taxonomites | [Holo] 001: Entering the City

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[Holo] 001: Entering the City

If the sudden shift in scenery had not been enough to irritate the, admittedly easily ruffled, vampire, the strange bracelet on his wrist certainly was. Wrapping his fingers around his wrist, he instinctively tried to remove the device, having little success. With a distinctive low growl, he stalked toward the pedestal and the (phone?) laying atop it. He wanted answers. Snatching the tablet from its resting place, he glared at the screen.

"This is not acceptable!"

The blinking message indicator caught his attention, and for a moment, his anger was diverted, his frown deepening as he read. Finally, he closed the document, leaning his elbow on the pedestal casually as he studied the device. Yes, he had discovered it was recording him. He was still glaring, but his anger was slightly less alarming.

"Couldn't we have managed without the jewelry? It doesn't match my suit." He looked back toward the platform he had arrived on, then back at the tablet in his hand. "But never mind that, I'll think of something."

And then he was grinning again. "But since we're all here, allow me to introduce myself. Nikola Tesla. Genius, inventor," and here there was a pause, mostly for effect, "vampire."

With that, he turned his attention to the strange blinking indicator directing him to another location in the city. "I wonder where you're taking me."

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"Perhaps I can help."

"Despite being the type to likely kick a gift horse in the teeth on general principle, I'm listening."

"I'd need a better idea of what the city has to offer." A better understanding of the other vampires in the city might be helpful, as well. But one thing at a time.

"That all depends in what ways," he said, considering. "The number of braceleted citizens is much smaller than what you see, and those without... To some they work fine for more than local color, but for others it is no deal." Mick had apparently found that out the hard way and Josef was avoiding them for that reason.

"The city itself is rather extensive as the map shows with the ability to create or acquire through supplication many items."

He considered that a moment, absently tapping his finger where his hand rested on his hip. "Animal life?"

Josef made a bit of a face. "Not favored, not to mention after spending hours talking to a dragon, I'd feel like I'm betraying her."

"Unpleasant, I agree. But if certain elements of the blood can be separated, it's possible a more tolerable solution could be formulated."

That left Josef silent for a bit, considering the implications. "How feasible is that?"

"A colleague and I developed a solution of nutrients and animal plasma. It provides everything I need."

And lessens the temptation to feed on humans. But it's probably better not to mention that in what is probably a public conversation.

"You'd be surprised what can be done if you have the proper equipment."

"Huh. Interesting. Not sure it sounds anymore appetizing than the bottled crap my friend drinks but without a lot of hospitals and blood banks around, finding a source might be a bit harder."

Not that any idea that didn't involve a living source truly appealed to Josef and it showed.

"Given how odd things are here, I'll bite. Did you bring said equipment with you?"

"It's an acquired taste."

He lets that pass without comment, if he does study the screen a bit more darkly for a moment.

"I think we're about to find out."

Because yes, he's finally managed to follow that little indicator, and it's led him to a door that seems remarkably familiar.

"Most things in life are, just no one thinks about why they like what they do," he said with a broad smile, catching that look. Oh how Josef does amuse himself.

"Seems everyone got the good stuff and not the sentimental. Damn."

"I never thought it warranted so much consideration."

He paused his exploration of the familiar space to look back at the screen. "You weren't so lucky?"

"Long hours in a locked basement tend to lead to odd thoughts. Not something I plan to repeat." A lot of things he didn't want to repeat.

"Not quite. What I have is something I cherish but I do miss my wardrobe... and my models."

"Involuntary?" More than once he's locked himself in his lab to avoid distraction, but his mind is typically occupied with other thoughts on those occasions.

"Voluntarily but without the desire. Protection more than an actual need for a dark, dank space. I much prefer a view of a city skyline to a basement."

"Protection? From what?"

"At the time, torch bearing assholes that I needed to distract."

"And did you?"

"I'm alive and they're not so I would say it worked," he said with as shrug.

"A happy ending." The slight edge in his voice might indicate the idea of unnecessary killing doesn't appeal to him.

"I'm sure some would call it that. I'm just glad for a more enlightened age when a nice suit and manners can get me out of most things."

"There was an age when it didn't?" Not that he hasn't had a few nasty run ins of his own.

Josef's nose crinkled a bit, making a face. "Not as well as I might have liked. Such as times when certain regal outfits made one the enemy rather than opening doors. Can happen still, of course, but not with such regularity."

"I've always hated an unappreciative audience."

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