Day 27: Lunch

[norainu]

Renji wasn't so certain what this grilled cheese thing was all about, but he liked the sound of some soup. Even if it was strange western soup, well... there wasn't anything bad people could do to soup, in his experience. His good mood was starting to fray at the edges, a little, from the strain of dealing with the Ichimaru issue, and even more from what had been on the bulletin board earlier.

He'd never had difficulty simply writing something before. But...

He shook his head as he entered the line. He didn't want to think about it. He wanted to hold on to the tenuous equilibrium he'd managed to find.

Renji got himself a large bowl of soup, water, and even one of those sandwiches, just to try it. Old habit, recently awakened, had him over to one side of the cafeteria, where the fewest people possible would have the chance to pass behind him. He sat there with his back toward the wall and started eating.

Comments

[rubbermancan.livejournal.com]

Luffy watched the man with a blank expression. Man, what a weirdo. Talk about a picky eater! The food here was actually really good! Luffy certainly had no reason to complain about it, much less let it go to waste. It was amazing this guy wasn't a walking skeleton if he hate so little! And to think Luffy had thought he was part giant for a second. Everyone knew giants ate lots and lots of food, otherwise how did they get so strong?

"What is it you like to eat, then?" Luffy asked curiously. "Maybe you could ask the Cat Ladies to fix you something you like!"

Then again, the thought of getting this guy's leftovers wasn't half bad either! "Wow, you really mean that?!" The pirate punched a fist into the air. "Awesome!"

[madvampireking.livejournal.com]

Yes, he had expected some sort of surprised gaping from the straw hat boy, humans couldn't last for long without food to eat. A vampire could last weeks without feeding, before being forced to hibernate. Alucard however, preferred to have a daily ration of blood purely because it was a luxury he was accustomed to.

"Mostly blood, or raw meat. I'll settle for rare steak though," he replied wistfully.

"Somehow, I don't think asking the cafeteria ladies for a bag of blood during mealtime is going to go over well."

[rubbermancan.livejournal.com]

Luffy's mouth practically watered at the idea of a good steak. They'd had some the other night for dinner, which had been a really nice treat. He just wished they got meat more often around here.

The choice of blood for a favorite meal was pretty weird, though. Still, Luffy wasn't repulsed or upset like some people might have been. Instead, he gazed at the tall man with a mixture of curiosity and surprise, and he folded his arms over his chest. "Blood, huh? What, are you a vampire or something?"

[madvampireking.livejournal.com]

They were only served meat rarely. Or on special occasions, but a good, prime cut of meat was hard to come by. Even if his body needed blood and only blood to keep going, the feel of sinking his teeth into a juicy, delicious steak was another luxury he treated himself to. Maybe they had bags of it in a cooler, like how he used to have back home. Maybe he could pass himself off as anemic, after all he did look pale enough to play the part.

Alucard grinned, stretching lazily before half-lying down on the table. "Why yes," he replied merrily, shark-like teeth and fangs fully exposed. Seeing as Straw Hat Boy had already guessed it correctly off the bat, he saw no purpose in trying to hide.

[rubbermancan.livejournal.com]

"Woahhh! No way!" Luffy slammed his hand down on the table, looking downright excited. "A real vampire? Where did you come from!?" Maybe there was an island of vampires somewhere out there! Man, wouldn't that be the coolest?

Luffy definitely to go out and see more places. All the more reason to get out of here.

"Just don't try and take any of my blood," Luffy stated, and he leaned back in his seat. "I don't really want to be anyone's dinner."

[madvampireking.livejournal.com]

Straw Hat Boy's reaction was...refreshing for the lack of words. He was so lively, compared to a good three quarters of the population. Fai was the only exception so far, or at least for those he had spoken to in person. "London, England," Alucard replied carelessly, assuming that the boy would know what he was talking about.

"And I won't. I fed just last night..." the vampire trailed off, watching as nurses descended on others to lead them away. Introductions had yet to be made. Alucard was certain the boy had a name.

"What's your name, by the way?"

[rubbermancan.livejournal.com]

"London, England," Luffy echoed, and he scratched his cheek for a second, clearly thinking. "Nope, don't think I've ever heard of it. Are there other vampires there, too?" Maybe he'd come across it during his journey once he got out of here. He'd have to find out if there was such a place en route to Raftel. Maybe Nami or Robin would know!

"Oh, well, I'm glad you're not hungry anymore, then," he said. He knew how miserable it felt to be starving for something good to eat. It seemed like he was always wanting food, which was probably why Luffy figured he'd make a pretty lousy vampire.

"Me?" Grinning, the pirate jerked a thumb into his chest. "I'm Luffy. Nice to meet you! And who're you?"

[madvampireking.livejournal.com]

Never heard of Great Britain? Strange. It was quite impossible for someone to be ignorant of the white man, but Alucard chalked it up to said ignorance nonetheless.

Either that or Straw Hat Boy came from a different 'world' altogether, and the vampire was more sure of the latter choice. "There are, and it's my job to dispose of the ones who decide to cause trouble," he replied, his tone gaining a wicked edge. Which, was promptly dropped as the boy -Luffy- decided to introduce himself first.

"My name is Alucard," he spoke languidly, even as he did a quick glance-over of the room to see if any nurses were approaching their table.