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Valeria:
Val showed up to the G(u)ym by bike, casually hopping off and putting both her helmet and jacket in the bags.
She starts walking into the dark tunnel, humming a little tune.
Guy:
Guy is waiting inside the old mall, sitting on a table set up in the atrium. He waves as Val enters. “Hey, how’re you?”
Valeria:
She skips into a jog over to him, a little upbeat. "Pretty decent. Just wanted to chat cause you told me to about this stuff, ya know?"
She sits down next to him. "How about you, how're you?"
Guy:
“I’m well. It’s another night. What’s up?” He leans back a little bit, relaxing.
Valeria:
She's chill, but a little anxious energy hits her. "You know how you fed from Tommy's wrist the other night at Maddy's?"
Guy:
“Mmhmm. Was that too much for you? I know everyone feels differently about it, and it’s different watching than being a part of it.”
Valeria:
She frowns. "I was jealous and didn't know why. I walked off to get away from those feelings." All past tense.
Guy:
He nods slowly. “How are you feeling now?”
Valeria:
She shakes her hand in a so-so manner. "Not sure. That's why I wanted to talk."
She relaxed on the seat. "I don't want you to feed on me, ever. You have Petra, thats not my place. But...well I'm still jealous."
Guy:
Guy blinks slowly. “Okay…but I don’t just feed on Petra. I mean, it’s ok if you don’t want me to feed on you, and I’ll respect that, but feeding isn’t a like, relationship thing for me and Petra. Hell, most of the time I can’t feed on her, because it reminds her of…her time away.”
Valeria:
She nods, thinking. "I'm... realizing I don't know a lot. Do Regants often feed on their Ghouls? What's the whole vibe with that?"
Guy:
“Plenty do. But you have to spend Vitae to heal the blood loss, so it’s a wash in that way. And the bond makes the feelings the Kiss creates irrelevant.” He looks to her. “Feeding is…a unique relationship. It doesn’t have to mean anything…romantic or sexual.”
Valeria:
She bites her lip, then rolls her eyes. "You know...I really should stop listening to Vinny. Especially about this shit."
She sighs and throws up her hands in defeat. "I don't know how much of this is what I want and how much of this is the Bond. Vinny seems to think I'm addicted to the Kiss...and that it's usually some form of romantic or sexual."
Guy:
Guy snorts. “I…don’t want to throw Vinny under the bus, but I don’t think he knows almost anything about being a vampire, which is a discredit being done to him by the one claiming to be his adoptive Sire.” He sighs and shakes his head.
“Also he’s assuming a lot, considering I’ve never fed from you. But anyway. The Kiss is…pleasurable. But it’s purely pleasure. It can amplify sexual activities, and the rush of feelings it creates in humans can be mistaken for romantic ones, but it isn’t those things. The Bond is…inseparable from your feelings, unfortunately, at least in some ways. But, I would be honored to drink your Blood, if you aren’t too worried about the draw of the Kiss.”
Valeria:
She laughs. "Yeah that...that sounds about right. Who is his adopted sire?"
She bites her lip, trying to think things through, before she nods. "I don't want to get in the way of you and Petra, so if either of you ask me...I'll stop. I...yes please, I would enjoy that." She offers her wrist.
Guy:
“One of the Invictus. Don’t know them personally. I don’t actually know if he’s formally adopted, or just sponsored and on the loose.”
He looks at Val’s wrist, and lays his hand on it. “Thank you for your concern. It means a lot.” Then he raises her wrist to his mouth, and the world gets a little distant. If she didn’t already know what was happening, she might have missed his fangs slipping into her skin, and Guy quietly and gently drinking her blood as a rush of warm pleasure washes away her thoughts.
Valeria:
Her eyes close as the feeling, biting her lip at the feeling and just enjoying the pleasure. Vinny was right on one part...its the ultimate high.
"I- yeah. Thank you. I'm glad it means that much."
