Generation gap #2
Sep. 27th, 2003 05:39 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sparkindarknessOne of these days I'm going to start a fic that doesn't begin with basic character introductions. Ah well, it works for me I suppose.
Anyway, gotta go, keeping folks waiting.
Ethan lay back in the dark room again, sighing between his fangs, When he signed on for this eternal life gig he should have read the fine print. What was the point of eternal life if he spent all of it lurking in this bloody building? Alright it was a big building, but he’d been here for 10 years now and it was getting seriously boring. Besides there weren’t many places pot hide here either.
Of course, even if he had read the fine print this lot probably wouldn't have come up. The others in their group, or Circle as Miranda loftily called it, didn't have these problems. Most of them were out having a good time right now, getting as drunk as they could before the dawn called them home, probably having a take away on the way back. Ethan hadn’t eaten in ten years, or drank. Oh, he'd tried, but his stomach just wasn't up for it, and after the third night of throwing up all over the bar - food that wasn't even really digested, the gang had decided not to invite him on the next all night bender. Couldn't really blame them. Yeah, some of the older guys, most of whom were still hanging around, didn't eat either, but that was because they didn't have to, they could if they wanted. Ethan just couldn’t.
Not that he could go out with them any other time really either. The rest of the gang maybe a little pale, and have extra long canines but they could generally hide it. A few seconds concentration and they could even have a tan, and you could stick your tongue down their throat and never once touch a fang. He couldn't figure that one out, he was death pale all the time, we’re talking utterly alabaster white here, so white he glowed in the moonlight. Doesn’t matter how drunk the mortals are, they tend to notice a glowing guy with blood red eyes and long fangs. Alright, Ethan COULD hide it, technically. Kinda anyway. He still freaked people out, and after doing it for an hour he felt like he’s run three times round the city. Really not worth it, it was easier just to stalk around hidden from people’s eyes completely, that was one thing Ethan was good at, at least. But that wasn't exactly fun, you try having a party where no-one could see you! Sounds cool? Well yeah, it is, the first time, then it gets really old really fast. generally he only went out to hunt now, quick hunts, so he wouldn’t have to hide for too long. Of course he had to hunt about ten times as often as the guys. They could generally get by on a drink a week (though they didn't usually) and didn't have to kill that one (yeah sometimes they did, but accidents happen, right? Besides, it makes covering it all up a lot easier). He generally had to go out and feed every night, sometimes twice if he didn't want to seriously harm the people he was eating. The others found it hilarious - the weakest vampire in the gang and he had to feed a hundred times as often. Ethan was getting seriously sick of the “Low gas mileage” cracks.
But he was the weakest, another reason why when they said stay, he didn't have much choice. He had a few good tricks, hiding, especially, and none of them, not even old Alfred who was bloody ancient could mess with his mind, but it hardly mattered when the rest were ten times as strong as you and three times as fast. They didn’t need to do the mind control tying to make him stay, they could just beat him until he agreed to do as he was told. Especially the younger ones, the new guys who were all full of themselves for being vampires and so pissed that the older guys were stronger than them. Made them feel real big to be able to take on someone ten years dead.
Ethan double checked the tiny cellar room where he slept for the hundredth time. Sun would be up fairly soon, but it all looked fairly safe. Some of the bastards in the gang thought it was so funny to open a window and let just a little sunlight in. Yeah, hilarious, guys. The others were fine with indirect sunlight,. alright get them out in the sunbeams and they’re burning, but generally inside is Ok so long as you stay in the windows. Not for Ethan,. one tiny hint of daylight and he starts frying, and sometimes even that doesn't wake him up. He sleeps really deep during the day, of course gives the whole gang loads of chances to think of new ways to amuse themselves not like they can do much else when the sun’s up. Daytime TV sucks. Alright, Alfred tried to protect him from the worst of it, like the time Andrea has set fire to some rags while he slept. She whined for weeks afterwards that “normal” vamps don’t burn that easy. Alfred being so bloody kind about it “Ethan isn't a normal vampire Andrea, you know that. We have to be more careful, make allowances for him.” Allowances. Fuck that, “My name’s Ethan and I’m Special.” Just what he needed. Course, if Alfred hadn’t gotten involved, Ethan would probably be ash by now, so he couldn’t really hold it against the old guy. Not that being ash would be much better. Still fire was a real bitch, took ages to heal, and his appetite went through the roof. Yeah, that’s another “Special” quality the others didn’t have to share in. They tended to regenerate anything.
