He says it's not that easy, because why would it ever be easy. ( He looks down at the orb in his hand. ) So, who exactly is the sympathetic character here? You? Me? The last five minutes I'll never get back?
( He wonders if he could just... set the orb back down. He looks back to Lucia. )
He wants to know where we are. ( A sigh. ) So, let me get this straight. The orb sympathizes with me. Always would've. And now you and I have this great big connection and you want to assist me in -- what?
[And not as far from home as he thought. A win all around. Maybe he could convince this annoyed man to take him to San Francisco, or at least call October to come pick him up.]
Always, perhaps not. I was cursed to be an instrument of vengeance and that usually comes under very specific circumstances.
[He glances around.]
I take it we must be far from the strip. This doesn't feel very ... glitzy.
No, we're nowhere near the strip if you're thinking about doing any card counting.
( Though... now he has an invisible friend. So, as he rubs his jaw, the very bad idea of cheating and making something off this arrangement does pass through his mind. This is now the third time he's run afoul of something magic, he might as well work it into his favor. )
We're in a crypt. Was a vampire nest. Now, it's just Hoarders: undead edition. And, I guess you. This is Lucia, she's a slayer. And can we get back to the vengeance part?
Ah-hah. That makes more sense. Orb doesn't work for anyone without a soul.
[So naturally the vampires couldn't make use of him. That's lucky. He doesn't think that it was the Winterrose's intent, not to have him be made use of by terrible people, but magic does what magic does and he is grateful for it.]
Of course, where are my manners? Please convey my pleasure at making her acquaintance. My name is Simon Torquill.
[And this would be the part where you introduce yourself, Xander.]
( He's not an Angelus or a Spike! Or a vampire! He has a soul, he has just made some selfish decisions and said some selfish things. But, he cares. He's human. )
He's -- says it's a pleasure to meet you. ( Is he going to be a translator now? But then he realizes, oh, it's his turn. Because, manners with invisible men. )
And yes, you do. Which is why we're speaking now. Otherwise, I would just be another rock and you would have tossed me away for someone else to find me.
Then it seems we will be stuck with each other for quite some time, then. Until you make use of me, it will be difficult to sever the connection.
[As the only other means is breaking the spell on the orb and as he already said that is incredibly difficult. His two very powerful spellbreaker children have been trying for quite some time and the only option seems to be bargaining with the Ludiaeg.
And he won't let anyone do that. Not for his sorry soul.]
(Like get one over on something else? He brings his hands up, not really knowing what breath he should waste here. )
Look, Simon, is it? I should be doing my job. It may not be the flashy, exciting, dangerous job I used to have, but these are still cataloguable. So, let me just put all of this on hold.
( His hands go up and down to indicate Simon's body. )
Lucia, I believe you also have gloves. We've got some relics to relic.
( If Simon continues to hover nearby, Xander just goes about his business. It's not that he's trying to ignore him, except, he is trying to ignore him. They go about their business and eventually, the narrative assumes Simon isn't a part of it. Though, if he remains, he'll find Xander to be professional, good at assessing, measuring, a former strike leader, former construction foremen, former friend.
Later that night, orb tucked away in his bag, he attempts to send Willow a question about vengeance people. He gets the READ ✔️ notification immediately, but no bubbles, no response.
With a sigh, he goes to wash off vampire crypt off his body and changes into something light, but comfortable. He works on the window that always sticks, but tonight, it budges and pushes open. A warm wind pushes through the window.
He has a brief thought, now dressed, wondering if Simon's presence is ... all around. Because he's like, locked in to this vengeance contract. But he doesn't see him anywhere right now. So, he probably didn't see him change. Or the unread text message from his friend. Or, the leftover Chinese still half eaten by the bed.
[As Xander's attention does shift more to the matter at hand, Simon does get sent back to the orb. It's a tenuous connection, not wanting to push too hard, and blessedly for Simon, the ability to afford his various masters their privacy.
