video; look who's coming to dinner

[annihilist]

[This is so counter to everything Devin normally does, but there's no point in beating around the bush. Best to tell the truth and then let the chips fall where they may.]

It's not generally my custom to announce myself so formally, but it seems to be the norm around here, and I believe this will save me a great deal of time and energy. My name is Devin Parker, and I am a vampire. [He grins, revealing a slightly elongated set of canines to make his point.] If you're even remotely aware of any variety of my species, you're probably also aware that we need to consume blood to live. [There are stories about the essence-consuming ones, but none actually exist in his world.] Sadly, I'm no exception to this rule; however, I don't hurt people to get what I need, so you've no cause to worry that I'm going to jump out at you from a dark alleyway late at night. [The smirk turns a little wicked.] I can do that in daylight.

[He's joking. Probably.

Briefly, Devin's expression turns more serious.]

That said, I do still need what I need. Not often; and not in great quantities; and, if at all possible, not from the vein. Anyone willing to volunteer, I can provide further details.

[The vampire leans back in his chair, hands folded and smiling slyly again.]

Questions? Comments? Concerns?

[He's sure there will be many.]

Comments

video;

[flowrite]

Ah, so you finally came out with it!

video;

[annihilist]

It seemed appropriate, and useful for information gathering besides.

[flowrite]

Information gathering? You mean something besides who's willing to offer their blood?

[annihilist]

Yes. There's always something to be learned whenever other people are involved.

[flowrite]

Hm, very true! Anything you're looking for in particular?

[annihilist]

Not especially; I'm just taking stock of reactions for future reference.

[flowrite]

Right, that makes sense! So how's the job hunt coming along?

[annihilist]

I'll be making a formal inquiry with Valdis at the police department soon. She doesn't seem to mind my presence, and I don't believe my interest in assisting with maintenance at the Hotel will be welcome any longer.

Still concerned after my well being?

[flowrite]

Shouldn't I be? Mm, no, don't answer that. I should be! So yes, I am.

...ah, yes. I see what you mean about the Hotel.

[annihilist]

[Devin regards Fai silently for a moment, resisting the urge to sigh heavily.]

You've no cause to be.

I'm not worried about the Hotel; I was expecting as much from most people here.

[flowrite]

Why, because you're a big boy and you can take care of yourself~? Well the way I see it, I fed you, so... you're kind of like a stray I took in! Which means I care, so that's that.

[Just try arguing with him, Devin. Just try it.]

Mm, I don't see any torches or pitchforks yet, so I think you're doing okay so far?

[annihilist]

[Devin waves Fai off, leaning back.]

I'm not worth the trouble, Fai. Be concerned about someone less able to fend for themselves.

And torches would be rather silly this time of day, don't you think? Daylight being what it is.

[flowrite]

[Fai shakes his head, grinning]

Sorry, "not worth the trouble" doesn't work on me. I've used that one too many times myself. Besides, I don't have anyone else like that.

[Not anymore, at least. Keep smiling. Keep smiling.]

Ah, so literal! I think the torches are more about scaring people, though. And possibly setting things on fire.

[annihilist]

[The blonde waif of a man may have some similar tendencies to Devin, and that's nothing if not troubling. None of this shows in his face, however.]

Don't hang your hopes on me. I make a terrible coat rack. Worse still if I'm set aflame by someone with a flare for the dramatic and not nearly enough finesse.

[flowrite]

Don't worry, I'm not expecting anything. You don't even have to be my friend if you don't want to be. I'm still going to keep checking up on you, though. I can be annoying like that.

I'm also pretty handy with a bucket of water.

[annihilist]

[Apparently Devin is going to have to go the route of being rude, here. It's alright. He's not a good person, so it's fitting.

He'd still rather not. Fai is a nice person, and doesn't deserve this treatment. It'll save the mage heartache later.]

Yes, it seems you can be annoying like that. Keep it up and you may reach 'aggravating' in short order. Here's a great chance to waste your time on something more worthwhile, like basket weaving.

[flowrite]

[Ouch. Fai just keeps smiling.]

See? I told you. I've also been told I'm an idiot, so at least you know what you're up against. I guess I'm too stupid to know when to quit.

[annihilist]

[The ability to keep smiling is either an overabundance of unshakable positivity, or a very, very good mask.]

Or less concerned with your own well-being than that of others. Neither's a good quality, whichever it might be.

Be a little selfish for once, before someone bites the hand that feeds them. Again.

[Great, Devin. Insulting someone and giving them advice at the same time sounds like a brilliant plan for success.]

[flowrite]

Mm, it's true. I don't have many of those. [Good qualities, that is.] And I'm always selfish.

[...did Devin just threaten him?]

Sorry, you don't scare me. You haven't even managed to insult me properly, have you? You should probably just give up and let me worry about you. Save yourself the aggravation.

cw: mention of abuse

[annihilist]

[Dammit. Fai is far too much like Devin, only it seems like he's hiding behind a smile instead of sarcasm. It's going to be hard to keep him away.]

I'm not trying to scare you. [Yet.] How many people have you allowed to keep hurting you, smiling all the while? That might be a defense mechanism. If I had stabbed you with a knife, would you still serve me a meal? If you did, that would be stupidity. Worrying about someone that's only going to hurt you, insisting on it despite valid warnings, makes me wonder which of the two of us has been subject to more abuse.

Stop drawing yourself back into situations where you know people will hurt you. I will not let you use me as another path to heartbreak.

[Devin's familiar with self-punishment. He just doesn't usually use other people to punish him in quite this manner, but he can't help but wonder if that's exactly what Fai is doing. His tone is harsh, but when he speaks again, it's softer.]

You deserve better.

1/2

[flowrite]

[Fai goes very still and very quiet, his one good eye widening in shock.

He's not-- That's not what this is about at all. Is it?

He's not trying to get hurt. He's trying to prevent someone like him from withdrawing from people who might actually give a damn about him. That's all this is. He cares. Devin's the one who's being obstinate. He's....

but Kuro is gone and Fai's going to die and it doesn't matter anyway, maybe he is doing this just to hurt himself--]

2/2

[flowrite]

[That last line clinches it. You deserve better.

The video feed abruptly cuts off.]