Hell, he couldn’t even be much use against the werewolves or any other supernatural gribblies that their gang fought with - and well, they were top dogs round here - since silver seemed to burn him. Who heard of a vampire who couldn’t touch silver? How pathetic is that. Well, this tops it, silver heals like fire damage, as in it doesn't for weeks of massive pain and loads of blood. Yes, he can be crippled by the bloody cutlery. And he didn't even want to think about fighting anything that might carry a holy symbol. Marcus thinks it’s all a mental thing, after all, no other vampires are bothered by blessed items, no matter how strong the believer is. But other vampires don’t get confused at cross roads, don’t go to pieces when having to cross the bloody river and don't freak out at the sight of fire either. Fuck, Des actually LIKED garlic bread. Whoever heard of a vampire who had to cross the road to avoid Italian restaurants?! Screw Buffy, the pizza boy could take this vampire down.
Revving motorbikes and cat calls went off outside. The rest were back, cutting it a little fine before dawn. Ethan scrambled to a corner, concentrating his mind on remaining hidden, at least he could do this to other vamps, not even Alfred could do that. Not that it’d help cause the minute the sun rose he'd fall asleep, and the minute that happened he’d be visible again. Knowing his luck he's also be under a nice skylight. He could try and find Alfred and hang around with him until he fell asleep, but he was past sick of running to the boss man to help him.
Quietly, he tip-toed through the shadows, looking for a cupboard or something somewhere.
Eternal life? Thanks, but he’d pass next time.
Anyway, gotta go, keeping folks waiting.
Ethan lay back in the dark room again, sighing between his fangs, When he signed on for this eternal life gig he should have read the fine print. What was the point of eternal life if he spent all of it lurking in this bloody building? Alright it was a big building, but he’d been here for 10 years now and it was getting seriously boring. Besides there weren’t many places pot hide here either.
Of course, even if he had read the fine print this lot probably wouldn't have come up. The others in their group, or Circle as Miranda loftily called it, didn't have these problems. Most of them were out having a good time right now, getting as drunk as they could before the dawn called them home, probably having a take away on the way back. Ethan hadn’t eaten in ten years, or drank. Oh, he'd tried, but his stomach just wasn't up for it, and after the third night of throwing up all over the bar - food that wasn't even really digested, the gang had decided not to invite him on the next all night bender. Couldn't really blame them. Yeah, some of the older guys, most of whom were still hanging around, didn't eat either, but that was because they didn't have to, they could if they wanted. Ethan just couldn’t.
Not that he could go out with them any other time really either. The rest of the gang maybe a little pale, and have extra long canines but they could generally hide it. A few seconds concentration and they could even have a tan, and you could stick your tongue down their throat and never once touch a fang. He couldn't figure that one out, he was death pale all the time, we’re talking utterly alabaster white here, so white he glowed in the moonlight. Doesn’t matter how drunk the mortals are, they tend to notice a glowing guy with blood red eyes and long fangs. Alright, Ethan COULD hide it, technically. Kinda anyway. He still freaked people out, and after doing it for an hour he felt like he’s run three times round the city. Really not worth it, it was easier just to stalk around hidden from people’s eyes completely, that was one thing Ethan was good at, at least. But that wasn't exactly fun, you try having a party where no-one could see you! Sounds cool? Well yeah, it is, the first time, then it gets really old really fast. generally he only went out to hunt now, quick hunts, so he wouldn’t have to hide for too long. Of course he had to hunt about ten times as often as the guys. They could generally get by on a drink a week (though they didn't usually) and didn't have to kill that one (yeah sometimes they did, but accidents happen, right? Besides, it makes covering it all up a lot easier). He generally had to go out and feed every night, sometimes twice if he didn't want to seriously harm the people he was eating. The others found it hilarious - the weakest vampire in the gang and he had to feed a hundred times as often. Ethan was getting seriously sick of the “Low gas mileage” cracks.
