[video / both courts]

[enthraller]

[the lockets show the blond king sitting in a library somewhere, a book open in front of him with another stack beside it. the background is still in disarray, repair and clean-up efforts having been prioritized elsewhere, but clearly, he didn't feel like waiting for them to tidy up here.]

Now that all the fuss has settled down some, there's something I'd wanted to ask you all.

[he aims his own locket down at the books in front of him for a moment, and on the open pages are a whole lot of text and an illustration of what looks like a set of fangs. the stack look to mostly be on similar topics, though a perceptive viewer might notice one or two including the word "cothromach" in their titles. the view is angled back up before he speaks again, and though his smile is polite, his golden eyes have a certain piecing quality even through the lavender-tinted glasses he hides them behind.]

What do you know about vampir? There's certainly a good amount of information to be found in books, but I'd like to know what's considered common knowledge, or what others might have heard. There's a task I've been given by the monarchs, you see, and I'd rather go into it as well-informed as possible.

And if there's anyone who's explored the area just east of Caer Glaem, I'd be interested in speaking with you.

Comments

[Voice]

[fell_to_hell]

[Oh, hey, it's that guy again. Nico is going to be very cautious now that he's on the road. Voice or text chatting only while he's on the network, for now.]

I think the most universal trait is that their diet consists of blood. They might be able to charm or mesmerize people, but that's a guess from the kind of vampire that exists in my world.

[Voice]

[enthraller]

[oh hey, it's that nerd again.]

That does sound consistent with what I've read here. Odd that these things are universal -- or, multi-universal -- when the word itself isn't. So you haven't heard of any in this world so far?

[Voice]

[fell_to_hell]

[wow rude]

No, not yet. I've mostly been researching ghosts that might still linger here.

[Saralegui can't see it, but Nico is frowning.]

Any particular reason you're asking about vampires?

[Video]

[enthraller]

[ghosts too? this world is just full of happy things, isn't it?]

I was asked by the monarchs to meet with one on their behalf. As there's nothing of the sort where I come from, I wanted to do a bit of research before I set out. I'd really rather not accidentally offend a person that feeds on humans, after all.

[his tone is light enough to make that sound more like a joke, at least. not that it isn't actually a concern, but lighthearted conversations make a much better first impression on strangers than grave ones.]

[Voice]

[fell_to_hell]

[Hey, this kid is as grave as they come.

Nico's tone is dry.]

No, that sounds like something that could lead to unfortunate consequences.

[On a more serious note:]

You probably already know, but they're very likely going to try tricking you into one thing or another.

[Video]

[enthraller]

[that was a terrible pun and you should feel bad.]

I gathered as much. I like to think I'm fairly clever myself, but if the opponent is as ancient and powerful as I've heard...well, I should see what I can do about finding some help here.

[deadpoet]

What's your interest in vampires, mate?

[enthraller]

The queen asked me to go speak with one. A specific one, that is, not just in general.

[deadpoet]

You fancy on slaying this vamp?

[enthraller]

Of course not. Do I look like any sort of fighter to you? [no. no he does not.] I only wanted to speak with him.

[deadpoet]

Well, as it happens, I'm something of a vampire slayer myself, so I know all there is to know about those bloodsuckers. You'd be better off trying to kill him.

[enthraller]

Oh? Well, I appreciate the sentiment, but my mission is a diplomatic one, not an assassination.

[sort of.]

Still, if you're that knowledgeable, I'd still be grateful for any other help you might be able to provide.

[deadpoet]

First of all, vampires are weak to salt. Drives them bloody bonkers. Bit like a slug, really. They also hate silver. You cut a vampire with silver, that's a cut that will never heal. Also, this is the important one, but a vampire is at its weakest just after its fed. So if you care to let a vampire feast on some expendable friend of yours, they'll be ripe for the taking.

