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[transfundere]

"Please leave a message. Should you require immediate medical assistance, please seek closer help and I will attend you as soon as possible."

Comments

[malicieux]

I always do. Though I persevere somehow.

{ He brushes his fingers along Reid's beard, then claps his hands together. }

I've decided I want to consider the business of graduating a little more seriously.

[transfundere]

[ He'd been starting to not-blush from the brush to his beard when he hears the words and straightens up. ]

You do?

[malicieux]

Is that so shocking?

{ His eyebrows raise for a moment. }

[transfundere]

[ He looks back.]

Less... shocking. More surprising that you feel so... proactive about it, though I suppose I shouldn't truly be surprised. You've a singular will, after all.

[ He looks warmly over at Leatat. ]

I assume you have thoughts?

[malicieux]

I'm resigned to see my one-hundred-eightieth year as a prisoner in this place, I'd like to ensure it's not the name for my one-hundred-eighty-first.

{ Which is not exactly the truth, and he suspects Reid will gather as much, but he'd be doing himself a disservice if he didn't act flippant. }

I have the obvious thoughts, of course. As the warden meant to see me through it, I'd hoped you would have some suggestions.

[transfundere]

Tell me your thoughts, obvious or not.

[ He can, in fact, read between the lines, between Lestat's flippant play acting. He is this delighted and a little overwhelmed. Perhaps Lestat can hear the things he can or even speak between them in the ever-slowed thumping of his heart? ]

I would hear all.

[malicieux]

{ He's hardly surprised by Reid's delight. He imagines any warden would be thrilled to hear their inmate is keen on seeking their redemption. Lestat's rather pleased, however, to be the cause of this bit of joy. }

I can go through the motions well enough. Getting along with people, apologizing, not acting upon my impulses. I believe it would still lack the appropriate sincerity.

{ Which is entirely where he has trouble with the whole thing. If he could just do the actions needed, he'd be fine, but he doesn't quite know how to make them mean anything. }

These people have no meaning to me and so I cannot feel remorseful for what I've done to them. And the taking of life is what sustains my own life, which I refuse to change. But perhaps I could be less ... Dramatic about it.

[transfundere]

'...dramatic' [ he repeats thoughtfully, and yet in his eyes is the greatest warmth, the most overflowing font of fondness, purely for Lestat ] yes, I think that would be a good start.

[ He reaches a hand, tentative, before he can gently cup Lestat's cheek. Even this is... so very much for him and his fingers shake just a little. ]

I have no doubt you know how... afraid I am, dearheart. Of the existence stretched before me. Of the capacity for cruelty that is so easily indulged in the dark. I should like to think that... that perhaps together we will discover joys apart from blood and death. Learn to see the stars in the darkness to guide our path.

Already, you have given me hope for the endless lifetimes spread before me. Would that I had better words to tell you the comfort you give me. I hope to one day give you the same.

[malicieux]

{ Lestat tuts his tongue, just lightly, and covers Reid's hand with his hand. }

You've provided me more than comfort already. And you will grow used to it, the way the world changes itself around us. It's those who lose sight of changing with it that find endless life unbearable, and I've not intention of letting you fall behind.

[transfundere]

[ He watches his hand be covered, and curls his fingers in a little, to take some of Lestat's between them. ]

Of that, at least, I am glad.

We can look out for each other that way. O-or so I should hope.

[malicieux]

Of course. Assuming you can suffer me beyond a few decades.

{ Said with a teasing sort of tone, meant to ease Reid's nerves but also so point out his own awareness that he can be a lot to handle. But he's learning how to quell that a bit. }

[transfundere]

I do not suffer you, dearheart. [ A wry smile. ] But I'm glad you know that you will be more than welcome to join me in my world if you wish to come with me.

[malicieux]

{ His lips purse a moment. }

If something were to go wrong I'd be left in a place entirely foreign to me.

[transfundere]

...because it would be my world or because it would be London?

[malicieux]

I can learn to navigate London, but I would be the only of my kind, unable to return to those I know or seek them out in troubled times. Not that I desire to see any of them except perhaps my mother, yet there's a comfort in knowing their existence.

[transfundere]

[ A pause as he considers. ]

Would you agree to stay in my world until- until my sister has passed, at least?

[malicieux]

Only if you were to come with me should I leave.

[transfundere]

[ A moment before- ]

I would.