My fiancée said the same thing. [actually, her word to describe what he'd done had been stupid, but close enough. at this point, he can huff out some amusement about it.] And I think you're both right. That needed more time and consideration. I'm working on it.
[but not before he gives this more consideration, and — she has a point.]
Information usually comes in a story, so I guess that's also true the other way around. There was knowledge of a vampire that went into that. More than I had before.
Anonymity was wise, in this at least. You've time to regroup. Your fiancée knows you well, it seems.
An entertaining tale with much to consider afterwards -- the taste for blood, the longing and hatred for mortals, the powers they may carry. A vampire is a formidable ally and an unfortunate antagonist to have.
With a power to see people's decisions and know what will happen as a result, someone could be either. A helpful ally, or someone very difficult to move against. Have you met any who could do that?
Just so, I am. They call me a saint, in my world. Saint Alia of the Knife.
Not at length -- I mislead you, slightly. I can feel the shape of thoughts, the immediate intent of a soul. And, sometimes, my prescience shows me more, but it is not at my will.
I can compel honesty, too, were I to question one in person.
[he reads over that word — saint. it's not as if it's completely unfamiliar, but it's not one that's much in use, in the galaxy he comes from; it's in historical texts describing divisions of the old jedi order, all but wiped out.]
That's more than I would know. I can't do any of that. The best I have is to look at someone's behavior and make a guess. That's what I've been trying to do with the vampire I mentioned, the one I met.
Aha, I see. How well have you managed this, using your senses, your intuition, Cassian? Have you determined what he wishes with you, why his attention rests upon you -- and your dear ones, I imagine?
[no psychic powers, no strange abilities here; just the simple logic and inference. cassian is here with a fiancée, a woman he loves and protects. there is a vampire (one of a handful, less than a dozen in that number) who threatens him or her or both. men will keep silent when their safety is threatened, but grow needy, desperate, when that threat expands.]
Just-Alia. I like to be her, here, instead of the Saint. But I remember being of the knife, when it is pertinent. Do you ask for my alliance, my assistance, Cassian?
[he'll acknowledge that, first thing, before he considers the rest. the typing indicator appears and then disappears a few times. until:]
If what I've heard is true, he finds someone and tortures not only that person, but also everyone they love, and he doesn't stop. I don't know why it was me, but it was.
You don't know me, so you don't owe me anything. But I know I can't fix this alone. I don't want anyone hurt because of me.
[he gives this careful thought, going back to every conversation he's ever had with angelus, because this is something he's taking incredibly seriously. and —]
I challenged him. That could be the reason.
[u ever have the realization that u fucked up real bad
anyway.]
There's someone here who comes from the same place he does. Faith. She said this is what he does.
[unlike the awareness of his own idiocy, the revelation that faith had been one of the wolves has next to no impact. if anything, it tells him he's put his trust in the right place, because she can kill, and that's something likely to be needed. a slayer, and a saint of the knife; the odds do feel better than they had hours ago.]
She told me about some of that, about what being a Slayer involves.
As for the vampire, his name is Angelus.
[he realizes she probably needs that to know where to start.]
[the name is unfamiliar, but alia only pays the most cursory of attention to the affairs of those outside her close circle. it is not armand or his ilk, not spike, though from the same world as him (spike to buffy, buffy to faith, faith to angelus.]
It is a sort of warrior, yes? Perhaps allying with her as well is a good place to continue.
There are those here who do not carry much affection for the vampire, regardless of his world. Do not underestimate the power of public opinion.
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no subject
[but not before he gives this more consideration, and — she has a point.]
Information usually comes in a story, so I guess that's also true the other way around. There was knowledge of a vampire that went into that. More than I had before.
no subject
Your fiancée knows you well, it seems.
An entertaining tale with much to consider afterwards -- the taste for blood, the longing and hatred for mortals, the powers they may carry. A vampire is a formidable ally and an unfortunate antagonist to have.
no subject
[his 'anonymous' ass got clocked in two seconds.]
With a power to see people's decisions and know what will happen as a result, someone could be either. A helpful ally, or someone very difficult to move against. Have you met any who could do that?
[like alice, in the book.]
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I have. They are no vampire, though.
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[which, considering that she was the reason he put the phone down.]
What are they like?
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You must tell me, as you are speaking to one now. [she means herself, of course.]
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[a statement of fact, more than presumption — but anyone could use someone like her on their side, especially after what she tells him next.]
If I can ask you a question, would you be able to know if someone intended to hurt people before they did it?
no subject
Not at length -- I mislead you, slightly. I can feel the shape of thoughts, the immediate intent of a soul. And, sometimes, my prescience shows me more, but it is not at my will.
I can compel honesty, too, were I to question one in person.
no subject
That's more than I would know. I can't do any of that. The best I have is to look at someone's behavior and make a guess. That's what I've been trying to do with the vampire I mentioned, the one I met.
[so far, he's proven both predictable and not.]
It's nice to meet you, Saint Alia of the Knife.
no subject
[no psychic powers, no strange abilities here; just the simple logic and inference. cassian is here with a fiancée, a woman he loves and protects. there is a vampire (one of a handful, less than a dozen in that number) who threatens him or her or both. men will keep silent when their safety is threatened, but grow needy, desperate, when that threat expands.]
Just-Alia. I like to be her, here, instead of the Saint.
But I remember being of the knife, when it is pertinent. Do you ask for my alliance, my assistance, Cassian?
no subject
[he'll acknowledge that, first thing, before he considers the rest. the typing indicator appears and then disappears a few times. until:]
If what I've heard is true, he finds someone and tortures not only that person, but also everyone they love, and he doesn't stop. I don't know why it was me, but it was.
You don't know me, so you don't owe me anything. But I know I can't fix this alone. I don't want anyone hurt because of me.
[that's already happened too many times.]
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He chose at random? Or did you challenge him?
How did you hear this about him? Someone here knows his methods, perhaps?
I will help you, because you humble yourself to ask. But I must know more.
no subject
I challenged him. That could be the reason.
[u ever have the realization that u fucked up real bad
anyway.]
There's someone here who comes from the same place he does. Faith. She said this is what he does.
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Aha. It could indeed.
Faith. She is one of the Slayers, one of the wolves from the games. There are several from her world here.
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She told me about some of that, about what being a Slayer involves.
As for the vampire, his name is Angelus.
[he realizes she probably needs that to know where to start.]
Thank you for your help. I won't forget this.
no subject
It is a sort of warrior, yes?
Perhaps allying with her as well is a good place to continue.
There are those here who do not carry much affection for the vampire, regardless of his world. Do not underestimate the power of public opinion.