"I would be interested in hearing the full story sometime, if you feel like sharing. And naturally I'd also like to know more about this nephew of yours whom I remind you of, so I'll know whether I should take offense or be flattered," he said lightly. And he would like to know more, pending his personal space would be left intact. Learning about the various intricacies of that strange and subtle warfare of the future would also hopefully keep the conversation off himself. "Although dinner is more of a... family affair for me. We like our traditions," he said, his smile suitably apologetic. "So maybe another venue, if you wouldn't mind. I'm told Slytherin has a bar you shouldn't miss. And I did promise the proprietress I'd stop by eventually..."
He hadn't realised his joking comment could be received as something decidedly more salacious than he'd intended. He'd been aiming for maybe vaguely threatening, if anything. The smile had probably ruined it. Why had he smiled? He felt unpleasantly light-headed and remote from himself, though the burning ache of his thirst worsened with each passing moment. The smell... it wasn't precisely like human blood, but somehow something—more, more human than anything he'd smelt before, if that were possible. It held him there even while he knew something unspeakably horrific might occur if he didn't leave soon.
With concentrated effort he remained still as Vladimir touched his shoulder, and he watched the man curiously for any reaction he might have. Perhaps the complete lack of body heat wouldn't be noticeable beneath the layers of clothing, but the unnatural hardness might be—it would be like touching a clothed, stone statue, rather unlike the feel of supple human flesh and bone. Of course, it could conceivably be mistaken for hard muscle.
"Big enough to easily get lost your first time through," Jasper replied and chuckled quietly. "You chose your guide well. A's a good person... extremely forthright." But so naive and trusting. He seemed so innocent. Now that Jasper had a pretty good idea of where Vladimir's interests lay, he wondered if he should be concerned for A. "I like him," he added, with just enough exaggerated affection to perhaps give the Baron something new to consider. Let them think what they'd like indeed. "I'm due to help him in his garden soon. I'll be surprised if he didn't invite you to see it."
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2009-04-27 08:56 am (UTC)He hadn't realised his joking comment could be received as something decidedly more salacious than he'd intended. He'd been aiming for maybe vaguely threatening, if anything. The smile had probably ruined it. Why had he smiled? He felt unpleasantly light-headed and remote from himself, though the burning ache of his thirst worsened with each passing moment. The smell... it wasn't precisely like human blood, but somehow something—more, more human than anything he'd smelt before, if that were possible. It held him there even while he knew something unspeakably horrific might occur if he didn't leave soon.
With concentrated effort he remained still as Vladimir touched his shoulder, and he watched the man curiously for any reaction he might have. Perhaps the complete lack of body heat wouldn't be noticeable beneath the layers of clothing, but the unnatural hardness might be—it would be like touching a clothed, stone statue, rather unlike the feel of supple human flesh and bone. Of course, it could conceivably be mistaken for hard muscle.
"Big enough to easily get lost your first time through," Jasper replied and chuckled quietly. "You chose your guide well. A's a good person... extremely forthright." But so naive and trusting. He seemed so innocent. Now that Jasper had a pretty good idea of where Vladimir's interests lay, he wondered if he should be concerned for A. "I like him," he added, with just enough exaggerated affection to perhaps give the Baron something new to consider. Let them think what they'd like indeed. "I'm due to help him in his garden soon. I'll be surprised if he didn't invite you to see it."