[Humpty Dumpty is very difficult to miss, but for different reasons than Trevor. Between his pale skin and hair he stands out considerably, but the fact that he has a large white snake curled around him just adds to that. For a while he hadn't taken Crak outside with him, especially once he left the Down, but after being separated in Fort Harmony he has since felt the absence of the reptile. And no one wants to mess with someone who carries a large snake wrapped around them.
Humpty spots Trevor as he makes his way into the park and approaches, offering a smile that seems tired. One might initially think that it must be difficult for someone as small as him to be supporting something as big as the snake, but that doesn't seem to be the problem.]
[...well, the snake is going to limit their options if they do end up deciding that they want to go somewhere else to continue drinking (other than to Trevor's flat), but that's a bridge they can cross when they come to it.
Trevor, for his part, at least doesn't seem worried about the snake. He motions to the spot next to him on the bench, eyebrow raised. At least Humpty looks as tired as Trevor feels right now.]
Like I said, I could use the distraction.
[He's got his head canted toward the snake, curious.]
[Humpty has gone to enough places with the snake without too much trouble because he's well-behaved, but yeah. That's something they can deal with later.
For now he sits down next to Trevor, the python adjusting the way its curled around him so that most of its bulk is settled on the bench and his lap. Red eyes fixate on Trevor in equal curiosity, tongue flicking out to gauge who this new person is.]
I take it you're still recovering from everything that happened at the Fort? Did you have problems getting back?
[His ribs had been an annoyance, coming back, but -- well. It was nothing compared to waking up to an empty house again after everything that had happened. He manages a half-smirk, passing over one of the coffees.]
[He takes one of the coffees and gives a small nod in thanks.]
I'm not usually a fan of making a conversation all about me but... No, I suppose we're not.
[Humpty sighs, turning the cup in his hands for a few moments as his expression dips into a frown. Really he supposes he shouldn't be bothering to put off just getting to the point since it isn't exactly like this scenario is necessarily new to him.]
While in the Fort I became acquainted with someone who I thought I shared some things in common with. Unfortunately since then I've learned that he is a vampire and elected to hide that from me.
[Ah. Suddenly it makes a little more sense, why Humpty is approaching him about this.]
I'm not trying to be an asshole, here, but did he decide to hide it from you, or did it just not come up?
[Because he's been led to believe by some vampires (Jonathan, mainly) that being up front with their 'condition' isn't actually the default for a lot of creatures of the night. Considering his own propensity for previously wanting to kill them on the spot, he can't say he blames them.]
We spoke several times about our worlds and experiences. I find it difficult to believe that such a thing wouldn't come up unless it was intentionally withheld.
[In Humpty's world where vampires are not only the majority but the essentially the ruling power the concept of one actively trying to hide is odd. And suspicious.]
[Humpty frowns a little more then, staring towards his hands before taking a drink. He notices the telltale taste of bourbon and blinks for just a moment at the taste before taking another sip.]
He could have been lying about everything else he told me. [But based on his tone it's clear that he doesn't entirely buy that. He's a skilled liar himself, but it hadn't seemed like Armand was lying.]
[He notes the frown, the way that Humpty looks at his hands before he drinks the coffee -- and the expression after. Trevor had said he would bring drinks.
He takes a slow sip of his own coffee and shrugs.]
[Humpty hasn't even given him a name, after all,] -- but a lot of the others were having a rough go of it, being stripped of all their abilities.
You know, feeling weak.
[Is he actually referring back to the conversation he'd had with Humpty during their last spar? Because he's pretty sure that the guy wouldn't have been able to pick up a giant snake the last time they met hand-to-hand.]
So -- just a thought -- telling someone they're a vampire when they can't defend themselves seems a lot like putting a big, fat target on their head.
[A part of Humpty knows that Trevor probably isn't wrong. But he hadn't come across any of the vampires from his world at the Fort either, so he hadn't exactly bothered to keep track of whether or not they were having a "rough go of things". And he doesn't particularly care.
But they're not the topic of any of this and thinking of them definitely doesn't help his mood.]
I suppose it must be difficult, not being in control for once.
[That's... A little passive-aggressive and bitter, buddy.]
Oh, yeah. All of us here, we're dripping with being in control.
[He's not unsympathetic, though -- he's just not very good at showing his sympathy.]
