[ Lestat isn't exactly sure what he's supposed to take from this, nor how Ethan expects him to react to all of this; hearing that his lady friend is untrusting of vampires is no surprise given what happened to her in their world, nd given how Ethan had already reacted to him. Perhaps it's a personal flaw on Lestat's part that he can't exactly take the criticism lightly - but he's never really had to face this kind of prejudice before, and usually when he does face criticism it's because he at least deserves it. Oh, he's seen foolish humans in years gone by strapping garlic to their door frames and sprinkling salt outside their doors to ward off creatures of the night, but not one who was ever brave enough to hunt their kind, nor harboured such hatred of them as palpable as Ethan's is. In his world their species is careful, romantic, eternal and ethereal; like angels of death. Murderers still, yes, but not anything like what Ethan describes. ]
Your vampires and what I am are two very different things.
[ If he sounds a little terse it's because he is. ]
There were revenants in my world who were led only by hunger and had no creed to follow like the one I do, but they have long since been exterminated. They couldn't survive being so reckless, killing so indiscriminately. Hate the creatures who have wronged you all you like — Hell, I'll hate them alongside you, they sound as though they've earned your ire — but do not tar me with the same brush as them. We are not the same beings. I have no inner demon. I am fighting nothing. I kill by my own code because it is how I have chosen to live with what I am, not because I have some dark passenger I must please.
[ This could all be much easier if he'd admit that he only kills evildoers as a rule - or perhaps it would make things worse, who knows. But Lestat refuses to pander to any vision of himself as 'good'. He still kills, that is inescapable. He just does it with restrictions, with rules. Like a gentleman would. ]
Anyway. I'm sure I'll bump into her sooner or later, if she's so perceptive. We both know that the City is not a largely populated place enough for her to fly under my radar forever, and I am quite the sociable scamp.
[ He shrugs lightly, all traces of his earlier annoyance all but evaporated. ]
Call on me should you need me for anything, then, Monsieur Chandler, in whatever way you see fit. You have my word I'll do what I can to help.
no subject
Your vampires and what I am are two very different things.
[ If he sounds a little terse it's because he is. ]
There were revenants in my world who were led only by hunger and had no creed to follow like the one I do, but they have long since been exterminated. They couldn't survive being so reckless, killing so indiscriminately. Hate the creatures who have wronged you all you like — Hell, I'll hate them alongside you, they sound as though they've earned your ire — but do not tar me with the same brush as them. We are not the same beings. I have no inner demon. I am fighting nothing. I kill by my own code because it is how I have chosen to live with what I am, not because I have some dark passenger I must please.
[ This could all be much easier if he'd admit that he only kills evildoers as a rule - or perhaps it would make things worse, who knows. But Lestat refuses to pander to any vision of himself as 'good'. He still kills, that is inescapable. He just does it with restrictions, with rules. Like a gentleman would. ]
Anyway. I'm sure I'll bump into her sooner or later, if she's so perceptive. We both know that the City is not a largely populated place enough for her to fly under my radar forever, and I am quite the sociable scamp.
[ He shrugs lightly, all traces of his earlier annoyance all but evaporated. ]
Call on me should you need me for anything, then, Monsieur Chandler, in whatever way you see fit. You have my word I'll do what I can to help.