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?

[shiromadoushi]

I'm sure a bunch of places do. Like security guards or night janitors or whatever. Or maybe you could find a telecommute kinda thing.

Also, seriously, on here? Don't need to pretend about stuff. I think half of us are turning into some sort of undead or mythological creatures or spacemen or whatever. You'd have to really work at outweirding what's already here.

[fatherssins]

[ None of it sounded as appealing as his current job, but the early morning starts were really starting to get to him. Regardless, Adrian needed money, he had no one he could call on but himself and he felt that his boss was starting to suspect something.

His expression softened at that last comment. Again he was met with kindness he didn't felt he deserved. ]

I don't want to make people feel awkward. Or seem demanding with my questions. I really don't have many people to ask these questions to...

[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.

[shiromadoushi]

Far more awkward when you dance around it, don't you think?

[fatherssins]

[ He seems genuinely shocked, a moment passes before he asks (with honest curiosity). ]

It is?

[shiromadoushi]

I'd think so. After all, you're not exactly fooling anybody, right? You're not a very good liar. So you either can just admit what you're worried about or keep attempting to dodge until you get trapped. One way's likely to actually help far more than the other.

[fatherssins]

[ There's an apologetic look on his face, as if he's just been scolded. ]

I suppose you're right...

I'm sorry, he's a little shit sometimes :D

[shiromadoushi]

So, let's try again, okay?

So, because of the flashbacks, you're getting worried that....?

Not at all, Adrian needs some straight talking! ;D

[fatherssins]

[ He seems meek now, but not hurt, just shy. ]

Worried that I'm not as normal as I thought I was.

\o/

[shiromadoushi]

Congratulations, you're part of the numbers club where "normal" now means "weird." You get used to it.

First thing first, go check out the clinic in the dead district at [address] Dr. Strider and Dr. Morden are both on here and I can guarantee they've seen weirder than you've got.

x)

[fatherssins]

[ He hesitates before responding. ]

I don't want to inconvenience anyone though, I'm sure they already have enough to deal with. If I could just feel a little--less tired I'd be happy.

[shiromadoushi]

They're doctors. This is what they do. Get your butt down there before it gets worse and you do become an inconvenience.

[fatherssins]

[ He moves to speak, opens his mouth, then rethinks what he's about to say. ]

I'd never hurt anyone though.

[shiromadoushi]

Can you say that for certain when you aren't taking care of your basic needs? If you are turning into a vampire, do you know how many stories there are of well meaning vamps who swear off blood only to lose their mind to the starvation and destroy everyone they care about?

[fatherssins]

[ For someone who'd lost his family because of what he considers to be his own fault the very idea of hurting those he cares about because of this scares him immensely. Adrian's expressions are very easy to read, now more than ever. ]

No I--[ He shakes his head a little. ]--I wouldn't.

That's why I've been keeping away from everyone.

[shiromadoushi]

You don't stop being hungry because you stay away from food. You don't stop being thirsty by staying away from water. Why the hell would this work any different?

Do yourself and everyone else a favor. Go. To. The. Clinic. Get checked out, get what you need so that you don't lose yourself to being hungry. Starvation is not cool.

[fatherssins]

[ Adrian didn't reply for the longest time, his eyes darted from the camera, away and back again. ]

Mhmm.

[ He agreed reluctantly, although he didn't particularly want to go and get looked at by a doctor. ]

[shiromadoushi]

They're good guys and they know what they're doing. They've been helping out a friend of mine a lot with his stuff. I'm sure they can help you too.

[fatherssins]

[ His expression softens and he smiles a little. ]

Thank you.

[shiromadoushi]

Good luck.

And remember. Everybody here's going through weird crap. It's the one place it's safe to ask after it.