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[ Xenk smiles. Wow. Something about just being told "I like you," makes his chest almost warm. How strange.

It's not quite enough to hide the confusion at Kirk's request, but perhaps it isn't so surprising. Edgin and Kirk truly do hold a strong bond. Was it enough to interfere with his Becoming? ]

It would be highly unorthodox, you understand... quite possibly dangerous, should he attempt to interfere.

[ He wants to say no, but Xenk has his own feelings about Edgin. The man is kind and gentle, yet his own wife and child were killed... Xenk frowns at the thought. A Becoming for someone so important to him would be difficult to bear. This is better than suggesting that he attempt the process with two makers, but still... ]

If this would bring you comfort, I will allow it. Should Edgin choose to. And so long as he does not interfere.

Edited 2024-02-18 04:47 (UTC)

[Part of him is expecting a no, to have the idea completely rejected, to have to argue it or make it something he has to demand, but then despite his concerns, Xenk is agreeing.. That makes Kirk blink and nod a little dumbly before he can think of anything to say in response.]

Yeah, yeah, of course! Should he, himself, choose to be there, then yeah. I already brought it up to him, he's thinking about it. I figure he can have as long as he needs.. well at least until my Becoming.

[Oh man, he really wants to get up and hug Xenk, but instead he just squeezes his hand again and nods.]

And that's it, that's all I am asking for. Otherwise I'm all yours.

[ Certainly if the question had come earlier in the season, Xenk would have rejected it outright. A novice's Becoming was private and personal, deeply so. The change toward undeath could be a difficult time to both of them, and things came to light that could very well change either of their fates. Xenk would know, after all.

But Xenk has remembered his pain in these last few months, he's recalled a life once lived and the fear of death, and losing everything. He was young, but so too is Kirk. He'd seen the kinds of hardship that the man had overcome. Even though it was simply a dream, he'd held him through death and felt Kirk's care for him in the memory of his past.

He knows not what he's getting into, but he wants to. For this man who belongs in the Gold Court, who could bring such good to the world. Who will be his. ]

Good.

[ Xenk squeezes Kirk's hand firmly, gratitude and anticipation too great for such a simple gesture. But this is Xenk, he doesn't really have the words or deeds to express himself. ]

I look forward to it, James. I hope that I will be a maker you can feel pride towards.

[ He doesn't say "like Edgin," but it feels obvious. Some part of Xenk can get a little competitive, even if he doesn't realize it himself. (It's so obvious though.) ]

[He hears the "like Edgin" and feels a pang of guilt, he's not here trying to compare or replace anyone. Edgin was like a dad to him (yes, one he fucked but that's besides the point), no one was going to replace him, but just like whatever he is gonna have with Xenk can't be replaced by Edgin. It'll be different by the very nature of how different these two men are from each other.

Not that he thinks Xenk is insecure, maybe competitive? He doesn't think saying any of that will change anything, so for now he gives Xenk a grin.]

I honestly can't imagine anything but. I'll leave everything in your hands.

[He pauses with a thought.]

Is there anything I should do on my end? I know Black Court will drain me of all my Blue blood and that you will then establish a maker bond with me by feeding me your blood, right?

[ It would be something they'd just have to get used to -- the comparisons to Edgin are inevitable, but Xenk knows that he won't avoid them by enforcing distance or prohibiting their connection. He will simply have to do better, and show Kirk that a bond between novice and Maker could be strong in a way of their own, whatever that looks like. Xenk truly sees it as a challenge to overcome -- he will do better, and he will support Kirk as a vampire should.

Even if Xenk himself is still learning what that may mean. ]

Excellent. You will have the best, I assure you.

[ The best the Gold Court has to offer, and the best of the last two seasons, if Xenk has his way. They would no doubt be the most difficult, but it would be well worth it. As for the process itself... ]

Intervention from the Black Court will not be required. As you are a novice, the process should take only moments. Edgin will need to sever his blood claim with you, and I will establish a new blood claim in his stead.

[ And though he's in good spirits about it, they've been talking about Edgin enough that Xenk adds: ]

Edgin may choose to be present, however severing a blood claim of your depth will no doubt be painful for both of you. You may feel a sense of loss, in the time between establishing the claim with myself. He will need time to readjust, as will you.

Edited (fixed for lore) 2024-02-18 20:33 (UTC)

That I don't doubt.

[Of course Xenk will give him the best, he expects that much of it. He wants that too, but to also be the best in return.

Though it sounds like he believe rumors that were false, that he won't be drained by the Black Court or anything like that. So it will only be changing makers and drinking blood from Xenk now? He wonders if that will make things more difficult in many ways, but that's what he signed up for going at this so late in the game.

The mention of what it will do to Edgin and him though..]

And yeah. Yeah, you're right. I'll leave that up to him, I.. it's gonna be hard enough as it is breaking our claim. But.. my goals are better served in Gold, that's a fact. I just need to... need to endure.

[Until he becomes a vampire, then he can claim again with Edgin, it would be fine.]

[ Of course, Xenk has known the protocol for the switch from the start, he's had his eye on Jim for so long that he would have to by now. But the process itself won't be so difficult, it's more that the emotional toll of a broken bond isn't easy, and it takes an either distant of selfless maker to make the switch.

Unfortunate for Edgin, though Xenk intends to make good on his promises. He will give Kirk the best Gold has to offer. ]

And we shall ensure that your goals are met, to the best of my court's ability.

[ Xenk doesn't know the specifics of course, but if it's some position of leadership, then it goes without saying that he'll make it happen. He hopes he can make it better than a stop gap, better than something to be endured, but... well. Kirk will decide that ultimately. ]

You have a natural gift for our skills, James. I can only imagine how much stronger you will become, once you have consumed my blood.

[ Okay, yeah, there's his weird thirst/obsession, it had to make an appearance at some point. ]

Edited (icon) 2024-02-19 00:45 (UTC)

[OH! There it is. Xenk was acting rather normal for too long, of course he has to say something weird, but even if it's weird, it gets Kirk's heart to kick up and beat a little faster. Not out of fear but a little bit out of excitement.

What more could he do with his abilities once he was under Gold, once Xenk had him. Sure, he had no desire really to enthrall people, but the leadership, the governance, the stewarding, it felt.. right.

Blue never quite felt right, like a suit that fit but wasn't tailored - too lose in some areas, too tight in others. Sure revelry was great and all, masking taught him something about himself - his true self - but it felt like it fed into the part of himself that.. well, wasn't the one he wanted to nurture.

Especially after he remembered dying... being called captain, making that choice, it felt natural. It felt right and not even in an egotistical way, just that this was something he was meant for.

The hardship, the tough decisions, the responsibility, he wanted to be a great leader one day. A captain worth following.]

I look forward to it, sir.

[ It's Xenk, he can't be normal. The vampire in him is too strong, too ingrained in his psyche to disappear, even through his newfound attempts at kindness. Gold will give Kirk the best chance at understanding power, the best resources to command and control whatever legions he wishes. (That's not what he wants, but ok.)

Xenk smiles all the same. This is what he's wanted for all these months. This would redeem him, and give him the chance to create a better legacy than what Szass Tam wanted for him.

No, he would never be a man that Szass Tam could be proud of. He would make sure of that. And he knows Kirk will make him proud. He has talent and strength, but he would need guidance. Xenk hopes -- no, knows he will be up to the task. He simply must. ]

As do I, James. As do I.

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