OTA

[prince_of_nymphs]

 The hardest part was keeping the lies straight.

"I thought you were only having one of your eyes done?"

"I did, the other I had done abroad- It was a spur of the moment choice..."

"Your so pale now..."

"The medication, it doesn't sit well with me."

"You're so thin!"

"No appetite. It'll get better though, I'm sure."

He'd anticipated that though. He'd known he'd need to lie and fib left and right, until people just accepted he could see again- And that perhaps he was still a touch unwell. What he hadn't anticipated, however, was the resentment that many of his old friends seemed to  suddenly feel towards him. It was one thing when Fin was a rising star- But pitiable because of his disability. Now, however... Now he was already receiving television and film offers left and right, and that... That apparently upset a few people.

He'd been leaving one of his favourite coffee shops when he nearly walked right into Phil. A man he'd worked with many times in small productions. A good actor, but older- Perhaps past his prime in the eyes of many.

"Oh! Phil, how brilliant to see you," Fin had smiled, offering his hand, and looking puzzled when it wasn't taken.

"Brilliant is it?" Phil replied, raising a brow and ignoring the offered hand. "So posh sounding these days, Fin. I don't remember you being posh- Not when you were sleeping on the streets, begging for parts. ...Wouldn't know you were dragged up in Manchester with that posh voice you put on."

Fin's smile faded slightly, and he forced an uncomfortable laugh. "Bad habit, I suppose," he said awkwardly.

"Not a habit," Phil assured him. "Just as fake as the rest of you, that's all."

Fin's smile faded completely then, aware that people were staring now. "Right," he said awkwardly. "Well, I should... I should be off."

Phil smiled then, a vicious smile. "I suppose so. That casting couch wont get warmed without you. ...Catch something, have you?" he added, looking Fin over with a sneer. "Should be a bit more cautious, Fin. ...Or is it Finlay now?"

Fin didn't answer that, he simply turned away trying to hide the embarrassment he felt as he started walking and brushed off a young woman who tried to stop him for a selfie.

Comments

[kersen]

"Not... exactly," Kersen said. "Dating can be kind of um, complicated."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Because you're a vampire?" he asked softly. "Is it hard to meet like minded others of your kind?"

[kersen]

"It's the like minded part that's particularly difficult," Kersen admitted, and couldn't help but flash briefly to his recent treatment at the hands of some vampires. It made him go paler for a moment, and then he quickly added, "A lot of vampires don't like me. And as for humans... well, that's complicated as well for obvious reasons."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Shorter lifespans, of course," Fin replied, nodding his understanding. "There are other creatures though. Other sorts of beings."

[kersen]

"As if being gay isn't bad enough in terms of limiting the dating pool, now I have to try to find like-minded immortals," Kersen said with a weak smile.

Because he didn't want to seem completely pathetic he did say, "There is a human I've been kind of... seeing with some sort of regularity. But I'm not sure how he feels about me." Or even if Michael was capable of feeling much at all.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Well that's something," Fin said brightly. "I imagine your bar makes it easier to meet people as well," he added, holding his hands out to the heater to warm them.

[kersen]

"Sometimes," Kersen conceded. Though lately he was thinking maybe he shouldn't be drawing so much attention to himself.

"It's been quite some time since I've been in love," he said. "I think I'd like it again, even if it tends to end badly."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Love is always worth pursuing, even if it ends in misery and heartbreak. A sad ending doesn't make the journey any less wonderful," Fin said with a romantic little sigh.

[kersen]

"Maybe I'm just more cynical in my old age," Kersen said, a little wistful. "I'm glad you're happy though, Fin."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I only hope you're happy as well one day soon," Fin assured him. "You deserve joy, Kersen."

[kersen]

Kersen hesitated, not sure how to respond, and finally said, "I'd... like to think so. Thank you, Fin. That's kind of you to say."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Everyone deserves joy," Fin shrugged. "Perhaps you should talk to Will, he could put you on the right path to find love."

[kersen]

"I don't think that's a good idea," Kersen said hastily. "I don't want a love spell."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"That's a bit on the nose, I was thinking you could just have him put love in your path," Fin shrugged.

[kersen]

"I'm sure you understand why I might be a bit hesitant to ask him for anything, after what happened last time," Kersen said. "But it's a nice thought, Fin."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I suppose I can, though is any price to high a one to pay got love?" he asked softly, smiling and shaking his head.

[kersen]

"Oh... unfortunately I think there is." He was thinking about his maker again. But Kersen managed a smile at Fin. "But nothing relevant for this conversation. Well. You should come by the bar sometime, be my wingman." He was teasing.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Perhaps I will," Fin smiled. "I imagine I'm not a tempting snack these days."

[kersen]

"Ah... no, afraid not," Kersen said, who realized that he had no desire to drink from Fin. Back to that eerie lack of scent. "I forget, have you seen me perform?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I don't think I have, no. It's, um, a drag act? Correct?" Fin asked.

[kersen]

Kersen nodded. "Well, though I sing, rather than lip sync. Usually. Or sometimes I just play the piano, no matter what I'm wearing."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I see. How did you get into that sort of thing?" Fin asked curiously.

[kersen]

A smile quirked at Kersen's lips. "The truth? Well... remember how when Shakespeare was around, the women's parts were all played by men? It started like that."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin hummed thoughtfully at that, then nodded.

"But you kept on with it, so it wasn't just about playing a part," he said, shaking his head thoughtfully. "I'll confess, it's never appealed to me at all, but I am curious. ...When you perform, do you become someone else? Or are you simply you, but in a dress?"

[kersen]

"It's different for others, but... for me, it's not as much a role," he said. "I don't think of myself as a woman, I'm just... a man looking really fabulous. It also gives me confidence."