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Post by Sharei on Oct 2, 2018 18:54:50 GMT -6
Isaac picked at the small turkey sandwich that the waitress had brought him with a distracted negligence that said he wasn't actually interested in the food, but was putting on enough of a show to appease anyone that happened to see them. Telmore was to his left at the round, marble-topped table, and the newcomer Ru at his right. Their reflections glinted in the storefront window, illuminated by the hanging lamps and electric chandeliers that cut the midnight moonlight - all except Ru, which Isaac found fascinating but also telling of his vampire heritage.
The bistro was, thankfully, largely populated by supers at this time of night. The occasional human wandered in to sleepily order a coffee, but with a second-floor balcony that looked out on the street from massive slanted windows and the cover of tall ferns to protect them from view by the stairs, the trio had some relative privacy. Privacy they needed, because Isaac could not imagine a more tense atmosphere. Aaron was practically facedown in his coffee to avoid socializing with his boss, Ru appeared to be intimidated by Isaac's very shadow, and the eldritch horror himself had no idea how to parse the situation.
He settled for introductions.
"You must be Ru Knight," Isaac said to the unfamiliar at the table. He offered his hand to shake and briefly entertained the fact that neither of them would have a touch above room temperature. The smile he gave the younger man was intended to be disarming, charming, soothing. "Telmore told me about you but I'm glad to finally make your acquaintance. It's good to have another peace-meaning vampire in the city. My name is Isaac Lonan."
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Post by jarahamee on Oct 3, 2018 1:03:11 GMT -6
Ru hesitated, and then took the hand of the handsome vampire. He was confident, intelligent, and also acting int he best interests of all supers. It was something he could aspire to, if he really had to remain a vampire for the rest of his (possibly short) existence as an immortal being. And he had managed to be an elder vampire who was benevolent and coexisted with humans as well. Why couldn't his elders be like that?
"I.. Yes, that's me. I um, wanted to meet with you because I wanted to see another um..person like me who had been living for a long time and managed to coexist with humans and other supers. I don't want to be like the elder vampires I am used to, but they seem to be the only way that vampires could be. Some of the elder brothers and sisters were... ok but still ruthless. No one was actually good or kind, and that isn't how I want to be."
He took the deepest breath possible and then held it for what he knew was an infinite amount of time. There was so much to say. He wanted to develop his powers without wasting the blood he received on welfare, but he didn't like using any other sources to acquire it. And what else could he do about something like feeding besides relying on government donors?
Ru was wearing his best suit, which was admittedly an old-fashioned design, even if he thought it was flattering to his body shape. A v-shaped cut, with broad shoulders, black gloves to keep his cold hands from contacting human flesh. On a good day he'd wear a hat, but he knew they were sitting down to have some coffee together, or at least that was the idea.
"I want to be independent, but I want to be righteous, and not need the protection of others."
He blurted the words out quickly, leaning forward a little as he spoke. His words were perhaps a little pointed. One of his protectors was here, at his side, and he didn't want to have to rely on his good graces to help him. He needed to survive of his own will.
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Post by MP on Oct 3, 2018 11:53:20 GMT -6
Beyond a politely formal greeting to the vampire(s), Aaron had little to contribute to the conversation. He was a little surprised Ru had asked him here at all. During the agent’s recovery, the newborn had been assigned to a different liaison and had by all reports adjusted well. Aaron was flattered that Ru had chosen to transfer back to his supervision, and was happy to put him in contact with Isaac, but his presence here seemed unnecessary. If not downright confusing. So he sat quietly, nursing his coffee and following the conversation with discreet attention.
He had to admit, he was deeply impressed by Ru’s attitude. There were a lot of newborns who were content to live day to day, hand to mouth and complacent as long as their thirst was satisfied. Others were too eager with their new powers, partying like freshmen and causing no end of trouble for the department with their experiments. The worst cases - the ones Aaron dreaded most - were the ones who couldn’t cope, who saw vampirism as the end of their lives and acted accordingly. He’d collected their ashes from streets and alleys and empty sunlit homes, and the thought of it dragged at him every time he dealt with a new vampire. Ru was none of these. He tried to improve himself, to make the most of the unlife he’d never asked for. It never showed in the agent’s face or demeanor, but Aaron was proud of him. It was a strength of character he admired.
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Post by Sharei on Oct 9, 2018 13:08:28 GMT -6
Isaac's eyebrows rose a fraction at the vampire's declaration. It was a bit forward of him to skip the introduction phase and jump straight to the meat and potatoes of the conversation, but Isaac supposed that wasn't a bad quality if you were looking to be forthright. Personally, he preferred to linger a little longer on pleasantries.
