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A hush descended over the audience, and Daniel stared at the stage, determined not to look at Armand. He stared at the stage until everything else blurred. He couldn't look at Armand again, because he knew, if he did, he wouldn't be able to look away, and he figured he had just enough dignity left to get through the rest of the night without fucking up even more, if he only focused on the stage, and then bailed quickly afterwards.

The spotlight flicked on, and an actor tethered to a rope was hoisted into the air slowly, gracefully. He moved over to their box, and Daniel's eyes widened as he kissed his fingertips and reached out, and instantly, all of his plans to not look at Armand vanished. He watched the guy reach out his fingers and hover them close to Armand's lips, and Daniel felt a heady rush of dizzying jealousy. It hit him with such force that he gripped the arms of his chair tightly, because all he wanted to do was jump up and punch this guy right in the face. It was stupid and petty and childish, but he could imagine doing it so freaking clearly, just grabbing him by the lapels of his stupid blazer and hitting him. Okay, man, chill out. It's part of the show. He knew that, distantly, in reality, but reality felt very far away right then. Like the whole world was this box, this theatre, this stranger he trusted implicitly, who seemed totally out of it himself.

The actor was pulled away by the rope, and he descended back onto the stage. Everything you are about to see is real, he said quietly, but Daniel could still hear him — his upper-class British accent travelled easily across the silent theatre. He had the audience eating out the palm of his hand in seconds, and Daniel could see why. This guy was good. He had the charm of a washed-up Shakespearean actor, and he delivered his speech with a kind of glee that totally worked for the vibe of what he was doing, sort of like Vincent Price in a Hammer Horror movie. Daniel smiled to himself, and settled into his chair, waiting for the show to begin.

What followed was the most psychedelic shit he'd ever seen, and he'd seen Suspiria twice in theatres. But, man, Armand hadn't been kidding when he'd said this was avant-garde. Its whole shtick was 1920s cinema, with sepia projections moving stiltedly against the backdrop, and skits and honky-tonk music. Some of it was actually funny, and Daniel found himself genuinely forgetting about Armand's eerie, quiet, still, presence next to him, and laughing out loud. He relaxed into the chair, let himself loosen up, and just enjoyed the craziness of what he was seeing. He forgot about Armand, and the weirdness, and the stress, and just lost himself in the show.

Until they called for a volunteer. Daniel didn't wanna put himself forward — it would've been stupid to give himself more chances to screw up in front of Armand — but he leaned forward with interest when a woman in the audience raised her hand. She was called upon, and walked up onto the stage, and the actor who'd opened the show started talking to her. His voice was soft, quiet, gentle. He put his hand on her arm, and she looked at him with wide eyes, like a deer.

Daniel didn't realised he'd leaned forwards until he felt his elbows rest on his knees, but suddenly, he was sitting forward, his neck craned to see. An easeful death, the actor murmured. Daniel felt the breath go out of him. Rest, now, rest — he thought he heard Armand say, in his lilting, soft, sing-song, voice, but he didn't want to turn around and look at him, because he couldn't move — because he couldn't move his body, he was totally still in that chair, staring into space, and he was next to Armand — no, he was opposite Armand, and it was dark, and he could feel a damp cloth wiping his neck slowly, lovingly, and it was the most frightening sensation he'd ever felt. I've been calling to you for some time. Daniel felt his body tremble. I am the quiet you've been longing for — But he hadn't longed for any quiet. He'd just been screwing around, man, he was in his 20s and it was the 70s, and everyone fucking messed around with drugs, he didn't wanna die, he'd just wanted to get high and have sex and a good time, but, man, he wanted to live —

Shit — he was here, in this theatre, on this weird date interview thing. He was here. But there was something else, something else. The actor sank his fangs into the woman's neck, and Daniel closed his eyes and lowered his head, shivering like he needed a fix, like this was so bad. He could feel it, the way the woman felt. The sensation of two sharp pinpricks piercing his throat, breaking the skin, but he wasn't frightened. He was ecstatic, trembling, turning his throat to the side. But he'd fought Louis, he'd struggled and pushed and shouted, and Louis hadn't bitten him like he could have sworn he remembered being bitten. Louis hadn't slowly, tenderly, sank his fangs into Daniel's throat. He'd ripped and torn and it had been agony — terrifying, animalistic, primal, agony. This wasn't that. Daniel felt held, trusting, willing, desperate, grateful. The feelings were overwhelming. He felt dizzy, and he leaned his head forward like he was going to faint.

