, but rather, something hard against wood, clawing, even. And despite her attempts, she could not drown it out.
She mustered the strength required to stand up, strength which she increasingly found she was lacking. Whether it was due to her medical abnormality, or due to her state of melancholy, Semmelweis knew not, and frankly cared about as much as she knew. She walked toward the sound of the disturbance, her front door. She silently prayed it wasn’t some sort of problem she would have to deal with.
“Maybe it’s Valentina coming to pay you a visit?” Bella suggested.
Semmelweis scoffed, “God no.”
Bella chuckled, “You would like to see her though.”
Semmelweis, somewhere inside her, did, but a larger part of her didn’t. Yet, without the energy to argue, she simply ignored her obnoxious devil on her shoulder, and opened the door.
“Meow!” Came a high pitched, squeaky sound echoing from her feet.
“It’s a… kitten?” Semmelweis said aloud, “What is it doing here?”
Despite not knowing cats, or animals in general, Semmelweis could tell part of the noises the kitten is making, crying. She squatted down to examine the little thing, it wasn’t a full grown cat, yet neither was it small. It was a golden tabby cat, it’s coat the finest shade of wheat, which itself stood out to Semmelweis as she had never seen a tabby like this before. Furthermore, It had a collar of brown with two bows, one large and turquoise blue on the top, the other white and small on the bottom. There was also a bow attached to the kittens tail. All of it’s fine accessories looked bizarre when placed upon a dirtied, soaked, shivering tabby, who seemed to be barely holding on.
Semmelweis wondered what it was doing at her door, had it gotten lost? She knelt down to pick it up, and she noticed quickly there was something not right about the kitten.
“Oh, you’re hurt.” And indeed it was, it was bleeding, bleeding from it’s leg and pawn. She thought, at least Bella doesn’t crave your blood. “You’re hurt badly…” She stated, matter of factly, boringly, perhaps. But that was just who old Semmelweis was.
She picked up the kitten, who showed no fear at all from her touch nor her approach, weird, you’re awfully friendly. Maybe you just know what is good for you, she thought. She then stood up and looked around, to see how this kitten could have gotten there. There she saw what was most likely the cause, a cardboard box left just nearby the street to her place, labelled, FREE KITTEN, a box pummelled by the rain and now laid turned over.
Even the coldhearted Semmelweis exclaimed, “Oh, you poor thing.”
She brought the kitten inside, and set it beside her apartment’s gas heater, to warm it off. She returned with a towel, and a first aid kit to attend to the poor critter, who had somehow captured so quickly her sympathies.
She recalled a manual she had read during one of her stays in various Laplace medical rooms, it was basic first aid. She had never administered more than basic measures before, and she looked at the wound before doing anything.
“The wound needs to be dry… you looks like you are, you’re not wet. Let’s just, make sure with the towel.”
She took the kittens paw, holding it gently. The kitten didn’t react to her, strangely, yet neither did it reject her touch or her pull. It simply acquiesced to whatever Semmelweis was doing. Weird, she thought.
When she poured some medicinal alcohol to disinfect the wound, the strong scent of it made the little kitten rear her head. Semmelweis couldn’t help but feel sorry for the critters discomfort.
“It’ll be over soon, little thing.” She said, pouring it onto the kitten.
It squealed at the slight burn it felt, whining for a few moments. The little thing frightened tried to move away from what was causing it pain, yet Semmelweis held it firmly in place, and it had not the strength for the prolonged struggle. As the pain subsided, it quietly calmed down, noticeably saddened, but alright.
Semmelweis was about to try and bandage up the kittens tiny limbs, before a condescending voice rang in her hear.
“Does that cat look fat to you? You think that bandage will fit?” Bella again.
“God, I hate you.” Semmelweis, knowing she was right, took some scissors and cut the bandage into a smaller piece, and tied it off.
Initially Semmelweis thought to leave it at that, it’s upper leg freshly bandaged, and tight enough to stop the flow of blood; however she looked again to realise on her paw was still a wound too.
