interviewee | OPEN RP POST

[so natural to fall back into this role, the good nurse. he slips it on like a second skin, a worn coat as he leads louis from the carnage around. the smell of louis' blood is still too thick in the air, from his wounds that even armand's ancient blood cannot wipe away quickly. that these creatures got so close is a failure on armand's part, even if the wounded, petty part of him hisses at louis and daniel's foolishness.

petulant, in being turned away and forced to slink back from the shadows. ah, but love is enduring. surely louis will see that eventually, when the wrath eases.

no others come out of the woodwork thankfully, their trip quiet until he can get louis through the door. a pretty little place, another coffin to take to ground, and when the door is closed behind him he ventures to turn louis to face him.]

Let me see the damage. [somewhere between a bowed head request and the order from the nurse. such a strange mix, his low simmering fear and irritation at louis' attack and fluttering pleasure in being able to slip his way back into louis' sphere far sooner than he assumed possible.]

[Louis follows Armand down the winding way to the safehouse, ears open for the sound of anyone else approaching. They get lucky, he decides, when they enter the bunker like structure without running into anyone or anything else. In the smaller space, the stench of his blood becomes all the more pungent.

He sits down on the nearest couch to catch his breath and watches Armand for a moment before lifting his shirt. His abdomen and chest are littered with finger-sized holes or deep gashes that only half healed. A few are still bleeding, rivulets of ruby trailing down his chest.]

[armand's instantly on his knees, examining the damage with the faintest furrow of his brow. irritation wells in him, petulant and tired, turned to the vampires that did this, to daniel for perpetuating this nonsense and publishing the book. to louis for goading them.

the idea of louis' death is intolerable to him, even if he imagines louis would scoff at such a thing now. even he cannot quite put to words what it was to sit in that box, watching the trial, waiting to see what happened next. out of his hands, better not to think what would have occurred if louis was lumped with claudia and his fledgling. if he would have watched it all burn, should lestat have somehow managed to sit idly by as well.

he shakes the thought from his mind, tearing his thumb to press the bleeding wound to one of the injuries.] Your body is overtaxed, the blood can only do so much now. You will need to rest, and to not goad the masses as you have been.

[Well if this position isn’t familiar. Louis’s frown deepens even as he keeps his shirt lifted. There would have been a time not long ago where he would have been thrilled to have Armand on his knees like this. And Armand opens another source of blood, but the healing factor is at its limit.

He tugs off the remains of his shirt and tosses it toward the sink. They have a small collection of clothes in the safe room in case of something like this.]

I wasn’t goading them. [He was, he absolutely was, but admitting his own failings to a vampire that burned his daughter (and almost him) to death is not something Louis is capable at the moment.

He is drained, though, despite drinking deeply from Armand. He’s exhausted and his body aches from his wounds. Rest is not the worst suggestion.]

Why are you here? [Louis asks, brows furrowed.]

So your display before informing them all how to get to you and welcoming the challenge has a different name.

[he glances up at that, unable to keep reproach from his tone despite how shaky they are with each other. his eyes lower again, attempting to coax each injury closed as much as he can manage but getting very little done. he pulls back, hands slick with a mix of their blood.]

You know why I am here. [he doesn't want to say it and risk louis' ire. to protect louis from himself, because despite daniel and louis' insistence it is necessary. if anything this proves it.]

[Armand's response stokes Louis's anger and he's tempted to throw him into another something, but there isn't the room for it. Instead, Louis sets his jaw and tries not to move as Armand sets to attempting to close the remaining wounds with little success.]

Leave it. [He eventually growls and gets up to his feet about the same time Armand leans back. They have a first aid kit, never used, for this exact reason. He pulls it down from a compartment over the sink and starts taping pieces of gauze over the holes and gashes.]

You thought you'd play good nurse and get back in my good graces?

[It's not a good idea to piss off Armand right now. He's stronger in every way while Louis is exhausted and wounded. Nevermind the fact that they'll be in the safe house until it's, well, safe for Louis to leave.]

I can bring you prey. Fresh blood. [which he believes will hasten the healing process more than the animals or the farm. still he simply stands back, watching louis closely. maybe now, with his memories back, armand's watchful stare this way makes far more sense. the heavy history of it, the perceived thread of losing louis to himself again.

he looks to his blood stained hand, flexing his fingers and watching the blood dribbled and dry. louis' comment leaves no mark on his expression, even if he bites back thinned lips and another pointed stare.]

You have never truly appreciated my efforts before, so it would be a foolish way to attempt to appease you, don't you agree?

You mean the efforts to control me? Why--

[Louis sucks in a breath as one of his wounds reminds him of its presence. It's true that Armand can really help him in this moment of need, but with everything he's learned since the interview started, he's stubborn in his desire to avoid him.

But even his stubbornness can recognize that he needs help right now. He won't survive if he kicks Armand out.]

Fine. [His breath comes in short bursts as he regards Armand with glassy eyes.]

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