Post by mina on Dec 4, 2021 16:51:56 GMT
Children you have grown up
"Ooooooommmm..." echoed through the corridors of Duckula Castle.
This noise cost Butler Igor his nerves. It didn't belong here! And certainly not from the beak of his master, a noble vampire duck.
"Hmmm I think it's wrong." Vladimir remark made Count Duckula open one eye and look questioningly at his brother. "What's wrong?"
"I mean it sounds kind of Wrong... I mean... Okay it's called Om but it's pronounced differently."
Count Duckula sighed deeply. "Okay flea Vladimir. How do you mean know-it-all, do you pronounce it?"
Vladimir frowned and considered. "I think... yes... I think I have it... it's pronounced 'Aum'."
"Aum?" Count Duckula laughed out. "It sounds more like you've been hurt."
Vladimir shook his head, took a deep breath and exhaled again. "Aaaaaaaauuuummmmm..."
Count Duckula watched him go. He had to admit, it sounded somehow... more real.
All right, he tried again.
Lotus seat, eyes closed, one palm up, one palm down on the earth.
"Aaaaaauuuummmmm..."
Igor, who was one aisle away bringing drinks and food to his masters, groaned.
Emma grumbled to herself. "Is Duckyboos back with that Yoda?"
"It's not Yoda Emma, it's not a Jedi master from one of those nonsensical SF movies."
"No? I thought..."
"You'd better try not to think Emma... although... this shouldn't be difficult for you."
"What Mister Igor?"
"Not to think. Not to think..." Igor shook his head. "Our young gentlemen don't meet with a Yoda, and they don't do yoga. No... they meditate."
Emma's head began to rattle. Hadn't she heard those words before?
Many years ago? Many years ago, when Vladimir had not yet returned to them.
And after all, Vladimir had been back home for a long time now.
Slowly it became too much for the vultures, as it often was every day. "Oh forget it Emma!
I just wish our masters would stop." His arms with the tray slowly began to shake.
"They told me not to disturb them when they were meditating - but the tray is getting heavy on me..."
Vulture groaned. "I'm not allowed to open the door..."
"You're not allowed to open the door?"
"Yesss..." Igor clenched his beak as the tray in his hands shook more and more. "...They said the door creaks too loud...they..."
Before he could speak any further, Emma turned. "But Mister Igor, that's no problem! Say it right away if you needed help!"
Igor's eyes widened, but it was already too late. "Emma NO!"
He hadn't quite said the few words when the wall collapsed and Emma turned to look at him. "Look, Mister Igor, I'm happy to help."
Count Duckula had the feeling that his body was expanding, but somehow the description didn't fit.
It was more as if... something was expanding around his body and it tingled slightly.
The vampire duck thought he felt more and more calm, which was completely unusual for him, but it felt good.
Vladimir felt the same, he too relaxed more and more. What was strange for him was the fact that although his eyes were closed, he saw a bright light before his eyes.
He...
At that moment there was a loud crash. In a split second it was as if they were thrown back into their bodies, their hearts pounding loudly and irregularly. Both Duckula brothers fell to the floor, gasping.
Count Duckula opened his eyes first and saw an innocent looking Emma smiling at him.
Igor behind them with a tray on which were two cups and biscuits.
"Mister Igor told me that he still had to open the door, so I helped him." Emma explained cheerfully.
"Emma..." Count Duckula gasped. "... You give me a heart attack! You almost killed us!" He grumbled angrily.
Igor remained calm, setting the tray down on the table. "That statement is not correct my lord. You cannot die of a heart attack - you are already dead."
Count Duckula stood up and nam himself the cocoa. "Thank you for always reminding me, Igor."
"Oh you're welcome my lord." There was irony in Igor's voice.
Vladimir shook himself, finally stood up and straightened his clothes. "And Igor did you think of me there for a moment Igor? I am half mortal."
"Well to be precise young sir, it was not my idea but Emma's. And we know that thinking is not her strongest side. Although I must admit she does have a strong side..." He looked thoughtfully at the collapsed wall.
Then he turned back to his masters. Thoughtfully, he watched Vladimir drink his warm elderberry juice with a little blood. The amount of blood was getting smaller and smaller.
"May I ask if the lordship has not reconsidered his plan for today?"
"You may certainly ask Igor. Of course. But we'll stick to it, today is the children's tenth birthday."
Igor screwed up his face. "And you really think the other children from the village will come?"
"Whether they come or not is their decision. In any case, we'll celebrate with the little ones."
Igor groaned. "A child's birthday party, at Duckula Castle!"
"Don't complain as if it's the first time."
Count Duckula was right, it wasn't the first time. They had been following this bad habit for a decade.
So much had changed in that decade, more than all the centuries before.
Nicolae, Florina and Felicia sat together in a class, they had been going to school for a few years.
Actually, they were eager pupils. But there was one thing they found exhausting: they could never talk about their two "uncles" without being disbelieved, badgered or ridiculed. They had known for a long time that neither Fridolin nor Vladimir were really their uncles. But this did not matter.
Whereas with Vladimir they somehow had the feeling that he was already related to them. Even if in a distant respect.
After all, he had recently explained to them that he was their mother's son - in her last life.
Which confused the three of them even more. The following night they had met secretly under a blanket with a torch and discussed Vladimir's degree of relationship. Until they had finally fallen asleep, totally exhausted.
