nine.✝

[marredgoldfinch]

[like most others, he was thinking about the impending black hole. he had never spent much time reading about space and all its wonders. he was well aware that all the planets revolved around the sun, and stars were burning balls of gas. but the power of black holes? he hadn't a clue. they sucked things in, devoured them and then... well, Asher

Comments

[canniballistic]

Ah, I suppose I often imagined mine would end suffocating beneath two hundred kilograms of Siberian tiger! Or perhaps drowning in one of the Marquis' many decorative fountains? I'm certain she leaves them running during the day just to taunt me.

[marredgoldfinch]

Those are quite extravagant ways to die.

I always imagined getting my heart ripped out... or set on fire.

[canniballistic]

Oh no, I'm flattered, but by our standards that's rather mundane, actually! Those are all things that could happen around the house, of course.

Eh - that's, uh. My, yours is oddly specific.

[marredgoldfinch]

You have a pet tiger back home?

They are specific because there are only three ways for me to die.

[canniballistic]

Not me! Goodness, no. Venus is Miss Asthe's favourite watchdog and I'm - Ah, I'm really just the royal flea catcher.

Is that so? And how did you become so fortunate? It seems like I'm always facing down a death in some new and awful way.

[marredgoldfinch]

An admirable job.

It is one of the perks of not being a human.

[canniballistic]

Aha... You must be kidding? I work all night and my payment is only the barest compensation!

Then, uh, I imagine it would be incredibly rude of me to inquire further?

[marredgoldfinch]

You only work at night? Interesting.

Hardly. I sleep all day and am up all night. Take a guess.

[canniballistic]

Well, it wouldn't do me any good to work when Miss Asthe is asleep!

Which is - ah. Apparently a disposition that the two of you share. [Putting two and two together gradually, Abel looks almost relieved. Even with their demise looming, something familiar is still a great thing.] Methuselah? Really?

[marredgoldfinch]

If Methuselah is the same as a vampire, then yes.

[canniballistic]

'Vampire' is such a strong word! I don't mean to insult anyone.

[marredgoldfinch]

[arches an eyebrow]

It is hardly insulting to call me by my breed.

[canniballistic]

Ah, well, the word does have rather negative connotations among most of the circles that I know. One can never be too careful in matters of pride!

[marredgoldfinch]

Your manners are impeccable, kind sir. But really, I don't mind.

[canniballistic]

I-I'm afraid I've been rather forward, actually, asking all these personal questions when I haven't even introduced myself!

My name is Abel Nightroad, subject to the Marquis of Kiev, should it mean anything to you. Although I imagine it shan't!

[marredgoldfinch]

I'm afraid it means nothing at all.

[gives a little bow]

I'm Asher.