doesitanyway | [ MEADOWLARK ] IC Inbox

Have I told you there is one I know of who became something other than pure evil? He was far younger than thirteen hundred, but I know not what made him different from the rest.

A man of science, his son called him. Capable of love as well as cruelty. It seemed absurd, but at one point he even took a human wife. Sought revenge for her murder.

The rest... well, I've told you of them. I do believe vampirism is innately different between our worlds, but sometimes I do wonder.

There are undoubtedly differences, but the fact remains that vampirism is power. There are always those that will abuse it, and there will always be those that use it to better the lives of those around them.

You came around quickly enough to believing I was not evil. I think there is part of you that hopes the same for many more of my kind.

The empathy bond was remarkably convincing. Without it, I'm not certain I would have been so reasonable.

[ It's not a flattering admission, but it is the truth. ]

Humans have a reason to hate and fear us. It's nothing we haven't earned. I would have sooner killed myself than become a vampire, once.

...do you now fear being turned back?

An interesting question. Let me consider it, I will return to you when I have reached a conclusion.

No. I would not say I fear it. I have no desire to exist as a vampire now, but it is a life to which I am accustomed. I can modulate my behaviour and desires as I wish, and I trust in my experience at controlling my hunger. I would be better equipped to help the good people here, especially if returned to the apex of my power.

But I would feel a greater loss, to return to how I was, than to remain as I am. Humans do not consider aging a gift, but I have existed for two thousand years and been perceived a child for much of that time. I had expected, as a human, to reach certain milestones. To marry, have children, and see them grown. To bury my parents in the custom of our people. To become the chieftain my father raised me to be. That was taken from me, but many of those possibilities are now restored. I would trade it to be powerful once more, but it would be a dearly made deal.

I consider life itself the gift, made all the more precious because we know it will end. The undead I've knows thought themselves superior because of their power but the milestones you speak of are those of life. So I do hope you get to keep it, friend. You help others plenty.

Wise words, for one so young.

You have a surprising depth, Mr. Belmont.

Ah, well. You've caught me sober-ish, that's all.

Is everyone not 'so young' to you?

They are.

I still think of my progeny as being a child, and he is a millennia.

I suppose some things never change.

Perhaps not. But I haven't been a child since I was twelve, honestly. No matter how immature some would claim me to be.

Twelve was rather young, for your era.

( but trevor is a deeply traumatized man, and that trauma comes from somewhere. godric is too old not to have an idea — and for a moment he debates not asking. but trevor is mentioning the matter while, presumably, semi-sober. ergo — )

What happened?

[ Perhaps it's because Trevor is semi-sober that the answer takes longer to come. But it does. ]

I believe I first introduced myself as the last son of the House of Belmont? Those who fought against the darkness to protect mankind.

Twelve was the age at which I became the last Belmont.

A difficult thing to bear at any age. I am sorry.

It might have been easier, if we'd been what they accused us to be. Wielders of dark magics, harbingers of evil, a danger to Wallachia rather than her sworn protectors. I was dragged from the ancestral home to watch it burn. Exiled, excommunicated, beaten and chased out anywhere they recognized my crest.

Things were rather shit for a long time. Perhaps you can see why losing my purpose again is cause for the aforementioned existential crisis.

...would you care for a drink, Godric? I think I could use a drink.

Very well.

Meet me at Red Wings in twenty minutes.

Very decisive of you. I'll be there.

[ And he is; there isn't much that Trevor spends his money on, usually drinking back at the Safehouse, so he can afford a splurge. He intends to treat Godric, at least, since it was his invitation and miserable backstory.

He's already at the bar when Godric arrives, with an ale to start with. When he spots the ex-vampire he raises a hand in greeting. ]

Godric. Good to see you again.

[ Then something occurs to him. He knows Godric is ancient, of course, but he does appear young. Younger than Trevor, who's a rough twenty that insisted on his identification showing him as of drinking age. ]

...a random curiosity, but what age does your identification say you are?

( he joins trevor at his table without much preamble, and as he sits — )

Eighteen. I wouldn't have chosen it for myself, but it hasn't given me considerable difficulty.

I suppose an age over two thousand would have raised some eyebrows. At least you can get in here.

[ He signals for a server to come by when they're free, to get Godric something. ]

Ah, what am I saying? They probably don't even check, with how you carry yourself.

( that does inspire something of a laugh, a brief huff of sound accompanied by an upward quirk of his mouth. )

No. Even back home, no one ever tried to ask for my driver's licence when it was not my intent to come across as young. I can pretend it well enough, but it is not my preference.

( but there were times when it was advantageous. )

Don't tell them I'm not legal either, not in this time and place.

[ His tone is flippant -- clearly the restrictions are bullshit to him. ]

What would you like?

( he turns towards the bar and studies it curiously. beer, of course, was the beverage of choice for his people. water was not often potable but liquor always was, and it was common to have beer with every meal. romans drank wine for similar reasons. godric has sampled liquor throughout the centuries by way of drunken victims, but he has not given especial thought to the concept of drinking now that he is human once more.

nothing he sees catches his interest overmuch, and so he shrugs. )

Your secrets are safe with me, Mr. Belmont. In the meantime, why don't you endeavor to surprise me?

Trevor, please. You know my tragic backstory now, I think we're on a first name basis.

[ He tilts his head at the request for a surprise, a slow smile curving his lips. There are many options, Godric, that challenge even his tolerance and palate. ]

Hmm. How much do you want to enjoy tonight now vs regret it come morning?

Trevor, then.

( there's mischief afoot, and godric regards trevor levelly enough. )

I prefer to live my life without regret, thank you. Perhaps don't test the limits of a mortal metabolism just yet.

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