Guy:
Guy licks the wound shut, and shivers slightly. “You live a rich life, Val,” he says softly. “I can taste that. And it’s a gift to get to experience it.”
Valeria:
Val shivers in return, nodding slowly. "I'm...glad to get to experience all this. It...not to get all sappy...okay to get a little sappy...its nice to be able to help out so much and feel needed...gives me a purpose, ya know?"
A deep breath and a smile at him. "Now I feel like I get to be 'Guy's kickass ghoul' and not 'another failed athlete turned to drugs', yeah?"
Guy:
“You are a help, and it’s an honor to get to keep an eye out for you. Be your…teacher, sponsor, patron, whatever you want to call it. I…offered to help you that night because I couldn’t stand there and watch you go, but I’m glad it was you, if that makes sense. You’re cool, Val.”
Valeria:
"I like teacher, thats a good one." She nods along, and looks down at her wrist, a smile growing. "I'm glad it was me too, hell yeah I'm cool."
She offers him a fist bump. "And you're pretty damn cool too."
Guy:
He smiles and fist bumps her, gently. “Thanks. Sometimes I feel like a crusty old man, it’s nice to be told.”
Valeria:
She gives one of her shit eating grins. "Eh, you can be both."
Guy:
He chuckles and shakes his head. “Now is a good a time as any,” he says as he lounges back a bit on the table, propped on an arm. “I’m sure you’ve acquired a lot of questions over the last few weeks.”
Valeria:
She nods. "A lot... mind if I start asking them?"
She leans back on the table, same as him.
Guy:
“Of course not, that’s why I brought it up. I’ll answer as I can, and do my best to say why I can’t, if not.”
Valeria:
She nods. "I think the most pressing one right now... what exactly is the Ordo Dracul?"
Guy:
He thinks for a moment. “A group dedicated to studying and exceeding the limits of being a vampire. A self help group of sorts, if you will. We look after each other, and seek to improve ourselves, overcome our weaknesses. My branch, the Axe, protects the members of the covenant and it’s secrets.”
Valeria:
She nods along. "That sounds good. The Axe especially...sounds just like you."
She looks at him. "Can Ghouls join and help out? Or is it vampires only?"
Guy:
You can be an acolyte, a…trial member. You wouldn’t be able to participate in the major ceremonies or learn the Coils, our special ways of altering ourselves, but since you aren’t a vampire they wouldn’t benefit you anyway. But you’d be able to help out, and visit our base of operations.”
Valeria:
She nods. "Do you think I'd be a good fit for that? Or should I stay away for now? Vinny also mentioned the uh...Carth somethings and some dude with a pretentious sounding name that I won't even try to remember."
Guy:
“I think you could fit in very well. The Carthians are…they have Leftist discourse on twitter problems. But their values are solid, and may align with yours. As for the Ordo Dracul, your struggles would be understood, and there are many good people there. Floretta is a close friend of mine, and she’s the…person in charge of helping people with resources and things. I’ve been meaning to introduce you, not just as a good person to know in the Ordo, but because I think you two could be good friends.”
Valeria:
She nods along. "Politics ain't my thing to be honest. Even if its just to be an extra set of hands, it sounds like a cool group...I'd love to at least some of the people, make friends...maybe join eventually, would that work?"
Guy:
He nods. “I’d be happy to introduce you to people. And if you want to get more involved, we can talk about the junior membership thing. If or when you became a Kindred, you’d be welcome to become a full member at that point.”
Valeria:
She nods. "Id like that, yeah. I don't know if I'd want to be a Kindred. No offense. I just got too much daytime stuff going on. Taking care of my dad, work, all that." She frowns. "Speaking of my dad, something you should know."
Guy:
“The offer will always be there, when the time is right for you, and you want it. What about him?” he asks softly, looking to her.
Valeria:
"Ill let you know if my mind ever changes. I figure we'll just have another talk like this."
A pause. "So he's a veteran, yeah?"