"I'm following so far," Isaac said smoothly. He removed his powder blue scarf and folded it neatly by thirds, and when he laid it down on the table it was squared to his plate and coffee. His gloves came next, piled neatly and orderly on top of the scarf. "And all very admirable statements - but I have a couple of questions. I'll willingly talk with you if that is what you desire, but I'd like to know what you're looking for. I'm afraid that I don't have the leisure time to take on a fledgling."
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Post by jarahamee on Oct 11, 2018 18:07:23 GMT -6
Ru looked towards Aaron for reassurance, and was surprised with the approval he saw there. It was enough to make him blush, if he was still able to do so, and anyone more perceptive than a generally dense person could see his infatuation with the officer. He turned towards Isaac and then looked away. That wasn't precisely what he was asking for, and it would have been audacious to ask him to be his mentor as a vampire. Ru took a deep breath and decided on focus. What he wanted and how. He knitted his long, thin fingers together, and leaned forward like he was discussing something top secret. His voice trembled, but his intent was clear and true.
"I... I would not ask someone as busy as you to be my Master, but.. I guess I was thinking; are there ways of finding meals without having to rely on public assistance? How did you manage to live independently? What is your stance on coexistance with humans, and how do you avoid going into rages? How do you develop skills without being wasteful? I don't want to be so weak other vampires prey on me.. Is there a cure to vampirism that isn't...well..."
He looked away in a way that seemed to indicate being dead-dead, rather than undead. Down at the floor. That was as much a cure as he had heard was possible. There was always the possibility of being dead-dead even if he just started walking around minding his own business. In that way, Kitty had been right. He was just waiting to be a victim if he didn't do something with himself. He formed a different thought, and leaned back in his chair, taking a deep breath.
"There was another vampire I met who... didn't trust the Department here, but I don't know why. I mean, you are lead by a vampire, and you've been kind with the blood supply. It's better than anywhere else."
He looked at Aaron thoughtfully, as if he held the key to everything. Or maybe he was just looking for reassurance again.
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Post by Sharei on Oct 11, 2018 18:43:20 GMT -6
Isaac propped his chin in the palm of his right hand and regarded Ru with an increasingly amused glint in his crimson eyes. It was a playful light rather than a malicious one, and by the time that the young vampire had finished speaking there was a wry smile on the Director's face.
"Let me take these questions one at a time. I'll come back to assistance with meals and training and healing vampirism, but answer most of the rest of these with a single statement," Isaac said. His smile was genuinely kind, soft and fond, despite the fact that he'd only met the other man. It was hard not to be taken in by his earnestness.
"Don't worry so much."
At Ru's confusion, Isaac tucked a strand of dark hair behind his own ear and continued. "Someone told me, a very long time ago, an adage that I took to heart: a strong man knows the measure of his own power, and a weak man seeks to prove it to others," he said. "The most important thing you need is character, Ru, because when you are good of character the rest falls into place naturally. Don't worry about becoming a power-hungry monster like your old master and his ilk, and you won't. Don't stress about whether you're a good enough person, just be kind. If you want to co-exist with humans, speak to them. Treat them with civility, treat them with respect, especially when they sometimes don't deserve it, then walk away and don't think about it."
"Being a vampire does not make someone inherently evil," Isaac finished with. "At the end of our lifetime it is our actions, more than our species, that will define who we were."
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Post by jarahamee on Oct 11, 2018 21:16:22 GMT -6
Ru breathed a virtual sigh of relief, and relaxed his shoulders as he did so. There was plenty to worry about, but he supposed worrying too much would prove a problem as much as not worrying enough, or at least that was he thought. Then again, he did dump a lot of questions on the elder vampire in a single breath, and he was sure, it would be difficult to answer everything he had just laid out. For now he'd settle on...one question at a time. They had all night after all, or at least until Officer Telmore got tired.
He met Isaac's eyes and then nodded slowly. He understood. He would aim to be a strong man who had no need to prove it to others, and to simply be kind. He never sought out a fight but he wanted to be worthwhile, and not a weakling who needed to be protected. He had plenty of opportunities to be a bully, but hadn't taken them, and he was pretty sure he never would be that sort of person. He didn't want to be tempted to prey on others either, and he did have to admit, he got really hungry sometimes...
Ru hoped those times would be over now, but biting his finger helped for a short time. The blood that remained was enough to sate his most immediate desires at least. He seemed eager to drink in the knowledge, and focused on the elder vampire for the moment. His pale eyes shone like those of a hungry wolf.
