{"id":15304,"date":"2022-05-14T00:13:23","date_gmt":"2022-05-14T05:13:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emifail.com\/ocs\/?p=15304"},"modified":"2022-08-02T17:27:08","modified_gmt":"2022-08-02T22:27:08","slug":"1-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emifail.com\/ocs\/phantom-knights\/1-11","title":{"rendered":"phantom knights: 1-11"},"content":{"rendered":"
CAMROSE<\/strong>: ... Is it common for parents to navigate the campus?<\/span>\r\nLUDO<\/strong>: Only when their sons have trouble answering mail.<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: I\u2019ll reply to the next one, okay?<\/em><\/span>\r\nLUDO<\/strong>: Thank you, that would be lovely! I just wanted you to remember who pays your tuition.\r\n<\/span>LUDO<\/strong>: That\u2019s a joke, of course!<\/pre>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
(Levi rolls a natural 20 perception check)<\/span><\/p>\n
Levi\u2019s vampiric senses trigger and he instinctually turns his body the second that someone\u2019s foot crunches a stick behind him. Standing before him is Ludo.<\/span><\/p>\n
Ghost had previously led Levi to talk outside of the building. Ludo immediately closes the gap of space between them, trapping Levi against the brick wall behind him. Levi reacts quickly, snatching Ludo\u2019s wrist in his hand before Ludo has a second to think. Ludo\u2019s eyebrows lift in mild surprise, and the second Levi\u2019s hand touches his wrist, Levi can feel Ludo jolt and shiver unexpectedly.<\/span><\/p>\n
LUDO:<\/b> You are\u2014<\/span><\/i>\r\nLEVI: <\/b>WHY ARE YOU HERE.<\/span>\r\nLUDO: <\/b>... Well, you\u2019re rather difficult to track down.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Ludo is struggling to stay composed.<\/span><\/p>\n
LEVI<\/b>: <\/span>Good!<\/span><\/i> That\u2019s the point!<\/span><\/pre>\n
Ludo sucks in a deep breath.<\/span><\/p>\n
LUDO<\/b>: I ... just want to <\/span>remind you<\/span><\/i> that I let you get away with doing <\/span>almost nothing<\/span><\/i> in exchange for your power - to help keep you <\/span>alive<\/span><\/i> when you were weak.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi looks irritated.<\/span><\/p>\n
LEVI<\/b>: Okay, so WHAT? What do you want, then??<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi notices he\u2019s still holding Ludo\u2019s wrist and wrenches it away in disgust, but the moment he pulls away, Ludo snatches the hand back and pushes it against the wall.<\/span><\/p>\n
Leaning over him.<\/span><\/p>\n
LUDO<\/b>: We\u2019re <\/span>intertwined<\/span><\/i>. You can\u2019t escape this. You see, you\u2019ve given my life <\/span>new meaning<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi looks around quickly, scanning for anyone else outside. He doesn\u2019t want to be seen like this.<\/span><\/p>\n
Ludo\u2019s eyes get wilder as he leans in closer.<\/span><\/p>\n
LUDO<\/b>: Surely you <\/span>felt<\/span><\/i> it before, too? You <\/span>felt<\/span><\/i> our connection. The sooner you accept it the stronger you\u2019ll <\/span>be<\/span><\/i>, why can\u2019t you just <\/span>realize<\/span><\/i> this\u2014<\/span><\/pre>\n
As Ludo is talking, his fangs start to lower.<\/span><\/p>\n
LEVI<\/b>: We are in PUBLIC, can you\u2014 can you STEP BACK before someone SEES US\u2014<\/span><\/pre>\n
Ludo suddenly jerks, as if he caught a smell of Levi, and compulsively leans in to attempt to bite Levi.<\/span><\/p>\n
Levi slaps at him, grazing past his hair, and Ludo stops – but he\u2019s still looking at Levi hungrily, like he can\u2019t control himself.<\/span><\/p>\n
LEVI<\/b>: Is this what you want?? What do you want?? Why are you here?? Is <\/span>this<\/span><\/i> what you want??<\/span><\/pre>\n
Ludo realizes what he\u2019s doing, almost like he\u2019s waking from a spell. He recomposes himself, his tone growing darker.<\/span><\/p>\n
LUDO<\/b>: I just need you to understand our connection. And remind you ... that all of this can go away in an <\/span>instant<\/span><\/i>.<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/b>: Okay, <\/span>what<\/span><\/i> will it take to get you to just leave me alone.<\/span>\r\nLUDO<\/b>: <\/span>That\u2019s not how this works.<\/span><\/i> I just want to spend <\/span>time<\/span><\/i> together, why don\u2019t you <\/span>understand?<\/span><\/i><\/pre>\n
Ludo suddenly lets go of Levi, composes himself, and looks towards the entrance of the building. Camrose and Delta round the corner, looking for their friend.<\/span><\/p>\n
LUDO<\/b>: Oh! It\u2019s so good to see all of you again, friends of Levi\u2019s!<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/b>: Wow, I really wish that were mutual!<\/span><\/pre>\n
Camrose and Delta can see that Levi is leaned up against the wall and Ludo is very close to him. Levi also looks very irritated.<\/span><\/p>\n
Ludo claps his hands together.<\/span><\/p>\n
