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Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jul 2, 2017 14:35:15 GMT -5
"I was going to come back eventually, but a little later than now," he tried to clear up.
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Post by Graf von Krolock on Jul 2, 2017 15:34:08 GMT -5
"I ask you again," said Johannes. "What does this city offer to me?"
He turned his back and swept off into the hallway.
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Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jul 2, 2017 15:35:35 GMT -5
"I don't know!" shouted Herbert after him.
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Post by Graf von Krolock on Jul 2, 2017 15:39:05 GMT -5
"Not my son, it appears," Johannes said coldy, turning to face him again. "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is, to have an ungrateful child."
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Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jul 2, 2017 15:45:31 GMT -5
Herbert clutched his head and growled in frustration.
"Ungrateful? UNGRATEFUL? For what? For WHAT? What have you given me to be grateful for? Life? Life after life? What, father? Money? Oh, and of course advice - endless, relentless advice!"
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Post by Graf von Krolock on Jul 2, 2017 16:03:00 GMT -5
"Herbert," Johannes said, rubbing his temple, "need I remind you of your difficulty at the opera? Of your ongoing troubles with things as simple as stairs and remembering to wear trousers? You're going to give yourself a fit."
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Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jul 2, 2017 16:06:44 GMT -5
"REMIND ME!" Herbert screamed, or nearly. "I can't imagine! Imagine! You reminding me, that I have-"
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Post by Graf von Krolock on Jul 2, 2017 16:25:30 GMT -5
And there it was. Their argument was instantly forgotten as Johannes swooped in to catch him before he could slide off of the bed onto the floor. He pushed Herbert's things aside, off the bed, not caring where they landed, and pulled Herbert himself- mouth moving silently, eyes glazed- up to the headboard.
Johannes smoothed Herbert's hair- much whiter than blond now, but soft and shining in the lamplight- away from his face and neck and clasped his hand. This was how it always ended, wasn't it, Herbert in terrible trouble, stretched out on the bed, with Johannes keeping vigil...
When Herbert closed his eyes at last, Johannes left his side for some time. He had matters to attend to, his mind made up.
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Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jul 2, 2017 16:58:57 GMT -5
Herbert woke groggily without any awareness that he'd had a fit, or even been out. He wandered out to find his father, make his excuses and go. Though maybe he'd trim his father's hair first. He felt guilty enough for that, though for no particular reason.
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Post by Graf von Krolock on Jul 2, 2017 17:37:41 GMT -5
"Oh, my child-"
Johannes looked very nearly alive now. His lips remained faintly purplish, but he held a drained, red-stained glass in one hand as he hurried forward. He set the glass aside ln the nearest end table- there were a lot- and seized Herbert by the shoulders.
"Come sit. You must regain your strength. Forgive an old man his folly. I cannot leave you."
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Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jul 2, 2017 17:38:32 GMT -5
Herbert gradually realized what had happened and groaned.
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Post by Graf von Krolock on Jul 2, 2017 17:41:53 GMT -5
"Here. Let me get you a glass."
It was difficult to feign the appropriate gruesome elegance when blood was stored in a little plastic pack, on a platform that continually tilted from one side to the other to prevent it from coagulating, but pouring it from the pack and into a flute did help. Johannes brought it to him, every inch the concerned parent.
"You were gone for over an hour. You must forgive me, please."
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Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jul 2, 2017 17:50:21 GMT -5
"Vati, it's just something that- it happens. Other people have fits and things. If it's not normal it's almost normal-"
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Post by Graf von Krolock on Jul 2, 2017 17:56:22 GMT -5
"Other people are not us, my boy."
Johannes helpfully provided Herbert's glasses as well.
"Here. Please pardon me."
He sat opposite where Herbert stood and crossed one leg over the other. Except for his patchy hair, he looked disarmingly normal.
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Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jul 2, 2017 17:58:35 GMT -5
Herbert's head and body hurt. He drank the blood meekly. A voice in his head said, Your father has done everything for you, given you eternal life, given you money and endlessly provided for you, and never once stopped caring. He left home for you, he who never wants to leave home, and it's broken his heart to do it - all because you wrote to him, all because you were suffering.
Another voice, that sounded like Alex, said, Fuck your dad.
Herbert said equally meekly, "Thank you," when he was done.
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