"I want to be a good vampire, but not one that...needs help surviving, if you know what I mean. I don't want to be prey anymore either."
He was done being beaten up by the roving bands of rival clans, fae, and supers who found him worth picking on. No, he wanted to at least be substantial enough not to pick a fight. He had some lines to draw in the sand for himself. The strength of his resolve was obvious. He held it in his chest.
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Post by Sharei on Oct 12, 2018 14:41:48 GMT -6
"I can't imagine anyone who does," Isaac replied gently. He could not empathize because he had always been powerful and did not know what it meant to be at the bottom, but he knew how he had felt with the recent Zramek incidents, and used it to create some semblance of sympathy.
"There is, unfortunately, no known cure for vampirism. I want to get that out in the open before you harbour that hope. The only way you could return to being human is if you somehow got your hands on a Wanderlight, but the last time I saw one was at least ten thousand years ago." At their blank stare Isaac waved his hand negligently. "A Wanderlight is a crystal made of the concentrated light of a wishing star. It is a normal phenomenon, but so incredibly rare that most people - if they know about it - aren't even sure they exist. It is said the Wanderlight gives you the power of the divine and can grant a person a single wish without restriction. And unlike a monkey's paw, it is benevolent. But Ru, being honest, the chances are slim to nil."
"There is also no getting rid of your hunger, and the need to hunt is as intrinsically a part of you as your hand or your foot. You won't be able to stop yourself from needing these things, nor should you. That would be like asking Telmore to stop breathing. It isn't healthy, and just leads to a bloodlust you will be woefully underprepared for." Isaac raised an eyebrow at Aaron, then glanced back at Ru. "What I have found works best is indulging your urges without allowing them to control you. Find an outlet that satisfies your inner predator and, if you can, find a willing human participant who will allow you to feed from them live. You'd be surprised how many volunteer. Some of them are even agents. I'm not sure how much you require to sustain yourself on the average of a week, but if you take a little from many it usually works out."
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Post by jarahamee on Oct 12, 2018 22:11:44 GMT -6
Ru looked like he wanted to blush, but he managed to contain himself. Not so much out of being surrounded by attractive people, which he certainly felt, but rather out of shame and embarrassment for his current situation. Could he ever find a willing donor? And would he ever bother an agent about all of these things? He looked thoughtfully at Isaac. How did he manage it? What did he do with his life? Did he simply have many lovers to feed off? Or maybe trusted advisers who allowed him to do so?
"I um. I guess I'll just have to get used to feeding. I'm not good at finding people who are ok with me feeding on them. I would hate to bother any of your agents. I know they're busy and they..um...probably have better things to do."
He looked at his fingers sadly. What sort of alternative could there be to this sort of mess? And he had his own hang ups. His own very serious hang ups that were a part of this all too, which made it difficult for him to hunt when he did have to hunt at all.
"What do you do about...hunting, if I might ask?"
He was not sure what he expected for an answer, but he imagined, it would be both remarkable and honorable as an achievement, and something he should aim to do himself if at all possible. He crossed his arms, not sure what to expect, and looked at the elder vampire somberly.
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Post by Sharei on Oct 16, 2018 15:33:34 GMT -6
For a moment Isaac's eyes seemed to glitter, darkly amused by the question, but the gleam was gone as quickly as it had appeared.
What did he do to feed, hmm?
"I do my research," Isaac said with gravity, "carefully selecting a case file from among the many active reports, and then I chase very bad men." Of course, many of them didn't see the WDSA's jail cells, but he didn't have to tell anyone that. He also didn't mention that Directors were not supposed to take agent-level case files and do them themselves. Isaac wasn't breaching protocol, but it was unusual, so he moved on.
"The hunt is deeply fulfilling," he explained further. "And then I unwind with a favorite pastime, such as painting or reading, to calm the adrenaline rush. It's important to take this step to avoid unintentionally lashing out at others. Have you given any thought to a hobby?"
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Post by jarahamee on Oct 17, 2018 18:20:28 GMT -6
Ru pondered. Had he taken up hobbies? He used to like painting in his free time, but now did not have the time to devote to those sorts of fancies. He had been too busy taking care of his day to day needs. But he had been out and about, trying to find distractions and focuses he could indulge in.
"Well, I used to paint. And make music but I don't even have a computer now, and I don't have any art supplies. I could use some of the money form my job to get them, and start connecting again. Right now I'm barely paying my phone bill..."
He rubbed his chin. That sounded like very active hunting indeed, and not something he really wanted to be doing. Maybe he could do those geo-scavenger hunts instead using GPS coordinates. Or maybe he could do those little Hunt a Killer package things that came every month. That would surely satisfy his needs.
