036 ━ [ visual ].

[undoing.livejournal.com]

Angel's not very good at public relations. He hates dealing with public relations. This is why Cordelia always handled people, and why he had a department to handle that when he was running Wolfram & Hart. Something, however, needs to be said before things get out of line. And if he doesn't say it, who will?

Here goes nothing.

"If we wanted to eat you, we would've already," is probably not the best way to start this, but it's certainly one way to get everyone's attention. "Most of the vampires here in Taxon have been here for a long time, some of us pushing a year, others two. The only evidence you'll find against us can be placed during times when we were glitched. None of us can control that. If anyone's at fault for the things we've done while glitched, it's the hamsters. If we're to be held accountable for those actions, then by that logic, you should be, too, for the things you've done when glitched out of your mind and acting on impulses that you've otherwise got under control.

"I'm not saying that your fear isn't justified or that you don't have reason to be cautious. You do. We're predators, specifically designed to hunt you down. The point is that we don't. Letting paranoia and fear control you is only going to make things worse. We want to survive as much as you do; getting rid of our means of survival is not paying us the same respect we're paying you.

"Many of us have been around a long time. We haven't lived this long by being so stupid as to do what you expect of us. Most worlds have vampires that have gone unnoticed, because we don't get involved or cause trouble... with a few exceptions here and there." Like him, back in the day before that gypsy curse. "Leave us alone and we'll leave you alone. There's no reason to ruin how well we've been cohabitating in Taxon, just because we're all stuck in the same building. If anything, we should be working together to find a way out."

( ooc | i'm heading out the door to a concert, but wanted to get this up before i left. will hit tags when i get home later tonight. ♥ )

Comments

[ visual - locked ]

[herotypical]

"...If you ever need a character reference," was Buffy's eventual throw-in to this whole topic. Not that she thought Angel would actually need a vouching-for from her -- but the offer is what mattered, not the follow-through.

[ visual - locked ]

[undoing.livejournal.com]

"Coming from someone who can honestly say she's kicked my ass to hell, I think that reference will carry some weight."

Perhaps it's not the best joke to make, but Angel's once again stuck trying to find his footing around Buffy. They'd found a balance here in Taxon, and then Connor showed up and it had been thrown all out of whack again.

[Visual]

[patternal.livejournal.com]

Corwin, on the other hand, has a particular talent for dealing with people--he just chooses to pretend that he hates them all most of the time. When he needs to, he can be as charming as the next person--more so, really, when he puts his mind to it--but it's far more fun to be irascible.

That particular address, though, was just bad. He could tell what the man wanted it to do, but it fell far short of that. Too much bluntness and not enough hints. Shadows and evasions were helpful just as often as they were harmful.

He almost couldn't resist responding. It was something to do, anyway, that wasn't pushing against immovable barriers. Maybe this was what happened when the unstoppabe force encountered the immovable object. Both of them just stayed there, and one got progressively frustrated.

"And that's supposed to calm the masses?"

[Visual]

[undoing.livejournal.com]

And Angel's tolerance and patience for people in general is relatively low. He can force himself to deal and play nice and socialize if needed, but when not required, the effort isn't bothered with. Today is not one of those days.

"No, it's not," was the answer he provided the man with. "A speech from someone who's something they're afraid of isn't going to make them calm down, and I'm not foolish enough to believe that it will. I'm simply stating facts before someone else with a paranoid, stupid idea is foolish enough to try and do something about an issue that's not even a problem. Whether they listen is up to them, but never say none of us bothered to speak up."

[ visual ]

[cheerioless.livejournal.com]

At first Quinn just glares at the screen, because really, really? Hell hath no fury like a Quinn Fabray scorned.

"Funny," she says, brow furrowing. "I was leaving you all alone, yet I'm the one who will end up with a scar on her neck. You need to work on your sales pitch."

[ visual | locked ]

[lajolieblonde.livejournal.com]

"Hon, it wasn't him." Sookie's already attached to Quinn, but conflicting loyalties won't let her not speak up. "I know he's not the most articulate man in the world, but he's not about to hurt anybody."

[ visual | locked ]

[slayersidekick]

"I-it wasn't him."

Willow wasn't sure whether to answer or not, but after a while, she decides to at least try to help.

"He's from my home. I know him a-and that's... Angel wouldn't do something like that." She's not denying that it means someone else did, but she knows Angel. Even Angelus wouldn't be that messy. He would've just snapped Quinn's neck after toying with her and she would have know who had bitten her.

"And that... probably won't scar."

