Madness | [ video ]

[fatherssins]

[ It’s been months since Adrian has used the network and he’d only left his apartment to go to work, which had gradually become more of a strain on him. He looked tired and pale, but more than that he looked thin. Too thin.

Despite his unhealthy appearance there remained something gentle about him, but rather than the bumbling, socially awkward man the network was used to, he looked exhausted and ultimately sad. He spoke and his voice was only just above a whisper but still audible. ]

I think I need help.

[ He paused, what he needed was to leave, but he neither had the money nor resources to do so. He was at the lowest he’d ever been in his life and didn’t know what to do or who to turn to. Over the past few months he’d realised what he was but didn’t want anyone else to know. He didn’t want to burden anyone here. ]

Does anyone know anywhere that has night shifts? For a job, I mean. Or-- [ He pauses. ]--dietary supplements for those suffering from iron deficiencies?

[ He attempts a smile. ]

Thanks for all your help.

Comments

[Text]

[shiromadoushi]

Welcome to Club Vampire. Union dues can be paid at movie night.

Might want to skip the iron pills and go find yourself a butcher who will believe you just want to make blood pudding.

[ video ]

[fatherssins]

[ Adrian leans back slightly at that comment, was it really that obvious? His brow furrowed and he attempted something he was exceptionally bad at: lying. ]

I'm not--that is, I didn't say I was one.

[Text]

[shiromadoushi]

Night job and worried about iron content on this network?

Obvious.

Though I have been wrong before and thought someone was turning into a vampire when he was really turning into a werewolf... but the iron thing's only for vampires, right?

[fatherssins]

I suppose so.

[ Then he hears himself back and realises that he may be admitting something he didn't mean to. ]

Ah--that is, to say that your assumption may be right.

[ He clears his throat nervously. ]

You don't happen to know of anywhere that offers night-time employment, do you?

[stavros]

Iron pills? I believe you can get those at the health food store...

[fatherssins]

[ Quietly, more or less to himself, he asks. ]

I wonder if they'd be enough?

[ Then he realises something; he has no idea who this person is but they made the effort to speak with him, and to suggest something. His brow furrowed, clearly appreciating the thought. ]

I'm sorry, where are my manners? I'm Adrian, sorry for posing that random question publicly. Thank you for answering.

[stavros]

*The person on the other end is a teenage girl with a tacky, oversized shirt featuring some movie from the '80s. She shrugs and adjusts her rhinestone-covered cross hairclip.*

It isn't a problem. My name is Tessa. It's nice to meet you -- I hope you feel better soon. Is it a serious condition?

[Video]

[scramasax]

[Bakura seems to have gotten all of the most vital questions cleared up - and the caginess over the thought of being not so normal is one that's got Anthony feeling inspired to offer some two cents in sympathy - establishes visual connection with an "Uhm -- "]

-- ...Excuse me. -- It's true - that -- there are - vampires -- on this network -- ...If you er -- ask -- openly - sir -- perhaps they could -- tell you... what they've been doing. -- About it...

[ video ]

[fatherssins]

[ He greatly appreciates the kind words and his appreciation shows in the form of a small smile. ]

You're kind for saying that. I'm not sure who the others are.

[ And he realises that he just admitted to being what he thinks he might be. ]

Ah, I mean... if that's my affliction.

[ video ]

[scramasax]

[Anthony does pick up on and trust the smile as indicative of something - a little somehow reassured, he twitches on one of his own.]

I -- ...wish I was sure if the one I know personally - minded me -- mentioning it - on the network -- ...I'd name one if I could. -- But it's, uh - it's true that - I'm sure that if you have a chance to -- speak up -- about it -- if you do then someone -- ...will definitely have -- something to say...

[Picking up a little glow and steadiness in his tone - it's proving to be one of the few subjects he feels he has much solid right to speak with relative confidence on, though he's trying not to sound too presumptuous.] -- They might also be able to talk over whether they think you might be a vampire - or -- ...something - different.

[Text]

[healspec]

[so uh, Ravi didn't pick up on the vampire clues at all there, but thank you Bakura for pointing it out bc he has something to say on that subject.]

