#also ik its weird that he wouldnt recognize his own twin

[strawberry-carpcake]

this is rlly long but heres an oc thing i quickly wrote

Casimir was opposed to going back to Rinea the moment it was suggested. In fact, he had fought and protested for three weeks, begging Cyril to consider the possibility that they didn't really need to be there. He lost the argument of course, because he always lost against Cy. And without a real reason for him to oppose the other, his argument fell flat. He had tried to argue that it was too cold, that there would be nothing there worth investigating, that their lead may be false, that it was too far. He tried everything, but nothing seemed to get Cy to even reconsider. He was adamant that there would be some big clue there, all because of some anonymous tip. Casimir knew that his partner could be stubborn and hotheaded, but he thought that he would at least hear him out. He was a little hurt that he didn't.

He knew the moment he stepped foot onto that soil it would be over for him. His freedom would be taken once more, he would be imprisoned and Cyril would leave him without so much as a goodbye. Or, his own fear and paranoia would get to him, and he would turn himself in. To some degree he understood that what happened all those years ago wasn't his fault, that there was nothing more he could have done. But that didn't stop him from blaming himself.

He lost the argument with Cyril, and they departed for Rinea the next day. 

Currently Casimir sat sitting at a table in the little inn, tapping his foot rapidly. Cyril, unaware of the others' quiet panic, was loudly talking with the bartender. He had ordered a drink an hour ago, and not another once since. The bartender looked more than a little annoyed at this point. Casimir kept his head low, even with his ears covered and with his contacts he felt vulnerable, like he could be jumped at any moment. Being back in his hometown after so long left him feeling vulnerable, he knew how deeply these people came to despise him, how deeply his brother despised him. He also had this sinking feeling, he suspected he knew who Cyril’s lead was-

“So! Now that you’ve heard all about my incredible life, would you mind if I ask you a question?” Casimir turned his attention to the bar, where Cyril’s demeanor rapidly changed- going from amused to serious in a matter of seconds. The bartender stood up a little straighter, and passed him another cup. 

“That depends on what you’re asking.”

Cyril took the cup, taking a sip. “I'm a holy man, as you can see,” he gestured to the symbol around his neck, “and I’ve heard a rumor that this town hosts a man of great religious power. I would like to meet this man, and after hearing my story I assume you can guess why I would seek religion out.  I wish to learn more, and I’ve heard this man could help me on my journey.”

The bartender nodded his head, and showed Cyril his own necklace- one that had been concealed behind the man's shirt before. “I understand you brother, and I do know of this man. Everyone does really- he owns the largest estate in this town, and is quite generous with his wealth.” The other man shook his head a little, “Tragic story really.”

Cyril lowered his cup, staring at the man intently. “Tragic?” 

“Hm, well I suppose anyone would tell you the same- there was an…incident a few years back. Messed up the whole town for a while, really. See, this man's father was a man of extreme wealth and power- his networks helped the town in many ways- thus, the whole town appreciated him and his family. We’ve never had an official leader in this town, seeing how small it is, but he was as close to one as we’ve ever gotten.” He paused, and leaned closer to Cyril, his voice lowering. Casimir slid further back in his seat. 

“Then, one morning, the man you seek- just a boy at this point, entered his home to discover his whole family had been slain. And standing next to their corpses was his own brother, covered in their blood. Some people say they could hear the boy's screams from a mile away.” The bartender sighed, and stood back a little, his voice returning to normal volume. “The other boy had always been odd, some women in the village defended him after he was put to trial, but everyone else knew he was guilty. The boy was a vampire, after all,  and we all know what those creatures are truly like.” Cyril nodded his head, sipping his drink once more. “I know I sure do.” The two continued to speak, Casimir picking up bits and pieces as he began to drown them out once again. This is what he was trying to avoid, these conversations, this fear. If that man looked over and recognized him, what would happen to him? Would he be locked up again, or would they simply kill him on the spot this time? He didn’t know which would be worse. At least if he was killed he wouldn’t have to suffer that humiliation again- at least the pain would be quick. 

“Thank you very much for the help, kind sir.” Casimir turned his gaze back to Cyril once again, and watched as he slid a generous tip to the man. Casimir was a little disgusted that he did, but it’s not like the other knew that the bartender had been talking about him. 

