sirenspull_logs | But what about dogs and curiosity?

Entry tags:

But what about dogs and curiosity?

Who: Sam and Eric
When: Evening
Where: Sam & Edgeworth's apartment
Summary: Lucifer taught Sam a Devil's Trap, so obviously, he wants to see if it works on vampires.
Warnings: TBA
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[The sun will be down in five more minutes, and Sam knows that the moment it is, he can expect to see Mr. Northman in his apartment. So he'd spent that afternoon getting ready, picking up a huge cardboard box from work and tearing it open so it'd be the right size for a huge-ass pentagram full of symbols he didn't understand. He'd drawn it first in pencil in case of mistakes (and as he'd expected, he'd made a bunch the first few attempts), then gone over it in sharpie.

It... still wasn't much to look at. But Lucifer had assured that as long as all the lines connected, it didn't really matter how artistic he was about it. Besides, no matter how well he drew it, there was no guarantee this thing would work on Eric anyway.

But he flipped the cardboard box over face-down in his living room all the same, waiting for his vampire friend to arrive.]

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[ Eric really didn't know what he was walking into. He knew that something unusual was happening, but if he'd grilled Sam it would have seemed like he didn't trust him--which he didn't.

Things being what they had with Godric, it already felt as though he was skating on thin ice, and then the Core had spat out a handful of new vampires all on one night, giving him unnecessary work. No, he didn't have responsibility for them, he could ignore them just like the Sanguinarian Society tried to ignore them. Us and them. The complete opposite of what Eric was trying to achieve.

He had a lot on his mind. Maybe speaking to the shapeshifter would help, after all Sam had been here longer than he had. He might have more insight into the way to deal with new arrivals.

Though he'd been invited in already, he knocked rather than letting himself in, waiting for Sam to come to the door. ]

[he appreciates the unexpected courtesy. Between Lucifer's constant teleporting and the usual intimidation tactics from vampires, hearing a knock rather than the door throwing open is a welcome change.]

Evenin'. Come on in. ...I'd offer you a TruBlood, but you know how it is here. [an attempt at a good-humored greeting, weak though it is. It's still strange to him that for all of SERO's advanced technology, no one has suggested synthesized blood to them yet.

He shows him in, closing the door. There's a sound of muffled barking, but Sam ignores it - he'd put Gizmo in the bedroom to keep her out of all this. The shifter takes a seat in an armchair himself, gesturing that Eric can take the couch if he likes.] I appreciate you comin' over. ...Especially considerin' that I didn't exactly give you an explanation. And that you're probably busy. [if not with Godric, then surely with all the new vampires flashing their fangs over the Network.]

Basically, I'm hopin' you can help me with a small experiment.

[ Eric only half nodded at the shifter, stepping inside. Edgeworth was still around - he could smell him - not here today, but around. The dog in the other room barked, which wasn't so surprising--dogs never really did like him.

He stepped forward, casually, looking at the couch and to Sam, glancing at the flattened cardboard box on the floor, and imagining it's covering up some bloodstain or worse, carefully sidesteps it before sitting down on the couch. If there's dog mess underneath he hardly wants to be smudging it into Sam's carpet. ]

Busy enough, but nothing that can't carry on without me. This place is a breeze compared to home.

What kind of experiment?

[he'll probably smell Lucifer too - fleeting, not nearly as strong as Edgeworth's scent, but present. The angel's visited frequently lately.

Sam watches his side-step (perhaps a bit too closely) before glancing back up. He's bouncing one leg unconsciously, hands clasped as he leans his elbows on his knees.] In some ways I guess.

[he's not convinced. There were rules at home, things to expect. Here, he felt like he was always playing catch-up.]

An easy one. No pain or work involved. You don't even have to fill anything out. [he glances at the box again, briefly.] You just have to... step on somethin' for me. It's... [oh Christ, how does he explain this without making Eric think this is some poorly-executed plot?] ...it's sorta like supernatural flypaper. I wanna know if it works on vampires.

[ He does, though the recognition isn't instant. But old things smell old, and Lucifer is one of those things. He doesn't like him. That should be a joke but it isn't. Lucifer. The Devil. He's just an interfering asshole as far as Eric is concerned. But what could he do about it? Kill him?