And the next day they had been very sleepy at school and had hardly noticed anything of the lessons.
Uncle Fridolin, Count Duckula himself, was not related to them, not even in a wide sense, and yet they felt very drawn to him. Their mother had explained to them that it was probably because he was the first drake she had seen after they hatched. Their father had come later.
As ducks, they always had the habit of seeing the first face they saw as their parents.
And this had been the Count's!
So Count Fridolin Duckula was not their physical father, but their dearest uncle - except Vladimir.
But whenever they spoke of them, all the other children turned away from them. Vampires as dear uncles!
That was either ridiculous or insane! In any case, it was crazy!
So the three of them already had their friends, but only as long as they didn't talk about their vampire uncles. This fact made the siblings "bond" all the more.
Like now, when they sat next to each other in the classroom and listened to their teacher, but were already thinking about their 10th birthday.
During the break, they handed out invitation cards for the birthday party to their friends.
Thoughtfully, they turned them over in their hands. "Really now? You're celebrating at Duckula Castle?"
"Yes, at a real castle!" Florian's voice sounded lively. "I can only tell you, this is... this is..."
Felicia tried to come to her rescue. "Totally..." She couldn't think of the right word right away. "It's In…di…vi…du….ally ."
A sceptical look met her eyes. "You mean more weird? I mean the old box...it's more like a dump than a castle!"
Florina's eyes narrowed, but Nicolae held them back. "Eh, you wouldn't believe how exciting an old castle like that is!"
"Castle Duckula is a killer pad!"
"Im that back!" Florina roared.
"I don't take that back. My parents and my grandparents told me what happens there!"
"Stupid!" Florina knocked him over. "Uncle Fridolin and Uncle Vladimir are not murderers!"
Nicolae rolled his eyes, sometimes his sister was really hot-tempered.
"You say so yourself that they are vampires!"
"Yes, but they are different!" hissed Florina at the young willy lying on the ground.
She straightened up. "Man your sister is angry!"
Florian snorted, all the other children backing away from the siblings. Even though Felicia held back almost shaking.
"What is it my fault if you are such a coward?" Florian snapped at the young rooster.
"I am not a coward!" Protested the latter.
"Yes you are!" Nicolae crossed his arms. "We go up to the castle regularly, nothing has ever happened! If you want to prove you're not a coward - then come to our birthday party!" this time he puffed.
He looked at everyone. "Prove to us that you are not cowards - all of you!"
With that he turned and strode away, Florian following him. Only Felicia remained standing for a moment.
"But... but... my parents won't allow that." Said one of the friends uncertainly.
Felicia looked sadly at one after the other and then followed her siblings. "Do you think they will come?"
"Children's birthday again!" Igor shook himself. "Why do these brats have to have birthdays every year too?"
Words which made Emma giggle. "Mister Igor, don't be stupid! Children have birthdays every year!"
"Not only children Emma, not only children. But adults don't make such a fuss about it."
Shaking his head, Igor hung up a colourful lantern.
Vladimir, who had just come in, had heard his last words. "Calm down Igor, you know how quickly mortals grow older. Before you know it, the little ones will be big people."
The butler stood up in front of Vladimir. "THAT is also my only consolation in this, young sir. Then someday there will be the only celebration that pleases me - the funeral!"
Vladimir looked at Igor. "You are vile Igor."
"This young master is the only joy I have left."
Vladimir preferred to turn away from his butler and look at Emma. "Very nice Emma, now you just have to try not to let so much plaster trickle from the ceiling when hanging the lanterns." At the words he shook his hair to clear it of debris. "After all, it's not Christmas, and this isn't snow."
Count Duckula came in. "Quietly the plaster trickles from the walls... as Emma enters the rooms." He sang.
He looked around and seemed satisfied. "How does it look? Quite good." He looked around sceptically.
"They want to bring their friends..." he ran his hand over his beak thoughtfully. "...Igor, Emma, please unhook this ghastly 'jewellery'. We still want to scare the children right away." With that he pointed to the trophies on walls.
Igor was horrified. "But sir!"
"No buts Igor. That disgusting stuff is coming away! I never liked it!" With that he strode away. "In this life, anyway."
Vladimir followed him.
Frowning, Igor glared after them. "In recent years he's been behaving more and more like a common mortal!"
Climbing stones the Cionbanu family (Antanasia, Dorin and their three children) happily walked up the rock to the castle.
Every year their birthday party at the castle was special. Even though she had usually celebrated again at home in the village with her friends. Now they were already 10 years old and all three thought that they were old enough to move their party to the castle. Well, if their friends didn't come, they would have to celebrate again at home.
But such an old castle was something special!
"Do you really think it was a good idea to invite our children's friends to the castle?" Dorin asked Antanasia.
"At some point people have to learn that the Duckula brothers are harmless." Replied Antanasia.
"Yes, but starting with their children of all people?"
Antansia thought for a moment. "We'll see what happens."
Dorin took a deep breath. "Whatever you say darling. I just thought the children will be sorely disappointed if no one comes."
"They asked for it themselves. They even insisted on it."
The three siblings were excited to see what was in store for them. As always, the salon was festively decorated for them. Igor would, as always, be in a bad mood, but this did not bother them; Emma's mood was all the better for it. So was her uncle Fridolin, who was always as excited as a child himself, and Vladimir, who always acted like her big brother.