Guy:
Guy tilts his head slightly, and nods. “Yeah? That can be…hard.”
Valeria:
She nods. "He got hurt on deployment, bunch of shrapnel in the chest. He has been struggling for the past few years with all that stuff...and its starting to get worse. He's struggling to get out and about, you know?"
Guy:
He nods. “That must be hard on both of you.”
Valeria:
She nods. "Yeah, we are trying though. I guess that's my one like...hesitation. I want to be there for him too."
Guy:
“I…want you to get to have your life. I didn’t save you to take it away, you know? If there’s anything I can do to help you two, let me know, yeah?”
Valeria:
She nods. "Yeah, I gotcha. Thank you. I just...well I'm worried for him. He's got a few appointments in the next couple weeks and everything."
She frowns. "Speaking of worries...Vincent told me a thing, no clue if you can even answer this."
Guy:
“Um, sure, I’ll give it a try. What’s up?”
Valeria:
"So Vincent's asshat of a sire turned him without consent and got executed, yeah? He told me the uh...rich white guy covenant basically forced him to join. And that if he hadnt and tried to leave the city, they'd kill him cause of his bloodline. Can they even do that?"
Guy:
“I…don’t know. I’m not sure what his Bloodline is, or why the Invictus would care so much, or what arrangements they have regarding Vincent—if he’s under Accounting or whatever they call it. I’d have to know more about what he is to say anything.”
Valeria:
"I figured that was about the answer, but wasn't sure. Just...worried about a friend...even if he's changing a lot and its kinda...not even sure how to feel."
She waves a hand. "Nevermind then, I can talk to him more about that stuff later. Next question...you talked about the shapeshifting thing at the Elysium a while ago. I can learn that, yeah?"
Guy:
He nods. “Absolutely. I can teach you a little, to make it easier to get started. The first technique is learning to become one with the ground. Earth is easiest, but in a pinch you can join with other materials, though it costs Vitae.”
Valeria:
She nods. "I'd like that. Sounds like it would be useful in a pinch. Plus gives me another cool thing to do."
Guy:
“Mmhmm. And brings you closer to the second level, which has some very useful abilities.”
Valeria:
She nods. "Sweet, you said it works best in earth...do we need to go outside for that then?"
Guy:
“That would be easiest, yeah. Let’s go find some dirt,” he says with a smile. “Should be a patch that’ll work nearby outside.”
Valeria:
She offers him a hand to get up, a bit excited. "Hell yeah."
Guy:
He takes the hand and gets up, though she doesn’t really need to pull as he flows to his feet.
He heads outside with her, moving back through the nearby alley til they reach a spot where there must have once been a tree in a tiny courtyard or something, now a rectangle of weeds tucked between buildings.
Valeria:
She is excited the whole time, following him along. "Alright, so how the hell do I do this?"
Guy:
“It may help to bend and touch the ground. Breath, and focus on the cool, dark earth. You don’t have a Beast, but you can feel it’s shadow in you. Feel it’s draw to the earth, feel it in your flesh, and embrace that soft darkness, let yourself be drawn in.”
Valeria:
She nods, kneeling and touching the earth. "Fuck its cold. Touching dirt is always weird." She gives a small smile.
Guy:
He nods. “City gal, huh? It’ll be good for you, feeling like part of the earth.”
Valeria:
She laughs. "Pretty much. I hate camping, too many bugs."
It takes her a moment, closing her eyes, and begins to sink into the ground. She immediately flinches and jumps up away from the patch of dirt, shaking off her hands. "That felt weird as shit, what the fuck."
Guy:
“It is strange. Unlike everything in the world you’ve known,” he says softly, a glint in his eyes. “The first step on a journey away from home…”
Valeria:
She shakes off her hands a few more times, nodding to him. "Yeah its fucking weird. I feel like getting shot was the first step but yeah yeah fair enough. So I just keep up that feeling?"
