video; un: thevampirelestat

[perfectdevil]

[ The screen opens up to a black imitation Chesterfield couch in pride of place at the centre of the screen. On it sits a young man of seemingly around twenty years old, dressed in a half unbuttoned black shirt and silver waistcoat, tight black slacks and shining black boots with golden toe caps; his long legs crossed elegantly before him, he lifts his wrist in a light wave of greeting toward the viewfinder. ]

Good evening, everyone. Lestat here.

[ A flourish of his other hand, a widespread sweep as if he'd just announced something very impressive, and then he leans forward with the manner one might take when speaking to a dear friend, rather than addressing a network of mostly strangers. ]

I've been thinking, mes très chers, as I am often known to do: it's my birthday soon, and though I'd love nothing more than to throw some grand shindig and invite all of you, I have it from a reputable source that it might not be the best idea given the way the last party we were all invited to turned out for a lot of us.

[ In the background, another figure can be seen through the entranceway leading to the kitchen, though this man seems much less prepared to be on show to the entire network as he goes about taking off his gardening gloves and placing the tools he'd been using into the sink. He emerges a moment or two later with two freshly potted plants in his hands, which he deposits somewhere off-screen, before returning and taking his place at Lestat's side. ]

That, and, if I'm being honest... I'm feeling strangely low-key about it this year. All I really want to do is sit in the comfortable velvet seats of a quaint little movie theater and watch something new. I've heard of the media store opening soon, of course, but I'll be another year older weeks before its doors open. Instead of wasting time browsing once I'm inside, I thought instead that I might rely on the knowledge of the masses, so-to-speak, and get a few recommendations before that time comes.

So, I come to you with a question, my beloved City: what is your favourite movie? Tell me the plot, describe to me your favourite scene, tell me how your favourite actor 'eats up' every role they play — truly, anything goes. If you don't have films in the world you are from, perhaps tell me your favourite story, and maybe while I'm inside the media store I can keep my eye out for an adaptation of it for you.

[ His eyes naturally slide to his side, to his patient companion, and a smile curls his mouth. ]

And, if you're interested in something a little more challenging... Louis is here, too, and he can be frightfully picky. If you manage to genuinely pique his interest, then you'll really impress me.

Comments

[astraphilia]

[ in this moment Louis reminds Reno of nothing so much as a lovely, skittish creature being coaxed into accepting affection, and he's not stupid enough to say something bawdy and fuck it up for all of them. instead he just smiles a little wryly—the expression softer than his lascivious look from before—and nods his agreement at Lestat's words.

at least on one count, Lestat is absolutely right: Reno is very much not the type to feign interest he doesn't genuinely feel, and he is certainly interested in Louis. he does, however, make one small correction, which is: ]

Well... I ain't always very well-behaved. [ okay, he can't help another wink there—but it's not flirtatious as much as it is just bringing them both into his little joke. ] But I definitely can be.

[ especially when he benefits from it, as seems to often be the case with Lestat.

Reno sits up a little, still leaning back against the arm of the couch but in a slightly less suggestive pose, and considers his words for a second before he fiddles briefly with the privacy settings of their video. by nature he keeps his defenses high, which means he very rarely says anything sincerely, but behind the protective curtain of the encryption it's easier to be honest.

there's a touch of the genuine to his voice when he says, ] He's right, though. No expectations, just puttin' it on the table, so to speak. It's only fun if it's fun for everybody—but I do think it'd be fun.

[ Reno grins again. ] And if you decide later you ain't into it then maybe we really do just watch a movie. I'll find somethin' besides Loveless to keep us entertained.

[deathoftheauthor]

( Well, that's all very well and good and considerate, but the fact of the matter is that Louis has gotten somewhat lost in the weeds of this conversation. He's looking increasingly flustered, almost squirming at being the center of attention, and frowning slightly at his own confusion. God, he hates being the only one not to know something. )

You'll forgive me if I'm not familiar with the intricacies of...

( He struggles to find the words he's searching for, fails utterly, and gives a sharp little wave of one hand (the other, offscreen, is gripping Lestat's thigh). )

This.