When they arrived at the castle, Count Duckula opened the gate. Nicolae, Florina and Felicia literally jumped into his arms.
"Hey hey... don't knock me down right away!" Count Duckula began to hug everyone.
"We're not that big!" Nicolae protested.
"Not that, but there are three of you." Count Duckula laughed.
Vladimir now appeared behind him, and they were greeted in the same way. "Good morning big brother!"
"I'm not your..." Vladimir got no further.
"Yes you are!" The children laughed.
Almost apologetically, Vladimir looked up at their parents, who were now also arriving at the castle.
"Children." Vladimir said apologetically. "They haven't quite got it yet... with the relatives."
"They're not the only ones." Dorin held out his hand to Vladimir. "I haven't really understood it either."
"And that's the kind of thing a doctor wants to be." Count Ducklua remarked flippantly.
"Well, did you understand it?" Dorin asked back.
"Not really."
"And that's what a count wants to be."
"Boys behave!" Antanasia sighed and looked at Vladimir. "Sometimes I wonder who the children are here..."
The salon was festively decorated as usual. Actually even more so than usual because more guests were expected.
There were colourful bows and hats on the table. There were also three packages, each with a name on it.
Count Duckula presented each of the children with their gift, and they opened them joyfully. Each of them received a package of sticking bricks.
"There will be cake only when the guests arrive. But you can already have a cocoa."
"Who made it?" The question was quite justified.
Count Duckula straightened up. "The chef himself has taken charge."
"Phew..." the children sighed. "Gladly then!"
While waiting for their guests to arrive, the Cionbanu family listened to the tales of their uncles, who always had such exciting stories to tell...
"How so is true! If it goes wrong, you don't get grounded any more either - none of us!"
"Oh man you guys can really give you "courage". I'd better go home then!"
"Too late..." they were already standing outside the castle. "Whoever chickened out now is a coward!"
All four swallowed their fear as the gate opened and an old, grim-looking vulture opened to them.
"We... we... we were invited." Lucian's voice was anything but certain.
Igor's eyes narrowed. "My lord is already expecting them." He growled more than he spoke.
"We..." Lucian swallowed. "... We... we were invited for a birthday."
Igor stepped aside. "I was informed of this, please enter."
Finally, Igor led the children into the drawing room. Here they caught sight of Count Duckula for the first time, but their gaze lingered on the canines,
who had canines, on Vladimir.Vladimir smiled at the young visitors. "I am not Count Duckula... this is the comrade without fangs."
"Ex… exc… excuse Count Duckula."
"You don't have to stutter Lucian, no one will bite you here." Nicolea walked up to his friend and greeted him.
"Come on... the cake is already waiting for you."
It wasn't just the cake that was waiting for the children, there were lots of treats and games.
Games led by Count Duckula himself, which in turn made the children lose their fear of the Count. The terror of their parents turned out to be a rather "weird bird" who loved to play games and spread good humour. He came up with the funniest ideas and made everyone laugh.
So the fear of the counts quickly became a thing of the past. Vladimir was a bit different, his pointed canines impressed them quite a bit and made the children keep their distance from him.
At the end of the party, Florina and Felicia wanted to show their friends how they had learned to dance. And in the meantime performed with the "Freak Vampires". This is how it happened. First the Duckula brothers took over the music and played the violin themselves.
But then a question came up. "Can you actually only play the violin? Or can you dance as well?"
Vladimir leaned down to the questioner, Cosmin. "What do you mean, only play the violin? Have you ever tried to play the violin?"
"No."
"So please."
"I just meant, can you dance too?"
This time Count Duckula was the one to answer. "Why do you think a vampire can't dance?"
"I've never seen a vampire dance. That's why!"
"I see... and have you met a vampire before?"
"No."
Count Duckula nodded. "Find your thinking error..." he turned to Igor. "Igor, the gramophone please!"
"Gramophone?" Lucian grinned. "Man, you guys are outdated!"
Again Vladimir looked at him. "Boy, we've had years of life experiences that are beyond your imagination. Besides, it doesn't need electricity."
Lucian shook his head. "No I can do better than that!" With that he took his mobile phone out of his pocket.
Count Duckula and Vladimir looked at each other questioningly. "We could use one of those too..." whispered Count Duckula to Vladimir.
"Nonsense. If you really learn to use your abilities, we are completely superior to those things."
"Yes... but we can't make music with telepathy!"
"True enough. But our thoughts are not so easily intercepted by strangers." Vladimir replied somewhat grimly.
"Come on Vladimir, don't be like that... just the music."
Vladimir sighed. "Who's the count here, you or me?"
"Me! That's right. I'm the boss! And I decide... and I... "Count Duckula looked back and forth from Gramophone to mobile phone.
"Am I making it loud enough?"
"Let me worry about that, dude!"
"Dude?! I resent the insult."
Lucian became uncertain. "I only meant... because... you are a vampire after all... who is over 800 years old."
"Maybe so, little one, but I wasn't reborn until 1988."
"1988? You're pretty old then."
Sensing his brother getting upset, Vladimir put a hand on his shoulder.
"Children of mortals. They have no concept of time."
Vladimir leaned down and looked at the little willy. "All right, you can have your music playing right now. But I have a question, do you know the Kazachok?"
"Is that a dance?"
Vladimir nodded. "Yes. Give us a chance to show what we can do. It's only fair, right?"
Lucian stared at Vladimir canines and finally nodded.
