[ Astarion was standing at his desk, hands gripping the back rung of the chair. The door's not locked. He doesn't even remember closing it, if he's honest. He sort of...ran in. In a panic. ]
Will you... [ He hesitated, lower lip rolling between his teeth. ] Will you make sure he's all right?
And. I...this is bloody humiliating to have to ask. [ Astarion doesn't do well with embarrassment. Or vulnerability. Give in a second, Max, this is incredibly hard for him. ] You've been fed from, you know...I don't want to kill anyone. Can you--help me learn control.
[That's a no brainer. He'd half made up his mind to do so regardless.
The next part is just as expected. Max nods and finally closes the distance between them. He can tell this is a hard thing for Astarion to admit to, so he keeps his expression neutral, no hint of judgment or reproach.]
Yes. I've been fed on hundreds of times. I'm confident I can coach you through it. I'll need to know a few things first. Almost every vampire I've encountered here is slightly different. Can we sit?
[Max motions to the bed.]
First, I need to know if your bite has any venom to it? I'm assuming you won't turn into a vampire just from a bite alone. But, will it affect my mental state at all?
[ At least, Max can sit, and Astarion gestures for him to do so. He's going to need another moment or two, to let the tension seep out of his limbs, before he can do the same. ]
It was a very long time ago that I was bitten, and I was half-dead already, so I can barely remember what it felt like. I remember it hurt, and then it was...pleasant. Numbing. Almost relaxing. And then, of course, I died, but let's avoid that, please.
[ He inhales deeply through his nose, exhales slowly, and finally manages to perch on the edge of the bed. ] No, you won't--I can't make another like me. Only a true vampire can do that. [ Not a spawn, like himself. ]
[He sits and listens with his finger raised to his chin pensively.]
Okay. I'm glad to hear there's no danger of you turning anyone. I'm sure you wouldn't want to.
[A little flash of sadness crosses his countenance at that description of how Astarion had died. He's sorry he has to bring up what are obviously bad memories.]
So, it sounds like you fall a little bit between the two extremes. I've encountered vampires that have, for lack of a better word, orgasmic bites. That's hard to fight off. Then, my master's bite has no effect at all. It hurts, and that's it. So, have no fear about that. I'm more than used to it.
With you, I think I'll be okay. Even if your bite starts to relax me, I think I can keep my head enough to tell you to back off if you're going too far.
I'm not going to let you suck me dry. But, you probably are physically stronger than me. Is there some physical weakness you have that can deter you if I need to use it? For instance, if my master ever seemed like he was getting lost in the moment, all I'd have to do is threaten to poke out an eye and he'd snap out of it immediately.
[Max's tone through all of this is very cool, very academic. He's hoping that treating it this way will help ease some of the poor vampire spawn's anxiety. In Max's world this is normal, everyday, business.]
[ Astarion manages a soft sound of amusement, at least--would that such threats would have worked on his old master. Would that he could have made them. ]
Ah...do you have any holy water nearby? Or a holy symbol?
Truly, I think if you asked, or gave me a bit of a shove, I'd stop. I did stop before, when Quentin started to--to struggle.
Mm. No. I'm not sure it's even possible to get holy water here.
[Certainly not in THAT church.]
And I parted ways with religion a long time ago. But, if telling you to back off is enough then that works for me.
[Max can almost hear the panic coming back at the mention of Quentin.]
It's going to be fine. He'll be fine. Quentin's a tough guy.
Okay, here's how we'll do this. I'll have you use my arm so I can be in more control. Drink until I tell you to stop. I'll pay attention to when I feel like you've reached the safe limit, and you try to remember how much that feels like?
It's not an exact science, but at least we can let you get more of a feel for how to do it gently. Just try to go slow.
[ It's probably awful of him to feel so relieved to hear that. It is a surprise to hear someone declare they "parted ways" with religion. Of course, where he comes from, the fate of the Faithless is worse than death. ]
All right...
