"A Drop of Golden Sun"
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Jack MacGaven & Mythos' Steampunk/Vampire RP

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - This RP Thread is a [One on One] - Please do not post in this thread. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Character Bios/images are forthcoming!
William
Roderick



. . . And so begins "A Drop of Golden Sun"
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Roderick took in a deep breath. It was wasted on him, certainly, but the sensation had never ceased to instill that satisfying feeling of waking up fully refreshed after a long needed rest.

Rest. It had taken on quite a turn from what it once was, hadn't it? His bed was great deal more confining now, and only by jest did he actually keep a blanket nearby. He was just now entering the borrowed years of his prolonged 'life', if you could call it that. In of the eighty-something years he could have otherwise claimed (like the millions of us who live our lives unaltered), Roderick enjoyed fifty-seven of them in unnatural, un-aging strength and beauty. The only things he had to give up to obtain such spectacular gifts were... well... many of the small happy things he foolishly thought he could do without forever.

And after fifty-seven years of freedom and there was still much to see and do. His limitations were no longer a cause for irritation, but had blown over into a true affliction. The few others like himself who he trusted and often made his company constantly let on about worrying he'd do something foolish about longing for 'the old days', 'before...'. It wasn't until one night very recently when the most concerned of his compatriots approached him with the name and address of a human who might be able to help make Roderick's wants and desires into a less ashy disaster.

The message sat in the tiny room Roderick kept for several months, leaving a shadow of itself against the dust collecting on his dresser.

In a fairly large estate lived a man, A simple human man. Who enjoyed the simplest things. Bug catching, playing fetch with his dog, feeding his rather strange and exotic pet tarantula and his job. Oh yes, William adored his work. He was a biologist, scientist and a writer. He was often asked to teach at several universities, which he usually accepted just for the money. William was a rather shy man, who didn't like to be in the spotlights. He'd rather lock himself up in his office with his precious little spider girl than get out onto the street to woo some lady.

William was known for his rather...strange experiments. And so he had a list of strange 'friends'. Most of them recommended him to friends of them for all sorts cures. William was so absorbed in his own little world full of wonders that he didn't ask anything else but the name of the person he was treating and a brief medical history. He would not have any addresses around or last names.

Now the slim, thirty year old sat in his desk chair, allowing his pet spider to crawl over his fair skinned hands. His green eyes observing the spider very closely. "Just a few more days, darling...Then you'll grow a little bigger again." he mused softly before he put the spider on the desk and opened the lid of a small wooden box, fetching a cricket from the box and placing it before the spider, which happily took the meal and prepared it for dinner. "You must eat well..." His voice soft and caring.

It was still rather early at night for Roderick, but he was just finishing off his meal- a leathery skinned tramp he had found in an alleyway. He cut the man's throat just over the marks he made with his teeth and sat with his back against the wall reeling with the feeling of blood pulsing through him once again. Imagine if he could find some younger targets and try their blood... sweet and youthful... thoughts of who and which teen or young adult looked like a sordid dessert menu to him, but oh what a menu!

Roderick slowly stood himself up and dusted off his coat and slacks before re-entering the street from which the alleyway turned off of. From there the entire night was his domain, and with a spring in his step the sated vampire set out to explore it while his usual company also went about finding their dinners. As he passed by, Roderick eyed the museum- it was closed- and so was the library, the florist, and the tailor... All that was open at this hour was the theater and he had never been a fan of it. It would be hours until his usual company returned to cutting up and muse in their minuscule parlor. Quickly Roderick's thoughts turned to how deathly bored he was in this state. He didn't have many books of his own- there was no place for them in the tiny townhouse he shared with half of the vampires he knew- and he didn't have any talents with music or art to occupy his mind...

Roderick turned the key to the townhouse and visited his cramped room. In all honesty he should have tried cleaning, but instead the vampire picked up the one thing that seemed to be out of it's place: a dusty scrap of paper sitting on the top his dresser. In all the months it was there he had never forgotten what it was and while considering visiting this biologist had previously given Roderick several hours of 'entertainment' there was to be no more deliberation about this. Without the daytime he had no reason to live forever. It was already starting to blend together, anyways, and with so much to do still...

He took to the road, making for the outer city where the larger houses could be found. He managed to arrive at the scientist's doorstep at the eleventh hour of the evening and knocked as if it were the fourth.

Almost immediately after the knocks, a large sounding dog barked and called for assistance from the servants. After some chuckling the door was opened by a butler. "It is late, dear Sir. How can I be of your assistance?" he asked kindly as he watched the man in front of him by the dim light of a candle. The halls were lit, since the master hadn't quite gone to rest yet, but he was about to.

