((Although a lot of Bene Gesserit knowledge was secret, I'm sure that enough mothers have screamed at their children to behave like humans and not animals for the philosophy to integrate itself into general culture. It was things like prana-bindu that they kept secret, and they used philosophy to groom the human race. I'm presuming Vlad ascribes to the human-status theory like everyone else.))
Vladimir listened quietly to the lovely young dead man, which he did realize was much more dead than a ghola, which were technically 'alive' as any typical human. Due to this, and other weirdnesses of the Imperium like facedancers and Navigators, Jasper remained within the realm of normality to Vladimir, just, better, apparently. He wondered how old Jasper was, although, considering the packaging it didn't matter that much. But being older than he appeared could explain a portion of why the Baron felt so compelled towards his intellect.
He felt a growing interest and affection as Jasper explained further, and was relieved to know that he wasn't as destructible as the children's stories might have such a creature appear. That would have been terribly inconvenient. The thing that was fascinating him most was that although Jasper had claimed he wasn't human any more, he was behaving in such a remarkably human manner and apparently not noticing it.
The Baron was not offended by Jasper's admission that his blood was exceptionally appealing- in fact, it was unusually flattering in some bizarre way. Surely it was a compliment of some sort, as Jasper must get some pleasure out of being near him, or he wouldn't have come. The greater compliment was that he came despite considering this temptation a weakness, so obviously Jasper did want to interact with him. Considering it a weakness seemed silly, as it would be strengthening to develop such a discipline, but it was very human. When Jasper glanced back at Vladimir, he was apparently relaxed, and had a strangely warm and compassionate smile that someone of another time and temperament wouldn't be likely to wear when faced with a specimen of the blood-drinking undead. Vladimir found his insecurity strangely touching, and hoped he could console him somehow.
The only sense in which he wasn't relaxed was that increase of Jasper's magnetism. Vladimir knew he was dangerous, but, he wasn't worried about the physical danger. Attachment was far more worrying. Jasper's admission had gone and brought the two to a more similar level, enhancing the potential of actual friendship with another intelligent creature. Vladimir was rather strange about this himself, in light of his profession. Perhaps they weren't predators in the same sense, but, Vladimir was still a predatory being, and, knew very well that his own death toll was probably a thousand times Jasper's or more. Just, he used delegation- his most frequent deathstroke was merely a pen to paper. Empires lived on blood.
"You don't have to continue to reassure me, Jasper- I'm aware that you do not wish to harm me, your actions reveal that. But I'm pleased you've told me this, as, it is important to consider if say, we were to take an afternoon walk in the city. But I do believe that you underestimate yourself." He shifted his bulk on the sofa to bring himself closer to Jasper, as if to emphasize that he wasn't concerned about Jasper's deadly capabilities. "You say that you're not human, but, according my culture, you're exceptionally human. You've already said so, and are displaying it right now. As the human race evolved, it appears the definition of human has became more refined- a man can bear a human shape, and still be an animal. The difference is in the ability to act against instinct and to confront situations in a rational manner. According to Imperial standards, you have probably killed more animals than humans, regardless of shape, if it is a consolation. So do forgive me if I must consider you human, and, that this news doesn't make me want to toss you out of the room. I don't think that's what you want me to do anyway, or I don't think you'd be here." Vladimir's smile lingered, and he hoped that Jasper would realize that he liked him very much, regardless of blood-drinking tendencies.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2009-05-25 10:54 pm (UTC)Vladimir listened quietly to the lovely young dead man, which he did realize was much more dead than a ghola, which were technically 'alive' as any typical human. Due to this, and other weirdnesses of the Imperium like facedancers and Navigators, Jasper remained within the realm of normality to Vladimir, just, better, apparently. He wondered how old Jasper was, although, considering the packaging it didn't matter that much. But being older than he appeared could explain a portion of why the Baron felt so compelled towards his intellect.
He felt a growing interest and affection as Jasper explained further, and was relieved to know that he wasn't as destructible as the children's stories might have such a creature appear. That would have been terribly inconvenient. The thing that was fascinating him most was that although Jasper had claimed he wasn't human any more, he was behaving in such a remarkably human manner and apparently not noticing it.
The Baron was not offended by Jasper's admission that his blood was exceptionally appealing- in fact, it was unusually flattering in some bizarre way. Surely it was a compliment of some sort, as Jasper must get some pleasure out of being near him, or he wouldn't have come. The greater compliment was that he came despite considering this temptation a weakness, so obviously Jasper did want to interact with him. Considering it a weakness seemed silly, as it would be strengthening to develop such a discipline, but it was very human. When Jasper glanced back at Vladimir, he was apparently relaxed, and had a strangely warm and compassionate smile that someone of another time and temperament wouldn't be likely to wear when faced with a specimen of the blood-drinking undead. Vladimir found his insecurity strangely touching, and hoped he could console him somehow.
The only sense in which he wasn't relaxed was that increase of Jasper's magnetism. Vladimir knew he was dangerous, but, he wasn't worried about the physical danger. Attachment was far more worrying. Jasper's admission had gone and brought the two to a more similar level, enhancing the potential of actual friendship with another intelligent creature. Vladimir was rather strange about this himself, in light of his profession. Perhaps they weren't predators in the same sense, but, Vladimir was still a predatory being, and, knew very well that his own death toll was probably a thousand times Jasper's or more. Just, he used delegation- his most frequent deathstroke was merely a pen to paper. Empires lived on blood.
"You don't have to continue to reassure me, Jasper- I'm aware that you do not wish to harm me, your actions reveal that. But I'm pleased you've told me this, as, it is important to consider if say, we were to take an afternoon walk in the city. But I do believe that you underestimate yourself." He shifted his bulk on the sofa to bring himself closer to Jasper, as if to emphasize that he wasn't concerned about Jasper's deadly capabilities. "You say that you're not human, but, according my culture, you're exceptionally human. You've already said so, and are displaying it right now. As the human race evolved, it appears the definition of human has became more refined- a man can bear a human shape, and still be an animal. The difference is in the ability to act against instinct and to confront situations in a rational manner. According to Imperial standards, you have probably killed more animals than humans, regardless of shape, if it is a consolation. So do forgive me if I must consider you human, and, that this news doesn't make me want to toss you out of the room. I don't think that's what you want me to do anyway, or I don't think you'd be here." Vladimir's smile lingered, and he hoped that Jasper would realize that he liked him very much, regardless of blood-drinking tendencies.