closed; you're running 'cause i'm coming going to eat you alive

[otrazhenie]

characters: Elena and others.
location: Around town.
date/time: Second half of September.
content: Vampire things, mostly.
warnings: Blood, discussion of death, sexual situations (with Jon Snow).
note: Want to join in the vampire fun? Shoot me a PM or poke me at taintedcrimson or taintedcrimson#0986 and I'll write up a prompt!


we are m o n s t e r s ♫

rosalind lutece; i'm feeling like a villain, got a hunger inside

[ Taking a deep breath in front of the door she assumes leads to the lab she'd been directed to, she reminds herself again that she has to do this. It's the only option that might potentially lead to long-term survival here — for at least as long as they have here, anyway. And it will be good for her to talk about things, to reinforce the fact that she isn't living in hiding anymore. She just has to be a bit careful and everything will be alright.

Everything will be alright. With that thought forcibly echoing in her mind, she raises her free hand to knock, the other gripping her lantern so tightly that she nearly bent the handle. ]

eliot waugh; monsters under your bed

[ Elena's already sat at a table in the bar with a glass in her hand by the time Eliot arrives. One small benefit of living at the inn is the quick access to this valhalla of their afterlife. She'd been a bit hesitant at first to the idea of sleeping here after outing herself as a vampire, but no one had tried to murder her in her sleep yet, so: so far, so good.

Taking a sip of the amber liquid in her glass, she can't help but long for the perfectly aged bourbon that had always been in steady supply at the Salvatore house, but a deceased vampire really can't afford to be too picky when they're trapped in a mysterious afterlife of eternal darkness. ]

jon snow; and you better stay clever if you wanna survive

[ She'd thought it would get easier with time, that she would be able to message one of the people who had volunteered of their own free will to help her and not feel so utterly guilty about it. And yet here she is, sat at a table in the inn, nursing a glass of not-quite-whiskey, taking twenty minutes to send a simple message. ]

Hi. If you're not busy and still interested in helping me, could you meet me at the inn?

[ There. It's done. She tilts back her glass to finish the drink, only to immediately pour herself another from the half-empty bottle on the table. It had been full when she'd started and even now it barely has any effect. Unfortunately. ]

quentin coldwater; you'll be wishing you would listen when you meet your demise

[ Meeting at the park by the ice cream crab to talk about superpowers. For some reason, the whole thing strikes Elena as completely ridiculous, and the amusement has her almost smiling as she arrives at the park. It's a cold fall day, the warmth of her lantern doing little to ward off the chill, but still she's only in jeans and a button-up plaid shirt, her boots more fashion than function. While she feels the crisp air as much as anyone else, it doesn't bother her in the same way as she stands there in the darkness, waiting for the guy who made a whole lot of pop culture references in his address to the network. What exactly that means for what's in store for her, she's not entirely sure... ]

Comments

[originallutece]

[The good news: Rosalind truly doesn't intend to go past what they agreed. If all she can get is an informative Q&A, she'll gladly take that, because it's more than she has right now. The bad news: the laboratory door opens, and the building inside is every bit as stereotypical as she might fear. There's projects half-finished on varying tables, odd scents and hints of smoke. There's a cot in the far back, with sheets rumpled enough to suggest it's here Rosalind spends most of her time. Her lantern rests on a table, and she takes a step back as she opens the door.]

Miss Gilbert, I presume. Come in. Madam Rosalind Lutece.

[British and formal, but actually fairly genuine. There's two chairs pulled forward, and a mug of what might be tea.]

[otrazhenie]

[ The lab doesn't strike fear in Elena's heart, thank goodness. Had there been a barred cell in sight, she would have been out of there without a second thought, moving faster than the other woman could see. But there isn't, so Elena steps inside, continuing her visual inspection of the area for a few moments before turning her attention back to Rosalind. ]

Thank you. You can call me Elena.

