OPEN RP POST QUATRE

[formidable]

This a post where I'll RP anything with you! Got a scenario in mind? I'LL DO IT. If you wanna chat IDEAS.GIF, contact me at sweethymns or my AIM (rainsweets). I also have LINE as maiscribbles. Have at it! ➢ Cool Mood Music No. 1 ➤ Cool Mood Music No. 2

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[bloodvials]

[He feels quick to add an addendum.]

I should say that while that is a sort of currency in my world, that does not mean I expect you to accept it. My blood may not be something anyone would wish to... collect.

[That's a lie. Great One blood is a hot commodity these days; but it's also dangerous, leading to horrific transformations and madness. Before, he would not have cared. But his humanity now dictates that he not be so reckless.]

Something else perhaps? I have a few small but glittering coins I've picked up in my travels.

[nerine]

Oh, why didn't you say so? Coins work much better. We like collecting coins.

[Monts looks relieved anyways and whatever's part of her and under her skin, seems to flutter along with her. The mark's been ambivalent to Vincent, but still wary in a quiet way.]

Two of those. Because I'm going to get a slice for myself too.

[bloodvials]

[He quirks a brow, but looks more amused than offended. A hand reaches into his pocket in his coat, retrieving two small coins. They seem old and rusted, but give off a glinting, noticeable shine despite that.]

Are you saying you're making a customer pay for your own piece of pie? Isn't that backwards?

[He's holding out his hand to give her the coins, regardless. He may still be able to sense that oddness about her fluttering subtly beneath the surface, but Vincent ignores it. It's harmless, surely? It certainly hasn't been a threat yet, so he ignores it for now.]

[nerine]

[Monts takes the two coins between her fingers, waving them playfully at Vincent.]

I got you to do it though, didn't I? And you're going to be having dessert with me. I can think of worse things.

[Well, she's definitely dangerous in other ways.]

[bloodvials]

[Certainly dangerous, indeed. But Vincent ain't scared! Or rather, he's too polite to refuse the company even if he wanted to.]

Well, I suppose I may be able to manage that much. I'll suffer through the experience of fresh pie for your sake.

[That wry humor piques, an old part of himself that didn't quite leave either, it seems.]

[nerine]

[And here is today's special pie! Monts brings out two plates after a few minutes, and the pie is warm, and the sphere of ice cream had just hit their slices, beginning to melt decadently all over their plates.]

Here you go! Blueberry oatmeal pie with blueberry ice cream. You're lucky that it's today's special. We rarely have the same items around in this cafe.

[bloodvials]

[Naturally, the pie looks nothing short of amazing. Vincent tries to remain polite and not stare at it too much, but rather focus on the company that he's being granted for now.

He'll wait for her to take a seat and the plate to be set before him, before doing anything else than carry on the conversation.]

I'm beginning to feel exceedingly special. Though all joking aside, I would be lying to say I wasn't grateful. I know that I... "paid" for this, but this cafe is exceptionally welcoming regardless.

[nerine]

That's our job! We have to be welcoming if we take in all types from all corners of space and time.

[She twirls her fork around before taking a small bite of pie. It's fragrant and warm and she hums a little in contentment.]

There's nothing good pie can't fix, even if you're completely out of it right now.

[bloodvials]

[He decides to take a small bite of the pie as well and-- gods, that's amazing. It's almost enough to derail his focus, and he has to blink over at her when she makes a comment about him being "out of it". Probably doesn't help this impression of him, at the very least.]

I think I'm doing a... fair job of readjusting. Do I really look so dazed to you?

[nerine]

Oh, not so much now. Being dazed by pie? Definitely.

[bloodvials]

Ah, you just don't realize how long it's been since I've had pie. Even... I'm not sure I exactly remember when.

[nerine]

Is it safe to say that you've had a hell of day? Maybe even several in succession?

[She asks this innocuously as she rests her head in one hand.]

... Did you have to deal with things like me?

[bloodvials]

Ah. Yes, actually. It was... only one night, but it felt like a lifetime. [And a lifetime ago, if he were to be honest.

But her last question throws him off. He doesn't know how to answer it without sounding too rude.]

That depends, I suppose, on how you would describe yourself.

[nerine]

I've been told I'm infuriating. Distant. Charming, but rude.

[And Monts says this all so cheerfully too.]

And that I also toy around with people too much, even if I like them.

[bloodvials]

[It's isn't exactly what he implied to ask, but he can't seem to let that go without comment.]

You seem none of those things to me so far. Charming, certainly. But infuriating, distant, and rude? As a customer, you've shown me nothing more than civility and kindness.

[Of course, Vincent doesn't exactly know her; he can only speak from very limited experience.]

But to answer your questions, no, I did not deal with people; not in any normal sense of the word. They had become monsters. And beyond that, I dealt with even more maddening creatures.

[nerine]

Monsters...

[Monts takes another bite of pie, looking contemplative. She swallows and sighs.]

Well. You asked me what I was and it looks like I can't really hide what's inside me. But... [She waves it off as if dismissing it.]

I don't bring it up often. I don't like it.

[bloodvials]

[Vincent frowns, his tone taking on something far more serious.]

Is it dangerous?

[nerine]

It gets... Testy.

[An understatement. Her facial expression also becomes more somber and serious.]

But it keeps me alive whether I like it or not.

[bloodvials]

Can you...ah, tell me what manner of being it is? For lack of a better word.

[He had felt it before, of course. It felt... similar to himself, yet far different in many ways. He isn't sure if he should be worried (the human part of him tells him to be worried) or ambivalent. Or simply curious. Perhaps he could make up his mind if he knew more.]

[nerine]

[Monts frowns and rubs the back of her neck, trying to find the words that could describe the mark accurately.]

It's like... Having a spider under your skin. Or on other days, like a thin snake that travels under the skin and can increase in size if it wishes.

Not that I let it you know. That isn't good.

[bloodvials]

...and what happens if you do?

[nerine]

Well...

I simply am not myself. Or I hope that's what it is.

[Because with every passing day, the creature and her slowly merge into one being. She feels it in her bones and in her veins. They remain separate entities for now, but in the future...]

[bloodvials]

[He hesitates, but only briefly. He feels in some small way (a large way?) he can relate, but it's difficult to reconcile the change within him so readily -- especially when it had been done twice over, and in a small window of a few days' time.

Being somewhat human now (or at least very human-shaped), he's honestly not sure what to think about it. Should he grieve what he's lost? He hadn't given such sentiments any thoughts at all, but now the questions and uncertainties flood back to him, like a dam breaking.]

Then perhaps we share that much in common. I am not completely what I once was, either.

[nerine]

... Hm.

[She stands up her seat to lean forward to examine him closely. It's unnerving in a way, probably because of the creature that permeates her being, and because she's getting up in his space.]

... And you don't seem particularly murderous. I mean, guns or not.

[bloodvials]

[And Vincent leans back, not expecting her to come in so close. His fork clinks against his plate as he stares at her, not sure how he should feel.

Awkward, for certain. Before his stint in Yharnam, it was rare for his personal space to be invaded in such a way, and so thoughtlessly at that. But he also does feel the presence of the creature underneath her skin; the closeness is... strange. Unnerving, but oddly familiar.]

As the saying goes, looks can be deceiving. [He strains a smile.] I was what was called a Hunter, once. We felled beasts that had once been human, but transformed because of a hideous plague that swept through the streets. It was not a... ah, pleasant experience. The longest night of my life.