driftfleet | 002 In Which Vampires are Silly

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002 In Which Vampires are Silly

Who: Akeldama and you!
Broadcast: Yes
Action: Planet side and Iskaulit
When: throughout December

Iskaulit library - actually more in late November ~~shh~~
[What was Lord Akeldama to do with himself when he didn't have the life he normally lived at home? No drones, no going out to the see the latest show at the theater. None of it. So he had headed to the library. True, he typically only read what appeared in the gossip rags now-a-days, but that didn't mean he was incapable of a good book.

Well... that's if he could find a good book...

Curiosity had compelled him to look at one of the books on Earth history, but he clearly hadn't gotten very far, sitting there, drumming his nails against the table as he stared at one section]

Planet side - shopping!
[At the first possible opportunity, Lord Akeldama was shopping! He was sadly lacking in clothes and he wanted so much to be able to burn those horrid jumpsuits that had been given to him. They were a travesty against all things fashion after all.

So he could easily be found in the formal section of a clothing store browsing different options that fit his taste... in as many colors as he could possibly afford. He didn't like not having funds to just do whatever he wanted.

He had also found a fabric store while he was there, browsing quietly. Not like he could do anything with it after all. An unfortunate side effect of metamorphosis, no more creativity.

That was until he had happened to find a blue paisley fabric. It was exactly his style!]

This would make the most perfect waistcoat! A shame though...

Open Broadcast
[Of course here is Lord Akeldama and he has to make this a post. Why? Because he's showing off in a way. So he'd seen all of this about "ugly Christmas sweaters" which why would someone do that to themselves. But he had found something else and he was playing this off as if it is completely normal.

So Lord Akeldama is dressed in dark brown trousers, a sage green jacket, a rose gold cravat, and this vest as if it were a waistcoat. Nothing odd to see here, just a vampire in an ugly Christmas vest...]

This truly is a remarkable place. It has been so long since I've had the chance to visit a city such as this.

So what have been your favorite things to do here? I would like to know what all I have missed thus far.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( Sansa doesn't think she's ever been addressed so familiarly by someone on a first meeting but he's so impossibly kind that she cannot feel affronted by it; rather, she's quite charmed. )

Lady Sansa Stark, my lord. It is my great pleasure to meet you.

[Oooo, someone else with a title. While "lady" and "lord" are generic titles attached to a rank, it is nice to get an idea of where someone else stands]

My lady, the pleasure is all mine.

[And he will give her a bow now]

I am grateful you would make it for me.

Absolutely. I'll have to get your measurements, naturally, but I don't think it'll be a problem. Besides, I'll be busy making my own clothes too. It won't be anything to add one more piece.

( Sansa desperately wants something to wear other than Atroma-issued jumpsuits. )

Of course, of course. At your leisure. I am in no hurry. Since you are making accouterments for yourself as well.

[He knows both the importance of respecting the time of the person doing something for him and that a lady needs to be properly attired]

Have you found any delightful fabric for yourself?

( Sansa has been looking at a length of pale blue brocade, ice and snow pressed together almost, and she shows it to Akeldama. )

I was thinking of making something out of this, actually. I favor pale colors.

[Lord Akeldama looks at the fabric she shows him]

My dear, that is fabulous! You can make wonderful clothes with that! A nice ice blue fan and some sparkles.

I'm glad there's at least one other person who seems to be excited about the prospect of clothes. I've not met anyone who cares as much as I do.

( And their tastes seem to be wonderfully similar. )

Oh, indeed I am. Back home I had three whole closets just for my clothes and accessories. And not just me. My drones all kept up with the latest fashion trends as well. Too bad I had to make allowances for the mutton chop. Horrible style of men's facial hair. [Dramatic sigh] But it is the in thing right now.

( Sansa had whole wardrobes of clothes in King's Landing and at Winterfell, so she can understand the dilemma. She'd built up a decent wardrobe when she was last in the Fleet but now she's starting from scratch. )

I never knew how much I loved clothes until I came here and I didn't have any of my nice things. It's a terrible predicament to be in.

It is. Absolutely horrible! How can they simply bring people here and not give them a substantial wardrobe.

Luckily there seems to be some options here, clothes and fabric.

The things they do provide us to wear are simply not appropriate for a lady of my stature.

( Or any status, really, because the jumpsuits aren't flattering on anyone and they're not the dresses and skirts she's used to. Sansa doesn't mind making new, though. It gives her something to occupy her time - especially if she can get a number of projects to work on for the next Drift. )

I'll be happy to make new things for the both of us, honestly. It keeps me occupied.

They are not appropriate for anyone, certainly not a lady. There are some things that the opposite sex does not need to know about, unless all the appropriate arrangements and negotiations have been made.

I would most appreciate you making such things for me while you are working on your own. I do so love interesting waistcoat, but the fabric choices on the already made ones are not as exciting as I would like.

