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

[mordacita]

Healthy and safe.

[ Both are important. This city doesn't need to be dealing with starving vampires, and at the start of all this, it had been a real risk. ]

You know, Axel began this with me. We were supposed to be partners, and now...

[ Rafa shrugs. ]

Things change all the time. I think it better to be prepared.

[deathkid]

That's right up Will's alley, then.

[ a nod of understanding and then he tilts his head. ]

It is. This is a smart thing to do, Rafa. You're a good guy, for what you're doing. And I think if more vampires show up, they'll appreciate all this.

I mean, this place is weird. It's so different from Eudio that it really does pay to be prepared.

[mordacita]

It does. This place is less predictable than Eudio.

[ If his tone is anything to go by, he doesn't approve. ]

Vampires will always be my people. If I do not look after them, who will? Even if only very few can help us, with this machine, it should be enough.

By the way, our garden is full of vegetables now. [ His tone approves of this topic even less. ] If you wanted to take some of the pumpkins, and make whatever use of them you mortals do, I should be grateful.

[deathkid]

[ rafa not happy about vegetables? now this is a bit strange. ]

Something wrong with your garden, Rafa? Will's got one on the patio, but his plants are mostly medicinal. So I'll stop by and pick some stuff.

[mordacita]

It is technically speaking not my garden. But at any rate, the point of growing food is to provide it to those who eat.

You would be better at that than I.

[deathkid]

[ a slight chuckle. ]

Yeah, I can see how little good it would do you. I'll let you know when I come over. Wouldn't want to interrupt anything with your husbands.

[mordacita]

Do not worry, Nico. They would have no problems with you.

[ Rafa considers both of them to be nicer people than him. ]

I will expect you. It will be good to see you again.