Valencia Square Interview with the vampire

He wasn't sure the talk had fully done what he wanted. He did not feel entirely unburdened. But he had enjoyed answering the questions, and remembering. What would become of his words in her book he wasn't sure. For now he was just glad to have had the night.

"I think there will be much in your book that people will need to hear. I hope you let me know when it is completed. I am interested in the, what do they call them now, shifters? One of my friends is a newly turned lion."

She hoped he was satisfied. It was impossible to tell. He was so soft-spoken, polite, matter-of-fact.

"I'll send out word when it's done, and fingers crossed it gets published." Too bad a launch was out of the question. Couldn't very well stuff a bunch of anonymous people into a room with wine and canapes.

A lion. Holy FUCK. How did anyone 'get used' to that?

"Weres. Shifters. I've heard both used. I wish I'd thought to ask about your friendship with a Were! Off the record, do you find you're as close as you were before? Or are there added difficulties?"

He truly hoped it would be published. There was part of him that thought if she had met a very old rich vampire they might be able to get her book out there. He was a very old vampire but he was not rich, or at least the money he used was not really his. So alas he could not help in the matter.

"Perhaps one of your interviewers could help if you find trouble getting published."

He could always suggest a publisher for her he supposed.

The question about Natsuki had him smiling.

"I think we are closer now. I have disclosed what I am to her considering her supernatural status. Its rather hard to hide after they start smelling what you are."

Had she spoken to anyone with loads of clout? If she had, they'd remained tight-lipped about it. Someone like Onni had a huge social media following, but she couldn't very well ask an interviewee to stick their neck out for her while keeping their identity a secret, could she?

Besides, the stubborn still-human side of her wanted to do it herself. Give it a fucking solid try before asking for assistance.

"Maybe," she allowed, genuinely grateful for the suggestion she probably wouldn't take. But maybe she would if she FAILED.

He was smiling and talking about his friend! ADORABLE! It was nice to see a shift in his steadiness. "Yeah, I heard you both, um. Smell pretty bad to each other. Glad that didn't negatively impact your friendship."

He wasn't sure if he would categorize all weres as smelling bad, he hadn't smelled all of them. But must of them were not particularly appealing.

"Its rather like pressing your nose into the fur of an animal that has rolled in something, that something changes based on what type they are. As for vampires I hear we smell like rotting death."

So not appealing either on their end.

Hey! Rotting death! Just like Asha'd said! But Niao said it, not Bree, so it was WAY more polite.

"So...did the interview help clarify some things for you? Help you get any closure?"

She asked herself that same question as it was voiced out loud to him. It helped to have positive encounters with vampires. Good outweighing the bad. She was grateful for that. But her skin still prickled. Not all over, just a specific spot on her inner arm.

Closure? That was something he did not think he would ever get, was it even possible at this point? He did not think his mind was capable of shifting through the events of himself and finding some way to move past them. The most he could do was push them down and live with only the the parts he could deal with.

"It was helpful, and nice to remember."

He was so polite she reckoned he could have hated the entire experience and she'd never know, but she nodded and smiled, preferring to take him at his word in the name of making herself feel better.

She started packing up, trying to make her words casual and coooool.

"The offer of the drink still stands, for what it's worth. Like a...business transaction. Like the one you mentioned."

And you'd be doing me a favor. But that felt manipulation-y. It wasn't his job to fix her bad encounter.

And the interview was over. She was packing her things up, the little voice recorder and her writing utensils. He watched with some interest.

Once more she offered him blood, and this time he considered it. He was not in need of sustenance at the moment for he could go a couple days without a drink. But it was an easy meal. And there was something in her voice, with the addition of asking for the second time that had him thinking he should accept.

"I will take you up on the offer then. Though perhaps not in such an open place."

"Oh yeah? Great! Yup, let's find somewhere..." voice trailed off as she looked around.

She didn't stop to question why he'd accepted this time, nor her wave of relief, nor wonder why the fuck she was such a happy little juice box. It wasn't something she felt like picking apart. He said yes, she was giving her blood, and it was a choice. Another drop in her "taking my agency back" bucket.

An alley felt like such a bummer cuz he was dressed so nice.

She nodded to one of the shops, now closed for the night. It had an awning and a lovely little array of potted plants out front. Decently hidden from view.

"That work?"

Being a vampire meant getting use to alleyways and other dark recesses. He'd already picked up on a couple places but wait for her to offer one she would feel comfortable with. An awning of a store was a bit surprising. A little open but hidden enough that he doubted anyone would notice a thing.

"It will work."

He said with a nod and lead the way over.

Once they were settled and the fountain area was as empty as it would he'd continue.

"Where would you prefer I take from? The wrist and neck are good areas but anywhere with a vein works."

