restroom | ( open general rp post )

[ If he didn't want to get dragged into a vampire hunter's extremely black and white view of other vampires, perhaps he shouldn't have stuck around to make chit chat.

In any case, Spock gives him a long look, clearly wary of this agreement, but ultimately nods. He turns back into the storm and leads them on again.

Twenty minutes of extremely wet trudging later and he stops in front of what appears to be an abandoned warehouse. Rotting boards cover blown out windows. Those few that remain intact are paned with greasy, greenish glass. Mildew creeps over the windows' edges, vanishing into the crumbling stone. No lights are on, but vampires would hardly need them — and as Spock leans closer to what looks to be a barred and chained metal door, his keen hearing can pick up the faint rustle of clothing, soft footfalls, and nervous chatter.

Even the sewage smell of the grounds and the mist of the rain cannot cover the iron tang of blood seeping into the air. ]

Are you familiar with this building?

[ He keeps his voice low enough that the storm will shield them from being heard by the vampires inside. ]

Vaguely.

( he's heard of this place through other vampires but he's never gone anywhere near it. he tends to be a loner even if he likes people. he just doesn't trust a lot of other vampires.

he looks up, squinting. )

You want me to get that?

( the metal door, that is. he could take care of that easily. )

[ Slowly, Spock looks between Kirk and the door. ]

Are you able to open it without drawing attention to our presence?

[ He does not know how "Roger" operates. He still does not trust him. It would be easy to slam the door down and draw every vampire in the nest directly to them. ]

Maybe.

( oh, he's definitely sure he can do that but he doesn't make to do that just yet. he looks over in spock's direction and grins. )

Ask me nicely.

[ Spock has certainly done more than his share of staring today. He would hope that "Roger" would have tired of it by now, but apparently not. The look he gives the man is openly dour, mouth a displeased flat line. He is silent and allows the moment to stretch into awkwardness.

But then, finally, he says, utterly toneless: ]

Please.

( jim considers adding that he has to sound like he means it but he doubts he'll get that. so, he just smirks and moves to the lock. he could kick it in easily but they don't want to wake anyone up so he puts a hand on the knob and tests it.

it's solid, locked tight but vampiric strength means he can give it a few nudges and it gives underneath the press of his hand, groaning open. )

After you?

[ That "Roger" does not ask for a more sincere request is something of a surprise. Spock lifts an eyebrow, but he does not comment on it, though he cannot help but think of the human phrase about looking gift horses in the mouth and how idealistic it has always seemed. Still, "Roger" does open the door with a minimum of noise that even Spock cannot complain about.

He nods and brushes past the vampire, stepping inside the building.

It is obvious enough that this part of the warehouse is seldom visited, the vampires' trust in their locked door enough to keep it from their minds. Dust covers empty shelves and the air smells of more mildew, and even more strongly of blood, fresh and sweet.

Spock wrinkles his nose. ]

What do you know of this clan?

[ Addressed to "Roger," though he still refuses to use that name. ]

Not much.

( and that is honesty. he rubs his hands together and then slides his fingers through his hair before blowing out a breath. )

Very dangerous, no morals. And before you say something, yes, some vampires have morals. They kill because it's fun. It gets them their food source too but they like the act. Not good to invite to parties.

And yet you invited yourself to one of their parties.

[ Dry, but it is meant only as an observation, even a point of curiosity. It would be counterproductive to pick a fight with the man who is supposedly his ally, at least for the moment.

Carefully, Spock begins to pick his way down the hall. His steps are silent against the concrete floor, head tilted as he listens to pick out anything of substance from the low scramble of sound. ]

I like parties.

( he's not going to apologize for that. he likes parties and he likes free drinks and sometimes he can meet someone that he can enjoy some time with.

he shrugs, unapologetic. )

Can you blame a guy for having fun?

Yes. [ Flat and immediate. After a moment of thought he adds: ] Easily.

[ One of the rooms off the hallway has light spilling out from beneath the door. Spock slows as they approach it. He raises his head, sniffing. The scent of blood is nearly overwhelming.

He turns the handle and cracks the door. Inside, humans hang from the ceiling, their feet dangling above the floor. Blood drips down their naked bodies from small wounds carved into their skin, collecting into vats beneath their feet. Not a single human reacts as the door swings wider. They all stare blankly ahead, their eyes glassy. Every single one of the humans breaths at the same rhythm. ]

Wow.

( the scent of blood fills his senses and he can feel his pupils blowing wide but he resists the urge to do anything about it. that would just make him look terrible in front of his new friend. )

Before you ask, no, I don't know what's going on. This is beyond me. It looks like a farm. Harvesting humans for blood and keeping them in their thrall.

I agree with your assessment.

