They tried to make me go to rehab...

[bloodthirsts]

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.

Comments

[bloodthirsts]

[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?

[underachiever]

[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.

[bloodthirsts]

[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?

[underachiever]

[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.

[bloodthirsts]

[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.

[underachiever]

[His voice is getting more snappish:]

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

[bloodthirsts]

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?

[underachiever]

[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.

[bloodthirsts]

[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!

[underachiever]

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!]

[bloodthirsts]

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!

[underachiever]

[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!

[bloodthirsts]

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.

[underachiever]

[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?]

[bloodthirsts]

[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.

[underachiever]

[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!

[bloodthirsts]

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!