nolongerhollow | For lastvoyages: Journal Entry 48 [video]

[Dracula is sitting at his desk, which has a substantial pile of library books and papers on it. The candles are all lit and the fire stoked, giving a good view of him. He is in his shirtsleeves and a smart dark blue vest in very subtle brocade. His expression is fairly pleasant, and his eyes, once vacant, now sparkle with curiosity and liveliness.]

When he left a friend of mine bequeathed me with a substantial portion of his motion picture collection. Of course, they involved a number of vampire movies, most of which are quite amusing. These, however, I have not seen yet. [He picks up a jewel case marked MST3K]. And apparently they are very amusing indeed.

Besides making the collection available for Movie Nights, I was wondering if anyone would like to join me for a viewing in the eighth floor common room once the proper arrangements are made?

Oh, and hello to any newcomers. I am Count Vladislaus Dracula...although chances are that I am not the man whom you associate with that name.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Ultrasonic clicks, and then a string of similarly-pitched chatter that has a definite lingual component to it. A moment later, the translator at the large bat's neck outputs, cheerfully:]

Hello, Count. You are in our communications feed! Quite unexpected. But with winds from the equator even catchbirds are fed.

[This last said as if it is a common idiom. None of her colleagues know if she's cryptic intentionally or if it's just a translator glitch.]

[So. Cute. He blinks for a moment, charmed, and then shrugs and goes to stand on the ceiling so he can address her eye to eye.] Hello! Yes, I enjoy these events very much. It allows me to communicate with an amazing array of new people.

[Delightful! So few hominids appreciate what it means to rest right side up.]

It is our second, this ship, our engineering staff are not pleased. But I can possibly be persuaded to allow this unruly network traffic. I can be bribed, ask Chief Stildyne.

[She sounds cheerful enough about this that any implied censure is probably ironic. Irony being the mother tongue of Ragnarok, after all.]

I am Second Officer of JFS Ragnarok, and my name is [a series of ultrasonic tones that don't translate at all]. But by hominids called 'Two'. You are not a standard hominid, I think? Most I know go red in the facial membranes when they hang for long.

Oh, you're Stildyne's crewmate! I believe he mentioned you. A pleasure to meet you.

No, I am...

[How to explain it in scientific terms?]

My people have a human base, but bear a...what is the word...symbiont which empowers us but comes at a cost. Side effects include sensitivity to sunlight and drastic alterations of our internal systems.

He has spoken? I am pleased. Unless there was censure. Then it is all false. I am a much put-upon old woman.

[If you can trust the translator-- or hear the superaudible range-- she sounds very playful.]

I do not the medical complexities grasp. But you are excellent company. You have excellent manners. [She unfurls her wing-- vast, to support a slightly-under-human sized bulk in the middle, and taps a key with her wing-knuckles, pulling a few files that play out as low-volume ultrasonic; informational.] Do you fly as well as hang?

[He can hear her, all right, but he doesn't have the power to answer back properly. A bit like a first year language student.]

Thank you very much. [The corners of his eyes crinkle.] As races we do seem to have characteristics in common. I do have a form of flight, yes, though it does not involve wings anymore.

No wings? [A touch of grandmotherly scandalization.] How do you catch thermals, it is ridiculous. Very silly.

[One of her dark, unfocused eyes blinks alone. It may be a wink. She may have had an itch.]

I know, I know. But my people are rather obnoxious when it comes to breaking basic laws of physics. As for riding thermals, they feel good and the company is good. Especially on some planets, apparently.

[There's a modulated ultrasonic shrill, her tongue coming out to rasp along her white teeth, but the translator can't make anything out of laughter.]

Yes yes. Come visit; we have deep caves, room for guests. I have many grandchildren. They are young and know where the thermals have shifted. The will show you to play.

[You're adorable, right-side-up no-winged hominid! You should certainly visit.]

I would love a chance to play with the little ones. Honestly I could use the practice. I aim to be a father someday.

So yes, I shall ask about specifics from your crewmate when I am ready, and send you a message.

[A chitter of pleasure.] Splendid. Delightful. Our Chief is useful after all, he has run off, he still has his uses.

[She sounds absolutely friendly about it.]

Oh, I imagine he will be back fairly soon relative your time. Time works a bit differently here.

I would invite you to my home but I...must rebuild it first.

Has he not said? Shocking. Not to be borne. Secretive. We have parted ways with our Chief before he came away to your untidy ship. He is missed. Do not tell him so. It will go to his head.

You must visit. In time perhaps also I will? Are there juicy thermals, this is the question.

He has? Oh, I did not know.

Well, that is a bit of a surprise, yes. But it won't deter me from coming around!

Splendid. Send word.

The chief hasn't got a Cousin. The Cousin will get us a message.

[She trills approvingly at him.]

Two away.

For lastvoyages: Journal Entry 48 [video]

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