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It's after hours in the thrift store and Atalo waits quietly, settled in a chair where he pats Cerberus in reflection. He wears jeans and a shirt, plain and unassuming in his current choice of attire.
Mel is nervous. Which is dumb. Atalo seems less... predatory than any vamp they've met so far (though Mel has to admit it's a small sample set), and they're pretty sure that if this turns into a confrontation, they can get away pretty easy. Still. Nervous.
But dithering helps nothing, so they take a deep breath, try to smooth down the feathers Atalo can't see, and knock on the door.
He stands and pads over to unlock it and gesture them in, nodding once. "Good evening. Please." Should they enter he locks up, stepping towards the back. "Would you like a drink?"
Mel returns the nod, and steps inside. Their first instinct is to refuse the drink offer - after all everyone says that vampires don't eat or drink, so how good can anything they have to offer be? But then again, Mearc calls this vampire a friend, and it seems like a lot of people stop by here, so it's probably not a hollow offer. "Sure," they say, aiming for a touch of a smile. "Nothing alcoholic though. A coke maybe?"
"I have that." Atalo confirms, opening the door to the back to reveal a different environment. A set of leather armour hangs on the wall, next to a well crafted axe. Joining them is a small shrine showcasing a wooden carving of Artemis.
Locating a small fridge, Atalo offers Mel their coke. "You wanted to talk, you suggested. I am willing for that,depending on the subject."
They look around, unashamed at their interest in the vastly different decor. They gesture to the armor and the axe. "Yours or just for show?" Either will be an interesting answer.
They pop open the soda and take a small sip, mostly to steady their nerves. Feh, this is somehow worse than talking to the leader woman. "Well, vampires, in general I guess. Maybe you in particular."
"Which answer would you prefer?" Atalo responds. "A weapon not for show has the singular purpose of ending lives. They are both mine, however."
With a nod he carefully sits, indicating another chair for them. "I am unsure what interest I might be to you. But I will offer what information I can. Our leaders prefer cooperation over conflict with one another."
"I prefer honesty." Mel says with a shrug, as they take the offered seat. "I like knowing the type of people I'm talking to." They drum the fingers of their right hand on their knee for a long moment, trying to put words to the storm of thoughts that's been roiling since they first met Atalo. "I think..." They stop and shake their head before trying again. "My initial interaction with vampires as a whole was... less than good. But I am told that it is not the whole story, especially here. I've met your leader and she was far more helpful than I'd expected, but first impressions are hard to break, yea? You seem pretty decent though so I thought talking might help... get a better picture."
Atalo considers her a long moment, unblinking. Concluding his thoughts he speaks up. "I was born in Greece several centuries ago. I've been a soldier most of my existence, and I'm learning how to be other things now I have the space for it.
As for vampires in general, we're predators by nature. However, things are different here, yes. Not our nature, but how we handle it. You value honesty. I try to be decent, but my hands are not clean."
A wry smile crosses Mel's face. "I wouldn't believe you if you said they were. I mean it when I say I value honesty." Their smile fades and they look away. "And I can not blame someone for a predatory nature. Unless I want to blame myself as well." They let out a short, slightly hooting laugh. "Granted, that's not uncommon for my kind."
"I won't lie. I tend to be very bad at it regardless." He hums. "You were asked to be polite when we first met. Did the event that troubled you happen here or elsewhere?"
"Well, not in this shop" Mel says, wry smile returning. "But in the city yes. Not directly to me though, so I will admit the possibility of having... jumped to some conclusions."
A nod as he spreads his hands. "You've talked to the Sakima. Did you explain what happened, or what you believed happen? I'm happy to offer my thoughts if you give me details, but I'd lack her insights."
"She is looking in to it. It's somewhat of an... ongoing situation." Mel gnaws on their lower lip for a long moment. "My sister is... involved somehow"
"Hm." His head cants, eyes sharpening slightly. "You're in a difficult situation then. You're wary of us and now you've had to put trust in our leader. And you have family involved. The Sakima is a good hunter, among other things. And if it settles concerns, I believe she is keen to avoid conflict with the Changelings. Your sister is also one of you?"
