He was finally finished teaching for the semester and was looking forward to finally having a few days off to relax before classes started again after the new year. In the morning he'd be leaving for his family's house where everyone would be gathering for the holiday, but tonight he was alone.

Rufus: "Tristan, you're still in town?"
Tristan: "Just one more night- I leave in the morning."
Rufus: "S'good- you need some time off. Here, have a pint on the house!"
Tristan: "Thank you, Rufus."
Rufus: "Merry Christmas!"
Tristan: "To you as well. Cheers!"

Tristan turned from the bar, intent on making his way to one of the secluded booths in the corner. The tavern was just about empty, most of the students and staff having left town earlier in the week. His eyes landed on the beat-up piano against the wall and turned back to the barkeep.

Tristan: "Do you mind…?"
Rufus: "Are you kidding? It'd be an honour to hear you play for us!"

Tristan set his beer down and sat at the piano. He took a deep breath, then cleared his mind and began to play the music he'd been hearing in his soul for nearly a year.

Tristan: "I have learnt how it goes, what you wait for never shows, and what you least wanted holds you down like a stone…"

Tristan: "Now I feed the birds day after day. Only they can hear me pray for a lighter heart, a lighter load. To be moving, moving, moving my way home…"*
James: "Tristan…"

Tristan stopped playing the piano abruptly with a jangled chord, jumping at the sound of his friend's voice. It had been over a year since they'd seen one another, though they'd kept in touch via post the entire time. James had given no hint that he'd be returning, catching him completely by surprise.

Tristan: "James!"

James: "Merry Christmas!"
Tristan: "I had no idea you were coming back! Why didn't you tell me?"
James: "I believe you have my overdeveloped flair for the dramatic to blame for that. I wanted to surprise you."
Tristan: "Well you certainly did that! I'm so happy to see you!"
James: "And I'm happy to see you! I want you to meet someone…"

James: "Tristan, this is Anne Hastings- the woman I've been traveling with."
Anne: "It's a pleasure to finally meet you face to face, Tristan."
Tristan: "Likewise. I see you've been taking good care of James for me."
Anne: "I wouldn't dream of letting any harm come to him."

The three made their way over to an empty table, James carrying a fresh round of drinks for them. For James and Tristan it was as if no time at all had passed since they'd last seen one another- their conversations were easy and comfortable as always.

Hours and several rounds of drinks passed in what felt like moments. The warmth of the fire, delicate glow of the lights and pints of beer were combining to make Tristan happily sleepy. He didn't notice the look James and Anne exchanged before both of them got up, seemingly unaffected by the alcohol they'd been consuming.

James: "Come on, Tristan- we're going to get you home now."
Tristan: "Ok… I'm really tired."

James helped his friend toward the doors while Anne followed. The blast of cold winter air caught Tristan off guard, a sharp contrast to the heat of the fire in the tavern. The three of them walked together in silence, large snowflakes beginning to coat the surfaces around them with a fresh blanket of white.

Tristan: "S'cold out."
James: "Yes it is. Makes me wish we were back in Greece."
Anne: "I have to agree. Next time we go, we'll bring Tristan with us so he doesn't have to endure this cold."

Tristan: "James?"
James: "Yes?"
Tristan: "I'm glad you came home. You're the best friend I've ever had and I really missed you while you were gone. And Anne… she's… nice."

James glanced at Anne, who nodded with a sly smile. They made their way up the stairs to the front door of Tristan's house, waiting patiently as he fumbled the key into the lock. He hardly made it all the way in before he suddenly found himself in Anne's embrace.

Tristan: "What-"
Anne: "Shhh… it's ok. Just relax."

Her lips were suddenly pressing against his, sweet and intoxicating. Tristan pulled back sharply and looked to James in panic, startled to see him smiling widely.

James: "Merry Christmas, Tristan."
Tristan: "James!"
James: "This is my gift to you…"

Tristan looked back at Anne whose smile matched James'. In the dim light he caught a flash of lengthened canines before she was kissing him again. This time, he offered no resistance, letting the warmth of her body pressing against his wash over him.

Suddenly, Anne pulled away and in one dramatic movement buried her fangs into Tristan's neck. He felt a blinding pain that traveled throughout his body and tried to pull away without success. Anne bit harder, the rush of blood from the wound only just starting to slow.

Just as his heartbeat was beginning to fade, she pulled back. Through fading eyes, Tristan watched with horror as she took a small ornate knife from her sleeve and used it to cut the flesh on her own neck. He heard James laughing, then tasted the metallic burn of blood in his mouth before the world went black.