LUDO<\/b>: Well, Levi ... son. I\u2019m going to head off now, it was so good to have a little chat again.<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/b>: A little warning next time you stop by. Would be nice.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Ludo giggles.<\/span><\/p>\n
LUDO<\/b>: Oh, you know me - I just can\u2019t resist!<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi laughs without humor.<\/span><\/p>\n
Delta is trying to understand the vibes here.<\/span><\/p>\n
Camrose approaches Ludo.<\/span><\/p>\n
CAMROSE<\/b>: It was nice to see you again, Mr. Cadmius.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Camrose offers a handshake, and Ludo extends a gloved hand and gives Camrose a strong shake, putting his other hand on top.<\/span><\/p>\n
LUDO<\/b>: So good to meet you again - Camrose, is it?<\/span><\/pre>\n
(Brian wishes he had any reason to smite this man.)<\/span><\/p>\n
Camrose firmly shakes his hand. Ludo gives a toothy grin, lets Camrose\u2019s hand go, and gives a polite nod to the rest of them.<\/span><\/p>\n
Delta notices Ludo has abnormally-sharp canines. It gives her pause. She also notices Ludo is making Levi extremely uncomfortable, unsure if it\u2019s because of Levi\u2019s comment or there\u2019s something else that he\u2019s upset about. Ludo\u2019s presence is definitely unwelcome right now.<\/span><\/p>\n
Delta walks up and takes Levi\u2019s hand. Ludo grins even wider, his eyes also growing wide, stares at their hands touching.<\/span><\/p>\n
LUDO<\/strong>: Wow! Levi, you didn\u2019t tell me that you already had\u2014<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: <\/span>Friends?<\/span><\/i><\/pre>\n
Ludo pauses.<\/span><\/p>\n
DELTA<\/strong>: He has plenty of friends!<\/span>\r\nLUDO<\/strong>: ... Friends, yes. Of course. That you had such good friends already.<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: He made quite a lot of friends, very quickly. Thank you. We should go!<\/span>\r\nLUDO<\/strong>: Right, you have all those club fairs to get back to and what-not.<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: ... Is it common for parents to navigate the campus?<\/span>\r\nLUDO<\/strong>: Only when their sons have trouble answering mail.<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: That seems a little ... forward, but of course I understand you\u2019re just concerned about your son.<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: I\u2019ll reply to the next one, okay?<\/em><\/span>\r\nLUDO<\/strong>: Thank you, that would be lovely! I just wanted you to remember who pays your tuition.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Delta makes a disgusted noise. Levi\u2019s hand in Delta\u2019s tightens <\/span>hard<\/span><\/i>. She squeezes back.<\/span><\/p>\n
Ludo laughs.<\/span><\/p>\n
LUDO<\/strong>: That\u2019s a joke, of course!<\/pre>\n
Levi almost says something in response, but holds back. Ludo is waiting for everyone to leave, smiling, holding a briefcase that he thumbs his hand along.<\/span><\/p>\n
Camrose has picked up on the fact that Levi is irritated, and Levi is always irritated … but Delta is also put-off by this person, to a level that Camrose did not expect. They feel like they\u2019re missing something here. Also, Ludo\u2019s tuition joke rubbed them the wrong way. A good father would <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> say that.<\/span><\/p>\n
Camrose stares at this man, his long, cascading black hair; his bizarre fashion taste. They look between Ludo and Levi, and recognizes that the two of them do not look related. What if he\u2019s a step-father, and this is an awkward step-father situation? Camrose thinks this is slimy enough to warrant using their Divine Sense.<\/span><\/p>\n
Using Divine Sense, Camrose can sense a very strong undead aura emanating right in front of them, as well as to the left of them where Levi is standing.<\/span><\/p>\n
Levi is glaring daggers at Ludo, but spares a glance at Camrose – and there is a small moment where Levi notices a movement just at the top of Camrose\u2019s cheekbones.<\/span><\/p>\n
Ludo takes a step back, as if saw exactly what Levi did. Camrose immediately takes a step forward.<\/span><\/p>\n
LUDO<\/strong>: Where did you say you were from again...?<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: I didn\u2019t say.<\/span>\r\nLUDO<\/strong>: Right ... I should be going.<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: Yes, you should.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Ludo turns and swiftly exits the area with a flap of his bright pink coat. Levi holds strong eye contact with Ludo until he leaves. Delta waves, and then he is gone.<\/span><\/p>\n