[ There's a bit of nervousness in her voice, a hesitation to her movements, and the politeness of her tone is not matched by a smile. She is grateful for this arrangement, but that doesn't erase the wariness deep in her soul. ]

[originallutece]

Madam Lutece.

[A reassertion of her title, because Elena may surrender her first name, but Rosalind does not do so easily. Still: that isn't a bad thing. She sits, reaching for her tea, and nods towards the other seat.]

I should think, Miss Elena, that I have a great deal more to fear from you than vice-versa. Correct or not?

[otrazhenie]

[ Making note of the very specific way the other woman would like to be addressed, Elena's good southern manners will ensure she does so from now on. Taking the indicated seat, she almost asks for her own cup of tea, the conversation feeling all the stranger for not having been offered one herself — but then, perhaps Madam Lutece didn't realize that she was even capable of drinking it.

Straightening her back, Elena folds her hands in her lap for lack of anything else to do with them and shrugs slightly. ]

From the perspective of physical capabilities, yes. But I have my own will and I don't want to hurt anyone here.

[originallutece]

That doesn't seem like it will be an issue.

[She takes a notebook and pen.]

Let's start with a question or two. Were you born this way, or turned? Is blood all you need to survive? Is your species common, or rare in your world?

[otrazhenie]

[ The cold, clinical nature of the questions feels both strange and comforting — it's an odd combination, of course. But keeping things detached and focused on the science might help her get through this better than any other strategy. So she answers those questions in a calm and even tone, reminding herself (again) that this isn't Augustine. ]

I turned when I was eighteen; that's just when it happened for me, it's not a usual thing. Blood is all I need, human specifically is best. And I assume we're relatively rare, but that's only because I don't know. Most people don't think vampires are real, they're just monsters that show up in horror stories.

[originallutece]

Hmm.

[They none of them shocking answers, but that doesn't mean they aren't fascinating.]

Can you describe the turning process? In detail, please.

[itselbitch]

[ he comes in, dressed properly as always in his tie and vest, and saunters over after catching sight of her. smiling lazily, he offers a wave, slipping his flask free from the lining of his jacket rather than stopping by the bar first for an order.

there's still way too much tequila left in it. ]

What've you got there? [ he nods toward her drink as he takes his seat. it's a conversation starter more than anything. it doesn't really matter what she's drinking since most of the options, even at the invincible are the lowest grade imaginable and so not all that pleasant, even if they do the job. ]

[otrazhenie]

[ He makes her feel underdressed, coming in like that. Her own jeans and black shirt are nothing too fancy, just what she's been able to find here, but after a moment she ceases to care about it all. ]

Something pretending to be whiskey.

[ Raising the glass to her lips, she takes another sip that is followed by an unpleasant expression. It's not disgusting, but it sure isn't the quality she's used to. Not by a very long shot. ]

[itselbitch]

[ he chuckles. ] Seems like most of what that's around here is only pretending to be some kind of actual alcohol.

Here. Try some of this instead. [ he offers his flask. it's filled with smooth extra añejo tequila, i.e. some really good shit, and should she sip from it, she'll find it seems to refill itself. ]

[otrazhenie]

[ She eyes the flask for just a second before reaching out to take it, not hesitating to take a sip despite the fact that there could be literally anything inside it. The tequila takes her by surprise, both because she hasn't known anyone to keep it in a flask and also because it's good. And then she's further surprised by the slight change in weight as she holds it, like it was...

Raising her eyebrows, she hands it back to him. ] You seriously have a magic flask?

[song_of_ice]

[Part of him had wondered whether he would hear back from Elena. From what she said, it sounded as though there were others that were willing to help and likely some people she knew. Seeing her message on his device was a bit of a surprise, welcomed, but still a surprise.

His eyes scanned the inn, looking for her but unsure what she looked like. She probably heard the alert from his device, the two of them apparently preferring to spend their evening at the inn.]

I'm already there. I'm seated at the bar.

