[There's a startled noise and he falls back with the chair, tumbling in a mess of limbs. No reflexes to save him this time. He staggers to his feet, but keeps the chair between them as a barrier. That breaks him from his reverie. He's not quite shouting, though his voice is raised.]
He knew I was there! What was I supposed to do, have Pagan lie for me some more? We would've both been dead!
[Easily side-stepping the first question, because there's nothing wrong at all with visiting your friend and giving him your blood. That's normal.]
No. No, no, wrong. I did not "egg him on". The conversation, if you couldn't tell, was going along smoothly. Riiiiight up until it didn't. Which I'm sorry about, really I am, but I panicked at the end.
[He sighs, and needing something to do with his hands, he begins setting the chair back up, but still watching his warden.]
Did you think you were playing a funny little joke? A trick on the Impaler?
[she is raging. Nadja throws up her hands and starts to pace, picking up speed in her scolding]
Now you have not only put yourself on his shit list, but also potentially me and Laszlo! I don't understand how you could be so selfish. What were you thinking, you would push your little boyfriend to make nice with the Prince of Vampires? To do what?
The second he turned on that camera you should have either got up and left or introduced yourself! Now he thinks you are a rude little monster who cannot follow even the simplest of orders.
And the conversation was not going smoothly. He was toying with you two.
[After setting the chair back up, he stands, crosses his arms in front of him and waits. If there's one good thing his daddy taught him, it's never interrupt a woman when she's ranting. You just let them vent, apologize, buy them something fancy and expensive, and consider the argument done. He'll stick with the first part of that rule, anyway.
At the mention of Pagan, he tenses, but holds back the urge to pop the fangs.]
Pagan's safely in bed, content as a feline who caught the canary, and he'll remain there. He's not to be harmed. Dracula assured me that he wouldn't be, and I'd like your word as well.
[Not that he's in any position to ask favors of anyone at this point. He sighs heavily and slumps back against a nearby wardrobe.]
Look, you told me not to talk to him, so I didn't. But I still wanted to find out about him. Talk to him, even indirectly. You don't... have to worry about him coming after you. He likes you.
[she claps her hands three times in front of Steve's face]
What you do here matters. And it will reflect very badly the next time you do something as foolish as this. I restrict you because I know that a vampire who is killed in his first year of undeath is not someone who knows how to be SUBTLE.
[she shouts the last word at him. But at least the rage seems to be dying down]
What if things had gone poorly? What was your back-up plan?
[Steve blinks for each clap, completely by reflex, but otherwise remains quiet. He won't mention how he 'hung up' on the Impaler. He's certain she'll find out sooner rather than later. Truthfully, he's surprised by his own actions, but not in any mood for proper introspection right now. A week ago he would've been overjoyed at the thought of speaking with Dracula, or even watching him from afar. And now he's a bumbling monster, ill-suited for any social interaction with the noble, ancient vampire.
Well. Maybe he was feeling a bit introspective after all. He glances back up, pulled from his reverie by her shouting. The question gives him pause.]
I didn't-- Jesus, do you want me to say I didn't think that far ahead? Fine, I will. Because I didn't. If he'd come after Pagan, I would've had to fight him. It would've been a losing battle, of course, but better that than my human being harmed for my stupid mistake.
[Steve remains leaning against the wardrobe. In part because Nadja's still worrying, but he's also emotionally drained, tired, and ready to call it an early night.]
I'm here for any wisdom you wish to impart, Nadja. It's why we're paired, right? You teachin' me to be a better vampire n' all. I'll keep my distance from Dracula, unless he actively seeks me out. Which I honestly doubt will happen.
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chiming
no subject
Date: 2020-08-04 03:41 am (UTC)From:He knew I was there! What was I supposed to do, have Pagan lie for me some more? We would've both been dead!
no subject
Date: 2020-08-04 03:44 am (UTC)From:And why were you there in the first place, hmm? Who was egging on your Pagan because he just HAD to catch a glimpse of the king of vampires?!
And now you have put all of our lives in danger, you silly, silly boy!
no subject
Date: 2020-08-04 03:54 am (UTC)From:No. No, no, wrong. I did not "egg him on". The conversation, if you couldn't tell, was going along smoothly. Riiiiight up until it didn't. Which I'm sorry about, really I am, but I panicked at the end.
[He sighs, and needing something to do with his hands, he begins setting the chair back up, but still watching his warden.]
no subject
Date: 2020-08-04 04:04 am (UTC)From:[she is raging. Nadja throws up her hands and starts to pace, picking up speed in her scolding]
Now you have not only put yourself on his shit list, but also potentially me and Laszlo! I don't understand how you could be so selfish. What were you thinking, you would push your little boyfriend to make nice with the Prince of Vampires? To do what?
The second he turned on that camera you should have either got up and left or introduced yourself! Now he thinks you are a rude little monster who cannot follow even the simplest of orders.
And the conversation was not going smoothly. He was toying with you two.
Where is Pagan now?
no subject
Date: 2020-08-04 04:15 am (UTC)From:At the mention of Pagan, he tenses, but holds back the urge to pop the fangs.]
Pagan's safely in bed, content as a feline who caught the canary, and he'll remain there. He's not to be harmed. Dracula assured me that he wouldn't be, and I'd like your word as well.
[Not that he's in any position to ask favors of anyone at this point. He sighs heavily and slumps back against a nearby wardrobe.]
Look, you told me not to talk to him, so I didn't. But I still wanted to find out about him. Talk to him, even indirectly. You don't... have to worry about him coming after you. He likes you.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-04 04:22 am (UTC)From:[she claps her hands three times in front of Steve's face]
What you do here matters. And it will reflect very badly the next time you do something as foolish as this. I restrict you because I know that a vampire who is killed in his first year of undeath is not someone who knows how to be SUBTLE.
[she shouts the last word at him. But at least the rage seems to be dying down]
What if things had gone poorly? What was your back-up plan?
no subject
Date: 2020-08-05 08:39 pm (UTC)From:Well. Maybe he was feeling a bit introspective after all. He glances back up, pulled from his reverie by her shouting. The question gives him pause.]
I didn't-- Jesus, do you want me to say I didn't think that far ahead? Fine, I will. Because I didn't. If he'd come after Pagan, I would've had to fight him. It would've been a losing battle, of course, but better that than my human being harmed for my stupid mistake.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-05 09:04 pm (UTC)From:He will not. He is a man of honor.
You will have to be more careful in the future. I will show you how.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-07 06:06 am (UTC)From:I'm here for any wisdom you wish to impart, Nadja. It's why we're paired, right? You teachin' me to be a better vampire n' all. I'll keep my distance from Dracula, unless he actively seeks me out. Which I honestly doubt will happen.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-14 02:24 am (UTC)From:Etiquette before fun vampire training.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-14 02:48 am (UTC)From:If you insist.