OPEN POST; [ VERSO / CLAIR OBSCUR: EXPEDITION 33 ]

[reverso]

(( verso's not even in the party yet but this is such a jam ))

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[reverso]

[Strange, indeed. Verso does not move from where he stands, arms still crossed over his chest, but he does track the other's movements. He doesn't seem dangerous, but one should never judge a book by its cover.]

"Montécarlate?" There is no such place here.

[His brows pinch.]

You must know Lumière. The remnants of the old city across the sea? It's the only place others like yourself come from, ending up on these shores.

[crimsin]

It does not ring a bell!

[ He seems far too nonchalant about this. ]

Perhaps I have been kidnapped!

[reverso]

[This is very... baffling. In more ways than one.]

Perhaps. Or perhaps you've hit yourself too hard on the head.

[Did Clea send him here...?]

You don't seem very worried, either way.

[crimsin]

If I was brought here, then there is surely a way back. I must simply find it!

[ He puffs up a little, quite sure of himself and looking almost like he's going to march right into the wilderness to do just that.

He deflates a split second later. ]

Though... how much longer will it be daylight?

[reverso]

Uh-huh.

[He finally uncrosses his arms to shift his weight to the other foot and rub the back of his neck. What the hell is going on here. What's with this man.]

I have a feeling that's not going to be as easy as you think, mon ami. Or did you not hear the bit about Nevron killing wayward wanderers?

[He flicks his eyes up to the sun.]

I'd say you've got about six hours left of sunlight to do your trekking, if that's what you mean.

[crimsin]

Oh, never you mind about that! I am quite capable!

[ He puffs up again, just a little. ]

Ah, no. You misunderstand. If I step foot in the sunlight, I will burst into flames and most certainly die.

[ ????? SORRY HE'S LIKE THIS. ]

[reverso]

[ajkfda why this]





...Sorry. What?

[crimsin]

The sunlight will kill me.

[ Like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

Though, after a beat, ]

I am a vampire.

[ DOES THIS HELP ]

[reverso]

[??? THIS IS SO CONFUSING, ACTUALLY. Bluntly:]

Vampires aren't real.

[There is an irony to the statement being spoken in fantasy paint island.]

Or rather, there certainly never ever has been one here. Prove it.

[crimsin]

[ Bruh. ]

That is a very rude thing to say right to my face! But, if you insist!

[ He opens his mouth a little more, fully exposing elongated canines. ]

I can also turn into a bat, if it pleases you.

[reverso]

[Verso leans in but also scrunches up his face a little when he sees those canines, which appear quite long and sharp. His expression is one of intrigue, certainly, but also "eugh those look like they can do some damage."]

I see.

[Straightens. He really should take that at face value, and maybe a part of him does, but he flashes him a little smile.]

But you can't just say that and not do it for me.

[crimsin]

Well, if you insist!

[ There is no warning, just a flash of crimson, and fluttering in Nico's place is a tiny, brown vampire bat with a shock of blonde on its forehead. ]

Ta-da!

[reverso]

[He startles a little, blinking, eyes wide as he glances down at the little… bat with blonde hair.]

Right. Should have expected that.

[Help. Well. This apparent vampire did deliver.]

Fine, fine. You’re a vampire that’s somehow misplaced himself here. I don’t understand how that’s possible, but if you are what you say you are, you can’t just go wandering about without a plan.

…You can’t wander about anyway in the sunlight, not without help. Need to figure out what to do with you anyway.

[crimsin]

Well, mon ami, thankfully for us both I am full of good ideas!

[ Citation needed. ]

Do you have a pouch or a pocket I can ride in while it is still light outside?

[reverso]

[That tiny voice...]

It wouldn't be very practical for a man like me not to have at least a couple of pockets in his uniform. I can spare one for a... bat.

[A tiny. Vampire bat. Today is turning out to be more eventful than anticipated. Verso holds up a finger.]

There is one matter that needs clarifying, though.

[crimsin]

[ Well, he might as well be a person for this. In another quick flash, he reverts back to his more human-like appearance. ]

But of course, friend. What is it?

[reverso]

I needn't worry about any surprise bites? My neck doesn't look like a fine meal to you?

[He says it casually, almost jokingly, but it seems wise to ask.]

Not that I know about vampires, but the whole "enjoy dining on humans" part is a known universal trait, isn't it?

[crimsin]

[ He instantly raises his hands in front of him, waving them a bit to show he means no harm. For whatever it may be worth, he seems quite earnest and a little distressed. ]

Oh, no, no, no. I would never. Rest assured, I only take what I am freely given. I will never, ever take blood from the unwilling.

[reverso]

[The question does appear to distress the other; he supposes that's a suspicion that most have about vampires, and one that he's faced more than once before.]

I see. Well, call me naive, but you seem to be sincere enough.

[And honestly, Verso isn't too concerned about bodily harm inflicted upon himself. A vampire bite would probably be low on the "worrisome injury" scale, at least in regards to the array he's collected over time.]

For now, I don't see any harm in letting you ride around in my pocket until we figure out what to do with you. Just one more request — tell me your name, friend.

[crimsin]

Oh! Goodness, where are my manners?

[ He sweeps into a bow, one hand pressed to his chest. ]

Nicodème La Roux, at your most humble service. Please, call me Nico.

[reverso]

Ohh. Fancy.

[Wry, but good-natured enough. He allows him his bow, but Verso only offers his gloved hand when Nico rises. Said glove is worn and a little grimy, but that's unavoidable at this point.]

My name's Verso. And welcome to the Continent, I suppose.

[crimsin]

[ The mess doesn't seem to bother him. He looks a little touched to have been offered a hand in the first place, and reaches out to take it. Nico is... surprisingly sturdy despite his lanky appearance. He's most definitely holding back so as not to hurt him. ]

The "Continent," is it? It has no other name?

[reverso]

[Yeah, this guy's got a sturdy grip. Verso has no doubt that he knows his way around a fight, or at the very least has the strength to defend himself. Must be the perks of being a vampire.

Handshake achieved!]

Ha. [Snorts a little at that, like it's something he finds privately funny.] No, not really. Guess no one has enough imagination to give it a proper name.

To be fair, I don't know the entire scope of your world's geography, but this one? It is only the Continent, split apart by the Fracture. Those that still survive try to carve out their existence however they can, so naming conventions are probably low on the priority list.

[crimsin]

I see...

[ For the first time, his features tug into a frown. He has a feeling he's a long way from home, but more than that, this place seems to be in a bad way. If there's something he can do to help... ]

Ah, would you be able to tell me more about this place while we walk?

[ (While Verso walks and Nico rides shotgun.) ]

[reverso]

[It still holds onto its innate beauty, this world, but it's clear what Verso's described is exactly what happened to this land: a fracture. Even from here, one can see instances of huge chunks of earth simply floating in the air in the distance, like these pieces of shale had slowed to a stop mid-flight.

And that's not even taking into account the massive Monolith itself, looming on the horizon, giant 34 aglow.]

Of course.

[He holds out his hand again, this time palm up. A suggestion for Nico to change into a bat and rest there, so that he can gently stick him in a pocket.]

Whatever you'd like to know. Might as well kill the time somehow.