perfectdevil | the city: inbox

Joke: what is an unfortunate Ferris wheel rider's least favorite season? "Fall".

[Ghost, why are you like this.]

I suppose you think I'm some sort of idiot after a careless mishap like that.

Not some sort of idiot, no. An idiot wouldn't have the excellent taste in friends you have. Think how things might have turned out without me around! Though, I wouldn't suggest you tempt fate with anything like that again. So no vaulting yourself off a building next, alright?

I'm not taking responsibility for that damn deathtrap of a carnival ride. The safety bar was a joke.

...

I feel as though I should. Owe you something. Is there something you want in exchange?

At the very least it was something of a rush, no? You can't deny that much. Your heart was beating like a bird's wings in a cage. ...In exchange for saving your life?

[ He's laughing, and for some reason feels the need to ask her forgiveness for it even though she definitely can't hear him and wouldn't have known had he not said anything. ]

You'll have to forgive me, I don't think this has happened to me before. But, now that you mention it there is something I'd been meaning to ask for your help with. It feels a little wasteful to use this debt to me on such a task, but there's no time like the present to ask, I suppose. Daniel LaRusso is organising a welcome diner, you might have seen the post on the Network. I would like to provide relevant information for any non-human species, as this place claims to be welcoming of all kinds and yet has failed to make specific arrangements for us. Now, I'm not expecting a red carpet. Hell, in my own world most of the time I must make my own way. But I resent knowing that this place is aware of my kind enough to provide us sustenance, but fails to assure us simple amenities such as a safe place to sleep. In my world, when a vampire has no safe space to rest, they burrow into the ground. Are they expecting us to fill their graveyards for them??

[ Breathe. Or, not, as the case may be. ]

All this to say, I think some information at the point of arrival will speed up the acclimatisation process. I'm relatively pleasant to deal with, but some creatures of the night may give in to their frustrations much easier. Though I don't wish to only discuss my own kind, it would make more sense to do a.. catch-all, so to speak. A cheat sheet, I believe it is called. The only person I know of who might have experience with the broader supernatural creatures, is you, chérie.

Listening to my heartbeat, were you? You cad.

[It does make her feel a little better, the levity. So does the fact that he guesses correctly about the implied debt — call it old force of habit, but she's never liked to leave unequal balances. Too easy for old debts to get called in at inconvenient times that way.]

I understand your request, however. You're right, I'm very well-equipped to accomplish something like that — I'll see about starting to gather and compile information ASAP.

While I'm at it...

I assume it would be awkward for you to make firsthand inquiries about certain...accommodations you might need, being preternatural with all the advantages and disadvantages that come with it. Would it be helpful if I investigated whether those type of accommodations can be arranged, acting as the face of your request to shield you from visibility?

Caught red-handed. Though, it was less that I was listening for it, and more that I was unable to ignore it. I'm impressed by your fervour, though not surprised in the slightest. I think keeping my true nature hidden for the most part is smart. I don't exactly fear repercussions, but some humans can be a little put off by realising such horrors truly exist, and that those bumps in the night are real. However, the pair organising all this for the diner know about me, and there is one of my kind that I can call upon who has little desire to act as a human, so that should make it easier to coordinate.

That's fine. This type of thing is almost essentially what someone like me is made for — being the face of an effort to afford discretion and anonymity to my client.

I assume you've already found yourself a safe place to sleep, and so arranging one for you is somewhat moot. But can you tell me more about what you would've needed on your arrival, that you found you didn't have?

I have a place, yes, no need to worry about that.

[ It's cute, tho. ]

As for requirements, vampires need complete darkness in order to be safe when we sleep. The stronger of us can withstand half-light, but those weak in the blood need isolation and total blackness. Not only that, but we need to feel safe in our sleep both for our own sakes and the sake of any mortal that might stumble on us. If challenged while sleeping, we have an apparent failsafe that attacks on impulse and without restraint of our vampiric strength. If coffins are unavailable, some of us have resorted to large trunks, the underside of large beds, crawlspaces, and the like. Here, I have a walk-in closet. Daniel suggested black-out curtains. I haven't ever tried these, but if they are truly capable of blocking out the sun, it could be an option to consider. Something easier would be rooms without windows.

You have a walk-in closet that you're using for something OTHER than all your fancy clothes? :)

[MAYBE HE SHARES SPACE WITH THE CLOTHES, GHOST but the idea of him having two is really funny also, so.]