[ visual ]

[undoing.livejournal.com]

"I didn't bite you," Angel points out. Nevermind that he knows who did. He promised Rose he wouldn't say anything about her being a vampire or her condition, and he's a man of his word within the boundaries of having good reason to go against it. Sorry Quinn, you're not reason enough. "And the rest of us shouldn't be held accountable for the actions of one individual."

[ voice | locked ]

[adeadringer.livejournal.com]

[ elena goes back and forth for a while over whether or not to respond to this. on one hand, she knows that keeping a lid on the cover is incredibly important, especially in such close quarters. she knows that people have been attacked lately, and those people have the right to be angry and afraid.

but she has friends who are vampires. the man she still loves is a vampire, even if they're all keeping it secret right now. if there's something she can do to help the situation for them, she wants to. ]

Well said.

[ voice | locked ]

[undoing.livejournal.com]

[ ...unexpected, but not unappreciated. ]

Thanks.

[ voice; locked ]

[faderbroderson]

In this case, only action may calm their fears. What would you think if I suggested establishing a hierarchy among us?

[Coming back from his unexpected vacation, Godric has not been pleased to hear of the things that have gone on in his absence, particularly in regard to the actions of vampires. He was a sheriff once; he could have been a king, had he chosen to be. It isn't the most appealing concept, but he is old and powerful enough to keep order.]

[ voice; locked ]

[undoing.livejournal.com]

[ and godric's the only vampire other than himself that angel's ever felt any sort of respect for, and would listen to without question. if the master had been more like godric, things would've gone very differently. ]

I'd say that's the best idea I've heard in a long time. As much as I'm reluctant to admit it, we need order; some kind of structure so that the rest of us aren't paying for someone else's mistakes.

[Visual | locked]

[slayersidekick]

Thank you.

[ geeze, at least someone has a little sense here! ]

[Visual | locked]

[undoing.livejournal.com]

I should be saying the same to you.

[ for a variety of reasons. willow, you don't know it, but a conversation with buffy and her being unaware of connor has doubly solidified the trust he has in you. ]

[ audio; private ]

[ironfright.livejournal.com]

If they're determined to hate you, pretty words won't help. They're humans, after all. Don't waste your non-breath.

[ audio; private ]

[undoing.livejournal.com]

I don't care if they hate me. I'm not looking to change that, but I would like to avoid a confrontation, if at all possible.

[ angel has no idea who this is or what they are, but speaking of humans in a way that doesn't classify himself as one is definitely noted. ]

[ voice | locked ]

[aregulargirl.livejournal.com]

[ max hates herself a little bit for this, in the same way she did when she translated for the kid he was talking to during the tower of babel glitch, but while she's not terribly fond of angel himself, there are others in the city that she is fond of, and being treated like a lesser being because you lead a life that you didn't choose, because you're trying to survive, is an issue that hits pretty close to home for her. ]

If you need someone to vouch for you and yours, I'm your girl.

[ voice | locked ]

[undoing.livejournal.com]

[ angel's surprised, but grateful, nonetheless. max isn't from home, but she's been in taxon with him long enough to know (personally, too) the difference between who he is and who he is glitched. ]

I appreciate that, Max. [ awkward beat of silence, how does angel shot social skills. ] Are you, uh, doing okay?

[Visual]

[prophecy-boy.livejournal.com]

"Well said." For whatever it was worth, Connor approved of his father's public service announcement. There were bigger things to worry about right now than vampires -- a thought he almost couldn't believe as it went through his head. It was a far different tune from what he was accustomed to, but sooner or later he would sing it without hesitation. He would have to, if he and Angel were going to truly make amends.

"Wait." Back up a little. "... just how many vampires are there in Taxon?"

[ visual | locked to angel & connor ]

[undoing.livejournal.com]

Angel locked the feed, not wanting to give away the numbers over a public feed and not wanting to draw attention to his son. Connor might only be part vampire, but he doubted those who lived off fear and paranoia would quite see it that way. His son was capable of handling himself, Angel's aware, but he's a possessive person, which only serves to amplify those protective parental instincts.

"Four that I know of, myself included. Probably more who have been keeping their fangs under wraps."

Though he was unaware of the vampires from Mystic Falls, Virginia, he wasn't stupid. He just doesn't care enough to go looking for those who might be vampires.

[ voice ]

[lajolieblonde.livejournal.com]

[ sookie approves of this message, angel. still... ]

I don't suppose you could've wrapped the bitter pill in a little sweetness first, hon?

[ voice ] ...how did i miss this comment? fail, self.

