But how will you know if sniffing won't work

[negotiates]

You know, I'd like to think that I have enough experience with doppelgängers to be able to distinguish them. Even if neither are human.

Elena will have no shortage of volunteers eager to help her. I have my own family to take care of first.

Comments

[sixthanimorph]

You never can tell when it comes to doppelgangers, huh?

[negotiates]

You can if you know them.

[sixthanimorph]

Alright then, since you're the expert. How do you distinguish a doppelgänger? Do they have tells? Do they all scratch their ears?

[negotiates]

The two I know have distinct personalities and very different backgrounds.

[sixthanimorph]

They can't be very good at blending in if you can pick them out on stuff like that. Isn't the whole point supposed to be pretending to be someone else?

[negotiates]

Ah, I think we may have different ideas of a doppelgänger's purpose. They lead separate lives, each with their own goals and intentions. I'm told that one does have a fondness for imitating the other, but only when it suits her.

[sixthanimorph]

Oh... ohhh. Yeah, I thought you were talking about a different kind of doppelgänger. Those sound more like those identical twins that pretend to be each other to mess with people.

[negotiates]

That about sums it up, yes.

[sixthanimorph]

No offense, but those doppelgängers sound pretty weak.

[negotiates]

[He almost laughs at that. Weak is not the word he'd use to describe either Katherine or Elena.] Our experience must differ considerably. What are your doppelgängers like?

[sixthanimorph]

[He lounges back in his seat, cocky, almost like he's bragging. Which, of course, he is.] The doppelgängers I know can become anyone. Anyone at all. They could be pretending to be your best friend and you'd never know, that's how good they are. But they aren't limited to just people either. They can be animals too.

[negotiates]

[He considers this for a moment. Definitely a lot different.] Sounds more like shapeshifters.

[sixthanimorph]

[He shrugs impatiently.] You could call them that too. We don't call them either where I'm from. We call them morphers.

[negotiates]

Morphers. Interesting. And how do you know about them?

[sixthanimorph]

Ah... I've met them before. Long story.

[negotiates]

[He gives a slight shrug. Well, there's plenty of time for stories.] Were they enemies or allies?

[sixthanimorph]

[He sits up in his seat. Suddenly he's not quite so keen on bragging anymore.] I guess you could say both.

[negotiates]

Oh? [Elijah notes the change in attitude. He's a little intrigued.]

[sixthanimorph]

Yeah. [David on the other hand is shifting uncomfortably. He feels like he's being sniffed over by a bloodhound.] Like I said, long story.

[negotiates]

[Well. Vampire. Close enough.] My apologies if it's an uncomfortable topic for you. It's not something I've heard of before.

[sixthanimorph]

[A vampire's the last thing he'd peg this guy for. 'Persistent cop' is his guess so far.] Well, you won't either if you're lucky. They're not really the kind of things you want to run into.

[primogen_vampirate]

Good goddess, darling. Don't tell me you've been reduced to smelling people.

It's not that I object to utilizing all your senses. But it's rather tacky.

[negotiates]

[Just making conversation.] In that case, I'll try not to.

[negotiates]

On this occasion it was necessary.

[primogen_vampirate]

Oh, the things we get reduced to in these "games."