Oui, that is right. Vampires have been the ones in power since time immemorial. Humanity bears the unfortunate burdens of being servant and food source both to my people. It is an injustice I hope to see set right one day.
It is not an easy road, nor a short one, but very worthwhile. I walk it gladly.
[ You know, after he helps with this whole mess he's now in. ]
Merde. Exile? I'm sorry to hear it, even if it sounds as though you're not sorry to have made that decision.
[And yet here Nico is, still, willing to take up another cause in a world that doesn't even belong to him. To aid people he doesn't know, with the understanding that he'd be saving them.
Ah, fuck.]
...You know, as much as I appreciate your offer to help, it would be a shame for you to risk life and limb here when you have such a big calling awaiting you back home. Are you sure this is what you want to do?
It's fine, totally fine, and he tells himself it's fine, too. He gave Nico a chance to change his mind, and if Verso feels guilty about it later (and during), then really, what else is new? Just one more layer atop many.
So he's silent only for a moment before affecting a shrug.]
Right. If you're so set on it, I'm not fool enough to turn you down. [ ... ] Guess we'll be doing our best work at night, hm?
There are others who live here. A young girl and an older man. He's mostly the problem, but he'll do what's absolutely necessary to keep anyone from reaching the Paintress.
As the one doing all the hard work of walking, right?
[But he's joking. He doesn't mind, and he's used to traveling long distances via hoofin' it. Though that might not be a viable solution in the long term, they'll cross that bridge when they get there.
For now, northward! Thankfully, it's a relatively peaceful trek, and Verso will entertain Nico with any further idle chatter. But when hours pass and the sun finally falls below the horizon line, pushing twilight across the land, he finds them both a camping spot beneath the overhang of a steep slope.]
[ Once they've stopped and the sun has finally dipped out of sight, Nico finally wriggles free of Verso's pocket, assuming his true form once again. He stretches his long limbs, the last of the fading light glinting off the rapier he caries at his hip, the red gem embedded in its hilt. ]
Of course, mon ami. Take all of the time you need. If you like, I can gather wood for a fire.
[He had noted the weapon before, of course; it's hard to miss a blade like that, much less one that reminds him of his sister. But the notion had flown from his mind for how long Nico had been spending in bat-form and in his pocket, but now that he's man-shaped again, he thinks to question it. Out of curiosity, of course.]
If you don't mind. I suspect with a blade like that at your side, you'll be prepared for any nasty surprises while you're out gathering. [Not that Verso would just leave him... alone to be attacked.] Or do vampires use chroma, too?
[ He gives the sword a pat with one hand, grinning broadly. He doesn't present himself very much like someone who knows what he's doing, so the question causes no offense. ]
Oui, this trusty blade of mine has seen me through many a battle. Ah, but... what is chroma? I wield magic, as do most vampires. Is it something like that?
[Carrying a blade like that implies he must know what he's doing to some degree, at least. A rapier is not an easy weapon to wield, requiring dexterity and finesse. He doesn't think he'd ever be able to become incredibly proficient in the art.]
Magic is a good enough word for it. It's the energy of this world, and it can be utilized all manner of things. Pictos, spellwork...
[Hm. He raises his wrist, flicking it, and a long dagger appears in a short burst of wispy energy, solidifying in his hand. He holds it by the hilt, gives it a spin.]
And quite handy for storing items until you need them for later.
[Sure! He's going to get a few camp things together (again, courtesy of his hammerspace probably) while letting Nico gather something for the fire.
The vampire doesn't have to wander far to find old, dried-out branches that would be perfect for the job. And there's nothing dangerous nearby to make this a perilous task, either!
...Probably.
There is a figure at a distance, though, eerily still. Just standing there. Like that.]
[ Just about the time he thinks he can safely wander back to camp with nothing even remotely exciting happening, he spots that figure, still and silent. His eyes narrow. Though his vision is quite exceptional in the dark, he thinks his eyes muse surely be playing tricks on him.
Leaving his bundle of firewood somewhere he can retrieve later, he takes the chance to creep a little closer, one hand on the hilt of his rapier. ]
[There is no reply, no movement. Not just yet, anyway.
But as Nico draws closer, perhaps he oversteps an invisible boundary that has gained him notice from the strange, statue-esque mime-like creature(?). It turns its head and looks directly at him.
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finalflight2025-05-05 12:40 pm
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Just minutes into our acquaintanceship and you're already using flattery against me. Well. I'll take the compliment.
