prismatica | ☽ II: video

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☽ II: video

[Vanitas is seated with his chin propped up in one hand when the video comes on. He looks significantly calmer (and less Sanguis-y) than the last time he made a post like this.]

Bonjour. I've done this once before, but I feel as though I wouldn't be doing my due diligence if I just relied on snooping and idle gossip.

[He straightens up, a hand going to his chest with an undeniably cocky grin.]

So! My name is Vanitas and I am a doctor to vampires, although I myself am just an average human. In an attempt to better understand the nature of the world we currently find ourselves in and those that all of you are from I have a request! I'd like to hear all of your "legends" about vampires. It's become clear that despite the wide variety of worlds represented here vampires are a reality in very few, so I'm curious about where your preconceived notions of them stem from.

Of course if you yourself happen to be a vampire or personally acquainted with any I'm even more interested in you. Don't hesitate to come forward and chat with me, I'll even be accommodating if you want to do so anonymously.

[He waves a gloved hand that ends in sharp nails.] Au revoir~

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[It's fine, there's been plenty of human genocide towards vampires in his world so it's not like he can judge. He dislikes both sides anyway.]

... That's it? How unexciting.

[He purses his lips, looking unimpressed.]

That's not it.

I forgot you can't tell because we're on video, but all vampires on my world have a psychic pheromone that other creatures can sense and react to. It's... very complicated. I don't think I should get into it, even if you are a doctor.

[And now his attention seems regained.]

On the contrary, I think that's every reason for you to get into it. So is it purely scent-based? How much control does it give you over others? Some vampires of my world are able to exert their will upon others but it depends on their own strength and the effects of the venom in their bite.

There's a scent to it, but it's also a psychic connection. We can... We can command others with it, yes.

Interesting. I'd like to see it in action at some point.

I'd rather not use it on purpose. Sometimes people are sensitive to it anyway, but I hate it.

Then use it on me.

What part of "I'd rather not use it on purpose" do you not understand? Scaring humans has no appeal to me. Commanding them even less so.

[Something in his tone shifts and he snorts.]

Are you trying to tell me that you care about upsetting a human? That's rich.

[ he'll never get over the rush that being treated with casual disdain for the first time gives him. it's just instinctive. sure, he's gotten spoiled by it, but each new person is a guilty pleasure of a new opportunity.

he answers earnestly, maybe a little desperately -- desperate to be understood, to be believed. ]

Of course I care! You're people, too!

[There's just a beat before he bursts out laughing, although it's mirthless and icy.]

A vampire claiming to care about humans! I don't know how your world is, but you must be pretty naive if you think that sort of joke is easy for everyone to buy into.

[ he's not excited. he's not intrigued by the man who wants to laugh at him.

oh, it's been so long since he was hurt like this. ]

You said you were a doctor for vampires, didn't you? I thought you dealt with my kind. Aren't doctors supposed to believe their patients? So believe me when I say I'm not joking! My world is changing! Slowly, but it is! More vampires are learning to respect humans than ever before!

And here, where most people are human, it's impossible not to care! I love humans. I've always loved humans. One of them took care of me when I was a child, and he... He was the best man I've ever known. He was kind and gentle and smart and caring--

[ in some cases, one does protest too much. in this case, shell can't protest enough. it's better than thinking about how, on lagunbiru, he'd probably consider this horrible man a potential partner. thankfully, it seems like moonlacing can be more platonic so he doesn't have to betray eric with his body. ]

Believe me.

I do deal with your kind, so that's why I know better than to believe them. But don't go getting the wrong idea and assuming that I believe humans any more, either.

[Because humans are just as bad. His life has been a cycle of horror from vampires and other humans in equal measure, leaving him with no love for either species- even the one he's claiming to "save". While there might be biological differences everything else is the same.]

If you're so eager for me to believe you then make me. Show me what you can do.

[Desperation is a good motivator. Forcing people into hard situations is an easy way to get what he wants if he can't anger them, and it seems like this person's weakness is this supposed love for humans. It makes his skin crawl, but affection is something he can exploit for the moment.]

[ So he's the kind of guy who doesn't trust anyone... And does that sound like a bit of a self-destructive streak? ]

If I force you to believe me, I'm no better than any others of my kind. What else can I do?

[Oh it's more than a streak. Almost everything Vanitas does is self-destructive, both because it's necessary and he simply doesn't really care whether he lives or dies.]

Why do you even care if I believe you?

I don't want to be misunderstood. I don't want you getting the wrong idea. I don't want you living life in fear or anger when you could learn that I'm nothing to worry about.

[ I want to be understood. I want you to get the right idea. I want you to know that I'm the kind of person who'll protect you and keep you safe, despite your anger at my kind. ]

I'll do almost anything to earn your trust and prove not all vampires are horrible to humans.

Edited 2019-09-09 04:27 (UTC)

It's not like I'm going to hunt you or anything, so who cares?

[And while he doesn't know exactly how vampires from other worlds work, even if the Book has no effect on them he was taught how to kill vampires from a young age. Not that he really wants to exactly, but he'll definitely defend himself if he feels the need. He certainly doesn't want or need anyone's protection, and he already has one odd vampire who won't leave him alone.]

Trust makes you weak. If you go around spouting off claims like that you're just going to get yourself and those around you killed.

[ Do people actually hunt vampires? ~~How exciting~~ How horrible. His world must have a real distinction between races, as well. ]

Trust in others makes you both stronger. Tell me; what can I do to convince you of my intentions?

You really are naive.

[This guy would get alone well with Noé. Not that he thinks that the vampire needs another to encourage his blind trust and naivete when it comes to the world and how it works. Although he figures that maybe learning things the hard way would be good for him and make dealing with him easier.]

As if I'm going to believe someone who won't even talk to me in person. That's like a person who simply takes everything they read at face value.

[ it's technically a good point. shell knows he's being goaded into it, but if it could put one human at ease, maybe he's willing to make the sacrifice. ]

...Fine. I'll meet you. Name the time and place.

There's a park on Level 2 that's easy to get to. As far as time I don't really care.

[He doesn't sleep much and also he's curious about whether this vampire can only be out at night like some have told him. The time Shell chooses might give a clue.]

Later is better than earlier.

[ some idiot (spoilers: it's me) didn't read the FAQ in time to find out that Prisma has supplements that will allow vampires to stay out in the sun until after this post, timeline-wise, so it would be wrong to retcon that. ]

Will you send me the location? I'll be there as soon as the sun sets.

Edited 2019-09-17 12:00 (UTC)

[He'll send the information for the park.]

I'll be waiting.

[ Sure enough, Shell shows up at sunset, making his way to a bench to sit and wait - if Vanitas doesn't get there first to stop him and keep him off his game.

He's got a pit in his stomach that says this is a bad idea, but if he's going to convince someone of his good intentions, he really did have to put his best foot forward and make the effort. ]

And here I thought I might get stood up.

[While he doesn't stop him before he sits, Vanitas had been watching. It's hard to tell where exactly he was hiding (it had been in a tree), but he prefers to be in control of situations as much as possible and had no intention of letting Shell see him first. Even if the other weren't a vampire he probably would have taken the same precautions.

He strolls over to sit at the bench across from the vampire, legs crossed and gloves fingers interlaced atop them.]

☽ II: video

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