((Go ahead and reply whenever you're ready, so says the raptor-mun. And have Vlad play up being sore and achy if you like. ;) ))
Still smiling, his hand absently rubbing the back of his neck was the only indication of his discomfort over the compliments Vladimir always so freely paid him. He would have almost preferred insincerity and empty praise to this... bizarre flirtation, if he could call it that. He couldn't be sure what it truly was, between them, but hoped it would lessen into a more innocuous interest if he didn't explicitly encourage it. The change of subject to one not about himself was definitely welcome. That the Baron was hoping to gain another title and rank at Hogwarts came as no great surprise.
"Shall I start addressing you as Professor Harkonnen to get you accustomed to hearing it?" he asked solemnly, the corner of his mouth quirking up and giving him away. He wasn't serious. "What are you interested in teaching?" The remark about suffering explained some of what he sensed from Vladimir—he could perceive physical pain in others by the way it affected how they smelt, and even more clearly whenever the discomfort carried over into the mental realm, where it would then be reflected through subtle nuances in one's mood. Everyone was different; no two people had ever tasted quite the same to him, emotionally speaking. So this was what Vladimir tasted like when in mild pain.
Then came the entirely predictable wave of disgusted shame that caused Jasper to look away. He couldn't help liking the flavour, even relishing it; it was simply in his nature, he supposed, since he associated the taste of humans in pain with the more literal taste of human blood, and the all but forgotten relief of having his burning thirst quenched. He'd been living in a half-starved state for so long now...
By choice, he had to remind himself. And he knew he'd only feel worse if he ever gave in to his thirst. Few things compared to the torture of empathic backlash induced by a dying person.
"A gazebo is a very good idea," he commented, still not looking at the Baron, instead occupying himself with tracing the pattern of the raptor's scales with a finger. "I've never had a pet cat, but from what I know of them, they only offer companionship when they want it." This was said with a slight smile. He felt strangely pleased that the Baron was being so sincere with him, even if it also worried him. Maybe he was overdoing the empathic influence. "And I hope you're not hurting too badly? The house-elves would probably be able to help with that, or even someone from the hospital wing... That would seem to be their only purpose now, after all, since no one can die here and magical mishaps aren't as common as they once were."
He eventually glanced back up so he could provide the Baron with an appreciative audience for his demonstration. It didn't matter that Jasper could do the same thing—he knew what it was like to successfully master a spell and then be able to correctly perform it thereafter. The accomplishment felt good. He laughed quietly upon noticing it was red wine. Vladimir might one day understand his amusement, but for the present, Jasper would just play the gracious guest.
"You must be a quick study. And I'm sure you chose well, though I'm afraid fine wines will really only be wasted on me." He wasn't too thrilled by the thought of choking down wine. They all tended to taste like vinegar to him regardless of their quality, what with his changed palate. How absinthe was able to taste so good to him was still a mystery, but he suspected it had as much to do with La Fée Verte's presence and scent as the drink itself. All things considered it was good the Baron hadn't seemed keen on the idea of hanging around the hookah bar, so there was less chance of him ever witnessing what would undoubtedly be a very unfortunate display of inebriated vampire shenanigans.
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2009-05-15 08:08 am (UTC)Still smiling, his hand absently rubbing the back of his neck was the only indication of his discomfort over the compliments Vladimir always so freely paid him. He would have almost preferred insincerity and empty praise to this... bizarre flirtation, if he could call it that. He couldn't be sure what it truly was, between them, but hoped it would lessen into a more innocuous interest if he didn't explicitly encourage it. The change of subject to one not about himself was definitely welcome. That the Baron was hoping to gain another title and rank at Hogwarts came as no great surprise.
"Shall I start addressing you as Professor Harkonnen to get you accustomed to hearing it?" he asked solemnly, the corner of his mouth quirking up and giving him away. He wasn't serious. "What are you interested in teaching?" The remark about suffering explained some of what he sensed from Vladimir—he could perceive physical pain in others by the way it affected how they smelt, and even more clearly whenever the discomfort carried over into the mental realm, where it would then be reflected through subtle nuances in one's mood. Everyone was different; no two people had ever tasted quite the same to him, emotionally speaking. So this was what Vladimir tasted like when in mild pain.
Then came the entirely predictable wave of disgusted shame that caused Jasper to look away. He couldn't help liking the flavour, even relishing it; it was simply in his nature, he supposed, since he associated the taste of humans in pain with the more literal taste of human blood, and the all but forgotten relief of having his burning thirst quenched. He'd been living in a half-starved state for so long now...
By choice, he had to remind himself. And he knew he'd only feel worse if he ever gave in to his thirst. Few things compared to the torture of empathic backlash induced by a dying person.
"A gazebo is a very good idea," he commented, still not looking at the Baron, instead occupying himself with tracing the pattern of the raptor's scales with a finger. "I've never had a pet cat, but from what I know of them, they only offer companionship when they want it." This was said with a slight smile. He felt strangely pleased that the Baron was being so sincere with him, even if it also worried him. Maybe he was overdoing the empathic influence. "And I hope you're not hurting too badly? The house-elves would probably be able to help with that, or even someone from the hospital wing... That would seem to be their only purpose now, after all, since no one can die here and magical mishaps aren't as common as they once were."
He eventually glanced back up so he could provide the Baron with an appreciative audience for his demonstration. It didn't matter that Jasper could do the same thing—he knew what it was like to successfully master a spell and then be able to correctly perform it thereafter. The accomplishment felt good. He laughed quietly upon noticing it was red wine. Vladimir might one day understand his amusement, but for the present, Jasper would just play the gracious guest.
"You must be a quick study. And I'm sure you chose well, though I'm afraid fine wines will really only be wasted on me." He wasn't too thrilled by the thought of choking down wine. They all tended to taste like vinegar to him regardless of their quality, what with his changed palate. How absinthe was able to taste so good to him was still a mystery, but he suspected it had as much to do with La Fée Verte's presence and scent as the drink itself. All things considered it was good the Baron hadn't seemed keen on the idea of hanging around the hookah bar, so there was less chance of him ever witnessing what would undoubtedly be a very unfortunate display of inebriated vampire shenanigans.