The bartender gave his thanks, shaking Cyril’s hand. “The best place to find him around this time would be the orphanage I believe. He doesn't open his doors for anyone unless they are first invited, but he does spend an awful lot of time with the children of this community- especially those with no home. He’s truly a kind man, he’ll be good to you. Best of luck on your journey.” Cyril nodded, and hopped down from his seat, heading towards Casimir. Casimir quickly stood, and began to walk towards the door- he wasn’t going to talk to his partner in here, not in front of that man. And it felt a little good to ignore the other, he was still a little mad at him for dragging him here. He stepped out of the inn- the smell of salt water and a cool breeze hit him immediately, and he shivered. It was so familiar, a scent that once brought comfort, but now brought nothing but misery. 

“Hey! Why are you storming away from me?” He whipped around, facing Cyril with a scowl on his face, the smell of the air just making him more mad at the other. 

“I told you not to bring me here.” Cyril looked at him in curiosity, “What is your problem with this place? I thought you said you’ve never been here?” He backtracked a little, cooling his expression. He was trying to keep his secret for as long as possible, not spill it hours after arriving. “I haven't been, but I’ve heard the stories. This town hates vampires, and I,” he gestured to himself, “very clearly am not comfortable with that.”

Cyril awkwardly rubbed his neck, and walked closer to him. “Well, if it helps, you look completely human right now.” Casimir sighed and pinched his nose. He wanted to be human so badly, but this was the one place where he would rather be a vampire. “That doesn’t help at all.”

Cyril whacked a hand down on his shoulder, with more force than necessary.

“We’ll leave as soon as we can, I promise. I just need to talk to this guy and figure out what his deal is, and then we can head back to the city and report to the others. I just can't drop this yet, Casimir.” His heart dropped as his name was spoken.  “I’ve heard he may have a high rank in the church, he could be the key to getting in if I make him my ally.”

“Don't call me that here.” The words came out harsher than he planned them too, but he didn’t care. 

“What?” “Don't call me by my name.” He regretted bringing it up, and he began to fidget with whatever was in his pockets. 

Cyrus let go of him, staring at him. 

“What’s going on? You're being really odd, did something happen to you in this town? Why wouldn’t I be able to say-” Cy’s eyes widened and he let out a little “oh.”. Casimir turned away, and continued walking, not ready to face that yet. He wasn’t ready to explain it, or relive it.

Cy came up behind him, and then nudged his way next to him. He got closer to him, whispering, “I know you wouldn’t have done that, I believe you.”

“Why are you assuming I was the one in that story? And even if I was, why assume I didn't really do it?”

Cyril glanced at him, and then returned his focus to what was in front of him. 

“It doesn't take a genius to realize somethings been off about you for the past few days. And if you knew the town hated vampires, why didn’t you just say that to begin with? Besides, I noticed how freaked out you got in the inn. I figured it was just because of the whole, yknow, being a vampire thing. But then you told me not to say your name.” He paused, taking a breath. “And I assume that you didn’t really do that,” he turned and faced Casimir with a look that almost made the other stumble back a little.“Because I know you. And I know how loving and kind you are. You wouldn’t do something like that, at least not willingly.”

Casimir stared at the other in silence, before he continued walking forward, it was all he could do really- all he ever could do. “Thanks Cyril.” He finally said, breaking his silence. “Let's just get this over with, okay?”

He saw Cy nod out of the corner of his eye, the two of them walking closer to the orphanage. “Do you think you should stay back? What if he knows it's you?” Casimir shook his head, even though every part of him was screaming to turn back.

“I have to do this. I know what my brother has become, to some extent, but I need to see how bad it really is. Besides, the last time he saw me I was a little boy with bright pink eyes, fangs, and pointy ears. Hopefully enough time has passed, and my disguise is good enough.”

Cy nodded again, continuing on. 

They reached the orphanage quickly, after all, the town was small. Casimir could practically feel his heart beating out of his chest, and he debated turning back. He couldn’t go through all of that again, he couldn’t-

“You don't have to do this, you know. We can turn back.” Cy placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, looking at the door of the orphanage in determination. 

“But I do have to.” 

Cyril nodded his head, taking his hand off of Casimir's shoulder. He suddenly felt a lot colder. 

