[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.]
[Humpty downs a little more of his own coffee, not quite done with it yet but certainly close and appreciating the slight warmth it brings. When Trevor gestures towards the python he blinks before smiling and nodding.]
Go ahead, just go slowly.
[Crak himself seems to sense what the stranger is intending, red eyes still fixed on Trevor as his tongue flicks out again. He doesn't seem hostile but is certainly curious.]
[He's about to say he knows better than to approach a snake quickly, but -- he doesn't, actually. He nods instead, moving his hand toward the large creature with his fingers together. No need for him to mistake them for -- food, or something.
While he moves his hand, he continues to talk to Humpty.]
So, was our conversation as enlightening as you hoped?
[For as intensely as the python might watch Trevor he is used to being handled, and the man isn't making any moves to provoke him. So Crack sticks out a little, bringing his head a bit closer under Trevor's hand.
Humpty watches the exchange, sitting still to allow the two a moment.]
It certainly gave me more ideas than I had... Thank you.
[He hums thoughtfully under his breath, head tilting.]
It was cold where I lived too, but I never went south. I suppose there could have been more there, but vampires avoided that area because it was too warm
There's quite a few reasons, but either way I've never been able to easily travel outside the north myself.
[Unless his Master had wanted him to, of course. But even his homes that had been more towards the south had been abandoned many years back as the climate changed.]
[But ... hey, they have a lot in common. He pauses, glancing off into the park.]
I should -- probably leave you to it, huh? You can let me know how things go with your fanged friend, and if you really do want someone to spot for you, I could probably cover you.
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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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Yep, it's totally gone.]
Mm, exactly.
[And now that they're talking about Crak again, Trevor lifts a hand up before looking to Humpty again.]
Can I?
[Pet the snake. No dick jokes this time, even.]
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Go ahead, just go slowly.
[Crak himself seems to sense what the stranger is intending, red eyes still fixed on Trevor as his tongue flicks out again. He doesn't seem hostile but is certainly curious.]
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While he moves his hand, he continues to talk to Humpty.]
So, was our conversation as enlightening as you hoped?
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Humpty watches the exchange, sitting still to allow the two a moment.]
It certainly gave me more ideas than I had... Thank you.
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[Once the snake brings his head closer, Trevor lets his hand settle carefully on top and rubs large, rough fingers against the scales of the creature.
An odd sensation.]
The snakes I've seen have always been a lot smaller than this fellow.
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Is that so? He's the only one I've ever seen. When he was given to me I was told that most of them are extinct.
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[He pauses.]
It's too cold for them in most parts of Wallachia, but there were smaller stakes by the river when I was younger.
[He continues the petting.]
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It was cold where I lived too, but I never went south. I suppose there could have been more there, but vampires avoided that area because it was too warm
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[Again, though, that was where he came from.]
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[Unless his Master had wanted him to, of course. But even his homes that had been more towards the south had been abandoned many years back as the climate changed.]
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[Which makes him think of something that had come up with Nines.]
Haven't even seen the ocean properly, actually.
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I hadn't either until I came here. Really I hadn't even been around many large bodies of water that weren't frozen.
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[But ... hey, they have a lot in common. He pauses, glancing off into the park.]
I should -- probably leave you to it, huh? You can let me know how things go with your fanged friend, and if you really do want someone to spot for you, I could probably cover you.
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You're right, and I shouldn't take up any more of your time. But thank you again, really.
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I'm still shocked that I helped, but -- like I said, don't hesitate to contact me if you need to.
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