Sam looked nervous, and Eric did his best not to let that make him nervous. He followed Sam's gaze to the box, and then back again. ]

Right.

[ He lifted his head warily, looking around, listening, and then he got to his feet and zipped away. He checked every room before he came back. ]

That's it. Step into the trap, my pretty? That's the routine? Is this a joke?

[ Part of him wanted to know if it would work, but not - he thought - enough to actually step into it. ]

[Sam stands the moment Eric disappears, tensing. He hasn't relaxed by the time the vampire returns, but he holds up his hands, palms open in surrender and supplication.]

Eric, would I have really invited you over here that obviously if it was anything like that? C'mon now. Whatever your opinion of me, I swear to you I ain't that dumb. We're worth way more to each other as allies than enemies. I'd prove it to you if I knew how.

[ He eyes Sam again, then shakes his head, glancing at the cardboard box once more, staring at it. It doesn't look particularly...interesting. Not special at all. Just a cardboard box flat on the ground.

But Sam is actually convincing enough. He didn't have to like him, so he didn't, but Sam had called him when Godric had gone off the rails, not the other way around. That had to count for something. And if this was indeed a trap...

Was he afraid? Him? He'd walked into traps before, and not one of them strong enough to keep him. A cardboard box wasn't going to defeat him. ]

Fine. But I'll have you know that the only reason I'm doing this is because I want to know if this works, and if so how it works.

[ He stepped closer. ] So do I just step-- [ Onto it. Which is exactly what he does. ]

That's fine. [it's more than fine - it's amazing, because he's never known Eric to do anything without asking for something in return first (even if he doesn't get it - Sookie being the perfect example). Maybe... they really are becoming allies. What a weird thought.

The moment Eric stops on the cardboard, the Devil's Trap sharpied underneath it flares to life, a flux of magic activating beneath the vampire, immobilizing his body from his neck to his toes. With the exception of his eyes and his mouth, Eric is trapped. It's a sudden display of magical influence only the cosmically attuned would be able to tell.

Sam isn't, so he just cocks his head and rubs at his chin a little.] ...So, can you move?

[ It comes from being one part cocky shit and one part curious cat, but it's not a favour that'll go unpunished--after all, Sam is his friend now, and friends did these kinds of things for each other. This would count as two favours from Sam, and he would make sure that they were paid for when the time came.

He had to know how this worked, but mostly when he stepped onto the box he was hoping it wouldn't.

His body froze, his back foot lifted up to his toe, his left hand slightly raised as though he were about to speak, his head slightly tilted to one side, but that was all he could do. For a moment he wasn't sure whether he could open his mouth to respond, because he was suddenly frozen solid, and it wasn't unpleasant so much as it was undesirable. ]

Apparently not. I should have probably mentioned before we began this experiment that if you get out a Sharpie or a pair of scissors I will make you rue the day you were born. Are we clear, Merlotte?

Holy shit. [Sam walks cautious forward, circles one way, circles back.] You're not just messin' with me? You're really stuck?

[he sits down on the couch and watches vampire-turned-statue, dumbfounded] Honestly, I didn't think it'd work. ...Does that mean vampires are part demon, do you think?

[ He can only see Sam out of the corner of his eye, and there's nothing much more frustrating than not being able to move and look at him properly. Fortunately he literally can't move, because if he could turn much more than he did, then being on one foot and one toe would lead to him falling over.

He licks his lips. ]

I'm afraid I couldn't tell you. I'm not sure even Godric knows what we are, and most of us prefer not to dwell on it.

By that definition, you think there's something human about us? I must be growing on you.

[he rolls his eyes] You were human once. Just stands to reason.

[Sam will admit it - this is pretty damn funny. And it would be incredibly tempting to do something juvenile if he didn't know Eric would rip his arms off for it.]

What's it feel like?

It feels like I can't move. What do you think it feels like?

[ Actually it felt sort of...tingly. But Sam didn't need to know about that, not really. What did tingly have to do with anything. He paused, just for a moment, then tried to bare his fangs, but all he managed to do was make a catty hissing noise. ]

Great.

[Sam sighs, standing up again. Obviously Eric is losing his patience for this, which means the smart thing to do is to quickly end it. Survival always outranks humor and curiosity.] All right, all right. I'm gonna let you go.

[he comes around to the front. Stops. Stares at the sigil.

