Helping A New Friend [Closed]

[hammerbearer]

Who: Gaia, D [Closed]
What: D texts Gaia to ask if she'll run down to the corner store for a pint of blood. Gaia reluctantly agrees.
When: May 16
Where: D's Home - Cellar Door.

Content Warnings: Blood, vampires, vampire!squid?!, body horror, talk of brainwashing, Bausphomette things.



Some of the reluctance to make an appearance in the busier streets of Trench - particularly a place like Cellar Door (or at least near its edges) - was probably in part to avoid a case of mistaken identity. But Bausphomette's interventions this month are accepted and known. It's not... all too difficult. Not to obtain the blood via careful trade. Nor to pick one's way through the streets. Arte has been a wonderful help with this, acting as a translator for the quiet, slender beast-thing Gaia has become. The crowntail betta of an omen drifts here and there to give reassurance that the one which passes by means no harm and is no Beast.

[ Reference ]

It has horns... antlers? Maybe deer-like, perhaps something else. A facial structure not unlike a cattle's skull, but absolutely thinner and delicate, soaked in a deep red that might be reminiscent of blood, though does not possess its unique copper smell. If one were to look close, one might even realize that is skin. Sunken eyes- enshadowed in the overlarge eyesockets but blue and and intelligent in the depths, and pupiless. Perhaps blind; she pauses and sniffs, sometimes lets out a cry that allows her to navigate the narrow streets based on the return of echo.

A mane of black fur coats her upper body and arms and she travels on all fours. Four long taloned digits click on the ground at the end of every limb; The long fur seems almost... groomed to look its best and thins as the ribs continue to the stomach; for the curve of this part of her body is whippet or greyhound-thin, covered with glittering dark scales that sometimes catch the surrounding lights on their edges. If there is tail or anything of note below her waist however, Gaia has fashioned herself a dark skirt of sorts and it is covered.

Her satchel is about her person; it would be familiar. And the senses that allow Sleepers to recognize someone else is another Sleeper would mark her as one. But after creeping into the yard of who she's come to see, Gaia turns her head and makes a hiss-tchk-chk-chk sound at the omen accompanying her.

"Honestly he invited you. I think you should knock." Arte replies primly. A male's 'voice', mellow in timbre. "And I'll call out."

Division of labor, clearly. Though the beast-thing rolls back on its haunches and crosses her forearms in an entirely Gaia-like posture of exasperation. At least some things are consistent. But she takes the advice and goes up to knock on the door.

"D? Gaia is here to see you. She has your blood." The telepathy of Omens certainly has its uses.

Comments

[distant_one]

"A demonstration is fine." D doesn't have a baseline for people from other realities. Even the extradimensional creatures the Nobility once battled didn't offer a good frame of reference. The natives of Trench are close to average humans in his world without the thousands of years of genetic manipulation.

"Next, the blood thirst, and kiss of nobility. Vampires have no physical need to feed, but consuming blood makes them temporarily stronger, but all crave human blood. Synthetic blood or preserved blood can satisfy it for a time, but nothing is nearly as satisfying or sought after as blood drunk from biting someone's neck, particularly if they are afraid or experiencing desire while bitten. This is what they call the kiss of Nobility, and a person can be turned into a vampire with a single bite." This isn't an easy topic for D to talk about, but he doesn't give any outward sign of his distaste for the subject.

"Vampires can command anyone they've bitten, and people capable of resisting that command completely are very rare. The bite wound will stop bleeding, but never fully heal until the vampire who placed it there dies. Sometimes people gain some of the traits, such as regenerative abilities, longer life spans, an intense need to drink blood or an aversion for sunlight. Some will lose their free will and become little more than shells, or develop a zealous adoration for the vampire who bit them. Very rarely, they'll become vampires even if that wasn't the intent of the one who bit them." D had seen that happen, and had lamented that the vampire responsible hadn't simply killed the man instead of biting him in anger. D might have killed the man himself, had he been in that situation.

