Eric's room - for Athelstan

[onceaviking]

Eric's room is neat and bare.
He hadn't been expecting to return.

He opens the door and lets Athelstan in. Then he switches on the bedside lamp and turns to look at him.

Comments

[onceaviking]

"Not all are as enthusiastic as you," Eric says, not really looking at him.

[athelstanthescribe]

"No?" He thinks about that, then shrugs. "I don't see why they would agree, if they can't be enthusiastic."

[onceaviking]

"Some are so enamoured with the idea of vampires that the reality doesn't really factor into it."

[athelstanthescribe]

"They're not expecting it to hurt?"

[onceaviking]

"No. And they don't expect becoming afraid."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods.

"They aren't able to trust that you'll stop."

[onceaviking]

"But you do?"

[athelstanthescribe]

There's a short silence before he answers.

"I believe you don't want to kill me, for more reason than one."

[onceaviking]

Eric nods.

"That is true."

[athelstanthescribe]

"And so far, you've shown you can remember that even in feeding." He smiles slightly. "It isn't as if I could stop you."

[onceaviking]

"No, you couldn't, " Eric agrees.
Smiling.

[athelstanthescribe]

"So, you've proved to me you can and will stop yourself." He shrugs slightly. "It's no guarantee, I know, but some grounds for trust."

[onceaviking]

"I suppose you're right."

He sits back up. Running a hand over his face.

"How are you feeling? "

[athelstanthescribe]

"A little... dulled", he says after a moment's self-evaluation. "But otherwise all right."

[onceaviking]

Eric nods.
"The offer still stands," he says, quietly.

[athelstanthescribe]

"And I'll take it", he says equally quietly. "At best, I'm going to watch someone volunteer in my place."

[onceaviking]

Eric nods.

Then he looks away. And says," Peace."
That's what comes after.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'll remember", Athelstan promises.

[onceaviking]

He nods.

"When will you go back?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Soon." He glances at the door to Eric's room, and everything that lies beyond it. "No sense putting it off."

[onceaviking]

Eric nods.

"No," he says. "There no sense in that."

[athelstanthescribe]

"So", he says with a faint smile. "Soon."

[onceaviking]

"If I am there, let me know," Eric says and gets up, heading for, of course, the bathroom.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Perhaps today." He pushes himself up, with an effort, and wanders in that direction as well. "We'll see."

[onceaviking]

"How are you feeling?" Eric asks, without turning, as he turns in the water. Sometimes getting vertical makes a difference.