[He is, in fact, a little vain, even if it's a moot point these days. It's nice to hear after these... very long years.]
So, what's it like, fighting for humans for three centuries? You said it was for the betterment of your world?
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It is not an easy road, nor a short one, but very worthwhile. I walk it gladly.
[ You know, after he helps with this whole mess he's now in. ]
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I imagine that's not a very popular stance among your fellows. How's it working out for you so far?
[Three centuries is a long time to make change, or... to face failure over and over again.]
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[ Another one of those squeaky bat-laughs. He's clearly not very broken up about it. ]
It is better, in recent years. I grow more hopeful by the day.
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[And yet here Nico is, still, willing to take up another cause in a world that doesn't even belong to him. To aid people he doesn't know, with the understanding that he'd be saving them.
Ah, fuck.]
...You know, as much as I appreciate your offer to help, it would be a shame for you to risk life and limb here when you have such a big calling awaiting you back home. Are you sure this is what you want to do?
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[ This is definitely totally fine. ]
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It's fine, totally fine, and he tells himself it's fine, too. He gave Nico a chance to change his mind, and if Verso feels guilty about it later (and during), then really, what else is new? Just one more layer atop many.
So he's silent only for a moment before affecting a shrug.]
Right. If you're so set on it, I'm not fool enough to turn you down. [ ... ] Guess we'll be doing our best work at night, hm?
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[ A hooded cloak is all well and good, but if something pulls it off him, then he's reduced to so much ash on the wind. ]
Will you tell me more about the perils we must face in this place?
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[For him, he means. As for the question-]
As for perils, well. It's the Nevrons, like I said. Mostly.
[Mostly.]
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"Mostly"?
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There are others who live here. A young girl and an older man. He's mostly the problem, but he'll do what's absolutely necessary to keep anyone from reaching the Paintress.
Needless to say, we don't want to run into him.
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[ Citation needed. ]
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Ah, but you've never bartered with a Gestral. Hope you like a good fight to go along with your shopping.
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[ He can probably hold his own against a Gestral! Whatever that is! ]
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[He probably can hold his own against a Gestral, except maybe Golgra. Though maybe even her, who knows.]
In which case, that can be our first stop. It's about a day's journey north from here, so we'll have to make camp sometime before then.
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[ Because right now, he's not going anywhere without Verso's help. ]
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[But he's joking. He doesn't mind, and he's used to traveling long distances via hoofin' it. Though that might not be a viable solution in the long term, they'll cross that bridge when they get there.
For now, northward! Thankfully, it's a relatively peaceful trek, and Verso will entertain Nico with any further idle chatter. But when hours pass and the sun finally falls below the horizon line, pushing twilight across the land, he finds them both a camping spot beneath the overhang of a steep slope.]
Okay, I need a breather now.
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Of course, mon ami. Take all of the time you need. If you like, I can gather wood for a fire.
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If you don't mind. I suspect with a blade like that at your side, you'll be prepared for any nasty surprises while you're out gathering. [Not that Verso would just leave him... alone to be attacked.] Or do vampires use chroma, too?
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Oui, this trusty blade of mine has seen me through many a battle. Ah, but... what is chroma? I wield magic, as do most vampires. Is it something like that?
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Magic is a good enough word for it. It's the energy of this world, and it can be utilized all manner of things. Pictos, spellwork...
[Hm. He raises his wrist, flicking it, and a long dagger appears in a short burst of wispy energy, solidifying in his hand. He holds it by the hilt, gives it a spin.]
And quite handy for storing items until you need them for later.
[magic hammerspace, noctis eat your heart out]
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Oh, that is handy! I have no such thing, but I do have some other tricks up my sleeve. Perhaps you shall see them in action one day!
[ Not right now, clearly, since Nico is going off to collect firewood and Verso is staying right here to rest! Right? ]
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The vampire doesn't have to wander far to find old, dried-out branches that would be perfect for the job. And there's nothing dangerous nearby to make this a perilous task, either!
...Probably.
There is a figure at a distance, though, eerily still. Just standing there. Like that.]
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Leaving his bundle of firewood somewhere he can retrieve later, he takes the chance to creep a little closer, one hand on the hilt of his rapier. ]
Bonjour? You are a funny little statue.
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But as Nico draws closer, perhaps he oversteps an invisible boundary that has gained him notice from the strange, statue-esque mime-like creature(?). It turns its head and looks directly at him.
Staring.]
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