Rika's eyes were locked onto Leon, her tone furious. She had just returned from her aforementioned night, full of fresh injuries, and Leon had made friends with a literal vampire.
"Are you serious?! Didn't I say to be LESS trusting of others?!"
"I can explain. She is vegan."
"What's a Vegan vampire!? Did she tell you that? And you believed her?!"
"Yeah... But I don't think she was lying to me."
"She's a Vampire, they eat humans! Why wouldn't she lie to you! Leon, they are monsters. They kill people! She may look like a person but she's a living undead."
"I mean you kill people too. I trust you."
Rika froze for a second. Her cheeks shifted slightly red from his blunt belief. In her eyes, such naivety was foolish, but it still felt nice.
"That's different Farm boy. You should trust me because I'm me. But you also shouldn't just trust people instantly...myself included."
"Look, I know you said don't trust others but I got the same vibes from her as I did you. So I trust her. She already agreed to help teach me blood arts and I'll feed her. She seems to have something against eating people which is probably why she said she's vegan."
"...wait, you already fed her!? ...And you're fine?"
"Yeah. I'll wake her up and you can do your whole checking for lies assassin thingy."
"...Farm boy? Are you a hunter, did you pass?"
She said softly, her tone had now completely shifted. She wasn't angry anymore but rather sorry.
Why does she look guilty all of a sudden? I doubt it's just because she got upset with me.
"Oh umm yeah. I'm officially a hunter!"
He walked over to Valeria who was still passed out on the ground. He knew he had to feed her but this time Rika was watching.
Surely she won't moan again right? That was just because it was her first time trying me right?
He kneeled down once again and put his finger inside the unconscious girl's mouth. As Valeria's fang cut his finger, blood began to flow and she began to drink.
Once again her hands latched on to his forearm as she sucked on his finger. Moaning and twitching all the same, her tongue wrapping around as she bobbed her head.
"Is this why you trusted her?"
He could feel Rika's eyes piercing his back. She was more annoyed than angry. Suppressing her rage as for whatever reason that made her feel guilty before.
After a very long feeling for a couple of minutes, Valerie finally opened her eyes.
"You won."
She looked up with eyes half open, full of adoration. Her hands still held onto his forearm but now with a soft gentle touch.
"Alright that's enough."
Before even finishing her own sentence, Rika had kicked Leon in the side with the heel of her foot. Knock him far away from Valeria as she pointed her blade towards the vampire.
"Who are you?"
"Rika, that's Valeria. Valeria, Rika. I hope you both get along."
"I'm asking her."
"I'll take it, you're friends with Leon.... Nice to meet you. I'm Valeria."
"Full name."
"...I don't use my full name."
"Doesn't matter. What is it?"
Valeria stood up despite Rika still pointing her blade at her. The two girls were both visibly getting upset with the other.
"I have long abandoned my family and that name. I only answer to Valeria."
"That's great and all but I want answers. How much did you drink? You were unconscious, so what happened had you not stopped? Can you stop? Were you even unconscious?
Rika was in full interrogation mode. Scanning for lies while attacking Valeria with rapid questions.
Maybe I should step in…
"Hey Rika...."
She cut him off immediately. Her blade was still pointed at Valeria's heart.
"You said you trusted her right? So let her answer the question. Why would that be a problem unless she is hiding something?"
Despite Rika's accusing tone, Valerie had heard her say that he had trusted her. She knew that Leon must have defended her while she was unconscious.
"I'm not sure how much I drank, I was unconscious but he feels endless. Had I not stopped I don't know. Vampires can't stop ourselves. We drink until we're interrupted or till there's nothing left... I only stopped because his wound had closed."
She spoke calmly. It was clearly hard for her to admit her violent nature. She wanted to repay the trust he had put in her.
"You still haven't said your name. Why were you moaning? Seduction tactic? What are your intentions? Why are you in Jeif'he?"
Rika, on the other hand, wasn't laying off. She was also repaying his trust and to do so meant to ensure Valeria was trustworthy
"I wasn't doing any seduction! He just...tastes really good. It's whatever. I'll get used to him. Anyways, My intentions are freedom. I've left my family and have been fleeing for the past 2 years, hence me currently ending up here. I only got here a few days ago. As for my name; I am Valeria. Nothing more, nothing less."
Rika's eyes study her for a second before lowering her blade.
"I still don't trust you. They're are more questions I'm going to ask. But I need him and I've wasted too much time here as it is. We have to go. You can wait around here. I won't let you contact him again until I finish questioning you."
"Wait, you need me?"
Her guilty expression had returned.
"Yeah..."
"Alright that's fine, but I'm sure Valeria can come with us."
"She can't. This is very personal. She can wait around here. I'll find her when we're done."
The two girls were once again glaring at each other
"That's fine with me, I'll wait in this plaza."
"I can tell you are lying. Don't follow us."
"I might have questions for you too? I still don't trust you either"
This isn't going anywhere.
He stepped in-between the glares of the two of them
"Alright so umm, I'll help Rika then we can uh finish this up over breakfast or something. How long is this going to take?"
"I don't know. Let's just hurry."
Rike grabbed his hand and turned, locking eyes with Valeria. Giving her one last look with a smug smile as she held his hand, before pulling him away. Running as she lead him away from the dense city center.
"Farm boy... You trust me right?"