[ video ]

[ananym]

[ there's a pretty vampire, looking into the camera curiously before speaking. ]

I have been meaning to ask. Is there anything that you have learned here that has changed your lives?

Comments

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

They're not mutually exclusive statements though. It is a shitty situation being kidnapped with no way to return but at least if we're going to be out here. We can take advantage of the time to do things you want. In your case, some self-reflection perhaps?

[ananym]

Even self-reflection requires purpose.

[ otherwise it's simply aimless. ]

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Isn't self-reflection usually about self-awareness and how to better oneself then? Isn't be a better person a purpose on its own?

[ananym]

It can be. But it is not what I need. I have tested the steel of my willpower and have not balked at the most difficult of tasks.

Being a better person is not dictated by who I am. It is dictated by what I do. Hence why I talked of what change could come here, in this place.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Then go do good things?

[Tim isn't seeing what the problem is here? This guy wants to have a purpose, then go out and find purpose. You don't learn anything or better yourself at all by sitting about and talking about how you should. You go out and do it.]

[ananym]

[ his brow furrows. perhaps he's not explaining himself well. ]

But that goes back to my original point. Can change happen here? If people come and go to the whims of our overlords, are they remembered?

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Ah, it seems I missed that part of the conversation. I suppose that is a thought, striving for change is a bit different when you know you won't remember it.

[Tim seems to get lost in thought contemplating that]

I wonder if physical changes stay? if it's just a mind wipe or a turning back time sort of situation?

I don't like to be idle though so I'm not sure it's going to change what I do here. Sitting stagnant would drive me crazy.

[ananym]

What is it that you do here?

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Officially? nothing.

Unofficially I'm just keeping busy, still working out what I can understand of the systems here, training with crewmates and other fleet members.

Also searching for a purpose here, I guess.

[ananym]

[ alucard nods. ]

My purpose before I came here — It was all-consuming. It would have burned the heart out of me.

Now, I feel bereft without it.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

What was your purpose before you came here? If I can ask?

[ananym]

You may. It is no secret.

[ alucard's slow, delicate cadence does not skip a beat. ]

My father is waging war on humanity. He intends to wipe them out. I cannot allow that to happen.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[Not what he had expected, but he really shouldn't be surprised.]

And what did you plan to do? especially against Dracula and isn't humanity well... a food source for Vampires?

[ananym]

[ huh. ]

They are, though not the only one.

How did you know my father's name? Did you divine that from my own?

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

I'm guessing wildlife is an alternative?

and yes, did he actually name you his own name backwards?

[ananym]

Sometimes, but not always.

[ alucard shakes his head. ]

"Alucard" is not my real name. It is only what the people call me.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

People aren't very creative sometimes. Is it what you preferred to be called?

[ananym]

I prefer it to my real name for now.

[ whether he'll use adrian again . . . alucard hasn't decided. such things have long passed into the night. ]

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Alucard it is then.

Why is your father waging war against humanity?

[ananym]

[ yeah no. he's not sharing that off the bat, no matter how stalwart and honest he is. ]

Do the reasons matter?

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

In your world, I imagine it matters a lot but I understand that was more of a polite way of saying that I don't really need to know. Which is true. I don't.

[ananym]

[ he nods. ]

Whatever his reasons are, it's inexcusable.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Also true.

Who do you have helping you?

[ananym]

A hunter and a scholar of magic.

[ and that's all he needs. because video game logic. ]

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[Tim will nod]

And who does your father have?