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The church was not in nearly as well-kept a condition as the clergyhouse behind it. It smelled of mold and dust, and existed in a state of casual decay. The doors were locked, windows boarded up, and it seemed still-abandoned at first glance, and perhaps second glance as well.
Armoured and armed as had become his recent habit, Atalo kept himself cloaked, moving around the building with Cerberus in tow and resting one hand on the canine's head to keep him concealed as well. A heavy rucksack hung from the vampire's back but offered him no apparent issue as he scouted for a way in that didn't involve forcing entry.
There didn't seem to be an obvious one, unless perhaps Atalo wanted to try picking one of the locks. Or maybe texting the person hiding inside.
Huffing quietly under his breath, he tapped painfully slowly on his phone, sending off a quick message. I'm outside.
Shortly after receiving that text, Mearcstapa opened the front door to the church, looking a proper mess. He's in a pair of plaid pajama pants and his t-shirt, stubble mingling with freckles on his face, and he looks moderately underslept. "Come on in, quickly."
Dropping the cloak as he moved off the street Atalo nodded "Close the door." He stepped further into the church, eyes sweeping it as he took it in. "I bought food and drink. Mostly water, some soft drinks too." He pauses, then turns back to Mearc with a quiet study. "What do you need?"
Mearc closes and locks the door again, leaning back against it quietly. "For this all to be over as soon as possible."
"You want this person dead then. Or unable to act against you at least. I'm assuming they were responsible? I can imagine you'd break into somewhere, but you're not clumsy enough to be caught." He holds out a bottle of water, setting the rest of the items, a mix of fruit, biscuits and various drinks, down on a pew.
"I can get caught. But no--that wasn't me on that videotape. That part of everything, I'm trusting other people to deal with. I know either they'll get me out of this scrape, or...or." He pinches the bridge of his nose. "It'll all work out. Eventually. I'm sure. It has to."
He nods, shaking the bottle lightly. "Drink please. Staying hydrated is important. And, good. I would be very bad at helping you there." The vampire smiles slightly. "Trust your friends Mearcstapa, you have a good many."
He accepts the bottle and takes a sip as ordered.
"And every one of those friends is probably also in danger. Either by virtue of being a guard or being a target for similar attacks against their reputation."
"Yes. It is good." He pauses. "Not good. Not in the sense I mean. Before, this one hadn't acted enough, but they have now. They targetted your lover directly and you indirectly. You are a focus of theirs. It might help with predicting their next action." He pats Cerberus lightly, then offers a slight pat to Mearc's shoulder. "You are not responsible for them attacking your friends."
"Mm, shows us where her head is at, the swipe she took at me." He sighs, and gestures for Atalo to follow him into the church's sanctuary, where he's set up his sleeping bag and laptop. "I'm not entirely sure if it was a warning blow, or an attempt to remove me from the board."
Gathering the items up again, the vampire follows after, dog padding along after them both. "It limits you and cuts you off from a number of your resources. It also means the police will focus on anyone known to be in close contact with you. Hgn. Sorry. All this you know." He takes a moment to think. "The VIP, another of the guards, or one close to you. I feel that'll be the next target, so I agree with you there. I think it'd be good to talk about baiting a possible trap."
"I'm hoping she doesn't have eyes on the VIP, and that's why she went after me. Jack and Lux have already been targeted. I'm worried for...actually no, I'm not going to speculate with you. Your job here, now, is the VIP. Eyes on her, Atalo. The bigger picture is someone else's problem. Not mine, either, at the moment."
He pauses and pats Cerberus on the head. Which is rare, for him; apparently, he needs soft and warm and puppy right now.
Atalo frowns. "I used to feel that way. I still do to an extent. A soldier following orders, and I'm settled in it." He glances at Mearc. "You're right, the VIP is the goal, it's the job I do. But it's not the only important thing. Can I do anything else for you?"
“Food runs are a big help. I...don’t plan to leave here for a while. Which may also put strain on my mental state, depending how long it is. Our sort struggle when in isolation.” He sighs. “This...May lead to me getting blunt with people. It’s how I tend to react when out of balance.”
"Oh." He cants his head. "I'm not sure how much I might notice, depending on the subtitles." A frown. "You're being hurt by this, even now? Please tell me who you think the next target might be? If I find the one behind this, their threat will stop as quickly as Anna-Marie's did."