Is it complete darkness even from artificial light, or just complete lack of sun? People seem to universally arrive underground via the subway, and the tunnels seem to stretch all over the City. I'm wondering if that would be a convenient place to set something up. Maybe a vampire hostel at a few key stations around the City, all underground.

I store all my fancy clothes in the apartment next door to mine. There are so many empty places here, and I never liked stuffing them all into one or two wardrobes, so I figured why not use an entire home instead.

[ Just regular guy things. ]

The sun. Vampires love artificial lights, particularly the ones that buzz or shine in unnatural colours. I once found myself mesmerized by a lava lamp for long enough that a store attendant almost called the police on me. Very rock and roll. I don't think any idea is a bad idea, my dear, but I am strangely a little reluctant to force my kind underground in any capacity. We crave a mortal life, the trappings of a mortal home, the comfort of a bed we won't ever sleep in. It doesn't make sense, I know, but I would feel miserable in a bed under the ground. Though, arranging this information sheet and leaving it at those key stations, perhaps even gathering what provisions we can provide together and making their location known to new non-human arrivals who might need them... that could certainly help speed things along.

No, no, your concern is reasonable. That's the whole reason I want to talk it through with you, and with others like you; I might think something is viable in a practical sense but miss the bigger implications. I didn't consider the psychological impacts of underground housing, just the tangible benefits.

...

What about adapting the existing housing, then? Would it be feasible to remodel a select number of apartments and somehow mark them so that vampires would know they had been sun-secured?

Now that... that is an incredible idea. You truly are a wonder, mon petit rousse. There will, undoubtably and inevitably, be a few of my kind who buck the idea of being pandered to in this way completely and decide to go it their own, but creating somewhere to keep those who need it safe, even if only temporarily until they find somewhere that speaks to them more... I like the sound of that. I like it very much indeed.

This is what I do — finding solutions to unusual problems. And based on what you've said, I have to believe a new arrival would find it more welcoming just having the choice at all, regardless of whether or not they decide to take it, wouldn't they?

The point isn't for them to not be perhaps reasonably suspicious of the offer, or to deter them from making their own way. The point is that they have the option. That this place isn't just...hostile to them, right from the start.

I've got a lead on a contractor and an offer of a facilitator. If you wouldn't mind checking them out for me using your own resources, I can see about getting them engaged to work with us.

Exactly, exactly! When I arrived here it wasn't hostility I felt, exactly, but more.. anger. Frustration. That we are provided for with the blood in bottles as though such an offer would be in any way satisfactory, like we should feel thankful for it. This place claims to cater to our needs but makes no attempt at all to know what those needs are.

[ This way, at least, future creatures who need to know they're seen will at least feel that an effort has been made. ]

But this will welcome them, yes, whether they take it or not. It's much better. And of course, chérie, whatever you need. You give me their details, and I'll take care of it.

I've found an architect named Kaveh who's agreed to undertake the renovations. We're getting a little out of hand with the details; I think you'll enjoy what we've worked out so far.

Moreso than just securing a few rooms, we're in discussions about having accompanying secure pathing so the inhabitants — he isn't aware we're dealing with vampires, specifically — can actually reach the rooms safely as well. We're also discussing getting creative with artificial lighting in ways that will mimic natural lighting, giving the aesthetic experience of sunlight without the dangers of it.

He also wants to take on the project of securing certain other, public locations as well. I like this guy, frankly; he's very much an innovator. I gave him the specs and he's running miles with them, and I don't see any particular reason to refuse.

He has some questions to ask you about your specific needs, which he's offered to pass to you through me. I assume you're amenable?

Well, I trust your excellent judgement with this matter as with all others. If you say this man is of good quality, I'm helpless but to agree. I have to admit I'm quite touched - I don't know if perhaps it's well known that vampires crave the view of the sun almost as much as we fear it, or if the inclination to try to recreate its light artificially was just quick thinking outside the box, but you and your new friend have certainly gone the extra mile with this. I'm flattered. This somehow feels like more than my little act of heroism deserves. Perhaps we'll be forever locked in a back and forth of paying one another back, my darling. But yes, of course I'm amenable. Anything for you.

I appreciate his drive to do a job right, rather than just doing what he's asked. It should be an interesting challenge.

...

You should be careful, saying things like that to me. "Anything for you", I might start to think you're serious.

