TShara

The Rebel Vampire

Yeah. Im heading out. It would be kind if silly to fly across the country and then spend all my time doing stuff I can do at home. Social interaction is a good thing.

Are you really a psychologist? :-)

The Rebel Vampire

He says I've got about 10 minutes to shower and be ready.

I kind of don't want to go, because I'm a little uncomfortable being in a bathingsuit around strangers, even though I like swimming. Also, if I go then it will delay my reply by several hours.

But he'll be super-disappointed if I don't go (again, I don't HAVE to be naked, in fact I don't even have to swim), and it does sound fun.

The Rebel Vampire

Working on it. :-)

I'm trying to articulate all of the exact reasons why Joseph despises slave auctions, before he tells Alexi that of course he will go. So it's taking a while to get it all down. Hopefully I'll finish before my significant other comes back from his Thai lesson and tries to convince me to go to an optionally naked pool party and potluck again.

The Rebel Vampire

1) Alright, that makes sense.

2) That's kind of what I figured, but I wanted to be sure I was right. I also had a less specific vision of it, just that it gave him permission to be there and to work on Alexi's behalf, hadn't gotten so far as the rest of it yet. So thanks for the clarification.

3) Well, credit where credit is due. :-) I'm looking forward to some good "war stories" about duty and the dangers of command. Something where I get to use the line, "If you make a bad call with your company, you lose money, maybe you have to downsize and some of your employees lose their jobs. If I make a bad call, people lose their lives, or worse, their freedom."

I just look forward to making the point that there are good reasons why Erik is so much more "angsty" than Alexi, even apart from Alexi's mild disconnect from emotion. Also, imagining conversations is fun.

The Rebel Vampire

Okay, ... So I need some OOC fill-in...

Joseph totally knows what Alexi looks for in a slave... the problem is that I don't. :-P So what does he look for in a slave?

Also, what does the e-card do?

Oh, and a moment of congratulations on doing Erik's emotion-echoes perfectly.

Magical Protection

Ethan was no fool, and he could not help but keep an eye on the strange little stray cat that looked just like his guardian angel, imaginary friend, protector... youkai... had yesterday. He had hoped he was just seeing things, but as the cat began to follow him home, passing him as he walked down the sidewalk, he could not continue to ignore it.

He stepped up to the animal, and checked all around him to make sure no one would hear him speak, for a part of him was still trying to convince himself that this was just a normal, everyday stray.

“Are you who I think you are? And why are you following me?” he asked blatantly, still feeling more than a little ridiculous for talking to a random stray feline. But then again, people talked to animals all the time, right? He was far more afraid that the little cat would answer, proving that either yesterday was not a dream, or that he was still dreaming somehow.

The Rebel Vampire

Alright, so long as you don't mind.

As painful as it is for Alexi, I do think it will be good for him to understand Erik's mind... just like it will do Erik good to understand Alexi. They come from such vastly different backgrounds, so I think it will be interesting to see how they merge. Understanding Erik will also help him understand both Mois and Joseph better.

The Rebel Vampire

All Joseph could really do was watch as his beloved master fell first into fits of laughter. At first he tried to laugh along with him, or at least smile at the humorous image of this rebel terrorist hugging the two of them. But then he realized that Master Alexi was becoming ill.

“Master!” he cried out, catching the human easily as he fell to the ground. “If this is what it's going to do to you, then end it! Neither of you should take another dose. You have ended his suffering, but now he is clearly causing you at least half as much pain. I do not think he intends to, not now, but that's worse in a way, because if he is not doing it intentionally, he will not know how to stop it.”

But Joseph realized as he spoke, just from the determined look in his master's eyes, and just from what he knew of him, that he would not give up this insane plan. Before the human had gotten to speak, he addressed him again.

“Master... Alexi... I know you will not end this, no matter how much pain it causes you. It's not in your nature. But please, at least speak with Erik. He has lived with these emotions his whole life. If anyone can help you understand them and cope with them, it is him. You have ameliorated his suffering, and I think he will try and do the same for you,” Joseph suggested, touching the human's shoulder.

The Rebel Vampire

Yeah, mine was too... they tend to fold over eventually, but it is really weird.

And it wasn't too small, especially since it was super important. Why is he hiding his pain from Erik so much? If anyone can help him learn to cope with these emotions, it's Erik himself.

Also, I'm sorry if the change seems too... sudden. Erik's own emotions are still there. He's still suspicious, upset with being trapped, and regardless of Alexi's intentions, he still hates himself for getting caught. That was the reason for that touch of melancholic sarcasm at the end. But the process of learning to integrate Alexi's emotions is partially overriding that. And it helps that trust bond that he realizes the potion is nothing like the hard breaking effects. He doesn't completely trust what's happening, but there's a part of him that realizes that what's occurring is not his submission.

I just hope you didn't find it unrealistic is all. :-/

The Rebel Vampire

And your emotions make me feel calm and loved. It's like drinking a vial that lets you relive one of the best feelings you've ever felt, even if it's only a dulled replica. It's cruel, in a way, that my emotions make you feel so terrible, when yours give me a sense of peace, a calm and confident center that is already fighting a losing battle against my own fears and doubts. I do not hate you so much now, so I hope the next one isn't so terrible for you. Contrary to the media's depiction of me, I don't like to torture anyone.

Erik's thoughts were broken as Joseph spoke to him.

“When I return, I will bring back your breakfast and bring you some new clothes. Is there anything in particular you would like?” the head servant asked, meeting the eyes of the captive rebel leader.

“Nah, I don't care what I wear really, so long as I don't look like a damned slave - “ he stopped himself, “Sorry, that was rude of me.” But he did need to continue. “And just give me whatever everyone else is having, I'm not picky. You don't get to be picky in the Resistance. I... I do have one request though. I'd like a notebook and a pen. I know you won't give me a computer to type on, but just a notebook to write down what's going on in my head. I'm going stir crazy, and I need something to do,” Erik admitted, meeting Joseph's eyes, a part of him irrationally afraid that the elder vampire would refuse the request.

“Of course. That's easily done, I'll bring it up with your breakfast,” Joseph replied easily.

“Thank you, Joseph,” the trapped rebel replied, resisting the urge to hug the slave again.

When Alexi stepped out, Erik greeted him again. “You're right. It's probably best that we take this slowly. I'm still not terribly eager to share souls with a madman who kidnaps criminals,” he joked, smirking at the human. “Have a lovely day. I'll still be here when you get home, as you well know."

Joseph smiled vaguely and took his master's arm, gently leading him out the door and downstairs to meet his brother.