For lastvoyages: Journal Entry 36 [video+spam]

[feels_no_love]

[The scene is the inside of a rather fanciful Mexican dive bar. Dracula, hair down and askew and a sloppy smile on his face, occasionally swings into view as the camera wobbles around. He has a big bone vuvuzela propped on one shoulder and a very squawky bone parrot on the other.]

Drake! I found you a pet! Isn't he charming?

"AWRK! Bite me."

[He

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[Spam]

[takencareofyou]

[It's not Hoffman that shows up. Instead there's a big man with two women on his arm and another male-arguing.]

Take her and go find me the things that I wanted. No don't ask any questions. Just go and take the girls with you.

[Both women began to pout, clinging to the larger man as the younger stalked off-furious. Turning to the bar, the big man shouted something in Spanish at the bar then turned-and caught Dracula's eye. It's Hoffman-A younger big-bellied Hoffman with two women clinging to him and dressed elegantly.

Vegas's eyebrows went up.]

Dracula?

[He moved closer, arms around both women.] ...It is you! Dracula!

[Spam]

[feels_no_love]

Dracula blinked blearily as a familiar...ish...figure came walking in. He knew that face and that profile, but not from Hoffman. Too young and smooth faced. He'd changed his hair, though.

"Vegas?" A smile climbed onto his face and he leaned forward eagerly. "Well, look at you!"

[Spam]

[takencareofyou]

Thank goodness he'd talked to Stildyne. Vegas moved forward to wrap Dracula in a bear hug-practically squeezing the man. Moving back, he smiled.

"Esperanza, Roxy, kiss the man. This is my friend Dracula. Yes the man." The shy brunette moved forward and the blonde followed-each planting a quick kiss on the vampire's cheek.

Vegas resembled something looking more akin to a robber baron then a criminal, clearly having led a rich life. Rich clothing despite the cold palor to his skin and a rich look despite the darkness around his eyes.

"Drinking? I thought you couldn't manage to drink. Does it matter? Let's drink." He motioned for him, "Let's go. Come on. I own this bar."

[Spam]

[feels_no_love]

"Ha! Ha ha!" He chuckled and pounded his friend on the back--a bit weakly and with a touch of unbalanced flailing to it. When let go, he petted the girls on the arms in passing and chuckled at the kisses.

"I can drink here! If I have to pass the time til we get back aboard I'll be damned if I'm staying sober any more than I have to. \"

Blink. Blink. Wide sloppy grin. "You do? That's wonderful! Well, you've done very well for yourself. I always say...if one has to be dead, one may as well have fun!"

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[takencareofyou]

Vegas steadied him, "I heard that the barge was here and while not a lot is clear man, there's no way I'd forget your face."

He beams, "How long are you here for? Or do you know?"

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[feels_no_love]

"Less than a day. I am glad the memory is somewhat dim for you because with the exception of sometimes it is not an easy place to take. But I am glad as well that I am not forgotten. And that you have found some corner of the afterlife in which to taste the good life."

He tilted his head in a slightly subdued gesture and glanced down. "Oh...it depends on if we can find everything we need to repair the Barge. I managed to find my piece by spending some time with the local sports fans. But everyone has something.

"There was a bomb. Rex Lewis set it off. I don't know if you remember him but...he's really done it this time. Why is it always the overeducated ones that find special ways in which to be stupid? Frankenstein--the one from my world--was the same way."

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[takencareofyou]

"The guy I talked to mentioned you guys were looking for some pretty whacked out bullshit. Whatever you're looking for-you can't find it you come to me."

No response on the Rex comment, "Is he somewhere? could always leave him here and we'll make sure he gets sprouted."

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[feels_no_love]

"I did find my own piece of the puzzle." He waved the vuvuzela. "I love football fans! They're not as fun as back when we were kicking severed heads around, but they're close!"

His lips twisted as they discussed Rex. "No, the Barge magic will rescue him like everyone else. Which is ridiculous. He effectively murdered us all; this is not a situation that can be remedied by a week in zero and an apology.