"Thank you Lucian. And you don't need to stare at my teeth to make me aware that I have any. I know it that way too."
Vladimir waved at his brother. "Are you ready?"
"When Igor puts on the record... let's warm up for a moment."
"Warm up where for?" Cosmin asked.
"Your question will be answered when you've seen it..."
Curious, the children watched the Duckula brothers warm up. They couldn't explain it and wondered what it meant? But the birthday children also shrugged their shoulders. They didn't know what their "uncles" were up to either.
Even Dorin and Antanasia sat there tensely, even though they, unlike the children, knew what the "Kazachok" was.
"Do you think they'll make it?" Dorin whispered to his wife.
Antanasia nodded. "Don't underestimate them."
Finally Count Duckula and Vladimir were ready, they nodded to Igor, who had laid out the record and got into position.
When the musical piece began, the children couldn't keep their beaks closed in amazement. They watched the performance with wide eyes.
At the end they applauded enthusiastically, Dorin was also impressed and applauded.
"That was... that was... WOW!" Ralcua could hardly calm herself with excitement.
"No... that wasn't just WOW that was woi Wow!" Cosmin improved on it.
Count Duckula leaned down to him. "Hey THAT's my line!"
Lucian ran his fingers through his hair. "Okay, I'm impressed. Can you guys do something different too?"
"You want an encore?" Count Duckula considered, he spun around and conferred with Vladimir.
Finally Vladimir nodded and walked over to Igor.
"Igor. Genghis Khan - Moscow." Then he turned to the children. "It will be a very old play for you too, it's from 1979.
I grew up singing it in Germany, so please don't be surprised. Because I know the language.
Count Duckula will take the role of auditioning, because he has the right clothes for it."
Count Duckula grinned proudly and was already posing, holding the cape in front of him.
Vladimir gave Igor a sign and the spectacle began....
This time, too, the children were thrilled. Now they could understand why their friends were so enthusiastic about their vampire uncles!
There was only one question on their minds: "Why don't they have teeth, Count Duckula?"
"As a vegetarian, I don't need them."
"But he has artificial teeth when he performs as a freak vampire." Nicolea remarked.
"Also please... please we want to see what it looks like with teeth!" The children stood around Count Duckula begging until Count Duckula gave in.
With a broad grin, Igor stood by. "On this occasion, Count might as well bite the children." He hissed at Vladimir.
The latter only rolled his eyes at the words.
Count Duckula put in his artificial teeth and immediately made a different impression.
However, this was immediately diminished when he began to speak. "Do you like it like this?"
"It sounds funny. As if they were talking with their mouths full!" Marian blurted out.
The children laughed.
The Count, on the other hand, looked a little sour. "I just can't speak properly with this! I..."
At that moment the doorbell rang. Count Duckula turned to Emma. "Emma, please open the front door..."
Startled by his words, he broke off in mid-sentence. "NO! No Emma! Forget it!" He braced himself for the dutiful chicken.
"I'LL open the front door!"
The next moment, as he disappeared in a little cloud and a flash, the beaks of the guests were left open.
Count Duckula opened the front door and regretted it the next moment.
The children's parents stood before him, armed with pitchforks and torches.
"Hand over our children, Count Duckula!" They shouted at him. "What have you done to our children, you monsters!?"
"I... I have nothing..." he was not aware at that moment that he still had the artificial teeth in his beak.
They started threatening him with a pitchfork. "Your children are fine! HELP!"
No sooner had he broken out than the children came running around the corner, Vladimir leading the group. Igor and Emma rushed to help their masters. The Cionbanu family also came, led by Antanasia.
Vladimir was first on the scene, but held back as the children ran past him and ran to their parents.
"Mum! Papa! We're all right! We're fine!"
"We were just celebrating a birthday!"
"It was great!"
"Please don't hurt them! They're so nice!"
"Yes, they are very nice!"
Stunned, the worried parents took their children in their arms and then stared at the Duckula brothers.
Antanasia stepped forward with sparkling eyes. "At least listen to your children! If you won't listen to me!"
Dorin nodded. "It's true... they're not hurting anyone."
Igor was on guard to protect his young masters, yet he acknowledged the words. "To my regret, I must confirm it."
Without saying anything, the worried parents hugged their children to them and turned to leave.
"Thank you...for your kind words, very kind." But they did not seem to hear Count Duckula's words.
Antanasia only shook her head regretfully. "I think we should end the birthday celebration. It has become late enough for the children."
So the birthday children said goodbye to their uncles and thanked them for such a special day.
Felicia gave them a kiss on the cheek.
She nudged Count Duckula's beak. "You sound really funny when you talk to it."
As they said goodbye, Vladimir and Count Duckula looked after them for a while.
"It was a nice day."
"Yes, I think so too."
"But we should really do something about your teeth."
"What can I do about it?! I'm always banging my tongue against this stupid rail!" Only now did Count Duckula spit out the false teeth.
Vladimir's gaze fell on the artificial vampire teeth on the floor. It reminded him of those carnival dentures that mortals used to wear for fun. He could remember that no one could really speak properly with those things.
In fact, it seemed to be one of those dentures. Thoughtfully, he picked it up and handed it back to his brother.
"There must be another way!?" He reasoned.
"Why? Surely I don't need to speak with it?"
Vladimir looked deeply into Count Duckula's eyes. "No, surely not. Not as long as no relatives come to visit..."
