audio (after shield is repaired and things are settling down at the end of the area)

[coffinturk]

[ Vincent isn't one to mince words. The message is relatively short and precise given its content. ]

We are all changing.

[ Yes. That is correct, Valentine. ]

The marks that appear are connected. But the changes are different even when two people seem to be becoming the same type of monster.

Contact me with the changes you are experiencing and the sigil's appearance. I will make a record.

Deliver it however you wish. Your thoughts on the changes are welcome.

Comments

[propatriamori]

[Just saying, no one would be terribly upset if Black Gladys and her pod figured out harpoons and started using them against billionaire yachts.]

I will.

[So he was right! That pleases Edward; it isn't like having his sight back, but it's something, at least.]

I can understand that. They serve as both defence and offence, am I correct?

[A pause, as Edward thinks on the things he'd heard in the gun shop.]

There's something on your left hand, as well. I thought it was a prosthetic at first, but now I'm not sure. Please don't tell me; I want to try and listen more closely when I'm next there.

[He makes a soft sound that's not a laugh but not quite a scoff either.]

Listen with both my ears and my feet, it seems.

[coffinturk]

Yes.

[ There's more to his world's style of armor and defensive technology than physical pieces. But it's not going to be covered here. ]

Hrmph. [ He gave an amused snort. ] Yes, there's something there.

[ And he won't give it away. The challenge Edward sets for himself is reasonable enough. ]

[propatriamori]

I thought so! I'll be listening closely to try and figure out what, exactly, it is.

[Edward wonders for a moment what he should call listening through his feet, but then dismisses it.]

May I ask, Vincent, what changes you've witnessed on yourself?

[coffinturk]

[ Someone was bound to ask that. So Vincent had been prepared. ]

I've grown fangs and developed a thirst for blood. Fortunately, the monsters out there are good enough.

[ He'd hidden his movements and efforts to discover his limits over the last month. And now, his delivery of these traits are done in a tone that's quite indifferent.

Well, admittedly he's very used to becoming a monster. ]

I think most people would consider them symptoms of a vampire.

[ Was that a trace of humor? Maybe. ]

[propatriamori]

[Edward thinks that over for a moment.]

So your changes are more dietary than physical. Beyond the fangs, of course.

[At least he's heard of vampires before. It's easy enough to reconcile that with what he knows of Vincent.]

Can you turn into a bat?

[Asking the important questions here.]

not Edward, outing himself as a book nerd

[coffinturk]

For now.

[ There is a short pause. Is Vincent trying? Maybe. ]

Not yet.

[ He's only been here a month or two. Maybe later. ]

haha look, the man went to Oxford, he's read a book or two in his time

[propatriamori]

[Edward half-expects to hear Vincent explode into a cloud of bats. He's not sure what, exactly, that would sound like, but he's listening for it.]

[When it doesn't happen, there's combined relief and humour in his voice.]

That would be an exciting ability to gain. Is it strange to say that I hope it happens for you?