stefanged | Drift Fleet

[Sorey jangles when he bounces over to Stefan, loaded down with ropes, a couple knives, a bow and arrows and the sword Pearl made for him at his hip. He kind of looks like he's going off to war. With nature.]

Mornin'! Do you have any weapons you need to pick up before we get going?

Nope, we're good.

[Stefan, on the other hand, is remarkably light: he has a backpack with snacks, bottled water, and various odds and ends (including empty glass bottles and needles and other fun stuff intended to package liquids). Also an extra coat, in case it gets too cold for Sorey.

He can't quite help laughing as he takes another look at the kid. Nature won't know what hit it.]

I don't uh - I don't usually use weapons.

[Sorey cocks his head and hikes up his backpack, smiling in confusion.] You don't bring weapons to hunt? How are you gonna do it?

You'll see soon enough. [He almost feels bad for being so cryptic, but he hasn't told everyone on the Paisley his fanged secret.] But uh, you look like you're prepared for everything.

[Stefan should meet the secretive motherfuckers Sorey hangs out with on a daily basis and feel less bad.]

I did my best! [SPARKLE. Also, fishing out a book on the local flora and fauna.] They had these guides for sale at the docks so I picked one up since I figured going in blind would be a terrible idea. There are a lot of predator species there. Look look, [shows Stefan the bookmarked page with the raptors like a lil nerd.]

Whoa. [He blinks back surprise at those raptors. You know who's never seen a raptor in person? And who really, really hopes that they won't run into one today???

This vampire. He lets out a nervous laugh, skimming the description. He might be able to take one down, but now he's not counting on his innate abilities.]

I'm glad you picked one up. I didn't realize they were this common... [a low whistle] Now I feel like I should grab some extra apple gels.

I have a few! But if you're worried, yeah, better safe than sorry.

So do you like them? Have you tried one yet? [Sorey has an Issue because they're tasty but you can't eat them like candy. Which is a shame.]

[The better question is, when is Stefan not worried?]

I have! Mikleo taught me how to make them a few months ago, so I always have a batch or two in the lab. [He pauses, glancing over at Sorey.] They're a lot like Jell-O, actually.

If you like the taste, I could make that for you later.

Oh, no no no, no... [well] -no. Don't go to that trouble! I'm sure if I find something like 'geloh' or whatever that was, that'll do just fine. I couldn't waste medicine like that.

[HIKES UP BACK EAGERLY. he's not bouncing on his toes that's an illusion- wait no yes he is, because he is unashamed of how excited he is to go hunting with his buddy] Alrighty! Did you wanna grab some weapons and then get down there? Don't want to waste more daylight than we need to, after all!

You wouldn't be. Jell-o's not exactly medicine - [Nevermind, this might be a lost cause. He shakes his head, since again, he doesn't need weapons.] - but hang on. I'll be right back.

[He's in and out in the blink of an eye. As in, it doesn't seem like he's left, but he's now holding a plastic bag filled to the brim with gels. Slipping that into his bag now!]

Now we can go.

Whoaaa, neat! [What was that? Looked like a Windstep! How cool! Don't mind Sorey just chucking their shit in the back of a shuttle and climbing into the pilot seat. Make him move over. Love yourself Stefan.] How'd you do that? I couldn't even see you move!

Magic. [He even does those jazz hands as he climbs into the passenger seat. Sadly, he doesn't love himself enough to wrestle control. Sorey made it here in one piece!]

But uh, seriously - I have super-speed. You had superheroes in your world, right?

Super...heroes? Not exactly. We have Shepherds in our world, but I don't think that's the same.

[They at least make it out of the hangar in one piece! Gonna select the planet and then autopilot this shit up~] Is that what you are, a superhero?

Kind of. [He folds his arms and leans back in his seat, wondering how to best explain this without the entire Fleet knowing...] I mean, I did a lot of that stuff back home.

Technically, I'm something else altogether, but uh, it's hard to explain without a proper frame of reference.

Oh, don't worry about it then! I just like asking questions. [Sorey hums and scrolls through the star charts on the shuttle's navigation computer.] You don't have to explain anything to me. It's more than enough to know that you're fast and strong; everything else can just be left as 'Stefan is Stefan.'

Really? You're okay with not getting the full story?

[That's a genuine first. No one's ever expressed such a sentiment, and it's way too early in the morning to feel this loved...]

[Turns to rummage around in his pack for that book. The boy cannot sit still when excited, apparently.] Well sure, why not? It's not my story to demand out of you. [Starts flipping through it again.] I won't lie, I'm kind of curious, but I'm okay just waiting until you're ready to talk. Y'know, if you get there. [He glances up at Stefan and grins.] No pressure.

Wanna read this with me until we dock?

Um, sure.

[Stefan returns the smile and tries to ignore how red his cheeks were turning as he peers at the book. Sorey's done his homework, which is more than what Stefan can say. What an admirable habit! After a couple of moments, he confesses:] I know you were being super kind, but that just makes me want to come out and say it more.

I'm a vampire, Sorey. I wasn't born that way, but I turned into one around my 22nd birthday.

[Blinks at Stefan for a moment before pointing and gasping,] Tales of Frederic of the Red Rose!

[?????]

Um, what? What does that mean?

[Now it's Sorey's turn to go red.] Ah- sorry! I got excited. I'd only ever heard about vampires in this poetry saga Rose introduced me to, about Frederic of the Red Rose society, and he's traveling the world looking for his lover and- [omfg sorey shush]

-and it's not important! Not important. The only things I know about vampires are from [smutty fiction drunk people listen to bards sing in bars] fiction, so...so you don't have to worry about anything! If that's why you were reluctant to tell me.

Edited 2016-09-10 05:47 (UTC)

Looking for his....

[Oh, he catches those implications alright, and it's a miracle that Stefan's face doesn't match Sorey's.]

Okay, first off? We're going to get you better vampire novels [even if it means he's gonna write that erotic fic himself, because this is IMPORTANT], and second, I promise that I'm nothing like this Frederic of the Red Rose.

No, nonono of course not! I wasn't saying that. I don't think I'm like any Shepherds in any of the books either! I'm- well. [are you really going to find him more vampire romance novels because he would Love that] I was just trying to reassure you.

...besides, you'd make a great Frederic. Don't sell yourself short!

Oh. [Now he just feels embarrassed, even though yes, yes he is going to seek out all the better-written vampire romance novels he can get his grubby hands on.] You certainly distracted me, so I'd consider that a win.

Why do you say that? [Genuinely curious:] We don't have that story in my world, or at least I hope we don't, so... you'll have to fill in the blanks a little.

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