“Atalo. I am not telling you anything, because we need to keep information separate, the other people at risk aren’t ignorant, but for operational security, they don’t know who my guard are or where the safehouse is. And I don’t know everything they have planned to track down and deal with the threat. Sure, I could pass you to them for tracking, but then I’d lose you from the guard, and I need you here. I feel safer, knowing I have you here. That you’re watching over our VIP. Alright?”
He's silent a long moment, tone losing its usual calm. "I'm worried for you. I'm not.. used to worrying for someone. I'll stay where you want me to, yes." A faint grunt. "You understand that I'll rip their heart out if they attack the VIP while I'm on watch? I hope that's part of what reassures you."
Mearcstapa watches Atalo quietly for a long moment. “You’re not used to worrying for someone? Truly?”
"Not specifically. I was on my own for a long time before coming here, and for most of the past ten years. I was content to keep to myself with only Cerberus for company." He carefully sits. "There are others who matter, such as Lamara, and there are dangers. But any threats to her are general ones. This is the first time in a long while I've been close to a specific threat to a friend."
“I’m sorry to make you worry.” It comes out sheepish and guilty, and he moves to sit on one of the pews, rather than standing and facing Atalo.
"That reflects what I said earlier." He tells Mearc simply. "You haven't made me worry. You're not responsible for your friends being in danger. You carry so much responsibility Mearcstapa, and it's noble. But you're not responsible for what this person has done. What you are responsible for is keeping someone vulnerable safe. For caring for those close to you. For spending time supporting someone who might have lived far too long."
He pats Cerberus, then gestures him to Mearc. "I meet very few like you, and I've lived several hundred years."
“Well, if you want to meet more changelings, I can make that happen when this is all done.” Because clearly that is what Atalo meant, right? Clearly.
Lips part in a slight smile. "I was not talking about Changelings."
He glances up toward the vampire quietly.
A sigh. “You know...you don’t have to put in the effort to pretend to be human, for me. The breathing and the blinking and all. Especially if that takes effort or energy on your part.”
A slight blink. "I am trying to not pretend. And it isn't just about you, that element." Atalo glances away briefly before looking back to Mearc. "If it makes you uncomfortable, I'll stop."
“No, it doesn’t make me uncomfortable. But...I want you to know, I accept you for who and what you are. All of what it means, that you’re a Kindred.” There’s the ghost of a smile on his lips.
"I am.." He hunches his shoulders, taking a breath and shaking his head slightly. "I am a Kindred, and settled in that. But I don't want to lose the world either. I'm trying to balance both." He looks up towards Mearc, face uncertain. "You accept me?"
“I mean. More than that, I like you, but I accept your nature as part of who my friend is, is what I’m trying to say.” A pause. “Words are hard. Sorry. I’m not very good at explaining myself, always.”
He blinks, then his shoulders twitch as he lets out a quiet laugh, tone dry. "Mearcstapa. You've known me for a few months now? Have I ever given the impression of being good with explaining things either?"
A pause. "But thank you."
“Oh, you are terrible with words and with people. But it’s usually a sincere sort of terrible, which is okay.” He laughs as well, and favors Atalo with a warm smile.
"I am. So I'm constantly amazed. At Lamara's interest, at your friendship, at Nevermore inviting me to that film, all things like that." He returns that smile, a little cautiously.
“Oh, Nevermore. They’re awfully lonely, Atalo, in their own way. Not everyone seeks to know and understand who they are under the grease paint and quill pens.” He sighs. “They want to try to help me, too.”
"It takes time for me to learn people." He admits. "If I spend time with them again I'll try to be more attentive. But, you're a good friend Mearcstapa. I'm not surprised they do."
“I’m not surprised either, I just...don’t know how to let them feel helpful without exposing them to risk. They definitely can’t come anywhere near here. They will be sending food along with Myra—have you met her yet? She’s on the guard.”
"Speak to them on safe phone messaging. Ask if they can spend time with your lovers, perhaps, as they'll be struggling with your absence too." He shakes his head. "Not as yet. I hope to though, it's good to know the abilities of the others."
"I...know my lovers are struggling. I saw them, a few nights back, before the videotape. Just briefly. It's...very rough for all of us, right now. Not feeling safe, not knowing what to do. Me being away and concentrating on work, instead of their needs. They know I'm going this for them, for their safety. But they'd rather have me close than have that safety."
"And I presume you would rather be close to them as well, if you could?" He nods lightly, reaching out to pat Mearc's shoulder again. "I'd ask if getting a little drunk might help, that's apparently an option, but you said you don't want to, I can't, and it's unlikely to improve anything in the long term. When this is over, hopefully soon. You'll be able to return, and they'll be happier too."
