Can't? [ He can't help but repeat it, quietly astonished, before he battens that reaction down. And don't ask him about it... he can just imagine. Jean-Claude contains mocking laughter before it can be let loose, although it is sorely tempting.
But no. He sees the game here. A vampire made very weak, and volatile in it, defending his territory from a newcomer who could steal it all, and make life very, very difficult. Jean-Claude has no interest in making enemies, however, not when he has no one and no powerbase to back it up. He is conscientious of how alone he is, and it would be unwise to needlessly garner enemies. As insulting as this Englishman is.
For a moment he considers and discards a possible role to be played, of the kindly, generous tutor willing to lure in prey. He decides he would rather not tie himself to this man in any way, subject himself to that pretend farce, detestable as it is, even if it were the smarter choice. It is certainly the more duplicitous one.
But somewhere over the past decade, Jean-Claude has acquired standards, and self-respect. He is sure Asher would laugh himself sick to hear it. ]
You are merely in the wrong room, [ he says instead, diplomatically. Jean-Claude is difficult to read at the best of times, but he's a consummate politician now, benignly offering a suggestion. ] There are those who would be quite pleased to shed blood at such a party. And would not mind one consuming it.
no subject
But no. He sees the game here. A vampire made very weak, and volatile in it, defending his territory from a newcomer who could steal it all, and make life very, very difficult. Jean-Claude has no interest in making enemies, however, not when he has no one and no powerbase to back it up. He is conscientious of how alone he is, and it would be unwise to needlessly garner enemies. As insulting as this Englishman is.
For a moment he considers and discards a possible role to be played, of the kindly, generous tutor willing to lure in prey. He decides he would rather not tie himself to this man in any way, subject himself to that pretend farce, detestable as it is, even if it were the smarter choice. It is certainly the more duplicitous one.
But somewhere over the past decade, Jean-Claude has acquired standards, and self-respect. He is sure Asher would laugh himself sick to hear it. ]
You are merely in the wrong room, [ he says instead, diplomatically. Jean-Claude is difficult to read at the best of times, but he's a consummate politician now, benignly offering a suggestion. ] There are those who would be quite pleased to shed blood at such a party. And would not mind one consuming it.