[video]

[championbittersweet]

[It's early evening and the video shows Jonathan's room, the heavy curtains blocking out the waning daylight and the room lit by a single light. He's seated at a desk, papers spread out before him but clearly his attention isn't on them. Jonathan himself looks markedly better since the last time people may have seen him; there's colour in his skin and while he still looks slightly starved, there's nothing of the hungry expression in his eyes.]

The Lady Fayura and her court have been particularly helpful but have also made certain... factors clear to me. So I feel honesty is the best policy here. Rational thought and decision only.

[He settles forward to rest his weight on his elbows, pale blue eyes fixed on the far-caster.]

I am not human. As unbelievable as it may seem, after I returned to London following the war I was attacked, murdered, and reborn as what I am now. A creature of death and blood that must survive on the living.

[He says it so calmly, matter-of-fact in his delivery.]

I try not to feed on humans but it has been made clear to me that this will no longer work, and animals are not enough to survive on. My hunger cannot be so easily ignored here despite my efforts so I am asking a... favour, a show of trust, if any would be willing to make it.

Comments

( text )

[retrorsum]

This was brave of you to do, taking such a risk with information.

( river has her own secrets, similar in that she's also not quite human but it was something that was very closely guarded even without anything to fear. it also wasn't a necessary reveal like it was for him )

perma-video

[championbittersweet]

For a time I avoided sharing it but... I can no longer afford that luxury.

[retrorsum]

Is this need due to something having changed?

[championbittersweet]

My... hunger cannot be ignored here as I would usually. Before I would feed on... vermin, but my hunger here is stronger, harder to ignore. I cannot be sated so easily and so I present a risk to everyone around me.

Lady Fayura has offered me aid but made it clear that I can no longer afford to simply avoid dealing with my needs.

[retrorsum]

Has this happened before? Your need changing as such.

[championbittersweet]

No. Queen Fayura has informed me that darker jewels require more sustenance than we would be used to normally. So my needs cannot be met with vermin so easily now.

[retrorsum]

What would she say to larger animals?

[championbittersweet]

Acceptable so long as the rest is not wasted. However with the rough calculations I have on the amount required and the frequency, taking into account as well the situation in the city with the availability and health of livestock...

It's not an option that would work especially well long term.

[retrorsum]

How frequently do you need it?

[championbittersweet]

How often do you need to eat?

[retrorsum]

( less frequently than he might think but assuming that she was human the point is taken )

What if the blood was collected and stored?

[championbittersweet]

I'm afraid not. My own tests have found if it isn't reasonably fresh then my body rejects it immediately.

[retrorsum]

How reasonably?

[championbittersweet]

No more than a few hours, depending on method of extraction and storage.

[retrorsum]

That does leave you in quite the predicament.

May I ask you more about the tests you've conducted?

[championbittersweet]

Somewhat ironically I was one of the top surgeons in Britain prior to my rebirth. I specialised in blood transfusions.

[Edgar had been rather excited about it all, he can recall, although now he knows of his friend's actions... it took a rather more sinister taste.]

I have studied samples of my own blood in an attempt to find what exactly effected the change and how it might be reversed. But it's proving difficult to narrow it down.

[retrorsum]

No recognisable virus or signs of mutation?

[championbittersweet]

Virus, no, but there have been signs of mutations in samples I've taken from other sources. The problem is that the mutations are never the same. Which may account for the range of creatures that fall under the heading of 'vampire', but makes it rather difficult to locate a consistent source.

That and so many of those who have had lengthy lifespans buy into the mystical as explanation instead of science, making research rather clouded.