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“I wonder how this…Dr. Tsu is like,” said Xiu as the car found a parking slot close to the Lab. “I’ve not seen him before,”

“I’m sure he’s a very capable doctor,” said Hazeline giving Xiu a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “After all, it was Alex who arranged this appointment with Dr. Tsu and you trust Alex, don’t you?”

“Alex is a nice and capable person,” said Xiu with a smile. “I admire her,”

“That’s good. So there’s nothing to worry about,” said Hazeline. “It’s just a regular check up anyway. To see that you are healthy and all that,”

“It’s odd though…I practically stayed in his office the whole time I was quarantined there,” said Xiu sheepishly. “It feels odd to actually see the person whose room it is,”

“I’m sure it’s going to be fine,” said Hazeline stepping out of the car and making her way towards the Lab and towards the doctor’s office. Giving a series of soft knocks to see if the doctor is in, Hazeline turned to Xiu “I am going in with you after all,”

“That’s true,” agreed Xiu as he watched his guardian giving the door a couple of soft taps.

Hazeline paused after the second set of knocks and glanced at her watch. It was about five minutes earlier than their appointed time. “Perhaps they aren’t expecting us yet?” the guardian said looking at Xiu.

“Perhaps,” agreed the white raevan “But I was sure I heard voices…,”

“Another patient then?” Hazeline suggested as she took a couple of steps back. A second later the door was opened to reveal another raevan. One that both Hazeline and Xiu had never seen before. The raevan dipped his head politely before inviting them in.

“It was hardly a wait at all,” said Hazeline with a smile as she stepped into the office. There were sounds of a tap being turned somewhere in the backroom. “You are…Dr.Tsu’s raevan, I take it?” asked Hazeline. “I’m Hazeline and he’s Xiu,”

“Pleased to meet you,” said Xiu on cue to his guardian’s introduction. Eyeing the other, Xiu couldn’t help but admire the raevan’s stature. He certainly had a dignified air about him but…Xiu couldn’t help it as his eyes trailed to what seemed like a scar partially hidden on his forehead. Xiu wondered what had caused such a mark but figured that it would have been a rather personal question to ask for a first meeting.

“I think…it was a spur of the moment kind of name. She blurted it out during my pickup and…it has stuck ever since,” said Xiu giving his guardian a quick glance. She seemed to be answering a couple of questions given by Dr. Tsu and apparently Xiu was not needed just yet. Giving the Doctor a polite nod, Xiu turned his attention to Zave once more. “What about you, Zave? Did your guardian name you on the spot as well or was there…lots of pondering and head scratching for a suitable name?”

Xiu had heard from Hazeline’s brother Joshua that Hazeline had spent many hours pouring through websites for a suitable name only to blurt his current one out upon meeting. Xiu wondered if that was the case for any of the other raevans he knew and made a mental note to ask them about it.

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At the mention of missing a few packs of blood, Hazeline gave the Doctor a slightly confused look. “You mean, Dr. Kyou has not informed you? Err…of the blood packs, I mean,” said Hazeline stumbling a little. The guardian had assumed that Dr. Tsu would have been informed of Xiu’s blood drinking tendencies but perhaps Dr. Kyou had been too busy, what with handling all the infected raevans and all. “Well you see…regarding the missing blood packs, I have been purchasing them from Dr. Kyou. And that would probably lead to the answers of both your questions about Xiu’s physical and psychological developments…,” said Hazeline tentatively.

“Just a couple of months ago, during the Hungry Ghost Month, Xiu had difficulty feeding. He feeds off innocence normally but…during the Hungry Ghost Month, he had refused to feed off innocence, claiming that it would harm people and by not eating, well…he err…shifted his diet to a source more readily available; blood,” said Hazeline giving her charge a brief but wary glance. Xiu was still engage in his conversation with Zave and that was probably a good thing. Hazeline took a deep breath.