[ He took Max's arm with a light, delicate touch, holding it with cool careful fingers, the pad of his thumb running along the flesh to feel the pulse beneath before he found the best place to set his teeth. When he bit down, he tried use just enough pressure to pierce the skin and no more...when the blood flooded his mouth it was impossible to keep from moaning. Even though he wasn't hungry, after 200 years of an anemic existence, sucking what little sustenance he could get from dead rats, it was just...so delicious. His eyelids flickered, eyes rolling back a bit, but he remembered to pull slowly--to sip like a fine wine, not gorge himself on it, as was his instinct. ]
[Max works to keep his breathing steady. But the moment Astarion lowers fangs to his wrist, his pulse kicks up a few beats. It’s not fear if the flush in Max’s skin is any indication.
A soft exhalation is all the reaction Max has to the pain of the puncture. Even that doesn't sound entirely pained. The sensation of cold is new and interesting, he has to admit. It would be fun to simply let the numbing peaceful calm that follows take him over. But he quickly shakes his head to shake that idea way. He needs to be paying attention to Astarion.
The vampire spawn is doing a pretty good job, Max thinks with a note of pride. He's obviously enjoying this new pleasure of blood, and Max can't fault him, but so far he has stayed steady. Max will let him go just a little longer until the telltale lightheadedness starts. Now, the real test.]
[ It is easier this time to pull away, likely because he's not ravenous and weak. Even so, he runs his tongue over the marks his fangs left behind, to make sure he gets every available drop before the wounds seal, and his hands are trembling faintly as he wipes at the corners of his lips and sucks the stray smears of blood from his fingertips. Gods, it's almost, almost like being alive again. He's warm. He didn't get the chance to notice it before, but he can feel it now. How remarkable.
After a moment of...collecting himself, his dark red gaze turns to regard Max, teeth still stained slightly red as he smiles slowly. ]
Well...you haven't crumpled to the ground. That must be a good sign.
[Max just manages not to moan aloud at the obscene feeling of Astarion lapping his wound. But he can't hide another heated shudder.
Thankfully, Max has gotten better practiced with holding himself back from acting on the kinds of urges that come along with feedings. But his eyes are still half-lidded, and darkened with lust. Astarion's smile doesn't help anything.]
Yes. And you hardly hesitated pulling away. Also a good sign. How did that feel?
Much easier, this time. Less...desperate. I feel so warm.
[ He flexes his fingers, staring down at his hand in awe, Max's arm still cradled in a delicate hold being slowly lowered to his lap. Not in a salacious sense. Just laying it across his thighs. After a moment, he lifted one hand and laid it against the side of Max's neck, so he could feel how much warmer it was. ]
[It's no surprise to Max that Astarion's hand is warmer against his neck. His own master can remain warm for close to an hour after a good feeding. But it always fades, eventually.]
I--suppose I must have, after Quentin, but I didn't...there were more pressing matters. The blood of animals...it satisfies, but it doesn't make me feel, almost as though I were alive again.
[ His fingers flex and play almost absently, toying with the hair at the nape of Max's neck. ]
My former master. He...required a meal, every few weeks, but when he fed, he took all there was. [ Gods but it's humiliating, lowering, utterly pathetic to understand so little about his own nature. That Cazador kept him so ignorant, so weak, so starved. ] I'm not sure how many small feedings it will take to keep from becoming a danger again.
[If Astarion continues to toy with that area at the nape of Max's neck, he will no doubt brush up against his mark. Max's skin bears a raised brand in a perfect circle with his Master's coat of arms burned in the center. A griffin on one side and a shield crossed with a sword on the other.]
That's... not great.
[He does his best to put aside the knowledge of how many lives that adds up to. How many poor souls died in his master's jaws? That's not Astarion's fault. That's on his master.]
It's extremely hard to judge. In my world, the older a vampire gets, the less blood they need. I have no idea if that's true for you.
For you I just... I don't know. It's really not safe to do big feedings on the same human more than every three months. My master is old. Very old. So, he'd take a very small amount from me on a weekly basis... and even that had to be carefully managed with iron supplements, diet, and exercise. The first day after I'd usually have to spend sleeping.
Now, here, I have that special regeneration boon I asked the fae for so I could do feedings more frequently. But still I... I'm worried my master here isn't going to be happy if I'm double-ing up too much.
[He taps a finger to his lips, thoughtfully.]
