#anyway yes I know that a ghoul can only have the ONE domitor

[victorluvsalice]

Valicer Multiamory Month, Day Twenty-Nine: Vampire AU (Londerland Bloodlines AU)

It's the final weekend of @polyamships's Multiamory March, and today brings with it another specific AU prompt -- "Vampire AU!" And, much like with the "Soulmates AU" prompt back on Day Seventeen, I came to this prompt already prepared with a vampire AU -- good old Londerland Bloodlines! Why make up a new one when I've already got one ready to go? :p Accordingly, here is a story about Victor reflecting on just how fortunate he is when it comes to vampires inserting themselves into his life. Enjoy!

--

Victor often thought that he had to be the luckiest ghoul in all of California these nights.

He knew that he’d already been extremely lucky by ghoul standards – the brief but enlightening conversations he’d had with Knox, Mercurio, and Romero during his and Alice’s time in Los Angeles had clued him into the fact that being a ghoul was generally not a fantastic life. Yes, one got immortality, super strength, perhaps a useful Discipline or two, all without having to give up the sun – but those perks almost always came with being under the complete control of a monster. A civilized monster, yes, but still a monster. Still someone who only kept you around for as long as you were useful – who saw you as a tool, not a person. And he knew that he’d come distressingly close to suffering that fate himself – he still shuddered at the thought that he could have ended up under the thumb of LaCroix. That would have been – perhaps not a fate actually worse than death, but pretty close.

But instead, the universe had sent him Alice. Alice, who’d saved his life out of genuine altruism, and who had sought him out afterward not to make him her servant, but to keep him safe from her enemies. Alice, who’d done everything she could to make sure he kept his free will, including trying to break their nascent blood bond before it could get its hooks into him too firmly. Alice, who’d finally bonded him properly only after making sure he understood exactly what he was getting into. Alice, who was more than willing to share him with the others he loved, and bring them into the fold of their chaotic existence. Alice, who truly loved him, and who he truly loved in return. It was more than any ghoul could hope for, and he’d been appropriately grateful.

And then – Smiler had shown up in their lives. Smiler, who lived up to their chosen name by being the cheeriest person Victor had met since Knox. Smiler, who’d seen him watching his friends enjoy themselves from the sidelines in the local club, and had immediately made it their mission to ensure he had a good time too. Smiler, who could practically destroy a person’s mind if they so chose, but who had instead used their powers to calm Victor’s anxieties. Smiler, who’d contacted Alice upon learning their Ministry friends had kidnapped Victor to make sure he got home safely – and who’d turned on them the moment they realized how their powers were being exploited. Smiler, who’d been willing to walk away from them all if it meant they would be happier – if it meant Victor would be happier.

Smiler, who also genuinely loved Victor – and whose blood tasted just as good as Alice’s.

And that was how Victor knew he was truly the luckiest ghoul around. Because how many ghouls could say that they had not just one truly kind and loving domitor – but two?

[wildroseofarran]

Training Day, Part II || Brett, Cam, & Guildias

Brett: It would be several hours before Brett felt composed enough to talk to his domitor, and well into the afternoon when he finally reached out.

He already knew this wasn't going to go his way but maybe, just maybe...

{Text to Guildias} Hi, I hope I'm not interrupting anything

{Text} I met your friend

Guildias: The phone would ring just moments later.

Brett: So much for seeking solace in a text conversation.

"Hey," Brett greeted. His voice sounded tired.

Guildias: "So, tell me what's bothering you."

Brett: He took a deep breath. "The same thing that's bothered me since that...thing happened in December."

Guildias: "You have a handful of complaints, Brett. Does Cameron intimidate you?"

Brett: “Yes.” He’d long since learned that Guildias frowned upon indirect answers to direct questions. Best to just get it all out there.

Guildias: "Explain why."

Brett: “To train me he’d have to touch me.”

Guildias: "After everything I've done to secure you your human, do you trust me, Brett?"

Brett: “I trust you.” The emphasis was soft but it was there. He didn’t doubt that Cameron had Guildias’ glowing commendations. His mistrust was in the hands themselves, and their foreignness.

Guildias: Noted. "Then tell me something else. Would you rather my presence for the first training session? The first can be hands free. The two of you can trade performance on your skills."