...Shit, wait, did Lucifer ever show him how to stop the thing?]

[ Eric feels a certain relief as Sam comes around to face him, assuring him he's about to let him go--until he sees that face. The face that clearly says 'I don't have a fucking clue what I'm doing'. He shot a glare up, sharply, because that was all he could do. ]

Is there a problem?

[ There was enough venom attached to those four words to poison a cobra. ]

No - [quick, too quick] - I'm just... thinkin' about what the best way to go about this is. So you aren't hurt.

[you know, because they're friends.

Fuck. Fuck. What about erasing it? - Shit, he wrote it in sharpie, you can't erase sharpie.]

[ His nostrils flared at the sudden smell of fear, but that was all the sign he made that he'd noticed Sam's discomfort. He closed his eyes for a moment, gathering himself before he spoke again. ]

You didn't say anything about the possibility of my getting hurt.

You won't be. [he's circling him now - pacing like a nervous dog. He runs his hand through his hair. Shit, shit, shit.] It just holds demons, it's not supposed to hurt 'em.

[at least that's what he understood.] I just... don't want to just rip you off it.

[Sam crouches suddenly down by Eric's feet, covering part of the sigil with his hand. Nothing happens.]

Stop doing that.

[ If he sounds agitated it's because he is. Sam is all over the place, and his nervousness is coming off him in ways. It's infectious, and now he's not so sure that he wants to be trapped and unable to move around him.

Anything could happen. ]

I mean it. Stand still.

Stop soundin' like that then. [he really, really wants to pace. Fuck. Sam stays crouched, rubbing at his face. He grabs Eric's leg and tries to physically pull it free. It works just as well as his other attempts.

He licks his lips. Looks up, apologetic.] ...I might have to call for help.

[ Yeah. That. Is not working. And the longer that Sam tries and fails to get him free, the more uncomfortable he becomes. What if Sam messes this up and he's frozen like this for a vampire's eternity? ]

You might have to call who for help?

[ The last person he wants to see right now is Lucifer, after what happened to Godric, and after the furor about vampires recently. Angel or not he might just wring his neck. ]

Lucifer. He's the one who taught me this thing. ...Shit, yeah. I'm not gonna risk it.

Just - hold tight.

[and whatever Eric's protests, Sam stands and thinks the angel's name as loudly as he can imagine.]

[Lucifer appears a moment later, looking calm, but in reality tensed for-

Well, for Sylar again, actually.]

...What's this?

[ That wasn't what he wanted to hear at all, and he was halfway to actually protesting it when Lucifer appeared just like that in the middle of Sam's living room.

His reaction was anything but enthusiastic. ]

Wonderful.

[the devil will be glad to know no one needs to be flayed tonight. Sam motions awkwardly between them.]

Lucifer, this is Eric. Eric - Lucifer.

[and to the devil, sheepishly] ...I sorta got him stuck.

Hello again, Eric. Playing in the Crazy Glue today?

[He eyes the trap, terribly amused, and glances at the shifter. What were you even doing, Sam.]

It turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks--and this way I know to look out for cardboard boxes.

[ A sharp, punishing look at Sam. ]

Lucifer and I have as good as met. He seems to think that Godric is an excellent attack dog and I disagree. Isn't that right?

[Sam holds up both hands.] I wanted to see if it'd work on vampires. That's all. ...Turns out it does. S'not like I tricked him into it. ...Just didn't think about how to let him go if it worked.

[a bad idea, in retrospect. But his brow furrows, looking between them - what's this about Godric?]

I don't need him to fight my battles, Eric, don't be stupid.

[With luck, the vampire would shut his mouth. Lucifer trailed his hand over the small of Sam's back (seeking to reassure him, to distract him from the implication that Eric had made).

Then he grabs a knife and turns to Eric.]

It's easy letting them out. You just have to be sure you want to.

[ He bared his teeth again, this time at the implication that Sam's will to let him out had to exist first--because if that was the case he wasn't going anywhere. The knife didn't make him particularly happy, either, which was why despite the implication he couldn't keep himself from growling a warning. ]

If you do anything with that knife but set me free, Merlotte, I will personally use it to neuter you.

[he turns his questioning look on Lucifer all the same, despite the touch, but the knife pretty much derails the conversation. Knives outside of kitchens tend to do that.]

