[Although these alien trolls appear to be an insectasiod race, Alternian definition begs to differ with Entomology's over key terms.

Eridan's increasing distress begs for a change of topic. Leaning across the coffee table, Luke calmly reaches over and plucks the potential choking hazard out. Retreats back a ways to give Eridan some space, but keeps hold of the scarf's end so it won't wind up back in the anxious boy's mouth.

In a equally calm tone,] "May change the subject."

[Staring at Luke a moment, he eyes the end of his scarf, and then rallies, rushing very slightly.]

Wwell, that's about all there is to say on that topic anywway. The hemospectrum's easier. Basically, trolls rank in a hierarchy based on their bloodtype, lowwest and commonest bein' red and highest bein' purple. The higher up the line you get, the better the troll is, until you get to trolls wwith purple blood like myself wwho are aquatic and just generally superior.

[Corner of Luke's mouth quirks up in response to that last statement. Lets go of the scarf and settles back in his armchair.]

"In the olden days of my world, purple dye originated from sea snails. Was rare and expensive, only upper most classes could afford it. Hence why the color became associated with royalty."

Okay, wwell, that's a fuckin' wweird coincidence but it's all about bloodtype wwhere I'm from.

[No different from skin color discrimination.

Luke repositions himself into a psychologist pose: Legs crossed, elbows proped on chair's arms, fingers steepled just below the chin.]

"What is your view of those not of your race?"

[Eridan shrugs and picks up his ginger ale again.] I don't knoww, I'vve only met a few a' them, really, and three a' them are major fuckin' assholes to me. They're incredibly fuckin' wweird, mostly, I don't understand them.

"Let me rephrase that: Are quadrants and the hemospectrum applied to them as well?"

[Luke's posture doesn't change, but his tone does - subtle reassurance. The questioning is becoming 'personal' again. This time around, however, a gentler approach allows Eridan to pass on answering.]

[Shruuuuug.] Wwell kinda. I mean, they obvviously all havve red blood but you can just tell wwhich ones are meant to be at the top a' their society. I don't think there's any wway to really fuckin' make them understand the quadrants, though. The closest they'vve got is somethin' like pity, but it's not really.

"Does make the head swim." [Presses right index and middle fingers against temple for emphasis.]

"Where would you place me?"

Wwell you're definitely at least a blueblood. [He sounds confident about this.] No question.

[Hellsing and her dog would have fits over that statement being applied to the likes of commoner Valentine. Luke understands doesn't mean 'upper crust' in troll terms, but would fly over the two's heads.

Can't help finding it VERY amusing. Bit of mirth plays across the vampire's features as he takes up his glass and sips ginger ale.]

"Kind of you to say about a red blood - yes, I am one."

Wwell, it wwas pretty obvvious that you wweren't a troll. I wworked that much out.

"Dare I ask what quadrant or," [Giving the troll yet another out] "Do you want to question me for a change?"

Quadrant? [He chews slightly on his bottom lip, slightly anxiously.] Are you askin' me if you're...I mean...wwhat're you askin'?

[Inwardly sighs. No; am NOT propositioning you. Was merely a question and nothing more.]

"Nevermind."

Nevver--but wwhat wwere you askin' me?

[Must defuse FAST!!

Despite urgency to veer conversation well out of adolescent percolating hormonal waters, Luke keeps his cool.]

"I obviously don't fully understand Alternian 'relationships' and it's probably best we not discuss this further right now."

Okay... Wwell, if you still wwant to knoww anythin', Kar's an expert. It's probably better you ask him than me anywway...

[Karkat's also the one who warned Luke about Eridan's 'amorous feelings' for just about anything that moves.

Fortunately, Luke can and did dodge the bullet. He will definitely take all future inquires about troll life to Karkat. That one knows the vampire well enough not to misconstrue certain questions.]

[Mild relief in his voice] "Good." [Now praise] "Excellent idea."