Brett: As long as they were being honest, “I’d rather you be there for all of it.” And that it would all be hands free.

Guildias: "One week." Argumentative until the very end, the sheriff was. Nothing as on par with Devon Moss, but more troublesome for a fledgling.

Brett: It was more than he expected. At least it was something. “Thank you, sir.”

Guildias: "When are the two of you going to train?"

Brett: “Whenever you decide.”

Guildias: "Did you exchange numbers?"

Brett: “No, sir.”

Guildias: You're trying my patience. "I will send it to you. Tonight at my place. Let him know. Understood?"

Brett: Brett knew; he could feel it in every single one of his bones.

“Yes, sir. Understood.”

Guildias: Good boy. "I'll see you in three hours. Be good."

Brett: "Yes, sir, I will."

Once Guildias had sent him Cameron's number, Brett shot off a text. Here he could keep that small solace of nonverbal communication.

{Text to Cameron} It's Brett Parker

{Text to Cameron} Spoke to Guildias, he wants us to meet at his house in three hours

Cam: Cam glanced down at this phone, and a grin flashed over his lips as he saw them.

{Text to Brett} See you then grumpy gills! ;P

 ---

 Goofy texts aside, Cam knocked on Guildias' door three hours later. He wore a black hoodie and work-out pants, a tight, dark green v-neck and matching sneakers.  He had a small duffle bag over his shoulder and he had a pleased grin on his face. He was ready to sweat.

Guildias: Guildias had no intention of participating, so the vampire opened the door still half-asleep in cargo black belt and a ponytail. The cool, thick breeze was welcomed.

"What's that smile? Hmm?"

Cam: "It's been a while since I've had the chance to do some teaching! I love sparring with new people and getting them to a point where they can keep up with me! I'm excited," Cam grinned.

Cam: "Is Mr. Grumpy himself here yet?"

Guildias: "Mr. Grumpy?" He shook his head. "Keep in mind, despite being young, he is a sheriff. He's anxious of touch. Tonight will be about exploring what each of you can do on your own. Tomorrow, make each touch count. Easy enough, yes?"

Cam: "Oh I know- but what he's trained to do through his job is different from what I do," he tilted his head as Guildias explained more. "Okay," He nodded, having enough sense not to ask why Brett was so averse to touch.

"What should I avoid doing? I triggered....something in him when using my powers when we last met. I can try to avoid certain things?"

Guildias: "He needs things explained to him. This is not a man you want to surprise. He's attached to a human the prince had her way with, so as much as you might enjoy it, you're not to flirt with him."

Cam: "Understood," Cam nodded. There was a look of understanding in his eyes, a seriousness that replaced the usual flirtatious glint. "So... Did you arrange this to try and help him?"

Guildias: "That I did. We're going to gradually include touch. I'll be supervising for the first week. We'll see from there. A gentle touch is required, but I'm not going to coddle either of you."

Cam: He nodded again.

"Sounds like it could be fun. If Mr. Grumpy lets it." He grinned again and glanced back behind him. "Is he on his way or...?"

Guildias: "He's usually on time. He'll do a lap for every exceeded minute. If you're hungry, see to Devon up the hill."

Brett: Brett was pulling up to the house even as Guildias spoke. He'd done laps for being late before but he didn't fancy poking the bear on this particular day. He was already on eggshells.

Cam: "See ya up there then!" Cam gave Guildias a little wave and jogged up the hill towards Devon's house. He hadn't eaten yet, and a little energy boost before they started might be nice. Plus it would give Guildias and Brett a moment alone before starting.

Guildias/Devon: Guildias waited for Brett on the porch, arms crossed, eyes still heavy from lack of sleep.

Devon Moss, a tall man with salt and pepper hair and a pronounced limp, was too busy watching football to care about asking questions. Another of Guildias' ghouls. He was waved to the kitchen across from the living room. "Go to the kitchen," he was told. "Make yourself a pulled pork sandwich. It's spicy. Get over it. Don't use all my mayo."

Brett: God, he looked pissed already. Or maybe it was just Brett’s own anxiety and dread projecting themselves onto his environment.

Nothing new there, he thought, getting out of his car. “Evening, sir,” he greeted.

