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

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.

It is easier. We are so civilized in part because of our drones and it being acceptable to be a drone. My boys know I will help them to the best of my abilities so they offer the same to me. It allows me live in comfort and not have to find other sources. There are those who will sell a bite to a hungry vampire, but really, if one has the means.

[And Lord Akeldama had the means. He shouldn't be seen feeding in public with a couple of dozen drones who would drop everything for him. He did pride himself on having enough of them to never exhaust his supply]

It just thrills me that it does not change anything, my dear.

I've known men who were evil, men who wanted to hurt others. I've known those who have used others for ill gain. Someone who would be open about what they are, even at the risk of alienating others? That is not someone who is a bad person. That is not someone who would hurt me.

( As she said before to Baelish, she's a slow learner, but she does learn. Akeldama doesn't feel like the sort of person to be afraid of. )

I'm sure those who serve you are taken care of - I've no reason to distrust that. And, I must say, you do have wonderful taste in clothes. I might be a bit dazzled by that.

[He does smile. It is real and genuine. It really makes him happy to hear that she doesn't distrust him just for being a vampire. He's had people here look at him strange for saying vampire and the explanation for those who didn't know... well, even politely put it was rather disconcerting.

He is so happy with this that he reaches out to take one of her hands]

I am so glad to hear that, darling. It really is the last thing that I want.

[His life is made easier when people like him and trust him]

Well, thank you! I do love sparkly things. We men finally got to wear lace and shiny pieces in fashion and I have just never let that go. Modern fashion where I am from is just too drab for me. And of course you do as well from what I see of your choice. I think we have similar ideas of what makes high fashion.

I think a length of brocade and a bit of lace ought not be restricted to just us women. If you wear it well, there's no sense in dressing drab.

( And, honestly, Sansa likes making pretty things. As much as she'll always make something for Jon if he wants it, Sansa knows that he only wants black and Stark grey. )

The colors of my house are grey and white, which don't lend themselves to much creativity. I've had to branch out.

That is my thought exactly! Everyone seems to think dark colors are better for gentlemen, but I like being a little... eclectic. Besides, dark colors weren’t always popular. There was a time when brighter was better.

[This seems to be a friendship meant to be. Lord Akeldama likes wearing pretty things and he's willing to pay for people to make them for him. And he is happy with bright colors]

Oh my. No, those don’t inspire great fashion options. It is good that you have been so dedicated to that color palette.

I do love the colors of my house, yes, but they are meant to remind you of winter. Winter can be somewhat dreary once it's dragged on a while.

( And the winters in the North are long and terrible. Sansa knows that from experience. Sometimes it's nice to feel like a bit of a spring flower. )

Hmm... yes, those are fabulous colors to describe winter. Personally I like winter. It may sound like a foolish reason, but that's when the days are shortest and nights are longest.

[Oop, he hasn't explained the relevance to that yet]

See, vampires simply cannot be awake when the sun is up. We are practically comatose and exposure to the sun is so very bad for the health. [Read: fatal] So winter gives me the most time to be up in one day.

Sometimes, in our winters, the sun doesn't rise at all. Only the barest hint, right at noon, and then darkness again. It makes for loneliness, if you're not used to it, but I suppose you might like it.

( Sansa thinks it'd be advantageous for someone like Akeldama. )

Our winters last for years on end.

Oh yes, that does sound very lonely. Even vampires may find that to be too much night. I have never known of one who lived in areas with such conditions. I suppose it might be like my trying to adjust to space travel with no sun at all.

Still the option to be awake longer would be nice. Summer is so restricting. There isn't even the option.

Even if you were in a darkened house, you'd still feel the need to sleep the entire time the sun was up? Forgive me if this is rude - I've never met anyone like you before, my lord.

( Sansa wants to know more about him and his kind; surely there must be an advantage to the long life, after all. )

The desire to sleep would still be there, yes. Vampires are mostly dead to the world when the sun is up. If the situation requires it, we can be awoken during daylight hours, but we won't be the best company. However we cannot be exposed to the sun's light.

Well, luckily the stars are so far away here in space that there's no danger of it. I suppose you have to worry when we're planetside though, don't you?

( Does the sun on these worlds work the same as the sun in his world? Sansa couldn't begin to know. )

002 In Which Vampires are Silly

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