Not that some haven't tried to make use of the rapt attention of a handsome man. Oleander was ... well, that mostly seemed to be a carryover from when Simon was corporeal. But she's dead now. Best not to think about it too hard. Regardless, when Xander's thoughts do turn back to Simon again, he makes an appearance at a respectable distance away, as though to not crowd him in.]
Forgive the intrusion, but my proverbial ears were burning.
[He pauses because where does he begin in explaining this. How a lot of time of the last few decades has been spent wishing for things to be over.]
And forgive me for having a singular focus, but for the past few ... decades at least, I have had little agency in my actions beyond the tasks I'm given or being put to sleep and waking up with a whole new master to manage. Very few of them cared to have an actual conversation.
Everyone's got the need, right? Or, is it the right. Or, most, I guess. You only get your seldom right. When you have your -- let's just call him Xander. I have spine shiver for last time I used the word master. ( A beat. ) Dracula. Surprisingly? Racist.
Actual. Not living, not breathing. Liked the word, swine.
( And hates the color yellow. Problematic? Yes. Old world? Also yes. )
But, yeah, please don't refer to me as your master. I'm not Jeannie. Or, that'd make you Jeannie. Not that you're Jeannie. No one in this scenario - is Jeannie.
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( He looks back and forth. )
He says it's not that easy, because why would it ever be easy. ( He looks down at the orb in his hand. ) So, who exactly is the sympathetic character here? You? Me? The last five minutes I'll never get back?
( He wonders if he could just... set the orb back down. He looks back to Lucia. )
Ever hear of sympathetic magic?
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Simon nods.]
That's not a bad explanation of it, actually.
[He then takes a moment to look around where he's currently being handled.]
Where am I, exactly?
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( He sighs. )
He wants to know where we are. ( A sigh. ) So, let me get this straight. The orb sympathizes with me. Always would've. And now you and I have this great big connection and you want to assist me in -- what?
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[And not as far from home as he thought. A win all around. Maybe he could convince this annoyed man to take him to San Francisco, or at least call October to come pick him up.]
Always, perhaps not. I was cursed to be an instrument of vengeance and that usually comes under very specific circumstances.
[He glances around.]
I take it we must be far from the strip. This doesn't feel very ... glitzy.
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( Though... now he has an invisible friend. So, as he rubs his jaw, the very bad idea of cheating and making something off this arrangement does pass through his mind. This is now the third time he's run afoul of something magic, he might as well work it into his favor. )
We're in a crypt. Was a vampire nest. Now, it's just Hoarders: undead edition. And, I guess you. This is Lucia, she's a slayer. And can we get back to the vengeance part?
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[So naturally the vampires couldn't make use of him. That's lucky. He doesn't think that it was the Winterrose's intent, not to have him be made use of by terrible people, but magic does what magic does and he is grateful for it.]
Of course, where are my manners? Please convey my pleasure at making her acquaintance. My name is Simon Torquill.
[And this would be the part where you introduce yourself, Xander.]
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( He's not an Angelus or a Spike! Or a vampire! He has a soul, he has just made some selfish decisions and said some selfish things. But, he cares. He's human. )
He's -- says it's a pleasure to meet you. ( Is he going to be a translator now? But then he realizes, oh, it's his turn. Because, manners with invisible men. )
Xander - is me. Alexander. Harris.
( Let's not speak of middle names (Lavelle.) )
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[And he nods as he continues.]
And yes, you do. Which is why we're speaking now. Otherwise, I would just be another rock and you would have tossed me away for someone else to find me.
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( He's soulful. )
Not looking to get any vengeance over on anyone. I actually have vengeance experience with an ex. Wasn't my schtick.
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[As the only other means is breaking the spell on the orb and as he already said that is incredibly difficult. His two very powerful spellbreaker children have been trying for quite some time and the only option seems to be bargaining with the Ludiaeg.
And he won't let anyone do that. Not for his sorry soul.]
