[RL with Sebastian ]

[carriesparasol]

After her rather strange and adventuresome night Alexia had of course consulted with her dearest friend Ivy Hisselpenny. Of course it had been more gossiping than consulting as Ivy was rather shocked about all she had to share and had little to no advice on the matter. However, it had done her some good to confess to someone trusted about her strange encounter with Lord Maccon. After Miss Hisselpenny's visit, Alexia still had much to think about and digest, but she has such little time to do it. Ivy would not be her only caller that day. After speaking to the community, she was expected her acquaintance, Sebastian Michaelis.

Not wanting the unnecessary suspicion and annoyance of her family, Alexia planned for his visit to be closer to evening and fibbed to her mother that Lord Akeldama would be the one calling on her that evening. As usual the mention of the rove Vampire sent her mama into a tizzy and she and the rest of the family scurried away to another ball, leaving Alexia alone. Or, as alone as one can be with a house full of servants.

Patiently Alexia waited in the greeting parlor for her guest's arrival.

Comments

[carriesparasol.livejournal.com]

Of course that would be because vampires can do very little harm to a preternatural, seeing as they become quite human at one's touch, but Alexia was not about the explain that. It was a secret she kept well guarded, even from her friends and family.

"I suppose I have just become so used to their presence that a few troublesome vampires will not ruin my view on their race as a whole," she told him, sounding quite convincing. "Of course, as long as I have my parasol at my side I am prepared to defend myself. I admit, my abduction was frightening for a moment or two."

[raises-shotas.livejournal.com]

"That's understandable, and quite reasonable of you," Sebastian said, though inwardly he poked at it, rolling the question about in his mind. He didn't know her well, but was it really likely that a young Victorian lady with a parasol would be so reasonable when it came to blood-sucking monsters?

"Where would we be as a civilized society if people put an entire race down for the actions of a few extremists?" Precisely where they were right now, of course, since that was human nature. Sebastian smiled slightly, enjoying his own joke.

[OOC: Would her power affect Sebastian, too? Sebastian: *horrified at thought*]

[carriesparasol.livejournal.com]

"There are still many in this world who are against the integration of the supernatural set into society," Alexia said regretfully. "America is full of the Puritans who left because of such a reform here in England." She pitied the whole of America and other countries like it. Humans there refused to believe that supernaturals were anything but people who had sold their souls to the devil, and forced them into hiding by hunting them without mercy. It was practically a trip back to the European Dark Ages.

"I can only hope that we will all continue to strive forward instead of backwards as so many people seemed inclined to do."

[ooc: For now, I'll say yes, but canon has not finished and there is a lot unknown about preternaturals, so that may change as more comes out. :\]

[raises-shotas.livejournal.com]

"It's human nature to fear the unknown, particularly if it has the taint of the devil in it," Sebastian purred, bemused. "It's incredible to me that England is so...enlightened." Or foolhardy, depending on how one interpreted it. The American reaction wasn't surprising to him.

"But I suppose things do tend to stumble along in a generally forward direction," he pointed out with a slight shrug. "So long as the supernatural don't give the humans too much reason to change their mind, perhaps acceptance is inevitable, at least in a century or two."

[OOC: Sweet! So it happens when she touches them?]

[carriesparasol.livejournal.com]

"It is that fear that hinders any progress that might be made," Alexia as she carefully sipped her tea. "But England is far from perfect, despite its strides forward. There are still many people that fear the supernaturals. They may be accepted members of society, but there are still those who are hesitant to allow them near."

Her own family was a fine example, and even her dear friend Miss Hisselpenny was hesitant to associate with supernaturals.

"Now what about your world? Are most people aware of the presence of demons among them?"

[ooc: Yep. It's instantaneous skin, by skin to skin or through clothes.]

[raises-shotas.livejournal.com]

"Fear is natural," Sebastian murmured. "It's one of the primary motivations of humans, from what I've seen."

He chuckled and shook his head, reaching for the pot to pour them each more tea. The habits of service died hard. "Very few are aware of the existence of demons. Even the rest of the Phantomhive household doesn't know that I'm a demon. Only my master Ciel knows my true nature. There are other supernatural creatures in the world as well, such as Reapers, angels, and ghosts."

He shrugged, lifting his refreshed cup. "Most fear such things, without believing that they really exist."

[OOC: For the purposes of the party, want to assume that they just chat here and don't actually touch and they can possibly discover this little quirk when they're locked in a small room?]

[carriesparasol.livejournal.com]

"I see," Alexia said with a nod. She was quiet for a moment as she digested what he had just told her. "And does that work better for supernatural creatures of your kind? Or do you hope for a change?"