Cam: Cam did as instructed and made himself a sandwich. Then, while munching on his sandwich, he made a second one and returned to the living room. He offered it to Devon without saying a word, and by his logic, if Devon didn't want a sandwich-he would just eat two. It was pretty delicious.

Guildias/Devon: "What time is it, Brett?" asked calmly.

The sandwich was taken. It was his food, after all.

"What cha'll doin' over there t'night, anyway?"

Brett: “Two minutes later than it should be, sir.”

Guildias: "I needn't tell you what to do."

Brett: “No, sir.”

And off he went to do his penance laps. What he wouldn’t give for this to be one of those days Guildias made him run until he passed out. Two laps weren’t enough to soothe everything that was happening in his gut and chest and head.

Cam: "Workin' out," Cam replied as he perched on the nearest arm rest and aimlessly watched the screen. He knew nothing about sports, but it was something to do. Devon never seemed to be much for conversation the couple times they'd met.

"Gonna test out some new powers and help one of the other guys step up his game- if it works out that way."

Guildias/Devon: A few yards in, and his domitor fell into step at his side. Penance which would be shared, if only for tonight. Their bond would be adhered to for the next few hours.

"Hmm. The sheriff, is it?" He took a swig of his lukewarm beer and glanced his way. "He's a good kid, no matter what his daddy tried t'do with him."

Brett: It was small and it was simple but it was a comfort. Something to cling to in this soup of apprehension. Brett was grateful for it.

Cam: "His dad?" Cam asked, mouth half full of sandwich, before he could stop himself.

Devon: "Catholic. Need I say more?" Finally, Cameron was given a proper once-over. "Make him one, too. From one ghoul t'the next."

Cam: "Ah," Cam nodded, finishing off his own sandwich with a happy hum. He nodded to the advice and left the couch to return back to the kitchen.

After making a sandwich for Brett, Cam decided to venture back outside and find the other two.

Guildias: At the bottom of the hill laid his domitor. A dead body to a passerby, with his still chest and cool skin. His clothes were too fresh and without wound, and his scent was more Calvin Klein cologne than decomp.

"Devon watching football again?"

Cam: Cam bounced down the hill and took a seat in the grass next to Guildias.

"Yeah. Pretty sure he was doing that the last time I met him," he giggled and placed the plate, and sandwich, on Guildias' chest. "Where is Brett? I made him a sandwich."

Brett: Brett was several yards away, just inside the tree line. The two laps had done precious little to relax him so he'd started doing squats with his usual tree trunk.

If he had to be here under these circumstances, might as well work out and get something positive out of it.

Guildias: That way, he pointed. "You two discuss what you'll be doing. Think of me more as a supervisor than coach. Remember what I told you."

Cam: "Yes sir!" Cam nodded, maybe a little too chipper for such a warning. For as bouncy and bounding with energy as he seemed, Cam did take Guildias' instructions and warnings seriously.

Cam scooped the sandwich back up as he rose to leave Guildias' side and approach Brett and his squats.

 "Hey," Cam smiled as he neared the other ghoul, and he offered the sandwich he made to Brett while also keeping some distance. A peace offering, if he wanted to see it that way.

Brett: And that was curtains on his last few moments of solitude for the next couple of hours.

Brett nodded to Cameron, acknowledging him and his offering--was that a sandwich?--while he finished his set.

Only after it had been finished and a long drink had been taken from his water bottle did he speak. "Evening. What's this?" he asked, cautiously taking the plate.

Cam: "A sandwich!" Cam grinned, having waited patiently for Brett to finish. "It's Devon's stuff and I made us both one, so we figured I could bring one for you too," really it was all Devon, but Cam was pretty sure Devon wouldn't mind Cam taking a little credit. He made the sandwich at least.

Brett: "Thank you." It had been a long while since he'd eaten pork, but it smelled too good to waste.

Guildias: Guildias sat up on his elbows to watch, keeping his distance so as not to disturb. And distraction could send the sheriff anywhere, from his perspective.

Cam: "You're welcome," he tilted his head to watch Brett before looking away and off into the nearby forest. He wasn't sure if Brett would be bothered by someone watching him eat. Then with a huff he flopped back onto the grass and tucked his hands behind his head.

"So- whatcha want to do today?" He asked, staring up into the leaves above. "I have a few drills we could do- no contact stuff that's good for accuracy, as well as control?" He suggested.

