starsand | 🩰 001

🩰 001

arrival

Oh, that's awfully kind of you, but I'm rather tough. I wouldn't say I need protection.

( If you happen to be roaming the city at night, you may happen upon a very pink haired young woman, donned in a delicate, lacy getup of ribbons and bows. It's unclear who she may be speaking to, and for those lacking any sort of spiritual awareness, she may very well be talking to herself. She seems quite engaged in the conversation, however! Going as far to bow to them periodically, grateful of their warnings. )

Well, I suppose there is one thing. The sun or fire would certainly burn me to a crisp. Ah-- not to worry, though. I've become very careful about avoiding the daylight, but if you're offering me your protection, I suppose it would be nice to see the sunset again, or take care of a garden.

( Odette seems delighted by this development, apparently. )

Oh, you want me to go to a shrine? Very well, lead the way!

( As disconcerting as it was to be ripped away from her coterie or the world she knew, the spirits here certainly were friendly enough! Or at least, enough to keep a smile on her face. There's a delicate spin to her step, turning from one foot to the other, walking as though she knows the town by heart-- or at least, being led by someone who does. )

starnet; text: un - odiepire

Hello, hello! My name is Odette, and I suppose you could say I'm new here.

( You can practically feel her beaming through the text. )

I actually have a somewhat awkward request. Not to worry about me, though. The spirits helped me settle in.

( ???? )

You see, I'm a creature called a 'vampire,' or in my own world, we call one another 'kindred.' Technically, we're all asked to abide by the rules of the 'masquerade,' and not tip our hands to humans. I'm assuming that's not really a thing here, though. But I digress

( Leave it to Odette to ramble through half a network post. )

Anyway, we vampires sustain ourselves on human blood, and I could use some help with that, lest I fall into torpor.

( ???????? )

I should forewarn anyone who agrees to helping me that the process can be quite draining for our partners, so I hope to adequately compensate anyone who does. Feel free to message me and we can hash out the finer details! Thanks!

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I can help with that.

I'm able to regenerate my blood, so bein' drained's no big deal. Although if ya got somethin' to compensate, I won't say no!

( Though it's not something that can be seen through text, Odette's eyes certainly are glittering. She had always been one to worry about every mortal she's fed on, despite her need to keep such things hush hush. But for the first time in her unlife, it seems as though she may have found someone she couldn't harm. )

OH. MY. GOD. That's super cool!! Generally, it makes my partners kind of sleepy? But if you can regenerate your blood easily, then it shouldn't be much of a problem, I would think. 🤔

As for compensation, I guess I usually take my partners out for friend dates! Make sure they eat and keep their blood sugar high. But we could arrange something else, if you like! I'm quite adept at sewing and crafts.

Yeah, fer this kinda thing it's fine.

[ As long as her real body isn't injured, she can restore herself as many times as she'd like. ]

Oh! But sewin'...? Does that include cute plushies?

I can do plushies!

( Somehow, she seems delighted by this. )

Honestly, I ought to consider putting some samples of my work together. I have some on my phone from home, but idk if you can transfer from device to device.

( RIP Odie's Insta account. )

Edited 2023-05-24 14:10 (UTC)

Ooh, that's perfect, then! Jus' lemme know when ya wanna meet.

I'm already covered for tonight.

( Thanks, Yuuto. )

But we could still meet up, if you like! I need to pick out some things for my apartment, and we could shop for materials for plushies together!

Sure!

I can help ya find the best places, too~!

Oh that'd be excellent! I'm holed up at Heart's Cafe at the moment. Do you think you could meet me there?

That works; I'll meetcha there!

[more vampires. why more vampires. Still, no point in being rude.]

I know meat here comes from spirits making it, not animals... Could spirits make blood for you the same way?

Oh, they do? That's quite helpful to know! I've never enjoyed putting my partners in harm's way when I'm hungry, so I'll be sure to ask them!

