It can't. Vampirism isn't something there's a cure for. Best you can do is switch to animal blood. Least, that's how it works for my kind of vampire.

Why?

No, not complete vampirism. But I do suppose the rules that apply to addictions to blood vary quite a bit between universes.

Well, what's this about, then?

I have reason to believe that more than one vampire is supplying blood to humans as an addictive substance. Considering one of the great issues with this vessel is addictions, it doesn't bode well.

Humans addicted on blood. There's something I've never heard of. Addicted to being bitten, maybe, but...

I really don't know how to help with that. Pretty sure they don't make a patch for it.

If only they did. It would be a handy thing to have in supply in the infirmary.

Thank you for your time, at any rate.

Who's the vampire? I might be able to figure something out. At the very least, where the blood's going.

I know at least one of the people the blood is going to, and for their anonymity I had better not say. But I do know that he's acquired it from more than one vampire and I'm uncertain as to which ones. I'm fairly certain it wouldn't be Rayne, but I don't know of the universes that the other vampires are from nor the addictive properties of their blood. I've only those from my own universe and Bram Stoker to go by.

Fair enough. I know it's not Drusilla or me. Our blood's not addictive.

From Braxiatel? It's not going to explode, is it? Or rewrite my synaptic pathways when I'm not looking?

No, I shook it. It should be safe enough.

[Shaking is the best way to check and make sure things are safe.]

[Narvin thinks that shaking is not a CIA approved method.]

Oh lovely. Well, you've ruled out approximately five hundred of the universe's few thousand different types of small explosives.

I'll refrain from hopping on it as well. I'll be down there shortly.

Why refrain? That would rule out at least another dozen.

[And you know what? He's getting that book wit a couple of brushed off footprints on it. Sorry, Braxiatel. No real harm done. But he shows up within thirty seconds with a thermos, a fancy pillow, and a book.]

So what blues have you been singing since our last conversation. You're looking better at least. [The thermos and book are offered through the bars.]

Edited 2011-02-02 08:38 am (UTC)

[Narvin takes the thermos easily enough, and the book a little more hesitantly. He doesn't believe it's going to literally explode, but he still suspects that it might have some choice marginalia that will make him simultaneously feel like he's been rapped across the hands with a razor blade and dangled naked from the Panopticon ceiling.]

[But, lo! An Earth reference that's from an era he knows! So he answers dryly.]

I started with Leroy Carr's "How Long Blues" and worked my way chronologically to Charlie Segar's "Key to the Highway" with an interlude of Gallifreyan folk tunes in the middle.

I've had time to think and to talk things out with...[He gives in, but rolls his eyes a bit at the label.]...my Companion.

[He would be prouder of that reference catching if he knew. His assessment of the book might be right. You never know. He feigns a double heart-attack at the mention of "companion", though. First tossing the pillow down, grasping either side of his sternum, and toppling to the side onto it.

And then he scoots over with the pillow under his bottom, sitting cross-legged.]

Did you? Excellent. He's not leaving, then? [Companions always kick you in the hearts when they leave.]

[Narvin watches the Doctor's antics with a practiced, Time Lord utter lack of a sense of humour.]

He's not leaving. Not right now, and I don't intend to give him cause to leave later.

[He's got the stubborn, intent sort of look that he usually has when he talks about Gallifrey. He opens the thermos and pours a cup of tea.]

[He is not discouraged by his lack of humour.]

Good. Then you'll try for a time not to give people excuses to beat you within an inch of your life. I abhor violence and the nonsense that might eventually lead to it. [Nevermind that he engaged in such nonsense frequently.

But his tone immediately lightens!] That's Vulcan Spice Tea. It doesn't exist in our universe. It's quite good. [Proud.]

I don't usually give people excuses to beat me. It's not my fault if their primitive nature gets the better of them and they do it anyway.

[He tries the tea gingerly. Narvin and New Alien Things don't always get on. He lets it rest on his palate for a while.]