Cy stepped forward, knocking on the door which almost immediately opened. A tall woman with a warm smile stepped forward, offering a kind greeting. Cy smiled at her so brightly, Casimir couldn't help but smile too. 

“Oh yes! He’s in with the children, please, do come in!”

Casmir snapped back to reality as Cy began to walk forward, and he nervously followed behind him. This was it. For years he had been trying to avoid this, for years he had been hiding, running, fearful. He wished he could say he wasn’t anymore. 

Cyril was laughing with the woman as she escorted them towards the back- he had a natural affinity for making people happy, unlike Casimir. The woman stopped in front of a large ornate door, perhaps too ornate for an orphanage, and turned to the pair. 

“Here we are! It was a pleasure to meet you, hopefully I will see you on your way out.”

Cyril kissed her hand and she let out a little squeak before hurrying off. Casimir made a disgusted look at the other, earning him a little smack. 

“Ready?” “No.”

Cy opened the doors, and sitting on the ground with a little boy- who looked eerily like Casimir- was his brother. His twin. 

The air was sucked out of his lungs as his brother looked up, and the two of them made eye contact for the first time since the day Casimir escaped the prison he had thrown him in. He watched as his brother's eyebrows scrunched a little, holding his breath. This was it. 

“Do I…know you?”

Cy stepped forward, reaching a hand out. The other stood up, brushing his pants off, and offered his own hand. 

“Cyril, pleasure to meet you.”

Casimir stared at his brother in awe. He had gotten so tall- and where had he gotten those scars?

“Elias, the pleasure is all mine. What brings you here?” His brother smiled at his partner, and then offered a hand to Casimir. Casimir shook it, and the other ignored his shaking. 

“My friend and I, oh this is Eivor,” he gestured to Casimir who awkwardly waved- “are looking to strengthen our connections to religion. I heard that you are a powerful holy man, and that you may be able to help.”

Elias laughed a little, and leaned down to the little boy who was still playing on the ground. The boy nodded after the older man was finished speaking, and hurried out the door. Casimirs heart dropped as he watched the boy leave. 

 “You’ve come to the right place. I don't know how much I will be able to assist you without truly knowing you, but I can offer my library in my estate for the day. I own many texts that others would find difficult to acquire, they are yours to read.”

“Thank you! We would appreciate that greatly.”

Elias hummed and walked towards the door, “I’ll bring you there now, I was just about to head out anyways. You caught me just in time.” Cyril grinned, and began to follow the other man, motioning to Casimir to follow. 

And so, Casimir found himself sitting at a large table in the library of his childhood home. He tried to keep his gaze focused on the book he was “reading” but he kept glancing towards the family portrait hung above the entrance. His mother and father looked so….alive. The photo looked the same as it did the day Casimir left, except for one difference. Casimirs face had been scratched out. 

He looked away from the portrait, looking at it wouldn’t make him feel any better- it made him feel infinitely worse. 

“There's nothing in these books, no leads, nothing. Maybe this was all a waste o-” “Don't you dare finish that sentence. Don't you dare.”

“...sorry.”

The two continued to sit in silence, the sound of pages turning occasionally filling the room. They had been in the room for about two hours when Elias came in once more. 

“Say, did Alaric send you? Sorry for interrupting, but I recognize that necklace.” Elias pulled out a necklace that matched Cyril’s perfectly. “It didn't hit me until now, but he gave me the same one.”

Casimir and Cyril both sat up- this could help get them information. 

“You know Alaric? He’s one of my close friends- he introduced me to the church.” It wasn’t a lie. Except for the fact that Alaric had introduced Cy to the church in order to bring it down. 

Elias smiled, grabbing Cyril’s hands. “Then you are a friend of mine! You must be here to help us bring the vampires down once and for all, right?” Casimirs blood ran cold, but he nodded along with Cyril.

“Yes! I can't believe you know Alaric, what a small world!” Cy sobered a bit, “If you know anything about taking them down, I'm all ears.” 

“ Well ....usually I don't show this to outsiders, but…if you are a friend of Alaric, I suppose you are not an outsider. Follow me.” 

As they followed Elias down the hallway Casimir kept his gaze pointed down. It was easier to focus on his shoes than focus on the wallpaper that he saw bloody in his dreams each night. He passed the door to his childhood bedroom, and it took everything in him to not run into the room, it took everything in him to not break down. But he kept walking. 