Yeah! I don't know how it works, or how vampires work, but I'm glad if I could help! ／(=✪ x ✪=)＼ You should probably give them Starling in return, though!

Starling? That's the currency of this world, right?

( And what a cute name, at that! )

Guess I ought to consider how to make money in this world, huh?

( As for the other part... )

I guess I'd describe it as like: I can bite into someone's skin-- like their neck or wrist, and make a small puncture so I can take a drink. When I'm done, I can lick the wound to close it up. Generally I try not to take more than I actually need. But there are some vampires that are a little more feral, shall we say? Like the Sabbat. I don't think many of them have qualms with hurting others when they feed at all!

( The tradcath vampire cultists bad, Tap. Stay away from the tradcath vampire cultists. )

That's right! As for money, as long as you feel faith and gratitude to the spirits who help you, that should do it! Sabbat... That sounds like a weird knockoff fighting game character / (ㅇㅅㅇ❀)＼ If you can heal them, that's good... But it might be best to ask the spirits first anyway Oh! Not that I think vampires are bad or anything! But right now, things are a little bad... / ( ´•̥×•̥` )＼ Right now, some people have spread some mean rumors, and now everyone is suspicious and nervous around us... So I'm worried if people find out about you sucking blood they might be more scared of you than they should be.

Honestly, I'd say the Sabbat is more like. A tradcath vampire doomsday cult?? Something about worshiping the Abrahamic Cain as their "Dark Father," and preparing to fight the antediluvians who they believe will bring about the "Final Nights".

Not sure I really buy into it, tho. Apparently they've been predicting the end days for at least several centuries? You'd think if that were the case, we'd all be dead by now. Just sounds like an excuse to do as they please without considering anyone else they're forced to share the earth with, including other vampires.

Come to think of it, I have seen some buzz on Starnet about the rumours. I cannot really say I understand any of it, tho.

( She doesn't know any of these people, Tap!! )

But I suppose I assumed I should be upfront about my nature, so it doesn't come up as a surprise down the line, y'know? That way, both parties could approach any sort of feeding safely and consensually. When vampire society is predicated on the idea of not getting caught, it causes problems than it really ought to. It's too big systematically for me to really change in my own world. I just don't want it to be so bad, here.

[Tap just kind of stares at that first part.

She can feel it sliding off her brain.]

That makes sense! And don't worry, I'm sure once we clear up the Rumor, everything will be fine! ／(=⌒x⌒=)＼ I'm just really worried right now... I don't know what to do about weird things like this. I'm not good with that sort of weird rumor stuff, or people doubting each other...

Odette-san? Your name is very pretty.

Oh BUT! Are you okay? Do you need blood now? I don’t understand a lot of what you said, but if you’re in danger of being unwell

Then hello! My name is Yumeno Yuuto and you can have as much blood from me as you need!

You think so? It's from a ballet. Are you familiar?

That's awfully kind of you, though! Are you sure? I try not to take too much from my partners. Only what I need to survive, really! Oh, and I'd suggest eating something before and after! Also some iron tablets. I wouldn't want to see you faint because of me.

( Sorry, Yuuto. She's frenzied on a human once before and she's NEVER forgiven herself. )

Yes! Swan Lake, right?

And I don't mind at all! Ah but

my blood

My blood might be strange. We can talk about it in person? I think I have healthy blood, but it might taste strange? I've been told that it's spicy.

Yes! That's the one! Mum was a ballerina, and she wanted me to follow in her footsteps.

( Odette has some choice words about her mum, but that's neither here nor there. )

Oh, sure! I'm unfamiliar with most places here, but I'm sure the spirits could guide me!

( She likes the spirits. )

That actually doesn't sound too out of the ordinary, though? I've drank from a werewolf before! It made me kind of... wired? I would say???

I can meet you too. Just tell me where you are. I’m really fast.

And

If you’re sure.

I can come give you some blood.

I'm sitting at a table outside some kind of... cafe?