There are creatures in the woods. Deer and other big game. And there are the brothels too. I've heard they will let you pay for a meal. I'm not saying I don't want to help, just that if you require a lot then you're going to have to plan on varying your sources.
[ Considering the large seal that marred his own back--and how it got there--even if Astarion's fingers did find it, he wouldn't think that much of it, or remark upon it. He would simply assume Max's master was as sadistic as his own.
Clearly there were too many factors to know for certain. Astarion was 200 years old, but what did that even mean in terms of undeath? Was it different for him, being a vampire spawn--and having his little passenger sleeping dormant in his head, allowing him to walk in sunlight and cross any threshold he liked without the need for invitation?
He sighed. He had quite a learning curve ahead of him, didn't he. Perhaps the game in the woods, coupled with a few sips of kith blood, would suffice HANG ON HOL' UP-- ]
...Wait. I'm sorry, your master here? [ Explain, Max, cause he is confusion. ]
Sorry, that came out wrong. I don't mean like... not the same guy.
It's someone I also feed here. Obviously. Honestly, they aren't very open about it so I'd appreciate if you keep that to yourself. I promise you, though. I'm in no way being forced.
[ Good news, Max, you don't have to worry about Astarion's hand straying near your mark any longer, because he is quite pointedly taking his hand back. The very thought of...willingly shackling oneself to another Master. It turns his stomach. ]
Well. You can be assured I have no desire at all to cross another vampire.
[Isn't it though? Maybe at the start... Max was so desperate for his world to make sense again when he threw himself at Jackie practically strong-arming the vampire into adopting him. But Jackie has helped him! At his Master, Jackie teaches Max to be better at consent, not worse. Their advice and support has been invaluable. It's not the same at all.]
But... yeah. They don't really want anyone to know their deal. So. Please don't tell anyone about this.
Oh, it isn't? It certainly sounded as though you fretted over earning their displeasure. The leash may be prettier, but it can still choke the life from you the moment the one holding it wishes to pull it.
[ He shook his head firmly and pushed off of the bed, putting a few steps of distance between himself and Max. Mostly out of fear. He'd have never asked for his help if he'd known he was risking the ire of a vampire he called Master. ]
As I said. I've no desire whatsoever to cross another vampire. If there's risk of that, then please, leave.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-02 02:23 am (UTC)Yes. I was too afraid to stay, but he was conscious, talking. He should be fine.
Right? He should be fine?
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-02 02:30 am (UTC)Fuck.
[Followed by more.]
I know him. I... shit. Man, that really depends on how much you drank. How much did you drink?
[Wait. If he was talking when they got to the healer chances are it's fine. God, he really hopes so. Jesus.
Belatedly, he realizes maybe he should say something a little more comforting to keep Astarion from panicking more.]
No. I'm sure he'll be fine. If he was talking and awake. That's a good sign.
I'm almost there, I don't know which door is yours?
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-03 12:29 am (UTC)[ His own handwriting is a bit frantic, pen pressed harder into the parchment than is strictly necessary. ]
5th door past the baths. Western side.
->Action
Date: 2020-12-03 12:55 am (UTC)[Yep. He definitely made it worse. Oops.
A couple of minutes after that last message, there comes a knock on Astarion's door. Max will let himself in if the door is open.]
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-03 10:05 pm (UTC)I need...I need a favor. Several, actually.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-03 10:10 pm (UTC)Okay. Name them. If it's something I can do, I'll do it.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-04 01:46 am (UTC)And. I...this is bloody humiliating to have to ask. [ Astarion doesn't do well with embarrassment. Or vulnerability. Give in a second, Max, this is incredibly hard for him. ] You've been fed from, you know...I don't want to kill anyone. Can you--help me learn control.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-04 02:02 am (UTC)[That's a no brainer. He'd half made up his mind to do so regardless.
The next part is just as expected. Max nods and finally closes the distance between them. He can tell this is a hard thing for Astarion to admit to, so he keeps his expression neutral, no hint of judgment or reproach.]
Yes. I've been fed on hundreds of times. I'm confident I can coach you through it. I'll need to know a few things first. Almost every vampire I've encountered here is slightly different. Can we sit?
[Max motions to the bed.]