Mel shakes their head quickly. "No. She's human. That's the problem." A pause. "Not that I'd wish my situation on anyone, especially her."
"From what I've learnt, I understand that." Atalo nods. "What is your sister involved in?"
"If I knew, I'd..." Mel snaps, but quickly stops themself. "I don't know exactly, and I can't get her to tell me. At first I thought it was drugs, like, just normal drugs, but then I did some digging and found the vampires."
"Ah." Atalo ponders a moment, seeming untroubled by the brief snap. "I believe the Sakima will work to resolve this, but I might speak to her too, if she's willing, to see if she's happy for my support. Is that what you might want me to do?"
"I wouldn't ask it, but if you want to..." Mel shrugs. "Honestly what I really want is to know more. About vampires in general. I've done research, and I'm pretty good at separating the fables from the fact but..." Another wry smile. "Nothing quite like primary sources"
"Some I think you know. We survive by drinking blood, and it also let's us access varied abilities. We've the potential of immortality and that means seeing a lot of the world. Did you have any specific questions?"
"The Sakima said you don't make slaves of people here. But that implies you can. Or that some can." Mel's look is intense, challenging. After all, just because something isn't officially allowed doesn't mean it doesn't happen. "Why's it different here?"
"To answer your question with another. You have powers of your own. What stops you from misusing them? There is a line between what someone can do and what they will do. It's different because the Sakima ruled it to be and no one's successfully challenged her. And now, because most benefit from how things are and those who disagree lack enough support and cohesion to change it. If your sister has been enslaved I doubt the Sakima would be happy over it." He pauses." For myself, I appreciate the reprieve from constant conflict."
Mel spreads their hands. "Fair. Though for many of us, the idea of subjugating someone else falls far too close to what was done to us. And that tends to make us... unstable." A pause, considering. "Then again, recent events have proven it happens, that's for sure." Another short hoot of a laugh. "There is virtue in peace. Is there much conflict elsewhere? I've never really left Pennsylvania, barring..." A wave of their hand tries to imply the Durance and everything it entails. "And I've not left Philly much since I've been back."
"I lack experience in the modern age." He huffs, looking a shade embarrassed. "I came here after I woke up ten years ago. Following being buried under a landslide over a century ago." A faint grin. "I've no desire to travel myself. I'm content here. But I do believe other cities have factions of us fighting one another. We may compete here, but it's far less destructive."
"Oh," This is obviously not something they had considered. "I suppose it's like how some of us end up coming back in different times or places. I think if my sister wasn't here though, I'd want to travel." A slightly wicked grin. "Then again, I'm not limited to only doing so at night"
His lips curve up with amusement. "You might learn that rule isn't entirely universal. But it does limit options, yes. This age does offer some quite rapid travel options however."
"Oh great, so I have to worry about you folks during the day too?" It could be an insult, but their tone is more amused than nasty. "I guess so. I wasn't gone that long, so I guess I forget that trains and airplanes and stuff haven't been around forever."
"Your world changes increasingly quickly." A nod. "Adjusting took me time." A polite smile. "Did you have more questions? Hopefully I've been some help."
"That's true for sure. I still feel horrendously behind when it comes to smartphones and the like." They pause, considering. "I won't quite say I like you, but you're interesting. I don't think I have questions now, but I would love to know more sometime. Your history." A slight smile. "Would even be willing to trade story for story."
"I will take that as a compliment, even though interesting can be viewed a number of ways." A rough chuckle. "And I'm willing to offer trades, indeed."
"The word choice was intentional" Mel says, though it's with a smile. "Thank you though. I should probably stop taking up your time. Some of us aren't completely nocturnal."
A nod there. "Thank you for your interest. Until we speak again then. And good luck for your sister." He stands, moving to unlock the door.
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