[As long as Ed's in an empty public space somewhere in the zone, Jerry here is about to swoop in and invade it. Except from the ground instead of the roofs. SURPRISE.]
[Pretty much everything here counts as abandoned; tends to help when it's all crumbling into sand bit by bit. He looks up as requested, tracks the movement and shrugs at the greeting substitute.]
Thanks, I guess...?
[He's not sure what to make of it right now, so it's wary; you're not exactly high on his list of Awesome People at the moment, Jerry. Not that it's your fault.]
[Gosh should he even say 'you're welcome' because it's not all compliments and praise. Ed's made friends fast, friends who don't give a shit he's a goddamn bat. That's a new one in Jerry's book although thinking back on it there was a time when people were far more afraid of you based on what God you prayed to over how many teeth you have in your mouth. Hell some of that still applies now.]
If we weren't in the middle of a desert with shitty cover? Fuck yeah.
[A pause, and he's visibly considering the next course of action here. He may not want to say what comes next, because Jerry still scares the shit out of him even now, but he has to say it. Has to at least offer, anyway. Because of who it is.]
Hey, so if you're trying to get to the safe zone, we've got a caravan going.
[He recognizes the invitation for what it is but there's one thing Jerry needs to clarify.]
I'm talking about your friends, Ed. Because I think you know [Point at Ed.] I know [Point at self.] they know what you [Point.] are.
[And he's moving closer too, have a fingernail poking lightly into Ed's chest if he doesn't keep his distance.] You were never really good at hiding who you are.
[He doesn't. He knows he should probably back down a little, but with his brush with independence he's feeling a little mouthy, a little brave, so he doesn't, just raises his chin in not-quite a challenge.]
'Cause I never tried.
They're not my friends. They're allies. For now. It won't last.
[While they're in close proximity to each other Jerry will actually sniff the kid. He knows instinctively this is Evil Ed, the little stalker shrimp from Las Vegas, still in one piece and undead. He's not the mended remains of a chopped up fuck up who got dusted at Peter Vincent's place. He's got a defiant streak too. Interesting. Evil doesn't have to know how fucking painful it was to roll out of a goddamn fire.]
Of course. [And here comes an actual hand settling at the crook of Ed's neck. It's a firm pat followed by a squeeze.] Are you fed?
[It could be that Jerry cares. It could be that he doesn't like starving pets. It could be that a starving fledgling is a liability especially when he has an in with these refugees. Whatever the case, Jerry expresses concern very well.]
[Ed squirms under the weight of the hand, both soothed and unsettled by the contact, and that in itself is enough to tip the scales towards unsettled. But he doesn't shake it off, doesn't do much more than shrug.]
Yeah, I guess. Blood donations and rangy rabbits, but.
[It's food. His expression twists in dissatisfaction nonetheless; doesn't mean it's filling. And it doesn't help that he's been out of dirt since this whole thing started.]
[Bred like a dog, fed like a dog, and they probably think it's a compromising sort of kindness to him. That's Jerry's conclusion and he's never even met these people. He could now, he really could. Is it worth it? He recognizes the expression on Ed's face.]
But?
[Let it be known, Jerry Dandrige has never discriminated between his girls and his boys. He presses his own teeth into the heel of his own palm, drawing blood. He hasn't verbally offered it to Ed but he knows the smell will catch his attention. Jerry wants to see if the kid will ask for it, take it by his own volition, or refuse. Consider it a litmus test.]
[The reaction is almost instantaneous; canines lengthen, his eyes go dark, almost as soon as he catches the scent, and his gaze is drawn to the pinpricks of red that drip like moth to flame. He can't help it.]
The blood tastes like antiseptic and the rabbits taste like sand. And it's like trying to live off tofu but I can't eat anybody or else I'll end up barbecued in my sleep.
[He scowls at the inconvenience, wound tight under the combination of everything, and it looks like he's warring between trying to take it for himself or just asking. Instead he does neither, even if it goes against his current trains of thought.]
[Barbecued? They're threatening the kid? With what army? Granted Brewster handled Ed on his own.]
It's not a handout. I'm making you take it.
[Jerry advances forward, fisting his other hand into the kid's shirt to drag them both into deeper shadows. Here Ed have a mouth full of blood whether you like it or not. Because Jerry doesn't play coy cat and mouse games like a vampire named Lestat would.]
[Oh, not everybody. Just Charlie. And her fire veins.
He snarls in protest at the manhandling, a curse rising in his throat; he doesn't need it, he's fine, he's managing, but then there's blood filling his mouth and it's either swallow or waste it. So he swallows. And it's way better than anything he's had from any human host so far, so after a momentary pause he keeps at it, gulping greedily as he latches onto it in a death grip to keep it there.]
[Jerry rumbles, his voice low and carrying a possessive timbre to it. It's not just a matter of keeping the kid fed, it's a matter of insurance, keeping the kid's loyalty and rank. Make him addicted to Jerry Dandrige. Maybe he was never in any danger of giving Jerry away to begin with but he loses nothing from letting Ed have a snack. If anything, the way the kid anchors himself to him is the pay off. It's a two-way high.]
[Ordinarily he'd object to the sentiment. It's insulting, implies that he's little more than a glorified lapdog, a thing, something to be fed treats when it does a particularly good trick. Except there's power in the blood, a draw, so he doesn't say anything, only hums in contentment and tries to take as much of it as he can before Jerry pushes him off.]