First, I need to know if your bite has any venom to it? I'm assuming you won't turn into a vampire just from a bite alone. But, will it affect my mental state at all?
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-04 05:01 am (UTC)[ At least, Max can sit, and Astarion gestures for him to do so. He's going to need another moment or two, to let the tension seep out of his limbs, before he can do the same. ]
It was a very long time ago that I was bitten, and I was half-dead already, so I can barely remember what it felt like. I remember it hurt, and then it was...pleasant. Numbing. Almost relaxing. And then, of course, I died, but let's avoid that, please.
[ He inhales deeply through his nose, exhales slowly, and finally manages to perch on the edge of the bed. ] No, you won't--I can't make another like me. Only a true vampire can do that. [ Not a spawn, like himself. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-04 05:15 am (UTC)Okay. I'm glad to hear there's no danger of you turning anyone. I'm sure you wouldn't want to.
[A little flash of sadness crosses his countenance at that description of how Astarion had died. He's sorry he has to bring up what are obviously bad memories.]
So, it sounds like you fall a little bit between the two extremes. I've encountered vampires that have, for lack of a better word, orgasmic bites. That's hard to fight off. Then, my master's bite has no effect at all. It hurts, and that's it. So, have no fear about that. I'm more than used to it.
With you, I think I'll be okay. Even if your bite starts to relax me, I think I can keep my head enough to tell you to back off if you're going too far.
I'm not going to let you suck me dry. But, you probably are physically stronger than me. Is there some physical weakness you have that can deter you if I need to use it? For instance, if my master ever seemed like he was getting lost in the moment, all I'd have to do is threaten to poke out an eye and he'd snap out of it immediately.
[Max's tone through all of this is very cool, very academic. He's hoping that treating it this way will help ease some of the poor vampire spawn's anxiety. In Max's world this is normal, everyday, business.]
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-05 01:01 am (UTC)Ah...do you have any holy water nearby? Or a holy symbol?
Truly, I think if you asked, or gave me a bit of a shove, I'd stop. I did stop before, when Quentin started to--to struggle.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-06 06:27 am (UTC)[Certainly not in THAT church.]
And I parted ways with religion a long time ago. But, if telling you to back off is enough then that works for me.
[Max can almost hear the panic coming back at the mention of Quentin.]
It's going to be fine. He'll be fine. Quentin's a tough guy.
Okay, here's how we'll do this. I'll have you use my arm so I can be in more control. Drink until I tell you to stop. I'll pay attention to when I feel like you've reached the safe limit, and you try to remember how much that feels like?
It's not an exact science, but at least we can let you get more of a feel for how to do it gently. Just try to go slow.
[Max offers out his left arm wrist up.]
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-06 10:15 pm (UTC)All right...
[ He took Max's arm with a light, delicate touch, holding it with cool careful fingers, the pad of his thumb running along the flesh to feel the pulse beneath before he found the best place to set his teeth. When he bit down, he tried use just enough pressure to pierce the skin and no more...when the blood flooded his mouth it was impossible to keep from moaning. Even though he wasn't hungry, after 200 years of an anemic existence, sucking what little sustenance he could get from dead rats, it was just...so delicious. His eyelids flickered, eyes rolling back a bit, but he remembered to pull slowly--to sip like a fine wine, not gorge himself on it, as was his instinct. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-07 03:55 am (UTC)A soft exhalation is all the reaction Max has to the pain of the puncture. Even that doesn't sound entirely pained. The sensation of cold is new and interesting, he has to admit. It would be fun to simply let the numbing peaceful calm that follows take him over. But he quickly shakes his head to shake that idea way. He needs to be paying attention to Astarion.
The vampire spawn is doing a pretty good job, Max thinks with a note of pride. He's obviously enjoying this new pleasure of blood, and Max can't fault him, but so far he has stayed steady. Max will let him go just a little longer until the telltale lightheadedness starts. Now, the real test.]
Okay, time to let up.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-07 07:29 am (UTC)After a moment of...collecting himself, his dark red gaze turns to regard Max, teeth still stained slightly red as he smiles slowly. ]
Well...you haven't crumpled to the ground. That must be a good sign.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-10 03:57 pm (UTC)Thankfully, Max has gotten better practiced with holding himself back from acting on the kinds of urges that come along with feedings. But his eyes are still half-lidded, and darkened with lust. Astarion's smile doesn't help anything.]
