Three Guests Came Knocking

Once upon a time, there were three young men living in a village. Each had lost their parents to tragedy, and had lived alone ever since. And on a cold winter night, each of them found a weary traveler knocking at their door, seeking shelter from the cold.   The first visitor, a well-dressed man, asked, "Pray tell, good sir, may I enter your place and stay the night, for it is dreadfully cold outside and I have lost the way." And the first man smiled and said, "Of course, it would be my pleasure, please come in." As he spoke those worlds, a vicious grin grew on his visitor's face as fangs caught the light. And with the permission given, the vampire stepped over the doorstep and plunged his fangs into the man's neck.   The second visitor, a fair maiden, asked too, "Pray tell, good sir, may I enter your place and stay the night, for it is dreadfully cold outside and I have lost the way." But the second man sneered. "I trust neither stranger nor familiar face at this time of night. Begone with you, you are not wanted here!" The maiden pleaded but the man slammed his door shut. As she walked on, she cursed the man underneath her breath. And that night, the man's heater damaged through a Fae's curse, toxic air filling his house, and he did not live to see the morn.   The third visitor, an older woman, asked too, "Pray tell, good sir, may I enter your place and stay the night, for it is dreadfully cold outside and I have lost the way." And the third man replied with a smile on his face. "You have neither my blessing nor my agreement, but if you were to be within my house, I would find you a welcome guest." And with a sage nod, the woman entered, knowing full well that the man granted hospitality without offering it, to not welcome an undesirable into his home. Inside, she eyed the man's riches, but any idea of theft left her mind at the sight of the shotgun on his side. For hospitality did not mean carelessness for him.