[ic] Contact

[hisheartsdesire]

Tobias may one day learn to change the greeting on his voicemail. Until then, there's only the default.

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**Some thread content may be NSFW**

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[abduxel]

Are you sure? I could show you. It would be nothing after that.

[It's hard to tell if he's serious, but suddenly he's reaching out to wipe a tear from Toby's cheek. Just briefly - the touch doesn't linger - although of course Toby is free to dodge or swat him away.]

Sure, a drink sounds great. I think we both need one.

[hisheartsdesire]

[His eyes widen when Abduxel reaches out to him; his heart races, but he doesn't flinch or pull away. His cheek feels unnaturally cold, as vampire skin is wont to, but not icy or frigid. It's probably nice in the Florida heat and humidity.

He swallows, and then shakes his head.]

I'm sure. Please, I'd rather not. [Seems he's had enough for the evening.] Can we just... go? For drinks, please?

[abduxel]

Yeah, let's go. Have a place in mind, Tobias?

[He stands then, straightening out his suit and dusting off his butt, since he sat on the ground in it.]

[hisheartsdesire]

I do know a few in the area. [He also gets up and brushes himself off, namely the side on which he'd toppled over earlier.] But I didn't have anywhere specific in mind—any preferences?

[abduxel]

Yeah, I think I know a bar that's walkable from here. That's about all that matters, isn't it?

[He starts to lead them the correct direction. After an awkward pause,]

Well, we're square now.

[hisheartsdesire]

Yeah...

[And Toby follows, resigning himself to his confusion and allowing them to lapse into a stiff silence.

So when Abduxel speaks, Toby nods in agreement before letting out a sigh of relief.]

So, that settles it. I'm glad to call it even. [A beat.] And... it's fine if you call me Toby, by the way.

[abduxel]

[He turns a small, amused smile towards Toby as they walk.]

Does that mean we're friends now? You have strange criteria for friendship.

[hisheartsdesire]

I don't know, I just—

[He shrugs, and it's clear from his expression he's still boggling over Abduxel suddenly being nice.]

I guess I thought that this might be what all your other friendships might be like. It's not as if I really know anything about you.

[abduxel]

[He laughs with an open grin, winking after he says:] You must be baffled how I have friends at all, if that's the case.

[hisheartsdesire]

[The demon manages to tease a small smile out of Toby.]

Well, surely you've some sort of demonic charisma that draws people close regardless of how you treat them.

[abduxel]

It's my ethereal good looks, actually.

You know, you're not like any vampire I've met.

[hisheartsdesire]

[And now, a curious look.]

Wh—well, what makes you say that?

[Why, do they all fall putty into his lap, or do all of them just hate his guts, or is it something else he can't think of?]

[abduxel]

[He says it matter-of-factly:]

You're so gentle and in-control.

[hisheartsdesire]

[Toby fights off the niggling urge to protest he'd never asked for this in the first place. Instead, he shrugs.]

Oh, I don't know about "in-control". You've already seen one of the fledgelings.

[He frowns as he remembers what they'd mentioned of Kanaya at the swear-in.]

[abduxel]

One of? How many did you make?

[hisheartsdesire]

—Why? Does it matter?

[abduxel]

Well, I might need to change my assessment of you, won't I? To answer your original question, the vampires I've met have all been so much more, uh - how do I put this - wantonly violent. Only every so often, when they aren't busy quietly brooding. Sudden massacres, that kind of thing. The bloodlust, you know, it gets to them.

[hisheartsdesire]

[Looking frustrated,]

It isn't like that, all right? [Because other immortals, YAY!] I'm not... I'm not looking to hurt anyone.

[Ah, but has he killed before? Of course, he has, and had even developed a taste for it back then, before he met Dorian.]

[abduxel]

To be fair, the only time I'd ever met vampires was when they were attacking me. For the most part.

But, that's why you're different. You're so gentle. Aren't you hungry, Toby?

[hisheartsdesire]

[That question and variations thereof always seem to key Toby up; this time is no exception.]

...I'm fine, there's no need for that.

[But if Abduxel has already learned to read Toby, he knows that's a lie. So many tells: the way he tenses up, turns his gaze away, tries to avoid that line of conversation...]

[abduxel]

How many have you sired? Have you killed any?

[hisheartsdesire]

[At least the topic has shifted away from his hunger, from blood and how wonderful it smells and tastes.

Defensive:] I haven't killed any. Not here. You already know about the one; isn't that enough?

[He wants to avoid making any more deals if possible.]

[abduxel]

[Their friendship is going so well. He ignores the question. His tone is casual, like he's asking if Toby is enjoying his new job at Starbucks.]

Is it better when you suck someone dry, Toby? Like, is that more satisfying if you get to see the light go out?

[hisheartsdesire]

What? NO.

[This is one of those moments he should've seen coming but somehow got completely blindsided. A little panicked but mostly confused, he tries to buy himself some time or look for a way out.]

...what do you want from me? What are you looking for, Matthew?

[He is on the verge of just wanting to flee.]

[abduxel]

[#bffs.

Abduxel looks at him plainly, his expression flat. He raises his hands, palms up, like calm down.]

I'm just curious. I've never been a vampire. Besides, I suppose that sets you apart from the vampires in my world, too. They like the taste of bringing death. Ask me how I know. [He winks, then, with a little smile.] But I was always an escape-artist, even before I died.