"Who is it, Caspar?" a voice asked from the top of the stairs. "Oh don't bother answering..." he called back as soon enough light footsteps could be heard. Soon enough a thin figure stood behind the butler. The man looked a bit tired, but didn't look annoyed at all. William didn't quite step out directly. He was still a shy man, but curious as well. His emerald eyes peeked out at their guest. "May I know your business with me and your name, sir? Just your first will do."

Ugh, such a bright little light. Immediately he contorted his face, closing his eyes, raising his brows and pulling away at the sudden intrusion. It was distracting enough that he only heard the butler finish his statement and instead of answering the vampire stuttered and tried to force his eyes open again.

Finally, when Roderick was able to squint over the candle at the butler, the hallway, then the thin young man with green eyes who he assumed was the biologist he was calling for he gave them both a polite nod "I apologize for the hour of my visit, I... had a bit of difficulty finding your residence.". From what he could see, which was a growing number of things now that he'd placed a hand between his eyes and the candlelight, there was nothing he felt about the scientist that he found initially distrustful, especially after he placed his question. Answering the door for such late calls was rather bold considering a vampire was on his step, sent here by another vampire who would have just loved an easy meal like this one.-- Well... it looked easy, at least. The fact that the doctor was still alive meant he must really know his craft and Roderick was absolutely elated by that thought.

Of course did the doctor notice the man, squinting at the rather small light. HE had taken mental notes of the hypersensitivity of the other before he moved to the butler, ordering him to make them some tea and prepare the sitting room. William took the candle over and held it very low, so it mainly lit up their waists. "Ah, is that so. Oh well, it is not the easiest to find estates around here, I give you that." he said and then stepped back, mentioning the other to come inside.
With a small smile the slender man put the candle on a side table and killed the little flame. "Please, state your business and name." he asked again, smiling gently.

Roderick was instantly relieved and impressed that the young doctor diagnosed his discomfort so quickly. Truly he must be as talented as his friend let on. Embolded, the vampire stepped inside of the threshold, removed his coat and folded it over his arm "My name is Roderick, and I was told by a friend that you made cures to people's ailments. I just happen to have a number I'm interested in being rid of."

He hesitated a moment. What if he were this close and the doctor turned him away? What did he get out of this? "I will pay your handsomely should they work..."

William looked at the man and nodded. "I see." he said and closed the door behind the man. He took Roderick's coat and hung it away properly. "I shall base my fee upon the level of interest your discomforts wakens in me." he stated. "We shall see. Come, let us sit in the sitting room." he offered and gestured the other to follow. "It's how I always work."

Soon enough he offered Roderick a seat before taking his own near the fire. "I will help you, no matter what your problems are. So, do tell me. What do you suffer from?"

Roderick closed his eyes and sat properly. From what he had seen the young doctor was a gentleman in every sense in the word and it wouldn't do to use relaxed manners around him now... especially after calling at his door so late. He placed both his hands, one on top of the other, on one knee and looked at the door they had both entered from. "I have a sensitivity to light which is... crippling, I'm afraid. I've taken to sleeping during the day and conducting my business at night because of the pain that light inflicts upon me."

The vampire looked over at William again, using one of his hands has a veil from the flickering fire. "Most light bothers me, however moonlight does not. That fire isn't as traumatic as the candle at the doorway, but I'm sure you can see that it's glowing less intensely... I can stand being around fires, but not candles or lanterns. I can't help but shy away from all my life should be when I simply can't venture out into the daylight. I feel as if I'm missing so much."

Before the other started to speak, William had gotten up and moved to a dresser, only to fetch a pen and a note book. Quickly and silently he sat down and began to jot down some notes for himself and his new case. "I see." he stated and looked up at the other. 'I've been in some cases of light sensitivity...Do you get any rashes, wounds, blisters or any of that if you get in contact with light?" he asked as he jotted down some more. "Is it just your eyes that can't stand the light, or does it hurt if it touches your skin?" It was only logical to ask this gentleman of this. The man had something eerie over him, William couldn't help but notice. The man's skin had been grey, but then again, if he did not venture out in the sunlight, his skin would not get any colour at all.

"It effects the skin as well... worse than the eyes. I have only made the mistake once, but when I did get a bit over, eh, exposed it left welts and burns on my skin." Roderick pat his hand on his knee and leaned back further into his chair. "It also causes muscles all about my body to tense, though I suppose that could just be a pain reflex. I am, after all, not a scholar into these matters." he chuckled, "If I were, I'm fairly certain I'd have probably given myself more 'conditions' than cure. Your talents are quite admired."

Roderick's expression softened. He wanted more and more to leave no details behind to cause any flaws in William's concoction, but that would risk his credibility. Just how much did he need to know, anyways? And how different was he from the species he had departed half a century ago?