But then Armand was there. Armand stood up, and held out his hand out, and Daniel looked up at him, blinking. The theatre. He was here at the theatre, with Armand. What the fuck just happened? His heart was racing, and he looked at Armand's outstretched hand, with his perfectly manicured, pointed, nails. He was offering his hand like a prince in a kid's fairytale, and the sheer, disorientating, panic melted away instantly. A drink, yes? As you have promised. Is there an establishment you prefer? Armand smiled, and he was so unbelievably beautiful, standing there over him, that Daniel could only smile back, weakly. Whatever the hell had just happened, it didn't matter. He was here now, and he wanted to go for a drink. He needed to go for a freaking drink.

Daniel took Armand's offered hand, and he was just as cold as he had been when he'd guided Daniel into the theatre. And again, Daniel felt the pull, the urge not to let go, but he forced himself to, and shoved his hands into the pockets of Klaus' father's suit. He realised Armand had asked him where he wanted to go, and he blinked. "Oh, well... we're near the Lamb and Flag," he replied. "I'm cool with going there. D'you know it? I tried to do a pub crawl of all the famous London pubs when I got here, but I didn't even get through half of them, man." He was rambling again, and he knew it. Christ, what the fuck was going on? But he couldn't stop.

"It was an awesome show. I really... enjoyed it. Crazy, though. I can see why the press doesn't get it." He shrugged. "But I've got a lot of thoughts, so... uh..." He trailed off. "Shall we?" It sounded lame, like a prom date talking to his girlfriend, and Daniel had the stupid mental image of Armand linking arms with him, and Daniel leaning against him like a schoolgirl, and he wanted to laugh, but he just stood there, feeling sort of like he'd taken something again, knowing he hadn't, just staring at Armand.

A testament to his qualities of seduction, Daniel seemed lulled into a pretense of safety faster than Armand had expected. A testament to his nature as a predator, he watched from the corner of his eye as Daniel obeyed and leaned back, focused on the stage, even if his mind may be far from it. Armand's mind certainly was, and he rather thought it would be a difficult feat, pretending to be interested in the show he had seen a thousand times over, pretending he still got something out of it. Eyes on the stage while he concentrated entirely on Daniel, watching the play through his eyes, through his thoughts, the very thoughts he would ask him about later.

His hands impossibly eager to reach out and touch, feel the blood throbbing beneath mortal veins warm his ancient cold hands, he busied himself making notes in the script he had discarded earlier. A variation of what they had staged night in, night out at the Théâtre des Vampires, keeping some of the avantguarde stylings of the early 20th century that Armand had so cherished while adapting the content for present-day audiences. Projections had been refined, all the while retaining their old-fashioned charm. Stories had been changed accordingly, the tale of Baby Lou Lou scrapped entirely, though a hidden and twisted masochistic part within Armand had considered leaving it in. What was it that had Claudia written in one of her earlier diaries - 'we keep the damage, so we never forget the damage'. Perhaps he'd forgotten too much of the damage already, discarded it so easily in passing. Perhaps it was a symptom of half a millenia of immortality.

Could he pinpoint the exact date he had lost the last shroud of his humanity ? When he had surrendered entirely to his devilish nature, turning himself over to the evil he had always suspected lurked deep within ? Armand shifted in his seat, momentarily plagued by the one mortal memory he had disclosed to Daniel. A young boy, entirely too young, chased down through the streets of Delhi. He swallowed. The actor that had taken over the role of Santiago here attached his faux rope and floated upwards, stopping briefly to sit on the banister in front of them. Copying the former coven member's action of pressing two fingers to his own lips and then to a spot somewhere dangerously close to Armand's lips before he floated away again. Armand tilted his head to the side, smiled briefly, and wondered if every actor he employed for this part would kiss him at the beginning of the play. He had never written it in the margins of the script, always an improvised choice.

