sirenspull_logs | They tried to make me go to rehab...

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They tried to make me go to rehab...

Who: Seras and Shikamaru to start, others later. Please start your own new threads if your character is visiting Shikamaru <3
When: Initially April 13th and possibly continuing over the weekend.
Where: Stoker Manor
Summary: With Eric gone Shikamaru's supply of V is gone, his addiction drives him to approach Seras for blood.
Warnings: Language, minor violence? Drug-withdrawal

[Seras has been home little over an hour from a day's shift at work when Shikamaru chooses to visit. It's a surprise but a pleasant one that he's here and she invites him down to her room, glad not to run into Alucard along the way.] Do you want a drink or anything? I can run up to the kitchen.

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[Something's clearly not right about Shikamaru. His skin is pallid and sweaty. He doesn't look like he's slept in days, and his eyes are bloodshot - all at once wild-looking and hyper-focused. But for now, his voice is steady (if raspy):]

No. No, it's okay. Just...

[She looks back uncertainly at him.]

Are you sure, you look like you could do with one. I mean a hot drink, or some soup... [Of course she noticed when he came in but has been too polite to say until they were alone.] Are you sick? It's still cold enough here you could wind up with the flu, you know.

It's not... that. I just...

[He takes a look around and listens closely for any eavesdroppers. He can't detect anyone, but he still steps closer to Seras and lowers his voice.]

You can help me. I need something. I know I've got no right to ask, but I really need you just to do this favor for me.

[Her expression turns to immediate concern, turning to face him directly and leaning in a little as his voice drops.]

What is it? Are you okay? Has something happened?

Edited 2012-04-18 00:39 (UTC)

[He shakes his head. Yes, something happened, but no, he doesn't want to give her the details about it. Anyway, he's in a hurry to cut to the chase.]

Your blood. I just... I need a little of it. Just a little.

[There's a moment where she starts to nod automatically before what he actually said registers. Red eyes go wide with surprise, then her brow wrinkles in questioning.]

My blood... what would you need my blood for?

[His shoulders give a twitch and he folds his arms to disguise how badly they're shaking.]

Nothing, just... Can I have some? I mean barely any. Just a few drops.

[Seras shakes her head, eyes watching him, still frowning.]

Look, Shika... [Her teeth worry her lip.] I trust you, you know that, with my life... but this is something that I need to know why before I can say yes, okay? Please tell me why.

[His voice is getting more snappish:]

I just need it, okay? I need to drink it.

There's no need to -- [Have a moment where she outright freezes, staring at him.] D-drink it? Have you gone bonkers! What on earth would you want to drink it for?

[His shoulders rise and it seems like he might resort to shouting, but he very carefully draws in a breath and evens his voice out.]

I've been taking vampire blood for almost a year now. It helps me. Makes me strong. But my source is gone. And I need more.

[Seras' mind is reeling, trying to understand this sudden revelation. The idea that vampire blood could make a human strong is completely alien to her.]

A year... and from who? No wait -- [There's only one vampire that she knows has left the city recently and that Shikamaru had connections with.] Eric Northman? He was giving you his blood? [Her hand goes up and clutches at her hair for a moment.]

I can't give you my blood, I can't! Not for that -- it'd kill you! I'm shocked it hasn't already!

Please, Seras!

[He sounds all at once enraged and on the verge of tears. Why is she doing this to him? Doesn't she realize how humiliating it is just to have to ask? And he isn't even asking for much!]

NO! [Seras has probably never raised her voice at him like this before, but she's been a police officer, she knows the signs of an addict. And that it's -- it's vampire blood, she can't believe it.] Listen to me, Shikamaru! It would kill you. Maybe not today, or tommorow...

[Her voice trembles slightly.] And then you'd be a ghoul -- a zombie! That's all that would happen!

[Logically, of course, he should consider her words. She knows best, at least about her own blood. She and Eric are from different worlds, likely entirely different species of vampire. But Shikamaru isn't listening to logic now. He needs his fix. He needed it hours ago. And she's denying him.

He feels a surge of rage and moves, nearly throwing himself on her so that he can bite into her flesh and take the blood for himself. But at the last moment he drops to his knees instead, forcing down the urge for one last plea.]

Give it to me. I'm begging you, okay, just - give it to me. I don't care if it kills me!

You're not listening to me! Are you even listening to yourself?! [Seras protests, kneeling down to his level.] You're smarter than this, Shikamaru. Whatever benefits his blood gave you mine won't! Just agony and then death, then -- then living as a mindless ghoul until you're put out of your misery...

I won't allow you to do that.

[He may as well be a ghoul already. It's taking all of his effort to keep himself down, but there's a rage inside him that's unlike the hatred he's felt even for his worst enemies, a blinding emotion that drowns out his reason entirely. He lets out a beastly roar, his body writhing as he struggles to keep his arms from grabbing at her. Then he bows down until his forehead touches the floor, racked with sobs. He doesn't want to hurt her - but why won't she take pity on him?]