"I said I'm not going to. Not until this is over, and then I might get very drunk at some point." One of his hands lifts to rest atop Atalo's. "I would ask you to check on them, but you left a very bad impression on Lux the first time you met them."
He pauses, then pats awkwardly at Mearc's hand. More the gesture of someone unsure what to do then unhappy with the contact. "Whatever you prefer. As for checking on them, you learned to forgive me my mistakes. I've only met Lux twice. Perhaps the third time can be a better one, and even if they dislike me, they might be happy to hear from you."
"I might send Nevermore instead of you. And then make sure you're not on-duty for movie night at Nevermore's work, and send you there. And keep playing chess with everyone until it works out." He sighs. "Or something."
"If I meet Lux there, maybe I can make amends?" He offers. "I would like to try." He squeezes Mearc's hand lightly. "I liked movie night." A small smile. "And what it showed about people. Even if a very loud mouthed person did turn up without warning."
"Mmm, the one who showed up at the end? I didn't quite get the full story there. I kinda kicked myself, afterward, for leaving her with Nevermore."
The hand-squeeze is returned, also lightly.
"Were they alright? I'll speak to them when I can." Atalo nods slightly. "Is there anyone else you might like me to check on, instead of Lux?"
"No. But tell me how your shifts with the other guards go, and how they're handling things--a lot of them are 'my people' too. Some of them, I care about very deeply."
"I will do my best to notice." He nods. "I spent time with Spicy, but, we didn't talk very much. She's as quiet as me, so I don't know much of her."
"She's one of the two people who I didn't know at all, before this. My..." there's a pause, as he grapples for words. "...partner in planning and organization suggested her, and Cory. That's a mouthful, but I don't think she'd react well if I ever said the way I've been thinking of her aloud."
The vampire cants his head. "You mean you're physically attracted to her, or you were referring to something else? You must trust her and Cory to have someone you don't know as one of the guards."
"Attracted? Ew, no, noooo. Noooo, that's just weird. I mean, she's my work-wife, my strictly professional other half, the backstop to my brain. But that'd be like being into my own sister."
Drake had enough wits about him to at least part a block away, but the sports car was left as the tiny dragon man made his way with a box tucked under one arm. Today the Artist was in what looks to be a complex set of harnesses that hid nothing, and a full on leather kilt with it. When he got to the door, checking it with a rattle, a Signal sent out
Here
"Ah." He nods, patting Mearc's hand lightly. "That I understand then. I am curious what you meant in that case, or is it better to be something private? And who is the other person you didn't know?"
Mearc checks his phone as he receives the message. And then, thoughtfully, moves to his laptop, opening a browser window to Wikipedia's recent changes page and tilting the screen back, to illuminate the space slightly, since there's no other lights in the room. "Well, I wasn't going to call her work-wife to her face. Wait here a moment--I've got another delivery."
He moves to open the front door for Drake, nodding, before tentatively signing good evening at him. He's been practicing.
The sideways hand to the side of the face with a little wave for Hello. When the door is then shoved, the tiny one skitters inside, taking a look around before staring at Atalo for a long moment. Then shoving the box bruskly at Mearc.
Atalo's head snapped up as Mearc headed for the door. And he didn't stay put as requested, instead he followed after Mearc, settled near him as the door was opened and reaching out a hand to try and intercept the box shoved at Mearc.
"It's okay, Atalo. I know what this is." He lets out a small laugh, and there's a moment of slow, careful signing--he's still learning the language, and Atalo taking the box does leave his hands free. Thank you. Is it something I need to be taught how to wear?
That box was snatched back hard as it was nearly stolen intercepted. There's a long, long moment of studying the pair as if gauging them before slooooowly releasing it over to the Kindred.
Then more deliberate signs as if intentionally going slower for Mearc. Yes. I will show you where the real clips are versus fake. Is this your servant? The last sign both palms flat, jockeying back and forth as if adjusting a heavy box, then going to the side as if setting that down.
Atalo glances between the two, but has no knowledge of sign language himself, so simply nods at Drake and steps back briefly to get another bottle of water that he offers to the new arrival. The box meanwhile, is carefully set down. "If you trust it." He nods to Mearc. "Please tell him my name and that I say hello?"