( After she hits send on the message, she belatedly realized she never bothered to check the name, having claimed one of the tables idly for herself while she frantically tried to teach herself how to navigate this world's tech. It takes her a moment to track down any sort of signage, but when she does, he'll receive a follow up text stating: )

Heart's Cafe!

Please wait just a moment!

[Fortunately, Yuuto doesn’t just know this cafe: He knows the owner! So he can teleport right into the back kitchen. A moment later, Yuuto steps out from behind the counter and looks around for someone with their phone out. When he spots her, Yuuto approaches with a wave;]

Ah! Odette-san, is that you?

( When she hears Yuuto speak up, she takes a graceful step up from her seat, hands tugging the sides of her soft pink lolita dress into a prim curtsy. )

Yuuto, was it?

( There's a sort of gentle lilt to her voice, laced with a posh accent. )

I'd like to thank you for coming on such short notice. I don't need much blood, really. But do let me know if you start to get uncomfortable?

( There's a hint of worry there. She doesn't feel in danger of a frenzy, but there's always that small, off chance that scared her. )

[She reminds him a lot of someone, but he can't place it yet. Something about her manner of dress and mannerisms combine in a familiar way. But he doesn't want to mix her up with anyone else in his head, so he dismisses the thought. Odette gets a bow in return and a polite smile.]

You don't need to worry about me at all, Odette-san. Why don't we go inside? I know the owner here, so we can have some privacy upstairs? [He assumes that she wouldn't want to be seen biting someone in public... and also:] My blood is quite unusual. I want to make sure you're aware first.

Oh, that shouldn't be a problem at all! I think.

( She flashes him a toothy little smile, idly thinking to herself that-- no matter what Yuuto thinks of his own blood, she's probably consumed worse.

Grateful for his assistance, she offers his hand. )

If you'd like. ( She isn't terribly picky, but privacy is perhaps ideal for this. )

Just lead the way!

( It's not difficult for her to ease around Yuuto. To Odette, he seems like a perfectly sweet guy. )

I'll let you check first, just to be sure?

[Yuuto's desire to help others outweighs his common sense sometimes. He should really be wondering if his blood is suitable to drink at all... and maybe also thinking twice about whisking an unknown girl off the streets and into a private room. But he sees Odette's arrival here as being his responsibility. It's his duty as kami to make sure she is able to live a healthy and comfortable life here...

He leads her behind the counter and into the kitchen. There's a staircase that will take them to the second level.]

If you need a place to stay, then the owner here offers rooms to Fallen Stars. I can help you figure out any accommodations once we're done.

( She couldn't quite pinpoint what it was that her feel a pang of indecision in this moment. After all, she'd become accustomed to baiting out other girls under less than scrupulous means night after night. But this was starkly different, wasn't it? Dawning on her that they'd be alone, in a room, together.

She hadn't really allowed that to happen since Esme, did she?

It's not long before she tilts her head forward, just a touch, focusing her gaze on Yuuto's face momentarily, speaking up as though with an almost eerily supernatural insight. )

You're worried about me, aren't you? ( Said, taking a backwards step up the staircase. Her expression softens. She wasn't... picking up any malicious vibes off of him, huh? ) Oh, but don't fret!! I assure you that I'll let you know if anything happens to me, alright?

( If she knew him better, she'd probably lean in to peck him on the cheek, but thinks better of it. She shouldn't embarrass him more than he presumably already was. )

[Yuuto is so head empty that he doesn’t even think that being alone together might be weird. He has a romantic partner! He’s devoted to Inaba right now! No thoughts are in his head.

He smiles and nods.]

Of course I’m worried. It’s kind of scary to be spirited away to another world, right..?

[He leads her to a hallway, with doors on either side, and looks for an empty room.]

But I appreciate it... I’ve only had my blood drunk once, but Noe-san said that he liked it? He drank from my wrist..?

Oooh, another vampire!