“Hmm, this one is a little more serious, it should have gauze if it where human. Do I have cat sized gauze?”
Just cut it, came a voice inside her head. She wondered whether it was Bella or herself. If it was Bella, Semmelweis could be relieved that at least Bella can be helpful sometimes. She promptly did so, and bandaged up the entire leg this time, taking slow care. The kitten not jerking or causing much of a fuss at all now that the pain had died down. Lastly, Semmelweis went in to examine it’s face and the rest of its body more properly.
“Oh, your eyes, they’re inflamed. That’s why you’re not following what I’m doing. Is there a reason?” Tracing through her fur, yes there was a cut along her face, “Oh dear, what ever happened to you?”
Semmelweis went to disinfect this wound too, hidden by the kitten’s fur. She ended up cutting it shorter around the area just to apply the bandage better, and gauze too.
The next quarter hour passed with Semmelweis hunched over this frail little kitten, gently inspecting it for anymore hidden wounds. Whatever happened to this kitten, there was injuries galore. Each limb had to be bandaged, and injuries on her face and chest where found. There was equal parts white linen on the cat now exposed as there was golden fur. Yet, when the cat was bandaged, Semmelweis turned to the next thing for it. It needs to eat, and something to drink.
Emerging from her kitchen, she brought a can of tuna, something she never thought she would eat aside from an emergency, and a small bottle of milk. She placed the tuna on the table, and let the kitten go towards it, eagerly attracted by the smell, it began taking small nibbles at it. The little kitten refused to eat the lot of it, however it seemed to eat it’s full, and happily so. Each mouthful seeming to reinvigorate it, and it seemed to walk with a little more strength. After, Semmelweis took the cap off the bottle of milk, and poured some into the lid of the bottle. She placed it infront of the kitten, who had to fall into it before it realised what it was; then it happily ate it all up. It’s bottom lip was dripping with milk, and it made a happy meow out of satisfaction.
Watching the little kitten gave Semmelweis an abundance of questions. Who would leave a kitten there? Why does it have such a delicate and pretty collar on? Then Bella asked one of her own, why are we evening caring for this kitten?
Something you want to say Bella? She asked in her head.
You know, you’re only causing problems for yourself. You’ll need to find someone to take care of this.
Semmelweis retorted, So what, what if I am?
Are you even listening to me? You barely have food for yourself!
That’s not because I can’t afford it though… that’s because I don’t care to go out.
Bella spat, so you think you’ll do so for a kitten?
Semmelweis nodded, I might, it needs someone for it, after all.
Bella scoffed, what has you so concerned for this thing?
Semmelweis pondered a moment, I’m not sure. She could feel Bella’s bewilderment, but she continued. I want to, so I am. The kitten is cute, it’ll be nice to have.
You’re rationalising saving this thing, Bella stated, more so curious then a rebuttal.
Maybe, Semmelweis acknowledged. Staring at the kitten as it made another little meow, she said, you know Lorelei would have cared for it.
You fancy yourself Lorelei? What, has the arcanist craziness gotten to you?
She just… it’s funny how she pauses when talking to herself, in her own head, she just cared, for everything. She thought, I could too. Maybe, it wouldn’t hurt to try and honour what she thought of me.
Mourning a deranged martyr isn’t good for you, stop thinking about her.
Semmelweis sighed, you know we can’t. And that Bella did.
Bella relented, fine. I can’t stop you completely, at least it’s cute to have.
Semmelweis took her finger and gently scratched the kittens face, “Aren’t you?”