[Like this? PUSH. Jerry plants his hands flat against the kid's face to shove him off hard. Not enough to make him stumble, just hard enough to signal disengagement. Jerry hisses too, low and instinctive, another trait of being inhuman, superhuman, metahuman, whatever the fuck anyone wants to call it. All predator, he'll accept that. He licks at the bite mark on his palm. He doesn't need to lick it to accelerate the healing process, he just likes the taste.]
Keep a sharp eye on your allies, kid.
[He doesn't have to remind Ed that Charley was his 'ally' too once, does he?]
[Ed whines quietly at the dismissal, but he backs off willingly enough; he's full by now anyway, or full enough, it's only instinct that kept him attached. So he steps back, wiping his mouth and cleaning off the rest, and shrugs.]
No shit. I'm only sure one won't pull anything 'cause she keeps saying she will and doesn't.
They've got their hands full with you. [And he doesn't like the sound of the firebrand. Jerry rubs his thumb against the corner of Ed's mouth.] This stays between you and me. I'll find you when you're on the inside.
[Maybe share a kill or two as he sees fit. Don't be disappointed, Evil, he's keeping his eye on you like a good creep.]
[A long sigh, and it's partly the blood talking, a lingering need to be around the older vampire and a reluctance for him to leave, and partly just inexperience (he doesn't know what he's doing, doesn't know what he's supposed to be doing), but he nods all the same.]
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[TEXT- Private ]
[TEXT- Private ]
[A few seconds later]
Where are you?
[TEXT- Private ] 1/2
[TEXT- Private ]
[TEXT- Private ]
Where though?
[TEXT- Private ] --> ACTION
[As long as Ed's in an empty public space somewhere in the zone, Jerry here is about to swoop in and invade it. Except from the ground instead of the roofs. SURPRISE.]
You move quick for a kid.
ACTION
Thanks, I guess...?
[He's not sure what to make of it right now, so it's wary; you're not exactly high on his list of Awesome People at the moment, Jerry. Not that it's your fault.]
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Do you like it?
no subject
[A pause, and he's visibly considering the next course of action here. He may not want to say what comes next, because Jerry still scares the shit out of him even now, but he has to say it. Has to at least offer, anyway. Because of who it is.]
Hey, so if you're trying to get to the safe zone, we've got a caravan going.
no subject
I'm talking about your friends, Ed. Because I think you know [Point at Ed.] I know [Point at self.] they know what you [Point.] are.
[And he's moving closer too, have a fingernail poking lightly into Ed's chest if he doesn't keep his distance.] You were never really good at hiding who you are.
no subject
'Cause I never tried.
They're not my friends. They're allies. For now. It won't last.
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Of course. [And here comes an actual hand settling at the crook of Ed's neck. It's a firm pat followed by a squeeze.] Are you fed?
[It could be that Jerry cares. It could be that he doesn't like starving pets. It could be that a starving fledgling is a liability especially when he has an in with these refugees. Whatever the case, Jerry expresses concern very well.]
no subject
Yeah, I guess. Blood donations and rangy rabbits, but.
[It's food. His expression twists in dissatisfaction nonetheless; doesn't mean it's filling. And it doesn't help that he's been out of dirt since this whole thing started.]
no subject
But?
[Let it be known, Jerry Dandrige has never discriminated between his girls and his boys. He presses his own teeth into the heel of his own palm, drawing blood. He hasn't verbally offered it to Ed but he knows the smell will catch his attention. Jerry wants to see if the kid will ask for it, take it by his own volition, or refuse. Consider it a litmus test.]
no subject
The blood tastes like antiseptic and the rabbits taste like sand. And it's like trying to live off tofu but I can't eat anybody or else I'll end up barbecued in my sleep.
[He scowls at the inconvenience, wound tight under the combination of everything, and it looks like he's warring between trying to take it for himself or just asking. Instead he does neither, even if it goes against his current trains of thought.]
Dude. I'm not asking for a handout.
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It's not a handout. I'm making you take it.
[Jerry advances forward, fisting his other hand into the kid's shirt to drag them both into deeper shadows. Here Ed have a mouth full of blood whether you like it or not. Because Jerry doesn't play coy cat and mouse games like a vampire named Lestat would.]
no subject
He snarls in protest at the manhandling, a curse rising in his throat; he doesn't need it, he's fine, he's managing, but then there's blood filling his mouth and it's either swallow or waste it. So he swallows. And it's way better than anything he's had from any human host so far, so after a momentary pause he keeps at it, gulping greedily as he latches onto it in a death grip to keep it there.]
no subject
[Jerry rumbles, his voice low and carrying a possessive timbre to it. It's not just a matter of keeping the kid fed, it's a matter of insurance, keeping the kid's loyalty and rank. Make him addicted to Jerry Dandrige. Maybe he was never in any danger of giving Jerry away to begin with but he loses nothing from letting Ed have a snack. If anything, the way the kid anchors himself to him is the pay off. It's a two-way high.]
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Keep a sharp eye on your allies, kid.
[He doesn't have to remind Ed that Charley was his 'ally' too once, does he?]
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No shit. I'm only sure one won't pull anything 'cause she keeps saying she will and doesn't.
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[Facetious? Possibly. But Jerry smiles with the faintest stained teeth.]
Get back to them. I'll be around.
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[Unfortunately you're actually right, Jerry, not that Ed sees it.]
...You're not coming?
[No, he's not disappointed, whatever would give you that impression?]
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[Maybe share a kill or two as he sees fit. Don't be disappointed, Evil, he's keeping his eye on you like a good creep.]
no subject
Yeah, okay. See you then, I guess.