Once he was done soaking up that crumb of feigned affection Armand settled back in his chair, expression unreadable, allowing the magnetic pull of Daniel to entrance him for the remainder of the evening. Through the skits and stories he kept careful watch of his companion and the stage alike, watching with heightened interest as the climax of the night played out. Woodcutter. Another slight variation, for there was no unwilling victim dragged on stage but a volunteer from the crowd. A volunteer that had been sourced before and compelled to volunteer, yes, but it made for a rather compelling moment, even if the effect was illusion only. The illusion that the audience had a choice and could participate. His hands cramped ever so slightly as not-Santiago convinced the victim of an easeful death and, finally, sank his fangs into her. All through the curtain call Armand held his breath, not daring to look into Daniel's thoughts, wondering if he had caught on. If this had rattled loose some of those memories buried deep in his subconcious.

As the applause faded so did Armand's entrancement and he sprung to his feet in time with re-emerging chatter from the audience below and the lights going back on. A glance at his watch - half past one, they had concluded right on time - he offered Daniel a hand to get up. "A drink, yes ? " He didn't wait for a response, instead offered a disarming half-smile. " As you have promised. Is there an establishment you prefer ?"

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"Good, 'cause plenty of people have," Daniel replied with a smile. He was totally willing to shake on it, but then she said she had a catch and he raised his eyebrows expectantly. What was this gonna be? But it was an easy ask, and he nodded. "Oh yeah, sure, don't worry. I won't screw you over. You're giving me free drinks, why would I screw you over?" This was too good a deal to pass up on — he couldn't wait to tell Klaus. "I'm not a connoisseur, or anything, but I'll try to be honest. What's the point otherwise, right?"

"don't worry. i'm not here to judge you on your career choice." dana teased with a small chuckle. "i do think journalists get a bad rep. you're just doing your job, after all." she assured. "well, looks like i found the perfect person for this job. i found a barfly journalist who can give me their honest opinion. i just have one catch." she mused with a teasing smirk. "if you think it's bad? would you come to me before you publish it? give me a chance to change things and your opinion before you ruin my fledgling business?" @vampireinterviews

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Luke Brandon Field as Daniel Molloy 

Interview with the Vampire (2022-) 

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Daniel hadn't expected that. She took him totally seriously, and he stared at her in surprise. He hadn't really talked about this shit with anyone. Sure, he talked to Klaus, but that was Klaus. He got it. But he'd never told a total stranger before. She sounded so sincere that he didn't know what to do, and he cleared his throat and shrugged. "Don't worry about it," he said, in a quieter tone. "I mean, yeah, it was totally crazy for a second there, but I... adjusted." After spending weeks on the streets, begging and stealing to get by, but he wasn't gonna mention that.

She asked if he was okay, and he was speechless. Jeez, hadn't this been about her? But she'd totally flipped the script. He wasn't used to this. "Lady, I'm fine," he said, firmly. "Look, I appreciate the concern, but it's cool. I've got a friend — the same thing happened to him. We're working it out together." He didn't wanna tell her Klaus' name, because Daniel figured he didn't wanna advertise it. It was too wild. He smiled weakly. "But... what about you? It sounds like you're taking this pretty hard."

had tess been expecting the other to say such a thing? nope but it somewhat eased her to know that she wasn't going crazy. a sigh left her, shaking her head. "jesus." she muttered before clearing her throat. "i'm so sorry. i can't even begin to imagine how difficult that must've been for you. you've been thrusted almost forty years into the future without your knowledge. i'm so sorry." tess couldn't imagine how hard it was to adjust to that. "i don't even know how to explain any of it. really. it doesn't make any damn sense. are... are you okay?" tess questioned, concern evident in her tone as she looked at him. @vampireinterviews

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"Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you," Daniel said, hurriedly. "You probably get that a lot, huh? People thinking you're a kid when you're not. Sorry." He offered her a quick smile as an apology. Then she asked why he thought she'd wanna listen to him, and that was actually funny. He laughed, shrugged, and said, "Y'know what? You're totally right. My bad. I can't shut up, it's a serious problem. Got me into trouble plenty of times."

