driftfleet | five ☀ video

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maladicta

five ☀ video

Who: Mal and you
Broadcast: Fleetwide!
Action: The Marsiva
When: Right meow (November 8)

Is everyone having fun?

[You know . . . if her expression were any different, that would sound absolutely sarcastic and pretty condescending. But she's positively beaming. Gleeful. Mal is having a great few weeks.]

It's more fun on the ships, I have to admit, but everyone's minds are so interesting. People can look almost exactly the same on the outside and be absolutely distinctive on the inside. [And she thinks that's beautiful.]

Also, a question - most of these videos and things are from Earth, yes? Well, I'm not, so someone ought to tell me where to start. My requirements thus far are: no folk music, no Taylor Swift.

[A beat. She frowns.]

No romance unless there's also a lot of punching. [Or you're Cassandra. The only exception.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Black is perfectly fine.

[It takes him a few seconds longer than, perhaps, it should, but undead makes it click. Remus sits at the counter and stares at her back for a few seconds, curious despite himself. He's never met a vampire before.]

Do you keep it a secret, then? Your-- [He gestures. You know.]

Good taste.

[Which, all things considered, isn't the thing to say when you are literally capable of pretty much eating a person, but tact isn't her schtick, really. So. She crosses over and slides the cup in front of him, then takes a seat herself.]

Not in the least. I run into some trouble with it here and there, but overall people tend to get angrier when you try to keep it a secret and they find out later. Surprise, I'm your actual vampire. Not fun on either side. There are a couple absolute bastards here about it, though.

Oh? Anyone in particular?

[Does she know? Can she smell him? Reports on vampires are vague; it's werewolves who have the heightened sense of smell, but that's only during the full moon. Instinct suggests yes, but he isn't about to blurt it out on a hunch.]

I think I'd disagree about the secret bit-- although you know your business best.

Zhas and Coil primarily. They're on the Red Fish. Honest bastards, they are, not to tell tales but kick them in the shins if you get the opportunity.

[There's also Joseph, but - he's hers, and anyway, she's pretty sure his personal vendetta leans distinctly bat-ward. So she won't tell tales about him, at the very least.]

Things are different from world to world. Where I come from, everyone knows what we look like - quite distinctive, in a certain way, but I blend in here because people just aren't used to it. So there wasn't any point keeping it a secret at home, and here I'd rather at least know when people are coming for me.

Different from species to species, too. Incidentally. I wouldn't presume to know your business.

[He makes note of the names, though he hasn't run into them yet-- but he has his wand here, and he's quick with it when he has to be. He can take on a few muggles if they start getting rowdy. If they find out, which Remus doesn't intend to allow.

Mm. There's another little clue, though. Remus hesitates, then exhales softly.]

Is it that obvious to you?

Extremely. Immediately. Nothing visible, obviously, or you'd be caught out by other people. But I can smell it.

[Somewhat more polite than I can smell you. Both are equally true. She cocks her head at Remus, and her expression is - not gentle, because that isn't how she operates, but it's not as sharp as it could be, either.]

I am actually quite good at keeping secrets, you know. I realize you have no reason to believe this, given that you don't actually know my name yet - Mal - but it's true anyway.

Well. Fortunate for me, then.

[The thinness of his smile isn't for her-- she's been quite good to him so far, actually, and he appreciates it. He just doesn't like not having control. It's one thing to tell someone your secret; another to have them know it without your consent. But what's done is done.]

Remus Lupin. And I appreciate your discretion. Werewolves are never particularly well received, and not especially in small enclosed spaces.

[This is, of course, fair, and if she were a different sort of person she wouldn't need to have it spelled out to her so explicitly. But she's not. She's just herself, and herself is one of those people who, all good intentions to the contrary, really does enjoy picking at the soft places in people's minds.]

[Vampires. What's to be done, really. She purses her lips and gives him a curious look, then shrugs one shoulder.]

Well. It's good to meet you, exciting supernatural additions entirely aside, and if you would like to discuss further the various growing pains that come with being shunted onto a spaceship while going through perpetual growing pains, I am, of course, available.

On the other hand, if you'd like to shut the fuck up about it instead, that's also fine. Up to you. Drink up, your coffee's going cold.

[Well. What is he to do but obey? Remus drinks up, and god, but that's good-- a good shock to his system, which helps. He swallows down two mouthfuls before setting his cup down. Right.]

Go on. Tell us what it's like, then, being a Dark creature on a spaceship. Presumably you've found a way around it.

[She puts her chin on her hand and smiles, a real smile instead of a smirk, which, he may notice soon enough, is very rare. As to the question - she wobbles her other hand. Kinda-sorta.]