It's tolerable. [From Narvin, regarding a New Alien Thing, this is a high compliment. He takes another sip.]



Edited 2011-02-02 10:37 am (UTC)

When in a den of lions one doesn't wear steak. [He settled his elbows on his knees.] I know you've been watching. What do you know of the vampires here?

[Narvin blinks at what, to him, is a rather strange metaphor. Re-translating it in his mind to "nest of pigrats" and "tafelshrew" makes the meaning clear enough however. Narvin takes the tea to his bunk and sits down, leaning back against the wall.]

I know that they come from a variety of universes and therefore have a variety of weaknesses and strengths. I've determined some of them through backreading the network and through observation, but I doubt I have all the information yet. Why? Thinking of eliminating them? [He may be getting used to humans but his Time Lord prejudices about vampires and especially the inmate vampires are fully intact.]

No, no. [He makes a dismissive sort of gesture.] They've been using their blood as an addictive substance, forming connections not unlike psychic ones to some of the humans. One I know at least had the addiction forced upon them.

Do you know which ones are doing this? Or is that what you're trying to find out. [Narvin is thinking that he may have to revise his vampire section of his hit list.]

Vampires from Spike's universe apparently don't have the same addictive properties. Rayne's do. However, it wouldn't be her. I've a small idea, but I can't wage accusations, especially as it's more than one vampire providing more than one sort of effect with their plasma. [He puts his elbows on his knees and his chin on his hands.]

I can try to quietly look into it, once I'm free. [Narvin wouldn't mind having an assignment--a non-Gallifrey related assignment--to focus on.]

I would greatly appreciate that. [He actually says that genuinely.] What are you planning to do when you're released?

Other than investigate the various properties of vampire blood? [Meet with O'Brien. Avoid getting vaporized by Rassilon. Hide in Kay's bedroom for as long as he'll let me. Go back to trying to make a time loop grenade.] I'm not sure yet. Tread carefully until I see where I stand now with the wardens.

Not on good terms at all I'm afraid. The righteous ones are righteously angry and the ones that are redeemed are calling hypocrisy. They'll certainly accept no justification for your actions and you would be well advised not to present it. Not unless someone asks for it specifically. But perhaps an explanation as to why you regret it unbound by your typical prejudices... or silence, if you can't manage that. [He says all very seriously.]

[This is not good news, but not surprising either.]

I've requested that I be held in a zero room for the remainder of my incarceration. I hope they are so blinded by their human ignorance that they refuse my request.

[He doesn't say anything else. The Doctor will understand his reasoning and the implications well enough.]

Even if they don't approve, you do need the time in a Zero room. [He agrees, balance teetering on his pillow as he looks around the room.] I think I've spent more time down here willingly than most wardens.

Edited 2011-02-03 04:08 pm (UTC)

What kind of blood?

In a human to vampire blood.

Great...

I've helped someone through it, but I don't know if it's the same from other worlds.

But you did successfully assist them. They did improve?

What world was this person from?

Let's just say his was a special case. With a few... Lingering side-effects.

Not my fault, by the way. My half-sister's. Happened back where I'm from.

You treat it like any other drug addiction, Doc.

Edited 2011-02-02 03:32 pm (UTC)

I do not feel well, Doctor.

Don't feel well? What doesn't feel well?

I do not know. I just do not feel at all well.

That's probably because you're also mortal. And over the next few months I'll be giving your godly powers back one by one.

You may need to eat.

I do not eat.

Is it somewhere around your midsection that feels uncomfortable?

Before yes. Now it is all over.

I do not eat. I cannot.

You can now and you will need to, now. Or your physical form will grow increasingly uncomfortable if you don't.

Also your head will become pained if you don't drink water.

You are my warden. Fix this.

I will. A bit at a time. You enjoyed cake when you had cake, did you not? Well, there are many varieties of very delicious food besides cake.

No! I do not wish to eat cake or any other sort of food.

Fix this.