Semmelweis took the kitten in her hands, in efforts to monitor it. She sat down on the chair she had before her furry little visitor, the thing resting now in her lap. She closed her eyes, and braced herself to try and ignore Bella. Sometimes it seemed as if Bella considered causing Semmelweis a psychic-break an effective way to gain more control of her. The little kitten had starting crawling around, so Semmelweis briefly opened her eyes, to garner a look at where it was going. It’s eyes looked remarkably better, the little kitten’s eye’s shone like the calm turquoise of clear water, just like it’s little bow. And the little thing, with it’s newly regained sight, was climbing up her chest to be closer to her. It nested just above her heart, between her breasts. It curled itself up into a ball, it’s head facing Semmelweis’s, as if looking up at her. When Semmelweis saw it had it’s tongue poking out at her, she couldn’t help but chuckle at how adorable and silly it looked. Eventually the two settled down, and Semmelweis closed her eyes again. Before long, the kitten began to purr, just above her heart. And surprisingly, no Bella came to torment her, her breathing relaxed, and she soon fell asleep in sublime quiet. True quiet, for the first time in months.
On Semmelweis’s chest, the kitten stirred awake. It turned it’s head back to Semmelweis, remembering her face. The only thing the little critter remembered here. The only thing for it’s past life, and the last person who tried to offer her help. The last person who tried to save her. And perhaps, the only person’s request she refused. That face, that face of Semmelweis.
Just before the last storm, she remembered what she had done. There was so many people there, that needed help. That had no where to go, that where afraid, and that needed to be eased. The world is turning into a painting, before her eyes, and only it seemed her song could help them, could relieve them of madness. But to help them not be frightened, meant her own sacrifice.
“Lorelei, come with me, we can get you out of here. You’ll die if you don’t leave.”
But she wasn’t afraid, because they would all meet again, in the end. They would all see each other, she would meet Mama and Papa again, and not merely their ghostly figments.
“But, these people, Semmelweis. I cannot go, my musical note, they need me.”
Semmelweis stood watching her, she was frustrated with her, it made Lorelei sad to see this beautiful little note so angered, by her no less.
“If you die, I lose forever a chance to know more about me. You know me, somehow. I can’t lose that.” She moved forward, hand outstretched, seemingly about to grab Lorelei along with her.
“No Semmelweis. I already told you who you are. And, I’m needed here.” Her calm, serene little voice cried out, and it deafened Semmelweis.
She stopped, sighing, and turned away. “Goodbye Lorelei.” She said.
Lorelei cried out, “Don’t worry, we’ll meet again my musical note!”
Semmelweis only shuffled away faster.
In her final moments, she stood atop a fountain, and sung to the people below her, her song driving away the syndrome of madness, for a brief while the paint would wash off the people’s faces, but as the hour grew near, the storm grew incessant. Eventually, the maddening whirlwind caused the little siren to shut her eyes, in the distance was heard rioting, gunshots, murder, violence, and all things abhorrent, but here was a refuge against it all. A place of serenity, of piece. Till the rain fell in reverse, and Lorelei, atop her pedestal, the people’s saving saint, was reversed to nothing.
The girl didn’t entirely know what to expect was beyond, she knew they would all go to heaven in the end, but she didn’t know what heaven was like. She expected to see Mama and Papa. She didn’t expect to be a little kitten, who could expect that? Her first memory was waking up one day, sitting on the eave of a church. She wondered where she was, what had happened, and everything was weird to her, adjusting to her new existence.
She was taken care of for a little while there, given a collar, and a nice ribbon on her tail. However, the local minister decided to give her away to a family. She was loved by it’s child, and by the father, but not the mother. She remembered having things thrown at her, and how whenever it was her and the mother alone, she was chased and hit and shooed away. She recalled often she was kicked out of the house, only to be found again shortly after and returned. Just that day, she had been placed into a box, and driven hastily. She had been awfully bored in that box, but when she was chucked on the side of the street and left there, she preferred the car. She didn’t understand why she was treated that way, and she didn’t like it.
When it rained she was soaked for so long, shivering, cold, hungry. It was a blessing when the damp and collapsing box turned over, and she could escape. Not knowing where else to go, she turned to try the nearest door infront of her; perhaps driven by a sense unknown to her. And that’s where she found Semmelweis, where she found her again. Not in the same manner she thought she might, but she knew, she knew all along that they would meet again, and Lorelei was so happy to see her.