This noise cost Butler Igor his nerves. It didn't belong here! And certainly not from the beak of his master, a noble vampire duck.
"Hmmm I think it's wrong." Vladimir remark made Count Duckula open one eye and look questioningly at his brother. "What's wrong?"
"I mean it sounds kind of Wrong... I mean... Okay it's called Om but it's pronounced differently."
Count Duckula sighed deeply. "Okay flea Vladimir. How do you mean know-it-all, do you pronounce it?"
Vladimir frowned and considered. "I think... yes... I think I have it... it's pronounced 'Aum'."
"Aum?" Count Duckula laughed out. "It sounds more like you've been hurt."
Vladimir shook his head, took a deep breath and exhaled again. "Aaaaaaaauuuummmmm..."
Count Duckula watched him go. He had to admit, it sounded somehow... more real.
All right, he tried again.
Lotus seat, eyes closed, one palm up, one palm down on the earth.
"Aaaaaauuuummmmm..."
Igor, who was one aisle away bringing drinks and food to his masters, groaned.
Emma grumbled to herself. "Is Duckyboos back with that Yoda?"
"It's not Yoda Emma, it's not a Jedi master from one of those nonsensical SF movies."
"No? I thought..."
"You'd better try not to think Emma... although... this shouldn't be difficult for you."
"What Mister Igor?"
"Not to think. Not to think..." Igor shook his head. "Our young gentlemen don't meet with a Yoda, and they don't do yoga. No... they meditate."
Emma's head began to rattle. Hadn't she heard those words before?
Many years ago? Many years ago, when Vladimir had not yet returned to them.
And after all, Vladimir had been back home for a long time now.
Slowly it became too much for the vultures, as it often was every day. "Oh forget it Emma!
I just wish our masters would stop." His arms with the tray slowly began to shake.
"They told me not to disturb them when they were meditating - but the tray is getting heavy on me..."
Vulture groaned. "I'm not allowed to open the door..."
"You're not allowed to open the door?"
"Yesss..." Igor clenched his beak as the tray in his hands shook more and more. "...They said the door creaks too loud...they..."
Before he could speak any further, Emma turned. "But Mister Igor, that's no problem! Say it right away if you needed help!"
Igor's eyes widened, but it was already too late. "Emma NO!"
He hadn't quite said the few words when the wall collapsed and Emma turned to look at him. "Look, Mister Igor, I'm happy to help."
Count Duckula had the feeling that his body was expanding, but somehow the description didn't fit.
It was more as if... something was expanding around his body and it tingled slightly.
The vampire duck thought he felt more and more calm, which was completely unusual for him, but it felt good.
Vladimir felt the same, he too relaxed more and more. What was strange for him was the fact that although his eyes were closed, he saw a bright light before his eyes.
He...
At that moment there was a loud crash. In a split second it was as if they were thrown back into their bodies, their hearts pounding loudly and irregularly. Both Duckula brothers fell to the floor, gasping.
Count Duckula opened his eyes first and saw an innocent looking Emma smiling at him.
Igor behind them with a tray on which were two cups and biscuits.
"Mister Igor told me that he still had to open the door, so I helped him." Emma explained cheerfully.
"Emma..." Count Duckula gasped. "... You give me a heart attack! You almost killed us!" He grumbled angrily.
Igor remained calm, setting the tray down on the table. "That statement is not correct my lord. You cannot die of a heart attack - you are already dead."
Count Duckula stood up and nam himself the cocoa. "Thank you for always reminding me, Igor."
"Oh you're welcome my lord." There was irony in Igor's voice.
Vladimir shook himself, finally stood up and straightened his clothes. "And Igor did you think of me there for a moment Igor? I am half mortal."
"Well to be precise young sir, it was not my idea but Emma's. And we know that thinking is not her strongest side. Although I must admit she does have a strong side..." He looked thoughtfully at the collapsed wall.
Then he turned back to his masters. Thoughtfully, he watched Vladimir drink his warm elderberry juice with a little blood. The amount of blood was getting smaller and smaller.
"May I ask if the lordship has not reconsidered his plan for today?"
"You may certainly ask Igor. Of course. But we'll stick to it, today is the children's tenth birthday."
Igor screwed up his face. "And you really think the other children from the village will come?"
"Whether they come or not is their decision. In any case, we'll celebrate with the little ones."
Igor groaned. "A child's birthday party, at Duckula Castle!"
"Don't complain as if it's the first time."
Count Duckula was right, it wasn't the first time. They had been following this bad habit for a decade.
So much had changed in that decade, more than all the centuries before.
Nicolae, Florina and Felicia sat together in a class, they had been going to school for a few years.
Actually, they were eager pupils. But there was one thing they found exhausting: they could never talk about their two "uncles" without being disbelieved, badgered or ridiculed. They had known for a long time that neither Fridolin nor Vladimir were really their uncles. But this did not matter.
Whereas with Vladimir they somehow had the feeling that he was already related to them. Even if in a distant respect.
After all, he had recently explained to them that he was their mother's son - in her last life.
Which confused the three of them even more. The following night they had met secretly under a blanket with a torch and discussed Vladimir's degree of relationship. Until they had finally fallen asleep, totally exhausted.
And the next day they had been very sleepy at school and had hardly noticed anything of the lessons.
