I'm allowed to vent. Preferably in private, City.

[Way to go troll boy; tipped off the vamp that something's up with you.]

Pot, Kettle, Black.

Those don't sound like unfortunate things to be saddled with. Unless, that villa of yours is in poor repair and then I understand your frustration completely.

Welcome to the City. You'll understand in due time the truth of the matter.

Thank you for the welcome. I believe that's the way one comes to understand all kinds of things. All that varies is the amount of time it takes.

My name is Snake, by the way. I'm impressed that you were able to tell I was a recent arrival, but I suppose my question earlier made it obvious.

I'm Luke Valentine. And yes, saw your earlier post. The Network is the main source for, among other things, 'local news'.

If you don't like it. Don't... keep... it.

Keep your 'helpful advice'.

Touchy. Why announce something if you didn't want 'advice'? Or was it that you just wanted to hear the sound of your voice...

I didn't. Was set to 'private'; City deemed it otherwise.

You must make ze impression, milord, to be left such inheritance. And zey don't sound all bad.

They were acquired primarily by default and over a long period of time.

'Milord'? I'm not of royalty.

I'm sure zere is a much longer story behind it than that. Especially if people are giving you children to take care of, ja.

Would you prefer sir? I'm afraid it is a habit.

No children as of yet, thank god.

Address me by 'Valentine'; should suffice as a title.

[Luke's beach house has the very best security system to be had. Any who enter the property, trips the sensor surround. It in turn alerts home owner vampire.

Device vibrates. Button push brings up what hidden cameras' view. Seeing Eridan, Luke pushes another button to activate the system's intercom. His disembody voice comes out from a camouflaged speaker grill set just below the porch light.]

"Hello, Eridan."

[Eridan looks around. Probably there's a speaker, somewhere. Nice set-up, though.]

Hi. [Name. He has a name. He learned it once, totally.] Luke. Uh...you said I could just fuckin' come ovver, evven if I'm still not sure wwhat it's meant to be about but I wwas ovver here anywway so... Wwell, I'm here, obvviously.

[Rather surprising the troll took up the invitation so quickly. Luke had expected a wait.

No matter.]

"I'm away, but will be returning shortly."

[Another button push. Buzzing from the door and it unlatches, slowly coming ajar about an inch inward.]

"Don't wander from the living room; it's closed off from the rest of the house for a reason."

Quite a line up you have there. Perhaps I could take something off your hands.

No, it's alright. I'm actually venting over the loss of acquaintanceships.

Oh, now there's a surprise. Have the deities finally pushed a button of yours? [He briefly teased before his voice settled.]

Though the numerous set backs have been more than a nuisance to say the least.

They've little to do with button pushing or anything else of importance. Nothing more than glorified zookeepers.

City appears uninterested lately in adding any real variety to the current population.