[undoing.livejournal.com]

What?

[ oh angel, shut up. that was awful and you know it. this is why lorne or eve did the talking at wolfram & hart. ]

[ visual ]

[stacked]

And they say I'm shitty with people.

[ but faith grins, stretching. ] Need me to bust some heads, big guy?

[ visual ]

[undoing.livejournal.com]

You are shitty with people.

[ nope, no sugarcoating from the vampire sponsor in denial about being the closest thing faith has to a watcher. so not a fucking watcher, he is not wesley, tyvm. ]

Not yet, but I can't say it won't hurt to let to people here know there's Slayers here to take us down, should we ever become an actual problem.

[Visual]

[allthatlife.livejournal.com]

"Thank you for that," said Martha, sincerely. "Someone needed to say it."

The situation had been close to getting out of control. The glitches were unpredictable and dangerous. You couldn't blame the victims for something they weren't responsible for. And she'd encountered enough aliens - both good and bad - to know that you couldn't judge anyone by their species, either. The rules that UNIT had once applied to extra terrestrials needed to be applied to vampires as well.

[Visual]

[undoing.livejournal.com]

Angel nodded at the screen, acknowledging Martha's comment. She was one of the few people in Taxon who wasn't from his world who had his utmost respect. He didn't know her very well, but should Martha ever run into any trouble, Angel would rise to her defense. Helping out one of Angel's own was the quickest way to gaining him as an ally.

"I'm just happy to see that there's still people here who are thinking clearly on the subject. These are tense times; we don't need a full on conflict on top of being stuck in here."

[Visual]

[a-pretty-fire.livejournal.com]

"I haven't eaten the people I want to eat," Drusilla pointed out, her crimson lips curving into a playful smile. She was proud of the Angel Beast for his impassioned speech. He'd spoken well and wisely and the only thing missing was the sharp wickedness that Angelus would have poured into the warning. If he'd given them a warning at all.

Unlike the majority of the vampires in the city, Drusilla didn't keep her appetite in check because of a soul or because of any moral obligations. It was all thanks to the chip in her head and she dreamed of the days when she would be free from it.

[Visual]

[undoing.livejournal.com]

"Of course you haven't, precious," was all Angel had to say in response to that.

Many things go unsaid: How one day, she'd be able to; how if she was good, he might bring her someone to eat. Angel's Drusilla issues were a special sort, twisted and refined over the course of her undead lifetime, ropes that tied her to him forever seemingly only strengthened by the test of time here in Taxon. The affection he felt for her was honest, and should anyone try and harm her, they'd be dealing with her lethal when he wants to be sire.

[ visual ]

[bonescientist.livejournal.com]

"Fear is the instinctual response when faced with something people do not understand. The close proximity were all forced to currently share isn't helping with that," Brennan says, a touch if annoyance creeping into her tone as she goes on, "Still, I do wish more people would examine the situation more objectively and concern themselves with finding out the facts instead of instigating needless mass hysteria. That's just stupid."

Basically, Brennan is very much agreeing with you, Angel. Also, her using the word 'stupid' is a dead giveaway that she's more pissed about people acting the fools than she's letting on.

[ visual ]

[undoing.livejournal.com]

"It's part of what makes them human," Angel says, following her train of thought with ease. He may look like Booth, but their minds are not so on par with their looks. "Not taking time to stop and think is also part of that. It's easier to act irrationally than to calm oneself down and stop and look at the bigger picture. Stupid, maybe, but human, nonetheless. Doesn't make it any less annoying."

[visual]

[stepintoshadows.livejournal.com]

Rorschach had been prepared to ignore the transmission until the word 'vampire' left the man's lips. The word captures his attention, however, causes him to pull the tablet closer so he can get a better look, even causes him to momentarily forget changing the settings so the exposed mask imposed by the hamsters will be concealed. The guise greeting Angel is the one he usually hides, all blank but judgmental expression and bright hair.

"Self-restrained predator is still a predator. A lack of hunting now doesn't predict future lapse; most don't kill when senses are lost. Don't attack like an enraged tiger. Don't feed off others for survival."

[visual]

[undoing.livejournal.com]

"I'm not denying that," Angel stated plainly, long past the time when he was ashamed of his demon. He's a vampire, he likes being a vampire, and is proud of what he is. ...to a degree. (It's complicated.) "I'm a predator and you're my prey. Humans are also predators to lots of animals that they refrain from eating left and right. Relapses happen, but acting as if they're going to happen any minute is only setting one's self up for a paranoia-sparked disaster, often self-induced."