Chapter Text
Cosmo is a baker that lives in a huge village that has a decent protection.
Well.. sort of.
The village has lived a great history of being exposed to precarious beasts, thieves, murder cases. Heck, many mothers would be strict of their little one's time of play. Many villagers were always missing, and found tragically dead in the end. The most targeted victims are usually children.
But that was long ago.
Nowadays, there's only some murder cases, robbery, kidnapping, etc. Cosmo still worries about it though, but it is a rare occasion.
Cosmo sighed, holding a hand-made beautifully decorated basket. A basket that him and his cousin, ginger had made with effort. Right now, the baker was on his way towards the forest.
He put on his clothes, a plain white shirt and some shorts, he wore a necklace that also holds a pleasant gem. Usually, he'd wear more than that, but this situation is urgent to him, and it wasn't necessary.
His cousin had fallen ill, terribly ill. She couldn't get out of her bed, and couldn't speak clearly. Cosmo concerns for her too much as they are close to the point they appear more to like siblings.
Ginger is sick in the wrong timing as cosmo's free time usually begins during night, and so he had to build up his courage to go to the woodlands and pick up herbs. It would be time consuming and risky. since many rumoured dangerous beasts still lurks there.
He stepped on the grassy ground, the surroundings were too eerie, however that feeling faded later on. This part of the forest are known to have such great healing herbs.
He had overheard many spouses in the village that their husbands had a prompt recovery from their sicknesses because of the herbs gathered here. Perhaps eavesdropping weren't so bad. after all, you learn some good things.
Cosmo felt more safer since he wore a necklace that his family believed bring good luck. Till' this day, he still believe in that. The necklace was also the family's heritage .
Even though he's deep in his thoughts he knew which herbs to pick, he's very professioned in medical fields even though he worked as a baker.
He studied variety of herbs by reading books he borrowed from a great friend of his, brightney. Brightney and him never run out of topics when it came to books. They exchanged knowledge, and cosmo appreciates that.
He then picked more herbs and placed it on the basket. Cosmo left the house without telling ginger since she was soundlessly asleep. Cosmo didn't want to disturb his relative's rest.
If she wasn't ill, she would've scolded him the moment he got back. She deeply cares for her younger cousin.
After what felt like hours, he eyed the last herb he wanted and approached nearer to it, but before his hand picked it up, he heard a scream.
He flinched, his head turned to his side, the whereabouts of the sound. The rush of panic runs through his body, he quickly stood up once he picked the herb.
He started to sweat, mind filling with questions. Why is someone alone in this forest at this hour?
He brushed off the thoughts, but was too reluctant to check what it is, however he shook his head and started to walk to the opposite direction of the exit.
He didn't run, but he felt like he needed to. Cosmo suddenly wanted to turn back when he hears too much rustling in the bushes, but proceeded further anyway to investigate.
The walk felt like more than an hour, but then finally he spotted something after making lefts and rights.
He saw a bleeding man feebly sitting down with his back leaned on the log of the tree.
Cosmo's eyes widened, knowing who the man was; Rodger, a very known figure to the village due to his occupation. Rodger is a beast hunter, who cosmo is also acquainted with.
He approached in a urgent manner, and kneeled down at the injured one. He moved his hand on the man's chest to check his pulse.
'he's alive..' he mumbled to himself and sighed of relief. Cosmo lightly shook the hunter making sure there are any response out of him.
Luckily, he did. Rodger slowly opened his eyes, but couldn't let some words out. He groaned, panting now.
"Rodger, are you okay?!" Cosmo knows he isn't, it is a stupid question to make, however he wanted to know how Rodger is feeling right now. Cosmo noticed the wound on Rodgers thigh and neck, bleeding too much.
Now, Rodger is really is losing too much blood.
Cosmo shut his eyes briefly, then decided to escort the hunter to a safer place. He gently and carefully placed his arm to Rodger's shoulder.
"I'll get you out of here."
Rodger opened his eyes, a blurred vision, but then he could see well few moments later. He is placed on a resting bed.
He tried to remember what had occured before he ended up here.
Bfore he could, a door opened, revealing two conjoined twins.
"Ah, you are now awake Sir Rodger!" The white haired twin said as he looked down at the injured man. The twins wore a medic uniform, assuming they're one of the doctors. The dark haired twin wore a concerning look.
"..How are you feeling, sir?" The concerned one finally spoke. Rodger hummed briefly, he tried to move a muscle carefully.
"I guess I feel slightly healthier." He sat up, his back hurting, making him lean slighty on the pillows. Razzle then pulled out something Rodger couldn't clearly see as he is in pain, but he could tell he held a pen.