"He reads lips--speak directly to him, just make sure his back isn't toward you." Mearc seems to appreciate Drake slowing down his signing, following with a bit of a snort before he responds. Closer to a bodyguard. This is my friend, A-T-A-L-O. He is hearing, but almost as direct as someone who signs, sometimes. His face expresses a bit of humor, before he takes the box into the sanctuary where his little hideaway is set up. Because changing right in the entryway would be weird.
Drake follows, careful to keep an eye on both of them. "Hello," he offers to the Kindred. "Drake Pike." Apparently he's a full name kind of guy.
When Mearc opens the package - well, the inside is done up in reflective paper that shimmers gold and feels almost like it could have been gold leaf. Utterly terrifying for what could come out of it. Then, however, the full thing can be pulled out:
A sleek leather duster of all black that buckles and wraps in a simply design intentionally made to fit the form and allow for easy movement despite a number of pockets of various sizes hidden among the wrappings. A fine lining of stitching gives the impression of a black panther's spots from the corner of the eye without being overt on a direct look. The low-slung detachable hood's sewn is such a way to give the impression of ears and perhaps a maw covering the face - like the wearer is subsumed by the animal instinct to hunt like this.
"Hello." Atalo speaks to Drake, extremely slowly, likely much more than is needed. "I'm Atalo Ceres. It is good to meet you." He offers his hand after a beat. "If you're a friend to Mearcstapa, I am glad you're here."
Mearc gasps when he sees the duster, and doesn't bother to hold in a yelp of delight, as he examines it, then he moves the duster to drape over one arm so he can giddily sign at Drake. This is beautiful and exactly what I needed and it's not too bright or fancy. It's perfect. But you knew that. Thank you. That last sign is repeated a few times emphatically, hand to chin and down again.
"Drake has been volunteering to outfit changelings who don't have suitable armor, you see."
"I'm not," says Drake even as he takes the hand for a shake. A strong one for the small dude.
Once the other Lost was pulling it in, Drake nods. I am good at aesthetics. The last sign encompassing his face as if he were a look queen.
"Sigrun helps. Final fittings. Talking. Very good. I'd like to teach her more after everything better." There's a look between the two. "Fae-Touched?"
"Not a friend?" Atalo's face remains expressionless, but he turns to follow the other two further in, where a German Shepherd is eyeing a bag of food hopefully. Once he's there he swings around again so Drake can see his face, axe and shield on his back clattering slightly with the movement. "That is very good armour. More that just armour. It has meaning, and calls on something wild and savage?"
The sign for vampire is pretty blatant--two fingers like claws against the side of one's neck. Mearc demonstrates it now, before figuring out how to put the duster on. Over his t-shirt and plaid pajama pants, because that's life currently. "It's a reference to the fact that I'm something wild, I think."
Drake immediately had been studying the axe and shield, only reluctantly looking back to the actual people in the room as if they were the second most interesting thing in the room. Actually, make that third. There's an animal.
Slowly, he moves to take Mearc's hand to physically show him which buckles were "real" and "necessary" for actually setting up the armor. It seemed that it had been specifically set up so that they could get it on quickly and securely, while obfuscating what buckles to slash to remove it.
"You are predatory," explains Drake to the pair of them as he goes through the motions. "Like a figure in the darkness with only the gleam of eyes. You hold territory and strike against those who would cross your path. Watching, not being seen, and reveling in that feeling of power."
Then the Wizened stepped back as if that wasn't something one just casually pronounced to look at Atalo before saying. "Can I see your fangs? Do you have fangs?"
Atalo considered Mearc. "Wild and free?" The axe and shield look old, also chipped. They're not display weapons or new weapons, they've both seen combat. Cerberus trotted to Atalo's side at a hand gesture, wagging his tail as he was fed a doggy biscuit.
Drake was considered as he addressed them both, then Atalo nodded once. "I hunt. I wait, and move in the shadows. As I learned recently, we both do. And predator is what all my kind are, just in different ways." Dark eyes focus intently on Drake. "Just how curious of my nature are you?" He mused, padding closer to study the Changeling thoughtfully.
"He was talking about me, Atalo. I'm predatory. Also please play nice?" Mearcstapa shakes his head, and signs at Drake a little. I wonder if you're seeing J-A-C-K as territory I hold, given our past interactions.
You do. signs Drake simply. You may not see it, but I was just a dragon once. I know when someone is trying to keep others from their hoard.
The tiny little Lost didn't seem to mind being close, taking it as an invitation of sorts. He placed a hand against the other's chest as if to check for a heartbeat if not stopped. Now eyes flicking back and forth between them. "You are very close. I cannot see you both easily. Are you flirting? Be direct. Much easier."