As she spoke, he caught the twang of her accent — it would've been impossible to miss. It was so familiar that, for a second, he froze. New Orleans. Yeah. Definitely. That's the accent, he'd said to Louis, at the bar. He squinted at the girl, then tilted his head to the side. "That accent... you're from New Orleans?" he phrased it as a question, but it wasn't one. "Hey, small world! The guy I met — I mean, the other one of your kind — he was from New Orleans. Louis de Pointe du Lac." He went quiet for a few seconds, staring into space, before he returned back to himself. "Things didn't end great between us."

claudia was shocked that a human apparently 'knew' what she was. she cocked a brow at him. "if you know what i am? are you sure it's wise to be speaking to me in such a manner? i am not a kid. nor do i need your advice on what i wear. why hide what i am? i've managed this long without people questioning me." she wasn't impressed by the stranger's words. if anything? she was bored of him. claudia crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at him.

"tell me, daniel. what makes you think that i want to listen to what you have to say? what makes you think that you have the right to tell me how to look? i don't take too kindly to people trying to change who i am. don't take too kindly to strangers shoving their noses in my fucking business." claudia mused with a cock of her brow, her new orleans accent still strong even now. @vampireinterviews

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"Right on, ethically sourced blood," Daniel replied with a smile. "If you've gotta do it, might as well go after scumbags, huh?" He recalled what Louis had said, about he and Lestat killed people who wouldn't be missed. How Louis had attacked him. Someone who wouldn't be missed. He curled his hands into fists in his pockets. "You're not the first vampire I've met," he said, in an emphasised casual tone. "You look different though. More teethy. No offence — it's totally cool. It's just... different."

She took a few steps closer, but he didn't move away. Her face was covered in blood, sticky with it, and it looked totally wrong on a young girl's chin, like she'd eaten a whole tub of strawberries. If it didn't smell of iron, and it wasn't so thick. He stared into her eyes. "Your entire mouth is fangs, huh? Like a shark? Yeah, you're definitely not like the guy I met." He shrugged, and held out his hand for her to shake. "Daniel Molloy. D'you need help cleaning this up? I can totally do that. If you want. I don't wanna imply you can't... 'cause you're a kid, and all." He paused, blinked, then said, "How old are you, anyway? I mean, how long've you been... like this?"

Abigail had to admit she’d never met a human who wasn’t instantly scared of her, especially seeing her in this light. She’d been the daughter of a Mob Boss the name Lazar created fear within the very hearts of people yet this one seemed interested, almost desperate for the gift she processed. She’d been changed against her will and at the time she’d struggled, she’d been told it was done out of love but how could her father have damned her to everlasting life at such a young age. She’d retracted her teeth the moment she’d heard another stepping closer but didn’t stop drinking her meal as she looked at him smirking.

“I’m glad to hear it, this one liked to prey on the weak, well I guess this time he miscounted on just what a weak person is” she mused standing up and licking her lips free of blood she knew painted her mouth. “You aren’t scared, most people either get what I am wrong or are terrified at the very thought of such a creature being alive.” she mused tilting her head and sighing softly she hated being so young that people never took her seriously until the screaming started. “The fang thing? My entire mouth is fangs, but why would I hiss at you?” she questioned moving closer to her steps leaving no sound behind them. @vampireinterviews

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"Hey, man, that's family, right?" Daniel said, with forced cheerfulness. "Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em." He and Klaus almost never talked about serious shit, and he didn't wanna start now. He was too out of it, and he didn't wanna drag things down when they were just chilling out. Klaus seemed to get that, because he laughed at the joke, and Daniel smiled. "Sure, I'd vote for you, but that shit's hereditary. We'd have to kill the king if we wanted to make you the king, and I'm pretty sure that's illegal."

He didn't mind Klaus calling him Dan — hell, Klaus was the only guy he'd probably let that slide with. He just smiled lazily as his friend rested his head on his chest, and stroked his hair absentmindedly. "Man, your hair's so soft," he murmured. "When you're king, you should issue a decree that everyone uses whatever shampoo you use, 'cause I'm jealous." This was the most laid back he'd felt in ages. Ever since all that shit with the Pedersons has kicked off, and he'd met Armand. Klaus hadn't asked how that went beyond initial curiosity, and Daniel was relieved. He didn't wanna talk about it. He wouldn't be able to, even if he tried. When he tried to remember being with Armand when he wasn't with him, it was like trying to remember being drunk when he was sober.

