[VIDEO]; UN: Sleepwalker

[thegreatexperiment]

[Despite the fact that Sam has no fucks to give, the artistic eye will appreciate the fact that she's gone out of her way to frame the shot. She's sitting at her kitchen table--a strange Formica beige with glittering pieces of plastic stuck in it, like sparkles in a hospital corridor. She's just off center, so as to keep things interesting. Behind her is her window from the Tower, overlooking the City.

Sam looks young. She also looks a bit like she was Photoshopped; perfect skin, bright eyes, plastic hair. Well, the skin was genetically engineered, her eyes are just blue, and her hair is, in fact, plastic. Mostly, though, Sam just looks tired. Obviously, the last month has been rough on everyone. What with a sentient (?) city abducting them all. It just doesn't help that she's still not over some of the bullshit that she was in the middle of back home.

For a second, she taps her fingertips to an empty coffee mug, black and chipped nail polish flashing a little in the light. Then she clears her throat to speak, in a surprisingly mild, Midwestern accent.]

Okay, so. Here's the deal. I'm like all of you. Like you, I was kidnapped and dropped in the middle of this fu...in the middle of this city. Like you, I'm pretty done with these demons or whatever else prowling the streets. Like you, I just want to get by. Like you, I'm working on figuring out a life and job and all of...that. I'm like you.

But here's the thing. I'm not like everyone. I'm a fu...vampire. I'm a vampire. And before you start freaking the...freaking out or whatever, let me make something clear to you: While I drink blood, I don't want yours. Okay? I'm not going to jump anyone in an alley. I'm not violent, I'm not dangerous, I'm not a murderer.

[She presses her lips together for a moment in a hard line. Obviously, this is very important to her. And she's rehearsed the speech a number of times. One can tell by the way she's stopped herself from swearing. This is the part where she kind of goes off script, though. Which becomes obvious from the passion that starts to seep into her voice.]

Everyone is always telling me that I need to keep it a secret, you know? I need to shut the fuck up and keep my head down and stay out of trouble. I've followed the fucking rules, toed the damn company line or whatever. And it's complete bullshit. I mean, forgetting the fact that people have a fucking right to know that there are vampires out there...come on! We're in a magical kidnapping city. With demons walking around! I dare any of you to tell me this is the weirdest thing you've heard in the last month.

[Whoa. Okay, time to slow down. Sam pauses, taking a deep breath, getting a hold of herself.]

Fuck. Look. I just. There's no point to being secretive about it. And if you don't want anything to do with me or whatever, your choice.

Also, if there are any vampires listening to this, you're welcome to keep yourself secret or whatever. If you're actually able to do it, mazel tov, you're better than I am or whatever. But don't even think about trying to take me out for doing this. It's not going to make a damn difference.

[A small pause.]

Oh. Right. My name is Sam. And...that's all, I guess.

[She reaches over and shuts off the feed.]

Comments

[siriuslydementd]

I knew that there were vampires out there, but I've never met one before.

[thegreatexperiment]

[It's a truly underwhelming response, but then again, the guy likes to make his food float.

Anyway, it's not like Sam is yearning for torches and pitchforks here. She can deal with someone being as thoroughly unimpressed as she was with his magic. Or something.

She shrugs, a few curls slipping over her shoulder.]

Now you have. Congrats?

[siriuslydementd]

So tell me. What is it that you can do?

[thegreatexperiment]

[Dryly:]

Well. I can roll my tongue. And recite pi up to a hundred digits. And I’m really good at singing Taylor Swift.

But I’m guessing that isn’t what you were looking for.

[siriuslydementd]

[He only knows what one of those things is, but they can come back to that later.]

It's not. Seeing as I showed you mine.

[thegreatexperiment]

[There's another biting comment on the tip of her tongue but...okay, yeah, he's got a point there.

She frowns a little, then holds up one hand. Her nail polish is black and chipped. But that's academic, when suddenly, five long, sharp talons shoot out of her fingertips.]

I'm really good at giving haircuts.

Video, un: a.jaeger

[bloodalwaystells]

That may explain a few things. I've encountered a few vampires at home, and they were similarly secretive. Though not particularly murderous, if just because of the practicality of the matter.

[He raises eyebrows, but his expression is thoughtful, mild.]