The urge never goes away, obviously. And it never will and that's fine. It might be different where you're from, but with us, we can substitute something else, a different kind of urge. For a while I chose coffee. Here . . .

[Wait, no, that's not right. She drums her fingers against her cheek.]

Well, it wasn't a good idea anywhere, put it that way. Had some accidents - not fatal ones, not for anyone involved, but avoidable. So I thought something more abstract, and I have the engineering augment, so I thought - maybe that. I subsist on engine work now, more or less. Bit of a struggle being stuck on the Marsiva for this long, but I've been taking apart the clock and putting it back together and that seems to be fine for now.

If you need help . . .

[What the hell is he going to offer? Nothing mechanical-- but, well, if it comes to that, if it comes to the worst . . . werewolves are built sturdier than humans. He can take a bite or two. And if Mal is anything like him, she'll want to attack a dark creature before a human.

He meets her eyes, for a long few seconds, before returning to his coffee. The offer is made, no sense in lingering on it.]

How strong are you?

[Oh. That's - she wasn't expecting that. It's silly, maybe, but she latched onto him immediately as a subordinate, one of the lads in the same way Joseph is. It seems as though he is not quite as invested in that particular dynamic.]

[So much the better, maybe. Now she's smirking, because the offer is made and there really isn't any sense lingering on it, but she nods just a little bit all the same. If she needs help, she'll ask.]

Very. Although I'm not sure how to put it in comprehensible terms, since all I know about your world is that you're in it . . . let's see. Faster than any animal I can think of offhand, senses that as far as I know are roughly equivalent to at least the werewolves in my world, strength - I could rip someone's head off if I wanted to in about a second. Sorry, that's not a savory mental image but it's what I've got.

You?

Right now . . . I hardly work out, but I have a natural strength that's a bit more than it would be if I was human, I think. Nothing supernatural, but an extra edge. I'm more immune to magic, to being stunned or poisoned . . . my transformed form is a different matter. I look like a normal wolf, but I'm quite deadly.

I think, however, you may be stronger than me-- which will come in handy in three weeks. I need someone to keep me from harming anyone else. My friend James will be there, but . . . you might be better.

If you'd be willing, that is.

Of course I'm willing.

[It comes out instantly, no hesitation. It's only right. Furthermore, it's what she wants to do, and isn't it always nice when wants and duties align like this?]

It does work on the same cycle, then? Monthly, even when we're nowhere near a moon? I was wondering about that.

I assume so. My last transformation was a week ago; it ought to be in three weeks. I suppose we'll see then if it lines up.

[It will. He won't be lucky enough to escape his curse, he knows that-- but it would be nice.]

Thank you.

I suppose we will. Well - if it doesn't, and then surprises you later, or something, I'm the captain of the Caprine, have someone fetch me. And if you can't get in touch with me directly, try Cassandra or Joseph or Elecman.

[She pauses a little, because up until not so long ago she would have said Polly's name first. And Polly would be polite about this, so:]

You're welcome.

Is he going to be irritated? This James person.

No.

[He might be, a little, because full moon nights were always a Marauders thing, especially in school. But without Padfoot there to distract and soothe Moony, Remus doesn't want Prongs to field all the damage. Better some irritation over a silly Boy's Club violation than James breaking his ribs.]

He just wants to ensure everyone's safe, same as I.

[Remis drains the mug and adds:]

Do you mind if I ask a bit more about vampires?

Good lad, then.

[She does have to wonder what his deal is, what makes him equipped to handle a transformation. Another wolf - but no, he'd change at the same time, and probably not a vampire because Remus seems to know so little about them. Maybe she'll have to wait to find out.]

Ask anything you want. As I said, it's no secret. Another?

Please.

[He tries to think-- frankly, he's curious on an academic level, but he doesn't want to overwhelm her with idiotic questions. She seems to take being a vampire better than he does being a werewolf, but still. He's not going to be insensitive about this.]

You said it was obvious what you were at home. How accepted are vampires among humans? Do all humans know of you, or just wizards and witches?

[While he's thinking, she snatches the cup from him and crosses over to the coffee pot, pours him another, starts a new pot while she's over there too. The question makes her smile a little. It's so polite. He's overall a very polite young man.]

[As she slides back into her seat and passes him the fresh cup, curls her fingers around her own, she hums quietly and tries to remember all the details. If he's going to be so polite, she might as well be comprehensive in return.]

We all look very similar. At least the ones who are born and not made - pale, slim, dark hair, light eyes. Certainly there are people with the look who aren't vampires, but especially in Hubward countries, if you meet someone who looks like me and has a certain attitude . . . you just assume.