Uncle Fridolin, Count Duckula himself, was not related to them, not even in a wide sense, and yet they felt very drawn to him. Their mother had explained to them that it was probably because he was the first drake she had seen after they hatched. Their father had come later.
As ducks, they always had the habit of seeing the first face they saw as their parents.
And this had been the Count's!
So Count Fridolin Duckula was not their physical father, but their dearest uncle - except Vladimir.
But whenever they spoke of them, all the other children turned away from them. Vampires as dear uncles!
That was either ridiculous or insane! In any case, it was crazy!
So the three of them already had their friends, but only as long as they didn't talk about their vampire uncles. This fact made the siblings "bond" all the more.
Like now, when they sat next to each other in the classroom and listened to their teacher, but were already thinking about their 10th birthday.
During the break, they handed out invitation cards for the birthday party to their friends.
Thoughtfully, they turned them over in their hands. "Really now? You're celebrating at Duckula Castle?"
"Yes, at a real castle!" Florian's voice sounded lively. "I can only tell you, this is... this is..."
Felicia tried to come to her rescue. "Totally..." She couldn't think of the right word right away. "It's In…di…vi…du….ally ."
A sceptical look met her eyes. "You mean more weird? I mean the old box...it's more like a dump than a castle!"
Florina's eyes narrowed, but Nicolae held them back. "Eh, you wouldn't believe how exciting an old castle like that is!"
"Castle Duckula is a killer pad!"
"Im that back!" Florina roared.
"I don't take that back. My parents and my grandparents told me what happens there!"
"Stupid!" Florina knocked him over. "Uncle Fridolin and Uncle Vladimir are not murderers!"
Nicolae rolled his eyes, sometimes his sister was really hot-tempered.
"You say so yourself that they are vampires!"
"Yes, but they are different!" hissed Florina at the young willy lying on the ground.
She straightened up. "Man your sister is angry!"
Florian snorted, all the other children backing away from the siblings. Even though Felicia held back almost shaking.
"What is it my fault if you are such a coward?" Florian snapped at the young rooster.
"I am not a coward!" Protested the latter.
"Yes you are!" Nicolae crossed his arms. "We go up to the castle regularly, nothing has ever happened! If you want to prove you're not a coward - then come to our birthday party!" this time he puffed.
He looked at everyone. "Prove to us that you are not cowards - all of you!"
With that he turned and strode away, Florian following him. Only Felicia remained standing for a moment.
"But... but... my parents won't allow that." Said one of the friends uncertainly.
Felicia looked sadly at one after the other and then followed her siblings. "Do you think they will come?"
"Children's birthday again!" Igor shook himself. "Why do these brats have to have birthdays every year too?"
Words which made Emma giggle. "Mister Igor, don't be stupid! Children have birthdays every year!"
"Not only children Emma, not only children. But adults don't make such a fuss about it."
Shaking his head, Igor hung up a colourful lantern.
Vladimir, who had just come in, had heard his last words. "Calm down Igor, you know how quickly mortals grow older. Before you know it, the little ones will be big people."
The butler stood up in front of Vladimir. "THAT is also my only consolation in this, young sir. Then someday there will be the only celebration that pleases me - the funeral!"
Vladimir looked at Igor. "You are vile Igor."
"This young master is the only joy I have left."
Vladimir preferred to turn away from his butler and look at Emma. "Very nice Emma, now you just have to try not to let so much plaster trickle from the ceiling when hanging the lanterns." At the words he shook his hair to clear it of debris. "After all, it's not Christmas, and this isn't snow."
Count Duckula came in. "Quietly the plaster trickles from the walls... as Emma enters the rooms." He sang.
He looked around and seemed satisfied. "How does it look? Quite good." He looked around sceptically.
"They want to bring their friends..." he ran his hand over his beak thoughtfully. "...Igor, Emma, please unhook this ghastly 'jewellery'. We still want to scare the children right away." With that he pointed to the trophies on walls.
Igor was horrified. "But sir!"
"No buts Igor. That disgusting stuff is coming away! I never liked it!" With that he strode away. "In this life, anyway."
Vladimir followed him.
Frowning, Igor glared after them. "In recent years he's been behaving more and more like a common mortal!"
Climbing stones the Cionbanu family (Antanasia, Dorin and their three children) happily walked up the rock to the castle.
Every year their birthday party at the castle was special. Even though she had usually celebrated again at home in the village with her friends. Now they were already 10 years old and all three thought that they were old enough to move their party to the castle. Well, if their friends didn't come, they would have to celebrate again at home.
But such an old castle was something special!
"Do you really think it was a good idea to invite our children's friends to the castle?" Dorin asked Antanasia.
"At some point people have to learn that the Duckula brothers are harmless." Replied Antanasia.
"Yes, but starting with their children of all people?"
Antansia thought for a moment. "We'll see what happens."
Dorin took a deep breath. "Whatever you say darling. I just thought the children will be sorely disappointed if no one comes."
"They asked for it themselves. They even insisted on it."
The three siblings were excited to see what was in store for them. As always, the salon was festively decorated for them. Igor would, as always, be in a bad mood, but this did not bother them; Emma's mood was all the better for it. So was her uncle Fridolin, who was always as excited as a child himself, and Vladimir, who always acted like her big brother.
When they arrived at the castle, Count Duckula opened the gate. Nicolae, Florina and Felicia literally jumped into his arms.
"Hey hey... don't knock me down right away!" Count Duckula began to hug everyone.