"I don't know if even the most primal me would be able to fulfill those sorts of hunts but I was thinking maybe doing Geo-caching might suffice?"
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Post by Sharei on Oct 22, 2018 12:46:12 GMT -6
"Ah. Geo-caching," Isaac said, the smallest break in his otherwise perfect poise. An eyebrow twitched, but he forced the reaction from his face and his smile remained smooth. "I'm not... certain... that would, Ru."
What sort of predator wants to go Geo-caching instead of hunting?!
It was unprecedented, especially among vampires. Only werewolves and their many-branched ilk had a stronger hunting drive than a vampire when it came to their instincts. The need to feed was real, and it was powerful, and Isaac wondered whether or not Ru was going to regret it eventually if he kept on going as he was. If he truly lacked the drive, he was one in a million.
"Perhaps agent Telmore can assist with options for less... active methods of managing your hunting instincts," Isaac said, diverting the conversation away from him for lack of anything appropriate to say to geo-caching.
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Post by MP on Oct 22, 2018 17:23:55 GMT -6
At this, Aaron stirred and looked over to Ru. He'd been content to leave the advice-giving to Isaac, who could speak from personal experience and phrase it much better while he was at it. But now that he'd been tagged in, the agent spoke promptly, proving he'd been carefully following the conversation after all.
"Some predatory supers recommend sports as an outlet." he said. "I've heard football is a favorite. Soccer, baseball - something to encourage the chase drive." Then, conscious of the vampire's build and demeanor, he added "I've heard everything up to professional tag."
His tone was - for Aaron - fairly relaxed. Geo-caching was a weird choice, but Ru's lack of instincts didn't trouble him much. This was a young vampire, still adjusting to a lifestyle outside the coven. Considering Ru's negative experiences, some backlash against his vampiric needs was understandable. It was also possible that he was just an overthinker. Even instinct could be dulled when your mind was constantly commentating everything you did. Time would probably fix a lot of it.
"You could also consider something that would use your abilities. Search and rescue takes supernatural volunteers." Aaron laced his fingers, thinking over the popular options. "Of course, you should be sure of your self-control first."
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Post by jarahamee on Nov 8, 2018 17:19:22 GMT -6
Ru had never been a very athletic person, and the thought of engaging in athletic activities caused a little spike of concern to rise up in his chest. He had never had the drive to play any kind of sport. In fact, he had not even been an eager spectator, and chose to watch from the sidelines if anything at all. Mostly he just preferred to stay home and compose music verses anything really exciting. It was really a shame honestly.
"I could...try to pick up soccer I guess."
He tried to prevent himself from shrugging and looking sheepish. His sharpish teeth flashed as he grinned sheepishly. He just felt entirely inadequate for this life-as-a-vampire thing.
"I mean, I don't want to do the wrong thing. If there's something I have to do, then I'd like to put it to good use. Maybe I'd do better if I um, became an officer and looked for wanted criminals, or..something. I don't know. I don't really like killing. I don't even really like throwing punches or biting people to be honest with you."
He crossed his arms over one another, as if he was cold, and sat back in his chair. Honestly he was cold; his temperature was very low, but he was not able to detect such a thing in himself.
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Post by Sharei on Dec 26, 2018 13:13:11 GMT -6
"Killing isn't synonymous with being a predator," Isaac said smoothly. With Aaron's matter-of-fact intervention Isaac had managed to regain his composure, and despite how ridiculous he still found geocaching, at least he was able to put it out of mind for now. "You can certainly take what you need without having to seriously harm anyone."
He considered Ru for another moment, then spread his hands over the table in front of himself. "I recommend that you pair up with a volunteer from our donators," he said. "It is imperative that you properly feed, and as you may not always have access to blood packs, it's important that you know how to take care of yourself." Isaac folded his hands together calmly. "I'm not saying this for just your own sake, but also for the sake of any humans you feed on. Not learning and becoming comfortable with this aspect of your nature will make it more dangerous for those you feed on - either from a sloppy application that could lead to permanent damage or accidental overkill."
Ru as an agent. Isaac hid the shudder.
"I also recommend that you begin with simpler routines than trying to become an agent. Try your geocaching. I also recommend a more physical activity. If soccer doesn't suit, then perhaps tennis. Go once a week, to begin with, and do your geocaching twice a week. If you're uncomfortable with finding a willing human, the WDSA will set you up with a liaison who can arrange all of the necessary paperwork." Isaac nodded at Aaron. "See to it that happens."
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