For lastvoyages: [spam for deck]

[feels_no_love]

[A tall black shape stands at the very bow of the ship, staring out into the distance. Every once in a while his eyes glitter like an extra pair of stars, though his face is almost expressionless. A pallid mask. One hand is still slightly withered, and he covers it with the other as he holds himself arrow-straight against the railing.]

The humans

Comments

[Post Infirmary.]

[expectremorse]

[Hoffman is dizzy. Woozy's a better word to describe it. He was looking for Stildyne-looking for someone to drag him back to his cabin, but the thing standing on the deck gives him pause.

He takes a step back, wary-bone tired-before calling out.]

who's there?

[spam]

[feels_no_love]

[Dracula's nostrils twitch, and he looks over his shoulder, offering a tight smile.] No one who means you harm.

Re: [spam]

[expectremorse]

[Hoffman smiles] Dracula.

...What are you doing out here?

[spam]

[feels_no_love]

Thinking too much. [A tiny twitch of a smile. It does not touch his eyes.]

Armand has returned. [He doesn't sound entirely happy about this.]

Re: [spam]

[expectremorse]

...That's good though. [Hoffman hobbles a bit closer, unable to shake that slightly...wary edge]

[spam]

[feels_no_love]

[Dracula snorts slightly in response, his discontent obvious.] Perhaps.

[spam]

[expectremorse]

[Hoffman is dizzy and not feeling good but...]

...What's wrong?

[spam]

[feels_no_love]

Something Armand said did not sit particularly well with me. But mostly I think I am...

...is there an English term for when one has dealt with too many problems at once and ends up with a mix of bitter frustration and exhausted apathy?

Re: [spam]

[expectremorse]

At the end of your rope?

[Hoffman moves toward him and puts a hand on the rail]

[spam]

[feels_no_love]

Indeed.

He said...after being away for a month...that he...wondered if we were a good pairing because he has trouble understanding me.

Re: [spam]

[expectremorse]

[Everyone he cared about was losing wardens.

His own case nonwithstanding. all of these people who were supposed to be safe, supposed to save people.

Hoffman looked away.]

...Is he asking to let you go?

[spam]

[feels_no_love]

I do not know what he thought he was doing by telling me that. [his eyes flickered.]

If he wants to go, I...have mixed feelings about it.

Re: [spam]

[expectremorse]

[Hoffman frowned at that] that's understandable. I don't think anyone would willingly leave you. If he does then he wasn't a good fucking warden to begin with.

[spam]

[feels_no_love]

True enough. [He fell silent, staring out over the edge of the abyss.]

It was merely...something of a shock to hear.

Re: [spam]

[expectremorse]

[Hoffman holds out a hand] ...Fuck him.

[beat] Fuck him. If he doesn't think he can handle it. [First Sarah, then Lupin, but to hear it? Openly?]

I'll punch him in the face for you man, if you just come down and talk to me about it. I know you can fly, but I'd really like to be able to look at you man.

[spam]

[feels_no_love]

Don't punch him in the face. [He floats down]. He's not like you or I. He'd take it harder than a knife in the heart. [After a moment's hesitation he sets down about an arm's length off.]

I did not mean to be rude. It merely settles my nerves.