Guy:
“Fair enough.” He kneels near her, and touches the ground. “Yeah, chase that feeling…becoming one with the ground beneath your feet.”
Valeria:
She nods slowly, closing her eyes and thinking on that feeling. She touches the ground and a few seconds later...sinks into the ground!!
Guy:
Guy beams as she disappears, patting the ground. “I know you can’t hear me right now, but good job, Ria. I’m proud of you.”
Valeria:
A moment later she pops back up on her hands and knees. "Holy fucking shit...that was weird. And fucking quiet, it..." she shakes her head. "Wasn't that bad but just weird."
She looks up at him, a slowly growing smile. "And cool as shit."
Guy:
He grins. “Right? Nice work, you’re a natural. Peaceful, isn’t it?”
Valeria:
She sits down just off the dirt. "I tend to learn shit fast. I have a great teacher too."
She nods. "It is kinda peaceful, yeah. Something I gotta get used to though. I'm not used to that."
Guy:
“Aw, I’m just sharing what I know. But you are a quick learner. And it is something to get used to, but I think you’ll get the hang of it.”
Valeria:
She nods. "But it uses Vitae, yeah? So I should be careful with it."
She looks around. "I do have...a question though. Might be a stupid one, dunno."
Guy:
“Dirt is free. Concrete or metal or what have you costs.”
He tilts his head. “I doubt it. What’s your question?”
Valeria:
She nods and smiles. "Cool, so I can practice or get out of social events without worry."
A look around. "I still feel mostly full up on Vitae. The third stage of the bond prevents having any others, yeah? If I'm going to get more involved in all that stuff...its probably smart..." She is dancing around saying it outright.
Guy:
He nods. “There is protection, in the third level of the bond. Even with all it entails. Are you prepared to deal with what it means? Even if you can’t really know until it happens?”
Valeria:
She pauses for a solid few seconds, and then nods. "Yes...I've been told a bit about what happens, but its...you and Vinny are the only two I trust, and I definitely don't want any sort of link to him. I trust you, and don't mind trusting you more."
Guy:
Guy is quiet for a few moments. “You know I want to take care of you, right? Not…like that, I just mean…I’m happy you’re my student. And I don’t have the Bond pushing me that way, I just…” He smiles slightly. “I look forward to you being around. As a friend.” He stands. “Let’s…head back inside. Doesn’t feel right to do it here, just in case.”
Valeria:
She nods. "I...don't know if that's weird. I do want to be a friend and all that. I know not like that..."
She sighs and gets to her feet. "I'd just rather be bound to you than anyone else."
Guy:
He leads the way back in. “I don’t think it’s weird either. I guess that only counts for so much, but I don’t think it’s…biased or something.”
As the head downstairs into the mall area again, he glances to her. “I know that it’s definitely partially my Beast talking, but I’d prefer that too, that you’re bound to me. It’s possessive and territorial—but I can think around that, and know that I’ll feel better, be more…” He makes a little gesture with his hand. “It’s my responsibility to look out for you. It should be my job to manage being the one you’re bound to too, if that makes sense. And it would rub Beast the wrong way, which isn’t an excuse, but…it’s good that it avoids that too, is all.”
Valeria:
She nods. "I think we both want the same thing but its a weird fucking thing to ask...I'm good with it if you are. Sound good?"
Guy:
He nods. “Yeah, I, yeah.”
He walks to the table and sits, patting the spot beside him. “Ok.”
Valeria:
She sits down beside him, nods, and takes a deep breath. "Words are fucking hard, and my struggle with addictions probably isn't helping." She looks at him, affirming herself as much as telling him. "I want this, to be your Ghoul and not be bound to anyone else because I fucking trust you and would rather it be you than anyone else."
Guy:
He nods, and smiles softly. “Then I’ll have to always work to be worthy of that trust.”
He raises his wrist to his mouth and bites it before offering it to her.
Valeria:
She takes a deep breath. "You do great. Promise."
