[ 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.
[ It's unlikely that Astarion would understand, even if he made the attempt. He's also not angry. He's genuinely scared. Slightly disgusted. But the primary emotion that his face displays is fear. ]
I'd ask you not to speak of me to them, but I've a feeling you wouldn't have a choice.
[ He! Hates! Ev-ry-thing a-bout this! The fact that Max feels he has to say something at all is mmmmmm bad sign mashing x to doubt!! Doesn't like that Max is risking punishment on his behalf! Doesn't like that another vampire might be angry at him for biting their pet human!
But you know. Apparently this is Max's choice (press x to doubt). Astarion swallows hard and nods. ]
Very well. I'll...take your word for it. [ Not like he has a choice at this point. ] I...pray you know what you are doing, Max.
[Astarion is valid. His concerns are all very well founded. Poor guy. ...Welcome to the hell of knowing Max.]
I'll get it worked out. You'll see. Everything will be fine. And, maybe... if they want to meet you, they can give you some advice too? I mean, they might know better how to teach you?
[ Maybe that's hypocritical of him. To reject the notion of meeting one of his own kind. It's just that they're NOT his own kind. He's a spawn. He's a lesser. He's an escaped slave. And he doesn't intend to put himself in the sights of another vampire that apparently likes to keep slaves. ]
I don't want the kind of trouble that would bring. I'll figure it out, for myself.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(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.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-23 05:57 pm (UTC)[No. He can't explain it better without giving too much away. And, he can't make any guarantees about how Jackie will feel about any of this, can he?
Max finally takes his hand back and stands.]
Okay. I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention to... entangle you.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-23 06:09 pm (UTC)I'd ask you not to speak of me to them, but I've a feeling you wouldn't have a choice.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-23 06:25 pm (UTC)[He can see the fear. And he's sorry for having made it worse.]
It will be okay. Honest! Their main concern would be you revealing them to other non-vampires. And you won't. So, there won't be a problem.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-23 07:42 pm (UTC)But you know. Apparently this is Max's choice (press x to doubt). Astarion swallows hard and nods. ]
Very well. I'll...take your word for it. [ Not like he has a choice at this point. ] I...pray you know what you are doing, Max.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-23 08:02 pm (UTC)I'll get it worked out. You'll see. Everything will be fine. And, maybe... if they want to meet you, they can give you some advice too? I mean, they might know better how to teach you?
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-23 09:50 pm (UTC)[ Maybe that's hypocritical of him. To reject the notion of meeting one of his own kind. It's just that they're NOT his own kind. He's a spawn. He's a lesser. He's an escaped slave. And he doesn't intend to put himself in the sights of another vampire that apparently likes to keep slaves. ]
I don't want the kind of trouble that would bring. I'll figure it out, for myself.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-29 12:30 pm (UTC)[Max's fingers fidget in front of him where he stands. He eyes the door.]
Um. Should I...? I should. I'll just go...
[He makes for the door now, but casts a look back over his shoulder.]
Will you be okay?
(no subject)
Date: 2021-01-01 12:11 am (UTC)[ He's not one for brave faces, but his expression softens and warms, just a bit. ]
This...it did help. Thank you. It won't be so difficult next time.
end
Date: 2021-01-03 07:12 pm (UTC)Take care of yourself.
[And he does finally go now before he makes this any more awkward for either of them.]