"Then this woman is your…?"
"Mother? Maybe." Vynx shrugged. "She was Alfred's top assistant at the time and the one I remember taking care of me when I was young." He looked away from the picture and went back to sit on the examination table. "I wasn't exactly born like humans are. I think by the time I came around, I was already number 57 on the list." Vynx gazed up at the ceiling, recalling the number they used to refer to him until he was given a real name. 56 other homunculi had lived and died before him, each born from the original Hunter's remains. Vynx had never met his "siblings," but he knew most of them had died young during the experimental phase. The few who survived into adulthood were likely killed on the job by vampires or any other nightmarish creature.
Soleil regarded him silently, noticing an unusually somber expression on Vynx's face while he spoke. "I see. I take it that she's no longer with us?"
He instinctively laughed. Soleil was always blunt with her questions, and it was something Vynx appreciated, even if it meant unearthing some bitter memories. "Yeah, she left us a while ago. I don't really know how or why, but… she was just gone one day." Vynx was lying. He recalled the last day he saw her, no longer the youthful beauty she was in the painting, but a tired and aloof woman who spent every waking moment dedicating her efforts to Alfred's research. She never showed him warmth, but he still considered her someone dear to him. Like any son, he had always wanted to make her proud.
Vynx remembered being called down to the observation chamber when he turned 28. He recalled the focused look on Alfred's face when he explained that Vynx would be receiving his sigil. For Vynx, he would simply be put to sleep while Alfred handled everything. Not being conscious during an excruciatingly painful experiment was always welcomed, so Vynx was happy to take a little nap while receiving his special birthday brand. The head alchemist always kept his secrets close to him, and Vynx was never one to question the process. In hindsight, he wished he had said his goodbyes to Loretta before he entered the chamber and closed his eyes.
Before Soleil had a chance to question him further, they both heard the march of incoming footsteps and the tap of Alfred's cane. Soleil was quick to return to one of the chairs by the door while Vynx lay down flat on the bed. The door opened, and Alfred stepped into the room, barely acknowledging the paladin in the room as he went to his desk to retrieve a clipboard, quill, and scalpel. The physical checkup itself was barely more than ten minutes, with most of it being a back-and-forth banter between the hunter and alchemist. All the while, Alfred methodically poked his blade into Vynx and watched the wounds close before they even had a chance to bleed. Next came the reports. Vynx recounted his recent adventures to Alfred, sharing the details of how he took down a Vampire Lord with Sophia's help, their many vampire hunts since, and his recent foray into a werewolf den with Soleil. Alfred made note of it all while inspecting the faded red sigil on Vynx's back.
By the time they finished, it was already late into the evening. Vynx noticed the small movements coming from under his jacket and quickly sat up. "Well, it was great catching up and all, but I think we ought to head back to the inn soon." Vynx slid off the examination table and pulled his jacket back on, keeping his back to Alfred while he scooped Sophia back into his pocket. "See you in twelve months, or whenever I happen to be in the city next." Vynx bid his creator adieu and shoved his cutlass back into his belt.
"Don't die before you've gotten to the Vampire King." The old man wiped his tools clean and began to trudge back to his desk. He walked with a limp, a result of the lame left leg he had always had since before Vynx was even born.
Vynx stopped in the doorway. He had become so accustomed to the routine visits that he rarely stopped to say goodbye anymore. Alfred had more wrinkles than he remembered, and his steps were slower than before. With a sigh, he turned around and said, "That goes for you too, old man. Take care, alright? Try and get some sun once in a while."
Alfred grumbled dismissively.
With that, Vynx smirked and grabbed Soleil's hand. The door shut quietly behind them, and Vynx took the fastest route out of the medical ward and back up to the main floor. They exited through the front doors, leaving the Commission building right before the tower tolled, and the gates locked behind them. The brisk night breeze was a welcome breath of fresh air. "Sorry about all that. You must have been pretty bored the whole time," he exhaled. "I think I need a drink or three."
"I thought it was educational, but yeah. I can't wait to grab dinner." Soleil took her hand back from him once they were out in the city. The streets were clear, but she didn't exactly want to be caught showing public displays of affection. To her surprise, the hunter snatched her hand back in his and began to firmly lead the way back to the inn. "Hey, let go—"
"Nah. Unless you would rather I grab a leash instead?" Vynx grinned cockily.
Soleil growled in annoyance but let the hunter drag her along. She had a feeling that he wanted the extra physical contact. With a sigh, she wrapped her fingers around his hand. "I'm not going anywhere, you know."
Vynx stopped for a moment, as if acknowledging her words for the first time. "Yeah… I know. Just let me have this, please?" He didn't look back, but she felt his grip tighten.
"Alright… But just until we're back at the tavern," Soleil relented.
"Thanks, Soleil." Vynx smiled. There were few constants in his life, and even the taste of home was bittersweet. He knew the woman next to him was human like all the others, even with the blood of a werewolf flowing through her veins. But her hand was warm, and he rather liked the feeling.
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