chiropterah 2021/01/10(Sun)18:50 No. 985362 ID: 679d47
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No two sunsets are the same. Xavier had watched more than forty thousand of them, and although he had not appreciated each one as much as the next, he knew the value of at least looking upon the peach-tinted sky before nightfall. It offered a guaranteed moment of peace. This sunset was no different, in that it was entirely different from all those before it, except it wasn’t, but it was, and this infinite loop pleased Xavier to ponder. Roseate light reflected off of the skyscrapers’ windows, and Xavier felt a familiar pang of superiority to humans in his jaw.
Moments of peace seemed so terribly rare in the lives of humans. They flutter about from task to task, fearing that they may not get enough done before they take their last, unfulfilled breath. Xavier would briefly remember times when he felt this rush to accomplish, before he settled into semi-permanence (for nothing is permanent, except, perhaps, for the fact that nothing is permanent), and he felt grateful that he could focus his gaze on the alternating squiggles of the stratocumulus clouds and the floating steam rising from the industrial zone. He didn’t need to think about them, or what they meant, or if he could show anyone else. Those were human concerns.
He had a sunset “coffee,” which was a term that Xavier was not particularly fond of but used out of respect for vampire colloquialisms, and which consisted of several milliliters of blood plasma warmed over the stove in an iron pot. Xavier’s cup that evening was a donation, and had come to him through the BVA, Bureau of Vampaffairs. Another term that Xavier did not like was vampaffairs, which means exactly what it sounds like: the happenings of vampire society.

chiropterah 2021/01/10(Sun)18:51 No. 985363 ID: 679d47
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This spirit had not been packaged properly. Xavier noticed a sharp tinge of fermentation as he took the first sip, and scowled. He didn’t mind drinking older blood, and that wasn’t what made him scowl; it was that he had gone to the trouble of heating the stuff, and it turned out to be disappointing. He rinsed his teeth with water, and poured the warm plasma back into its container. He would freeze it, and use it as a texturizer for drinks when he had vampire company.

Xavier planned to have more vampire company from tonight on. It had been thirty-eight months since he had spent recreational time with another vampire. Perhaps this evening would be the right time to start; “now” is better than the amorphous “later,” which could be potentially pronounced as “never.”

He could try calling one of the three vampire contacts he had on his comm, or he could go out to dance at The Drop. He could even try surprising Vlad by showing up on his balcony without calling first, which would surely elicit an unexpected reaction.

chiropterah 2021/01/10(Sun)18:52 No. 985364 ID: 679d47
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Should Xavier call someone? Or should he do something else?

Give Alexander a ring. They're probably getting bored

Let's ser how the outside world is doing. Let's do groceries.

chiropterah 2021/01/11(Mon)20:17 No. 985441 ID: 679d47
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The trilling of the comm lasted only a second.

“Xavier! It’s been so long!” Alexander’s sing-song voice rang too loudly around the apartment, and Xavier clicked down the volume. “How are you, best friend?!”

“Best friend? I haven’t talked to you in two years,” replied Xavier, his heart softening at the sound of his bloodmate’s excitement. The two had turned at the same time, sired by the same vampire; at some point, they played in a band together and shared meals. That was long ago, though, and Xavier felt a touch of guilt at not maintaining contact with someone who loved him so unconditionally. Even when they were young vampires, and Xavier had a penchant for violence and scandal, Alexander always welcomed his company with a smile.

“I’m in the city! I’m in Perinople!” Alexander exclaimed. Xavier noticed someone floating in and out of the comm’s camera, which seemed strange, as Alexander was supposed to be in hiding, away from any human contact. The only visitors they were allowed to have were Council members, and those were in fairly short supply.

“I thought you were in hiding,” said Xavier, trying to see who was next to Alexander.

“The Council is gonna re-negotiate the mandate this week! They said they’ve been reviewing a bunch of their mandates and are giving me and some other vampires new terms. Look who’s here!” Alexander said, shifting the camera.

“Well. Hello, friend.”

chiropterah 2021/01/11(Mon)20:17 No. 985442 ID: 679d47
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Xavier glared at the projection. Frederic was not his friend, and Xavier only knew him as well as he did because the Council kept putting them at the same table during events. The Council always grouped vampires by the approximate era they were turned, and gave no thought as to whether they would get along at all. Xavier considered Frederic a particularly crude individual; he was known to catch-and-release victims without hypnotizing them or erasing their memories, which Xavier found absolutely appalling and irresponsible.

“Are you coming over? We’re having a party,” said Frederic.

“You’re both kind of in disgrace with the Council,” replied Xavier. They could have their mandates extended if the Council found out they were having an unsanctioned social event while in disgrace.

“They’re busy re-negotiating mandates. They won’t know,” Alexander said. “Come over! Oh, that’s the door. I’ll send you the location. Can’t wait to see you!”

