damned_institute | Day 23: Lunch

The second the intercom sounded, while the man on the intercom was still talking, Ashton pulled himself off the couch in the Music Room and slowly made his way to the door. He walked, glided even, as if he were a ghost in a dream. The nurses had already filed up to escort the patients to the lunchroom, and one bustled over to walk Ashton those few feet from one room to another.

"You're not looking very well, Mr. Pritchett," she said cheerfully. "Didn't you enjoy your shower?"

Ashton replied with a small, forced smile, then shook his head. He didn't feel like talking now. Though the nurses were pushy and downright annoying, he figured he owed this one at least a little explanation. They didn't know - or didn't believe - what went on after dark, but he owed them the benefit of the doubt. "Bad day," he decided on telling her.

Bad day indeed. The showers and the music had done nothing for his nerves. But then again, what could get that graphic image out of his head?

He glided ghostily through the taco line and settled on two chicken and bean tacos, with chips, a scoop of guacamole, two churros on the side, and a glass of apple juice. He wasn't used to this sort of food (save the juice) and he wasn't even sure he'd eat it, but the chances were high that he'd be able to pass it off on someone.

He was on the verge of tears again, too. What he would have given to just sit down next to a barrel and eat a hamburger.

Thank goodness the cafeteria was bare just now, too. It left all the corner tables open, the tables that shouted 'Don't talk to me, I'm brooding over here.' He sat at one, pushed his food a little away from him, and buried his head in his arms.

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"What's wrong with you?" Aidou demanded automatically, leaning across the tabletop to stare Jack in the eye until they were practically nose to nose. "I wasn't kidding when I said I was a vampire! I have fangs. Sharp ones. You know, for piercing flesh."

There were only so many ways of looking at it: previously bitten by a vampire, an enthusiast who thought it funny to tempt vampires, or just plain, uncomplicated lunacy. He had wondered what exactly Alucard had done to feed off not one, but two people without creating a widespread panic.

Simply asking for blood was not supposed to work. It just wasn't.

"Sounds like a regular Friday night date," Jack said, unimpressed. "Though I suppose it depends. Are you the sort of species where a bite puts someone in complete agony, or kills them in some form? Or are you one where your victim ends up coming in his pants because he's having so much fun? That tends to make some difference, too."

Aidou, brows still knit in scepticism, answered, "No. No pain, no killing, no turning. I wouldn't take enough for there to be physical signs." But at the last bit, he reared back, caught in a half-scowl. "It would depend on how much you liked the feeling of having your blood sucked." Pushing back from his chair, he stood up.

But what did he care about Jack's tasteless comments! Someone who already knew about vampires was offering to feed him! And he'd done nothing to get himself in trouble with the Night Class but accept the opportunity when it came his way! Without blood tablets he couldn't be blamed! And he felt it was a few steps up from Alucard, in that technically he hadn't sunk so low as to bring it up first.

The morning's fatigue seemingly evaporated, Aidou crossed around the table, all megawatt smiles and sunshine, taking the seat next to Jack and forcibly linking arms with him. How could he not be fond of the people who he drank blood from? (Yuki-chan didn't count.) "I'll even let you off the hook for starting at me in the shower~!"

"Well," Jack said, "I've never been exsanguinated by someone else. I've had the life sucked out of me by an extra-dimensional demon larger than a skyscraper, though, and I can't say it was exactly pleasant."

He smiled at Aidou, rather bemused. "I don't think I really need to be let off the hook for that. So, did we cover the what's in it for me part yet?"

Aidou stuck his nose up. "Only stupid, reckless types feed to such an extent. I'm hardly weak-willed enough to fall to such a level. Besides, being fed off by me only ensures that salivating glutton won't come begging at your heels for hand-outs."

He could safely say he was the better vampire to be acquainted with in terms of prey and predator. After so long, his body was attuned to blood tablets, and he was used to taking them (not that it could match the real thing). But demons now? What an exciting life this one led.

Aidou smiled sweetly back. "Yes, you do. And yes, we did. I don't get really angry over you trying to dodge a previous insinuation." He turned his gaze away for a minute, smirking absently. When he looked back he said, "Don't you find healing from wounds so long and tedious? Mmm. Next time you have a painful injury, maybe I'll do something about it. In return."

Now that was more like it. Jack wasn't really concerned by either Alucard or Aidou's anger. Jack knew how to survive in whatever way he needed to.

"If you might help me, I might give you blood," Jack said. He smiled back, just as sweetly. "If you give your word to help me, I'll give my word to give you blood. It's an even exchange."

Immortal Jack might be, but he still healed normally from non-deadly wounds. That would be quite useful.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Aidou returned. "But keep in mind, this place is a suppressant, and I won't have energy to spare if I'm hungry, either. On a purely practical basis, no food, no miracles."

When he looked Jack in the eye, he was deadly serious. "I can't speak for you, but once I give my word, I don't take it back. I'll use my abilities for your sake should you give me blood. Decide now. Deal or not?"

"I'm a liar of the finest caliber," Jack said, grinning. "But I don't break my word. It's a deal."

"Good." Not entirely, but whatever. Aidou would never be happy cutting deals; it felt wrong. "But you'd best not spread the word, or you'll be the next one to go missing."

Not that expected this one to listen to him anymore than he had the entire conversation, but it went without saying.

He slipped off the chair, fluid as silk. "Have a nice afternoon," he sing-songed. He didn't want to talk with Jack anymore with his lunch now finished. Aidou made a beeline for his nurse. The sight of Alucard napping out of the corner of his eye ignited a whole new burst of fury in his chest, which he had to quickly clamp off. Shift was almost finished. He could at least chat with the staff - they were on his hit list too.

Day 23: Lunch

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