transfundere | TLV Inbox

Imagine that.

[ Lestat will earn a bright, chest-deep laugh from him at his posing but he'll nod, of course. ]

And only if it's comfortable. But I can't deny you look the picture of decadent leisure.

That's truly all I strive for.

{ Truthfully, he's touched by the gesture. The doctor didn't need to do any of this, on top of the blatant kindness and generosity he's already shown. Lestat's not sure if he should find it suspicious, which peaks his natural wariness.

He can't help but wonder if he's being mollified into "good behaviour." He's never missed the ability to read the thoughts of others as much as he does now. }

I'll take most of the credit, but the nature of a chaise does help. It's hard to look bad on one.

And thankfully, it does seem to fit within the room well enough. You're welcome to the piano as well, as I haven't played since I was a boy and living in the house this room came from.

[ He will take his own seat in a high-backed chair across from him, relaxing the way one does at home. ]

Are you up for talking business or are you more inclined to keep this a social visit?

Ah, an ulterior motive.

{ Lestat makes himself properly comfortable, though, only regretting that he doesn't have a cigarette in his hand. Not that smoking does anything for him, but he's fond of the habit. }

We may as well get some of it out of the way now. Are you going to set rules for me?

[ He raises an eyebrow. ]

Given you haven't seemed to need them before, I don't see any reason to start any now. You're hardly a child and you are certainly no fool.

[ Lestat knows what will cause trouble and what he won't want. Setting a 'rule' is just an insult, treating him as if this whole thing is simply a matter of following guidelines Reid is perfectly aware Lestat is aware of. He isn't here to scold him like a recalcitrant child or bap him on the nose like a bad puppy. ]

But there is the matter of your file and your powers.

{ That piques his interest. It's clear in the way he turns his head just enough towards Reid that he can fix him with an unblinking gaze. }

Anything of interest in your perusal?

{ Being stripped of almost all of his powers has been a constant sore spot for Lestat. Even the small glimmers of them he does have seem almost insulting, and he doesn't quite feel like himself without them, even if he barely ever uses them. Too vulnerable, too open. He doesn't like that. }

All of it is of interest. And I'm not just saying that because I know you enjoy the attention.

[ Spoken fondly. ]

But it made me realize that the offer made to you the other day would leave you somewhat at a disadvantage. Specifically, I should like to restore your ability to read minds should we share blood, at least to start.

Would you object to that?

[ He holds up a hand. ]

...it isn't the only thought but it is the first.

{ It's a rather trivial power, as far as Lestat's concerned, but it's something. He almost laughs, though, at being asked if he'd object to it.

More to the point, he's working on inferring what's going unspoken. A gift being given back to him to be on a level playing field, which means that Reid can also do it in some capacity. Something in the blood. }

I can't imagine any circumstance I might object. I don't feel myself without them.

Excellent.

[ He looks somewhat relieved at that before he continues. That power is important, to his mind, not only to put them at the same level in such an exchange but to let Lestat see into his heart and mind. While he does not think it a particularly healthy gift in general, at least not for this particular effort, the ability to request at any time to know his heart and mind, to assure himself of a lack of subterfuge, will (he hopes) do much to aid in their mutual trust.]

I also thought to restore your healing as well as some of your speed.

{ Clearly they're well matched, as those were exactly the abilities that Lestat was thinking of angling for. The healing seemed like it would be an easy bet, considering their meeting, but it has its practical uses. If they're going to do an equal exchange of blood to quell the thirst for something not manufactured, then it's beneficial to be able to heal.

And speed seems harmless enough. }

People will question your motives.

{ Another bonus, of course, as far as Lestat's concerned. It seems appropriate to give Reid that bit of warning all the same, though he knows it will hardly sway the man's decision to restore them. }

Which is my concern.

[ Not shutting him down, only reassuring him. He is very polite and he is very willing to be helpful, but he also has a rather shiny spine that he will happily show to anyone who tries to push him on the matter. ]

Men can murder men easily enough without the powers we possess and I refuse to treat you like a child... or a monster, especially when I know you to be neither.

{ That makes his lips curl up into a decidedly colder smile. Lestat doesn't see himself as a monster, either, per se. He understands why others do, and that includes those from his life before the barge, as well. He also does very little to try and change the minds of anyone he doesn't want to bother with. }

Thank God for this chaise, Jonathan, or I'd be swooning.

[ It's only the cold smile that keeps him from coughing. As it is- ]

Then it was an even more useful request than I thought it might be. [ A faint huff. ] It was true before our pairing, but you're welcome here whenever you care to visit, though I may occasionally need to use the main room for lessons I've been taking. You're certainly welcome to bathe here instead of in the inmate facilities if you prefer that.

Shall I just move my coffin in now rather than later?

{ It's far easier to fall back into the flirtatious teasing. Lestat doesn't really believe in kindness without motive, nor does he know how to respond to it when directed at him. People tend to do nice things for him for a variety of reasons, but doing it because they want to generally isn't one of them.

It's better to ignore the vague uneasiness by poking fun at Reid and his quickness to fluster. }

It'd look quite stately next to the piano.

[ Reid's shared quarters before; it's not the sort of thing that bothers him. He's not a solitary creature even though his pursuits often make him feel as though he ought to be. ]

Just let me know if you want someone to hold the other end.

I'm afraid this is all moving quite fast. Perhaps the coffin can wait. I'm an old fashioned soul, after all, there's nothing wrong with taking time for a proper courtship.

{ He doesn't want to impose too much, either, which might seem contradictory to his nature but there's an art to it. With Louis, there had been no choice but to be together so much right away. Louis was newly turned with nowhere else in the city to find refuge and no one else to teach him the ways.

He doesn't need to force his presence on Reid all the time to be present in other ways. This room alone and his little sofa will be enough to at least put his name in Reid's thoughts once a day. He can simply just drop in now and then to enjoy some privacy in a much more spacious room. }

Edited 2023-05-16 19:51 (UTC)

[ A bluff called, not that he would have minded either way, but he smiles and nods. ]

We would have to begin a courtship for that, which I believe is frowned upon in inmate and warden relationships... for obvious reason.

On the contrary, I'd say we're well into one. Simple conversations in sitting rooms, your obvious display of gentlemanly behaviour in your considerations towards me, rather large gestures of affection.

{ There's an amused gleam in his eyes before he shrugs a shoulder in indifference. }

I won't tell anyone, of course.

I appreciate your discretion, obviously.

[ Very very dry. ]

{ He tuts his tongue a little, still very much amused. }

Oh, let me have my fun, Jonathan. We both know that no one here would ever think to accuse you of any such thing involving me.

I think you vastly overestimate the estimation the people here have of me. Why it was only the other week when I was being blackmailed as a potential threat to the barge, as you recall.

[ Wry, with no actual frustration but a tired sort of acceptance. ]

And you vastly underestimate the view they have of me.

{ He adjusts himself on his chaise, sitting up a little more properly so he can better regard Reid. }

I mean to say that you're far too reasonable to fall for my charms and wiles. It's a compliment, I'm sure. Take it as such.

Possibly because I cannot see what they seem to see.

[ A small smile. ]

I will take the compliment but only because it is from you, my friend.

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