001 | Video

[angryyoungvamp]

Still never going to get used to not having to get used to this thing.

Okay, so. I think I've got a little more handle on how this city works. Thanks to everybody who helped me get my feet on the ground. I never thought I'd be glad for Metatropolis being weird sh... stuff central, but it makes adjusting go faster.

[He knows this place drags kids here, or at least teenagers. Self-censoring is go.]

Though I've got to say, the coffin and garlic jokes just because I'm used to the night shift wear a little thin. I can't be the only guy here who usually gets up when the sun goes down, can I? Anybody else get that feeling?

[This is his attempt at being subtle about saying "where my Kindred at, yo?" Because he's not used to coming to a new city without actual introductions and contacts and things. As much as he hates his clan's organization sometimes, it makes knowing who's in on things much easier. Not like he can ask normal people where he can get blood at this time of night.]

Oh, by the way. Guess I should introduce myself if anyone cares. I'm Maugris, I'm new here. I know about weird occult or paranormal things, so if you need help with that stuff, let me know - just know that I'm usually asleep during the day.

Comments

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[tyrantball]

A little girl with tiny horns and multiple eyes is just sort of staring, confused.

"What does garlic have to do with anything?"

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[angryyoungvamp]

It's a joke about me being up at night so much that I get mistaken for a vampire. Vampires are supposed to hate garlic.

[Ooookay, that's... pretty demonic-looking, there, but if she's got aCOMP and she's on this network she's another Visitor, so probably not someone he's supposed to be fighting. Probably.

Also she's a little girl and seems to be acting like one, even if she's also got way too many eyes.]

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[tyrantball]

"Desco knows TWO vampires, and they never said anything about garlic!"

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[angryyoungvamp]

Okay, when I say "supposed to" I mean everybody thinks they do. All the stories and everything, it's up there with not having a reflection or not being able to come in unless they're invited. I mean, I don't know a whole lot of vampires, so I couldn't really say for sure.

[Time to lie blatantly.]

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[tyrantball]

"Ohhh, you mean fake vampires! Desco only knows real ones."

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[angryyoungvamp]

Right. Well, I don't know about "fake" exactly, just from stories. But yeah, not necessarily real vampires.

... Wait, you said you know vampires?

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[tyrantball]

"Yes! Desco is the personal student of Tyrant Valvatorez! He taught Desco how to be a respectable Final Boss!"

Desco grins, showing off her mouthful of shark teeth.

"Valzy is so strong and amazing Supreme Overlord Zetta declared him his rival! Therefore, Desco is only two degrees removed from the most powerful and badass demon in the universe! Isn't Desco amazing?! She moves in such rarified circles, after all!"

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[angryyoungvamp]

Uh, wow. That's pretty high up, yeah. I... think. I'm afraid I don't know a lot about infernal politics, I don't usually chat with, er, you guys much.

[This is him hinting at not having ever heard either of those names. Demon lords declaring each other rivals sounds more like a kung fu movie than the regents of hell.]

So, you're not the same kind of demon that comes out at night around here, are you?

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[tyrantball]

"Of course not! Desco is the Final Boss, and those are just fodder characters."

Her voice practically drips with disdain at those last two words.

"Desco is strong and amazing and cute AND plot-relevant!"

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[not_heavens_adam]

[Just the fact this man was a new face and an older face is enough to draw Johnny's attention. What keeps it there is the vampire references. He turns on the video with his usual casual smile, gold eyes clearly inquisitive.]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Maugris. Welcome to the city.

You're not the only one to keep odd hours. Both myself and my...roommate keep similar hours. Though mine are more out of necessity than his.

[Whereas he'd been able to keep daytime hours in the last inter-dimensional city he'd found himself in, the case wasn't the same here. It was much to his disappointment that he found the rays of light just as scathing as they were at home.]

If I may ask, how long has it been since you arrived here?

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[angryyoungvamp]

About a week, if I've been keeping count right.

[Enough that he hasn't quite run dry yet, but that's mostly because he hasn't been using Disciplines here. He's getting pretty hungry though.]

I know what you mean; seems like we're just the sort of person who don't see the sun much, huh? I had a few friends who were mostly up nights at home, but I'm still trying to get a job around here so I haven't gotten acquainted with two many other night owls yet.