"We're not that big!" Nicolae protested.
"Not that, but there are three of you." Count Duckula laughed.
Vladimir now appeared behind him, and they were greeted in the same way. "Good morning big brother!"
"I'm not your..." Vladimir got no further.
"Yes you are!" The children laughed.
Almost apologetically, Vladimir looked up at their parents, who were now also arriving at the castle.
"Children." Vladimir said apologetically. "They haven't quite got it yet... with the relatives."
"They're not the only ones." Dorin held out his hand to Vladimir. "I haven't really understood it either."
"And that's the kind of thing a doctor wants to be." Count Ducklua remarked flippantly.
"Well, did you understand it?" Dorin asked back.
"Not really."
"And that's what a count wants to be."
"Boys behave!" Antanasia sighed and looked at Vladimir. "Sometimes I wonder who the children are here..."
The salon was festively decorated as usual. Actually even more so than usual because more guests were expected.
There were colourful bows and hats on the table. There were also three packages, each with a name on it.
Count Duckula presented each of the children with their gift, and they opened them joyfully. Each of them received a package of sticking bricks.
"There will be cake only when the guests arrive. But you can already have a cocoa."
"Who made it?" The question was quite justified.
Count Duckula straightened up. "The chef himself has taken charge."
"Phew..." the children sighed. "Gladly then!"
While waiting for their guests to arrive, the Cionbanu family listened to the tales of their uncles, who always had such exciting stories to tell...
"How so is true! If it goes wrong, you don't get grounded any more either - none of us!"
"Oh man you guys can really give you "courage". I'd better go home then!"
"Too late..." they were already standing outside the castle. "Whoever chickened out now is a coward!"
All four swallowed their fear as the gate opened and an old, grim-looking vulture opened to them.
"We... we... we were invited." Lucian's voice was anything but certain.
Igor's eyes narrowed. "My lord is already expecting them." He growled more than he spoke.
"We..." Lucian swallowed. "... We... we were invited for a birthday."
Igor stepped aside. "I was informed of this, please enter."
Finally, Igor led the children into the drawing room. Here they caught sight of Count Duckula for the first time, but their gaze lingered on the canines,
who had canines, on Vladimir.Vladimir smiled at the young visitors. "I am not Count Duckula... this is the comrade without fangs."
"Ex… exc… excuse Count Duckula."
"You don't have to stutter Lucian, no one will bite you here." Nicolea walked up to his friend and greeted him.
"Come on... the cake is already waiting for you."
It wasn't just the cake that was waiting for the children, there were lots of treats and games.
Games led by Count Duckula himself, which in turn made the children lose their fear of the Count. The terror of their parents turned out to be a rather "weird bird" who loved to play games and spread good humour. He came up with the funniest ideas and made everyone laugh.
So the fear of the counts quickly became a thing of the past. Vladimir was a bit different, his pointed canines impressed them quite a bit and made the children keep their distance from him.
At the end of the party, Florina and Felicia wanted to show their friends how they had learned to dance. And in the meantime performed with the "Freak Vampires". This is how it happened. First the Duckula brothers took over the music and played the violin themselves.
But then a question came up. "Can you actually only play the violin? Or can you dance as well?"
Vladimir leaned down to the questioner, Cosmin. "What do you mean, only play the violin? Have you ever tried to play the violin?"
"No."
"So please."
"I just meant, can you dance too?"
This time Count Duckula was the one to answer. "Why do you think a vampire can't dance?"
"I've never seen a vampire dance. That's why!"
"I see... and have you met a vampire before?"
"No."
Count Duckula nodded. "Find your thinking error..." he turned to Igor. "Igor, the gramophone please!"
"Gramophone?" Lucian grinned. "Man, you guys are outdated!"
Again Vladimir looked at him. "Boy, we've had years of life experiences that are beyond your imagination. Besides, it doesn't need electricity."
Lucian shook his head. "No I can do better than that!" With that he took his mobile phone out of his pocket.
Count Duckula and Vladimir looked at each other questioningly. "We could use one of those too..." whispered Count Duckula to Vladimir.
"Nonsense. If you really learn to use your abilities, we are completely superior to those things."
"Yes... but we can't make music with telepathy!"
"True enough. But our thoughts are not so easily intercepted by strangers." Vladimir replied somewhat grimly.
"Come on Vladimir, don't be like that... just the music."
Vladimir sighed. "Who's the count here, you or me?"
"Me! That's right. I'm the boss! And I decide... and I... "Count Duckula looked back and forth from Gramophone to mobile phone.
"Am I making it loud enough?"
"Let me worry about that, dude!"
"Dude?! I resent the insult."
Lucian became uncertain. "I only meant... because... you are a vampire after all... who is over 800 years old."
"Maybe so, little one, but I wasn't reborn until 1988."
"1988? You're pretty old then."
Sensing his brother getting upset, Vladimir put a hand on his shoulder.
"Children of mortals. They have no concept of time."
Vladimir leaned down and looked at the little willy. "All right, you can have your music playing right now. But I have a question, do you know the Kazachok?"
"Is that a dance?"
Vladimir nodded. "Yes. Give us a chance to show what we can do. It's only fair, right?"
Lucian stared at Vladimir canines and finally nodded.
"Thank you Lucian. And you don't need to stare at my teeth to make me aware that I have any. I know it that way too."