“Apparently the Hungry Ghost Month as well as…any other festivities regarding the release of souls effects Xiu, Doctor. He gets…uneasy and is…easily agitated. And err…after consuming blood, Doctor, his eyes, they turn blood red and so does his rune. His teeth as well, they become fangs but…apparently the fangs can be formed even if he does not drink blood,” said Hazeline quietly. “And err…if he does not drink blood after his fangs form and under starvation, it would seem that…he develops blood lust,” said Hazeline recalling the incident with Alex. “Naturally…this is a rather sensitive topic with Xiu since he’s quite composed; most of the time,” said Hazeline. The guardian wondered if she should tell Dr. Tsu about Xiu’s attack on Dr. Kyou and his subsequent quarantine in the Lab but decided against it unless asked. Xiu would definitely appreciate it at any rate.

“Zavier…,” said Xiu softly, repeating the other’s name. It had a nice ring to it. Rather noble sounding and unique. Doctor Tsu must be a rather talented person with names thought Xiu to himself. At the mention of Meli, Xiu looked up surprised. “Meli… Would you by any chance be referring to…Melisande?” enquired Xiu curiously. He had previously received a message in a balloon from Lucia and an unknown being called Melisande and soon after, Vyn had mentioned Meli’s name and confirmed Meli’s status as a Raevan while waiting for Ethan’s arrival. “She seems to be rather popular with the girls,” said Xiu with a soft chuckle. “A nice Raevan from what I gather; and her handwriting’s superb as well. I look forward to actually meeting her someday,”

At Dr. Tsu’s motioning, Xiu gave Zave a polite nod before floating over to Dr. Tsu. Floating patiently beside his guardian, Xiu waited to see what the Doctor would do.

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“Blood substitute pill? Is there really such a thing, Doctor?” asked Hazeline looking genuinely surprised. “I had thought that…those things were stuff made up in teen vampire films or cartoons,” said Hazeline. “Never thought that they actually existed. But if that would help counter Xiu’s blood lust then I am sure both Xiu and I would be more than happy to try that out,” said the guardian before stepping aside a little to make room for her raevan as he floated up to them.

Xiu observed Zave with mild surprise. The other frei, if anything, seemed more animated at the talk of Melisande, seeming to lose himself in a tirade of concern over the female raevan. Xiu wondered at this and his suspicions were confirmed when Zave faltered and blushed, having realized that he was losing himself in the conversation. Dr. Tsu’s goading only seemed to emphasize his charge’s liking for Melisande.

This made Xiu all the more curious about this elusive raevan. Vyn had also spoken of this raevan approvingly and here was Zave, being all at once enthusiastic about the raevan and also sheepish when prodded by his guardian. Xiu wondered what it was like to like someone in that manner. Giving Zave an amused look, Xiu shook his head “No, I have yet to meet her, Zave but I certainly hope to in the future,”

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Hazeline blinked at the Doctor’s words. What Dr. Tsu had said was indeed true; if a little harsh. If she could believe in a raevan, why couldn’t she believe in a pill that was capable of suppressing one’s bloodlust?

“Ignorance, for one thing,” said Hazeline with slight lowering of her head, acknowledging the Doctor’s argument. “Until I had that briefcase from the Lab, my field of science has been rather limited to plants and what I have studied as a student, I’m afraid. Xiu’s arrival jarred that believe mightily,” said Hazeline with a shrug. “To tell the truth, many would think that soul capturing and blood drinking are more related to the fields of the occult rather than science, Doctor,” replied Hazeline, unable to hold back her opinion on the matter.

“But that aside, are these pills available in the local pharmacies upon your prescription or would I need to place an order beforehand, Doctor?” asked Hazeline as she settled into calmer waters. “There’s still time until the next Hungry Ghost Festival but I’d rather not wait till then to place an order,”

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Xiu nodded and floated up to the table indicated by the Doctor. Taking couple of deep breaths, Xiu watched as the Doctor appeared to be listening in for something. The feel of the stethoscope pressed upon his chest was not something the white frei was accustomed to and the frei exhibited his dislike at being prodded with this instrument with a slight but agitated flick of his wings. But a stethoscope was definitely much preferred over the penetrating p***k of a needle. Xiu wondered if he’d have to have his blood drawn and hoped it need not come to that.

