"So that's how we ended up on planet Magarra," said Vajir, speaking flamboyantly. The merry bunch were seated in the living room of Pink Circuit's apartment, an exquisite chic place with strobe lights and ambient lighting. Away from humans, Vajir was able to focus less on his thirst and more on the beautiful machine woman talking with them.

Stellan rolled his eyes, thinking, Vajir, Vajir, always the flirt. He thinks with his eyes rather than with his mind.

, Trandafira, Bly Basko, Stellan, Vajir, and Pink Circuit were sitting in a semicircle. Pink Circuit told them tomorrow was Christmas Eve – a holiday celebrated around the galaxy. It started on planet Earth and spread to other dimensions, celebrated by many people.

Assuming her guests were like ordinary humans, Pink Circuit happily shared with them some of her human friends' favorite foods for tomorrow: fish, bread, winterberries, gingerbread cookies, peppermint candy canes, and apple cider.

Pink Circuit went over to the vintage 80's-looking boombox stereo and played punk-rock music on low volume while the vampires were tentatively holding their glasses of apple cider, taking a few cautious sips and finding it nice but not satisfying. It would be the same as if a human were handed a glass of ice. It tasted good but had no nutritional value.

Though machines didn't require food and drink, they had some in case humans visited. Pink Circuit gave food and drinks to the vampires, unaware of their diet. She thought vampires were just another species of human or alien humans from another planet.

"Thanks, but we don't eat human foods," Írásom finally spoke, setting her glass down. Nobody else had dared to mention the uncomfortable subject, but Írásom was unable to stand the pretense any longer. "We drink human blood."

Pink Circuit froze, a horrified expression on her face. A long silence stretched before Pink Circuit said, "Such atrocity. That's the most horrible thing I've ever heard. What kind of person does that? It's sick and disgusting."

"It's true," Bly Basko spoke up, anxious to leave now. "But we're not here to harm anyone. We're to leave the planet soon as possible. What time is it anyway?"

"Almost dawn," Trandafira murmured, standing up.

The others rose as well. Pink Circuit was highly irked to learn of her guests' eating habits.

"We're sorry to have troubled you, miss," Vajir said apologetically. "We mean you no offense, but we are what we are."

"You're really gonna pull that statement after what was just said?" Stellan asked in an icy tone.

Vajir shrugged. "I'm sure if I ate cupcakes and donuts, I would be as sweet as can be."

"Get out of here immediately," Pink Circuit said, not hiding her disgust. "I don't want your kind anywhere near our city."

The vampires made no hesitation in leaving. They looked up at the sky, hints of light in the horizon signaling the sun was about to rise. As they hurried on, Vajir suddenly stopped, having caught scent of a human wandering in the street. The man was alone, having gone out for a predawn stroll.

Vajir's face immediately took on its vampiric appearance as he fought to control his thirst. He silently begged the man to go away, but the man, unaware of the vampire, kept coming his way, almost as if defying him.

Vajir tried to leave, but it was like walking away from a fresh basin of water after having had no water for several days. He tried hard to resist, the temptation getting stronger the closer the man approached. His mouth was so dry, and the blood was so near....

noticed Vajir had fallen behind and motioned for the others to stop. They turned to see Vajir feeding on the man, having given in to temptation. Trandafira gasped, trying hard not to breathe in the fresh scent. Bly Basko stepped back in horror, appalled Vajir would do this in a foreign land.

Stellan yelled at Vajir to stop, going over to pry him away from the man, but Írásom surprised him by beating him to the punch. She pried Vajir off the man, shoving Vajir against some bales of hay, and seized the man, ravenously drinking from him.

The merry bunch stared at her in shock. drained the man entirely and looked up, an apologetic look on her face as she met their horrified expressions.

"I'm sorry, I had to," Írásom said, a contrite tone in her voice. She moved the dead man against the wall, wiping her mouth on her sleeve. She wasn't quite full, having only drunk what was left of the man after Vajir fed on him, but Írásom felt much better, no longer feeling the sharp agony of thirst gnaw at her from within. At least I'm no longer starving, she thought. I can think clearly now.

looked deeply disappointed, almost hurt. Trandafira was silent, somewhat jealous, wanting to feed, but knowing she would have to wait until they were allowed to have some of the store rations, which would only be about a cup per person. Not enough to sustain the thirst, but enough to keep it at bay for a day or two.

Vajir was half full as well, his eyes turning fully red as the black disappeared from his eyes. He stared wide-eyed at , who turned away as if shameful of what she had done. Írásom started to walk back towards the ship, but she stopped when the sun started coming up.

"It's too late. We've got to take shelter," said Stellan, moving over to a nearby woodshed. The others went with him, crowding together in the small woodshed.

Though the vampires were thankful for no windows, small streaks of sunlight peered in between the cracks, forcing them to hide underneath the hay.

"will deal with you two," Stellan said sharply to Vajir and Írásom, knowing Iérti would be more upset than Mallen. Turning his back to them, Stellan settled in for an uncomfortable rest. Might as well get some sleep while we're stuck here, he thought, his own eyes black with severe dehydration.

Vajir and didn't say a word, keeping to themselves. Trandafira tossed them a jealous look before going to bed. The sun emerged fully above the merry bunch, effectively separating them from the vampires back on the ship. This is gonna be a long day, Írásom thought, sighing.