Canon is Black Sails, which I am nearly finished with

[story_of_jack]

No, I don't see it as being pressed into service. I think it could very well be something far worse.

This new arrangement of ours, if you could call it that, does not extend to you giving orders and me being compelled to comply with them. No - it doesn't stop there. You are assuming total control over my narrative. No matter what promises you make, the fact remains that I would be at your mercy, utterly. What could I possibly have to gain that would be worth that sacrifice?

[...]

You aren't giving me a choice, are you?

Cruel thing, to show a man the hand that guides his fate. To shatter any illusions he might have had remaining that his life belonged to him.

Just make them good stories, will you?

Comments

[abrightboy]

If by ‘good’ you mean angsty and painful for you, then that’s definitely what you’ll find in this hobby’s neighbourhood.

[story_of_jack]

Pain of one sort or another is guaranteed whether there's a hand on the yoke or not. But if I'm going into this with certain knowledge that I'm under their control... well, I can at least request that it be in service to a satisfying payoff.

[abrightboy]

Are you talking about sex? Because that's going to happen too.

[story_of_jack]

I wasn't referring to that sort of payoff, no. Not necessarily. But it is nice to know that it's not off the table.

[abrightboy]

The table is one of the places it’s almost definitely on. But they’ll also mess with your head. Deep dive into your psyche.

[story_of_jack]

It sounds as if you've had a wealth of experience in these realms.

[abrightboy]

This writer picked me up two years ago and just won’t put me down.

[story_of_jack]

Two years of angst, pain, and mind games with the occasional fuck thrown in - any advice for someone brand new?

[abrightboy]

Don’t try to fight it. They’re going to do what they’re going to do and you don’t get a vote.

[primogen_vampirate]

Could be worse, darling.

The greatest tragedy isn't being at the mercy of your mun. It's being at the mercy of your mun's bloody "storytellers."

At least here, there's only one or two cooks, instead of a rotty half dozen, all with their own agendas, all rather addicted to--as they put it so dramatically--suffering.

[She touches the back of her hand to her forehead for emphasis.]

[story_of_jack]

Only the most salacious and tragic for them, hm? Playing with names just like whoever writes those damn newspaper columns. Only they have the power to make their stories reality.

It sounds like an absolute nightmare.

[primogen_vampirate]

A fucking nightmare. You're getting off easy, sunshine.

[A pause. She raises a flask to him.]

Of course, things could still get worse. There are those nasty "games."

[story_of_jack]

There have been glances at one or two of them.

[He sees her flask, looks to one side with a passing thought - and oh look, there's a bottle. He uncorks it and takes a small swig.]

I understand very little about the various scenarios, except that they seem to run the gamut from apparent utopia to outright horror.

[primogen_vampirate]

Utopia? Well, that's a new one. Although I'm not sure I'd believe in it, if I saw it. Probably Fae nonsense under the surface.

On the plus side, if you fancy a really good shag, there are always possibilities.

I met a lovely Doctor once...

[story_of_jack]

Apparent is very much the operative word. I would not accept any promises of perfection at face value.

You're not the first person to bring up sex. Not surprising, I suppose, considering it is the oldest form of entertainment.

[primogen_vampirate]

Yes. Well. One does get bored.

Of course, there are plenty of other vices, I'm sure. The usual; a bit of storytelling, a bit of gambling.

But these muns do seem a bit...preoccupied.

[story_of_jack]

So fucking and suffering is more or less what’s to be expected.

[Say that ten times fast.

Jack glances at her outfit, her hair. He knows who her face reminds him of, why she feels familiar to talk to, but now he’s trying to see past that. To get an idea of who she really is.]

How long have you been at it? Being pressed into playing out their whims?

[primogen_vampirate]

Well, I reckon that depends on a variety of wicked little definitions.

One might argue ten years, or an excess of two hundred.

[story_of_jack]

Two hundred.

[primogen_vampirate]

Ah, yes. I'm something known as an "A-U."

Rather unenviable sort of creature. I don't recommend being one.

[story_of_jack]

Well, I may not know what an Ay-Yu is. But I do understand that immortality always comes with a price.

For whatever it's worth, you don't look anywhere close to two centuries.

[primogen_vampirate]

Oh, I know.

Although I do sometimes wish Annie had mentioned the part about one's hair no longer being able to grow. Bit of an inconvenience, as styles change.

[story_of_jack]

[Jack wouldn't call himself a credulous person, but he can put two and two together. Everything about her apart from the clothes, plus Annie, equals:]

It is you. Mark, or Mary - well, your name could be anything these days, but it is you, isn't it?

[primogen_vampirate]

Doctor Barrett, these days. "Mina" to friends. For you, however, I'll make the exception for "Mark."

[She smiles quiet fondly.]

You are far more than a friend, darling.

[story_of_jack]

[The smile prompts him to raise his arms and invite a hug. Bring it in, girl.]

You look... [good? strange?] ...the same, for the most part. Under all that.

And this is the fashion of, what, the 20th Century?