001 ⧗ audio

[araneidal]

​​[ Evenly, ]

How many of you have travelled to other dimensions before coming here?

​​[ a beat ]

Were they worlds like your own or extremely different? How did you get back home, if you did?

Comments

Audio.

[vampdetective]

I should, uh--

[Look, he's not sure if he's being flirted with, but the thought that he might be makes him uncomfortable for a number of reasons.]

I don't date.

Audio.

[araneidal]

[ That's the thing about monsters: one doesn't stop when it smells blood. Natasha has a habit of playing with her food. ]

Not even a little room for persuasion?

Audio.

[vampdetective]

It's complicated.

[And in other ways, incredibly simple.]

It doesn't work out well for me-- or anyone else.

Audio.

[araneidal]

Afraid they won't kill you if you asked?

Audio.

[vampdetective]

Afraid I could kill them before they got the chance.

[But-- she's not wrong, either. Cordelia hadn't been able to kill him when it needed to be done. She'd been too focused on getting him back.]

Audio.

[araneidal]

Mm.

They don't know what that fear is like.

[ She admits it, openly. It won't make either of them feel better, but that's not the point. It's recognition that matters. ]

Audio.

[vampdetective]

[A beat.]

It's not a common fear. Most people don't have to worry about that.

[But it's different for them. Monsters do.]

Audio.

[araneidal]

[ Like quicksilver, her voice changes, softens, ]

We aren't most people, my dear.

[ Sometimes, not even people. ]

Audio.

[vampdetective]

No, we really aren't.

[Not even people. How many times has he used that disclaimer for himself by now?]

Sorry. This got unexpectedly heavy.

Audio.

[araneidal]

I don't mind heavy.

[ A beat, and just as quick, she's back to light teasing, ]

Not bad for a first date.

Audio.

[vampdetective]

[Why would you say that.]

I'm not sure it counts. Didn't even buy you coffee.

[Teasing back is probably dangerous, but what the hell.]

Audio.

[araneidal]

Oh, I don't allow do-overs, I'm afraid. You'll just have to do better next time.

Audio.

[vampdetective]

[Quite possibly, the fact that she can say these things so smoothly and effortlessly is exactly what makes her so terrifying.]

Next time, huh. So not taking no for answer? I warned you.

[He is not nearly as suave as she manages to be while teasing.]

Good talk, though.

Audio.

[araneidal]

Yes.

Thank you for offering your intel. We'll make something of it.

Audio.

[vampdetective]

Who's 'we' this time around?

Audio.

[araneidal]

[ Natasha holds a short pause. ]

Find out.

Audio.

[vampdetective]

[He exhales sharply. Well, did he tell her he was a detective.]

Alright. I hope it helps.