001 ♚ [video & action]

[hybrida]

[ After calming down from his initial arrival, and learning just exactly where he is, Klaus thought it was about time to check out this little communicator he'd been given. The recent troubles with the mirror side and the riddle are none of his concern, since that was before his arrival, no matter how recent.

When the video starts, he looks to be in deep concentration. An expression that soon changes into something a little more smug when he notices it's working. ]

I'm to understand this broadcast can be seen by all who have the unfortunate luck to be here. [ He seems pretty amiable, leaning back a little in his chair as he rubs a hand over his chin. ] I'll admit, this isn't my preferred method of communication, but I believe there's a saying about Romans and what not that would apply to the situation.

[ Klaus glances over his shoulder, obviously looking at someone off camera, and his mouth curves into a smirk that seems at odds with his friendly behavior. ]

This is as good a time as any for me to get to know everyone, isn't it? So, out with it. Tell me something about yourselves. [ In truth, he really isn't interested in facts or making new friends - he's there to observe and judge his fellow captives. ] As for myself, my name is Klaus. I assume several of you have met my brother, Elijah.

[ Anyone who's had a run-in with Elijah will be getting extra attention from Klaus, how lucky for them. ]

If you would all indulge me just a bit, I would be most grateful.

[ He doesn't sound grateful - he sounds just the slightest bit condescending. He ends the feed there.

It's entirely possible if anyone happens to make their way to the fifth floor bar, he'll be parked right at the counter, downing a few glasses of scotch. ]

Comments

[vampdetective]

[He snorts -- derisive, dismissive.]

There've been incidents, but not enough to talk about.

[The Valentine's Day murder spree, the string of more selective murders that's made itself apparent in recent months -- they're nothing by his standards. Short-lived temper tantrums by humans who've reached the end of their rope, maybe, but not what he would call real carnage. People weren't even stopping to enjoy those violent urges-- murder meant things were over far too quick.

Mortals suffer and then they die. Their lights can be snuffed out in an instant if you're not careful, but if you are? You can make it last for weeks. Months. There's so much more to it than the taking of life, more to it than food. Pain is something to be savored. It's an art form.]

These meatsacks think the worst thing they've got to worry about is meeting some crazy in a dark hallway and finding themselves on the wrong end of his knife-- or pick-axe.

[That had been a fun twist, at least. He'd been able to appreciate the ruthlessness of it.]

Thing is, if we're talking real violence? Half of them don't even know the meaning of the word.

[hybrida]

[ It's hard not to be reminded of someone he'd once considered close, almost family - Stefan had gone through a Ripper stage in the twenties and though he still claims to this day his emotional switched was flipped, Klaus knew better.

There had been too much enjoyment had that indicated otherwise.

This leads to Klaus being just a bit more interested in this stranger than usual. There's no shortage of vicious vampires, though the vampire population as a whole has seemed to have lost much of its bloodlust. The ever changing world, becoming more tame as the years pass. ]

A pick axe? That's an interesting choice for a weapon. A bit archaic for my tastes, but I do prefer a sword if there must be a weapon involved. I can be sentimental about such things.

[ Yes, because violence is something to be sentimental about. ]

You said you've been playing subtle for a week, but you speak like you've been here for quite a while. Why is that?

[vampdetective]

And a sword's not?

[As far as he's concerned, a sword falls right in line with the rest of the days of yore crap -- but he'll admit, they are fun. Angel's prone to using them while he's out hunting his own kind. Angelus is more interested in the things they can do when he has the opportunity to take his time -- killing someone is easy. Snap a few bones, break a neck -- it's done in a matter of seconds and he doesn't need anything but his bare hands, but weapons open up all kinds of possibilities.]

You've still got a little Old World in you.

[And he's not just talking about the accent. When the question comes, he lets out a low chuckle, mirthless and long-suffering. God, he's been here forever, trapped on the inside and looking out while Angel prances around the place like some friggin' overgrown good fairy in a trenchcoat.]

Oh, I've been here a long time -- a whole year. Just haven't been myself.

[He taps one of his temples with his index finger.]

Let's say I was hitching a ride, but wasn't allowed in the driver's seat until recently.

is he on a stripper pole in that icon because that's what i'm assuming.

[hybrida]

[ Swords are timeless, don't you even dare. ]

Just a bit. I blame it on my sentimentality. [ Which is an absolute lie.