William carefully took notes before he looked up and stifled a yawn behind his hand. Right at that point a maid entered the poor lit room and placed the tray she was carrying on the table in between the gentleman. "Your tea, Sir." she stated before she took her leave again. Knowing better than to linger about. "Ah, thank you dear!" he called after her before he smiled at the other. "Finally something to keep me awake."

William put his notebook aside before he poured himself a cup of tea. "Would you like some as well?" he asked his visitor. His eyes narrowed as he awaited for an answer. He had began to think that Roderick wasn't quite...Normal, besides the fact of his light sensitivity. "Or would you like something else?"

Roderick took a pause, "I'm quite alright without... I tend to be a slow drinker, and I wouldn't want to keep you up too long." He had given the comment as much of a nonchalant quality as he felt it required without sounding overly dismissive of the offer. The vampire's nervousness was starting to peek through his think mask, Roderick was no actor after all, and his unease about revealing so much at once was quickly catching up with their conversation so far.

He cleared his throat and added a soft "Thank you." The vampire took a moment to feel the upholstery of the chair he was sitting in, and to take in a bit more of the room. It was very comfortable... except... Roderick looked up at the scientist and blinked at him. What a look! What did he say to cause it? What was he doing wrong? He felt the tramp's blood rushing inside of him as his anxiety grew.

"Is there something wrong?" - the words escaped seconds before Roderick's mind had even thought to stop them.

When the other dismissed his offer of a drink William simply finished with preparing one cup. Smiling he sipped the hot drink and pulled his legs up to his chest. He usually sat like that at this hour, if he was still awake. Williams sharp green eyes never left his visitor's body and face and he began to notice that he was a bit anxious. Smiling to reassure him, WIlliam again sipped his tea before putting the cup down and yawning again. Fatigue was catching up on him now.

"It's nothing at all, my friend. It's just that I suspect something more of you than the fact you are so very sensitive to light... Perhaps..." he stated before he looked up. "Do you have a special diet?" he questioned again, taking his notepad and pen in hand again.

Roderick didn't like that question. He stood up and moved about the room trying to avoid it, both for the sake of time and for his own disposition. Just how much did this doctor know? "What would... qualify as a 'special diet', Doctor?" He asked, half looking over his shoulder from the far side of the room. It was his costume at this point of the 'interview' (that is playing coy and keeping his distance).

There wasn't much going on outside of the window, but Roderick feigned interest in the view outside. Dimly he hoped that the friend who recommended him visit William would come by and give Roderick some reassurance or sign that it was alright for him to know. The young doctor already knew one of his weaknesses- a debilitating one at that- and it just wouldn't do if he decided to attack Roderick out of fear of what he was.

He shook his head gently, what was he thinking? This was a man of science. The stranger the 'thing' that stepped into his door, the more curiosity he should meet it with... right? Oh, he hoped so. William seemed like a good man, but was he the kind of 'good man' who would help someone else get away with murder? And it was murder, wasn't it? The vampire frowned. He thought he had gotten over that disgusting era of guilty feelings, but all of this worry just brought those forgotten emotions back to his immediate state. Roderick leaned on the desk in front of him, pushing those irrational thoughts back to where they belonged. It was no worst than what most people did, he told himself. There is no reason for me to feel like a monster.

The dark haired man didn't really look up or over at Roderick when he got up and started to move about. His guests was free to move as he pleased. "Oh anything, really. Are there things you usually eat, can't eat, things like that?" he asked as he just scribbled along his small questionnaire.
However when he was done scribbling he got up, closed and locked the door, leaving the key in the hole before turning and smiling friendly at the man. "You can tell everything you think you need to tell." he said and looked at the other. "My policy is to know but not tell anyone else. I am the only one who will hear and use it. Of course all in a good favour of you." he said and moved to the man only to place a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

There was honestly little doubt in Roderick's mind that William was an honest man, but despite it's comfort the nature of honesty could make the vampire rue the day he stepped inside of the scientist's door. It was obvious, he was sure, to both of them by now that Roderick was hesitant about answering the question. He hoped that William understood that to mean that he was ashamed of the answer rather than worried about the human's reaction. Then a hand landed on his shoulder...

Oh to hell with this! he thought, rashly. He could easily overpower this man AND he had plenty of night to hide in if his confession came to anything unpleasant. Roderick stood up straight and pat the desk he had been leaning on with a flat hand. "Blood." It was purposefully ambiguous as to whether he meant he included or excluded it as part of his diet. He wanted the human to ask for specification and disarm any horrific notions that might have arisen.

