milliways_bar | (no subject)

"Of Byzantium." He answers in flawless Greek, switching language fluidly. "Servant to the court of Constantine the fifth."

"Really. Fascinating," Eric purrs.
He can just imagine what kind of duties this servant performs.
"I was born in the North myself, but I don't live there anymore."

He switches to the language of the Danes, as it is spoken by the Varangians of the palace guard. "The northmen are known and respected in the city of Constantinople. As warriors of great skill and astute traders."

"I never made it that Far East myself," he tells him in a language close enough to the Danish tongue to be understood.

"And I lived after your time. A hundred years or two, I should think."

"And I have never yet travelled to the north lands of the Vikings. But I hope to, one day." He cocks his head. "I am of the year 772."

He nods.
"I was born later than that. But I heard traders and warriors tell of Konstantins city."

He lowers his eyes. "It will be Leo's city before long." And there's fear in those words. Fear of the future.

"And Leo isn't in favor of eunuchs?"

He shakes his head, not surprised to be recognised for what he is. He's more surprised when people don't. He has lived most of his life in the palace where everyone knows what the little birds are for.

"Co-emperor Leo has no love for his father's... perversions."

"Leo's probably just afraid that you know all the secrets that can bring him down, " Eric remarks.

Sinric nods again minutely. "I doubt I could tell anyone much about him that isn't commonly known. I think it is what we represent that he doesn't like." Pleasure, softness, his father's affection.

"That's how it goes. When power shifts," Eric says with a small shrug.

"You speak as one who has seen much change?" He observes softly.

"I have livd for a thousand years," Eric tells him. "And some things never change."

"You are immortal?" The soft note of fear returns to his scent. He has heard tales, ghost stories told by travellers.

"I am a vampire."
Calmly.

He doesn't cross himself. He's never held much stock in gods of any kind but he does back up another step, breathing fast.

"I just told you - no killing. You're perfectly safe around me here," Eric says, flatly.

He lowers his eyes in acknowledgment and apology but his heart still races.

It's a very distracting sound.

Eric leans forward. Just a little.
"It's not that bad really. I don't kill people. I merely drink from them."

No killing but violence nevertheless. The spike of fear runs through him again and he shivers from it, his nipples hardening viability under the soft cloth.

"And I am not cruel," Eric continues, his voice pitched low.
"In fact, several people here seek me out because they enjoy it so much."

Instructed to by his Lord, Sinric would be on his knees and offering himself up in a heartbeat but without that simplicity, his heart flutters like a bird in a cage, unsure whether to run or stay.

" And I always know it beforehand. The human heart can keep nothing from me."

Sinric gives a little start and covers his heart as if he could somehow stifle its frantic beating.