DELTA<\/strong>: That guy\u2019s fucking creepy! I\u2019m sorry he\u2019s your dad, but he is <\/span>really<\/span><\/i> creepy. Are you okay?<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: You guys\u2014 You guys really don\u2019t have to do that\u2014 I mean, thank you, but\u2014<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi realizes that they\u2019re still holding hands and awkwardly lets go.<\/span><\/p>\n
LEVI<\/strong>: Yeah, um. Gah! God. <\/span>GRRGH!<\/span><\/i> I\u2019m fine.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi is not fine.<\/span><\/p>\n
DELTA<\/strong>: Is he like your step-dad? Or like your adopt\u2014 I\u2019m sorry, this is inappropriate, I shouldn\u2019t be asking these questions, we should go back inside!<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: I\u2019m gonna join a club! Lets\u2014 I\u2019m gonna join a club.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Delta grabs Levi\u2019s hand again and walks with him inside.<\/span><\/p>\n
Camrose is still staring after where Ludo had exited, but then turns to follow their friends.<\/span><\/p>\n
Levi\u2019s grip is very tight in Delta\u2019s hand.<\/span><\/p>\n
Camrose, Levi, and Delta return to their dorms. Levi is still antsy. He sits down on the couch.<\/span><\/p>\n
LEVI<\/strong>: ... Can I talk to you guys for a second?<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: Yes, of course!<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: Okay. So. What you did was very ... nice. And I really appreciate it. Um. If\u2014 If\u2014 If something like that happens again. Can I\u2014 I am asking you ... to\u2014 Can you refrain from\u2014 Don\u2019t\u2014 Just don\u2019t engage with him. Please? For me?<\/span><\/pre>\n
Delta and Camrose look conflicted.<\/span><\/p>\n
CAMROSE<\/strong>: ... May I be direct with you?<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: ... Depends on what you\u2019re about to ask me.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Camrose crosses their arms and thinks very hard.<\/span><\/p>\n
CAMROSE<\/strong>: Do you ... <\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: Are you ... hmm.<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: You ... Your ...<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: <\/span>WHAT!!<\/span><\/i>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: Are you aware that your ... father? Is undead.<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: <\/span>... Oh ...!!<\/span><\/i><\/pre>\n
Delta leans in. Camrose is staring directly at Levi. Levi is surprised, and then tries to act more surprised than he actually is, and then feeling stupid about acting.<\/span><\/p>\n
LEVI<\/strong>: UMM. WHAT MAKES YOU SAY THAT.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Camrose is very stiff. They attempt to relax their posture.<\/span><\/p>\n
CAMROSE<\/strong>: I shook his hand, and\u2014 his demeanor, in a sense.<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: Just the way that he <\/span>acts<\/span><\/i> gave it away??<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: ... When you say \u201cgave it away\u201d ...<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi puts his head in his hands.<\/span><\/p>\n
DELTA<\/strong>: Does\u2014 Um\u2014 Should\u2014 Are you ... Is that congenital?<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: Okay\u2014 <\/span>Okay<\/span><\/i>, this is becoming\u2014 ALL I WANTED to tell you guys is that you shouldn\u2019t\u2014 you should not interact with him.<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: Is that because you\u2019re worried about <\/span>our<\/span><\/i> safety, or is it because you wanted to ignore him so maybe he\u2019ll go away, or\u2014<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: Both?<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: Okay then.\r\n<\/span>LEVI<\/strong>: I don\u2019t\u2014 I don\u2019t know\u2014 <\/span>distressed noise<\/span><\/i> I don\u2019t know what he can do, and I don\u2019t want any of you involved.<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: This is a situation in which you did not wish for this individual, who is your father ...? To be around you? Interacting with you? In your general vicinity.<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: I\u2014 HRGH. I\u2014 Okay. That is my ... preference, but, if ... the situation arises ... that does not necessarily mean that intervention is needed. If that makes sense.<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: This country does have laws against ... if you want, you can ...<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: I know.<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: Yeah ...<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: I know.<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: Okay ... okay.<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: Okay, so you are saying that ... if this instance happens again, to just ... leave you there?<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi looks very distressed at this question.<\/span><\/p>\n
