[He doesn't try to respond. For all he knows, the blasted thing will send Q a picture of a kitten. He has seen enough to know where he is.
He shows up around ten minutes later, dressed in a black suit and emerald tie and kerchief. It takes him another couple of minutes before spotting Q. Whatever hesitation he feels, he ruthlessly buries, approaching calmly.
He hasn't known what he'd say until he's in front of him.]
You remembered.
[There's an odd light in his eyes, a faint smile tugging the corners of his lips.]
I don't think it could have been more unexpected or dramatic.
[Grayson will find Q perusing the stacks of music. Records, cassette tapes, CDs, although he doesn't seem to settle on any of them for long. He doesn't look up until Grayson speaks, peaking up from the stacks to meet his eyes. His eyebrow quirks at him, taking in the whole picture of the man.]
Of course, I did!
[A grin grows on his face, pleased.]
It was pretty good, wasn't it? At no small cost to myself, I might add. The city was not pleased with me.
[The adage, "Be careful what you wish for," drifts through his mind. In his presence, he discovers he has no anger nor resentment. His smile widens a touch.]
It was unbelievably agonizing. Beyond any experience I've ever had, far beyond the first time I died. And it was...transcendent. I'm sorry it cost you. It shouldn't have, given I asked for it.
I'm thinking the city's ire had more to due with interrupting your punishment rather than the act itself.
[The city didn't seem to care much about murder in general. Although the fact that Grayson is a Dominant and Q is a Submissive didn't help matters either.]
They stripped me of all my powers for two weeks. [He sighs, lifting up a pant leg to show the power nullification device strapped to his ankle.] I still don't entirely understand how just a device can contain me, but nothing about my being here makes any sense. So why should this? I have... one more day of being basically human.
I've had to eat. And sleep! [He pulls a face at that, shuddering.]
It was really perfect timing, giving them a black eye that way.
[He's a bit surprised they hadn't tried to track him down and insist he finish his confession, not that he has any intention of reminding them.]
That's harsh for something done without malice and to someone who'd come back.
[Harsher than his sentence for murdering someone destined to stay dead.]
I hope the food has at least been decent. Is there anything I can do to ease the burden? Johnny come lately that I am. It took almost a week for me to remember myself.
[He has always had a strong sense of reciprocity, being what he is. Debts are best not to carry for long.]
Well, as much as I insisted you'd asked for it. The authorities didn't really believe me nor care. Nor did some of your 'friends'. [That's certainly not the right word for some of them, but playthings might be a little too on the nose.] There was one. This French girl. Eponine? She tried to stab me!
[He almost laughs but instead it's more of an exasperated scoff.]
I did tell her that I would be sure to tell you what a fervent defender she was of you. [It was almost impressive, if not for how foolish she seemed to be.]
Yes, the food has been good. I've probably eaten far too many donuts. And the sex! There's something far more visceral about it while nearly mortal and human. Most of the time, I really could take it or leave it. More of an amusement than something I crave.
[He tilts his head, leaning against a table holding a few boxes of vinyl records.] As far as what you can do to ease the burden. I'm not entirely sure. Don't suppose you were able to get one of those hotel rooms? Sleeping is bad enough. Sleeping in a tent? On a bag? [Q grimaces.] Terrible.
[His little bird. He can't help the grin, nor it's sharpness.]
That one's a feral cat. A force of chaos. I foresee great things if she can learn a bit of self-control.
[If by great things, one thinks of a wilder Estella under a far more vicious Miss Havisham.]
I'd say I can imagine. Mostly I can't. It's nothing to me without the aid of drugs or unusual blood. Or certain powers.
[He smirks briefly before shaking his head and frowning about the amenities.]
No. I've been melding into the earth at dawn and coming out once it's dark again. And the smells around the crowded campground. People aren't washing enough. I can tell you that.
The self-control seems to be a ways off from what I saw. So I wish her and you luck.
[Q's could care less what his plans were with her. Or anyone else here, unless they happened to be Janeway. Or if another certain Star Fleet Captain ever made an appearance here.]
Into the earth? That sounds... dirty. Are you naked when you do that? Sound like a good way to destroy a perfectly good suit.
[Q considers that, with a head tilting.] Fascinating. So you more or less... become the dirt? Neat trick.
As far as what you can do for me? I'll have to think on it. Unless you have any ideas? I'd ask if you could cook for me, but I already know that's a terrible idea.
A commingling. No ionic or covalent bonding as far as I'm aware.
[It's a bit tongue in cheek. It's a funny thought, a vampire bringing up bits of dirt with him when he rises, leaving behind bits of himself in the soil until eventually there's little left. No one has ever said his humor isn't morbid.]
That would be revenge.
