❊ town hall!

settles down by a nearby bench, flipping through his notes consisting of random findings and research about other intelligent life. his eyes peek towards the two individuals by the balcony before glancing back to his book.

slowly approaches the lone figure by the balcony, curiosity evident in his eyes as he watches flimsy hands pat away at pockets. eventually, he fishes out his own lighter from his pocket then flicks it to life, offering it over wordlessly with one hand while the other remains on his cane.

leans against the balcony with a groan and places a cigarette between his teeth, searching his gazillion pockets for his lighter.

like aliens! vampire, can you tell me if they exist?

exactly~ all you need is to keep an open mind.

anything is possible these days.

ah, but did you not hear what i just said to the other young lad? now who's the one refusing to listen, hmm?
he drops the act and flashes another toothy (fangy?) grin.
i did say i was a vampire, did i not? i'm sure a doctor as intelligent as you should understand that certain... anomalies may exist. perhaps not everything can be explained through mere human science.

young lad? what the hell is this boy going on about? the dramatics just make the doctor furrow his brows even further, lips pursed into a thin line.
a vampire is a kind of monster. they would not be feasting on human blood if they were not classified as such, so it is mere fact. and the curse of blood consumption IS the point of a vampire. without it, then they wouldn't be vampires anymore. that is what i'm trying to elaborate yet you refuse to listen.
looking like the personification of "?????" right now.
blood and tomato juice are far from being similar. i'm a doctor, i would know.

clutches his chest dramatically and pretends to weep.
are you— are you calling me a monster..? i'm hurt, young lad...
sniffles.
well, i suppose that is where you're mistaken. our purpose isn't solely to drain human blood—actually, i think of it more as a curse. tomato juice works as a good enough substitute for the sustenance i would usually receive from blood.

it is impossible because the whole point of vampires is to drain human blood. their purpose as a monster would not make any sense if they can simply just drink tomato juice.

tilts his head.
why would it be impossible?
and yes, we are real~ kukuku~

... from what i have heard, yes.

wait... vampires are real?

from where he's minding his own business, he suddenly whips his head over to the one who mentioned being a vampire. brows knitting together in clear confusion.
wait, you are? that's not— tomato juice is not a substitute for blood. that's impossible...

wait, i never gave you an answer—
before he could continue, rei had already taken back the drink. he blinks again, keeping his hands up as if the beverage is still present.

grins widely enough for his fangs to be peeking through.
indeed i am.

ah! well, it surely is not for everyone. that's alright — it's the thought that counts.
takes his juice back from raito and continues to sip on it.

watches as the other takes a sip for a moment, a quiet amused snort coming out of him upon seeing him blink. it wasn't much, but he can tell that it isn't the most elated reaction. then cue him returning his attention to the one who had suggested the beverage to begin with.
actual blood? are you supposed to be a vampire?

it is definitely not watery ketchup.
frowns.
well, to each their own, i suppose. i do require it for sustenance, and it is preferable to iron tablets and, god forbid, actual blood.

ah! i would love to!
he takes the offer and eagerly takes the half-empty juice, staring at the concoction before having a sip of the beverage. the taste causes him to blink — interested yet slightly disgusted.
...hm.

what the young man has said, yes.

i suppose... but watery ketchup sounds awful.

wouldn't tomato juice have a different consistency?

no, i'm alright. i had some before and i don't think i enjoy it much.

tomato juice... is that not just ketchup??

mmm, have you tried some yourself, miss kory?

offers him his half-empty tomato juice.
you're welcome to try mine.

i've never had such a thing.

tomato juice?

i always see you drinking it.