Brett: Brett didn't care if Cameron watched him or not; strangers had watched him eat and work and do other things for years. Often scowling or glaring at him.

Perhaps subconsciously, he spoke to Cameron the same way he spoke to them; succinctly and with no eye contact. "Guildias told me to demonstrate my abilities."

Cam: Ah yes, Mr. Grumpy. Cam was confident he could find a way to loosen Brett up a bit.

"Okay- wanna show me what you've got? Otherwise I can show you the stuff I've been learning first?"

Brett: "Do you have a pocket knife?"

Cam: "Nah, but I could make one?" He offered and glanced at Brett. "It'd mean using my powers though- if it wouldn't bother ya."

Brett: It would bother him a lot but he didn't have any choice. Even if he had been able to tune out Cameron's gaze, there was no tuning out Guildias'. He could feel it on him right now.

"Might as well."

Cam: Cam placed his hand on the ground, and with a small flash that emanated from his hand, the ground shifted beneath it. A few seconds later the dirt rose up, sliding like a snake into Cam's palm, and hardened into the shake of a pocket knife. Another few seconds and the color faded from brown to a shiny metal with a dark green handle.

 "Here ya go," he handed Brett the knife, "just pull it open with the notch there."

Brett: Unlike their exchange a few hours ago, this time Brett had time to at least try to brace himself for what was coming. Not enough, however.

He still flinched violently when the soil began to rise and move, when it began to take what his mind considered an unnatural form. A year ago this probably would've fascinated him; not so now.

Now he just felt deeply unsettled by the process that had produced the blade Cameron offered to him. If he was honest with himself, a very large part of him didn't even want to touch it.

"Right," he said, throat gone dry as a slightly trembling hand took the pocket knife.

Cam: Cam didn't understand what was wrong, but it was pretty obvious by Brett's expression that something was off.  Before he finally handed it over he pulled his hand back slightly to offer Brett a secondary option.

"I can, like- go grab a knife from inside if you want instead?"

Brett: "It's fine." Whether he used this knife or one from Guildias' kitchen, the result and the unpleasantness would be the same. Better to just get it over with as quickly as possible.

He set the now empty plate aside and, after a deep breath, sliced his palm open.

Cam: Cam tensed for a second, startled by the sudden move, and just as quickly as a protest rose in his throat he swallowed it down. Brett was a ghoul too, he should be able to heal himself, right?

Brett: This particular demonstration was more for his own benefit than Cameron's. And maybe even Guildias' a little bit.

Months ago, feeling and seeing and smelling the blood on his skin would've thrown him into a panic, and although he wasn't quite calm now, he was miles ahead of where he was. There was only a momentary pause and uptick in breathing before Brett closed his eyes and concentrated on stopping the bleeding and healing his hand completely.

Cam: "Nice," Cam nodded, unaware of what the gesture meant, not in its entirety.

Brett: With the simpler task out of the way, Brett turned his attention to something far more difficult. Cameron had already witnessed it of course, so really this was for Guildias to see that he’d been diligent in his practice.

Eyes still closed, Brett breathed in again, then a third and a fourth time, willing himself to relax and focus. This wasn't like this morning; this had to be a bit more deliberate.

He opened his eyes. He looked toward Guildias for a moment, then back at Cameron before nodding in Guildias' direction. His subtle, silent way of saying 'look over there'.

If Cameron were to turn to Guildias then back at Brett, he'd see nothing but the trees.

Cam: Cam followed Brett's gaze, and when he looked back he blinked in surprise when he saw no one there. He glanced around- half expecting to see Brett standing further away. When he saw no one he glanced back at Guildias, his head tilting.

Guildias: Having seen the same posture and breathing just days before, he knew what to expect. His attention had purposely shifted to Cameron. He could swear he'd seen the very instance of his disappearance from his peripheral. To think someone as lowly as Rosmond would have the upper hand here. His perception had made him a thing of beauty to Victoria.

"Very good, Brett. Hold your concentration and try to take a step backwards."

Brett: Now this was new territory. Brett hadn't been able to remain concealed while moving his hand, much less his whole body. His brain hadn't quite figured out how to do the two things at once.

Still, he kept breathing and tried to dig deep, to move as slowly as humanly possible.

He'd only managed to lift a foot a few centimeters before the illusion fell away.