But as you're not keen on killing any vampires, just remember they're very easily impressed with gold. A big chest of it ought to earn this vamp's attention.

video | /face in hands

[vrykolakas]

[There is a low, scratchy hiss which carried on at such a level tone it could be mistaken for static, until the camera flicks on and the Brucolac's face appears, at which point it seems slightly more obvious that the sound is coming from his throat. His tongue is out: his mouth is visibly crammed with teeth.]

Do you mind.

[His tone and expression are more flat than angry: really, man? Really?]

video | :D

[deadpoet]

As a matter of fact, I do.

[He's no vampire traitor, don't worry. He's not the one who told his life story and got it published, all vampire weaknesses included. Fuckin' Dracula.]

video

[enthraller]

[well. that's interesting.]

audio.

[vrykolakas]

[A quiet huff: of laughter or irritation, it's hard to tell. There are a few settling noises, as of someone shifting in a chair.]

What have you gleaned thus far?

video.

[enthraller]

[there's a slight eyebrow raise at that huff, but otherwise he keeps a politely neutral expression, ever the politician.]

Immortality, blood-drinking, fangs, charm, that sort of thing. Do you have a particular interest in the subject?

audio.

[vrykolakas]

I'm no scholar.

[That's—not an answer to the question! Great.]

Go in fear of generalisation; there are a number of different varieties in this place. What do you want from this vampir you're off to speak to?

[Careless, like he's not aware that's probably not the sort of question anyone's going to answer to a stranger, and over a public network post to boot. Still, you don't ask, you don't get.]

video.

[enthraller]

He's in a position of power, and the queen wanted to establish communication with him. But I don't know the details beyond that. I'm only the go-between.

[a very misleading but still technically true answer. he's good at those.]

There's nothing of the sort back where I come from, however, and I'd rather not go into this blindly. I'd think it a bit insulting and self-centered for anyone to approach a person for official matters without knowing anything about their situation. [or what danger they might pose to him, but that's less of a diplomatic concern and more of a personal one.] Do you know much about the different kinds actually native to this world, then? I'd be very grateful for any help in the matter you could provide.

audio.

[vrykolakas]

[A long sigh. As if he's giving up on being difficult.]

Ah, no. No, I don't know much about any native vampir. In my experience, generally, hypocrite that I am: it's best to be frank, not stare at the teeth, and not to act like potential prey.

video.

[enthraller]

[he makes a mental note of those details, but his stare is still curious.]

How does that make you a hypocrite?

audio.

[vrykolakas]

Because I've just told you not to generalise.

Shit, just be polite. And if you can, read up on exactly where and how he sings for his supper. You can tell a lot about a man from how he sucks blood.

Action

[radiantstorm]

[Kaladin had come to see one weakness of his here. He didn't think of it as toomuch of a weakness but the growing kknowledge that the men of this world, and the many others, all knew how to read and write. That was something he couldn't do outside of a few glyphs here and there. Knowing that much had almost made him taboo with all others in his world and it was knowledge he had mostly kept to himself. Kaladin knew the glyphs burned into the skin of his forehead like the back of his hand,but as Syl zipped by his face as a ball of light and twirled, Kaladin pulled his thoughts from the dark path they were trying to take him on.]

Thanks...

[His word was quietly muttered and Kaladin got back to the simple book in front of him. He had been trying to teach himself how to read. It was much harder than he thought it would be and it left a deep crease in his brow while he tried. Kaladin looked more like he was ready to slay the book than he was trying to learn from it because of his fierce expression. That fierce look only grew darker when that talking nearby made it hard to focus.]

Action

[enthraller]

[that asshole talking in the library eventually finishes with his locket and falls silent again, but the reprieve is only temporary. when he glances up from his books, saralegui catches sight of an unfortunately familiar face.

it isn't that he's a conflict seeker -- he is, especially when it's conflict between others that he can just stir up for a bit of fun -- but while he'd typically just not bother dealing with people who so vocally dislike him, it is hard to resist the urge to prod at obvious wounds when that person is someone who'd been giving him such a hard time for no legitimate reason.

he picks up one of the books he's already done with and stands, moving to shelve it and drop a completely necessary comment as he passes kaladin's table.]

Did that book do something to personally offend you?