"I think it could fit for us both." He mused to Mearc with a nod, focusing on Drake. He does have a heartbeat now, one at a fairly regular pace. There was a blink at Drake's question though. "Ah. No. I am not flirting. Mearcstapa is a close friend. Do you want me to move back so it's easier to see?" He does take a half step back, then fulfils Drake's request by baring his fangs with a slow nod, giving him chance to observe before they vanish from view again.
Mearc watches the flash of fangs, smirking. "I've never gotten to see Atalo's fangs before. I had never thought to ask."
"I like them," decides Drake after staring a long moment at the Kindred. "You have a heartbeat. I was not sure if that would be or not."
He drops his hands from Atalo before looking to Mearc with a quizzical expression and then placing index and thumb against his chin like the smallest little beard. Gay? Followed with Is it rude to ask if I can watch him eat sometime? You are better at people.
"You have now." He tells Mearc, lips twitching in a slight grin. "Did you worry it might be rude? And, we can imitate life Drake, as I'm doing now, but we're still outside it. If I was in my natural state, I'd have no breath and no heartbeat." He glances between them. "I am growing increasingly curious about what you're both saying.."
"Drake wants to know if you're gay, and also if it's rude to ask if he can watch you eat." Mearc lets out a little bit of a laugh. Dating a woman, might be bi.
If Drake has any shame (He doesn't), he doesn't show it. The lil' dragon looks up at Atalo. "I would like to watch you sometime. I've never known a vampire myself before. I think you could be inspiring."
Blink. Blink. He slowly looks over at Mearcstapa, then back to Drake. "I am, as you use language, bisexual is the term. I am involved with someone, but that isn't an exclusive relationship. But I don't see how inspiring fits. My feeding is finding someone isolated and taking blood from them. Even though I don't leave them with lasting harm, it is not something to admire. I." He looks over to Mearc again, a little helplessly, then back to Drake. "I thank you for your interest?"
"Drake's an artist. He finds inspiration in many things. How light might catch a piece of jewelry. The nature of the person he's designing for. And feeding, even if it's impersonal on the surface, is inevitably an act of intimacy--whether that's a stealthy attack, an encounter at a club or a deliberate offering."
A glance at Drake and a bit of a smirk. It feels great, but most of them can't eat us.
"I would like to see it. To watch and get to know you." Drake considers a moment, then pulls a card out of a small container of them. It is very fancy - golden sheen, embossed, all the jargon words for fancy AF - a number with text messages and an email address on it to hold out. "If you would ever choose to indulge me. It might be something, it might not be."
If the card was taken to free up his hands, he signs back, What feels great?
Atalo looks between them. "It is something very intimate, or, it can be." He admits quietly. "The response in people fed on is very pleasurable, despite the taking of blood. Some compare it to intercourse. I.. if it is possible, I would show you. Have you considered a desire to experience it personally?" He asks after a moment. The card is carefully taken and he looks it over, then pockets it, as his phone beeps a few times. The vampire produces it, checking the message and then goes very still a moment, studying the screen with a slow blink and an inhale of breath. This state of affairs ends with it being quickly stuffed back into his pocket.
A quick sign. Being bitten. "If you two are going to do that, take it outside--I'm not dealing with Atalo throwing up here. tonight, thanks." And then Mearc glances at the vampire after he gets that message. "Is something wrong?"
"Later," agrees Drake. "When there is less chance of needing to use an axe." He too looks to the other. "Bad news?"
"No. Not bad news. Everything is fine." If anything the vampire looks a little embarrassed, a faint smile playing around his lips. He takes a breath and collects himself, nodding at Drake. "Later is best. But what did you mean about me throwing up?"
"Most vampires can't digest changeling blood, Atalo. I've been bitten twice, and had to deal with the aftermath both times." There's a small pause. "Chose to deal with the aftermath twice. I mean, once was in my own kitchen sink, I'd have been dealing with it either way..."
"Maybe you taste bad," suggests Drake without a hint of shame there. "Is that normal?"
"Ah." He chuckles lightly. "Then pleasurable as the experience might be, I'll avoid it, yes. If I find a way to show you Drake, I will." He then pauses and stops, looking at Mearc. "Both times, it was a vampire you trusted?"
Drake gets a soft laugh. More reason for you to not taste me, given your high standards.
"Once it was a vampire I trusted. The other time was, ahm. Don't worry, you don't need to hunt anyone down for me."