“Can’t wait to see you,” repeated Frederic in that sly voice, and Xavier scowled as the comm blinked off. He did not want to see Frederic. He did, however, want to play music with Alexander, as well as protect them from Frederic’s voracious sexual appetite. Something about the idea of Frederic seducing gentle Alexander made Xavier’s stomach churn.

He needed to go to the party.

chiropterah 2021/01/11(Mon)20:18 No. 985443 ID: 679d47
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Xavier called the building’s grocer and ordered ten ounces of raw beef blood for pick-up, as well as a bottle of red wine and a package of protein donuts. The blood and wine were for the party; the donuts were for the donation chute that delivered upper society’s unused waste to the city’s lower levels.

Xavier considered his outfit for the evening. It had been a long time since he made a public appearance in vampire society, and about three months since he left his apartment. What should he wear?

I say try 2

Giant novelty hotdog costume!

Or 1, 1 looks cool too.

Definitely Number 3

<spoiler> Also YAY, nonbinary vampires :D </spoiler>

chiropterah 2021/01/18(Mon)14:34 No. 985931 ID: 679d47
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Twilight in the upper levels of society was always pleasing to traverse for Xavier. The buildings of Perinople were in jewel-tones and their colored glass panes created a shimmering backdrop to Xavier’s journey across town. He had looked forward to the Age of Aesthetic since his first appointment with vampire astrologist André Cartello.

André was a major proponent of the Noble Philosophy, a belief that vampires are a species of higher beings created to guide humans towards the Divine Light more efficiently. Xavier was young and miserable when he turned, making him extremely impressionable and desiring of hope; additionally, André could back up all of his claims with mathematical calculations, historical evidence, and personal experience dating back to the Middle Ages.

chiropterah 2021/01/18(Mon)14:34 No. 985932 ID: 679d47
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The Noble Philosophy had been the official position of the Council for one hundred and twenty-six years, and Xavier was grateful for this. It made vampire society peaceful and private, for there were no huge massacres or supernatural blunders to cover up, nor any accidental high-profile murders to be branded as assassinations or hoaxes. Humans were better off unaware of the blood-drinking predators that were capable of influencing society’s highest ranking members with ease. It would upset many humans to know that vampires did very little work despite the power they had.

The monotube was quick and uncrowded, an advantage of the city’s complex population planning laws, and Xavier arrived at another tall apartment building within the hour. His sharp hearing led him to the door he needed.

chiropterah 2021/01/18(Mon)14:35 No. 985933 ID: 679d47
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“Hi.”

Frederic’s pheromones wafted through the entrance of the apartment. They were distinctly sexual in scent, and Xavier was careful to keep his face from reacting in any direction to his fellow incubus’ presence. Personally, he felt it was sloppy and immature to let one’s pheromones run wild so early in the evening.

“I’m so glad you’re here. I thought you might not come,” continued Frederic, not yet opening the door all the way. Xavier glanced past him, but Frederic moved into his line of sight immediately. “Is that box for me?”

“No. It’s for the party,” Xavier said.

“Oh, lucky me. I’m at the party.”

Xavier looked down his nose at Frederic. He wasn’t that much taller, but it still made Xavier feel just powerful enough to be satisfying.

chiropterah 2021/01/18(Mon)14:35 No. 985934 ID: 679d47
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“They’ve got darts in the other room. I’m setting up spirit tasting in the kitchen, and Alex is right there with the babies. I’m looking forward to seeing you loosen up a bit,” purred Frederic, stepping aside. There were a few young vampires Xavier did not recognize laughing with Alex, and a succubus whose name he couldn’t recall in the entrance to the kitchen. He could hear the “thwack” of darts and throwing knives in the bedroom, and smelled an assortment of blood and liquor.

What should Xavier do first?

Let's start with darts

it's polite to mingle I think.
get to know the people around before you settle into a conversation or game

Do the rounds, see who else is here.

Dab furiously to establish tour dancing superiority over all other guests.

Check in with Alexander to see how they're doing and whether they're down jam (did Xavier bring an instrument?) which will hopefully distract them from Frederic too

chiropterah 2021/01/31(Sun)11:41 No. 986674 ID: 679d47
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“Xavier!!! My friend!” Alexander’s shout was still sweet and gentle, true to their nature.
The scent of young vampires was sharp and almost alarming in its onset; at least one of the party guests was still on a human sleep schedule, and one smelled like laundry detergent. Most vampires over the age of fifty wore clothing only for public appearances, and did not wash their laundry often enough to have a lingering soap scent.

chiropterah 2021/01/31(Sun)11:41 No. 986675 ID: 679d47
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“We’re coming up with new superstitions. We’re going to say that doing a random dance move wards off evil.”

“Like this?” Xavier whipped his arms into a dab, sending Alexander and the guests into a cheer. “How would that even work?”