Lorelei, having experienced a painful new existence, rested ontop of someone she trusted. She knew Semmelweis, she knew she cared, for people and for things. Even when she says she didn’t, she took care of her, without knowing who she was. She was so very confused by all that had happened, but to her this made the strangest form of sense. It seemed right, to her. Now, all that was on her mind left was, what do I do? And the little Siren decided to try her best to do her favourite thing, to sing. She made the sound, yet what came out was not her usual lullaby, but instead a soft melodic purr, that put Semmelweis to sleep, and lulled her worries. Before she herself went to sleep, she told Mama and Papa. I think it will be alright here. Semmelweis will look after me. With the voice inside herself, not knowing doubt with that statement. She knew, her lovely little musical note. She knew her heart. And she knew she safe here.
Semmelweis awoke from her little nap. She rubbed awake her eyes, and stared at the clock on the wall.
“Nine o’ clock. I think that is time for dinner, don’t you say little thing?” She chuckled, “Still where you were?” Indeed, the little kitten was.
She went to her kitchen. Hmm, I don’t see anything here but sausage. Can cats eat sausage? She decided if the cat didn’t want to eat something, it wouldn’t, and she wagered meat wouldn’t poison a carnivore. She cooked for herself, occasionally feeding the kitten slices she cut for it till the little kitten refused her offers, promptly stuffed. She ate herself, rare meat for Bella’s sake she preferred it, for the first time in a long time she ate what could be considered a full meal.
Bella grumbled as it stuffed a piece of sausage into it’s entire mouth, It does look cute.
Semmelweis wondered, it seems to be very eager to eat what it can get, did it often go hungry? It can’t even eat the piece. What if I place another?
Her hypothesis proved true, when she gave another to the starved little kitten, she spat the piece she was trying to inhale, and began nibbling slowly at it. In no small way could it be considered Semmelweis took some delight in seeing the kitten happy, fed, and no longer so injured. It made her feel good.
“I wonder if that is why Lorelei always did it?” She asked outloud.
The kitten, remembering it’s name, perched her head up, wondering why Semmelweis called it. Does she recognise her!?
Surprised, Semmelweis said, “Oh. You like the name do you? Lorelei.” She moved a little to the right, and called again, “Lorelei.” The same response, “Hmm, I suppose that can be your name then. Lorelei.” Bella would grumble about being overtly sentimental with a crazy loon she wasn’t even that close to, but Semmelweis didn’t really care for Bella’s opinions. Anyway, she couldn’t stop the way her mind so often returned to her.
Soon it became time for bed, and Semmelweis took the kitten with her to her room. First she closed the door and undressed, with the kitten free to roam her bed. She took a blanket and folded it, carefully placing it atop her nightstand, softly fluffing it for her little furry guest. She got into bed, turned off the light’s, and gently laid the kitten into it’s resting place on her nightstand. She had just shut her eyes when the little thing was crawling into the nook of her neck, which completely surprised her. Placing her back in the dark, she watched through the night vision provided by her vampirism as the kitten made a leap onto her mattress, and completed it’s trek right back to the warm and soft part of her neck it seemed so infatuated with sleeping in. Deciding it would only continue to try and sleep there, and not having anywhere else to keep it, Semmelweis decided to let it. She gently stroked it’s fur with one hand and rubbed it’s soft stomach, and it nestled and sometimes tickled her neck and chin. When the little kitten began to purr, Semmelweis was left defenceless from the approach of sleep.
Semmelweis, for the first time in a long time, dreamt of nothing terrible. No nightmares, no influences of Bella, no hallucinations, no false memories, nothing at all. Just sleep… and the oddest faint hum of a melody, like the one she recalled from her trek in the mountains, the one she heard from Lorelei’s lips. A beat which felt strangely, like the little kittens purr.