[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.
[For a moment Humpty opens his mouth as if to retort, only to pause before closing it again. As much as he dislikes it Trevor has a point, even though he still is doubtful about how much of the "common ground" between them was actually true. Some part of him hopes it wasn't all a lie, be he also supposes that it would only be as much as he deserves after all the lies he's told others.
He chuckles bitterly under his breath again.]
Talking to him... I can't imagine how uncomfortable that will be now.
You want someone to come with you in case you need to beat the shit out of him?
[Trevor's ... actually not just being a smartass. He gets being scared that you're wrong about someone and that they're going to turn on you and tear out your throat -- and that's how he's going to express that sentiment.
He can't help but laugh, though, taking another long sip of his drink. The bourbon might be kicking in.]
And however uncomfortable it is, at least it'll be on your terms.
[The offer makes Humpty laugh too, in spite of himself. For as much as he and Trevor differ in opinion and method on a lot of things he does appreciate that he has a sense of humor, even if he is also being truthful in the moment.]
I don't think that will be necessary. I can take care of things myself if it comes to that... At least he doesn't have the pheromones like vampires from my world.
[He'd been more or less able to ignore Shell's pheromones, but that was probably because he didn't have much sense of self-preservation at the best of times ... or his hunter lineage made him partly immune or some nonsense like that.
At least Humpty is laughing, though.]
So, like I said. You set the terms, you set the place. You can control the environment, even. Might be easier.
[The pheromones were mostly why he went to such extremes to avoid the vampires from his world, aside from the obvious mutual dislike between them and him. And even though Eric's pheromones don't effect him he would still prefer to limit their interactions as much as possible.]
Somewhere neutral ground to the both of us would likely be the wisest course of action.
[And while he doesn't necessarily care if anyone is there to explicitly watch the conversation with them it might be wise to at least be somewhere public.]
Right, as far as keeping you both from being unnecessarily aggressive.
[He will go and keep an eye on the conversation from afar if Humpty asks him to. Hell, at this rate -- he might well keep an eye on the conversation as long as he knows when and where it might take place even if Humpty doesn't ask him to, just in case he needs to intervene.]
"Both"? I'm a little offended. Do I seem like such a threat?
[Despite the words Humpty's tone is clearly teasing. Trevor might not know him, but at this point he wouldn't be surprised if the man has pieced together that he's not actually that helpless. He might look innocent enough, but his appearance is about as far as that nonthreatening facade extends.]
[That earns another chuckle as Humpty shrugs before gently petting the snake's head again.]
When he was first given to me he symbolized something very different, but now you certainly wouldn't be wrong about me carrying him as essentially a warning.
[In a twisted way it was also something he could do to reclaim a present from someone he hated immensely and turn it to something of his own. Granted he also does have genuine affection for Crak, as the snake can't lie to him or abandon him.]
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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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God, the bourbon does not make it better. It's bitter, and it still reminds him of Teddy. Ugh.]
Worth talking to the guy, at least. We're all fucked here anyway, man.
[He glances sidelong to Humpty. The harsh tone, he's -- surprisingly used to that. He's used it, that exact tone.]
Might as well take common ground where you can get it.
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He chuckles bitterly under his breath again.]
Talking to him... I can't imagine how uncomfortable that will be now.
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[Trevor's ... actually not just being a smartass. He gets being scared that you're wrong about someone and that they're going to turn on you and tear out your throat -- and that's how he's going to express that sentiment.
He can't help but laugh, though, taking another long sip of his drink. The bourbon might be kicking in.]
And however uncomfortable it is, at least it'll be on your terms.
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I don't think that will be necessary. I can take care of things myself if it comes to that... At least he doesn't have the pheromones like vampires from my world.
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[He'd been more or less able to ignore Shell's pheromones, but that was probably because he didn't have much sense of self-preservation at the best of times ... or his hunter lineage made him partly immune or some nonsense like that.
At least Humpty is laughing, though.]
So, like I said. You set the terms, you set the place. You can control the environment, even. Might be easier.
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Somewhere neutral ground to the both of us would likely be the wisest course of action.
[And while he doesn't necessarily care if anyone is there to explicitly watch the conversation with them it might be wise to at least be somewhere public.]
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[He will go and keep an eye on the conversation from afar if Humpty asks him to. Hell, at this rate -- he might well keep an eye on the conversation as long as he knows when and where it might take place even if Humpty doesn't ask him to, just in case he needs to intervene.]
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[Despite the words Humpty's tone is clearly teasing. Trevor might not know him, but at this point he wouldn't be surprised if the man has pieced together that he's not actually that helpless. He might look innocent enough, but his appearance is about as far as that nonthreatening facade extends.]
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I mean, you are carrying a giant snake.
[He pauses, motioning to Krak.]
I don't think you'd try to throw the poor thing at anyone, but it does make for an intimidation factor, is all I'm saying.
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When he was first given to me he symbolized something very different, but now you certainly wouldn't be wrong about me carrying him as essentially a warning.
[In a twisted way it was also something he could do to reclaim a present from someone he hated immensely and turn it to something of his own. Granted he also does have genuine affection for Crak, as the snake can't lie to him or abandon him.]
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