“We’ll say it raises your vibrations or something. And it keeps away goblins, ghouls, werewolves, and vampires,” continued Alexander. “Even though only one of those things is real, hahaha! We’ll make an announcement for public access!” They were smiling and giggling a little more than usual, and Xavier wondered if they had already started the process of inebriation.

“Hi, Xavier. Remember me?” The succubus’ voice was smooth and lilting, and prompted a memory to resurface in Xavier’s mind. He vaguely recalled an evening at a ballet recital, and the drive to a hotel. There were two other people in the car, and he could hear the bouncing song from the speakers that drowned out firetruck sirens. Xavier squinted the tiniest bit, flicking his eyes down and trying to remember his connection to this vampire.

She obviously expected him to say something, but what?

Ultimate sass!

"No, try to be more memorable next time."

"We really burned the house down, huh?"

>>986717
I approve of this answer.

chiropterah 2021/02/21(Sun)18:58 No. 988782 ID: 679d47
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“No. You’re remarkably forgettable.” Xavier taunted the succubus with his dry half-joke, which Alexander found hilarious. They were always an excellent audience, and loved to punctuate Xavier’s most amusing statements with enthusiasm. The succubus, however, was not amused, and took offense to the underhanded greeting.

“I see you are still rude,” she replied, a scowl marring her pale brow. “I was uncertain if I would ever like to see you again, and now I know. My name is Gabriella, by the way.”

chiropterah 2021/02/21(Sun)18:58 No. 988783 ID: 679d47
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Xavier promptly forgot her name and turned to Alexander, who had grasped his hands tenderly, like a child. He was a little surprised by Alexander’s touch; they usually waited for privacy to show Xavier any kind of physical affection, which he liked, as it made hugs and hair caresses into very special moments.

“We should rent a guitar for you. I have a new kind of synthesizer,” they said, tugging on Xavier’s hand. “Play with me!” Alexander was already drunk, Xavier knew now, and he felt a patriarchal desire to shield his friend from any hardship in any context. This feeling was rare in Xavier’s life, and was a warm, benign symptom of the deep bond the two vampires held.

“Tana! Hell yeah bitch, you made it!”

The tender moment between Xavier and Alexander was cut short by the vampire next to them shouting overhead. Alexander tilted their head quizzically.

“I didn’t invite any Tana,” they murmured. “Do you know -?”

chiropterah 2021/02/21(Sun)18:59 No. 988784 ID: 679d47
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A lithe, athletically-built vampire in tight clothing led a group of six humans into the apartment, slamming the door behind them.

“What’s out, Eriq? This the one?” Tana barked over the chattering humans. They slammed their hand against the young vampire’s forearm seated by Alexander. “Cute, bitch. Who’s this tall one with the snobby aura?”

“Aye, zing zing! He is a pretty blue, ah? I’m into it.”

“Course you are, Eriq. Slut. My name be Tana, she, I brought snacks.”

A small bag of chips crinkled as she tossed them on the table and grinned with her fangs extended. Xavier felt for a moment almost as if he had been assaulted by the combination of unfamiliar scents, unrestrained voices, and uncouth dialect. He waved his hand toward the humans, psychically urging them to quiet themselves, lest the neighbors hear a gathering exceeding ten people. A visit from the Watch would certainly complicate the evening.

“Why did you invite someone, Eriq?” asked Alexander, a nervous tremble echoing at the end of their sentence. “I didn’t ask you to do that, and I don’t want so many people here. The Council would be upset.”

“You said they’re busy. And she brought snacks!” laughed Eriq, dragging the table aside. “Tana’s my friend. She can party, she comes from lowdown.”

“You’re from the lower levels?” asked Xavier, trying to engage Tana’s attention while keeping the humans from shouting or scattering into the apartment.

“You like virgins?” Tana answered with a question, something that Xavier found highly irritating, and she seemed to be releasing pheromones associated with violence and fear. The humans were starting to lose their initial excitement at being invited to a highup party, and confusion started to take them. Xavier tried to soothe the humans and counter the rising tension, but he was out of practice, and his passive hypnosis was weak.

He had to come up with a way to pacify the humans and Tana, before the humans started expressing their fear verbally.

You saw that look when this 'Tana' lady came in? She's either intentionally trying to cause a scene by whipping up a bunch of humans into a panic, or she just actively enjoys breaking the rules.

"'Tana,' was it? I think you should leave until you get your aroma under control, or else bid our new guests adieu." Get the door; whether it's for Tana or the humans, it will be up to other people to decide. "You lot are free to go if you aren't comfortable here." Even if both end up staying, the humans will be emboldened by knowing they have the option to leave.

If Tana tries to escalate matters, silence her with your air of domination.

Maybe get some drinks for everyone/lead them over to drinks? Some booze might calm the humans down a bit anyway.