I don't mean to be blunt, but what exactly is being proposed?

( His tone is clipped from nervousness, but the question is sincere. )

[perfectdevil]

[ Lestat finds himself oddly touched when Reno clearly shifts their conversation more one-on-one, for the sake of himself perhaps, but clearly not ignorant to how it will be much easier for all involved to have these conversations with a gauze of privacy around them. Lestat follows his lead, changing their settings too, the way Armand had shown him to. He's equally endeared to the way he leans forward to reassure Louis, to place his hat into the ring with no expectations nor any kind of selfish pushing. Lestat likes Reno for his recklessness and his charm, of course, so he's pleased to find more reasons to be sure he hasn't made a mistake in all of this.

Lestat puts a hand over the one Louis has on his thigh — a strange little thrill passing through him at the sheer tightness of Louis' hand, but resolutely determined to not let it distract him — and leans in to press a lingering kiss to his cheek. Then, he settles back, fingers dancing soothing patterns on the back of his lover's hand, while he turns his gaze on Reno. ]

My blood is tainted.

[ Starting off very chill and normal, and perhaps a little dramatic. Tainted is going a bit far, but calling it God blood or ancient blood leads to complicated questions, which 'tainted' does not. So this will suffice. ]

The powers you've seen me harness come from that blood. Louis cannot share thoughts with you the same way that I can, nor can Louis and I share thoughts in the way you and I can. Without this power, the only way a vampire can see the images conjured up in your mind is through the bite.

Louis also doesn't feed in the same way I do. It won't be what you've experienced with me, but I can promise you that you won't be in any danger.

[ He squeezes Louis hand, a promise to both of them. ]

I have been thinking of how this might work, and how I might show Louis what you can show me with your vibrant imagination. [ Just a little compliment to sweeten the deal, and Lestat's eyes flash as a memory strikes him of just how colourful Reno's mind had been in those hot and heavy moments. ] You and I can flood one another's minds with images again, I will tell Louis everything I see and everything I send back to you. Every detail. When your stamina reaches its peak, you can feed Louis, who will then feed me.

[ His mouth feels wet suddenly, and when he swallows the sound is thick and loud in the room that suddenly feels charged with silence around them. He shifts, ever so slightly. ]

If that sounds enjoyable.

[astraphilia]

I see. [ the presentation is a little dramatic, but he's used to that from Lestat—more important is the information. Reno listens carefully, head tilted now in thought more than in flirtation. these are facts he organizes into his mental file; special blood, unique powers. learning little by little about the way vampires work.

there's no part of it that doesn't sound delicious to him, if Reno is honest: the prospect of being able to fantasize vividly, to see Lestat's fantasies and then to hear it all spoken aloud; the prospect of the bite from Louis, knowing what a torturous but unspeakably pleasurable experience it is; the idea of getting to watch Lestat bite Louis in turn... honestly, just imagining it is enough to have Reno a little hot under the collar.

still, he behaves, and although he can't help the way his gaze darkens, he at least manages to keep his tongue in check. ]

I ain't worried. [ partly because Reno is a filthy adrenaline junkie who gets off on the edge of danger, but mostly because he believes Lestat. it's probably not entirely for Reno's benefit that he makes a point to clarify the point, and if it's also Louis he's reassuring, then Reno trusts him all the more. he may not know the intricacies of their relationship (and he's frankly not convinced it's his business), but it's obvious that Lestat cares for Louis deeply and Reno can only conclude that he wouldn't want to put Louis in jeopardy either. ] That all sounds real good to me.

[ a thought that makes him grin, although he doesn't speak it aloud: Lestat has put some thought into this, hasn't he? well, well. good to know that Reno has left just as much of an impression. ]

[deathoftheauthor]

( Louis' eyes grow wider and wider as Lestat explains his idea, his ears and cheeks burning, fingers so tight on Lestat's thigh that it would leave bruises on a mortal man. Images unfurl in his head, indistinct from his lack of experience to draw on but nevertheless heated and powerfully erotic. His pulse throbs in his ears, and the thought of it, the taboo of it, is so captivating that he nearly doesn't hear Reno's eager reply. )

You've really been thinking about this.

