[ Lestat watches and oh, it's so tempting to dip into his mind and know how those cogs and gears are turning. This mortal is unlike anything he's ever seen - probably because Lestat hardly ever has conversations with those who know what he is, there isn't often much time for it before they bleed out - and not for the first time in his long life he finds himself enraptured by his sheer energy, despite how much of it might be nervous. His powers aren't as strong here, something is definitely dulling them somehow, but nevertheless he focuses in on what thoughts may be at the forefront of this human's mind as he distracts himself with talking.

He sees a jumble of strings at first; then, it's like looking into a deep pool with no bottom. Fear pushes through the rippling waves of his mind, and an unmistakable kind of darkness lingering at the edges. Interesting. He figures there's only one way to get to the bottom of this - his masquerading as an ethereal human will have to go by the wayside for now. ]

I drink blood, mon ami. If it is your body that is tainted, I won't feel any effects unless that infection is in your blood, too.

[ He gives him a long look, as though sizing him up, even despite the almost warm smile on his face. He uncrosses his legs, then recrosses them the other way and sits back casually. ]

But you needn't be so afraid. If I were going to feed on you, I would have done so already. [ A little shrug. But then he catches his chin with his hand and considers. ] I still might, but you won't feel it. Tell me more about this blackness inside you.