[ 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?

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[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[Tim will nod]

And who does your father have?

[ananym]

[ his expression is tinged with wry humour. ]

The forces of darkness and whoever he can summon to his side. He is Dracula after all.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

He could have been a lone wolf kinda of Dracula? Determined to do it all by himself?

Yeah, I know, not likely but it was a tiny bit possible.

[ananym]

You are not entirely wrong. He was that for a very long time.

But now . . . he'll invite all that he knows to help him in his quest.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

I suppose big plans call for big changes, and what's bigger than genocide?

[ananym]

[ alucard does not quite droop, not visibly but it flickers in his expression. ]

So it seems.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Bigger odds have been beaten before, I am sure that you will be successful in saving humanity.

[ananym]

What makes you say that?

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Gut feeling?

[ananym]

[ gut feeling huh? not an expression alucard is familiar with, but he can grasp it. ]

We have to succeed. There is no room for failure.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

I know, it's going to be alright. The world will not end with this I'm sure.

So that is your all-consuming purpose back home? No wonder you're in emotional limbo right now. To go from that amount of stress to just... drifting? I wouldn't know what to do.

[ananym]

I am certainly struggling to . . . adapt.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

I'm sure the bonus culture shock is not helping on top of that.

I would offer assistance in any way that I can?

[ananym]

I do not think there is much anyone can do for a world far beyond this place.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Well yes, but I more meant here. I understand I can't really be of help in your world.

[ananym]

[ after a pause, he softens. ]

Thank you. It's kind of you.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[He shrugs]

It's the right thing to do. We're all stuck in this same situation we should do what we can to help each other out.

[ananym]

[ an interesting idea, the "we". alucard has been alone, he's not sure how to feel about it. ]

Yes. We are all here together.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[Robin gives him a curious look. Yes, he just said that.]

Yes, and we don't know how long we'll be here together so we should do as much to make the stay pleasant, at least between ourselves.

[ananym]

[ affirmation never hurts. ]

And that's all?

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Do people need better reasons to be kind to others? I think a 'just because' sounds good enough.

[ananym]

Perhaps. But the reasoning seems weaker to me that way. To do things just because it is the way or a societal upbringing rather than to do it, despite circumstance.

That feels truly defining.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Yeah but not every action or societal norm requires rebelling against. Some things are fine just being that way. Wanting to help people for no reason at all or even just to keep things peaceful isn't a bad thing.

[ananym]

Your world is kinder than mine then.

[ because that's certainly not the way there. ]

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Perhaps but all the more reason to be kinder in your world? because it matters more?