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(Like get one over on something else? He brings his hands up, not really knowing what breath he should waste here. )
Look, Simon, is it? I should be doing my job. It may not be the flashy, exciting, dangerous job I used to have, but these are still cataloguable. So, let me just put all of this on hold.
( His hands go up and down to indicate Simon's body. )
Lucia, I believe you also have gloves. We've got some relics to relic.
( If Simon continues to hover nearby, Xander just goes about his business. It's not that he's trying to ignore him, except, he is trying to ignore him. They go about their business and eventually, the narrative assumes Simon isn't a part of it. Though, if he remains, he'll find Xander to be professional, good at assessing, measuring, a former strike leader, former construction foremen, former friend.
Later that night, orb tucked away in his bag, he attempts to send Willow a question about vengeance people. He gets the READ ✔️ notification immediately, but no bubbles, no response.
With a sigh, he goes to wash off vampire crypt off his body and changes into something light, but comfortable. He works on the window that always sticks, but tonight, it budges and pushes open. A warm wind pushes through the window.
He has a brief thought, now dressed, wondering if Simon's presence is ... all around. Because he's like, locked in to this vengeance contract. But he doesn't see him anywhere right now. So, he probably didn't see him change. Or the unread text message from his friend. Or, the leftover Chinese still half eaten by the bed.
He leads quite the life doesn't he. )
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Not that some haven't tried to make use of the rapt attention of a handsome man. Oleander was ... well, that mostly seemed to be a carryover from when Simon was corporeal. But she's dead now. Best not to think about it too hard. Regardless, when Xander's thoughts do turn back to Simon again, he makes an appearance at a respectable distance away, as though to not crowd him in.]
Forgive the intrusion, but my proverbial ears were burning.
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Isn't that an out-loud thing?
( Because he hadn't been talking. )
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[It's hard to really say. He's still working through how a lot of this works.]
I think the intention was so that I could be summoned to fulfill a task but magic will as magic wont.
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( Get over this whole task thing. Also, great. He's magical now. Accidentally. )
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[He pauses because where does he begin in explaining this. How a lot of time of the last few decades has been spent wishing for things to be over.]
And forgive me for having a singular focus, but for the past few ... decades at least, I have had little agency in my actions beyond the tasks I'm given or being put to sleep and waking up with a whole new master to manage. Very few of them cared to have an actual conversation.
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( He lets the pause go, because it looks like he's revving up for something. Well, not that action-y. )
To be fair, I'm not asking for anything. I manage myself just fine. I've managed myself since I was in high school.
( But, his tone could give away that managing himself hasn't gotten him everywhere and has had him drop into a few pitfalls. And then his latest. )
So... you don't have a choice in all this?
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[You don't really get much of a choice in the matter.]
It's not that terrible. I spend most of my time sleeping, unless I've been found. But there are certainly other things I would rather be doing.
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( Obviously. )
Or, talking to a one-eyed guy.
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[He offers him a small smile.]
But at the same time, I was quite the extrovert once, and it isn't fair for you to bear the full weight of my need to socialize.
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Bram Stoker was struggling with a lot when he wrote it. But he also was incredibly British and loved his country.
[Then there's a pause.]
Unless you meant the actual Dracula in which case ... he is very old. Some people truly do get set in their ways.
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( And hates the color yellow. Problematic? Yes. Old world? Also yes. )
But, yeah, please don't refer to me as your master. I'm not Jeannie. Or, that'd make you Jeannie. Not that you're Jeannie. No one in this scenario - is Jeannie.
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[It doesn't quite change the machinations of the curse, however, but since they're going to be stuck with each other for a bit:]
Is there a preference for how you would like to contextualize this then?
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( Crazy because if anyone sees he'll be talking to himself. He's going to have to start having fake phone conversations. )
Unlikely friends? Anything that doesn't jump to the "vengeance" conclusion. But, I'm open to discussing the semantics.
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