One of the hardest fucking things I had to learn when I got here -- hell, that I'm still learning, because I'm pretty fucking dumb -- is that all the worlds out there? They're not like mine.
Some of them might be similar, but vampires don't even exist somewhere. And in your world, they run things.
In mine? Some people might not even ever see one, if they're lucky.
[He sighs and takes another sip of his drink. He understands that worlds can be vastly different from one another, but the frequency of vampires seems to be something that he can't escape. It's almost like a mocking reminder that even though he was somewhat free in this place he could still never escape being owned or the presence of vampires.]
[He holds his coffee up to Humpty in a sort of salute and then tips it back into his mouth for a long drink.]
But I'm getting off topic, huh? You met this vampire guy, you had stuff in common, and you probably still do. And now you're not sure what to do with that, right?
[It certainly isn't the first vampire he's slept with, but it is the first time it happened without pheromones or any sort of "obligation" involved. Even if he wasn't aware that the other man had been a vampire.]
[Trevor rubs the back of his neck. Yeah, he's ... not great at this kind of thing.
Remember in canon when he tried to tell Alucard that it was shitty that his dad died, and that it would be okay, and what came out of his mouth was 'don't get weepy about it'?]
To be honest he didn't really expect for Trevor to give him any solid answers... He really isn't even sure what he had hoped for. Perhaps he just wanted to talk to someone else who had experience with vampires more extensively than many of the people he had come across otherwise.]
I'm guessing you haven't talked to the guy about anything.
[Just ... a wild guess. Mostly based on how passive aggressive his earlier comment was, and his general attitude toward vampires -- how he didn't even want to entertain thinking about them.]
No. Once we arrived back in the city we parted ways.
[And he certainly hasn't gone out of his way to be on the lookout for Armand. It might or might not also be part of why he's kept Crak on him again since returning, even though the vampire had showed no signs of lashing out at the time.]
I wasn't going to attack him but I'm sure you can understand that I also didn't exactly feel like having a casual chat on the matter.
I'm aware... But I've also done a good job at avoiding those from my world who have also been brought here, so it would simply be another to add to the list.
[For a moment his tone is harsher than intended, eyes cold before he reigns himself back in and shakes his head. It's been a long time since he was riled up, but even now he can't bring himself to feel the hate he expected. Perhaps he's simply too broken to feel the sort of pure resentment he did when he killed his Master a second time.
He sighs again and takes another drink.]
I apologize for dropping all of this onto you. We're still essentially strangers.
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Humpty spots Trevor as he makes his way into the park and approaches, offering a smile that seems tired. One might initially think that it must be difficult for someone as small as him to be supporting something as big as the snake, but that doesn't seem to be the problem.]
Thank you for meeting with me.
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Trevor, for his part, at least doesn't seem worried about the snake. He motions to the spot next to him on the bench, eyebrow raised. At least Humpty looks as tired as Trevor feels right now.]
Like I said, I could use the distraction.
[He's got his head canted toward the snake, curious.]
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For now he sits down next to Trevor, the python adjusting the way its curled around him so that most of its bulk is settled on the bench and his lap. Red eyes fixate on Trevor in equal curiosity, tongue flicking out to gauge who this new person is.]
I take it you're still recovering from everything that happened at the Fort? Did you have problems getting back?
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[His ribs had been an annoyance, coming back, but -- well. It was nothing compared to waking up to an empty house again after everything that had happened. He manages a half-smirk, passing over one of the coffees.]
But we're not here to be talking about me, right?
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I'm not usually a fan of making a conversation all about me but... No, I suppose we're not.
[Humpty sighs, turning the cup in his hands for a few moments as his expression dips into a frown. Really he supposes he shouldn't be bothering to put off just getting to the point since it isn't exactly like this scenario is necessarily new to him.]
While in the Fort I became acquainted with someone who I thought I shared some things in common with. Unfortunately since then I've learned that he is a vampire and elected to hide that from me.
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I'm not trying to be an asshole, here, but did he decide to hide it from you, or did it just not come up?
[Because he's been led to believe by some vampires (Jonathan, mainly) that being up front with their 'condition' isn't actually the default for a lot of creatures of the night. Considering his own propensity for previously wanting to kill them on the spot, he can't say he blames them.]