But he was the weakest, another reason why when they said stay, he didn't have much choice. He had a few good tricks, hiding, especially, and none of them, not even old Alfred who was bloody ancient could mess with his mind, but it hardly mattered when the rest were ten times as strong as you and three times as fast. They didn’t need to do the mind control tying to make him stay, they could just beat him until he agreed to do as he was told. Especially the younger ones, the new guys who were all full of themselves for being vampires and so pissed that the older guys were stronger than them. Made them feel real big to be able to take on someone ten years dead.
Ethan double checked the tiny cellar room where he slept for the hundredth time. Sun would be up fairly soon, but it all looked fairly safe. Some of the bastards in the gang thought it was so funny to open a window and let just a little sunlight in. Yeah, hilarious, guys. The others were fine with indirect sunlight,. alright get them out in the sunbeams and they’re burning, but generally inside is Ok so long as you stay in the windows. Not for Ethan,. one tiny hint of daylight and he starts frying, and sometimes even that doesn't wake him up. He sleeps really deep during the day, of course gives the whole gang loads of chances to think of new ways to amuse themselves not like they can do much else when the sun’s up. Daytime TV sucks. Alright, Alfred tried to protect him from the worst of it, like the time Andrea has set fire to some rags while he slept. She whined for weeks afterwards that “normal” vamps don’t burn that easy. Alfred being so bloody kind about it “Ethan isn't a normal vampire Andrea, you know that. We have to be more careful, make allowances for him.” Allowances. Fuck that, “My name’s Ethan and I’m Special.” Just what he needed. Course, if Alfred hadn’t gotten involved, Ethan would probably be ash by now, so he couldn’t really hold it against the old guy. Not that being ash would be much better. Still fire was a real bitch, took ages to heal, and his appetite went through the roof. Yeah, that’s another “Special” quality the others didn’t have to share in. They tended to regenerate anything.
Hell, he couldn’t even be much use against the werewolves or any other supernatural gribblies that their gang fought with - and well, they were top dogs round here - since silver seemed to burn him. Who heard of a vampire who couldn’t touch silver? How pathetic is that. Well, this tops it, silver heals like fire damage, as in it doesn't for weeks of massive pain and loads of blood. Yes, he can be crippled by the bloody cutlery. And he didn't even want to think about fighting anything that might carry a holy symbol. Marcus thinks it’s all a mental thing, after all, no other vampires are bothered by blessed items, no matter how strong the believer is. But other vampires don’t get confused at cross roads, don’t go to pieces when having to cross the bloody river and don't freak out at the sight of fire either. Fuck, Des actually LIKED garlic bread. Whoever heard of a vampire who had to cross the road to avoid Italian restaurants?! Screw Buffy, the pizza boy could take this vampire down.
Revving motorbikes and cat calls went off outside. The rest were back, cutting it a little fine before dawn. Ethan scrambled to a corner, concentrating his mind on remaining hidden, at least he could do this to other vamps, not even Alfred could do that. Not that it’d help cause the minute the sun rose he'd fall asleep, and the minute that happened he’d be visible again. Knowing his luck he's also be under a nice skylight. He could try and find Alfred and hang around with him until he fell asleep, but he was past sick of running to the boss man to help him.
Quietly, he tip-toed through the shadows, looking for a cupboard or something somewhere.
Eternal life? Thanks, but he’d pass next time.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2003-09-27 08:59 pm (UTC)Hm, poor Ethan. The other vamps aren't very nice to him, are they?
(no subject)
Date: 2003-09-27 11:32 pm (UTC)