I sure as hell don't want him stuck in my house. [you know, because they're friends. Looking out for you here, Eric, of course. ...And ignoring the threat.] What do you expect me to do with the knife?

[Lucifer shrugs, ignoring Eric strictly because Sam did.]

Then all you have to do is break the circle. You need to be sure it's what you want because...well.

[He moves over, crouches in front of Eric, and jams the knife into the cardboard. He cuts a single slit through the circular lines, and the magic vanishes.]

The demon could always grab you if you have to reach in.

[ Turns out all Eric wants to do is not fall over, and now his foot is free he almost does, and takes a step back, shaking out his limbs as though making sure they're working.

He doesn't like being ignored. ]

And if you're trapped inside one?

[good to remember.

And he can breathe again now, relieved that he isn't saddled with a vampire furniture piece.] Thanks, Luke.

[And Eric will even get an apologetic look.] ...Sorry 'bout that.

You didn't do too bad with those lines.

[He looks at Eric again, after he's found a couch to lean against.]

If you're stuck inside one, you can't touch the walls of the trap. So you wait for someone to let you out.

"Luke"?

[ He is on the verge of just blurring out of there, but instead he just shakes his head, sure he should stay a few moments. He shoots a glare back at Sam. ]

Weren't you dating the irritating lawyer?

They all touched each other at least. [it still looks like a scrawl to him.

Eric's glare is promptly returned.] Edgeworth. His name is Edgeworth. We live together - it's not datin'. I don't comment on who you drink from, you can keep your fangs in your gums about who I keep company with.

I think this means you're disinvited to their commitment ceremony, Eric.

[Lucifer winks at him.]

His name is Miles, too, by the way.

[ Shut up Lucifer he's not laughing at your sense of humour even if you pull the serious face. Just look how impassive he can be. This is what you get for fucking with Godric. ]

His smell was all over you even the first time I came here. But then so is Lucifer's.

[ A glance in his direction, a wan smile. ]

You should try Fangtasia some time. There's plenty of young women who are looking for something supernatural that doesn't bite. You might find something to cover yourself in that doesn't do the devil's dirty work.

[not helping, Lucifer.

Sam was about to say something to that effect too, but then Eric had to go and make an ass of himself. Or at least that's what it seems like to Sam, who's curling a hand at his side that really wants to find its way into Eric's face, and if this were two, three months earlier - if he were in less control of himself - that's just what it would be doing. As it is, the vampire can probably hear his heart thumping harder, the spike in his blood pressure. He bares his teeth.]

Watch it, Eric.

The only one here who does my work is you, Eric. Tempting all those souls off the straight and narrow...good boy.

If you think I do that for you, I think you've misread my faith.

[ He scoffed, and turned his head away, quite clearly feeling the enmity in the room, but not quite prepared to walk out. ]

We're friends here, aren't we, Sam? Then a word of friendly advice--keep away from him.

He's done more for me than almost anyone here. And he knows who I am. I'll keep my own counsel, Eric.

[a slow exhale through his nostrils]

...And I'm sorry 'bout you gettin' accidentally trapped and everything. But thanks for tryin' it.

Yes, Eric. I'm glad you were willing to let him practice. You never know what might come through the door. I would have told him how to open it, but he'd been so hesitant to use it. But really, it's a load off my mind, so I'll overlook you trying to shoo him away for me.

[A smirk and a mock-salute. It gives him immeasurable satisfaction every time someone tells Sam Merlotte that Lucifer is bad news, because Sam does as he'd promised: he ignores them.]

[ Lucifer you are a complete dick. He glances warily at Sam, then back again, more than aware that this - this precisely - is what Godric had done to him when he suggested that his sire not side with Lucifer in this. That it wasn't safe to listen to his lies and fall for his tricks. He gave the briefest snort. ]

Snakes and apples, Merlotte.

If you'll excuse me. [ He gave Lucifer a polite smile, and stepped on back toward the door. ]

[Sam does say anything, just sighs and runs a hand through his hair, plops down into an armchair. Christ.]

[Lucifer watches him, then sits on the sofa.

Or rather, on the back of the sofa, with his feet on the cushions.]

Well that went well.

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But what about dogs and curiosity?

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I didn't have this tracked D8

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