And why wouldn't you think I'm serious? Tell me, has anything I've ever said to you come off as a joke?

I've told you enough of my own. You're overdue to tell me a few in return.

People don't say things like that to me when they're not joking.

Oh, make no mistake, one day I'll offer you a joke so uproarious that you won't be able to stand for laughing so hard. You can be sure of that. But I will never joke about anything like this, my darling. You and I both know I can't be put into the same category as 'people', particularly in this instance. I'll say it again. Anything for you.

[ It's nearing midnight when Lestat's device pings with a message. ]

Couldn't sleep. GOing on a booze run over by the university if you want to tag along

[ Johanna shoves her own phone back into her jacket pocket without looking for a response and heads for the stairs down to the street -- and fails to notice that her phone autocompleted "The" to thevampirelestat rather than The Seventh Crown of the Seventh Demon King. She figures if the trains aren't still running this late, she can just walk. District 3 is far enough away that she might get herself properly worn out by the time she gets home. ]

[ Huh.

Don't get him wrong, it's not unwelcome but it is certainly a surprise to get a message from her out of the blue like this. It makes sense, of course; after all, she's already shown him how easy it is for her to overlook certain obvious factors for the sake of not making things weird or difficult and.. well, if he gets to forget their conversation at the party entirely, or maybe even have their slate wiped entirely clean so they can do it over, then who is he to turn his nose up at it?

The whole situation has been sitting weird with him, anyway, so obviously he's jumping at the opportunity.

He's not far from the university already, and he gently reaches out with his senses to try and hear her heartbeat or her thoughts in the painful quiet of the evening, even as he replies. ]

I could certainly use a drink.

[ She feels her device buzz in her pocket and lets it lie for the moment; there's only a few stores that stock liquor in the vicinity, and Midnight will be able to find her if he's coming.

In the silence of the City at night, her footsteps sound loud on the pavement, even with trainers on instead of her heeled boots. Her heart is a steady, strong beat, without the speed of fear or exertion. And her thoughts ...

In private, Constantine's mind drifts from thought to thought like a leaf carried down a stream, bumping over rocks and swirling in eddies. It's constant, but the way a brook is constant; in motion, but not manic.

(You never think about how many birds there are in London until you don't see shit on the windowsills. ... shouldn't have said it, not to him, you knew better, you always know better ... Hell would be bad but at least there's a way out there. No exit. They're trying to scare us. Not paranoia if they're out to get you. Do they know what this place is either? Who's they? Got a tiger by the tail? ... everyone could be gone and how would you know it's so quiet. Don't you want to just scream? god I need a drink a smoke a drink a fuck, well, maybe they'll have cigarettes, and what if all they have is a bloody cider, not restocking like they used to)

And underneath it all is a thin trickle of loneliness, closely guarded and cultivated, an echo of the isolation of Ravenscar. ]

[ It's almost staggering how easily her thoughts come to him. It's been too long to assume her blood is still in his system - or perhaps it is, he doesn't exactly have a way to expel it, perhaps the blood of everyone he's ever taken still exists within him now, ready to be called upon when near it's original owner - but like this it's easy to believe they are inexplicably connected by that one moment of the vampire's kiss with no hope for reprieve.

He doesn't care too much that she doesn't answer him, assuming she just rolled her eyes and is saving the quip for the moment she sees him, instead. He tries to be casual about his approach, so he's not immediately creepy because even someone as caught up in their own smog cloud as he is, can tell when he's teetering on the edge of it, but he fails miserably when he finds that the first alcohol store his instincts have led him to is the one she has also picked for her nighttime run.

Her loneliness calls to him like a scent in the air, his senses tuned into it with a keen kind of familiarity. But he'll be wise this time not to draw too much attention to it, lest their interaction end up like it did the last time. Lestat may be a trouble maker, but he isn't one to under appreciate a second chance on the rare occasion he's offered one.

Once in the store, he decides to follow her suit and keep this nonchalant, browsing the bottles as if he's looking for something of his own, right up until the moment they inevitably meet on the same aisle. ]

Hey, did you see any gin over there, or is it--

[ Johanna rounds the corner and stops, blinking at Lestat in surprise. ]

Oh. Er.

[ Beat. ]

Hang on, you don't drink, what're you doing here?

the city: inbox

text; un: raverobber

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text; un: Constantine; mid-October

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