// No worries at all.

“Do you love?” he asks, genuinely curious. “Or is that beneath you, as well?”

Lestat curses under his breath.

Santiago has Claudia . . .

This means war.

And Lestat would find them.

“/You/ are on my mind,” he replies, continuing to brush her hair and rid it of any debris that would remind her of her captivity.

His own life and woes could wait. Right now, he wants to make sure she is alright.

“I am sorry they hurt you. It is my fault.”

~ ran into some difficulties with overly enthusiastic patrons.

“Do you do clean-up, or shall I burn them?”

Bodies strewn everywhere would eventually attract attention.

~ removed a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbing at his lips.

He was filled, and he rid the world of some rather nasty individuals. Win-win, he thinks. Plus, he seems to have won the favor of a goddess and that is never a bad thing. Well, mostly. The heroes of Greek mythology sometimes ~

Lips still stained with blood, Lestat turns towards her.

He would not give her the satisfaction of knowing how good that felt. While he has never denied himself or what he is, it has been awhile since he has truly let go like that and taken his fill.

“Happy to oblige,” the vampire jokes, ~

He doesn’t like to see his brother hurting.

“You are safe now. I can handle them should they try anything. Once you feel settled and comfortable again, we can see about finding you work you like.”

~ alone. You have me, and you have your Papa Louis to guide you. We will show you how this life can be a happy one.”

He wants to tell her that she is beyond human children now, but that would provide little comfort. She need only know that she would have a family.

Gently, Lestat strokes her hair.

Daddy. She had called him “daddy.” Somehow, this child knows that, as her maker, he is her father now. Of a sort. Never did he imagine he would be granted such a title and, in that moment, it means far more than the title “Marquis” ever could.

“You are not ~

Lestat literally growls at the other vampire.

“I have no qualms about killing you, Santiago.”

Already, he is known as a rule-breaker. To save Claudia — his fledgling and /daughter/ — he would break the biggest rule of them all.

“You will let her go, or I shall destroy you.”

~ shared life experiences.

“If that is not too much attention.”

~ commendable. I am not blessed with that particular gift myself.”

The modesty that is. He certainly enjoys the attention and praise for his skill on the stage, either as an actor or a musician. It energizes him.

“If you are not busy, I would love to talk more. About your music.”

And possible ~

It was a long time ago — long enough that a fellow vampire would have made note (if they could not simply /sense/ another being like them).

Lestat certainly takes note of that is where Adam recalls him from.

“It is a shame to keep that sort of talent hidden,” he comments. “Though the modesty is~

~ here tonight. Recover your strength.”

Work could wait.

~ curls, too.

In fact, he is struck by how much Daniel reminds him of Nicki. Then again, had he not thought the same about Louis? Perhaps, he was always trying to find his way back to that first love.

All ended in loss.

Wordlessly, he leans over and kisses Daniel’s forehead.

“You should stay ~