video

[faderbroderson]

[The boy who appears on camera could be no more than sixteen, if one were to judge by physical appearance alone. At best, the sober expression and conservative haircut might cautiously elevate him to as old as twenty. It’s the eyes that reveal the lie in that assumption. The eyes and perhaps a quality to his presence, something still and weary and aged that he makes no effort to conceal.]

My name is Godric, and I am newly arrived here.

I do not doubt that many of you have heard every possible question that could be asked in regard to our arrival, so I will be brief.

[A faintly wry expression crosses his face as he says it, as if in apology. But it passes as he pauses for a few heartbeats, unhurried, taking the time to consider his words.]

I am not altogether comfortable being proclaimed a hero, nor am I necessarily comfortable with the hand the military has taken in all this. For those of you who chose to register, if you had doubts, what swayed your opinion? For those of you who chose to abstain, or indeed took any other path, what convinced you it was for the best?

[His eyes wander back to the camera then, his gaze steady, focused wholly at whoever he may be addressing on the other end.]

They say the Porter is sentient, but I wonder over the nature of its intelligence. Do you believe our presence here is as deliberate as they imagine? If so, is it punishment or providence? Or is all this merely chance?

[Another pause and he shifts, eyes going distant and unfocused, considering whether to ask more. Deciding against it, he smiles politely. There’s no real happiness in it.]

Thank you for your time.

Comments

[rathercommon]

Oh - what's wrong with your job?

[faderbroderson]

They assigned me a job I would be explicitly unable to perform.

[He's amused and kind of not at the same time.]

It's possible it was a randomized assignment, but I think it's more likely it was meant to be joke. I'm guessing they didn't have any openings that I would be suited for, so defaulted to humor.

[rathercommon]

Well, go on. What is it?

Private

[faderbroderson]

[At another time, he might have dodged this question, but he's been assured that the imPorts are mostly open-minded. It's not especially surprising, considering the circumstances, so he'll take the risk. And look, he's got the privacy settings down now.]

They gave me a position as a food critic. As a vampire, you might imagine why this would be difficult for me.

Private

[rathercommon]

[ That earns a little surprised blink, and a little hesitation in her voice, but - nothing worse than that. ]

Oh. You can't, erm, eat at all, then? Nothing?

Private

[faderbroderson]

Only blood. I've been told I'm missing out, but... [He shrugs] I wouldn't know.

I hear good things about cake.

Private

[rathercommon]

Oh, yes. Cake is quite brilliant. All sweets, really.

[ She smiles sympathetically, having regained her balance from that revelation. ]

I knew a vampire, once - different sort of vampire, I expect - who loved chips. French fries, they're called here in America. It's too bad you haven't got his stomach.

Private

[faderbroderson]

[His eyebrows go up. This is the first he's heard about other types of vampires, please hold while he processes--

Okay, we're good.]

I might be more envious if I remembered what food tastes like, but I have to admit to some curiosity.

In the absence of a miracle, alas, I'll have to look for another line of work.

Private

[rathercommon]

Can't you, like, chew it and spit it out, though?

Private

[faderbroderson]

[That gets a genuine chuckle out of him, however short-lived it is.]

Does blood taste good to you, whether or not you swallow it?

Private

[rathercommon]

Er - well - black pudding is all right.

Private

[faderbroderson]

I'm sure it is.

Vampires tend to be no more fond of the taste of food than humans are of the taste of blood. I couldn't reliably tell you if something were good or not.