[ His own pupils have gone wide, and Spock finds himself clenching his hand at his side, an unforgivable show of emotion. He forces himself to loosen his grip and takes a few steps further into the room.

None of the humans react.

He prowls around the room, examining the equipment, the sturdy structures bolted to the walls and floor, the oddly sterile cleanliness of the room. As he crouches by one of the vats, his nostrils flare. Old blood has dried down the side of the container, rusty and dark. ]

This is not a recent installation. The nest is far more deeply entrenched than I was told. [ He looks over to "Roger". ] Leave.

What?

( you dragged him here and now you want him to leave? jim makes a face and looks like he's going to dig his heels in. )

You brought me here. Why am I going to leave now?

[ Abruptly, Spock stands. He brushes off his fingers even though they did not actually touch the vat. Without looking at Kirk, he moves to a door on the other side of the room and begins examining it for signs of use. His tone, when he speaks, is the same as it has been despite the strangeness of his words. ]

I was unaware of the true level of danger here. In asking you to prove yourself to me, I do not intend to ask you to die to do so.

[ Perhaps "Roger" is not the harmless, moral vampire he claims to be. It does not matter. Spock cannot draw him into danger he is unlikely to walk away from. If the nest is so old as this room suggests, he will not be able to protect the other man. He will only be able to care for his own life. ]

I'm not going to die.

( damn, stop underestimating him, spock. he makes a face and shakes his head, not going anywhere. it would have been easier to do that, step out and just let this whole thing be forgotten but he can't. )

You might have skills but I don't know if you can take this on on your own.

I am equally uncertain. [ Matter of fact. ] However, my chances of success increase if I need not be concerned with an untrustworthy factor at my back.

[ This is a secondary concern, but it is pertinent to the other man's objections. Stating that he has doubts about "Roger's" ability to protect himself would be redundant. The danger is clear and present. One need only take a second look at the humans hanging peacefully in their bonds to see how old and established the nest is. No doubt there are vampires to match that age somewhere as well. ]

Look, I came with you to this place. I'm still here and I'm offering to watch your back even if you've threatened to kill me a few times.

( he thinks he might have proven himself at least a little. )

If you really don't want any backup, I'll go ahead and leave. I can find better things to do.

[ He does not turn back to "Roger." The door, he decides, is an acceptable point of egress. When he tries it, the handle turns and the door swings open on well-oiled hinges. The upkeep in this area is such stark contrast from what else they've seen of the warehouse that Spock can only wonder at the difference between this room and the hall outside. ]

Do as you like.

[ He steps through the door, leaving it open behind him. ]

You're annoying.

( he says that loud enough that he knows spock is going to hear before he rolls his eyes. after a moment of thought, he follows behind the other man. )

Don't say I never did anything for you.

[ Spock refrains from the temptation to roll his eyes, but he does let out a slow breath, reminding himself that it would not, in fact, be advantageous to kill the other vampire.

In truth, he is genuinely surprised as he hears "Roger's" footsteps follow him. He does not know why the man has chosen to do this, but there is no point telling him to leave again. They cannot risk drawing any attention to themselves. ]

Technically, you have yet to do anything for me.

[ Low, as Spock shifts his weight, slowing slightly to turn his footfalls silent. They are in what appears to be a processing room, surrounded by the low burbling of liquid — no doubt human blood — passing through a series of pipes and tanks. Several voices are audible to Spock's keen hearing, though they are several rooms away. ]

I opened the door.

( remember that, spock? he'd gotten you in this place. jim makes a face and breaks away, looking around at where they are. he doesn't like this at all. )

There are people here.

( maybe spock can hear that too but jim says it quietly anyway, just in case. )

An action I was also capable of performing.

[ He does remember it. That he was testing Kirk makes the act immaterial as evidence of whatever "Roger" is attempting to make.

But he nods in response to the man's observation. There are people — and worse, there are footsteps. The group is moving closer to them. And behind them, another group has started moving.

Spock looks around, but in this sterile room, there is nowhere to hide. ]

They will be upon us shortly. I will hold them off as long as I am able.

[ This time, his hands remain human. He pulls a long, gleaming sword from the sheath slung across his back. ]

I can handle myself.

( and he knows that spock can too. two people were better than one. jim rolls his eyes. )

Stop trying to play hero. I can help you take them out. I've got no ties to them.

[ Play hero. Spock mouths the words to himself, disbelieving. Quickly, he sheds the emotion and focuses his mind. Now is not the time to be marveling over "Roger's" eccentricities. ]

As I said: do as you like.

[ Silent steps take Spock to the doorway. He braces himself, sword held ready and poised to strike. Nearly a minute passes before the door is pulled open.

Immediately, Spock swings. A head rolls across the floor and the other vampires shriek before they charge into the room, too quickly for Spock to so neatly deal with the rest. ]

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