[He laughs a bit before eyeing him speculatively.]
I could bite you. As a human, the experience would be very different from what you felt before. More encompassing.
Hmm... [Q moves away from the records as he contemplates that idea.] That is fair. I'm sure my taste right now won't be near as illuminating an experience for you as last time, although I'll still taste better than some garden variety mortal.
[At least he can still feel a little superior.]
Alright. Deal. That's how you can repay me. I killed you. You bite me.
[He moves closer, curious how the euphoria might affect him in this state. Q holds up a warning finger.] Just don't feed too long... [Or Q might start to suspect he's not as grateful for his favor as he claimed to be.]
No, I'm sure it won't. That power is something that would burn a human body from the inside out. I wasn't completely sure where I'd come out on the end of it.
[At least better than he'd expected. Intact and sane.
He closes the distance with him as he accepts the deal, meeting him halfway.]
I won't. I'll listen to your heart and feel your blood pressure with my mouth. As soon as there's a faint drop, I'll stop. It's long enough to give you the full experience without anemia or worse.
[He slides his arms around him, one supportive across his back, the other lifting to settle his hand at the back of his head. Leaning in, he has one final thing to say.]
If you need to let go, let go. You won't fall.
[He allows his fangs to descend, centers on the thrumming vessel, and sinks them in with precision. At the first burst of blood across his tongue, he withdraws them, lips sealing for a slow, measured swallow. The euphoria is instantaneous, drenching and encompassing.
[It's good he doesn't tell him that. That would be embarrassing! The bite hits sharply and he's just about to complain about the pain when all other thought leaves him. And speaking of embarrassment, the moan that falls from his lips is downright humiliating.
Not that he's particularly cognizant of it at the moment, eyes fluttering into the back of his head and clutching weakly to Grayson's shoulders. This feeling is far more profound than what he'd allowed himself to feel before. With his powers he still clung to some control, never wanting to slip or be entirely at someone's mercy.
And right now, he is entirely at Grayson's. It's unsettling but... novel. He can feel his legs growing weak, his brain getting jumbled and unfocused.]
[It's nothing to support his weight, a reaction he's used to. As he drinks slowly, it's just as he'd promised. He's keeping full track of his vitals. His mouth is a warm seal over the wound. Each time he swallows, it's another pulse of the venom into his system.]
It's a useful adaptation. Allowing a feed without a fight.
[His words in his mind are inflectionless. After a few more moments, he licks shut the wounds and moves to half carry, half guide him toward a seat so that he can begin to recover himself.]
[Q lets himself be half-guided half-dragged to the seat, legs feelings wobbly nearing boneless. He feels good but there's the feeling of helplessness that he's not entirely sure of. Once he can finally form words again, he blinks up at Grayson.]
Thank you. I'm... I believe I enjoyed that. [He frowns.] It's unsettling having a lack of control when I'm used to having all of the control.
It is enjoyable. When you're a vampire, the sensation is even more profound. I suppose an evolutionary development either to give us an edge with one another or to try to limit fatalities. There's some argument in our scientific circles over that.
[He draws another seat close, in part so they can continue to converse, in part to indicate he's not leaving him unguarded while vulnerable.]
I agree. I've never understood those who enjoy relinquishing control and handing it over to others. It's one of the driving psychological forces of this place. The humans say it eases a burden and fosters trust. I fail to understand that at all.
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Action
He shows up around ten minutes later, dressed in a black suit and emerald tie and kerchief. It takes him another couple of minutes before spotting Q. Whatever hesitation he feels, he ruthlessly buries, approaching calmly.
He hasn't known what he'd say until he's in front of him.]
You remembered.
[There's an odd light in his eyes, a faint smile tugging the corners of his lips.]
I don't think it could have been more unexpected or dramatic.
no subject
Of course, I did!
[A grin grows on his face, pleased.]
It was pretty good, wasn't it? At no small cost to myself, I might add. The city was not pleased with me.
no subject
It was unbelievably agonizing. Beyond any experience I've ever had, far beyond the first time I died. And it was...transcendent. I'm sorry it cost you. It shouldn't have, given I asked for it.
What did they do to you?
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[The city didn't seem to care much about murder in general. Although the fact that Grayson is a Dominant and Q is a Submissive didn't help matters either.]
They stripped me of all my powers for two weeks. [He sighs, lifting up a pant leg to show the power nullification device strapped to his ankle.] I still don't entirely understand how just a device can contain me, but nothing about my being here makes any sense. So why should this? I have... one more day of being basically human.
I've had to eat. And sleep! [He pulls a face at that, shuddering.]
no subject
[He's a bit surprised they hadn't tried to track him down and insist he finish his confession, not that he has any intention of reminding them.]
