Rehearsal 5 (6/09): [Voice, from Astralfield]

[forgotten_vows]

[There's a hiss of static, and then Victor's voice comes on mid-sigh -- clearly he's turned his communicator on by accident.]

I've really got to get out of this habit of having depressing birthdays. . .especially when there's no Alice around to cheer me up. Of course, I don't even know if it's really -- wait, why is the light --

[There's a distinct pause, and then Victor speaks again, now sounding a little embarrassed.]

Ah, e-excuse that everyone, I just --

Well, I may as well own up to it. It's apparently my birthday today. I don't know if I'm actually a year older, given that I seem to have skipped over a few months when I arrived here from home, but. . .for simplicity's sake we'll say it's my birthday. And yes, I am feeling slightly blue. Missing home. I'm -- I'm sure you all understand.

[Another, slightly-anxious pause.]

I do hope I haven't upset anyone. I --

I just miss her. A lot.

Comments

[video]

[esper_child]

Happy Birthday, Victor!

...I wish it was under better circumstances.

[Video]

[forgotten_vows]

Oh, thank you! . . .So do I. Still, so long as I don't have any horrible nightmares tonight. . .

Re: [Video]

[esper_child]

I hope so too.

I have a present for you, actually.

[Video]

[forgotten_vows]

You do? That's -- that's very kind of you.

[Certainly makes him feel a bit better.]

Re: [Video]

[esper_child]

I do! If you're going to be around, I could bring it to you.

[Video]

[forgotten_vows]

Oh yes, I don't plan on going anywhere just yet.

[And even if he was, he'd probably delay long enough to see what she had.]

Re: [Video]

[esper_child]

Great. I'll see you in a little bit.

[A short time later, Terra is knocking at his door.]

[Video --> Action]

[forgotten_vows]

I'll be expecting you.

[And sure enough, right after she knocks, the door opens to reveal a curious-looking Victor.]

Hello again.

Re: [Video --> Action]

[esper_child]

Hello, Victor.

[She offers him a small, wrapped package, box-shaped.]

This is for you.

[Action]

[forgotten_vows]

[Victor accepts the package.]

Thank you very much. Won't you come in?

[He clears the doorway for her to enter his room. It's looking a lot better than the last time she saw it -- no padded walls or anything like that. Actually, he's hung up some of the pictures he's drawn, so it's got more of a homey feel to it now.]

Re: [Action]

[esper_child]

Thanks. I like what you've done with the place.

[When Victor does open the package, he'll find a small music box, which plays a slightly tinny piano piece.]

I hope you like it. I've never really shopped for anyone before. But it reminded me of you.

[Action]

[forgotten_vows]

Oh -- thank you. It's not much, really -- most of the room's just like how it was when I first arrived -- but the drawings really make it feel like my own.

[The sight of the box makes him smile, even if the song it plays is -- he'd swear it's a match for something he came up with on his own. . .maybe it's something to do with the change in worlds. Either way, it gives him a nice warm feeling deep inside.]

I do indeed -- it's lovely. I -- I have a very nice memory connected to music boxes.

Re: [Action]

[esper_child]

[Terra smiles. At one time, the action would have been quite rare for her, but since coming here, even in such a cage, she's found more reasons to.]

I'm glad.

[She looked over the pictures further.] An artist and a musician? You really are quite talented.

[Video]

[primumsanguis]

No one should be blue on his birthday.

Come over to my establishment in Crystalden anytime you like, and I will allow you to drink and eat anything you like for one whole day.

[Video]

[forgotten_vows]

[Victor's a little startled by the offer, but intrigued. He doesn't know how to cook (nor does he really have the tools to do so), so most of the time he's living off prepackaged food. The sound of a real meal out is tempting.]

That's very kind of you. . . I think I saw your advertisement for the establishment in question. The Blood Legacy, correct?

[Video]

[primumsanguis]

[Kaname does things for his own benefit. He always does. But it's never evident. The whole world was nothing but a big chess set in Kaname's eyes.]

That is correct. Though it won't be as lively, it'll be a nice place for you to spend your day.

[Video]

[forgotten_vows]

[Victor's used to people doing things for their own benefit -- he just can't see Kaname's angle here. Unless this act of goodwill is intended as promotion. Even so, it is still free food.]

To be honest, it not being as lively at the moment is better for me. I've never done well with crowds.

[He can manage so long as he's not the center of attention, but he's happiest when the people are thin on the ground.]

[Video]

[primumsanguis]

[Sometimes there's really nothing of interest, but Kaname can see the potential in everyone. It may not be today, or in the immediate horizon, but Kaname finds a way to use someone to his benefit, even if it's more than a decade or century from now.]

You're more than welcome to visit my establishment then. I'll make sure to give you necessary privacy.

[Video]

[forgotten_vows]

[Well, Victor will feel like he at least owes the man a favor. Kaname will be able to cash in on that if nothing else. Victor smiles at him.]

That's quite nice of you, really. I think a lunchtime visit wouldn't be amiss.

[Video]

[primumsanguis]

[He will certainly cash in when the opportunity arises.]

I do what I can.

Lunchtime sounds good. There are barely any customers that time, and I will make sure to stay up to give you a proper welcome.

[Video]

[forgotten_vows]

[Oh -- Victor hadn't even thought about the fact that this fellow, running a vampire-themed night club and all, probably got most of his sleep in the day.]

It's very good of you, though I hope I won't be unduly depriving you of your rest. My father's in business too, so I know something about how time-consuming running one can be.

[Video]

[primumsanguis]

[He just smiled. He is a vampire after all, and kept odd hours. Though he can easily manage keeping himself up at daytime since he's powerful enough.]

It's fine. I've delegated most of the managerial duties to my little sister. I've hired 2 capable bouncers, a lovely service attendant, a bartender an accountant and a scientist. All I do is monitor everything.

[Video]

[forgotten_vows]

Oh, I see.

[Not really on par with all the employees that his father had to manage, but then again, this guy's running a club, not a cannery. And Kaname certainly seems like he's doing well enough.]

Well, then, I suppose I'll see you around noon.

[Video]

[primumsanguis]

[His father may have a factory of his own, but the whole vampire society and hunter association were both managed skillfully by this pureblood king.]

I'll await your arrival.

[Video --> Action]

[forgotten_vows]

[Fair enough, but Victor doesn't know that. He is rather impressed with Kaname's skill in setting up such a successful business so soon, though.]

All right -- until then.

[And sure enough, at noon Victor appears at the club, having made his way over through Astralfield. Crystalden's silver and shine still intimidates him a little, but he has the power of being an invited guest on his side this time to steady his nerves. He walks in, taking a good look around.]

Ah -- hello?