"Now... I need you to open your mouth wide and say 'Ah'"

Xiu stared blankly at the Doctor then to the piece of stick held firmly between the Doctor’s fingers. Was Dr. Tsu planning on placing that piece of wood into his mouth? The idea of having that piece of ice-cream stick invading his oral cavity was something the frei had not expected. Backing slightly, Xiu shook his head in silent protest until he noticed that his guardian was giving him an encouraging nod. Wings drooping slightly, the white frei opened his mouth as directed by Dr. Tsu, body tensing as the piece of wood was place over his tongue, pinning it down as the Doctor peered into his mouth.

The sense of helplessness as he was being examined by the Doctor must have triggered a defense mechanism of some sort within the frei as canines that were no different from an average human began to elongate, forming perfectly prominent fangs within the frei’s mouth before Dr. Tsu. Embarrassed, Xiu would have liked nothing better than to have them kept out of sight from the humans (and Zave) but unless he was planning on biting through rough wood, the tongue depressor pretty much prevented this. Gripping the edge of the table a little more tightly than was necessary, Xiu awaited the Doctor’s next move.

The reaction that Dr. Tsu gave upon seeing Xiu’s forming fangs did not escape Xiu’s notice. Feeling even more wretched, Xiu would have pulled away from the Doctor when Dr. Tsu requested that Zave leave them to prepare the X-ray machine. Xiu visibly relaxed at this. Now with Zave gone, there was…Dr. Tsu and Hazeline to be dealt with. When the tongue depressor was finally removed, Xiu swallowed a couple of times to get the odd taste of the wood out of his mouth.

Looking at Dr. Tsu, Xiu then flared his wings a little. “I was…uneasy,” admitted the white frei reluctantly. “Intimidated, certainly. I guess… this means…,” Xiu frowned, not liking where this particular train of thought was heading. “My fangs grow when I am…stressed,”

Hazeline listened as her charge answered the Doctor’s questions, while her own mind went over Dr. Tsu’s previous questions. “Yes,” the guardian said. “Xiu’s fangs…we only knew of it during the Hungry Ghost Month. Xiu had never exhibited them prior to that. At least, not to my knowledge,”

“No,” confirmed Xiu. “ The first time these…fangs made themselves present were during the Hungry Ghost Festival but… after that….they seem to be able to grow…easily enough…with the correct conditions or when I need them …I guess…,”said Xiu quietly.

Rivener? Yes, he knew Rivener. Rivener had been there to help him when he was accosted by that terrible Fat Man and Xiu only knew too well of the of the potency of the scorpions Sigel’s poison. Xiu doubted he’d be able to match the ferocity that Rivener exhibited when sufficiently triggered; which was…a good thing right?

“They aren’t?” Xiu asked curiously as he stared at Tsu. “But…vampires have fangs and…they are monsters, aren’t they?” said Xiu with some doubt in his voice.

Nevertheless, the white frei looked a little happier at Dr. Tsu’s explanation. He just needed to control himself, right? Smiling at the Doctor, Xiu nodded. “Thank you, Dr. Tsu. I shall certainly do my best to keep them under control,”

Zave had by then returned to the examination room and had offered to take Xiu to the X-ray area. Nodding, Xiu floated off the table and followed after Zave. “Sounds like a plan,” chuckled Xiu amiably. Zave was a nice raevan and would no doubt make a wonderful friend. Seeing Zave staring at him curiously, Xiu was surprised at the other’s question. “Well…Dr. Tsu gave me a little prep talk I guess,” said Xiu with a smile. Then drawing his lips back a little, Xiu briefly showed Zave his fangs before looking sheepish. “I was…having trouble adjusting to them and…Dr. Tsu told me that they were nothing to be ashamed of. You must be proud to have such an encouraging guardian, Zave,”


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Now that both the freis have gone, Hazeline was left alone with Dr. Tsu. Wondering what is it that the Doctor could possibly want to talk about without the presence of the raevans, Hazeline folded her arms across her chest and stared at the Doctor. It couldn’t possibly be her opinion on the creation of raevans. For one thing, Hazeline remembered struggling with subjects such as molecular biology and physiology so she’d be no help there. Neither was Hazeline particularly adept at spiritual things so Doctor Tsu comment really surprised the young woman.