{Video}

[lansizhui]

{He is dressed like a proper Lan disciple. The robes are more comfortable - more familiar to him - and, of course, he can't ever dispense of his headband. The plucking of strings can be heard, but since the camera is focused on his face, the guqin isn't in view.}

I've tried several times to commune with spirits, but there doesn't seem to be any nearby.

{The idea occurred to him when he heard others talking about voids being places spirits travel through.}

I didn't know if that might be comforting to anyone. We're not among the dead.

Comments

[dredefulchilde]

But I’m right here...

[lansizhui]

Are you another spirit?

Did you hear me?

[dredefulchilde]

I’m not a spirit, no.

But I am dead.

[lansizhui]

Are you a Fierce Corpse, by chance?

[dredefulchilde]

I am exceptionally fierce.

[lansizhui]

No, no, I mean -

Fierce Corpses are brought back to life. They're not spirits because they have a body.

[dredefulchilde]

Then I suppose I meet that definition.

I died a very long time ago.

[lansizhui]

Does magic help you sustain your form?

[dredefulchilde]

Not magic. A curse.

[lansizhui]

Was it placed against your will? I could help...

[dredefulchilde]

Removing the curse, were such a thing even possible, would kill me even deadder than I am now. Hard pass.

[lansizhui]

Have you consulted a Cultivator?

[dredefulchilde]

Witches and vampires do not traditionally mesh well together.

[lansizhui]

I am neither. Cultivators are those who deal with spirits and monsters. The former we try to put to rest and the latter we hunt.

[dredefulchilde]

I am a monster. I’ve no intention of being hunted.

[lansizhui]

A monster in the eyes of who? Have you hurt anyone?

[dredefulchilde]

I’ve killed thousands over the last seven centuries.

[lansizhui]

...why? {The question is phrased sadly.}

[dredefulchilde]

Survival. I needed their blood.

Also the fun of it, after a while.

[lansizhui]

Could you have not acquired the blood through other means? Animals are killed often for food.

...fun?

[dredefulchilde]

Animal blood will keep one alive in the direst of circumstances, but it doesn’t sustain. The vampire curse requires human blood.

Killing can be quite fun, when it is all one knows.

I was much younger then. I only kill the truly deserving now.

[lansizhui]

What changed you into a Vampire? {He does feel bad for this kid. Can he still be called a kid? It must be hard to live that long, having to survive in that way.}

[dredefulchilde]

A woman who saw a dying child who would not be missed, and wanted a pet.

[lansizhui]

I am so sorry. {He can almost understand that.} I was taken in too when I was a child. Thankfully the people who looked after me were good.