Vladimir waved at his brother. "Are you ready?"
"When Igor puts on the record... let's warm up for a moment."
"Warm up where for?" Cosmin asked.
"Your question will be answered when you've seen it..."
Curious, the children watched the Duckula brothers warm up. They couldn't explain it and wondered what it meant? But the birthday children also shrugged their shoulders. They didn't know what their "uncles" were up to either.
Even Dorin and Antanasia sat there tensely, even though they, unlike the children, knew what the "Kazachok" was.
"Do you think they'll make it?" Dorin whispered to his wife.
Antanasia nodded. "Don't underestimate them."
Finally Count Duckula and Vladimir were ready, they nodded to Igor, who had laid out the record and got into position.
When the musical piece began, the children couldn't keep their beaks closed in amazement. They watched the performance with wide eyes.
At the end they applauded enthusiastically, Dorin was also impressed and applauded.
"That was... that was... WOW!" Ralcua could hardly calm herself with excitement.
"No... that wasn't just WOW that was woi Wow!" Cosmin improved on it.
Count Duckula leaned down to him. "Hey THAT's my line!"
Lucian ran his fingers through his hair. "Okay, I'm impressed. Can you guys do something different too?"
"You want an encore?" Count Duckula considered, he spun around and conferred with Vladimir.
Finally Vladimir nodded and walked over to Igor.
"Igor. Genghis Khan - Moscow." Then he turned to the children. "It will be a very old play for you too, it's from 1979.
I grew up singing it in Germany, so please don't be surprised. Because I know the language.
Count Duckula will take the role of auditioning, because he has the right clothes for it."
Count Duckula grinned proudly and was already posing, holding the cape in front of him.
Vladimir gave Igor a sign and the spectacle began....
This time, too, the children were thrilled. Now they could understand why their friends were so enthusiastic about their vampire uncles!
There was only one question on their minds: "Why don't they have teeth, Count Duckula?"
"As a vegetarian, I don't need them."
"But he has artificial teeth when he performs as a freak vampire." Nicolea remarked.
"Also please... please we want to see what it looks like with teeth!" The children stood around Count Duckula begging until Count Duckula gave in.
With a broad grin, Igor stood by. "On this occasion, Count might as well bite the children." He hissed at Vladimir.
The latter only rolled his eyes at the words.
Count Duckula put in his artificial teeth and immediately made a different impression.
However, this was immediately diminished when he began to speak. "Do you like it like this?"
"It sounds funny. As if they were talking with their mouths full!" Marian blurted out.
The children laughed.
The Count, on the other hand, looked a little sour. "I just can't speak properly with this! I..."
At that moment the doorbell rang. Count Duckula turned to Emma. "Emma, please open the front door..."
Startled by his words, he broke off in mid-sentence. "NO! No Emma! Forget it!" He braced himself for the dutiful chicken.
"I'LL open the front door!"
The next moment, as he disappeared in a little cloud and a flash, the beaks of the guests were left open.
Count Duckula opened the front door and regretted it the next moment.
The children's parents stood before him, armed with pitchforks and torches.
"Hand over our children, Count Duckula!" They shouted at him. "What have you done to our children, you monsters!?"
"I... I have nothing..." he was not aware at that moment that he still had the artificial teeth in his beak.
They started threatening him with a pitchfork. "Your children are fine! HELP!"
No sooner had he broken out than the children came running around the corner, Vladimir leading the group. Igor and Emma rushed to help their masters. The Cionbanu family also came, led by Antanasia.
Vladimir was first on the scene, but held back as the children ran past him and ran to their parents.
"Mum! Papa! We're all right! We're fine!"
"We were just celebrating a birthday!"
"It was great!"
"Please don't hurt them! They're so nice!"
"Yes, they are very nice!"
Stunned, the worried parents took their children in their arms and then stared at the Duckula brothers.
Antanasia stepped forward with sparkling eyes. "At least listen to your children! If you won't listen to me!"
Dorin nodded. "It's true... they're not hurting anyone."
Igor was on guard to protect his young masters, yet he acknowledged the words. "To my regret, I must confirm it."
Without saying anything, the worried parents hugged their children to them and turned to leave.
"Thank you...for your kind words, very kind." But they did not seem to hear Count Duckula's words.
Antanasia only shook her head regretfully. "I think we should end the birthday celebration. It has become late enough for the children."
So the birthday children said goodbye to their uncles and thanked them for such a special day.
Felicia gave them a kiss on the cheek.
She nudged Count Duckula's beak. "You sound really funny when you talk to it."
As they said goodbye, Vladimir and Count Duckula looked after them for a while.
"It was a nice day."
"Yes, I think so too."
"But we should really do something about your teeth."
"What can I do about it?! I'm always banging my tongue against this stupid rail!" Only now did Count Duckula spit out the false teeth.
Vladimir's gaze fell on the artificial vampire teeth on the floor. It reminded him of those carnival dentures that mortals used to wear for fun. He could remember that no one could really speak properly with those things.
In fact, it seemed to be one of those dentures. Thoughtfully, he picked it up and handed it back to his brother.
"There must be another way!?" He reasoned.
"Why? Surely I don't need to speak with it?"
Vladimir looked deeply into Count Duckula's eyes. "No, surely not. Not as long as no relatives come to visit..."
Dschinghis Khan - Moskau (in Germany)
Dschinghis Khan - Moskau (in English)