-- Canon is Dracula (BBC Radio Drama) --

[shorthanded]

Mundane,

I really must protest to this entire business. I've only just reclaimed my life as my own, and that of my precious Mina. Honestly, I only want nothing more than to see my home again. The lights of London alone would be a welcome sight. To return to my life as it was and close this chapter of my life. Put it behind me. I have seen a great many terrible things, more than any man should see.

...What do you mean there are others? You cannot expect that I...oh. Oh heavens...

Excuse me...

Comments

Hmm. Interesting choice, random number generator.

[make_me_a_star]

Sorry, mister, but you're probably not gonna see your home again. Not if your "mun" is anything like mine, that is.

[shorthanded]

That's nonsense! Surely this delay cannot last but a few days!

[make_me_a_star]

It ain't... it's not nonsense.

[She clears her throat, obviously trying hard to make her speech sound more proper.]

I've been stuck around here for months.

[shorthanded]

Months?!

[ He laughs, nervously ]

I've been through this once before. I won't... No, I cannot be imprisoned again. I won't go through that again. My Mina needs me!

[make_me_a_star]

This Mina sounds like a pretty special gal.

[She shrugs.]

But I'm sorry, darlin', I think you're stuck where you are.

[shorthanded]

[ He might be starting to panic. Just a little. ]

This is... this can't be happening. Not again.

[make_me_a_star]

When did it happen before, sweetheart?

[She's trying to use a soothing tone.]

[shorthanded]

[ He nervously pulls his jacket tighter and the collar higher at the very memory of it. ]

It's....you wouldn't believe me.

[make_me_a_star]

I'd believe a lotta things, trust me.

[She smiles softly.]

But you don't need to tell me if it makes you uncomfortable.

[shorthanded]

[ He takes a deep breath, steeling his nerves. ]

I mustn't allow such fears... [ His voice falters] ...control me.

I was handling the affairs of a...foreign nobleman. A count. He insisted...no, more than insisted. He forced me to stay with him for a great deal longer than anticipated.

His castle...backed by high cliffs and surrounded by dense forests... It was a place of nightmares.

Why can't I get my icons right

[make_me_a_star]

[She shakes her head.]

Oh honey, that's awful. Was he absolutely horrible to you?

Because non-paid accounts are annoying.

[shorthanded]

[ He lowers his gaze, still obviously uncomfortable. ]

Not...not at first. He seemed the most gracious host, if a little...eccentric. As the days and weeks passed, he grew more unsettling. When I could take no more, and tried to leave...

[ His hands were shaking. Noticing this, he curled them into fists and shoved them behind his back. He held his head up high, trying to convince himself that he could face these events. But his voice shook. ]

...I discovered just how...horrific...he could be.

Re: Truth!

[make_me_a_star]

[She frowns.]

Did he hurt you? I mean, if he forced you to stay, that's bad enough, but... was he violent?

[shorthanded]

[ His expression shifts between distress and a nervous smile, as though he can't decide which to settle on. ]

Not directly. I dare say if it were mere violence... the memory of him would not spark such fear in my heart. Though I know him to be dead.

[make_me_a_star]

Well, what did he do?

[Her eyes are wide, clearly interested.]

[shorthanded]

[ He looked at her, his expression grave and serious. Which at long last his voice reflected. ]

He...wasn't human. He was a... a v--

[ Uttering such a word, even now proved difficult and his voice caught. He doubted she would believe him. ]

...something horrible. I dare not frighten you with the terrible details.

[amora_enchantress]

[ The beautiful blonde goddess slinks up to Johnathan, toying with his collar and smiling sweetly up at him. She exudes softness and femininity, and smells like heaven.]
Darling man, you seem so frightened. Come, let me comfort you, protect you. I won't let anybody hurt you.
[ She plants a sweet, chaste kiss on the corner of his mouth. ]

[shorthanded]

[ He stiffens at her touch of his collar, immediately reminded of something he'd so wished was a dream. He was frozen in place, until she moved in for the kiss, which was when he scrambled back in quite a panic. ]

That's QUITE enough!

[amora_enchantress]

[ She pouts quite fetchingly, backing off slowly and looking up through her eyelashes at him, changing her tactics.]
I'm sorry, my dear. I didn't mean to scare you. We lost spirits need to stay together and watch each others' backs. Please, don't go away. I could not stand to have frightened you off. Perhaps, we could help one another?

[shorthanded]

[ He, of course, thinks she is like those other women and her words do nothing to calm him. ]

No, I-I don't think so. I don't think that I....that I can offer you the manner of...assistance you require.

[amora_enchantress]

[Looks positively devastated that he's still backing away, her blue eyes brimming with crystalline tears.]
Oh no... no, please. Don't leave me! Everyone I encounter here either doesn't recognize me or just plain leaves me! I'm sorry... please... don't go...

[shorthanded]

[ At last, her words halt his slow retreat. Something in what she said more than her tears, confusion coloring his expression. ]

...Am I meant to know who you are?

[amora_enchantress]

How am I to know? I don't even know who YOU are. I saw somebody I thought I knew,
[she looks genuinely saddened by this, any falseness in her expression melted away by real emotion]
but, he didn't know who I was.

[dailydischord]

Poor Amora...Lost, frightened and desperate for attention in these lonely wastes? It's actually rather liberating when you figure it out.[He laughed lightly and paused for a short moment allowing a small smile to tug the corners of his mouth.]

You haven't though have you?

I thought you insane but it's all clear now; Who you are....[That knowing chesire cat grin painted on his face.]

What a cute friend you've made. He doesn't seem to like you though.

[amora_enchantress]

WHAT?!?!?

[shorthanded]

[ He looked between the woman and this newcomer, obviously uncomfortable by the their dispute. ]

Perhaps it would be best if I were to excuse myself...

[dailydischord]

If you want sympathy you'd have better luck with my brother.

[amora_enchantress]

NO WAIT! Wait... what the...?
[she looks between the two of them, looking somewhat confused]
Is this one of your tricks, Loki?
Please, don't go away, I'm begging you....

[shorthanded]

No, I insist. I do not wish to come between you and...

[ Worry crossed over his features, not yet realizing what she was getting at. Unwilling to see it for himself. Loki? Wan't that...no, he must have heard wrong. ]

Loki? Heavens no! My name is Harker. Jonathan Harker.

[amora_enchantress]

[Patiently] Nice to meet you, Mr. Harker. And I meant HIM. [she jerks a thumb at the grinning Prince] He's Loki. You just bear an uncanny resemblance...
And please... he doesn't want to see me anyway. He's just trying to undermine me.

[make_me_a_star]

A what?

[She's leaning forward, completely fascinated.]

Don't worry, you won't frighten me!

[shorthanded]

[ This is one very strange woman. Some how he is reminded of his late sister-in-law, which is not a good thing. He looks at her, and at last finds his nerve. ]

A vampire.

[shorthanded]

[ He looks over to Loki, his mind absolutely refusing to see any similarity. ]

It sounds as though you two are having something of a quarrel, which is no business of mine.

[make_me_a_star]

Really? I've never seen one, but... how alarming.

[amora_enchantress]

No, please, really. You don't have to go...
[She's trying desperately not to look desperate and is failing miserably, looking instead like the lost young woman that she is attempting bravado she doesn't feel, and frustrated beyond words]