[otrazhenie]

[ He's already... She'd heard the alert, yes, but it didn't register what that meant until she received his message in response, immediately looking up in surprise toward the bar and spotting him with ease. Oh. Well, that's... strangely fortunate.

Picking up both glass and bottle, Elena stands and moves over to the bar, her boots thudding lightly on the wooden floor. Stopping at the seat next to him, she offers a small, somewhat nervous smile and holds up the bottle. ]

I come bearing libations?

[song_of_ice]

[She's prettier than he expected, nothing to tell him that she was anything except human, but it was hard to say what he imagined a vampire looking like. It's enough to leave him momentarily speechless before he pushes his glass closer to her, accepting the invitation for a drink.]

You can drink that?

[It seems like a stupid question in his mind, but he was still struggling to wrap his head around the concept of vampire.]

Have you settled in yet?

[otrazhenie]

[ She wouldn't be the least bit surprised to hear he was taken aback by her appearance, particularly the lack of any outwardly monstrous elements. Hadn't that been how Katherine had charmed her way across the world for so many centuries? Not to mention Damon and Stefan blending in among any town they moved through. Vampires as a species would never have survived if they hadn't been able to pass as human.

His first question makes her smile in amusement, though it's not as bright as it might once have been, and the second is just nice to hear. He seems genuine enough with it.

She pours a good amount of liquid into his glass, perhaps more than she should have considering the potentency of it, but there's just as much in her own glass. ]

The alcohol helps with my cravings, and thus with the settling in. It's been an... adjustment, but I think I'm getting there.

[song_of_ice]

[He had already had a glass or two of something strong, and most nights were spent like this. If he became a little drunk, it didn't really matter. They were dead, after all. It wasn't as though there was a war to fight anymore or family here to protect. With only himself, he could indulge in the sort of freedoms he never let himself experience before this place.

He raised the glass in toast before drinking half of it, wincing at the strong taste.]

You haven't fed on any of the other volunteers yet? It sounded as though you had a number of people willing to help.

[Likely for much the same reasons that he did.]

Some adapt better than others to this place. I forget how long it's been since I was brought here.

[otrazhenie]

[ Getting drunk would take more than this whole bottle for Elena, thanks to her vampire physiology. She missed it sometimes, the buzz that had been so easy to achieve when she'd been human (and underage), but there was no helping it now. ]

I probably wouldn't have acclimated so easily if I wasn't used to all of this. Weird stuff, being dead in general... Dying a few dozen times has that affect on a person, though.

[ She took a large sip of her own drink before continuing. ]

I have, actually. Fed on some of the others. But I'm trying to pace myself, see how long I can go. At home, we had a stash of blood bags and I never had to worry about this sort of thing. If I was hungry, I ate. I don't have that luxury here.

[ It all sounds so harsh and clinical to her own ears, but that's the way she has to approach things. She refuses to let things get so bad that she hurts anyone here, and if that means her own discomfort while she tests her limits and looks after the well-being of her donors, then so be it. It's not like she's not already miserable, anyway. ]

[song_of_ice]

[He watches her after she speaks of death, amazed to find someone else that understood what it was like to die more than once. In much the same way that Beric had given him perspective, he felt he wasn't so alone in this experience here either. She came back from the sound of it, but not quite like him.]

It was only twice for me.

[He didn't speak of it much, but the door was opened and there was nothing to do but unburden himself of the secret.]

You have enough volunteers to keep you fed for the week. [But he understood her meaning. It would take time to heal.] What does it feel like for them? When you bite them?

[Pain didn't scare him, not in this place.]

[moderatelymaladjusted]

[It doesn't take more than a few minutes to pack up what he needs, but Quentin spends far too much time fidgeting and looking at the network post, which somehow managed to start off just fine and then dissolve in to him being ignorant of muggles. And Eliot snarking at people. Which was. Fine. Totally fine. He didn't blow this like the thought he would, right? Enough people still wanted to step forward and help keep this town safe and find a way solve this whole crappy situation.

