Van Helsing went into Sorin's stall, kneeling down and pulling off his hat so only the top of his head and the tip of his gun were visible. "Not time to argue," he hissed at Edward.
"Uh," Van Helsing mused, taking out his other gun and checking the bullets. "Well, we'll see who's the better hunter by the end of it. Ladies," he announced now. "I think it would be best if you take the horses out of here and get under cover. I think Edward and I have a new friend to make."
"And you said nothing interesting happened last night," Van Helsing snapped at Hannah. "So what is this thing after you? Another werewolf? Another vampire? What is it?"
'What the hell is going on?" Van Helsing asked, standing up from the hay himself, and looking around, particularly at Jinx.
Van Helsing frowned suddenly. He looked around Edward and Hannah to the streets beyond them. That's funny, he thought. I could have sworn I saw someone coming this way...
"Scares me a bit, too, actually," Van Helsing admitted, not looking at Jinx now. "You think I love what I do? I don't, dear, trust me. Hey!" he exclaimed suddenly. "I see them! Finally!"
"It... it was kind of supposed to be a joke..." Van Helsing began slowly. "I guess it was a bad one, huh? Sorry. I'm not used to... being kind to someone like... well, nevermind. Just a thought..."
"No," Van Helsing replied with a small smile. "Pretty twisted, huh?"
"Well, not to cliche or stereotype you or anything," Van Helsing began carefully, "but they have this theatre there in the city... it's actually called the Theatre des Vampires. Funny, huh? Well, rumour is as well as some mortals that go there, lots of vampires go every night past nine. And they watch live performences of other vampires bleeding out there victims... on the stage! Crazy, isn't it?"
"Well, if you ask for my honest opinion," Van Helsing said after Carl left. "Paris would be a much better place to spend an extra day... especially for you."
"Go on your way, then, Carl," Van Helsing said now. "I'm sure you have... a preparing procces or something that doesn't involve chatting in a horse stable."
"Well, in all my years knowing you, Carl, you've never not been prepared when I told you we'd be leaving. But," he added when the friar opened his mouth to argue, "I don't see a problem in waiting till sundown to leave." Van Helsing looked over at Jinx as well, catching her eye to see if she had any objections.
"Well, they better be ready to go, that's all I'm saying," Van Helsing said, going back over to the hay pile to lean back in it again. "What about you, Carl? I never asked if you were ready to leave this place or not yet."
"Lovely," Van Helsing sighed. "Now, those two better be here soon or I'm going back to the inn and breaking down that door without knocking."
"Your horse loves you," Van Helsing said, standing and stepping back. "I love how you stay out here all afternoon and evening by yourself... we didn't know what was going on."
"You've known this whole time?" Van Helsing asked, getting up and brushing the hay off himself. He walked over to Sorin, and, sure enough, Beatrice lay there, still asleep. Van Helsing knelt next to her, brushing a strand of hay from her hair. "Hey," he began softly, tapping her cheek with his hand. "Time to get up. You smell like a horse."
"Carl," Van Helsing began. "You be nice to Dracula and see what happens."
"Poetry!" Van Helsing exclaimed, putting his hands behind his head and leaning further back in the hay pile. He laughed. "You should get out in the field more often, Carl; you meet people... people, Carl, not monsters, like this!"
"Shocked, Carl?" Van Helsing asked the friar after a moment. "You can speak your mind, you know."
"Hmm," Van Helsing replied. "I don't suppose you knew this William before. I mean," he added, "we don't want another John coming in here. Edward will aleady rip that man apart if he ever comes back."
