For lastvoyages: SPAM and Journal Entry 11: [written]

[feels_no_love]

 [Spam for 8th Floor]
Anyone passing by Dracula's door will see the heavy, banded wood shake now and again, and hear faint roaring and crashing inside. This goes on for a considerable period--up to an hour if he is not interrupted.

Then...

[Private]
She has abandoned me. She reviles me with her words, calls what we had a prison.

Very well. It seems that

Comments

[Spam]

[takencareofyou]

[Vegas likes to roam the boat. He's got the layout memorized by now and knows a couple of good hiding places but the sound of roaring on the other side of the door makes him jump.]

[He's never shied away from anything like that however-some of the other inmates were pretty fucking scary and he could have stood to be a little more cautious.]

[All the same...He's a human, smells like a human-and he's watching the door with interest.]

[Spam]

[feels_no_love]

[After a little while the snarling and crashing finally settles down. There is quiet. Then slowly, the door starts to unlatch, and creaks open.]

[Dracula is a mess. He's in his shirtsleeves, hair askew, ponytail holder gone, earrings missing (and earlobes healing), eyes sunken and feverish with near blind anger.]

[The room beyond him is trashed, furniture overturned, curtain torn down, one chair in literal pieces. Weirdly enough, in the middle of the carnage his communicator, notebooks and a potted plant full of PINK flowers remain untouched on the window seat.]

[He blinks at Vegas in surprise, and then shakes his head, pushing himself out into the hallway and shoving the door closed.]

Excuse me for the noise.

Re: [Spam]

[takencareofyou]

[He blinks. U mad bro?]

Didn't bother me. I was walking and thought there was a good fight going on. Figured I might join in.

[He grins like a kid at that before noting how distraught the vampire looks] You okay there fella?

[Spam]

[feels_no_love]

[Dracula pushes his hair out of his eyes and looks at the human whose company he has actually enjoyed a few times. Shrugs. There is only one explanation to this that any male can likely understand, and that is, at least in part, the truth.]

Wife left me.

I need a drink. Do you need a drink? I need a drink.

[He keeps his distance, and his eyes off Vegas's neck, but his hands keep clenching and unclenching.]

[Spam]

[takencareofyou]

[Vegas knows about wives leaving you. His expression goes soft and understanding. Women.]

Least she left you. My girlfri- [his relationship with Evie was much more complex then that] The girl I was with shot me.

I could definately, go for a drink.

[Vegas has instincts. He takes note of the man's hands, but he's blinded by sympathy. For the moment.]

[Spam]

[feels_no_love]

She is a faithless whore who has given her loyalty to this prison and these Wardens instead of me. She is dead to me.

Your woman shot you? Hmp.

It makes me wonder if Brides are worth it after all. A casual lover, one can walk away from.

[He walked quickly to the elevator and actually turned his back to Vegas as they entered it. The sound of the man's heartbeat made him shudder.]

We should just...get to the kitchens. Do not come too near me until I have drunk.

Re: [Spam]

[takencareofyou]

[It hits him a second too late and he nods. Stepping back, he leans his hands against the wall-about as far away as he can get]

Sounds like Evie.

[Spam]

[feels_no_love]

Nothing that one gives a woman is ever enough for them. They always want the impossible.

[That is the last thing he says for a good while as the elevator descends. What he wants, right now, is a good, cleansing rage, the ability to tear apart everyone who has hurt or annoyed him or even gotten too close into his space. What's the point of holding back? Aleera has abandoned him, has gone to side with people like Buffy and Spike. Gone over to the enemy. Betrayed him. So why listen to her admonishments anymore?]

Ssssssss. The Barge is fortunate that I have a few friends here.

Re: [Spam]

[takencareofyou]

Fuck the bitch. [Vegas is blunt] She doesn't deserve a stand up guy like you.

If we inmates don't look out for each other who the hell's gonna look out for us?

[Spam]

[feels_no_love]

Your sympathy is appreciated. [Though his voice is flat and hollow.]

Yes, you have a point. There must be some solidarity of some sort, or we are at the Wardens' mercy. Alliances, once formed... [A faint smile] ...must be cultivated.

[Which is why he is resisting the urge to chew on some Vegas right now; he's short on allies.]

[Finally they reach the right floor. Dracula stalks out of the elevator in something of a hurry, heading for the kitchens.]

[Spam]

[takencareofyou]

I've been in prison before man. You want somebody to watch your back...

[He leans in close-but not too close] 'm your guy. These people don't know half of the shit that I can do. Being born where I was born gives you certain advantages.

[Vegas follows] ...You wanna be alone bro?

[Spam]

[feels_no_love]

Thank you. Perhaps we can begin exchanging useful information and similar. And it is good that you keep your cards close to your chest.

No, I merely...need to calm myself.

[He stepped through into the kitchen and grabbed his usual drink, which he downed greedily--and then grabbed another.]

[Spam]

[takencareofyou]

[Hoffman hesitates before hunting around for a sandwich. He comes up with one rather quickly]

Well. You seem like a pretty handy guy to have around yourself. [he might sound lofty, slightly superior] Both have something in common with shitty women right?

[Poor Vegas. he is so naive.]

Seem awfully thirsty there.

[Spam]

[feels_no_love]

I am indeed a "handy" guy, especially when it comes to violence and protection.

I suppose we do at that, my friend.

I am...

...it doesn't just satisfy my hunger, it settles my nerves. Like a shot of brandy.

Re: [Spam]

[takencareofyou]

[He takes a bite of the sandwich]

Never had brandy. Only whiskey. Nothing like a good whiskey but you can't have that huh?

[Spam]

[feels_no_love]

No. No, I cannot. [He goes to wash out his glass.]

The great irony was that I waited a whole month for her disclosure, because I knew in the pit of my belly that there had been an irrevocable change. Finally I had to basically yell at her to pull the trigger on me and get it over with.

She says the situation was complicated and that it will take time to explain, but I think she was very clear once she got started.

I wish that she had stayed dead with the others.