So, when Klaus asked if anything else had been going on, Daniel didn't talk about Armand. Instead he said, "Yeah, I've been doing this series of interviews with this family..." He trailed off, then gently nudged Klaus off him. "Wait, lemme show you —" He stood up, a little unsteady for a second, and walked over to his closet. He opened it and dragged out a cardboard box labelled PEDERSON STUFF, and opened it. It was full of tapes, each labelled with a name and date in black marker. He crouched beside it. "It's kinda surreal, and I know weird. I've seen some shit, man, but these people? Apparently, this guy — Finn Pederson — buried some chick alive in a coffin."

He turned to look at Klaus. "I dunno what I'm supposed to do with this stuff, man. Turn it into the cops? So far, it's all hearsay — I haven't been able to follow any of it up. And I don't wanna get involved. I've got enough going on, and I'm not a narc. If this guy is bad news, I don't want him coming after me, you feel me?"

"Nah, don't worry about it." Klaus dismissed it easily like it was never bothering him to begin with. He was about to keep going on about how he felt mistreated but instead; he made the mistake of turning his head to face him. It was subtle, but there was a sad look of understanding souring Daniel's features. The last thing he meant to do was bring down the mood. "Don't get me wrong, they're all gigantic assholes." He said with a laugh, "But I wouldn't trade them in for the world." Somewhere in the thick fog of his childhood, he recalled moments of sweetness between himself and his siblings. Between the training, the testing, and the tough schooling... for a while there, there was even a sense of togetherness. Right up until Ben... his stomach clenched up, curled like a dying cat at the thought.

"Oh, yes... I'm so well-adjusted." Klaus said with a near manic giggle, "That's what everyone says about me. Klaus Hargreeves; the most well-adjusted drug addict you'll ever meet. Oooh! It could be my slogan when I run for King of England. You'd vote for me, right?" His lips parted in a wide, bright smile before deciding. "I think Mars might be easier to get your head around." He shrugged his shoulders. "But, anytime Dan."

Klaus let out a soft sigh, leaning against his friend for the second time that night. Daniel didn't push him away, or shrug him off when he got too close. He simply allowed Klaus cuddle into him. He closed his eyes and relaxed for a while as Daniel stroked his hair. Instantly comforted by the sensation of it. He couldn't quite tell if it was the drugs or his new best friend that made him feel so fuzzy and warm, but it hardly mattered. He was just happy to be there in that moment with him.

The wistful mention of David pulled at his heart stings and he tried to swallow a sudden dryness that came over his throat. Thinking briefly to himself, just how fucked up it was that he didn't have that magical connection he had with Dave that he had with Ben. He couldn't simply summon the one person he loved more than himself, not even when he was sober. He must have moved on before he ever got to Klaus's timeline. Walked into some, silly bright light into the gates of heaven and left Klaus behind. Not knowing just how long it would take for him to follow. And now? Now he wasn't even sure death would reunite them. London didn't feel like the same world he left when the moon exploded.

Klaus laughed and nodded his head, "Emojis. Yeah man, get with the times!" He teased him shaking his head a bit. "Besides ladies not getting your lingo, has anything else been going on with you lately?" He said, wanting to talk about anything but himself all of a sudden.

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I'm sorry but daniel was insane for doing drugs with some random dude who told him he's a vampire and who just showed him his coffin, my boy is winning the idgaf war I'm afraid

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"It can be," Daniel replied with a shrug. "You meet some pretty far out people, but since I got here, it's mostly been interviewing bigshot politicians and directors to make a quick buck. Shit I know I can sell, y'know? But I prefer looking for the people in the cracks. That's where the real stories are." He smiled when the guy said he'd given as good as he got. "Right on, man, totally. That's what matters. Good for you." He paused, then said, "My name's Daniel, by the way."

frenchie was thankful that the other didn't press him for more answers or an explanation, because he just didn't feel like having to come up with a believable lie or, better yet, explaining the truth. " independent journalist, huh ? that's gotta be interesting. " he often wondered what ordinary profession he would have gone into himself, had his circumstances been.. better. " not exactly. but i assure you, i got a few good licks in myself. he will be sore and bruised too, and that's what really matters eh ? "

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"How romantic," Daniel quipped, sharper than he would have under normal circumstances. God, this was nagging him. He was listening, but he looked down and stared at the recorder, trying to place it. Paul kept talking, said his wife had secrets, and it resonated with him for no fucking reason. Like he got that. Like he would've said exactly the same thing about... Who? His high school girlfriend? That was his last relationship, and it hadn't lasted long. He stared at the recorder as Paul spoke, aware that he was only half listening. I still love her. If only I could tell her that. Man, why the fuck was this making him feel like he had deja vu? Like it was right on the tip of his tongue?

