perfectdevil | the city: inbox

I'm safe.

[ He's been awake for quite some time now, but has been so muddled by the situation he's found himself in that he hadn't even thought of using his phone to alert Louis of his whereabouts. Just how in the hell is he going to explain this one over text. Yet again he curses these little keyboards. ]

I think I may have a better understanding of the punishments you told me about. I woke up in a strange place in shackles. But, I have good company, so at least there's that. Are you alright?

( Louis' cheeks burn with a vicious mix of embarrassment and indignation, and it's a long moment before he manages even a terse response. )

I see.

I woke up with company as well, though whether it is good I cannot say.

You did? Are you in a similar situation?... What on earth are you being punished for...?

I wish I knew. Waking up alone would have been punishment enough.

There is a stranger in our bed with me. I could have killed her.

But you didn't, Louis. I understand your penchant, but don't waste energy being miserable for something that didn't come to pass. I don't like the idea that even our homes aren't sacred. That someone could move me while I slept. I thought we had no cause for a lock on the door but perhaps I was wrong.

Do you actually think a lock would have prevented this?

No. I don't. I suppose you're furious with me.

I'm only surprised that it happened so quickly.

[ It takes a while for his next reply to come, then two messages in quick succession; like the first was sent without thinking and the second as damage control. ]

You obviously underestimate me. I wasn't under the assumption that even the little drink would be a punishable offence. All in all, I barely touched her.

And yet it was significant enough for me to notice your fine mood.

I heard no complaints from you yesterday.

What right do I have to complain? How you choose to feed is your business, just as it has always been.

What a monumentally stupid thing to say. In our world you are entirely correct; you have little say in how and when I choose to feed, but here we are inexplicably linked. My actions have an effect on you. I left you alone this morning, to fend for yourself with a stranger in our bed, as you said. The least you could do is show me some of that ire you're feeling instead of this frustratingly passive nonsense. If you're angry with me, have the decency to say it. That's an honesty I feel I deserve.

( He is TRYING to keep his composure while handcuffed, which is only making things worse. )

Very well. I'm angry. I'm angry because I love you, and because I know that love is absolutely useless to protect you, or even to stop you from putting yourself at unnecessary risk. And because I still want to see you despite being furious. And because we are having this conversation over text, while I am chained to a strange woman with antlers and attempting not to make a fool of myself, and you are apparently in good company and not concerned for yourself in the least.

Is that better?

[ There is a lot to unpack in all that. Lestat is failing completely at maintaining his composure, but he hasn't spared a single thought for how Dorian might be perceiving him. He's trying not to let himself get distracted rereading those three words in text - how do they make him feel so different compared to hearing them - and is trying very much to formulate a response, but.. God, why is this so much harder than just talking?? ]

I wasn't looking for trouble, you idiot. I wasn't hoping for this or even welcoming it. I meant what I said, I didn't think such a small bite would incur any wrath. I wasn't hiding it from you. As you said, you noticed. And I didn't harm her, in fact she all but encouraged me. Ask her yourself. I haven't seen any other creatures with antlers since my arrival. I'm miserable doing this with you over text. The man I'm chained to is a friend of Ethan Chandler. I have no choice but to pantomime as some human drunk, and all I want is to see you. I want you furious with me enough that you can barely look at me. I want you to know exactly how you break my heart when you call your love useless and God, I want it to hurt.

( Oh, Louis regrets this immediately; he doesn't want to cry in front of a stranger, and that last sentence hurts like a physical blow, and the fact that it was her only makes this more embarrassing. And in spite of his hurt feelings, he's still afraid for Lestat. )

If you both enjoyed it, then I have no reason at all to be upset.

( Except that he's remembering his conversation with Armand, and feeling the keenest sense of loneliness. )

Be safe, Lestat.

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