Didn't we just do this last week?

[perpend]

[It's starting to look like this is going to be a weekly occurrence.

Just like last week, Cabanela waits a while before he makes his rounds, writing everyone quick notes and sliding them under each occupied door.]

Stay strong.
If you don't want to be alone tonight, meet in the dining hall.
-Cabanela

[Like last week, Cabanela hasn't bothered to provide anyone with food-- that would just be... rude right now, he thinks. Upon first entering, you'll notice that there are now four lit candles in the center of one of the tables.

Feel free to leave mementos for the dead; it's probably appreciated.]

Comments

[forcegalactic]

[Oh, stop being a killjoy, Dio.]

Well, your loss. Thought it's be nice addin' some sorta flavor into the one thing you can actually eat. Never met a vampire before, thought they only existed in stories, but here you are. Explains a lot, don't it? Bein' tired at noon, not eatin', actin' all gloomy, fittin' for a vampire persona...

But I digress! [Punctuated with a finger pointed at the ceiling.] Are you able to eat blood with some flavorin' or does it have to be the all-natural plain kind?

[midnightsea]

Frankly, I'd thought it was plainly obvious from day one. The fact that half of you clearly had no idea is something I find entirely baffling, but it hardly matters now.

['gloomy' excuse you he is dramatic and brooding ok]

...As for your question, I can't remember if I've ever tried. I attempted drinking tea the first week we were here, but it didn't taste like anything at all--I don't expect anything else will be any different.

[forcegalactic]

Only obvious to those that thought vampires are real. Come one, what's more likely: somethin' that don't exist in your universe, or some guy that wants everybody to think he's cool?

[The latter is very common.]

Right, then. Straight up blood it is. [There goes his idea, but one glace at his glass has him curious.] So how does it work? You drink it through your fangs like a straw, or do you gotta put it all in a cup first?

[midnightsea]

. . .

[Dio didn't answer at first, looking at Mordecai like he'd just seen someone utterly losing their mind.]

There are a few different methods. I can drink it out of a glass just as easily as anything else.

[Another pause.]

...Why does it matter to you? The actual sane individuals of our number seem quite content to stay far away from me, and with good reason.

[forcegalactic]

[...You know, when he thinks about it, the likely reaction to discovering a vampire is to run and scream in terror, but that's Felton's thing. But Dio is not threatening at all, despite his appearance.]

Well, you're not causin' any trouble for the rest of of, so why should I worry? You got food right here, packaged nicely for you, and you're not gunnin' to kill us all for our blood. As long as you're behavin', I don't see no reason to not be hospitable.

[midnightsea]

How can you possibly know for certain that I'm not actively planning to kill one of you if the need for such a situation should arise?

[SERIOUSLY EVEN DIO IS QUESTIONING THE WISDOM OF TRUSTING DIO IN ANY CAPACITY]

Even I don't know for certain if this infirmary is restocked at all. Considering that it's the Conductor we're dealing with, he may opt not to just to see what I'll do in response. So why waste any friendly gesture on someone that effectively sees most of you as a backup set of rations?

[forcegalactic]

I ain't. I just have a likin' to you, Dio. You're an interestin' feller.

[And amusing in a "haha look at this disaster" sort of way.]

The Conductor's gonna do whatever he wants, I know. That's why I've been savin' up on items in case he doesn't restock. And how much blood do you hafta drink anyway? I'm being' mighty hopeful, but if we make sure to eat plenty, we can donate a little bit o' blood in case we run out.

[Not that Mordecai is willing to do that, but we have two nurses on hand. They can figure out the logistics.]

Why, you want us to hate you?

[midnightsea]

It makes no difference if you people hate me or not. You think I care for the opinions of mere mortals?

[he absolutely does]

And I don't need your charity. If the Conductor wants to test me by failing to restock this place, I'll sooner rip his head off than accept such an offer from any of you.

[forcegalactic]

[...What's his deal?]

Alright, alright, I won't get all pushy with you. But keep in mind that you should spend time with other folks sometimes. You got me?

[He won't leave until Dio agrees.]

[midnightsea]

[oh lord here we go]

And why should I do that?

[forcegalactic]

'Cause you don't wanna end up with no friends and bein' too emotionally unavailable for a successful relationship. Even if you're a vampire, that ain't any excuse for thinkin' you don't need help.

[Anyone that serious has to be making up for a severe flaw. Sparks Nevada's stoicism betrays how much he sucks with people, Croach's uptightness reflects how little he understands of other's feelings, Red's dedication to her work offsets her temper. Dio is just the same. Mordecai's role is to provide advice to people like that.]

[midnightsea]

I don't need friends.

[Says the guy who will literally be writing a letter to his friend by this time tomorrow.]

I don't need anyone.

[forcegalactic]

[Mordecai covers his mouth with the back of his hand to cover up his smile. He sounds so much like the lovechild of everyone's lone warrior personas, it'f almost funny.]

Whatever you say, Dio.

[He turns to let him be. There'll be plenty of opportunities to bother him later.]

[midnightsea]

[you have no idea, man.]