[Seras stares almost helplessly for a moment, put off balance by seeing Shikamaru in such a state. She hesitates, then puts her hand on top of his head gently.]

Shika... Shika it's okay. I -- I'm going to help you through this, alright? This is like... like drug withdrawal right? We just need to wait it out.

[It's exactly drug withdrawal, but it's different from how it was with heroin. He felt sick before - so sick he was sure he was dying - but he didn't feel this rage, this hunger. He slaps her hand away, snarling:]

Get away from me if you aren't going to help me!

I am going to help you! But not that way. I'm going to help you get past this. You don't need the blood, Shika!

[It took Nill all of a half hour to arrive at the mansion after she found out about what had happened with Shika, and it's probably one of the longest half hours of her life. She'd known from the start that his addictions would come to this at some point. She'd even tried to talk to him about it once, but it had been shoved aside in light of other things, and now... now Seras was involved in the worst possible way.

Nill is unnaturally quiet as she's brought to the room that Shika's in; hands to herself, no typing on her NV, and wings folded neatly against her back. It doesn't really look like she needed to be led, though. She could find Shika easily enough.]

[When Walter shows Nill in Seras looks round tiredly, it's been long hours since Shikamaru came to the manor, hours that since she's been steadily spending energy holding him down to the bed. Physically and mentally exhausting because she has to listen to his pain as well.]

Hey Nill... [She tries to put a brave smile on.] It's pretty bad.

[Nill smiles in return, though it's much smaller and doesn't hold any of the usual warmth that her more genuine ones do - it's more a smile because she should be brave, too, if Seras is being brave.

She suspects Seras probably needs it more than she does.

Nill nods, she knows it's bad, and steps over to Seras, lightly putting a hand on her shoulder. You should really get some rest. Nill pulls out her NV with her other hand, a message already typed up on it and ready for view.]

I can take it from here.

I... I'm not sure I should... [She looks uncertain when Nill says that.] He's been violent, Nill, I'm sure he wanted to attack me earlier. I've had to keep him restrained the entire time.

[Nill's smile widens a little; reassuring, this time.]

It's okay. I'm strong too-- just not in the same way you are.

[Seras looks at her and... she believes her.]

What are you going to do?

Keep him calm.

[Or, if needed, just try to keep him knocked out.]

I'll be fine.

Alright... [She looks at Shikamaru, poor Shikamaru...] If you want to start... I'll take the shadows away once you're comfortable.

[Nill bobs her head in agreement, and tucks the NV into her pocket again. She finds a place to sit, and conjures an image for Shika - blue skies, a warm sun, a head mostly empty save for those things.

No withdraw. No pain. Nothing even close to being like that.

Then she smiles at Seras, though the way she looks at her is a little far away. Okay. It should probably be fine now.]

[Seras stares as he stops thrashing, stops screaming and cursing... the soundtrack of the last few hours turning to silence.]

Wow... that's impressive, Nill.

[The shadows on Shikamaru's body start to slither away, down the bed and across the floor, disappearing as they reach her.]

[If it works properly, then Shika should remain calm even once he's freed.]

I'll need to stay here for it to work, but I should be able to keep him calm for awhile.

[Normally, Nill would not have brought up her power like this - at least, not the 'talking' portion of it - but it's really difficult to keep something like this up and type at the same time. It's so much easier to stay in her head than to worry about physical things.

She turns her head towards Seras, and smiles slightly, although she doesn't look totally there. She's using a lot of different aspects of her abilities right now, so it makes everything else sort of difficult.]

If at all possible... coffee later would help.

[It'd be strange, but when you have Alucard for a Master... well. Seras has seen blood write itself into words on the floor before and Alucard could get into her head, she thinks.] That's an amazing power...

Of course, we can take shifts if it'd be easier. And if I have to go out Walter is around, he'll bring you anything you need. [It's a largely British household so tea is usually the order of the day but Seras is certain there's coffee somewhere about.]

[Well, that's certainly an interesting little glimpse - Nill doesn't really have the time to linger on it or really wonder about it though.]

Tea is fine, too.

[Not that she was trying to listen in - it just sort of happened a lot.]

Thank you. I'll let you know if I need a break.

Oh! Right, of course, you can... [She points her finger vaguely at her head.] I bet it took some getting used to.

Okay. I'm really glad you came, Nill. If I'd had any idea before... well at least we can help him now.

[She smiles a little more widely.]

It still does.

I'll do my best for him... you should go rest a little bit.

I know he'll be really grateful to you when he comes out of this.

[Nill's method was so much gentler than anything Seras or Walter could do. She nods and points at the coffin over from the bed.] This is my room so I... I'll just be in there, if you need me. You don't mind do you? If it's creepy I can move it to another room.

[Nill's gaze drifts over to the coffin - in all the anxiety from initially walking into the room, she'd completely missed the coffin being there at all.

She's never actually been to a funeral though, or seen a coffin in person herself. Though Nill knows what it means, it's only a box to her.]

I don't mind at all.

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They tried to make me go to rehab...

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