Yes. And you hardly hesitated pulling away. Also a good sign. How did that feel?
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-16 04:49 am (UTC)[ He flexes his fingers, staring down at his hand in awe, Max's arm still cradled in a delicate hold being slowly lowered to his lap. Not in a salacious sense. Just laying it across his thighs. After a moment, he lifted one hand and laid it against the side of Max's neck, so he could feel how much warmer it was. ]
Remarkable, isn't it?
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-17 10:21 pm (UTC)[It's no surprise to Max that Astarion's hand is warmer against his neck. His own master can remain warm for close to an hour after a good feeding. But it always fades, eventually.]
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-19 12:05 am (UTC)[ His fingers flex and play almost absently, toying with the hair at the nape of Max's neck. ]
My former master. He...required a meal, every few weeks, but when he fed, he took all there was. [ Gods but it's humiliating, lowering, utterly pathetic to understand so little about his own nature. That Cazador kept him so ignorant, so weak, so starved. ] I'm not sure how many small feedings it will take to keep from becoming a danger again.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-19 08:31 pm (UTC)That's... not great.
[He does his best to put aside the knowledge of how many lives that adds up to. How many poor souls died in his master's jaws? That's not Astarion's fault. That's on his master.]
It's extremely hard to judge. In my world, the older a vampire gets, the less blood they need. I have no idea if that's true for you.
For you I just... I don't know. It's really not safe to do big feedings on the same human more than every three months. My master is old. Very old. So, he'd take a very small amount from me on a weekly basis... and even that had to be carefully managed with iron supplements, diet, and exercise. The first day after I'd usually have to spend sleeping.
Now, here, I have that special regeneration boon I asked the fae for so I could do feedings more frequently. But still I... I'm worried my master here isn't going to be happy if I'm double-ing up too much.
[He taps a finger to his lips, thoughtfully.]
There are creatures in the woods. Deer and other big game. And there are the brothels too. I've heard they will let you pay for a meal. I'm not saying I don't want to help, just that if you require a lot then you're going to have to plan on varying your sources.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-22 07:51 pm (UTC)Clearly there were too many factors to know for certain. Astarion was 200 years old, but what did that even mean in terms of undeath? Was it different for him, being a vampire spawn--and having his little passenger sleeping dormant in his head, allowing him to walk in sunlight and cross any threshold he liked without the need for invitation?
He sighed. He had quite a learning curve ahead of him, didn't he. Perhaps the game in the woods, coupled with a few sips of kith blood, would suffice HANG ON HOL' UP-- ]
...Wait. I'm sorry, your master here? [ Explain, Max, cause he is confusion. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-23 03:50 pm (UTC)Sorry, that came out wrong. I don't mean like... not the same guy.
It's someone I also feed here. Obviously. Honestly, they aren't very open about it so I'd appreciate if you keep that to yourself. I promise you, though. I'm in no way being forced.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-23 04:28 pm (UTC)[ Good news, Max, you don't have to worry about Astarion's hand straying near your mark any longer, because he is quite pointedly taking his hand back. The very thought of...willingly shackling oneself to another Master. It turns his stomach. ]
Well. You can be assured I have no desire at all to cross another vampire.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-23 05:08 pm (UTC)[Isn't it though? Maybe at the start... Max was so desperate for his world to make sense again when he threw himself at Jackie practically strong-arming the vampire into adopting him. But Jackie has helped him! At his Master, Jackie teaches Max to be better at consent, not worse. Their advice and support has been invaluable. It's not the same at all.]
But... yeah. They don't really want anyone to know their deal. So. Please don't tell anyone about this.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-23 05:51 pm (UTC)[ He shook his head firmly and pushed off of the bed, putting a few steps of distance between himself and Max. Mostly out of fear. He'd have never asked for his help if he'd known he was risking the ire of a vampire he called Master. ]
As I said. I've no desire whatsoever to cross another vampire. If there's risk of that, then please, leave.
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