( His voice is low and quiet, accusatory but not exactly annoyed about it. If anything, it's appraising, matching the slow and considering and very thorough look of someone reading every paragraph of the terms and conditions. He looks to Lestat, then back to Reno, wondering what sort of man would agree to this with someone that he doesn't know at all. He wets his lips with his tongue, opens his mouth to speak, and closes it again with flushed cheeks and a furrowed brow, at a loss for words.

God, these two and their easy, confident grins. Why does he feel like the one on the platter?

Louis lets out a slow, measured breath. )

Very well. ( He bites his lip. ) I... will need some time to consider it.

( He almost can't believe what he's saying, and his anxious energy is making him sit up too straight, sound too clipped and formal, and really, how can either of them want him involved in this when he's this awkward? )

And... to further discuss the specific details.

( He clears his throat. )

[perfectdevil]

[ The truth of the matter is that Lestat has tried multiple times to share a mortal meal with Louis in the past, but it was usually taken as a joke, as a taunt, as something mean spirited rather than the simple truth of what it was; Lestat longing to see Louis give in to his nature and feed, to use the gifts given to him by Lestat and to bite, to drink, to enjoy it, to become satisfied. Perhaps it's selfish, it almost definitely is selfish, but given what he's found he can do with humans that know the truth of what he is and the particular way Reno's mind works, Lestat's curiosity rams against his obvious arousal over the whole affair... and this leaves him caught on every single word and sound Louis makes.

He hadn't mentioned anything about Louis being his fledgling to Reno, nor had he gone into any particular detail about why they couldn't share each other's thoughts, but Reno doesn't seem to be even the slightest bit suspicious or even willing to question all that much. Which works perfectly for him.

Louis finally speaks, and Lestat lets out a breath he hadn't been aware he'd been holding. 'Very well' is not a 'no', and Louis has never been afraid of saying no - he's done so in the past with real conviction, to the point where Lestat had wondered now and again if he enjoyed the denial more than anything else. Louis is thinking about it, will think about it, and only when Lestat shifts slightly to look at him does he realize quite how hard Louis is clenching the meat of his thigh.

How beautiful he looks like this, Lestat thinks, so flustered but still with such intent focus, like he's determined to see it through even if it ends in refusal, showing a clear passion to learn something about himself today. Lestat feels his mouth prickle, hunger increasing even further just by looking at Louis.

He glances back to the screen. ]

Well, that seems reasonable to me, don't you agree? [ He's almost certain Reno will be able to recognize when a man is in need of shutting off a camera to make out with his very attractive lover over a fantasy they've just spoken into the realm of possibility. ] We'll leave the ball in Louis' court, and I suppose I'll contact you with more information? Does that sound alright?

[ He can't resist a little smirk, wondering if Reno's nasty little mind will be wandering once the feed is closed. ]

[astraphilia]

[ Lestat has seen directly into Reno's vivid imagination—surely he doesn't need to wonder exactly how far it can run away with him when left to his own devices. he hums under his breath, his gaze sliding from Louis to Lestat and then back again, taking in the sight of the two of them turning their focuses toward each other.

very well is indeed not a no. the fact that Louis is willing to consider it at all feels a little like a victory, even if it ultimately ends in Louis declining to participate. ]

That sounds just fine to me. [ he nods. it's hard to blame Lestat for being, er, moved a certain way by the way Louis looks right now, all dark intensity and darker eyes. ] Gimme a call whenever, I'll be here.

[ he's content to leave it at that—Reno turns off his camera first, leaving the two of them to their devices so he can go get up to his own. ]

[deathoftheauthor]

( The call ends, and Louis sits stock-still, his heartbeat pounding in his ears so loudly that he couldn't hear Lestat if he called out to him from a foot away. He'd really just agreed to that, hadn't he, or at least he hadn't denied the idea outright — that was all him and he has no one else to blame, even if he wasn't the one who started it. Has he always had this desire lurking inside of him? Who is he?

He swallows, and it sounds unbearably loud in the suddenly silent living room. )

... Did that actually happen, Lestat?

[perfectdevil]

[ continued here <3 ]