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

text; daemon: shebad (*for reasons*)

[shadowblends]

[You know, most of Kurt is screaming for him not to donate blood to a vampire's cause, but then, there's a tiny voice in the back of his head: mutants need to stick together. In his world, Rafa would be considered as such and besides, there's no harm in chatting about it first.]

will you take any type of blood?

[mordacita]

[ Hmm, not a daemon he recognises. ]

yes i shall

but i will label by species, if you do not mind, since the vampires i have met have different needs. some can only drink from humans

others can drink from anyone. if you are willing to help us, i shall not turn you away

text; daemon: tepesd; private

[infatyuated]

you think humans will actually offer?

[shadowblends]

[Say 'hi' to the newbie, Rafa!]

that makes plenty of sense. [Except, not entirely, since this is his first time meeting an actual vampire.

To say he's nervous about giving blood would be an understatement, but what if it was one of his friends? Surely, a kind little blue boy such as himself wouldn't let them go without.]

you said a pint is all that's needed and that you're offering shelter?

text | daemon: emeraldd

[astralera]

As long as you receive at least one donation there would be no risk of vampires going hungry, correct?

video; daemon: quothed

[deathkid]

Count me in for cocktails. The kind you make are apparently the only ones that seem to have an affect on me.

And I'd offer my blood, but I don't think you'd want it, considering... [ twirls his wrist in a minute gesture. ]

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.

video; daemon: samueld

[salveo]

Wow, hello beautiful.

[ says the demon with the wide, white smile. ]

A vampire loud and proud, huh? I love it. I'm an incubus myself, but I haven't been saying anything because I wanted to blend in. Your bravery is really inspiring!

I'd donate, but I've been told my blood is a little, well, vampires tend to like it a lot. But I wouldn't mind giving you a personal taste.

Very personal, if you know what I mean.

video; daemon: apollod

[hasitsthorns]

You know I'm always happy to donate, dude. Not human but- Does that make it taste different, maybe?

I'm also happy to provide musical entertainment if you need it. I miss that myself.

daemon: sophiad

[helical]

Place looks great, rafa

( he would offer but. yknow. not eager to test out if his blood is addictive to all vampires the hard way. )

[mordacita]

I have always liked the taste of wolves. you may have guessed that.

[ And if she hadn't, that probably tells her more than she ever wanted to know about what Rafa gets up to with Hunter. ]

Are you saying you would like to play here, Rosie? I would welcome it. Music always improves the atmosphere.

[ Even for blood donations, he's sure. ]

[mordacita]

[ Oh, that's a nice smile.

And a nice voice. Rafa leans closer to his camera, which sadly means leaning closer to Kyd. The unicorn backs off again, wary, and Rafa sighs. His daemon has always been skittish, but he's busy now. There's flirting to be done. ]

I find when I am honest, they are less likely to fear me. At least that is the hope. Hello.

[ Now Rafa smiles, very sweetly. ]

I have never drunk from a full Incubus. Even those who come from them are few and far between. But one is very close to me. He would like to meet you, I think.

I would like to meet you. What should I call you?

[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.

[mordacita]

[ Rafa can't help but smile. ]

You know that you are always welcome, my friend.

I cannot drink from you myself, but there are others who may be able to. If you did not mind, that is.

[mordacita]

that is the idea, yes

i imagine i do not need to explain the risks to everyone involved, if we have no way to feed
not all of us can survive on blood from animals alone.

[mordacita]

i always have hope
it is in all of our interests that they do. i doubt anyone wants starving vampires in their midst.

[mordacita]

yes. any more than a pint would be dangerous for you

[ Or at least, it would be dangerous for a human. Rafa doesn't know exactly what this person is, though he suspects they're something more than that given the question they'd asked. Still, unless he sees evidence to the contrary, he's assuming anything more than a pint is unsafe. He won't do anything unsafe. He's trying to foster trust between his people and the ones they share this city with; safety is important. ]

i will make you a drink to keep you warm
then i will show you the machine. if you would help us, i would be grateful
if you do not wish to, i will bear you no ill.

[mordacita]

[ Alec! ]

you like it? this place is all mine
i know the last one had influences you found distasteful

[ The hunts, he means. Damon had favoured them, and Rafa will be leaving them behind in Eudio. ]

i hope this time, you may be comfortable enough to join us
you and magnus both, if you have time.

[deathkid]

Good, 'cause I'd be a patron whether I was or not. [ almost sticks out his tongue. ]

Kavinsky can't either, 'cause you turned him right? I don't know who else around here would need it, but I'm definitely willing to offer some up.

[infatyuated]

I have things I still need to do
so I'd like to avoid becoming a demon
I can give you the vials of blood I have from Yuu-chan
I suppose it wouldn't hurt to clone those too.

[mordacita]

That is right.

[ There's unmistakable pride in Rafa's tone. He's delighted about Kavinsky. He's delighted with Kavinsky. ]

He cannot. But there are others now, and in time there may be more. I want to be prepared. Not all who come here are from my world, but they are still my people, Nico.

[deathkid]

I guess you really are his "mom" now. [ fingerquotes ] Which is kind of weird to think about, but oh well. And I didn't realize there were even more vampires here. It's good you've got that machine thing. I'll stop by. I'll check with Will too. He'd probably be all for it if it means keeping people healthy.

[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.

[mordacita]

yes, i can do that for you

i do not think you will become a demon. if worse came to worse, i would let you drink from me
that would sustain you, i think. i do not want you to be worried.

[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.