The interview swung back around to what Paul wanted the people to know, and Daniel mentally returned. He looked up and met Paul's gaze again. He wanted people to know he was just like them? That he would fight for them? Their struggles were his? Okay, fuck that. That was bullshit. He didn't care that this might tank the interview — probably his one freaking chance to talk to a politician like this, without PR people buzzing around. Hell, it was because this was his one chance that he had to do this.

Daniel leaned forwards, resting his elbows on the bar counter. He stared into the mayor's eyes. "You ever fallen asleep on a park bench, Mayor Paul?" he asked, coldly. "You ever had some guy in a suit — similar to yours, actually — spit on you and call you trash? Or how about woken up in a drug den with no freaking memory of how you got there, huh? 'Cause I have." There was no warmth in his gaze now. He was so sick of this guy's man of the people shtick. It hadn't worked when Tricky Dicky Nixon had pulled it, and it didn't work now. "You think the people's struggles are your struggles? Wake up, man. You're not one of the people. Your wife kept some shit from you, big deal. Try living under a bridge in winter. Try not knowing where your next meal's gonna come from. Try freaking doing what half the people in this city are doing right now, man, and you tell me if you're one of the people." He looked Paul up and down. "Screw you, man. You don't know what you're talking about."

"IT WASN'T COMMON FOR ME, UNTIL I MET HER. I HADN'T EVEN REALLY BEEN IN A REAL RELATIONSHIP AND THEN.. SHE CAME ALONG AND CHANGED IT ALL." he had never expected that to happen with anyone. in fact, georgia had taken him completely by surprise and.. no, he wouldn't take any of it back. even with everything else? even with the heartbreak? even with all the secrets? he'd still go back to her every single time. he REALLY would. not that he had the courage to say that now, but.. he still felt the same way.

"she had secrets. plenty of them and i'm sure that i don't even know the half of it just yet, but.. does it really change anything? no, she wasn't who i thought she was and maybe she has done some horrible things, but.. I STILL LOVE HER. IF ONLY I COULD TELL HER THAT." he admitted the last part to himself more than to daniel, before bringing the glass to his lips. it was the truth. how could he trust her again? "no. i want them to know i'm just like them. that i'm not going to pretend to be someone that i am not just to win their sympathy and then let them down later on, when some shady newspaper comes out with a headline about me. no. i won't fool the people i hope to help. i want them to know i'm just like them. human. dedicated and stubborn and maybe flawed at times, but.. NO ONE WILL FIGHT HARDER TO GIVE THEM WHAT THEY DESERVE THAN I WILL, BECAUSE.. I WAS ONCE WHERE THEY WERE, YOU KNOW? THEIR STRUGGLES WERE MINE ONCE." and perhaps still were in many ways. @vampireinterviews

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"I know your name, brother," Daniel replied with a cold smile. He could tell he was getting under this guy's skin, and it felt weirdly satisfying. This wasn't for an interview, or for anything, really. He was just pissed that this guy was screwing around with a lifestyle he totally didn't understand, just to sell shit.

But then Edgar said the Farm was for people who needed a home, for people didn't wanna be judged, and Daniel gritted his teeth. He'd been there. He'd been one of those people. Wandering from San Fran to NYC to freaking New Orleans, aimless, homeless, looking for what he knew was out there. Chasing work, to make ends meet, but really, he'd been chasing them. Looking for the creatures he knew were out there, the monsters from kid's books. And this guy wanted to exploit people to make a buck? Daniel glared at him. "Fun," he replied. "Sure, man, why can't a guy have fun, making a quick dime off people with nowhere else to go? Man, you're just Charlie Manson with a better freaking haircut, aren't you?"