She has to prevent herself from grabbing at his wrist, and lets him offer it first, pressing it to her lips as she drinks. The feeling had gotten familiar, and that just made it better. She let the vitae she already had heal her blood loss as she was drinking, just so she was topped up.
Guy:
He relaxes as she drinks, waiting patiently as she heals herself and tops up her supply of Vitae. He gently takes his wrist away when she’s done. “How are you feeling?”
Valeria:
She almost looks disappointed that the wrist is taken away, but lets it, dropping her hands to her sides.
"I'm fine. How about you?"
Guy:
“I’m good. Just checking in, you know. The third drink can be a shock.”
Valeria:
She shakes her head. "Nah nah, I feel good. It felt amazing...and I feel a bit stronger too. I didn't drink too much, did I?"
Guy:
“No. I can spare a some, and no offense, but I’d say something if I needed you to stop, and pull away if I had to.”
Valeria:
She nods. "Right, right. You know what you're doing. Didn't mean to suggest otherwise."
Guy:
“Hey, it’s fine. I want you to talk to me about what you’re thinking, when we’re hanging out or whatever. I won’t be upset that you’re cautious.”
Valeria:
She bites her lip, not quite looking sure.
"I can do that, yeah. I just don't want to do too much is all. Thanks for not being upset."
Guy:
“I’ll let you know if you’re ever doing too much, okay? And I’ll be patient, I know how much…I know me being upset would be hard for you, so I’ll always do my best to talk things through.”
Valeria:
She nods. "Please let me know, yeah. Talking it over helps. I just like..." she gestures with her hands in a way that gives no sense of what she means. "I don't even know."
Guy:
“But I do. At least, how it was for me. So please talk stuff over with me too. Bottling it up won’t help in the long run, even if you’re worried I won’t want to hear it. I promise I’ll never get mad at you for that.”
Valeria:
She nods along, biting her lip. "But how do you know? I'm going to fuck up at some point and its going to fuck you over." She grimaces. "Sorry."
Guy:
He touches her arm, briefly. “Hey. I know you’re carrying the weight of all your own problems, and now you can’t help but think about what that means for me, but I got you, ok? I’ll help you as I can when you need it, and when those thoughts are getting ugly in your head, I want you to remember that I was ready to help you with all that when I decided to offer to Ghoul you.”
Valeria:
She nods, still chewing at her lip. "Okay. Okay. I know you do. Just let me know when I'm being too much and I'll back off."
She takes a deep breath. "Thank you again for saving me. I'm tired of people giving you shit for that. I'd MUCH rather have all this than be dead right now."
Guy:
“I…have to work hard to be soft pushing back against that. I tell people that I’m going to do my best to do right by you because I am, but also because telling them to mind their fucking business isn’t exactly sending the right message.”
Valeria:
"Am I allowed to tell them that? Cause its true, its your and my decision. Not theirs."
Guy:
He smiles. “Better not. But reminding them I offered and you chose is probably good.”
Valeria:
She gets up and paces back and forth for a few steps, walking off the energy.
"Yeah, thats probably a better choice. I've had a couple people glad though. Met a uh...Jane at Maddy's the other day. Liv was there too." There was a tiny blush she tried to hide. "She was glad I was still able to be around instead of...ya know...the alternative."
Guy:
Guy smiles. “That’s good. I can’t help but notice you’ve caught the eye of a few ladies. Are you enjoying meeting new people?”
Valeria:
She smiles. "I mean, I've had a couple hookups. I guess that's one thing that doesn't change magic or not, I'm hot as shit."
She tucks a bit of her hair behind her ear. "I've found most of the people are super respectful of boundaries too. It's kinda chill. And just like any other group, it's an 'oh shit, you're part of this thing too. Yay common interests', ya know?"
Guy:
“Yeah. It helped me a lot, when I was newly awake and still adjusting, to meet people and make friends. On top of meeting Petra of course. And yeah, people are pretty good about those things. It’s a big thing for Changelings, and the Vampires have their peace by not being in each other’s shit too much, among other things.”