It will be no trouble at all. I plan to make my husband new clothes, too, since he is of a size and stature that makes it difficult for him to buy things straight from a shop.

( Sansa doesn't think it will take much to add Akeldama's things in with the ones she already intends to make - not a bit. )

Shall we pick out fabrics for me to use?

Wonderful. It is a shame that your husband has such trouble, but it is delightful that you are able to assist him. It's so problematic with pre-made clothes rather than custom made. I can't imagine why they would...

Positively topping idea!

[He holds out a hand offering to take the fabric that she is carrying. It was the job of a gentleman to assist a lady and he was a gentleman]

What do you think of purples?

I actually like purple quite a bit. I was fond of it when I was at court.

( It seems like a lifetime ago, being at court with Cersei Lannister. Then, she'd tried her best not to call attention to herself and wore purple so she could not be making any political statements. Now, though, she can wear any dresses that she likes. )

I think it would look nice with your coloring.

Well, thank you, my dear lilac bush. I do love purple.

[His favorite evening jacket was plum velvet after all]

So we should look for an absolutely smashing purple.

Your husband won't mind me taking your time for this? Even with pay?

My husband won't mind it. I think he might even be glad I've made a new acquaintance.

( Tyrion isn't the sort to keep her from anything. On the contrary, he pushes her to seek out new experiences. )

He'll be glad I have found something to occupy myself with.

Fabulous! I wouldn't want to cause a problem.

[Not to self, something for her husband for the holiday as well]

It is always good to have something to do. It does get so boring with nothing to do. My drones did most of my daylight work for me, but I did like to go out to plays when I had the chance.

Drones? I suppose that would be convenient. I had servants, in Westeros, but I've learned to do for myself here in the Fleet. It's sort of nice, in a way, having that agency to do whatever I like and not have to worry about the political implications.

( Sansa has thoroughly enjoyed getting to pursue her own passions in the Fleet without having to worry about the needs of the North - even if it makes her feel guilty at times. )

Drones are artists, sculptors, those creative types who pledge themselves to a vampire, doing daylight work, which we are unable to with the hope of being selected to try for immortality themselves. They are - in a way - servants, but a number of my boys do not actually require the patronage to survive. They like the lifestyle.

[Yep, he was a vampire, but it was mentioned with no real drama or fanfare]

I am becoming accustomed to doing things for myself here, but it is rather daunting when one hasn't for the better part of a few centuries.

It is such a difficult time though, having to take into consideration what others will think of what we do, especially in the realm of politics.

I suppose you're going to think me a little stupid but I'm going to ask this anyway. What is a vampire, exactly? I've never heard of one.

( Sansa has gleaned they cannot be in the daylight, from what he said about drones, but she still has no idea what a vampire actually is. )

[He's not surprised since others have not known what they are]

It is perfectly well, my dear. You are not the first to be confused.

Vampires are supernaturals, immortals in our world. Werewolves are the others. Vampires are unable to go out during the daylight. There are other restrictions that vampires suffer from but our most distinguishing feature and I do apologize because this would be considered most inappropriate...

[He then opens his mouth enough to show off his fangs. Only long enough for her to see them]

In my world, I would need to feed on blood which is another task my drones provide for me, willingly. You don't need to worry about me though, my dear. The Atroma has provided me with an acceptable option otherwise and I am a gentleman; a gentleman doesn't feed without permission.

( He feeds on blood. It's like some tale that Old Nan might have told her as a child but, unlike the tales of the White Walkers and the Rat Cook, this one doesn't have her shivering and diving beneath her quilts. Akeldama is perfectly polite, perfectly lovely, and she thinks she wouldn't even have known about his fangs had he not shown them. Still, she blushes a bit in spite of herself. )

Oh. Well, at least Atroma has provided for your needs adequately. You must forgive me, I don't even think vampires exist where I come from. I'm just a little shocked. Not enough to be frightened, though. Not in the slightest. You did, after all, give your word.

[She might have glimpsed the fangs, but he wouldn't have shown them off so. It was considered more than boorish to display one's fangs, along the same lines if a dog bared their teeth. But he was a gentleman, having apologized for it even before she knew what he was apologizing for]

Yes, I am grateful that they have. It would be most inconvenient otherwise if they had not.

I have heard that we don't exist in a number of worlds since arriving here. Unless they are still in hiding to avoid persecution. That is how it was during the dark ages.

I am glad you are not concerned about me. As you have said, I have given my word and a gentleman is nothing without his word. No biting without permission.

I imagine it's much easier to be satisfied when you're not having to struggle and hunt. If there's someone willing to make the arrangement with you, that seems fair. You cannot help what you are.

( It would be like being angry at a wolf that needs to hunt game. It's not the wolf's fault that it needs what it needs; Akeldama is at least mindful of others' feelings. )

It doesn't change my opinion of you, anyway.

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