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[In Humpty's world where vampires are not only the majority but the essentially the ruling power the concept of one actively trying to hide is odd. And suspicious.]
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Right, well. I guess it doesn't really matter whether it was intentional or not, 'cause you're not going to unring that bell.
You think that means you don't have those things in common any more, then?
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[Humpty frowns a little more then, staring towards his hands before taking a drink. He notices the telltale taste of bourbon and blinks for just a moment at the taste before taking another sip.]
He could have been lying about everything else he told me. [But based on his tone it's clear that he doesn't entirely buy that. He's a skilled liar himself, but it hadn't seemed like Armand was lying.]
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He takes a slow sip of his own coffee and shrugs.]
You don't sound convinced.
[Trevor...pauses.]
You said he talked to you at the camp, mostly?
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A hand moves to idly pet Crak's head as he nods slowly.]
Yes, that was where we met.
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[Humpty hasn't even given him a name, after all,] -- but a lot of the others were having a rough go of it, being stripped of all their abilities.
You know, feeling weak.
[Is he actually referring back to the conversation he'd had with Humpty during their last spar? Because he's pretty sure that the guy wouldn't have been able to pick up a giant snake the last time they met hand-to-hand.]
So -- just a thought -- telling someone they're a vampire when they can't defend themselves seems a lot like putting a big, fat target on their head.
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But they're not the topic of any of this and thinking of them definitely doesn't help his mood.]
I suppose it must be difficult, not being in control for once.
[That's... A little passive-aggressive and bitter, buddy.]
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Oh, yeah. All of us here, we're dripping with being in control.
[He's not unsympathetic, though -- he's just not very good at showing his sympathy.]
One of the hardest fucking things I had to learn when I got here -- hell, that I'm still learning, because I'm pretty fucking dumb -- is that all the worlds out there? They're not like mine.
Some of them might be similar, but vampires don't even exist somewhere. And in your world, they run things.
In mine? Some people might not even ever see one, if they're lucky.
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I can't imagine never seeing one.
[He chuckles softly, although it's a bit sad.]
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[He holds his coffee up to Humpty in a sort of salute and then tips it back into his mouth for a long drink.]
But I'm getting off topic, huh? You met this vampire guy, you had stuff in common, and you probably still do. And now you're not sure what to do with that, right?
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[It certainly isn't the first vampire he's slept with, but it is the first time it happened without pheromones or any sort of "obligation" involved. Even if he wasn't aware that the other man had been a vampire.]
But you're... Essentially correct, yes.
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[Trevor rubs the back of his neck. Yeah, he's ... not great at this kind of thing.
Remember in canon when he tried to tell Alucard that it was shitty that his dad died, and that it would be okay, and what came out of his mouth was 'don't get weepy about it'?]
That's a little more ... complicated.
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[Humpty chuckles.
To be honest he didn't really expect for Trevor to give him any solid answers... He really isn't even sure what he had hoped for. Perhaps he just wanted to talk to someone else who had experience with vampires more extensively than many of the people he had come across otherwise.]
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[Just ... a wild guess. Mostly based on how passive aggressive his earlier comment was, and his general attitude toward vampires -- how he didn't even want to entertain thinking about them.]
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[And he certainly hasn't gone out of his way to be on the lookout for Armand. It might or might not also be part of why he's kept Crak on him again since returning, even though the vampire had showed no signs of lashing out at the time.]
I wasn't going to attack him but I'm sure you can understand that I also didn't exactly feel like having a casual chat on the matter.
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[Jesus, that sounds like something he'd do.
Trevor pushes out a sigh, brings a hand up into his hair to shove it back from his face.]
You realize you can't avoid him forever, probably.
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[Because that's a healthy coping method.]
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[He scrubs his hand over his face. Trevor tries to avoid giving advice to people, especially people he doesn't know, but ...]
And you said you've got things in common with him, Humpty. That's -- worth something, I'd say.
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[For a moment his tone is harsher than intended, eyes cold before he reigns himself back in and shakes his head. It's been a long time since he was riled up, but even now he can't bring himself to feel the hate he expected. Perhaps he's simply too broken to feel the sort of pure resentment he did when he killed his Master a second time.
He sighs again and takes another drink.]
I apologize for dropping all of this onto you. We're still essentially strangers.
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