"So many beets in the garden, I need to think of other things to make with them," she mused to herself, looking up at the full moon as she_

walked, it's pale light casting a shadow.

walks by, just beginning his night prowl of the city. He spots her and goes to the fence of her garden. "Good evening."

turns when she hears Ludwig's voice. "Dobranakt, Ludwig. I was just noticing the moon, very pretty tonight."

looks up at the moon as well, forgetting the beauty of such a thing. "Quite. And it's very bright tonight."

"It is, I could work all night out here, like we used to in the old days, trying to bring the harvest in before it would frost."

leans against the fence, ever on the constant alert. Strange how he could still talk to her like this. "You wouldn't want to catch a cold_

_out in this weather during the night though. One can not be weak in this city anymore."

shook her head, "I am very healthy Ludwig, I haven't been sick in ages."

shrugs and gives her a sympathetic look. "There are different kinds of colds out there, Natalia. Ones with fangs."

stares at Ludwig, wondering if he's not feeling well. "Colds with fangs? Usually colds give you a fever and a runny nose."

sighs, knowing he failed to give her the point slyly. "I meant these beasts that roam the city."

" ... Oh, the talk about vampires. Ludwig I'm surprised, I never thought you would believe in something like that. Is it really true?"

blinks slowly at her. "Of course I do. They took my father from me."

frowned at Ludwig. "Your father?" Wonders who Ludwig could be referring to.

sighs and shakes his head, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he looked away. "It is nothing. Forget I mentioned it."

"You seem frustrated by something. I don't understand fully what you're talking about. I have heard talk about these beasts that suck_

blood, but I have never seen one, or known anyone else who has seen one. If you know otherwise, I'm willing to listen."

tilts his head to the side a bit. "You truly don't know of these beasts?"

"I really don't. Where would I see one?"

waves his hands from side to side, across the city's silhouette. "They are everywhere. They look like you and me, yet they are the spawn_

_of the depths of hell."

stared at Ludwig. "But, if they look like you and me, how do you know if they are a monster or not?"

he shrugs a bit, quite startled that she didn't know of these creatures. "One just knows."

about what Ludwig has told her. "Will I know, if I meet one? What if I have already and just didn't know it?"

shrugs again and gives her a smile. "YOu just must always be on your guard. One never really knows until it's too late sometimes."

"So ... they jump out of the bushes and try to bite you?"

shakes his head quickly. "They're more sneaky than that. They can lure you with seduction, or with them needing help. You just don't know."

"... Seduction? I'm perfectly safe then Ludwig, no one ever tries to seduce me."

laughs quietly, giving her a soft look. "You are beautiful, Natalia, you shouldn't think in such a way."

tilts her head at him. "Are you trying to seduce me now? Are you a vampire?"

doesn't know if he should be flattered or offended. "It is just a compliment. I am no vampire, I promise you that."

"It would be a clever disguise, don't you agree? Telling everyone you're a hunter, but in reality you're a vampire."

begins to get on guard and his hand goes to his back, where his gun was tucked into his belt. "Now you are thinking smart."

watches his hand, looks up at Ludwig's face. "See, I'm not just pretty. I have brains too."

waves a finger at her. "I have always known that, Natalia."

doesn't let the finger distract her. "The moonlight is very pretty, and so bright. I can see your face clearly as if it were day."

shrugs and moves his other hand away from the gun. "Just always be on guard," he asks of her.

"I will Ludwig. If you say these monsters exist, and you were about to reach for whatever is behind you because you suspected me, then I_

heed your warning."

winces a bit with that. "It is not everyday I get suspected for a vampire."

"It's not every day I get suspected for one either. I promise you, I'm just a girl."

nods. "I understand, and I believe you." He turns, about to leave. "I'll leave you to your garden."

"Have a pleasant evening Ludwig." Hums an old harvesting tune from her country as she gets back to work.