Unfortunately, I’m afraid of pain, but I could probably help you find someone if you’d like~

[One person Odette might happen across in her nighttime wandering is sitting outside a night café, a steaming cup of tea and an ancient violin case sitting on his table. He was young - perhaps 20 - and white-haired. He's wearing a long, white coat with blue accents over a black turtleneck and flare-legged jeans.

Curled beside him on a chair of her own is a cat, black as midnight and a little bulky for her apparent age. Closer observation will reveal that most of that bulk can be attributed to a pair of leathery wings, coated in a fine layer of hair the same hue as her fur.

She was also the only spirit within ten feet of the white-haired youth.]

Edited (too furry) 2023-05-22 16:32 (UTC)

( That sort of aura... it was unmistakable. He was another vampire, wasn't he? She takes an uncertain step forward.

She says nothing to the young man, but her eyes remain fixed on him. )

[One of the bat cat's ears perks up as she takes that step, and one of her eyes opens. The sound that comes from her mouth when she opens it isn't very cat-like; it's musical, almost like a violin.] Well well. Look what the kittens dragged in.

[Soma sighs, looking down at Aria.] Please don't freak out the new arrival.

[He turns his attention to the girl, then gestures towards one of the empty chairs at his table.] Be welcome, so long as you bring no harm.

[There's a tiny teenage girl with a frilled headband and a cross-printed dress who steps out of an apartment building at night. Possibly more of a standout is the bag and belt holding a whip at her side. She looks down the street at Odette talking to the spirits and pauses.]

You're able to speak to them, then?

( The unfamiliar voice causes her to startle, at first, but Odette is quick to whip around and feign a smile at the girl all the same. This world seemed harmless enough, but without her coterie around, she was hardly certain who all she could trust. )

Ah--, yes! ( She leans in closer, pointing a finger towards her glittering green eyes. ) I guess you could say I have a stronger supernatural awareness than most.

( You know, vampire and all that. )

They talk to me in fragments, but they're really quite friendly. And they've been giving me useful tips! Apparently they want me to head to some sort of shrine?

( Is she babbling because she's nervous? Quite possibly! )

Breathe, will you. [She waves and approaches, if warily.] Likely the Shrine of Love. I know not if the proprietor will be up in the middle of the night, but she wouldn't turn away a new face.

[ ...she's never met a vampire before? Unless this is a weird joke, since she sounds fairly chipper about the whole thing. Vampire, kindred... blood?

... ]

what does torpor mean

( Good news! Odette just happens to be the pinkest, sparkliest, most unthreatening vampire you've ever met! )

Oh! I guess you could describe it as like, a vampire coma? When a vampire goes too long without feeding or becomes too injured, they fall into a deep slumber. Sometimes it could last for months, or even years. I had a friend who fell into it recently. It was kind of scary!

( "Kind of scary" is putting how she felt about the matter very lightly. )

jeez thats rough. i don't know if my blood would taste all that good? i aint leapin up to give it anyway

im surprised anyone is, that sounds like itd hurt

( Wow, that's rude!!! As you can probably imagine, her face is scrunching up behind the screen. )

You don't have to, you know! I prefer not to drink from anyone who's unwilling. :< Most people don't seem to think it really hurts, though? They just become a little sleepy, honestly.

( She is NOT mentioning the weird euphoric stuff to this person!! )

oh, i thought vampires did just go for it

i dunno there are a lot of weirdos here though thatll help you no matter what

[The text response looks like it's hand-written.]

... Well, um, good news, no masquerade.

But, I wouldn't be too open with that, speaking as...

[The message switches to private, as if she only remembered to turn the lock on in mid-sentence.]

... A Succubus. Demon of lust, desire, and the like.

Good news, and please don't ask me how I know this, but my blood can work for vampires. A-at least if you're anything like those on my world.

Edited 2023-05-28 22:28 (UTC)

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🩰 001

text; UN: Ushio

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Lemme know if you want this to swap to action!

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Sorry for the delay!

no worries!

un: taptaptap

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un: yuuto

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un: spiderlilies

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arrival

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starnet // un: dragonpunch1

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UN: inspire_courage