Cam: Cam watched quietly, his head tilting the other direction.

Guildias: Cameron's bewilderment caused a half-smile. "Where you were inclined to celerity, our sheriff subconsciously adopted occultation. Your gifts are representative of your personalities."

Cam: "That's a pretty cool ability," Cam nodded, and he grinned up at Brett, eyes alight with excitement. "I didn't realize that was a ghoul ability- that's awesome!" He sat upright now, suddenly excited to show off his abilities. Guildias had yet to see the newest addition, but he wanted to wait his turn.

"Anything else that you've picked up?" He asked Brett. There was a hint of admiration in his voice.

Brett: Brett did not share Cam's excitement or enthusiasm. He just nodded again. "I'm a drunk whisperer," he said, matter-of-factly and with a completely straight face.

Guildias: "He's being overly modest," he called.

Cam: Cam laughed at that, and he jumped up to his feet with an itch to take his own turn. He bounced lightly on the balls of his feet and wiggled, as if trying to shake out an energy buzzing at his fingertips.

"I mean, that is a skill that can be really handy. I can’t say I’m very good at it. I bet it’s even more useful with your occupation," he concluded, finally settling before he asked, "want to see what I've been working on?" Again- the excitement in his eyes as nearly tangible, as if he were trying to radiate it onto those around him.

Brett: God, how did this man have so much energy? Brett couldn't have summoned this much energy on a random evening if he drank his weight in coffee and Red Bull.

"Correct," he said with a nod. "Makes certain arrests go smoothly." As smoothly as wrangling large drunken idiots into his patrol car could go, anyway.

Did he want to see? Absolutely not. Was he going to?

Another nod. "Have at it."

Cam: Honing his skills was one of the few ways Cam felt his trademark, playful energy anymore. For a while, during and after his 5 month disappearance, Cam thought he'd lost the spark that seemed to define him. Ever so slowly, he was getting it back.

"Is there a tree you want removed anywhere?" He asked and turned to Guildias, a gleam of excitement in his eyes.

Guildias: Guildias rested his arms in his knees, comfortable with his distance to better observe. In no way did he expect the sheriff to match the energy of his newest ghoul, but less tension in his shoulders was much desired.

A moment of searching, two trees much too close as neighbors.

"One of those."

Cam: Cam tilted his head, debating which of the two to remove.

"Mkay, I'm gonna disappear, just to warn you. And what's next will be loud," Cam offered to Brett as a warning, so he could brace himself. Cam knew this all made Brett anxious, so he wanted to help Brett avoid what discomfort he could.

Then in a blur, one moment Cam was standing beside him, and the next he was beside the chosen tree. He stumbled a little as he slowed, but he quickly straightened into a wide stance meant to steady himself. Then he inhaled slowly, and on the exhale he thrust his hand forward, in a similar blur to how he had moved, and a loud crack of splintering wood echoed through the clearing. With a groan the tree shuddered and began to fall, but Cam reached out and grabbed it to ease it carefully, albeit awkwardly to the ground. It looked absurd, but he did his best to try and make it a little less stressful for Brett.

Brett: Despite Brett's extreme aversion to being here at the moment, Cam's thoughtfulness was....appreciated.

He nodded his thanks, even trying for a small smile as he braced himself for the great unknown he was about to witness.

Of course, no matter how much he braced himself he still managed to startle a bit as Cameron disappeared and reappeared at the speed of light, and again when the tree split--the tree was splitting.

The tree was splitting and oh hell, the tree was falling and about to squish them all like--oh. Oh. It was fine. Cameron was lowering it to the ground carefully and safely.

Guildias: "Very good," Guildias called. "You should both focus on finesse. Signs of strain only feeds your enemies."

Cam: "Listen," Cam replied in a matter-of-fact-tone as the tree came to rest on the ground with a soft thud, "I'm workin' on it! You know how hard I've been working on moving at that speed without falling over! And the tree thing was a long shot- i didn't think it would work! I knew I'd put a dent in it at least but it went way better than expected."

 He grinned proudly as he jogged back over to the two at a normal speed. He stopped between the two and the grin continued, clearly pleased with even the small praise Guildias has given.

Guildias: "You must learn to walk before you run. When you can end a run without stumbling about, then increase your speed. Speed is useless without accuracy."