That's harsh for something done without malice and to someone who'd come back.
[Harsher than his sentence for murdering someone destined to stay dead.]
I hope the food has at least been decent. Is there anything I can do to ease the burden? Johnny come lately that I am. It took almost a week for me to remember myself.
[He has always had a strong sense of reciprocity, being what he is. Debts are best not to carry for long.]
no subject
[He almost laughs but instead it's more of an exasperated scoff.]
I did tell her that I would be sure to tell you what a fervent defender she was of you. [It was almost impressive, if not for how foolish she seemed to be.]
Yes, the food has been good. I've probably eaten far too many donuts. And the sex! There's something far more visceral about it while nearly mortal and human. Most of the time, I really could take it or leave it. More of an amusement than something I crave.
[He tilts his head, leaning against a table holding a few boxes of vinyl records.] As far as what you can do to ease the burden. I'm not entirely sure. Don't suppose you were able to get one of those hotel rooms? Sleeping is bad enough. Sleeping in a tent? On a bag? [Q grimaces.] Terrible.
no subject
That one's a feral cat. A force of chaos. I foresee great things if she can learn a bit of self-control.
[If by great things, one thinks of a wilder Estella under a far more vicious Miss Havisham.]
I'd say I can imagine. Mostly I can't. It's nothing to me without the aid of drugs or unusual blood. Or certain powers.
[He smirks briefly before shaking his head and frowning about the amenities.]
No. I've been melding into the earth at dawn and coming out once it's dark again. And the smells around the crowded campground. People aren't washing enough. I can tell you that.
no subject
[Q's could care less what his plans were with her. Or anyone else here, unless they happened to be Janeway. Or if another certain Star Fleet Captain ever made an appearance here.]
Into the earth? That sounds... dirty. Are you naked when you do that? Sound like a good way to destroy a perfectly good suit.
no subject
[Or she'll annoy him so much he'll kill her. It's always a possibility.]
No. I can take my clothing with me, and it's not dirt against my skin. It's molecules blended together, a true melding.
no subject
As far as what you can do for me? I'll have to think on it. Unless you have any ideas? I'd ask if you could cook for me, but I already know that's a terrible idea.
[Considering their last foray.]
no subject
[It's a bit tongue in cheek. It's a funny thought, a vampire bringing up bits of dirt with him when he rises, leaving behind bits of himself in the soil until eventually there's little left. No one has ever said his humor isn't morbid.]
That would be revenge.
[He laughs a bit before eyeing him speculatively.]
I could bite you. As a human, the experience would be very different from what you felt before. More encompassing.
no subject
[At least he can still feel a little superior.]
Alright. Deal. That's how you can repay me. I killed you. You bite me.
[He moves closer, curious how the euphoria might affect him in this state. Q holds up a warning finger.] Just don't feed too long... [Or Q might start to suspect he's not as grateful for his favor as he claimed to be.]
no subject
[At least better than he'd expected. Intact and sane.
He closes the distance with him as he accepts the deal, meeting him halfway.]
I won't. I'll listen to your heart and feel your blood pressure with my mouth. As soon as there's a faint drop, I'll stop. It's long enough to give you the full experience without anemia or worse.
[He slides his arms around him, one supportive across his back, the other lifting to settle his hand at the back of his head. Leaning in, he has one final thing to say.]
If you need to let go, let go. You won't fall.
[He allows his fangs to descend, centers on the thrumming vessel, and sinks them in with precision. At the first burst of blood across his tongue, he withdraws them, lips sealing for a slow, measured swallow. The euphoria is instantaneous, drenching and encompassing.
He won't tell him he tastes utterly...human.]
no subject
Not that he's particularly cognizant of it at the moment, eyes fluttering into the back of his head and clutching weakly to Grayson's shoulders. This feeling is far more profound than what he'd allowed himself to feel before. With his powers he still clung to some control, never wanting to slip or be entirely at someone's mercy.
And right now, he is entirely at Grayson's. It's unsettling but... novel. He can feel his legs growing weak, his brain getting jumbled and unfocused.]
no subject
It's a useful adaptation. Allowing a feed without a fight.
[His words in his mind are inflectionless. After a few more moments, he licks shut the wounds and moves to half carry, half guide him toward a seat so that he can begin to recover himself.]
no subject
Thank you. I'm... I believe I enjoyed that. [He frowns.] It's unsettling having a lack of control when I'm used to having all of the control.
no subject
[He draws another seat close, in part so they can continue to converse, in part to indicate he's not leaving him unguarded while vulnerable.]
I agree. I've never understood those who enjoy relinquishing control and handing it over to others. It's one of the driving psychological forces of this place. The humans say it eases a burden and fosters trust. I fail to understand that at all.