As the night has pressed further towards the 12th hour; Caelicus would, unfortunately have to cut his enjoyment of the party short. Rather reluctant, it seemed, but still firm in his decision to say his goodbyes towards the citizens that filled the royal ballroom behind him that wished him a good night’s rest.
 
Every step felt heavy, yet not trying to give into the subtle, gradually strengthening urge growing within him ever since the evening events began. His urge…to drink. He was getting…so thirsty. Even as the party arrangements had a set variety of refreshing beverages as well as the particular wine he favored, but that was not what his body sought for. He needed something unique, warm, rich…
 
He needed blood…the crimson red fluids coursing through each of the veins of every pony within these royal walls.
 
The lone alicorn walked until there hadn’t been a pony in sight, venturing through the large, almost maze like structure to the castle as if known to him his entire life. Along the walls of this particular corridor, mirrors of an enormous size aligned the empty spaces between each set of vertical pillars designing it. Passing each one of them brought the reflection of the saddened alicorn lord into its frame; he refused to acknowledge himself in this state, frightful of what his eyes may come to see.
 
Continuing to stride forward; Caelicus falling into the depths of his mind, considering any and all thoughts that come across the subject of what he should do next to overcome this curse. On each sixth step, he came into the reflection of another mirror ahead of him; his eyes focused on the floor where he planned to set his hoof firmly for his next step but found himself frozen.
 
That feeling..of sensing someone or something staring you down..sent a shiver throughout his entire body. He needn’t see it, but he knew. It had decided to make itself known. It wanted to speak its mind, whether he liked it or not.
 
“..Coward.”
 
Caelicus’ lips remained tightly sealed shut, the voice echoing throughout the long corridor not coming from him. The face within the reflection of the mirror beside him did.
 
It filled with amusement from the original host attempting so desperately to avoid showing what he truly was. A blood-thirsty vampire behind the pride of a pony serving to protect others. The colors of Caelicus’ reflection contorting with a demonic red mist taking over the blonde shine of his hair, the prince’s deep jaded irises sinking into a deep glowing reddish hue, topping it off while the fangs of the male had grown along with the shape of his freshly new bat wings. Soon, it directed its gaze toward Caelicus, then it spoke.
 
“You should have taken one of them with you. They will not be sought for if it is with you, you will be certain of a full belly.”
 
Caelicus refused to meet its eyes, knowing its presence to be there even before it said anything, continuing to walk down the hall followed by his mirrored half.
 
“….”
 
“Come now, you cannot resist the temptation forever. The more you hold back, the more it comes back with force. You know that it isn’t going to get any easier.”
 
“..Shut up..”
 
“Hmph. You’re no fun. Fine. Do what you want. I can’t wait to see when you discard that veil of innocence. That would be quite..entertaining..~”
 
“….”
 
“Just know, one of these days, it will happen again. Then, there will be no turning back like last time. You will become a monster once more, it’s only a matter of time. Just like before…”
 
“Shut up!” Caelicus conceited his resistance, stomping his raised hoof down and sharply angled his face to confront the annoying bane of his life, only to widen his eyes in surprise at the greeting of himself. It was just like looking into a mirror, just a normal mirror. He looked..terrible and in desperately need of a shower and some rest.
 
Caelicus heard nothing else; waiting a second or two before a held breath flowed from his lips. His hunger pained him once more but he must endure. He must hold back..he simply must…