Valeria:
She nods. "Liv is a Changeling, a wolf or something I think, but she seems to be able to brush everything off super easily. I'm just...I could never imagine what they've been through."
Guy:
“It’s a lot to contend with. But if you respect her boundaries while being open to learning about her, it will help her. To have someone who hasn’t been through the same thing want to understand her. Or, it helped Petra, at least.” He smiles. “She did seem a bit sweet on you, to me. Even if serious relationships aren’t your thing, I bet there’s something for you both there if you want it.”
Valeria:
"I'm trying to understand but also not push. My dad has trauma too so like...I'm trying to treat it the same or at least similar way. Boundaries and whatnot."
She shrugs. "She didn't seem all that interested the first time. If you mean the whole number thing, we're both freerunners and like good food. I'm pretty sure she just wants to be friends." She shrugs again, trying to show she's not that upset by it. "I don't got time for a relationship anyway."
Guy:
Guy looks at her for a long moment. “I’ve never been a woman, but I’ve seen women who were interested plenty. And people have been people since back in my day at least. You should invite her on a run and then get food or something. A smoothie or whatever. Then ask her on a date. A chill one or whatever, but with the intention of it being romantic.”
Valeria:
She shifts foot to foot, then a moment of clarity hits her...but is it the bond? Now its hard to tell. "I- yeah, you're right. I mean worst she can say is no, yeah?" A grimace, now unsure. "I mean...is that weird though? I'm not sure if she gives the interested vibes."
Guy:
“Do the lunch after a run thing. If she’s having a good time, ask at the end. Some Changelings can be hard to read, so you can always ask if you really aren’t sure. I think she’d respect that, even if she wasn’t interested.”
Valeria:
She nods. "Okay...yeah I can do that...you sure that's okay though?"
She frowns. "Was talking with another vampire...uh...I think his name was David? I think I told you about him. Said a relationship ended when he was a ghoul cause of this side of stuff...couldn't balance both."
Guy:
“Well. I think that her being in the know helps. And I don’t want you to be totally wrapped up in my time, you know? I want you to have a full life and all that. So if you ever do need to talk about, like, your schedule, that’s a totally ok talk to have.”
Valeria:
Ria nods. "Yeah I guess thats fair. She'd like..at least know why I had to head off. I'm glad you care so much about that stuff." A slight blush hits her face. "Any tips...I mean you have Petra...ya know? Any advice for asking out a Changeling?"
Guy:
He smiles. “I lucked out. I told her I needed to talk to her, and she agreed to come to my place and hear me out. And…well, it turned out she was really into me, and the times we’d gotten to be around each other had her interested in dating too.”
Valeria:
"Awwww, thats cute. So like...basically like any other relationship? Just go with the flow, make her laugh, and so on?"
Guy:
He grins. “Make her laugh, make her blush. Make out as much as she wants. The little stuff. Petra is…magical to me, and I try to make sure she knows it.”
He sighs. “Don’t lose your head completely if she gets flirty, ya know?”
Valeria:
"I am in fact an expert in all of those. I'll spare the details." She winks, closer to her usual mood again.
"I'll be careful though, yeah. Avoid triggers and such as I can...serious though, anything I can do if I do hit a trigger? Any tips?"
Guy:
He things. “If you do, or get the vibe you’re close, back down. Let them process, and if you need to go, do, but only if they ask you to. Otherwise wait, and see what she needs.”
Valeria:
She nods. "I can do that, yeah. Ill be careful."
Guy:
“I don’t …think that’ll be a problem, statistically or whatever, for you. But it’s good to be prepared just in case.”
Valeria:
She nods. "Exactly. I...well I stole a bunch of your night already. Anything else you need or..."
Guy:
“I’m good. If you wanna bounce, feel free,” he says with a smile. “Good talk.”
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