I've already seen things go bad with a hungry vampire. Take care of yourself. For the safety of those around you, at least.

I can ask if the hospital I work at is hiring night shift maintenance positions. What are your skills?

[ video ]

[fatherssins]

[ Adrian's expression softens, taken aback by the kindness offered to him by almost all of the Network's users. ]

You would ask that for me?

[Text]

[healspec]

[Ravi, conversely, is taken aback by the fact that Adrian seems surprised by the offer]

[maybe he's somebody who's not used to people being willing to help out?]

I can't guarantee anything, but the kitchen or custodial staff might need somebody. It's no trouble to ask.

[erenplz]

I dunno about the iron pills [and she's just not commenting on vampires la la la heard nothing -] but there are a lot of places you could work at night. Some of them might not be that great, but - janitors and stuff usually clean up office buildings after everyone's gone for the night, or you could try convenience stores...anywhere that's open 24/7. Gas stations?

[She touches her chin thoughtfully.] I think a bunch of newspaper jobs run at night, don't they? Not the office positions or reporters, I mean like...production and the people who actually have to print it so it can go out in the morning.

[fatherssins]

[ A small, but very genuine, smile appears on Adrian's features. He's really rather handsome when he smiles. ]

Thank you for your suggestions, I wonder what I could do. I mean, I can clean but it might get boring.

[erenplz]

It sounds like you're a little too stuck to get picky, no offense.

I mean, the options are kind of limited unless you go self-employed. [Not that she's sure what kinds of self-employed work someone can do at night, off the top of her head. She's fifteen, she figured she'd have plenty of time before she had to figure this stuff out.]

text

[carolinesays]

Hmm. Job qualifications?

Reminder: There are indeed qualified doctors within this quote-unquote club. I don't mean to tell you your business, but a visit to one of them would be prudent.

[ video ]

[fatherssins]

Qualifications?

[ Adrian echoes dumbly, not expecting that response. He takes a moment before responding. ]

Well, I've got my G.C.S.E.s, which I guess is something like a high school diploma and I've got some A Levels too, I studied English language, literature and R.E.. On top of that I've got a few years of office experience and recently I've--[ He hesitates. ]--been working in Cold Marble.

The ice cream shop.

voice {iphone}

[ursoreckless]

Hey. You need a place, come to my apartment. I've got the room and I won't feel like shit because you fucking disappeared on me.

[a slight huff and then he realizes that he sounds a bit harsh.]

...I mean, I've got plenty of space if you need that and I know there's always spots here for people to work.

[ video ]

[fatherssins]

[ There was a face he was nervous about seeing. Adrian was so confused when it came to how he felt about Shou; affection, concern, admiration, but more than any of these his expression showed that he felt apologetic. He hadn't meant to ignore him, that's the last thing he'd wanted to do.

He spoke and he seemed meek, tone gentle. ]

Shou, I'm sorry.

I wanted to see you.

[ video ]

[ursoreckless]

[he looks a little different - the bleached blond is now a more natural brownish-red and it was pulled back into a series of tiny little braids. his accent too was getting thicker with a almost growl at the end of his words.]

Don't be sorry, just... Talk to me. You've got nothing to fear from me.

[Voice]

[dododo]

[ That sure does sound like something... vampire-y. ]

You might want to have your iron levels looked at at a hospital. The clinic, perhaps.

[ video ]

[fatherssins]

[ He hesitates somewhat before responding. ]

I suppose I should, I'm just a little nervous about going...

[dododo]

I don't believe there's any reason to be. There's supposed to be used to dealing with the supernatural.

[video]

[unbraid]

[ Homura knows that kind of face. She's vividly reminded of her mother on particularly bad days, so she decides to reach out.

She smiles at him, but she's obviously worried. ]

Um... if you need help... by a doctor, a psychiatrist, I know the numbers for some places that could get you affordable counseling. I mean... there's a lot you can't talk to a psychiatrist about, someone who isn't a number. But I don't know if there are any doctors that could help that way here. I just hope it will help even if it's not much. I, um, I know hotline numbers too.

[ And she switches to text just to tap in the phone numbers. There's a suicide hotline number on top of the resources. ]