William had just made himself comfortable again. They didn't realize it yet but they had been talking for an hour and a half now. And the fact William had been up from five am to now was gaining on him. When the other patted the desk he was shaken slightly. Instantly he looked at him. "Blood?" he asked before he rose from his seat and grabbed his note book. "Just blood....I see. Good. That explains the light sensitivity. " he smiled and looked at the other and moved to him, holding out his hand again. "I shall study things a bit more tomorrow and...Honestly, I'd rather have you to lodge with me for a few days. If that is not a problem. I have some tests I need to run." he stated with a small smile. "I shall have a guest room readied for you."

Roderick didn't know how to react at first. He had honestly expected at least some fear to arise in the man, but he remained purely clinical. In a fog, the vampire wondered if he was, in fact, not the first William has spoken to about this ailment, and that gave him a great deal of hope for positive results. But there was no reason to be hasty now and confess more about his particular situation. He assumed William took 'blood' to mean animal blood and not what was pumping through the man at this moment. Within the minute his curiosity won over: "How... does it explain the sensitivity?" he frowned and took the man's hand to shake it.

"I'm not sure I'm comfortable staying somewhere other than my lodging. Not that I doubt the security of your house, sir..." If he did know what Roderick was, that offer was especially risky, "but I'm rather weary of... well, the windows."

William had smiled when the other came to shake his hand. But as he wanted confirmation about the reason for the sensitivity William grinned. "I just have the feeling that it explains it." William wasn't quite sure what race the other was, but he did know that he wasn't human.

"Oh don't fear. We have very heavy draping in my dark room. You can stay there, the windows are darkened and there are heavy curtains. I could have it fixed as a temporary bedroom, if you like. But that can only be done by tomorrow. For today you would have to do with a regular bedroom on the north. I could have the servants stay out of your room and there will be no problem."

"I would appreciate that, yes." Roderick successfully hid his smugness, wrongfully figuring that William's kind offer was due to him mistaking the vampire as nothing threatening. Surely no man would invite a vampire to stay the night with him, not in his house with sleep quickly overtaking him... He must have had some amazing luck! The next time he managed to get out he would have to thank his friend for the recommendation.

Roderick bowed at the waist politely and stood up straight, waiting to follow William to where he would need to be. "I cannot argue with you anymore. Your patience with me as well as your offer has been too kind."

William smiled and headed to the door. HE called for a maid and told her the strickt rules he had put up quickly for their guests. "Let him sleep in. Don't enter his room without permission and do not open the curtains for any reason, got that?" he stated as the miss made a polite bow and scurried off to her duties again.

Smiling William turned to Roderick. "See, we're very easy here. Now,come along I'll give a quick tour." One they were on the second floor he smiled and guided Roderick to all rooms that may be important, such as the bathroom, the darkroom, the study, the lab, library upstairs and William's bedroom.
"Then last but not least. Your temporary room." he stated as he opened a door and walked in. He directly moved to the curtains and closed them, making sure that no ray of light would be able to get in. When he was sure of that he smiled and turned back to his guest. "If you have any questions, you know where to find me. Or just call for a maid who can relay a message, if it is during the day." he said and bowed his head briefly.

Each order William gave the maid, Roderick nodded to himself. Yes, this would all do very nicely. His paranoia waned quickly to offhand personal thoughts of how William's staff might cause his accidental discomfort rather than his undoing. The tour gave the vampire a good feel for the building and it's layout, at least of any place he felt he might require- as was it's purpose- in addition to being swift. Soon enough they were in Roderick's temporary room, bowing farewells to one another: "Thank you again for your generosity. I will not abuse your kindness."

He said goodbye once more before closing his door for the night and eyeing his bed. Normally, he would spend the next few hours cutting up with the other vampires he roomed with, but he was already doing so well at getting in good with William! He would just have to sleep during part of the night as well. It wasn't hurting anything, anyways. He was sated.

William smiled sweetly at the man and bid him good night. William slept soundly for most of the night and a huge part of the day. Usually he didn't sleep in at all, but he felt that he needed the energy for the night that was to come. When he got to his breakfast at four in the afternoon he still looked half asleep. Poking at his food and what not.

His mind was starting to turn and twist itself around a solution for Roderick already. It had to be good, but he needed to do a lot more research.

The trappings of the room were quite comfortable, indeed they were a great improvement to what he had grown accustomed to in the tiny townhouse he boarded in normally. If- oh what was he saying- when he had William comfortable he would have his possessions moved in to the permanent 'dark room' he was curious to visit in the coming night.

As he had his small stroll about, he looked for knick-knacks and interesting items to investigate during the remainder of the night. It wasn't long, but when it did sleeping overcame Roderick easily. Morning and evening passed by him unchecked and unnoticed. He wouldn't begin to stir until the sun had returned to the horizon.