She followed, suppressing the strangest desire to skip. Tamping down the bursts of euphoria.

It shouldn't have shocked her when he continued in polite concern for her welfare but there you go. Coulda kissed him for asking where she wanted to be bitten. Didn't.

"Right here, please."

Some rolling up of her massive sweater was required to expose the same arm that had been subjected to bites previous. She patted the inside of her arm a few times, indicating the exact spot she wanted. Maybe a tattoo was called for. Vampires, please direct your attention to the X. If you don't bite me here you are an asshole.

She seemed almost happy about it all. A rather odd experience as most humans tended to not want their blood drunk. If it was a desire of hers or something she was working through well it was not his place to pass judgement.

She offered her arm, rolling up the obstructing sleeve so that it was free for biting.

"I am going to lick the area, our saliva has a numbing affect and this should make the bite less painful."

He gave her a warning before proceeding with the action. Moistening the skin and giving it a second to take affect before letting his fangs slip out and pierce neatly into flesh.

10/10 vampire bedside manner, for real. This virtual stranger somehow managed to make the statement, "I'm going to lick the area," sound surprisingly uncreepy. She nodded and appreciated that he didn't ask again if she was sure.

And then they were a go, proceeding with this intimate yet sterile exchange. She held her arm up in an attempt to prevent him from having to bend his head over too far. Watched the transference of her blood to his lips.

That spot on her arm was a nightstand, repainted over and over again. First, a color she chose, then a color someone else chose, and now another color she chose. Layer upon layer of lips and teeth—welcome and unwelcome—piling high on her skin.

Felt like a traitor to all of humanity for soon locking herself in a Were room where she wouldn't be repainted.

She sat quietly and waited until he was done.

The blood spilled into his mouth, almost burning hot against his cold lips. He took only a little bit enough to sate what hunger he had but nothing that would leave her dangerously blood deficient. At most she might feel a bit woozy as was generally the case for vampire victims.

Satisfied he pulled away, wiping the wound once with the corner of his sleeve before the magic took and closed it. There would still be some healing needed as the two prick marks would eventually scab over and then disappear with the usual human healing.

"Let me know if you need to sit down. It would be best to drink some juice."

"Got some Gatorade back at the apartment. I don't live far." Still bonkers to think she lived in Valencia now.

She leaned lightly against the cool stone wall of the shop. Eyes lingered on the bite marks, marveling as the wound closed. There was a fondness towards this set. A warmth. Weird gratitude.

"You're very gentle...It's easy to see why patients would trust you. Must make it all the more difficult to have that awful side effect to the healing power."

The after affects wouldn't last long and he was sure she would make it back to her apartment just fine. Although some part of him felt that he ought to offer to walk her back. But what human wanted a vampire to know where they lived? Even if said vampire could not enter without invitation.

"I am adverse to violence from other or myself."

She had brought up his healing so he felt obligated to ask the following.

"I can fully heal the bite mark if you would like."

She smiled at the offer. It was hella nice, and probably made him uncomfy to even ask.

"I really appreciate it, but it's okay. Gotten these before and they healed fine. Save it for someone who needs it more."

As a test, she eased off the wall to check her balance. Unsurprisingly, she felt better than the Lauderhill post-super-speed drop-off (hey Asshole, hope you're having a shitty fucking night, wherever you are). But she also felt better than Hummingbird's bite (hey Hummingbird, hope you're having a wonderful night, wherever you are). Maybe Niao hadn't taken as much. Seemed like the kind of thoughtful thing he'd do.

"Well, you have my contact info. You'll let me know if you want to add or remove anything? I can send you the draft of your interview as well, if you'd like."

She was a good human, the kind he thought would struggle hard as a vampire.

"I'd like to look at a draft. If I think of anything else I will let you know."

She seemed steady enough to go on her own. So he'd give on last piece of advice.

"Vampires can not enter spaces you are staying such as houses, apartments, or hotel rooms without invitation. perhaps that information will be useful to you as you continue your interviews."

A quick note was made to email Niao the draft when it was typed up.

The piece of advice was already known, but no less appreciated. She smiled at him, grateful. Cuz, like, revealing one of your weaknesses to a stranger was a risky move! And he made it look classy as hell. The hotel thing was good to know. She hadn't been sure if it needed to be "owned/leased", but it seemed like temporary places of rest applied as well. NOTED.

"I'll carry that forward. Thank you, Niao. For the company." Meant to include the interview, general conversation, advice, and gentle bite.

Boom. Last vamp interview. WOAH.

"I think I should be the one thanking you for the company."

He'd give her one last smile and a bow. And then in the time it took to blink his form would shift. Instead of a man it was a brilliant blue bird that took off into the air.

"Goodnight."

The bird said in passing before flapping up into the sky and vanishing into the darkness.