LEVI<\/strong>: Um ... maybe?<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: Why?<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: <\/span>voice cracks<\/span><\/i> I don\u2019t know\u2014 Okay, just\u2014 don\u2019t\u2014 be as hostile??<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: Would an acceptable compromise be to remove you from the situation and ignore him entirely.<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: Yes ...? Unless\u2014 I don\u2019t know\u2014<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi puts his head in his hands again.<\/span><\/p>\n
CAMROSE<\/strong>: Do you owe your father something ...?<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: I\u2019d really rather not talk about this.<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: I\u2019m\u2014 But I\u2019m\u2014 <\/span>sigh<\/span><\/i> I\u2019m working on it.<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: That\u2019s your business!<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: I\u2019m working\u2014 I am working on it.<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: Mhm! Right, Camrose? It is Levi\u2019s business.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Camrose frowns. Delta nods very seriously.<\/span><\/p>\n
CAMROSE<\/strong>: You\u2019re right, it is ... not my place to step in.<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: How did you ... you did something to him.<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: I have an ... intimidating presence. To some.<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: Did you do some magic with your eyes?<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: My eyes?<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: I thought I ... saw something.<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: What did you see.<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: I don\u2019t know??<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi is looking skeptically at Camrose\u2019s sunglasses. Camrose looks away.<\/span><\/p>\n
LEVI<\/strong>: Like a flicker?? I don\u2019t know??<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: Do you have line of sight -based magic?<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: I mean, some magic is sight-based\u2014<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: What spell was it?<\/span><\/pre>\n
Camrose is awkwardly quiet, and then they very seriously look back.<\/span><\/p>\n
CAMROSE<\/strong>: I have divine powers. And I was able to see into your father\u2019s true nature.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi makes a pained noise.<\/span><\/p>\n
DELTA<\/strong>: And that\u2019s how he found out he was undead?<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: Yes.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Delta scoots closer.<\/span><\/p>\n
DELTA<\/strong>: C<\/span>an you teach me how to do that?<\/span><\/i>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: I can, however ... I don\u2019t know how much you want to devote yourself to religion.<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: OH! None. Okay, okay, okay.<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: Yes, it\u2019s a very ... specialized form of magic that I practice. And part of it was ... Levi, I ... you, yourself, it ... picked up some things.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Delta\u2019s eyes lock onto Levi.<\/span><\/p>\n
Levi notices Delta honing in on him. He looks up at her.<\/span><\/p>\n
LEVI<\/strong>: I\u2019m\u2014 I\u2019m working on it.<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: You\u2019re working on ... what?<\/span><\/pre>\n
The room is silent.<\/span><\/p>\n
CAMROSE<\/strong>: I ... can I just say it? Can I just say it. Levi?<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: I\u2019d really you RATHER NOT.<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: ... Am I missing something?<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: Levi is undead.<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: ... Okay. That\u2019s what I was assuming. Does that mean ... that you\u2019ve died and come back? Does that mean that you\u2019re a zombie? Does that mean you\u2019re a vampire? I don\u2019t really know the specifics\u2014<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi gets up and starts pacing. Delta folds her hands and looks really bashful.<\/span><\/p>\n
DELTA<\/strong>: Oh, I\u2019m so sorry! I have a hard time ... not asking.<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: I KNOW. I CAN TELL.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi is getting very angry and paces faster.<\/span><\/p>\n