Brett was looked over as well. "I'm not asking for leaps, just steps towards perfection."

Brett: Brett’s reaction was far more tempered than Cam’s. A true testament to the difference between Guildias’ two ghouls.

“Yes, sir,” he said with a single nod.

Cam: "Yes sir!" Cam replied, still grinning as he gave Guildias a playful salute.

Guildias: He smiled to them both. He appreciated their differences. Both men required discipline, but Rome was not built in a day.

"What do you believe you need to improve?" He pointed to the sheriff.

Brett: “Greater dedication, more practice.” Less fear and apprehension.

Cam: Cam nodded but remained silent. He knew that's what they were here for, and he knew he wanted to help, if Brett would let him. He was excited for them both to learn and improve.

Guildias: "I don't want you to be afraid of Cameron. He is your ally."

Brett: “I’m not afraid of Cameron.” Just what he can do.

Cam: Cam's eyebrow rose skeptically at that, and his head tilted to emphasize it. "You don't act like it. You're really... guarded. I'm not gonna hurt you, ya know? I wanna be a friend." He paused, a look of mild disapproval on his face. "Also- just call me Cam- I feel like I'm being scolded somehow!"

Brett: “Well I just met you. People aren’t completely comfortable with each other after meeting a couple of times.”

But he could concede to one point at least. “Cam then.”

Guildias: He looked between them. His request would be ignored by his master. Only Devon was so familiar with him as to exchange nicknames.

"I want the two of you to practice each night for a week. I'll have a surprise for you both by Sunday."

Cam: "Well that's true, but being completely comfortable, and just.... comfortable.... Ya just look constantly uncomfortable around me, is all I'm saying. Like I'm about to turn around and try and hurt you at any second," He shrugged, "Im not gonna. I promise."

He looked at Guildias. "By ourselves, or with each other?"

Guildias: "Each other. Here."

Brett: Cam had hit the nail on the head; Brett was uncomfortable around him. That promise was all well and good, but Brett was still a long ways from trusting him, if he would ever be able to at all.

He simply nodded and gave his attention to Guildias, feeling fresh dread pool in his stomach.

Brett gave another nod. “Yes, sir. I’ll be here.”

Guildias: He would see to Brett's progress by the end of the week. For now, "Run two miles to the end of the road and back, and then go home. Both of you."

Cam: Cam nodded and motioned for Brett to follow with a tilt of his head as he started down the road in an easy jog.

Brett: Only Guildias would notice how Brett’s shoulders slowly relaxed at the order. Thank the Good Lord for running. Running was neutral. Running was an equalizer.

“Yes, sir. Goodnight if I don’t see you when we get back.”

And off he went, following Cam but keeping his distance. At least until he warmed up and sped his gait.

Cam: Cam kept at a steady pace ahead of Brett as he tried to give the other man some space. After he warmed up and his legs felt a little less stiff he slowed down slightly to try and meet the other partway.

"You always address him so formally," Cam said idly once Brett was within earshot.

Brett: "Not formal. Respectful." Even if they weren't in the south, Guildias was still his domitor. That position demanded respect.

Cam: "Mmmm," Cam hummed thoughtfully. "I guess... I guess I don't understand much about who Guildias is. He's never told me to treat him differently."

Brett: "You have a different relationship with him than I do."

Cam: "How'd you come to start drinking vampire blood?"

Brett: Brett cast a sideways glance at Cam. He didn't really expect him to answer that, did he?

Cam: He didn't, but it was a shot in the dark that gave him the opportunity to talk about himself. If Brett didn't want to open up, he could.

"Guildias saved me. I was invited to a party, a formal thing and I had nothing really happening at the time. It wasn't from anyone I recognized, so i thought I got invited by mistake and figured it'd be fun to crash. I look real good in a green suit," he gave Brett a smirk and glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. "Turns out- it was a feast fest for vampires. And if I wasn't given the invite by mistake, it would have been a 'be my slave or die' type situation. He found me and had me drink his blood.... I could have probably tried to escape but.... I'm grateful."

Brett: The smirk was neither acknowledged nor returned, but Brett was listening.

A feast fest for vampires sounded like his version of hell. He could only imagine what had befallen those that fell that night, what would have befallen Cameron if Guildias hadn't stepped in. He wondered if Cam could imagine it.