I agree the rules are different here, if just for the nature of the city itself. The presence of the supernatural is obvious and accepted here, unlike some of our home worlds, and the threat of demons...I think requires extreme measures regarding safety. Secrecy simply isn't a very good option.

I have to admit it's something of a novelty, really.

[thegreatexperiment]

[Yeah, he basically said what she was trying to get at. He's just a lot more eloquent.]

You going to be paranoid about your neck, the next time we hang out?

Because if I see a cravat, I'm kicking your ass.

[Which is probably a joke. She suspects he could kick hers far more easily.]

[bloodalwaystells]

[Ouch, that one stings. Not something easy to downplay or laugh off, so he's just going to...well, he'll try.]

Not my style, though there's much prettier necks if you have your choice.

[There. That works. Good enough.]

[thegreatexperiment]

Yeah, well. A cravat isn't a good look on anyone. Except Freddie from Scooby-Doo.

[She shrugs.]

And I don't really like biting people.

[bloodalwaystells]

I'll take your word on that.

[A small snort of amusement, whoever Freddie is.]

It doesn't seem like a very convenient way to feed yourself, no. There's some information in my world about the diet of vampires, but they're so rare that it's hard to find anything concrete. So you'll forgive me if I'm not as knowledgeable on the topic.

[thegreatexperiment]

I'd be more disturbed if you were an expert.

[It would basically make him a vampire, ghoul, or hunter. All three? Not appealing.

Sam wants a clean slate. A vampire-free, clean slate.]

Look, anything written by Anne Rice is bullshit. Joss Whedon got it all wrong. And Stephanie Meyer...I mean, don't make me laugh.

[twistedsteel]

[He is reminded so much of Stella, the artistic light, the looks, the attitude.]

I would have said light fairy, not vampire, I don't think there are any of those here.

[thegreatexperiment]

[Okay, Sam was anticipating a lot of responses.

This, however, is nothing she was prepared to hear.]

Um...did you just call me a fairy?

[twistedsteel]

No, I thought you might be.

[He's shrugging because it wasn't a bad thing to be.]

[thegreatexperiment]

[She considers it a moment.]

Thanks, I think.

[After all, she's been called a lot worse. And pretty much any supernatural critter is way above being a fucking vampire. Vampires suck. Literally.]

[twistedsteel]

The Queen and her daughter you reminded me of are... [how would Saul put it politely... but he's not there to correct Andreas.] Fucking scary when they need to be.

[thegreatexperiment]

...does that mean I'm scary?

[Her eyes flick back and forth, like she's doing quick algebra in her head.]

That really wasn't what I was going for. I swear, I'm not a problem here.

video | un:daedalus

[abeautifulgame]

Funny, I had you pegged for a man.

[don't get him wrong, he's absolutely filing away the fact that she's a vampire for future reference, but you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. that in mind, then, he's going to pretend that that's the takeaway here -- and in all honesty, it's not the strangest thing he's heard, this last year, anyway. his ex was literally a goddess]

[thegreatexperiment]

[That earns him the most withering of all looks. Fear and uncertainty about vampires? Yeah. Sure. That’s to be expected. But she is so not up for fake geek girl bullshit.]

Yeah. Believe it or not, chicks like Space Wars too.

[abeautifulgame]

[he waves her off immediately]

That's not how I meant that. [he's known his share of women in the business] More -- you reminded me of someone. [who was a dude]

[thegreatexperiment]

...someone you wanted to stab through the heart with a wooden stake?

[She's just trying to figure out where she stands, right now.]

[abeautifulgame]

I'm not sure anyone I know falls into that category.

[Aiden. he wouldn't mind putting a stake through Aiden's heart. maybe that little bitch that stabbed Akechi, once upon a time]

[but anyway] Your not-so-secret secret is safe with me.

[a beat]

I do have so many questions, now, though.

un:oldasdirt; video

[solus_unus]

[ Sitting in his loft above OHM, Caius' face emerges and he stares at the girl pensively, as if he's trying to find the right words to say what he wants to say. Until one finger goes up like he's got it and he gives the camera a little smile. ]

Hey, so, can I get you to do something for me?

[ He doesn't wait. ]

Say 'fuck'.

[thegreatexperiment]

[That username...does not inspire much confidence in her.

Please don't let this be a vampire, please don't let this be a vampire.]

Fuck?