"Only the genetic mutation responsible for involuntary turning can be detected. For the rest, it's impossible to tell what will happen until the only way to end it is by killing the one who has been bitten or the one who placed the bite there. Vampires often return to the same victim again and again, the more they like the person they're feeding on, the longer they'll force themselves to wait. Their victim becomes an obsession; they will massacre an army or walk into certain death to get back to them." That had almost been Doris' fate, to be locked away while Count Magnus Lee went on a rampage if the town hadn't learned from his previous victim.

D paused again there, it was the next natural breaking point. There were only a few points left to cover, and D would be done with his obligation aside from the parts which needed functioning sight to share.

[hammerbearer]

There's a sound like a barking cough that needs no translation. Gaia clearly scoffed when she heard these 'Noble Vampires' called their self-serving feeding habits something romantic like a 'kiss'. Arte doesn't even bother to say anything since the meaning came through well enough. And frankly he's showing fin-flicks of disdain, reflecting the mood of the teenager. Her tail visibly lashes, shifting the skirt and revealing more of it.

"Zrshhhchk hssssssh tchak!" If silibant noises and clicks could be described as prim and disdainful, these are definitely that.

"Gaia has... opinions on these nobles and their phrases."

Still, the girl turned beast sobers when D continues. He is painting a terrible but effective portrait of the world he comes from, terrorized by these vampires. Some people suffer what can basically be deemed 'symptoms'. Others become. Of course there'll be questions here. And maybe a sense of empathy in the vocalized sounds Arte translates into typical human speech.

"Gaia comes from a world where a threat to humanity existed." Arte 'swims' closer to where D stands, neither afraid nor suffering from the existence of the vampire hunter's body. "Those afflicted by what she calls sin-eaters would, if infected, slowly descend into becoming more of their kind. Only recently in a hundred years had a cure been found to treat those that could still be saved. Those who had turned... their fate was already sealed."

Drifting up to about face height on the feathered figure, the omen fixes one beady fish eye or another on D, depending on which way Arte was facing in his idle swim-by.

"Do the ones that turn into vampires from this bite become vampires forever? Do they take on the mentality of these other 'nobles'? Or can they be saved by killing the one that turned them?"

[distant_one]

One of the facts D hasn't included is how exquisitely enjoyable the bite is for not just the one biting, but for the bitten. In his mind, those few moments of pleasure are irrelevant compared to everything else.

"They weren't all terrible, but most were. That sin-eater affliction sounds similar. Once turned, there is no coming back. Even those who were once compassionate and hated vampires will lose their empathy and view their new non-life as a good thing. As with everything else there are no absolutes, but turned vampires can be just as cruel and rarely have as much self control as born vampires."

And this is as good a time to start out on the final topic as any.

"Freshly turned are the weakest and easiest to kill, but still deadly. There are two factors which influence a vampire's power. Their age, as their power continually grows, and how old and strong their parents were or the vampire who turned them."

And finally to the part which will answer many of the questions Gaia no doubt has about him and his request.

"This is true of Dhampirs as well; the children of a human and vampire couple. That is what I am; the strength and thirst for blood, but without the same set of weaknesses." The differences don't end there, but Dhampirs are even less consistent than human or vampire.

[hammerbearer]

Probably something a teen like Gaia would have classified as 'TMI', that detail about the bite. But she'd also be inclined to agree with D. It's still predatory at its heat, however the specifics are designed to quell a victim's resistance.

There's a rolling, rattling noise which sounds like a mild, wry answer.

"She says it lets her understand the threat of vampires. But if only it as easy as killing a sin-eater that afflicted someone to cure them." 'Easy' seems to be understood as relative. The beastly visage turns to one side briefly. Milky eyes close. The memories of what she's seen since she was made aware of the wider world outside of her home, bring a moment of sadness.

It won't last long. Gaia isn't one to dwell on the past she can't do much about, but to look at the present and future, striving to work on things she can. Her ears flick forward to pick up D's answer and further development on the age and power of vampire-kind. And her movement does pause briefly as the dhampir speaks of what he is in this world of human 'livestock' and vampire 'nobles'.

