Under the ladder

Mercury nodded along, only paying half attention. He shouldn't speak bad of his blessing, it had opened many doors for him, it had given him a new chance at life. He had been reluctant at first, he wasn't sure if he belonged here, if he had actually belonged somewhere. But the Mother had shown him the way, so had Minerva. It had been her who had told him to keep his head up high, to be himself. She had taught him to embrace who he was. So what he had two colored eyes and seemed to bring bad luck to everything and everyone around him?

When Mort mentioned he liked ducklings, Mercury laughed. But he laughed with him, not at him. ''Ducklings are the cutest. But not as cute as cats I must say. But they are cute.'' If he wanted, he could start an entire discussion about this, but instead for once, he kept his mouth shut. Starboy next to him was nice, he didn't want to fight him. Not yet that was. He patted the cursed one on the chest. ''Glad we understand each other, duckling.'' Yup, he was going to use that now. It would be branded in his mind forever. Mort the vampire duckling. Now that had a ring to it.

''Duckling, yes.'' Mercury repeated his words with a smile as if it was the most normal thing to say. ''One day you will grow to become a beautiful swan.. or duck in this case.'' he spoke with a shrug. Truth be told, a swan was more beautiful than a duck in his eyes, but he withheld that comment. Mort finally seemed to be a little more cheerful, no need to put him down again. Maybe it was for the best that Minerva wasn't around then.

The fact that Mort wanted to leave came as a surprise to him, but Mercury understood and agreed. He got up as well, going with a hand through his hair before he smiled again. ''It was a pleasure.'' The vampire said with a nod before going in for a hug. He liked hugs, he had read somewhere that if you hugged long enough it would release happy feelings. But he wasn't going to time. No, instead he used the hug to whisper in Mort's ear. ''Don't believe everything people say.'' After which he let go and winked mischievously at the other vampire. A pat on the shoulder and Mercury turned around. ''Have a good life, duckling. Remember to smile every once in a while!'' The vampire spoke while walking away, turning around for a short moment to wave at him and then turn around again to disappear in the darkness of the mountain.