video; daemon: kyd

[mordacita]

[ Rafa is sitting on a countertop bar, his legs dangling. The camera is looking up at him. For now, the rest of the room is obscure. He's smiling. His suit is slightly damp and his hair has been pulled back to keep it out of his face. ]

Hello. My name is Rafa, and I have some news.

First, to those who have just joined us, welcome. Many here will know that I am a vampire. This is not a secret, and the new faces among us should know it too. If the word is unfamiliar to you, what matters is this: vampires drink blood. We need it to live. Many fear us because of this. Some of you spent time with me in the land called Eudio, where synthetic blood was given to my people. That is not an option here.

I come with an answer, I hope. A friend of mine has made a machine.

[ He pats the device sitting beside him. It looks something like a filter coffee machine; slightly bigger, and with more openings. ]

It clones bags of blood to create more. If you are not a vampire, then I ask if you would donate. One pint is all I need, and I can replicate it indefinitely.

For those of you that need this, as I do, I ask you to come to me. I will give you what you need, and none here will have to fear us.

Either way, I would be glad to see you. But even if you do not donate, and do not want my help, I would welcome you to this bar.

[ Rafa slides off the counter and waves his hand. His obedient daemon turns, and the camera now takes in the whole room. The bar area is filled with bottles of alcohol, as many varieties as Rafa had been able to find. There are booths with soft chairs, and dim lighting. Xistentia's foliage has been cleared away, and the whole place has been redecorated in shades of black, dark blue and purple. Rafa's own navy blue suit matches nicely. He comes back into view. ]

I grew rather good at making cocktails in Eudio. I find I miss it, and mean to continue. I am calling it The Coven. Cliched, I know, but it makes me feel at home. Come and shelter from the rain, if you will. I have plenty of space.

Comments

video; daemon: ariond

[unconquerable]

[ Videos are easier than attempting to text for the time. While her daemon has been helpful, this technology is still beyond Diana's ken at the moment. Diana appears on camera, brow slightly furrowed. ]

Why do you - [ she cuts off abruptly, eyes darting away for a moment and then back to the screen. ] If you accept the blood of people who are not human, I will gladly offer mine.

[mordacita]

[ Rafa's head tilts at the way she cuts off, obviously rethinking her words. He smiles. ]

I shall. I would ask how to define you, since not all vampires can drink from everyone.

[ That's the easiest way to put it. Some need humans specifically; others can handle more. ]

What were you going to ask? You should feel free to. I do not mind answering.

[unconquerable]

I intended to ask why you need the blood of humans to survive. Do you not have your own?

[ It's hard to be inquisitive when so often that can be taken wrong. Her curiosity hadn't been an issue on Themyscira but had created problems in the world of man. ]

My mother sculpted me from clay, and I was brought to life by Zeus. I do have blood, but I am unsure if it is compatible.

[mordacita]

[ Well, that. That changes things. It takes a lot to surprise Rafa. He's lived a long life, and seen many impossible things come to pass. This one might just take the cake. At first, he doesn't know what to say. ]

That is quite an origin story.

[ She sounds like something Homer would have written about. Or Virgil. Or both. ]

Godly blood can be dangerous for my kind. I do not know if that would extend to...

Truly, this is remarkable. Are there others like you, made by the gods in this way?

[unconquerable]

[ Hardly remarkable to Diana, who has lived with the protection of the gods for a long time. ]

Not exactly? The gods made the Amazons but not in the same way. I am unsure if there are others like me outside of Themyscira, although no one I encountered in London seemed to be of such an origin.

I will offer my blood if it is of use, and not as dangerous for your kind as the blood from the gods.

[mordacita]

[ Rafa considers that. He also considers the number of people who would give him trouble for taking a risk like this, and then he decides he'll do it anyway. ]

I would know from your scent whether your blood would harm me. Even if it would, it may not harm others. We all work somewhat differently here.

If you are willing, then I would take it, and thank you for it.