"DON'T THINK YOU'RE BETTER THAN ME, CHAMP. i read people for a living." edgar had no idea what it was that was happening right now and he didn't know why it seemed as if the other had so many questions but he didn't like that at all. in fact? he was annoyed and.. well, anyone looking at his expression would have been able to see that much. wouldn't they? raising an eyebrow and yes, it seemed as if the confusion continued. strange? yes, it was and what the fuck was this?

".... i told you my name is edgar? edgar evernever?" blinking. jack barry? who the fuck was that? he couldn't tell if he was being messed with or something worse and who knows? he crossed his arms over his chest, feeling quite stubborn as it was. "because the farm is meant to be for the people who need a home. who need to find a place that won't judge then for who they are. and yes, the merch is just a bonus and can't a guy really have fun anymore?" @vampireinterviews

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Daniel just listened. He was used to this — every now and then, he found an interview subject who just spilled everything, like they'd just been waiting for some guy with a tape recorder to turn up and ask for their life story. It wasn't journalism, it was more like therapy, for those people. And it seemed that way for Serena. It had been that way for Louis too. She said she wasn't gonna tell him what this Pederson guy had done to his daughter, but he figured that wouldn't last long.

And so, he waited, and sure enough, she kept going. Pederson had buried his daughter alive. His own daughter. Daniel tried to let that sink in, tried to give a damn. Sometimes, the stories he heard fucked him up for weeks — the hit he'd heard was hardcore, especially when he'd done a series of interviews with 'Nam vets. So maybe he was just numb to it, or maybe it was how she was just pouring her freaking heart out, but he just took it all, all the emotional shit, and it didn't hurt to hear it.

He glanced at the recorder to make sure they hadn't used up the tape, then back to her. "Right, so he's a monster. Total psycho," he reiterated. "You name it, he's done it. So far, you've accused this guy of murder, torture, kidnap..." He trailed off, looking at her intensely. "You're going on the record, saying this shit. You've gotta have proof, right? Evidence?" He let the question hang in the air. "The bodies have gotta be piling up around this guy, right?"

"HE IS A TOTAL PSYCHOPATH. AND I WON'T EVEN TELL YOU WHAT HE DID TO HIS DAUGHTER. ALL BECAUSE SHE DARED TO WANT TO A LIFE WITHOUT HIM. HE.." well, it wasn't as if she was ever going to not tell people about it, because her brother was the one paying for it and she would be damned if she didn't do whatever she could in order to help him. right?

"he buried her alive. in an actual coffin. and remained there and.. watched her die. stayed there until he didn't hear anything. he's an actually sick fucking bastard." if that much hadn't been made clear by what she had just said. right?

"you have no idea of what he's done to my brother. torture, beatings, imprisonment, forcing him to stay away from his wife.. all of it. he's a sick monster!" she only laughed a little bit, before shaking her head a little bit. "what makes the world go round? MONEY. HE HAS MORE THAN ENOUGH OF IT!" @vampireinterviews

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Daniel watched him. He looked genuinely cut up about this. Just a guy who loved his family. Man, must be nice. His family were shit. He kept his expression neutral as Paul spoke, and just listened intently. It was surprising, how much this guy was willing to open up, but he'd found that pretty often. People usually wanted to talk, they just needed someone to listen. And it turned out that the Mayor was no exception.

But something he said struck a nerve. Even if her secrets are horrible? I still love her. I still would do anything for her. Daniel blinked. He'd never been in love before — he didn't have time for it. Until he'd arrived here, he'd been itinerant, semi-homeless, wandering from place to place. He'd never had anyone, and he hadn't needed anyone. Right? But why did it feel like he got what Paul was saying? Like he understood loving someone, even if they'd done some crazy fucked up shit? He realised that Paul had finished talking, and he brought himself back to the interview.

"Yeah, sure, man, I hear you. I'm sure the people will get that. Unconditional love, standing by your women. That's not common for folks in your profession." He flashed a quick smile. "So, what's what you want people to know about you? You love your wife, your family. You're a man of principles, right? Morals? Not like the others."