"Sir Rodger, a young man named cosmo assisted sending you here after seeing you in a feeble state." Razzle stated, trying to refresh the hunter's memory. Rodger suddenly remembered the look of panic cosmo had on after he had been attacked last night.
Now, his mind finally remembers. He was attacked by something, but right now, he couldn't think of what was it. He needs to let his brain rest. "Cosmo? yes, yes.. I do remember a little.". Rodger placed his hand on his head, feeling more lighter than usual.
Wait, what is cosmo doing in the forest at night?
Now, Rodger is more curious, the more he thinks the more he feels like having a migraine. "Rodger, I suggest you heal for a day or two here. We've restored your blood, but you need more mental recovery." Dazzle, the white haired twin noticing Rodger having headaches.
It had been a day since Rodger had been found in the forest.
Cosmo was on his shift, baking some pastries. He's usually with his cousin but she's still recovering. His thoughts still linger from last night. Seeing a bloodied man was something he had not seen before.
He'll need to check up on ginger and made sure she had taken some of the healing herbs he risked getting before. Cosmo sighed now done with some baking.
He washed his hands which covered in dough powder. Now, he could finally rest from baking and moved his role.
Just at the same time, cosmo heard a bell jingle coming from the entrance of the bakery. He tilted his head to see a familiar face.
It was Rodger.
He was surprised, that hunter needs some time to recover.. what the heck he doing out of the hospital?!
Cosmo sighed, going to the counter knowing Rodger always order in the early morning. "Good morning, cosmo. I would like to have my usual coffee please." He ordered politely with his hands behind his back.
Cosmo turned his back to do the hunter's order, he isn't that fond of the coffee scent, however now that Rodger often comes over to order it, he's used to the smell.
After finishing his beverage, cosmo placed the cup on the counter. Cosmo was still confused why he seemed to have a brief recovery. Before he could spoke, Rodger let's out a cough that breaks the silence.
"My apologies that you have to see me in that state, cosmo." He said genuinely. Cosmo was silent at first and placed a hand on his hair.
"I'm also here to say my thanks. I've been attacked by a beast, a vampire specifically." Rodger shut his eyes, while cosmo was surprised at the statement.
They haven't have any signs of danger, specifically vampires for a long time. This seemed out of the ordinary.
"You were?.. no wonder you lost lots of blood." Cosmo placed his hand on his chin, glaring at the now healthy hunter. Cosmo stood silent before talking again.
"..I'm glad you're alive sir Rodger." Cosmo shot a concern look but also, a relief. Rodger let out a small chuckle, and took the cup.
"I'll also need to inform to you that we might have been exposed to danger. That vampire looked dissatisfied, hungry even." Rodger explained. Cosmo looked worried now, he knew the hunter never lies, but the other half wished he did.
Cosmo just doesn't want any more concerns to add on his list everyday.
"Please be careful, cosmo. The forest we've entered in is where vampires are known lurking." Rodger took a sip on the cup and then glared at cosmo again. Rodger's tone sounded nonchalant, but Cosmo could tell a hint of worry.
Rodger is basically warning him not to go to the forest where the herbs he usually fetch for healing. Cosmo clicked his tongue.
"..alright. you too, Rodger." Cosmo hesitate to say, instead he was about to say that he needed to go to the forest to gather needed ingredients to heal his dearest cousin.
After Rodger had finish drinking he paid at the counter, saying his goodbyes.
He had gone to add a report and on the town's notice board warning that their lives are at risk, to be more aware of the safety for the loved and closed ones.
Cosmo sighed. From now on, he is putting his own life on more risk to recover ginger. He also feels more intimidated on wondering around the eeriee woodlands at night.
...
The sound of footsteps rustling on the ground, as the moon looked as alluring as ever. A tall man took a stroll in the forest, basically taking a risky forest route.
He had known that this is where the danger conceals it selves, and he doesn't give a care in the world. His hair looked disheveled, having to hold his other wounded hand for support, his fancy attire now bloodied.
That stupid hunter.
He was irritated, but his face shifted to a calm state. luckily, vampires are known to recovery quickly after all. He chuckled, how can a hunter not have the knowledge where a beast's weakpoint is?
He sat down on the rock, and the injured hand felt slightly better. He sighed, tying his sangria red hair to a more tidy look.
He had felt bloodthirsty, wanting to feed and treat himself. However that feeling felt more different.
Blood is such a pleasant taste to him, but now it bores him. He felt dissatisfied with the same taste repeatingly.
He wiped his lips that stained of crimson blood with his thumb.
He won't stop until he finds one that satisfies.