[ooc: That's fine with me. :D He'll be the first in the community to find out!]

[raises-shotas.livejournal.com]

He considered the question thoughtfully, sipping his tea. "I'd say that it matters to me little," he decided in the end. "I certainly have nothing that I wish that I cannot get through my own efforts, and to be honest..." He waved a hand. "It seems to me that humans are not so supreme in this world than they think. For me to go to your governments, to beg for legitimacy and recognition, is demeaning."

He cocked his head. "Overall, I think that I'm better off remaining in the shadows. There's so much more room to move there. In the light, I would need to behave. Now the only one I'm beholden to is my master."

[carriesparasol.livejournal.com]

Alexia took a moment to consider the danger she may have put herself in by befriending this new acquaintance, but in the end she decided trouble had a way of finding her one way or another. She might as well have a good conversation or two while she was at it.

"I think there are many supernaturals would agree with you. While the majority is glad for the peace that we have here, there are some who wish for more freedom."

[raises-shotas.livejournal.com]

Luckily for Alexia, demons from Sebastian's world had a code of honour, and Sebastian had no interest in any soul other than that of his master's. Alexia's death wouldn't further Ciel's interests in the least, and that meant that she was as safe as it was possible to be in the presence of a demon.

"Perhaps it's merely my own biases against change," Sebastian admitted with a soft smirk. "But I am happy with things the way that they are, and don't see much potential gain to be had - personally - within your system. I wonder, though." He looked at her with open curiosity. "Have any of your supernatural friends told you what they get out of coming out of the shadows and into the light?"

[carriesparasol.livejournal.com]

"I would not say coming into the light would be an accurate statement. Supernaturals are still very much creatures of the night. Vampires would perish in the sunlight and werewolves are very much diminished by it as well, save a few stronger ones," Alexia explained.

"However, I believe they are keen on joining the society of humans for protection. Supernaturals may have the advantage in strength and power, but throughout history there have always been those who hunted them. As members of society they are free of such persecution."

[raises-shotas.livejournal.com]

"I was speaking figuratively," Sebastian said with amusement. "I'm not at all diminished by daylight, but still I move in a world that most people would consider dark."

He cocked his head. "But they were persecuted because of the danger they posed to humans. Do your vampire friends not still drink human blood?"

[carriesparasol.livejournal.com]

"Of course they do," Alexia said with a nod. They needed it to survive, after all. "That is what drones are for. Vampires act as patrons to humans they deem worthy, and those humans in turn volunteer their blood. Usually they volunteer in a bid to gain immortality someday."

She did not think ill of any drone, but even if she were able to Alexia did not think she would ever with to have the immortal life of a vampire or werewolf.

[raises-shotas.livejournal.com]

Sebastian nodded, resting his cheek on one hand as he regarded her. "Are you considering taking your friend on as a patron, then?" She did talk about that man, Akeldama or something like that, quite frequently. Perhaps she was already offering herself to him.

[carriesparasol.livejournal.com]

"Oh certainly not," Alexia replied. "Vampire drones are usually people of excessive creativity. It is hypothesized that their creativity is proof of an overabundance of soul. Only those with a large amount of soul would survive the change," she explained. Of course with the lack of soul Alexia had, she would not even be able to attempt such a feat even if she wanted to.

"Besides, I do not suit Lord Akeldama's...taste, when it comes to drones." She smirks a bit at this.

[raises-shotas.livejournal.com]

Sebastian blinked at this. "Excessive soul?" he asked, leaning forward with more interest. "People in your world have...more or less soul than others? What does that mean?"

He sees her smirk and gives her a bemused expression in return, taking her meaning.

[carriesparasol.livejournal.com]

"It is not an exact science since the soul is something one cannot measure. At least, not as of the present moment," Alexia began her explaination. It felt strange having to explain at all, since everyone in her world had public knowledge of this.

"Supernaturals are beings in possession of excessive soul. If one took the bite of a vampire or werewolf and they did not have enough soul, they would not survive. The simplest example is ghosts. If a person has an vast amount of soul, it will appear in ghostly form until their body decomposes completely."

[raises-shotas.livejournal.com]

"I see," Sebastian said thoughtfully. He couldn't help but wonder if he would notice a difference, eating the soul of someone who had the potential to become a ghost or other supernatural creature, or someone who didn't have enough. Not that he would ever find out, most likely.

He smiled. "That's fascinating. It's not the same where I come from. There are souls of different quality, different refinement, but not different sizes, so far as I'm aware."