neetvampire | IC inbox @ Jikan

[As friends, Kuro and Gershom are Hanging Out. Which in this case means that Kuro is flopped over on Gershom's couch in a blanket, and Gershom is sitting next to him and occasionally making idle conversation.]

Um... Do you mind if I ask you something?

{Kuro likes Gershom's place more than his own, frankly. It's far more comfy here than rooming alone in a drafty dorm, and Gershom shares his blankets. He peers up at Gershom from where he's flopped on his back inelegantly, sprawled out.]

Hm? Sure, shoot.

Have you... always been a vampire?

[He hesitates. It's a question that's been burning at him, but-] Y-you don't need to answer if that's too personal.

[....Ah.

Kuro inhales deeply at the question, and in this position it's impossible to hide how his expression turns tense and pensive, lips thinning as he fiddles with a corner of the blanket.

Normally he hated questions like this, but... he liked Gershom.]

....No. I was human, at some point.

[Just Kuro's reaction makes Gershom feel guilty for even asking, and he reaches out to lightly pet Kuro's hair.]

Me too.

[Kuro frowns at that, peering up at Gershom... but still leaning into those pets like he's still in cat form.

Listen, pets are nice okay.]

You were?

[Pets are indeed nice, and they make it easier to talk about something like this.]

My ex turned me into this.

[At least Kuro's hair is surprisingly soft in human form, almost like cat fur in it's own way.]

....Your ex? Did he... Did you...

[There's a heavy feeling settling in his chest... because he thinks he knows the answer, if he's an ex.]

...You didn't agree to it, did you?

No. [Who'd agree to something like that? Gershom can't even imagine.] He tricked me into it.

[Kuro tenses at that, and Gershom might note fangs peeking out from beneath his lips. He looks...

angry almost, as he pushes himself up onto his hands and knees.]

That Bastard... Something like this... without asking...

[He's upset.. for Gershom's sake?

It makes him feel a tiny bit warm, and he squashes the feeling down in his chest. Bad.]

He was one himself - I didn't know, he was good at illusions - and he wanted to be 'together for eternity', or something like that.

[He fists his fingers in the blanket, but Gershom might note that tail--which is starting to show up more often, these days-- is swishing about behind Kuro, plainly agitated.]

'Together for eternity' only has meaning if it's agreed to. If not, that's just...

[A horror story. He can imagine all too well the terror and betrayal Gershom felt at the time.]

Cruelty.

[Gershom reaches for Kuro's hand, to try to interlace their fingers together instead.]

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up... I've just upset you.

[Kuro allows it... but he shakes his head at Gershom's words, forcing himself to relax.

Calm was easy. Calm was safe. Even if he still felt angry, there was no point in venting that anger here. Just exhausting.] S'not your fault.

I just... don't like it. No one should... go through something like that. Especially not without a choice.

[He tucks his knees under himself, curling around them a little.]

No, no one should.

[He gives Kuro's hand a tiny squeeze.]

But... it means a lot to hear that.

[Kuro returns that squeeze, curling into a little sitting ball and resting his chin on his knees.]

...I didn't... either. Get a choice, I mean.

[It was only fair to share that, since Gershom had shared his story.]

I died, and then I was... this. I didn't even know what I was or how to deal.

[When you're the first of your kind--a failure at creating proper immortality, at that--you had to stumble through life blind.]

I'm sorry... that you had to go through that.

Edited 2021-02-11 08:26 (UTC)

That's awful - I'm so sorry.

[At least he'd known what happened, even if he didn't - and still doesn't - know much about liches.

He's getting more hair pets with Gershom's free hand.]

Whoever did this to you - did they ever apologize, at least?

Not that I can remember. Why would he?

[Kuro lets out a sigh.]

I doubt your ex did either, right?

[Because it was for the better, clearly. It was better than the alternative, in their minds, and--]

...He was trying to perfect a method to produce immortality. I was his first attempt, and his first failure.

[And over and over he'd tried... each attempt bringing him closer to what he sought: eternal life.]

[He's not sure if that's better or worse, but it's still awful.]

I managed to avoid seeing him for a good thousand years, but he found me recently. He thinks we're having a lover's quarrel and I'll get over myself eventually.

[Gershom sounds the tiniest bit bitter.]

A lover's quarrel... for a thousand years?

[There's disbelief in Kuro's voice, though it's not directed towards Gershom.]

He must be delusional.

A little bit.

[He used to appreciate that Salvador was so devoted to him, but that was a long time ago.

Pet, pet, pet.]

It'd be nice to stay here and never see him again.

kuroooo i love you hoow are you doing today

[Uh.]

~~What are~~

~~Why are you~~

~~are you~~

[Please hold the cat needs to reboot.]

[Clearly he just... means that like. In a friendly way. Totally. Right???

Right, that makes perfect sense for a nice guy like Gershom. Right!]

I'm okay

You seem cheerful.

[honey no]

i went to a party and they have wine i can actually taste because it's magic i think i'm glad!!! you deserve all the nice things

[Gershom...!!