Everyone knows, we're not even a slightly well-kept secret. Again, especially Hubwards - in Überwald and the little pissy countries, like Borogravia, that's where I'm from - you see someone like me and you assume, and then you pull up the neck of your shirt a little, you know?

Mm, and as far as being accepted . . . it really depends where you are. There are some places scattered around where our aristocracy reigns, where people pay due deference out of fear rather than taking things into their own hands in the face of a threat. But those are becoming few and far between, which is all for the best, honestly, because vampires for the most part are utter cocks, myself included. Any one of us with any sense feels the changing of the tide, does the hard work, and drops the blood, because it's that or.

[She waves a hand vaguely.]

Stake through the heart, and et cetera. And even those of us who've done that, we're not so much accepted as tiptoed around. The more harmless you make yourself look, the easier it goes for you, and unfortunately that's just not my style.

[Fascinating. Remus leans in, delighted by the thoroughness of Mal's answer. He can't help but imagine eastern Europe when she mentions Überwald, but it's irrelevant, he's never going to visit anyway.]

I see.

[Of course, the least he can do is return the favor. He sips from his cup first, savoring the warmth and the bitterness, before adding:]

Now, for us, it's all a great secret. All dark creatures-- vampires, werewolves, centaurs, all of us. It's just easier if nonmagic people-- muggles-- don't know. But for those of us with magic, those in the know-- well.

[He wrinkles his nose.]

We're all rather pariahs, I'm afraid. I was made, not born-- age six, what about you?-- and god, you'd think I was a pedophile, the way all of us are treated. I wasn't allowed to go to school, they had to bloody well sneak me in-- I've kept it a secret my entire life. James and two others, my mates, they figured it out and they don't care, but the rest of the world-- I haven't been able to get a steady job, because of course when you disappear once a month people figure it out. Vampires don't even bother trying, I think-- I've certainly never met one, but then again, I don't advertise I'm a werewolf, so it's entirely possible I have and simply didn't know it.

[--that was a rant. Remus exhales harshly and glances down, mouth pursed, trying to compose himself. He has a lot of self-loathing, to be sure, but there's a lot of bitterness towards society at large as well.]

In any case. A bit different from your home.

[She drinks the information with as much fascination as he had, her eyes wide and curious and unblinking. The contrast is interesting, certainly, but also a little annoying. It doesn't take her too long to figure out why.]

[First, to answer his question:]

Forever. Both my parents are - or were, I actually have no idea if my mother's dead or not.

[And second . . .]

You know, from what I understand, the way people treat werewolves in my world isn't too different. Which has struck me as ridiculous more than once. There's the same instinct, really, to predate, and if anything I'd say you've got the more control, because there's three weeks out of the month when you're almost entirely human. Me, I can't turn this off. Not that it particularly bothers me, but there is a difference.

I think it's about associations, though. People think werewolves are more wild, because, well, wolves - and that we're more controlled, more human, just because we're more capable of holding onto a smile while we're breaking your neck. Which is a thought, too, actually, whether the - poshness of vampires is an adaptive trait in some ways. Hm.

Damn stupid, either way.

Mm. It makes sense.

[He runs a few stray fingers through his hair, pushing it out of his eyes, and bites back his next words. Vampires lust for blood (or coffee, or engineering) constantly, yes, but you can reason with them. Talk to them. When he's transformed, all you can do is run. Pray, maybe. He remembers Moony's bloodthirsty nature, the savage need for meat and blood and gore. It may be only one week out of four, but it's an awful week.

Anyway. He offers her a slight smile. Society is what it is, he is what he is, and he can't change either by being bitter. The least he can do is steer the conversation to more pleasant waters.]

In any case. Garlic, mirrors, oddly specific religious imagery-- any of that true?

[There's that sense of uneasiness again. In some measure, she thinks he might disagree with her. But that's fine. It doesn't bother her. Part of the fun of having friends, she's found, is being able to argue with them.]

[So she shoots his smile right back at him. This she can talk about, easy.]

I can see my reflection perfectly well. Garlic gives me a rash, I get sunstroke easily, and we don't have anything like Christianity where I'm from, so I can look at a cross without wincing. Stakes work, obviously, but they also work on everyone. Running water, no. I can change into bats, but one of them always tends to get lost.

Sorry-- one of them? Do you change into a-- god, I don't even know the right word. Hoard? Flock?

[The rest of the answers are rather interesting, though, and make sense to boot.]

You said you were stronger than humans-- are you more resilient too? Stakes work on everyone, yes, but if I were to be gutted, I'd go quick. Does it only work through the heart with you, or's it like everyone?

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