"He's a decent man," he said softly. Despite everything, Brett believed that. He had plenty to be grateful for himself because of Guildias.

Cam: "I remember the screams that started...." Cam said quietly, his expression sobering as he remembered the tension that rose the smaller his gap to escape became. "He is decent. He gave me the opportunity to stop after that. Didn't expect me to keep being his ghoul, but here I am." He sped up a little. He glanced at Brett. "I’ve got a lot of people I want to protect."

Brett: So Cameron had chosen this. Of all the ways he could've protected those who mattered to him, he chose this.

Brett couldn't decide if it was brave or if free will was wasted on the man running beside him.

"As do we all."

Cam: Cam had made the choice to continue out of a place of desperation, but he left that part out. He was open, but not that open. "Who do you protect?"

Brett: "This town." And Botan most of all.

Cam: "That's a lot to protect," but he could understand. "Puts a lot of weight and responsibility on a person."

Brett: "I'm a cop. It's what I do."

Cam: "I'm a vigilante, I guess I could say the same," he grinned, a hint of teasing in his voice, "I just don't operate inside the law."

Brett: "That's the absolute last thing you should ever say to a cop. If you're calling yourself a vigilante, you're operating outside the rule of law."

Cam: "That is pretty much what I just said," Cam laughed, "I thought I mentioned that already?" He shrugged. "Guess you're just gonna have to get stronger if you wanna make me pay for my crimes," he continued to tease.

Brett: "I have enough on my plate keeping this place in order. I'll leave your warrants to their issuing officers."

Cam: "You're too kind," he laughed again, "I promise I'm not a bad guy. I typically take on dudes cops with guns can't really handle."

Brett: No vigilante ever thought they were the bad guy. Brett was inclined to actually believe it in this case, but the professional part of him still frowned upon Cam's chosen career path.

"I see." What else could he say?

Cam: "You really are not talkative," Cam chuckled and fell silent, choosing to focus on the run instead. He increased his speed slightly to pull a little ahead.

Brett: "Don't take it personally," said Brett, somewhat apologetically. "Never been a talker." Even in the best of times. Still, he was perfectly happy to run in silence.

Cam: "Well I might get ya to open up eventually, I'll hold out hope," Cam smiled, but didn't say anything more. They made their turn to head back to Guildias' home, and while he didn't say anything, he tried to cat Brett's eyes and make a few hopeful gestures like he wanted to race Brett back.

Brett: Brett said nothing. He knew himself well enough to know that Cam's hope wouldn't lead to much, but if it helped smooth the way for them then that was fine.

Curiously enough, he had been waiting for Cam to ask for a race from the moment their run started. So when Cam finally started giving him signals, Brett didn't say a single word. He just took off.

Cam: "Hey!" Cam shouted as Brett took off, but he wasn't far behind. Once he caught up he pressed forward, pushing Brett to meet him, unless he was about to let Cam win.

Brett: At last, a smile. Small, but still a smile. This was something he was comfortable with and could actually enjoy. He'd even try to win, but not terribly hard. It couldn't hurt to let Cam see that he wasn't completely made of stone and stoicism.

Cam: The smile brought a bright one of Cam's own. He didn't use his powers this time and simply let his legs do the carrying without any supernatural advantage. Plus he needed more control, as Guildias had instructed.  As they neared the starting point of their race, and pushed himself through the final stretch, focusing on the goal rather than whether or not he was beating Brett. Once they passed the starting point, Cam skidded to a halt and turned to face Brett with a grin.

"I think we tied?" he asked breathlessly, with honestly no clue as to who finished first.

Brett: Brett nodded and caught his breath. "Tie. Good enough for me." He wanted a shower, a giant bottle of water, and a movie on the couch with his boyfriend. Today day been quite a day.

"Guess I'll see you tomorrow."

Cam: "See you tomorrow," Cam nodded, and with a small wave he took back off down the road at top speed. He had nothing better to do, so expending more of his energy through a thorough work out was just what he needed tonight.

[victorluvsalice]

Happy Birthday WeirdKev!

@weirdkev27 Here is your requested fic, the VTMB versions of Philliane Tropy and Zan Owlson being interviewed by a film crew a la What We Do In The Shadows! It's not EXACTLY like the TV show, I admit, but I think it has the right vibes, anyway. Hope you enjoy!