It can't be seen over text luckily, but Kuro is blushing slightly. Why is Kizuna like this--]

That's good.

You deserve all the nice things, too.

you're my favorite here or anythywher i'm glad we met

[He doesn't think he's ever contacted Kuro this way. Truth be told he may not have ever contacted anyone this way. His time in Nippon has been strange and often detached, but the vampire provides a strange point of reality for him amidst the whole ordeal.

Which is why, in the middle of the night while Hypnos is quietly snoring next to him, he fiddles with the communications device until he figures out how to send a message.]

Are you busy, kitten?

[Kuro is rarely busy, really. Even at night, the time of day he can most easily go out and obtain food or things he needs, he's rarely prone to seeking out things to do.

So the text is a pleasant surprise, to say the least, perking his ears up atop his head as he snags his device. He doesn't think Thanatos has ever texted him before, has he?]

Nah, not busy. What's up?

[Ah, now... how to have a conversation like this. It feels oddly impersonal, but Thanatos supposes it's a little like sending a letter and getting an instant reply.

Weird, though.]

Nothing. You were on my mind and this seemed the fastest way to reach you.

I wondered if you might like to spend some time with me.

[Meanwhile, for an immortal vampire from medieval times Kuro is surprising comfortable with texting.

Does this mean he's going to be particularly merciful to Thanatos his first time with this?

Naaaaah.]

Sure, I'd like that. All I'm doing is rolling about in bed anyway, I don't have anything else I need to do today.

=＾• ⋏ •＾= You know, you can text me anytime you like. I'm pretty easy to reach like this.

[What is--...

Is that a cat.

Thanatos peers at it for longer than is really necessary before he decides to just... not comment on it, for now. Maybe later.]

I ought to be aware of that but this mode of communication isn't one that comes naturally to me.

[Much like any form of communication.]

I will remember for the future. I see no downsides to being able to reach you at any time I please.

[Awww, Thanatos--]

!! /ᐠ｡‸｡ᐟ\∫

You must really enjoy my company, to say something like that.

[And because he's feeling a little flustered by that, have more emoji.]

[That's another cat.

... Cute...]

I do. I'm surprised you haven't surmised that there aren't many people I will seek out for company of my own volition. Even fewer that I take the time to give a nickname to.

(^._.^)ﾉ

I mean I kind of already did, but hearing you value my company so highly is still quite the compliment.

[Amusingly enough, Kuro can communicate a little bit better over text. Mainly because it isn't face to face, so Thanatos can't see how he sinks into his futon shyly.]

I'm glad you see it that way.

But I can say that you earned it.

[And that is no small thing, either. Thanatos does not accept people easily.]

Cat.

Have you eaten lately?

[....Oh. That's...

Hm.]

I had ramen for lunch.

[That is not what Giovanni is asking, and he knows it.]

So no, then.

[ He's dodging the question. ]

How long has it been, then?

[Damn it, Giovanni.

And yet the skittishness nervousness he feels is edged by something else entirely.]

Dunno. I don't keep track.

You'd know when better than I do.

[Basically: Not since last time Giovanni sought him out, because Kuro is and will always be garbage about acknowledging he does in fact need it.]

Okay. So we're going to fix that. You're at home, I assume?

Right now?

[Giovanni is this your version of a bootycall--]

Uh, yeah I am. It's getting cooler, y'know.

Yes, right now.

[ it 100% is ]

And? What does that mean?

People spend less time outside in winter.

[well okay, maybe not as much as a few hundred years ago, but--]

And I hate the cold, so.

I wasn't asking you to go outside, cat.

I just meant you're not likely to find me wandering around in this weather. Cold makes it harder for me to move around.

[Kuro considers his room for a moment before finally easing out of the strange futon blanket nest he tends to sleep in.... still shuffling about wrapped in at least one blanket, mind.]

Then I'll be right over.

[ It doesn't sound like he's asking, or giving Kuro a chance to answer. He'll definitely appear there with the conversation being the only warning, too. What can he say? Heh wants what he wants, and if Kuro is available - that's the only thing he cares about. And Giovanni made an easy assumption that the other would be free. He didn't seem the type to go out and do things a lot. Plus, a vampire. ]

[Is it a bad thing that he's okay with the fact that Giovanni doesn't ask? maybe. He does unlock his door though, so he's fairly sure Giovanni will know anyway.]

Door's unlocked, when you get here.

[Hopefully Giovanni is still looking at his comm.]

[ Giovanni doesn't check his comm on the way, which is a non-issue because he'll honestly just attempt to open the door before he steps inside. Kuro will hear him when he arrives. He immediately seeks out Kuro. It's been awhile since he's seen him. It irritates him that his first thought is about how Kuro is doing rather than what he wanted to do while here. But he supposes he does care about how Kuro is doing, even if for reasons as to the other's presence benefiting him. ]

Someone here needs to eat.

[ And Giovanni is actually eager to provide. He spots Kuro. ]

I don't think you need me to open a vein for you, either.

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