DELTA<\/strong>: I\u2019m sorry, I won\u2019t ask anymore.<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: <\/span>I\u2019ll\u2014 I\u2014 I\u2014 I just don\u2019t know how to tell people, yet, and wasn\u2019t really planning on doing it.<\/span><\/i>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: You\u2019re ... working on it?<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: ... Yes.<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: Which means you\u2019re ... trying to relieve yourself of this\u2014<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: Yes.<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: \u2014affliction?<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: Yes.<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: Very well. Do you want help with that?<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi looks conflicted, then irritated.<\/span><\/p>\n
LEVI<\/strong>: ... Can you help???<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: Possibly.<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: ... Don\u2019t tell anybody.<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: I promise, I won\u2019t!<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: ... Not even our roommates?<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi lets out a pathetic sob.<\/span><\/p>\n
LEVI<\/strong>: Can you let me like\u2014 fuckin\u2014 think about this for a second. I guess\u2014<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: I do feel like they should at least know a little bit, because you have not come to breakfast for the past few days that we\u2019ve been here, and\u2014<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: Oh, Camrose ... \ud83e\udd7a<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: And it\u2019s a very concerning thing considering breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And we haven\u2019t exactly seen you eat around us.<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: There could have been any number of reasons for that!<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: Okay, okay, um\u2014<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi is very worked up.<\/span><\/p>\n
LEVI<\/strong>: We can\u2014 I\u2019ll\u2014 We\u2019ll\u2014 We can\u2014 I\u2019ll tell them\u2014 I\u2019ll tell them ... tomorrow? Later? This weekend. Next week!<\/span>\r\nDELTA<\/strong>: Whenever you are comfortable!<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi laughs weakly.<\/span><\/p>\n
DELTA<\/strong>: Even if that\u2019s never!<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: You don\u2019t have to come to breakfast.<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: Could one of you\u2014 Camrose, could you ... escort me somewhere tonight.<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: Of course. Yes, of course.<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: Thanks. I\u2019m gonna go lie down. Glad we had this talk.<\/span><\/pre>\n
He\u2019s not.<\/span><\/p>\n
DELTA<\/strong>: Is there anything we can get you? Is there anything <\/span>I<\/span><\/i> can get you? Can you drink coffee?<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi starts crying. Delta hugs him.<\/span><\/p>\n
Io walks in as Levi is having a breakdown. Delta is embarrassing Levi, Levi is … crying? Io sidesteps the room and goes into his bedroom. Delta is patting Levi\u2019s back. Levi is angry-crying. The dam has burst. Camrose feels terrible.<\/span><\/p>\n
Amadeus also comes home and scoots around this situation.<\/span><\/p>\n
DELTA<\/strong>: You can use our room if you need to! I\u2019m gonna head to the library. Go lay down. I\u2019m sorry if my bed is damp.<\/span>\r\nCAMROSE<\/strong>: My bed is not damp.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi lies down in Camrose\u2019s bed.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
Meanwhile, in the Levi + Amadeus + Io bedroom.<\/span><\/p>\n
IO<\/strong>: Do you think he\u2019s okay..?<\/span>\r\nAMADEUS<\/strong>: I mean, I don\u2019t know ... he didn\u2019t look great? Maybe something happened with Ghost?<\/span>\r\nIO<\/strong>: Yeah, maybe ...<\/span>\r\nAMADEUS<\/strong>: I don\u2019t know ... but Delta and Camrose didn\u2019t come back either. Something happened and I <\/span>guarantee<\/span><\/i> you we can get Camrose to tell us.<\/span>\r\nIO<\/strong>: ... You do whatever you want.<\/span>\r\nAMADEUS<\/strong>: Well, you and Levi are close, you can probably just ask Levi yourself!<\/span>\r\nIO<\/strong>: I don\u2019t know if you would consider us close.<\/span>\r\nAMADEUS<\/strong>: If I didn\u2019t consider you close, I wouldn\u2019t have said you were close.<\/span>\r\nIO<\/strong>: Yeah, I mean I might ask him later, but if he doesn\u2019t want to say it I\u2019m not gonna go to somebody else to try and figure it out.<\/span>\r\nAMADEUS<\/strong>: That\u2019s fair ... man, I hate not knowing things! This is hard.<\/span>\r\nIO<\/strong>: I think you\u2019re gonna survive.<\/span>\r\nAMADEUS<\/strong>: Yeah ... I hope he\u2019s okay. Maybe I can bring him some coffee back from dinner.<\/span><\/pre>\n
