[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

[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.

[bloodalwaystells]

Entirely fair. I thought about a major in mythology and literature, but it didn't seem quite as useful. I still enjoy learning about both the lore and reality of things, though. It's good to be prepared.

[He huffs a quiet laugh.]

I'm going to guess you're talking about works of fiction in your world. No, that's definitely not where to find anything with more than a grain of truth. I've been told Bram Stoker had a few things right, but I've never had a chance to do any in-depth study.

[thegreatexperiment]

Well, there was an actual Dracula. Although I don't know a lot about him.

[Probably an oversight on her part, seeing as she's now a member of his Order. But in all fairness, her transition wasn't exactly the most traditional. And there hasn't been a lot of time to study.

Stupid, fucking Rain of Fire.]

I'm not gonna say I'm some kind of spokesperson for vampires everywhere. Best I can do is speak for myself. And my...self...isn't a threat to anyone. Which is kind of the important thing I wanted to get across.

[bloodalwaystells]

There's some debate about what he actually was, though. Some say vampire. I've heard theories of a blood mage, a dragon, or just a particularly dramatic and ruthless human. It's hard to say for sure, especially as the legends grow with telling and so many creatures that thrive on the deliberate spread of misinformation.

[He shrugs.]

I hope this works out well for you. I expect just the fact that you're speaking clearly and openly will help, and...we need to be united at least this much with the threats of the city. We're the outsiders, the best we can do is organize some solidarity there.

[thegreatexperiment]

Yeah. Well. Yeah…

[She exhales through her nose, bravado melting away. This is a lot harder than she hoped. Which was probably very naive of her. And she doesn’t like the feeling.]

If it doesn’t work out, I hope you can say a few nice things at my lack of funeral.

[bloodalwaystells]

[Jaeger doesn't expect that it's an easy thing, especially with how young Sam seems to be. She could very well be a hundred years old, but somehow Jaeger doesn't think so.]

I'll do my best, but hopefully it won't come to that. Better to spare everyone the mess of me public speaking, so there's some incentive there to stay kicking.

[thegreatexperiment]

Some people fear it more than death.

Public speaking.

[Sam...is okay with it. Death ended up being way more complicated.]

[bloodalwaystells]

I can do it, it's just never been a very pleasant experience for me. I took public speaking in college and I sometimes had to address clients at work, but never more than I absolutely had to.

[And then he lost most of his voice and that only makes it worse.]

Some people thrive on it, but I'm not one of them.

[thegreatexperiment]

Fortunately, you're pretty. The world is always nicer to pretty people.

[She blows a piece of hair out of her face.]

Sorry I...didn't come out right away. Kinda feeling out the rules around here. I guess I was afraid some vamps might chew me out for loose lips or some shit.

[bloodalwaystells]

[He colors slightly at the compliment...he knows he's not unattractive, all things considered, but it's still strange to hear from a relative stranger.]

It's understandable. I took a risk demonstrating as much as I did myself, but under the circumstances I felt it was better than taking chances with the demon.

And considering there are actual demons here and are common knowledge, it seemed like less of a risk than it might have been.

[thegreatexperiment]

Yeah, well.

[He's just way more eloquent than she is, but they're on the same wavelength. Sam attempts to say as much, through a shrug and a nod and a slight flick of her hand between herself and the camera.]

If I had any superpowers that could have helped in that fight, I probably would have been tempted to use them too.

[bloodalwaystells]

You did still move to try and protect me, though. I appreciate that.

And, you're a very, very good shot.

[thegreatexperiment]

I mean, shooting isn't something you should brag about but...

[Fuck it.]

Yeah. I'm really good.

[At shooting. And maybe sometimes at being not a total dick.]

[bloodalwaystells]

I'd say it depends on what circles you travel in, but it's a useful, if somewhat grim skill to have. That's worth recognition.

[thegreatexperiment]

Thanks. I guess.

[A small shrug.]

Hopefully, the next time I have to shoot anything, it'll be metal ducks at a carnival. I'll win ya a bear.

[bloodalwaystells]

I appreciate it, though I think I'd be a little worried about this place's idea of a carnival...

[thegreatexperiment]

...you raise a good point.

[bloodalwaystells]

It happens occasionally. With our luck, the prizes would be, at the very least, carnivorous. Not to be trusted, in any case.

[It's just as well he's not a fan of carnivals anyway.]

[thegreatexperiment]

And I can only imagine what the rides would be...

[bloodalwaystells]

...okay, yes, I've created a monster, haven't I? I can see festivals like open air markets and such, something like the but baskets we received when we got here.

[Lots of food and drink, street vendors and coupons. Vices, but at least predictable, if not even comfortable vices.

He might not be accepting this place completely, but at least he sort of understands it.]

But carnivals have always unsettled me a bit.

Too many people, too much noise. Too...synthetic, I suppose.

[thegreatexperiment]

[She twists a piece of her hair around her finger.]

Not a fan of synthetic, huh?

You wouldn't last two seconds in LA.

[bloodalwaystells]

I've been there, and I found my world's version of it...a lot. I don't mind the city in general, but I'm really more suited to the east coast. Or Europe, perhaps. Every time I've traveled to Rome, London, or Prague, I've enjoyed it a great deal.

I suppose I'm just old-fashioned.

[thegreatexperiment]

I've always wanted to see Italy.

[And if she lets out a sad sigh of longing, well. What the fuck?]

Especially Florence.

[bloodalwaystells]

It's an experience I'll always recommend if you're able. Being American doesn't always make it easy, but it's worth going. Be polite, be alert, take the time to learn your way around.

It was one of the best parts of my old job, I'd say...perhaps why I'm handling this little trip relatively well.