--

[cut to: PHILLIANE TROPY, a well-put-together Ventrue with pale blond hair, sporting a pink suit and a bright smile that looks entirely genuine – at least for the moment. She is seated behind a large desk of the exact type you imagine any CEO having, hands folded on the desktop]

TROPY: Oh yes, I know what a lot of the other Kindred say about me, and it’s simply not true. It’s not that I don’t respect any of them – it’s that I only respect the ones that I feel deserve to be respected! It’s not my fault that the ones who most insist on respect are the ones least deserving of it.

[she adjusts her position in her chair, leaning back slightly with a more thoughtful look]

TROPY: Take, for example, a Prince of my recent acquaintance, one Sebastian LaCroix. Fellow Ventrue, installed by the Camarilla in downtown Los Angeles after they swept in to help the Anarchs repel an invasion by the Wan Kuei.

CAMERAMAN: [sound of ruffling paper] Sorry, hang on – we thought they were fighting the Kuei-jin?

TROPY: I’ve heard both terms, and after making some inquiries, I’ve learned they prefer Wan Kuei. So that’s the term I’m going to use. [shrugs] Might as well not make relations any worse, right? Anyway, I understood that becoming Prince of Los Angeles – the heart of the Anarch Free States – is an inherently stressful position. You are under a lot of pressure to make a good impression and do your job well! All without pissing off the locals. But Prince LaCroix...

[she sighs heavily and rolls her eyes]

TROPY: Well. His handling of his new domain left something to be desired. Zan knows all about it, don’t you Zan?

[cut to: ZAN OWLSON, Trophy’s top ghoul and known lover, a dark-skinned woman with a curly Afro, large eyes, and an intelligent demeanor, sitting on a nearby couch. She nods in a very world-weary way]

OWLSON: She called me so many nights to bitch about him – I can say “bitch,” right?

CAMERAMAN: Yeah, if we need to, we’ll just bleep it in post.

TROPY: [laughs as the camera goes back to her] Oh, it was definitely bitching, I admit it! Poor Zan, I kept her up at night, and not for the fun reason...but really, the things he pulled were outrageous!

[she leans forward in her chair, the humor in her face gone]

TROPY: Like, listen to this – he had an illegal Embrace in his domain, and not only did he initially try to kill the fledgling along with her sire – never mind it wasn’t her fault she was turned without permission – he then turned the poor girl into his woman-of-all-work without giving her the slightest bit of education on what being a Kindred meant! He had her running around all over the damn city, doing things like blowing up Sabbat warehouses and investigating plague cults – things that no fledgling should be doing on their own! And he wasn’t even paying her a fair wage for her work! Every ghoul on my payroll earns more than she did, with benefits beside – and they’re almost all office workers! I had to step in and give the girl the money she’d rightfully earned! Let me tell you, LaCroix didn’t like that!

CAMERAMN: [sounding confused] Yeah, bet he didn’t, but – hang on, back to the thing about your ghouls. Don’t you usually pay ghouls in blood? That’s what all the other Kindred we’ve interviewed have said.

TROPY: And they wonder why I don’t respect them! [smacking a hand on the desktop] Blood doesn’t pay the bills! Blood doesn’t keep a roof over a ghoul’s head! The monthly drink from your domitor is a health benefit at most!

OWLSON: [off-camera] Philli has strong opinions about this.

TROPY: [sour-faced] It just agets under my skin that most Kindred consider making sure their ghoul stays a ghoul is sufficient payment for the work they do. No, making sure your ghoul stays a ghoul just ensures that they can keep doing the work. They deserve proper pay and benefits beyond the retention of their ghoul status.

CAMERAMAN: [with a soft chuckle] You almost sound like you want there to be some sort of “ghoul union.”

[TROPY stares directly into the camera for a moment – then her face splits into a wide smile]

TROPY: That – is a brilliant idea. Zan, do you think we could start one up?

OWLSON: [off-camera] I mean, I’m willing to try – but there’s going to be a lot of pushback from the other Kindred with ghouls around.

TROPY: [grins, showing off her fangs – and looking truly dangerous for the first time during her segment] Fantastic. I’ve been looking for an opportunity to throw my weight around.