\n
Camrose escorts Levi to the DEAD frat. Levi is let inside and goes up to Ghost\u2019s room.<\/span><\/p>\n
GHOST<\/strong>: Come in\u2014 Oh! Uh, what\u2019s\u2014 Levi, umm, what\u2019s up?\r\n<\/span>LEVI<\/strong>: <\/span>takes a deep breath<\/span><\/i> I ... need to ask you something.<\/span>\r\nGHOST<\/strong>: Yeah?<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi takes another deep breath.<\/span><\/p>\n
LEVI<\/strong>: AUGH this is so stupid.<\/span>\r\nGHOST<\/strong>: It\u2019s okay, like, whatever you gotta say is like, super cool, man.<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: UHHH. I need\u2014<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>:<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: ... Do you have any weed?<\/span>\r\nGHOST<\/strong>: UMMM. Yeah, bro, I\u2014 Yeah, I got some weed? Do you smoke?<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: No, but, I might as well start now?<\/span>\r\nGHOST<\/strong>: Okay, yeah, whatever you need dude, I can help you out! Like, for sure! I can be\u2014 Like, I\u2019ll be your hookup, whatever!<\/span><\/pre>\n
Ghost gets up, rifles through his dresser, and pulls out a bag of weed.<\/span><\/p>\n
GHOST<\/strong>: I only have this on-hand right now. Like, it\u2019s good, but if you want other kinds of flavors and stuff, I\u2019d have to go talk to some people off-campus.<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: No, this is fine, umm\u2014 can\u2014 when can ... can I do it now?<\/span>\r\nGHOST<\/strong>: The weed?<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: Yeah.<\/span>\r\nGHOST<\/strong>: Y-Yeah, I got like\u2014 if you want me to get like, a bowl set up for you and whatever man, like\u2014<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: Yeah.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Ghost starts preparing the weed.<\/span><\/p>\n
GHOST<\/strong>: Are you okay, dude? Like, no offense, but this feels a little bit out of character for you, man ...<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: I ... I just need to ... calm down a bit.<\/span>\r\nGHOST<\/strong>: Fair enough, school\u2019s really stressful and all that, I get it.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi and Ghost smoke together for a little bit. An hour later, Levi turns to Ghost mid-conversation and drops:<\/span><\/p>\n
LEVI<\/strong>: Can I ... bite you?<\/span>\r\nGHOST<\/strong>: Whuh?<\/span><\/pre>\n
Ghost drops the bowl and the ashes scatter.<\/span><\/p>\n
LEVI<\/strong>: Like, just a\u2014 Just a little bit, just a tiny bit\u2014<\/span>\r\nGHOST<\/strong>: Is this like uhh, like a vampire thing or like a gay thing\u2014<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: It\u2019s a\u2014<\/span>\r\nGHOST<\/strong>: IT\u2019S COOL IF IT\u2019S A GAY THING, MAN\u2014<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: It\u2019s a BLOOD THING\u2014<\/span>\r\nGHOST<\/strong>: BLOOD THING\u2014 <\/span>It\u2019s a vampire thing, okay, yeah.<\/span><\/i> UMMM. Why...? Why do you need to do that\u2014<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: I don\u2019t HAVE to\u2014 I don\u2019t HAVE to, I just\u2014<\/span>\r\nGHOST<\/strong>: But I mean it sounds like you kinda gotta, like you need this ...? I don\u2019t really know how this stuff works, man ...<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: <\/span>... A lot happened today. And ... if you ... WHAT AM I DOING, GOD. You don\u2019t have to say yes, because I can, because I have other stuff ... but ...\r\n<\/span><\/i>GHOST<\/strong>: Do I turn into a vampire if you bite me ..? I don\u2019t know how this stuff works ...<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi starts thinking about past experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n
LEVI<\/strong>: No! No ... no ... no.<\/span>\r\nGHOST<\/strong>: So have you bitten other people before and they were, like, fine?<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: ... Technically? Yes?<\/span>\r\nGHOST<\/strong>: Like I for sure trust you, I\u2019m just asking because I don\u2019t know shit about vampires. Like I know I\u2019m supposed to be necromancy and professional but I\u2019m really ... not that good at it.<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: Yeah, um, I have, and it doesn\u2019t. I can\u2019t\u2014 do that.<\/span>\r\nGHOST<\/strong>: It doesn\u2019t hurt super bad, does it? Is it like ... just like a poke? Like getting a shot at the doctor or somethin?<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: ... Okay, so, it <\/span>kinda<\/span><\/i> hurts? <\/span>It\u2019s fucking biting someone, it hurts!!<\/span><\/i>\r\nGHOST<\/strong>: Okay, like, I\u2019ve like, done that before, like it\u2019s cool ... I\u2019ve bit people before, like, in a not-vampire way, like it\u2019s probably fine, I\u2019m ,like, tough, I play ... silkball ... Yeah, like, go for it man, like, I wanna help a bro out, and like, you\u2019re my bro, and like, we\u2019re f\u2014 ... yeah, just like, don\u2019t take too much, cuz I don\u2019t wanna get all like, <\/span>woo<\/span><\/i>, and like, pass out, you know. Okay?<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: Okay ... so it\u2019s cool?<\/span>\r\nGHOST<\/strong>: Yeah! Yeah, it\u2019s cool, just like, don\u2019t tell anyone ... that\u2019s kind of weird ... I don\u2019t think you will because I don\u2019t think you want people to know you\u2019re a vampire? Half-vampire<\/span><\/pre>\n