If Klaus is assuming correctly, which naturally he thinks he is, then certainly this has to be tied to this one's distaste of gypsies. ]

And what exactly put you back in that driver's seat?

HE'S IN A CAGE, YOU DICK.

[vampdetective]

The sooner you learn to leave it behind, the better. The modern world has so much to offer.

[Like chainsaws and blowtorches. Things he really, really could have made excellent use of in the powdered wig days.]

A curse.

[You got it, Klaus. It's those damn gypsies.]

Got myself cursed to have a soul and get all weepy over humanity. Real buzzkill, lemme tell you.

BUT HIS EXPRESSION CLEARLY SAYS 'STRIPPER POLE'

[hybrida]

[ He looks just the slightest bit amused at that. Oh, he's aware of what the modern world has to offer, but chainsaws lack the elegance of a blade. ]

I've some experience in such things. Broke a curse on myself not too long ago, in fact. A pesky thing, courtesy of my own mother. [ There's a hint of old bitterness in his tone there that quickly disappears as he continues. ] I suppose souls can be a burden at times - all those emotions weighing one down can be hell for a predator such as a vampire.

[ Not that he's one to talk. ]

DIE IN A FIRE, KLAUS.

[vampdetective]

[Elegance doesn't interest Angelus nearly as much as effectiveness.]

Huh. The hell does a guy have to do to get cursed by his own mom.

[It's a legit question. How in the hell, Klaus.]

The guilt is enough to turn even the most experienced killer into a wet blanket. Suddenly feeding like a normal vampire was out of the question, it was all eating rats and saving puppies. Pathetic.

[Especially the puppy part. Angel, you're literally the worst.]

CAN'T, HE'S IMMORTAL :D

[hybrida]

Exist, apparently.

[ A big, long, ugly story he doesn't wish to recount for anyone is not on the table right now. His existence was enough to cause his mother some sort of shame, he supposes. The fact that saying no to Mikael's demands for the curse to be placed was not an option probably accounts for some of it, but he has no sympathy for Esther. ]

Rats. [ There's a hint of distaste in his voice at that one. ] I would think there are better options if one insists on feeding from animals.

>:O

[vampdetective]

Harsh.

[Talk about disciplinarian households.]

No kidding. Rats are the bottom of the barrel -- but apparently, that's all he thought he deserved. [He, not I. Never 'I'.] Lowly scum of the earth, crying his little vampire heart out over the pain and suffering of the human condition. Took him a god damn century to upgrade to swine.

[Guess who's still not thrilled about the diet.]

[hybrida]

[ Really, he doesn't appreciate years being on the diet of the emotional and broody? ]

Yes, those vampires do tend to have a smidgen of a martyr complex.

[ So boring. All that guilt lays heavy after so long, why not shrug it off. ]

Good thing you're out and able to enjoy a proper meal.

[vampdetective]

Sounds like you know a couple of killjoys yourself.

[There's always one, isn't there. Some wet blanket who has to ruin it for everyone else.]

In a manner of speaking. Draw too much attention too soon and it could be curtains for the both of us, pal -- in the sense that the eagle scouts around here will suck every ounce of joy possible out of our afterlives if there's no foothold first.

[hybrida]

Just a few.

[ The biggest wet blanket of them all is someone he once considered friend. Still does, in some manner at least. He's sure Stefan would vehemently deny any friendship between them. ]

Low profile does seem to be what is needed here so far. [ Klaus doesn't seem surprised - he's been able to pick out at least ten different people by the sounds of their footsteps in the hallways. Surely there is much more than that, if the scents in the air are anything to go by. ] Not my usual preference, but it won't do to have a witch hunt started.

[vampdetective]

Unless we're talking hunting actual witches. Most of them have a wild streak. Feisty.

[Annoying, though, and always sticking their noses in and meddling where they're not wanted.]

Well, it's been fun, but I've got places to be, friends to to check in on-- not mine, but you know. Figure I should keep tabs on Angel's buddies while he's stepped out.

[Permanently, if he gets his way.]

[hybrida]

[ He doesn't comment about his own opinion on witches - at this point, more trouble than they're worth. ]

Then I won't keep you much longer. [ It'll be interesting to run into this one again. ] I'm sure we'll see each other another time.

[ And he ends the feed. ]