So, with that in mind, he goes off to the park and the ice cream crab to meet up with Elena. Who hadn't really mentioned anything about having magic? But, who also didn't chew him a new one for forgetting about non-powered people for a moment. Or suggest the use magic on people. That had been a weird one.

He's huddled against the cold in his hoodie with his lantern in hand, as he steps out from the darkness and up to the only other source of light in sight- Elena's lantern.]

Hello? We-- uh, you wanted to meet up?

[otrazhenie]

[ When it comes to discussion of her abilities, it just seems so much easier to Elena to just talk about them in person, especially when something may come up that she isn't sure everyone should know. Once upon a time, she wouldn't have worried about such things, but after learning about Augustine and her unfortunate encounters with their experiments, she isn't quite ready to take those risks. Somehow, telling people she's a vampire doesn't seem as dangerous and laying out every single detail of what she is. But possibly that was her desperation speaking and the whole thing will come back to bite her soon. ]

Hey. Yeah, I just thought it would better to do this in person. [ And then, frowning at the way he's standing and the hoodie he's wearing: ] We could have met inside where it's warmer.

[ The last thing they need is people getting sick here. If they... even can get sick. ]

[moderatelymaladjusted]

[And she's, like, supernaturally pretty. Which makes Quentin blink a whole lot and makes him hunch his shoulders, and hold his lantern lower. But that probably just makes him look like some creep in the park, so Quentin hoists his lantern up and now he's just a weirdo waving a lantern around.

Wiping his face with the hand not currently holding his lantern, Quentin sighs. Mostly at himself and sticks out his hand after.]

Hi, uh, I'm Quentin? And no, that's fine. It's, uh, it's not really that cold? Yet? I mean, are you cold? Because if you're cold we can go somewhere else? I just-- I just couldn't think of any other place than this? So.

[otrazhenie]

[ Watching him closely, it's pretty easy to tell that he's flustered, nervous, maybe anxious about meeting her like this. Or maybe about meeting anyone, really. Elena's never had any problems with anxiety herself, but she's well aware of how it can affect people. So she offers him a smile as she takes his hand, grasping it firmly for a moment before letting go. ]

I'm Elena, and I'm fine, the cold doesn't really bother me. Do you wanna sit? I think there's a bench somewhere here...

[ She hasn't spent much time exploring this part of the little town but maybe he knows it better. ]a

[moderatelymaladjusted]

[There's a bench? Quentin had been here several times, and never did it even occur to him to look for one. But of course there is, under a street light that doesn't work, all crocked and worn, the paint faded and pealing in places and Quentin waves a hand at it.]

Yeah, uh, sure. We can-- there's a bench right over there? We could sit there?

[Still, no idea why she asked him here, except for the network post about powers and maybe she has them? She looks like someone who'd have swords, to be honest. But he still leads the way to the bench and sits down, legs crossed and hands kind of fiddling with his hoodie. Quentin clears his throat.]

So? Settling in okay?

[otrazhenie]

[ It's easy to miss things when you can't see more than a few feet in front of you in the best light. She'd barely caught sight of it on her way to the crab, and perhaps it hadn't been there before today. With all the other weird stuff around here, she wouldn't be the least surprised by that. Monsters in the woods, eternal darkness, mysterious benches... why not.

She follows him over to the bench, taking a seat at the opposite end and setting her lantern between them to better see him by. He looks so nervous... ]

Okay enough. [ A pause, then she decides to just jump right in with a purely conversational and obviously answered question. ] You don't know why I asked you here, do you?

[moderatelymaladjusted]

I-- no? Honestly, I have no idea.

[Settling in with his elbows on his knees, Quentin looks up a little and he tries for a smile. It's a little crocked and it makes his nose wrinkle.]

I hope you're here, because you have some kind-- some kind of idea about powered people? Maybe you are one, maybe you just have something you'd like help with? Maybe you just asked me here for proof.