"NO, I'M NOT.. I'M JUST.. A GUY WHO LOVES HIS FAMILY. THAT'S ALL." but the sadness and the heartbreak in his face at that could not have been mistaken for anything else was there and.. well, he would rather die than to let anyone in town know about georgia's secret. that wasn't going to HAPPEN, was it? no. no matter what happened? he loved her, he missed her and he would do whatever he could in order to keep her safe. he needed her. her kids needed her. right?

"they should. i've known heartbreak. i've known loss. i made my way up here from nothing and.. i recently found someone i loved more than anything. married her.. only to find out OTHER things." it hadn't changed how he felt about georgia. how much he loved her, but.. right now, he didn't know what he was supposed to do at all.

"even if her secrets are horrible? i still love her. i still would do anything for her. I THINK THAT'S RELATABLE, RIGHT? TO DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE?" to him, it was and he had never known that much until now. had he? "listen to the people. to what they want. to their needs. to do my best to help." @vampireinterviews

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"Mhm," Daniel murmured, watching her carefully. There was definitely something weird about this girl. But then she kept talking, and she said the name that he'd heard way too much lately. Pederson. Oh, right, now he got it. He put the book down. He wasn't gonna buy it, not now something way more interesting had come along. "Pederson, huh?" he replied. "I've gotta meet your father sometime. I've heard a lot about him." He smiled, and held out his hand for her to shake. "Daniel Molloy, independent journalist. I've sort of been... covering your family's story. Kinda by accident?" He shrugged. "I dunno what I'm gonna do with it yet. It's just a bunch of tapes."

"I DID. I'M QUITE GOOD AT.. READING PEOPLE, YOU KNOW?" she was. in fact, that was a talent that perhaps none of her stupid half-brothers shared and that was a good thing, because she didn't want to have to share more with the two of them than she really had to. did she? she'd get rid of them. eventually. right? "it is, is it not? there's nothing worse than being misunderstood, in my not so humble opinion," her methods were perhaps difficult, but.. she wanted her father safe. she did. "we pedersons do tend to pick our favourites every now and then, but.. i do not blame my father. he was mislead into believing certain things that he should not." @vampireinterviews

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I have a room over on Divisadero, not too far a walk.

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"You did, huh?" Daniel replied, raising an eyebrow. What was that, a line? It was hard to tell. He listened as she spoke, letting the book hang loosely in his hands. He wanted tempted to tell her she talked way too much, but then she said that her dad would remove her half-brothers, and his interest was caught. What the heck did that mean? Daniel straightened up a little. "Sure, it's great to feel like someone gets you, I hear you," he replied. "So, your dad... he's the kind of guy who has favourites, huh? Man, I bet that sucked, growing up." It was an open question — he was fishing blind, no idea what he'd get, but it was always worth a shot.

"INTERESTING. I HAD A FEELING THAT WAS WHY THERE WAS... SOMETHING FAMILIAR ABOUT YOU." she observed the other from up close, raising an eyebrow at that, because.. yes, there was something that felt familiar about him. it wasn't as if she recognised him from anywhere or something like that, but.. well, she did have a knack for figuring out all the darker things in life. right? "that's quite alright. perhaps he's only realising now that i am the child that he should be paying attention to, but.. you know what they say. better late than never. perhaps it will be now that he sees fit to remove my half-brothers out of the way." she didn't want to refer to finn as such, seeing as he was nothing to her, but.. ah, well. in due time. "and it's good to feel as if someone understands you, no?" @vampireinterviews

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"Yeah, I don't have the patience for books with slow starts," Daniel replied. He was about to continue, when she used the two most psychedelic words he'd ever heard, which was saying a lot, considering he'd spent a heck of a lot of time hanging out with junkies. Daniel stared at her. "... Lady, did you just say supposify?" he repeated, laughing slightly. "Right on. Sure, I supposify it isn't. It wasn't mine." He smiled at her, suddenly way more interested. "Yeah? Did you ever see Carrie? That shit was wild."

"i've read the book, seen the movie, love them both. there's a lot of people that don't like it though. some say it's too slow to start, others say there's no important lessons being learned... which is how i know they didn't even attempticate reading the book. just not everyone's cup of tea, i supposify," she said. "i don't know if i know any of them. i don't think i've read any horror books. seen plenty of horror movies though." @vampireinterviews