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citynet2023-11-05 10:31 pm
perfectdevil) wrote in citynet2023-11-05 10:31 pm
video; un: thevampirelestat
[ 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.
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.
no subject
I.. probably.
[ It's not a definite yes, but even with his complicated tone, it leans close to that sort of answer. ]
It's a little complicated, since it's not like I lied to her. It would have been easier if that was it. [ At least then he could correct it. Then he could apologize, then they might have been able to make up.
He sucks in a breath, his tone a little tight. Like he's struggling to talk about this, even in the light of Lestat's compassion. ]
Instead it's.. It's just that I didn't tell her about something. But I had never told anyone about that. No, I've-- I've never been able to tell anyone about that. Not for decades. And because she didn't know about the thing I never told her about, she misunderstood a situation.
[ And that's how it all went to hell.
Granted, someone heavily orchestrated things to work out that way, but.. with Daniel being Daniel, there's no way he isn't going to blame himself first. ]
no subject
He understands. Just a mistake. Just a foolish error made in fear or absence of thought. Not a lack of care, just an oversight. Not a lack of trust, but a lack of honesty. It rings so true to how he was with Nicki, how he’d been with Louis, that Lestat feel breathless with emotion.
He’s always been so quick to tears, so he doesn’t seem bothered by it, but he does press a long finger to the corner of his eye to halt the tears falling. ]
When Louis left me for not honest with him, I spent years away from him thinking he would rather think me dead. When we reunited, when I told him exactly who I am, I realised that I’d wasted so much time apart from him that I needn’t have. I had given up hope, and it cost me almost a century away from him.
Do not give up hope, Daniel. I will learn from your mistakes, and I will continue to be the man I am for Louis and hope he continues to love me regardless. I won’t forget what you have done here today in telling me this, what it has cost you.
[ Lestat is also a proud man and protective of his own vulnerability, so he understands that discomfort in Daniel’s frame and his tone. ]
In return, learn from mine. You are a man with a kind heart, and believe me such a thing is rare these days. Don’t lose hope.
1/2
[ It's good to see that this talk seems to have ignited something within Lestat, at least. Hopefully it put him a little bit more at ease - that's what Daniel hopes the most for the other. That Lestat and Louis can just be happy together, with minimum worries.
But then there's the last part. That's the part that gets Daniel quiet for a moment. Don't lose hope, Lestat says, and Daniel doesn't know how to tell the other that he already lost it a long time ago. That there's no recovering it, somewhere between how utterly depressing it is to be stuck in a place like this city where so many awful things happen and people get hurt, and the situation back home, which feels beyond recovery at this point. No matter whether Daniel is here or whether he'd go home tomorrow, things would be awful regardless.
It feels so bleak. He doesn't want to tell the other. Lestat almost cried because of him already just now. When the other has so many things to worry about already, Daniel refuses to let himself be added to the other man's worries, even when it has felt like he has been slowly drowning for months now. ]
2/2
It's fine. ]
You know you don't have to worry about me, Lestat. [ He may be silently praying the other kept his word to not read Daniel's thoughts.. ] I just said all of that to show you that people can screw up, you know? As long as you and Louis are happy, then I'm glad for you. That's all that matters.
no subject
How does a normal, well-adjusted person feel in this situation? Should he feel disgust that his nature has been altered in such a way? Should he feel happy, pleased that he’s stepping away from something monstrous and toward something human? Should he feel relief, perhaps, to find that he can still change despite centuries of life spent wandering the earth wondering if he’ll ever be truly happy for longer than a few hours at a time?
Do you think that’s believable, what you just said? threatens to fall from his mouth, dancing behind his fangs, trying to prise his lips open. But no, he won’t say it. He’ll resist. For the sake of this friendship with this kind-hearted human… and also for the fact that he can’t stand to have too many emotional revelations over video chat, of all things. ]
It is only people who could use a little worry that tell you not to worry, I’ve found. You have a lot of heart.
[ But! That’s all he’ll say on it. ]
Thank you, Daniel. For what you said, for this, for all of it. You’ll get me that list of films your mother liked soon, won’t you?
no subject
He'd prefer to bury all of this in his heart for a little longer. Or a lot longer, if people will let him. It's easier this way. ]
Of course, I haven't forgotten.
[ Despite.. the conversation having taken a turn for the deeper.. but he doesn't mind.
It at least feels good to help people. Especially people he's fond of. ]
Good luck to you two. I'll send the list over soon, promise.
[ And with that, he disconnects the feed. ]