She nods and her reaction doesn't appear to be greatly surprised. Gaia is obviously a smart girl who could piece together the bits of hints, clues and outright requests. It seems to be a confirmation of her suspicions. And... well, a clarification. This 'dhampir' thing that is.

It apparently doesn't confuse her that a vampire and a human could have a child either. The beast-teen's nose lifts and scents the air again in the other Sleeper's direction. Gaia seems to be thinking before she offers some 'words' for Arte to communicate to D.

"Gaia said 'That must be rough in a place like Trench. I don't mind if you need me to bring you some if you need to keep out of sight 'til you figure out the whole self-reflection business.'" Apparently what Gaia said was something she wanted quoted verbatim and the omen obliged.

[distant_one]

The fact that Gaia thinks 'killing the one who bit them' is an easy solution makes it clear he hasn't quite gotten across just how dangerous and difficult to kill vampires are. Perhaps it's because he does it for a living, and she thinks vampire hunters are more common than they are. There's a reason most communities lock up or kill those who are bitten. D isn't going to be the one to tell her about that. This isn't his Earth, it doesn't matter here.

"Unless I tell you I need more to reverse this or I'm becoming too dangerous for me to wait, don't bring me any for the next two weeks." D shouldn't need blood this often, this is already the second time he's had fresh blood since arriving, and he has consumed far more of his blood capsules than he should have. If not for the fact that his thirst makes him a danger to those around him, he would tell her not to bring him any for any reason in the next two weeks.

[hammerbearer]

In fairness, Gaia has a very skewed notion on how straightforward it would be to assemble a team capable of challenging one vampire to free anyone that vampire bit versus the outright difficulty of saving those afflicted by these 'sin-eaters' of hers. A matter of different worlds at its finest. In either case, one can only hope that neither of the problems from their world ever crop up in Trench and the comprehension never need to be put to the test.

Gaia shakes her head and barks a dry sounding noise.

"She figured you'd contact her when you need it anyway..."

"Hssstchk!"

Arte sighs. "By which she means she's not naive. Just that she wants you to know she's willing to help, but not when it could be dangerous to just show up unannounced. You 'strike her as a man who would go off in a hidey hole and not reaching out until you're particularly desperate'."

After Arte 'properly' relays her words, Gaia nods and then emphatically taps near her omni again. The message is clear; she's open for communication.

"Chk-chk-chk."

" 'Don't just go silent. At least let me know you're alright.' "

[distant_one]

"Unless you can get me to promise it's one of those two situations, don't bring me blood." D is aware of his limitations and the dangers of his thirst, and has seen the aftermath of other Dhampirs snapping. It's a slippery slope, and why he prefers to practice self control by denying himself fresh blood and keeping his thirst sated with dried blood capsules.

"I'll do my best to spare you unnecessary worry." There is an unfortunately necessary amount of worry that comes with being acquainted with D.

[hammerbearer]

Gaia nods her head in a firm manner that suggests she takes the request seriously. It's fair enough to heed provisions for the arrangement in exchange for something selfish like reporting so she doesn't worry.

And if she is going to help, she wants to help properly. She's got no interest in becoming an accidental dhampir snack.

Though with that settled, the precautions are causing her to realize something D said earlier might seem out of place. So she cants her head to one side and the other before speaking a question. Arte, as always, is on standby.

"Gaia wants to know if it's important to follow these steps and it's dangerous, why did you suggest she's welcome to stay as long as she likes?" With a pause, the omen adds in what seems to be his own words, "She isn't suspicious about your intention then, but it seems odd now with everything else you've said."

[distant_one]

It's a fair question. "You don't smell or look edible, so there's no temptation." Perhaps a bit of a blunt answer, but D feels Gaia has enough of a grasp of the topic to understand what that means. If she was still herself, he would not have made the offer, and might not even had offered the lesson he said he'd give.