Ghost giggles.<\/span><\/p>\n
LEVI<\/strong>: Yeah, no, I won\u2019t\u2014 no one, no one has to know about this!<\/span>\r\nGHOST<\/strong>: Cool. I\u2019m just ... I\u2019m just gonna sit here.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Ghost closes his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n
Levi takes Ghost\u2019s arm and bites it. Levi sinks his fangs in, and the moment of excitement of fresh blood gets the better of him and he goes IN. Ghost yelps and then covers his mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n
GHOST<\/strong>: I\u2019m fine\u2014!! It\u2019s fine, it\u2019s fine\u2014<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi is fully checked out. All he can focus on is the blood. Ghost is stiff as a board, but lets it happen. When Levi stops, Ghost is sweaty and pale.<\/span><\/p>\n
GHOST<\/strong>: That was ... kinda weird ... umm ... we don\u2019t have to talk about it, like, that\u2019s ... like ... up to you, like ...<\/span><\/pre>\n
His words are slurring a bit.<\/span><\/p>\n
GHOST<\/strong>: Are you ... better now?<\/span>\r\nLEVI<\/strong>: Yeah, uhh, yeah, we don\u2019t have to tell anybody. I won\u2019t tell anybody.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Ghost leans into Levi, resting his head on Levi\u2019s shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n
GHOST<\/strong>: Cool.<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi dabs at the blood marks on Ghost\u2019s wrist.<\/span><\/p>\n
GHOST<\/strong>: Don\u2019t worry, I got like ... bandages and stuff, like, over there ...<\/span><\/pre>\n
Levi asks Ghost about a poster on his wall, immediately veering into small-talk. Ghost slowly regains his composure. They talk for a bit.<\/span><\/p>\n
Levi feels GREAT.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CAMROSE: … Is it common for parents to navigate the campus? LUDO: Only when their sons have trouble answering mail. LEVI: I\u2019ll reply to the next one, okay? LUDO: Thank you, that would be lovely! I just wanted you to remember who pays your tuition. LUDO: That\u2019s a joke, of course!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15090,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[248],"tags":[120,121,241,242,107,110,249,253,251,250,254,252],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-15304","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-phantom-knights","tag-brian","tag-charlie","tag-edison","tag-ellie","tag-emily","tag-kayla","tag-levi","tag-amadeus","tag-camrose","tag-delta","tag-io","tag-ludo","blog-left-layout","blog-style-postblock","","blog-alt-odd"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/emifail.com\/ocs\/wp-content\/uploads\/levi-ludo-emifail-01.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/emifail.com\/ocs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15304","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/emifail.com\/ocs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/emifail.com\/ocs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emifail.com\/ocs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emifail.com\/ocs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15304"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/emifail.com\/ocs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15304\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16134,"href":"https:\/\/emifail.com\/ocs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15304\/revisions\/16134"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emifail.com\/ocs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15090"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/emifail.com\/ocs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15304"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emifail.com\/ocs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15304"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emifail.com\/ocs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15304"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emifail.com\/ocs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=15304"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}