"I've never drank blood," says Drake as he considers that. "Maybe I should try it. Is it tasty?"
A quick nod to Mearc as he pats Cerberus. "I'll take your word for it, good." He considers Drake. "For me? Extremely so. I couldn't say how it might taste for you." Beat. "Be extremely wary if a vampire offers you a taste of their blood."
"And be careful looking them in the eyes. If you lose time or have emotions you don't feel are yours after spending time around a vampire, talk to one of the higher-ups." This advice is aimed at Drake, along with a word spelled out: C-R-O-W-N-S.
Drake stops, considers, and then frowns. "I have to look them in the face to know what they say." He stretches a moment, then looks at Atalo. "You may taste my blood. I'm sure it's delicious. It's dragon blood. Later. No need to use your Crown Regalia or whatever vampires do."
"I lack that ability." He notes to Drake. "But Mearcstapa is right about being cautious." A pause. "Then we can look into that later, mm. From what's been said, perhaps with a bucket nearby. And what is a Crown Regalia? And, dragon blood..?"
"Oh, I'm not explaining either of those." He shakes his head, emphatically gesturing 'no way' with a swipe of his arms that even Atalo can likely understand.
"I will explain when you arrange a time. But I will keep the bucket. I can use my blood after to make something else," decides Drake. "And purify it with magic." What a trip to be a Wizened.
He nods to them both, dipping his head. "I'll be in touch then Drake. And, hm." The thought of experimenting doesn't seem to bother him, but it does lead to a thoughtful look as he nods at Drake. "I should be going. But, did either of you want to ask me something else before I do?"
"No. Be safe out there, Atalo. I'll remember to reschedule you for movie night." He nods, and walks over to Cerberus to give the dog one more pat before he's gone as well.
"Yes. How strong are you?" asks Drake as he eyes the vampire. He looks between them. "I'm leaving too. Don't die."
"Thank you." He smiles at Mearc, then considers Drake. "Far stronger then any human is capable of being." He answers simply, nodding and heading for the door with Cerberus trotting after. He slips through quickly to not leave it ajar, rests his hand on Cerberus' collar, and then both vampire and ghoul fade from sight.
He switches back to sign only, with Atalo gone. Are you going to make something for him?
Drake looks to Mearcstapa. I might. I want to see what a vampire can do. I also looks like I could sleep on his chest. I like it.
He is not as warm as the forge but that may be acceptable.
I hope you find what you want, with him.
How direct can you be with vampires? And are they actually allergic to things like garlic and silver? Should I avoid eating it before I let him try my blood? Clearly Drake eats both of these things.
I'm not sure about either. it will be good to ask. but you can be very direct with them. though some feel like they are better than everyone, even if they are not. sunlight really does burn them, though. As he becomes more confident with his vocabulary--he has apparently been working hard on it--his signing picks up speed. You can practice in front of a laptop all week, but having an actual person is different.
Drake's signs still come slow, like one teaching and speaking for clarity. He seems to have... something closer to patience for this. I wonder if I can have his blood to make a weapon. Vampire blood seems like a good dangerous weapon. Not as dangerous as dragon blood, but dangerous.
You would have to ask him. Do you want to meet more vampires? Of course, the bluntness written into the language's DNA is actually a boon to Mearc, in some ways. Less dancing around things, less metaphor. Right to the point.
Drake considers this before saying, I will take all the vampires who look like they would blush if you said the word penis in front of them. Yes. They are probably easier because they're also bad at people and trying to pretend like I am.
Not all vampires are A-T-A-L-O. He glances over his shoulder toward the door. He is worse at people than most vampires.
Then he is my favorite, but I will take lesser options in case I scare him away with being a big scary dragon. He is a small vampire after all. Explains Drake
Mearc doesn't bother to hide his laughter. Bring him a nice present and he might be harder to scare away.
I will give him the thing he wants most in the world. says Drake with a nod. It will only last the night, but then I will see what he wants most in the world to be able to make it forever. It's foolproof.
I look forward to hearing how this works out. A nod in return, and a definite smile.
I'm leaving. Tell everyone I made you the thing. Show it off. Let them know I can be flashy and subtle at the same time. I'm very versatile. After a moment. And don't die. They would blame my armor even if it's poison. Don't drink poison.'
I will not drink poison. And I will show this armor off. He does a demonstrative twirl to see how the duster moves. It is perfect.
I know. And then Drake unceremoniously turns and just... leaves.
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