He knew where his brother was leading them at this point, and he debated turning back. He was about to excuse himself when they arrived at the large doors- and before he could get the words out the doors were being shoved open.

And as Elias opened the doors it all came back. The sight of his mother on the floor, bleeding to death. His little sister screaming in agony as she was killed right in front of him, his father, his brother, his baby sister. Horrible images of corpses and the smell of blood blinded him and consumed all his senses, as it all came back. 

He was 4 years old, running in the grass screaming, as his dad chased him around. The next minute he was on the ground laughing with his father. 

He was 6 years old playing with his brother, building a tower so high that even god could see. 

He was 8 years old, holding his little sister for the first time, promising to protect her.

He was 10 years old, holding his other sister for the first time, swelling with pride. 

He's 11. He's in love.

 He's 12. He's heartbroken.

And then he's 13. And he's dead. Everyones dead. And just like that it's over. Everythings over. Casimir died in this room, to some extent. A part of him died with his family, the part of him that believed in peace and innocence. The brother he once knew died here as well, and he would do anything, anything, to bring him back. But he knew it was too late, seeing this, all of this, he knew. His brother was gone, another family member he had to bury. He could feel his face twisting as he nearly vomited, and he silently thanked the lord that Elias couldn’t see him. Cyril could though, and he shot him a look of panic and sympathy. Casimir shook his head- they had to get out of here, fast. 

The blood stains remained in the expensive carpet, and splattered all over the walls. The room felt heavy, and dark- it was practically crying out. Casimir swore he could still hear the screams from that day, and the faint sounds of small children laughing. This was the family room at one point, how fitting that they all died there. 

The most disturbing detail of the room though, was not the blood. No, it was the weapons. The massive collection of weapons, torture tools, etc. scattered all over the room. Hanging high above the fireplace, overlooking the weapons, was a portrait of his mother. He turned away in disgust- she would never have stood for this. 

Elias turned to face them, an eerie smile painted on his face- one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “My mothers son murdered my family in this room, many years ago. I’m sure you’ve heard the story, I won't bore you with it. The townspeople like to talk, and they use this story as….a sort of warning I suppose. I let them, of course- it keeps the vampires afraid, it keeps them away.” His smile grew. “Or it leads them to me.”

Casimir shivered, and Cy remained frozen.

“These weapons, these tools…all of them are effective against those creatures. I conduct research for the church- I study their power, the way they turn each other, and what drives them. And then I kill them, of course. With this, we are able to gain more insight in how to defeat them. Impressive, no?” Cyril choked a little, but he had always been an impressive actor. “I'm so terribly sorry for your loss, of course.” Elias nodded solemnly. “But this, this is all so impressive. You are quite skilled- thank you for your work.”

Elias clapped a hand on Cy’s shoulder, and smiled at Casimir. “I do what I can for those who can't defend themselves. I'm happy to do the dirty work if it means the children can sleep at night.”

“You are an honorable man.” Elias hummed, walking towards the door. “Let us leave now, I do not like lingering in this room longer than necessary.”

The doors closed before Casimir could look back, yet again.

“I will rid this world of vampires, even if it kills me.” 

Elias continued to walk forward, and Casimir felt like he had just walked 11 years backwards. 

“Whatever you need, we will aid you in your journey.”

At one point, he thought his brother would be his best friend forever.

“The church will provide whatever you need, I assure you.”

He supposed they never really were friends. 

“We truly appreciate all you have done for us.”

He wanted to go home. 

“Please do stay in touch, it was a pleasure meeting you.”

He wanted his mother. He had to save her from that room. 

“Thank you again for everything.”

He snapped back to focus, staring at his brother, who was holding the main door to the house open. He wanted to embrace him, he wanted to make it all better, he wanted to beg for forgiveness. He wanted to strangle him, he wanted to throw him in a cell and humiliate and torture him, he wanted to make him endure the pain he had to endure for years. 

Instead, he shook Elias’s hand, and offered a quick goodbye. He didn’t wait for Cyril before walking out of the house, and once he was far enough, his walk turned to a jog. He ran, once again, from the estate on the hill. He ran from his troubles, from his brother, from it all. 

Casimir was sick of running, but he couldn’t seem to stop.