If it had been a simple matter of taste or even biological blood composition, the nobility would have found a way around with their need for humans. Even D, as removed as he was from the need to eat for sustenance, had to concede to the deep-rooted need for human blood.

[hammerbearer]

...Huh. The cataract-heavy blue eyes blink in their sockets, though remain fixed on D; or at least where D seems to be standing and his voice is coming from. She draws back up to her haunches, slowly bringing the more human-looking forelimbs up in an arms-crossed position. It's not that the answer is off-putting. It makes sense in that morbid way.

It may be that she's a little nonplussed. How does one react to being told they currently don't come across as food?

Finally the beast lets out a very Gaia-like huff. Her mouth opens and it's probably an ease of the brief tension. Not exactly a smile. Not even if she'd had a human form. The silibant sounds and clicks finally come again.

"Hm. Gaia says she understands what you mean." Arte receives a general look - Gaia seems to know where the omen is at all times at least - that suggests there's another way she put it but she's not going to fuss about it this time. "And she'd take you up on your offer, at least for a little while. But she can't be sure when she'd change back. So it probably wouldn't be the best idea. Best for her to leave while she's still awake and you're not tempted."

Gaia nods. She reaches down and picks up the omni. The recording was turned off a bit ago, back when D started talking about himself. This time she brings up the messaging program. Claws click and clack over the surface 'keyboard' as she laboriously types out a message which is sent to D's omni.

Not that I wouldn't mind keeping you company. But I bet you can do without suddenly dealing with me turning back into an appetizer. Ugh. I can't believe I just said that. :(

Before I go. You are injured? I can smell the blood. Yours? Not human.

Not that she hadn't noticed it earlier but firstly, blood's just a thing in Trench. Secondly, she's getting used to telling different flavors apart with her senses. Thirdly, Gaia didn't want to leave without at least asking.

[distant_one]

It's a reasonable precaution. Many young people are far too careless about D and offering him their blood even in his own world.

He watches patiently while she types on her omni, and it takes only a moment to glance at his own and read the message.

Turning back likely wouldn't be a problem for the next day at least unless she decides to draw her own blood. Dealing with people smelling of fresh blood was just a hazard of existing around humans for D. But people actively making themselves bleed and offering it to him was an easy way to draw out that other side of him.

"I'm not injured. It's part of my transformation." And it's how his blood smells when he's fully vampiric. D is less than pleased with everything happening to him right now.

[hammerbearer]

Gaia is in the camp of doing everything reasonable to avoid fangs in throat situations. This is setting aside whatever problems would arise with the nature of her Sleeper blood.

Safe to say there's a lot of steps Gaia would take before considering something so bleedingly stupid as trying to bait a hungry dhampir by cutting herself and inviting them to snack.

A growly noise that's a little sympathetic sounding follows the explanation. But it appears she doesn't exactly like the sound of all that strange blood letting. Still Gaia nods her understanding. The omni goes back into the satchel. And, after shuffling off the robe she'd been using as a blanket, that too is picked up and returned to the satchel. She pulls out a bundle of incense sticks, the likes of which are used to keep Beasts and the like away. They are offered in D's direction.

"Hsssissh. Shrrrrrk, tsschk h'chk?"

"Gaia says she has these incense to spare if you like. And is there anything else you wanted to say before she heads home?"

[distant_one]

"I have incense, and I don't stay in one place for too long." Something he would do even if he didn't have to worry. If nothing else, Left Hand was hungry too, and blood was a good substitute for water. Before Gaia had arrived D allowed left hand to consume his blood as it dripped from his claws.

He saves the incense for when he sleeps. It helps. These days he gives in more to the natural urge to sleep when the sun is highest and spends only parts of the night awake as well.

[hammerbearer]

Oh do introduce Left Hand to Gaia one day. I'm sure she'll be thrilled.

But once all is sorted and answered, Gaia departs with the same attentive air to moving near blind across terrain barely familiar. Once she makes her way home and later, there'll surely be messages.

But at least D will have a reprieve until probably tomorrow.