[It's a bit of a risk, but he hasn't bothered making himself look alive - uses too much blood. So he looks pretty terrible, but someone who knows what to look for shouldn't have trouble pegging him as a vampire.]

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[not_heavens_adam]

[It's both intriguing and worrisome to learn that this was, indeed, a new vampire in town. He knew there were others like him who preferred not to attack and kill for food, but not many. Of course, if that was his game, as long as he stayed away from those who mattered, what did Johnny really care?]

I understand. My name is Johnny, my friend, and I believe I might be able to help you with the job front and making new friends. Perhaps we should meet for dinner? The garlic held, of course.

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[angryyoungvamp]

[Maugris doesn't like attacking much, and definitely prefers not to kill when he can avoid it. But talking about that has to wait for a private conversation. Or...]

Pleasure to meet you, Johnny. I'd be happy to meet somewhere - and honestly, I'm fine with garlic if you are.

[Not like he'll be eating any of it anyway.]

Where did you have in mind? I'm afraid I haven't explored that much outside of Pisces yet, but I can probably find a place if you know one.

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[not_heavens_adam]

[His smile brightens as though Maugris has just told him the best thing ever.]

Perfect! There's a lovely little place in the Virgo district very near to where it turns into the Libra district. Maybe there? I could send you a simple map, if you'd like.

As for the garlic, I'm afraid my allergy is fairly strong. I'll have to pass.

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[angryyoungvamp]

[Well. Friendly is not a bad reaction. Maugris can definitely deal with friendly.]

No need, I think there's a tram stop near there, isn't there? I've stopped by the station once or twice so I've got a vague idea how the city's laid out.

Heh, fair enough. No garlic, then. [Maugris, you've got the threshold thing going, you're in no position to be smug about other people's flaws.]

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[not_heavens_adam]

[Johnny winked and gave a small, joking, salute.]

Sounds good~ I'll see you then.

[video]

[phantom_envoy]

You know drawing public attention to it will just make people tease you more, right?

[Will make one person tease you more, anyway.]

Not like I've got a stake in this, but I thought I'd stick my neck out for you here.

[Phantom Girl flutters her eyelashes innocently.]

[video]

[angryyoungvamp]

Very funny. A guy's got to find some way to make more friends around here, doesn't he?

[And it worked, too. Probably not as subtle as he would have liked to be, but he's not the best at striking the balance between that and being too subtle for anyone to realize what he's hinting at.]

But thanks. Really. I would've taken a lot longer to figure out most of this if it wasn't for running into you.

[phantom_envoy]

No need for fangs.

[She waves the gratitude aside.]

All in a days' work for your friendly neighborhood superhero. Whatever the task, we just grin and... bare it.

[..........ok she'll stop now.]

Did you stop by city hall yet? In retrospect, I probably should have figured there were... nocturnal citizens who needed someone to be available during nighttime hours.

[angryyoungvamp]

Yeah, I managed to get over there. Enough to get the paperwork sorted out, anyway. Luckily curfew for people without the cards and things is midnight, so I can get things done before all the normal people run for cover.

I took a peek outside once, after the sky stopped being red - those are some impressive wards they've got set up. Or force fields, or... whatever they are. I'm guessing they're pretty effective at keeping the monsters out?

[phantom_envoy]

Well. No one's been murdered in their sleep yet, so I'm gonna say they've been effective enough.

I've heard things, though - sometimes the wards aren't much good during the really intense times, since... what you need to be on guard against are the other people here.

[angryyoungvamp]

... What do you mean, the really intense times?

[Because guarding against other people he can understand, but if that was a problem surely it would be a problem all the time?]

[phantom_envoy]

I thought I mentioned it before - sometimes people get brainwashed and crazy. Didn't I? Briefly. ...Maybe not. ...If not, then, uh.

Hey, sometimes people get brainwashed and crazy! It's kind of a bummer.

[angryyoungvamp]

I think I might've glossed over it at the time. But I think I remember, something about zodiac signs?

[phantom_envoy]

Something along those lines.

We're talking Earth zodiac here, of course. Different planets see the stars in different patterns, but they're not that accommodating.