A Light in the Dark Place (Robert Pratt)

[Myk]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay—

Myk: So... you can hear me?

Robert Pratt: Of course

Myk: Oh good. Because I don't mind keeping you company.

Myk: You might even prefer the silence after a while in my company.

Robert Pratt: Oh good. Thanks. Appreciated. Do you like narwhals?

Myk: Narwhals? Those whales with the horns?

Robert Pratt: Mmm Hmm

Myk: It's curious why they have those horns... Scientists seem to be baffled by it.

Myk: Isn't it only the males who have the horns?

Robert Pratt: Not always. Some women get 'the horn' too. And some men have 2!!

Myk: Well I'll be... I should have paid more attention to the documentary...

Myk: But I guess it explains the bafflement over the origin/purpose of the horn...

Myk: Males of a species develop these kinds of abnormal growths and the like to attract mates, but if the females have it too, it rather throws away that original assumption.

Robert Pratt: Nweeia has discovered that the narwhal's tooth has hydrodynamic sensor capabilities. Ten million tiny nerve connections tunnel their way from the central nerve of the narwhal tusk to its outer surface. Though seemingly rigid and hard, the tusk is like a membrane with an extremely sensitive surface, capable of detecting changes in water temperature, pressure, and particle gradients. Because these whales can detect particle gradients in water, they are capable of discerning the salinity of the water, which could help them survive in their Arctic ice environment. It also allows the whales to detect water particles characteristic of the fish that constitute their diet. There is no comparison in nature in tooth form, expression, and functional adaptation.

Myk: So why do only *some* whales have the horns? Seems like you'd be at a great disadvantage not to have one.

Myk: Do you think they just follow the herd?

Robert Pratt: Probably. Like lemmings.

Robert Pratt: Or vampires.

Myk: I was just thinking that...

Myk: But I like Narwhals...

Robert Pratt: I know you were. I'm in your head.

Myk: Are you?

Robert Pratt: Yup.

Myk: ... Urm... Let me just apologise now, then.

Myk: Sometimes... you just get thoughts... ya know? Can't really be helped...

Robert Pratt: I know, and it's ok. Most of them anyways. There's this one here...... I mean..... really? Why?

Myk: You'd have to narrow it down...

Robert Pratt: No, I can see. You know which one I'm talking about. You're just trying to evade explaining yourself.

Myk: I have like two possible culprits in mind...

Robert Pratt: So I see. Explain them both!

Myk: Heh... well...

Myk: Do I really need to?

Myk: See the one with my aunt? That was kind of an accident anyway...

Robert Pratt: How?

Myk: You know how...

Robert Pratt: You need to admit it to yourself, out loud. Think of me like.... your very own Jiminy Cricket.

Myk: I never liked that ******* Cricket... Can't remember why...

Myk: It's not out loud if it's in my head anyhow

Robert Pratt: Because he was always right and good. And it's out loud as in it's out there, in your consciousness instead of sub consciousness.

Myk: ...

Myk: Do you really think it's healthy to live in the past?

Robert Pratt: No. Which is why you need to admit the thought, vocalise the thought and let the thought fly away like a bird freed from a net.

Myk: What does it matter to you? I've already apologised about it being in my head...

Myk: Let's not get into thought number two.

Myk: I was young and very, very drunk.

Robert Pratt: Because they're in your head, which means you're not over them and haven't moved on from them. I want to help.

Myk: You're too kind for your own good, I imagine.

Robert Pratt: Well, I'm dead. So. Yes?

Myk: They say the path to hell is paved with good intentions...

Robert Pratt: Well, I can vouch for that one! *Hums the narwhal tune over the mind link*

Myk: That's incredibly distracting...

Robert Pratt: Sorry. I just sang it to the owls

Myk: Owls don't necessarily sing like other birds...

Myk: Do they?

Robert Pratt: Not the ones I sang to. They sing when bathed in blood. Usually mine.

Myk: I meant actual owls... They're actually more interesting.

Myk: Although I do find sociopaths vaguely interesting... I rather tire of them as of late.

Robert Pratt: True. Owls are cute. But they should stay in the woods.

Myk: What about barn owls?

Robert Pratt: What about them?

Myk: I assume they nest in barns...

Robert Pratt: I'm sure they existed before barns were built?

Myk: Probably...

Myk: Tell me more about you. I don't like to talk of myself too much...

Robert Pratt: Ask and ye shall receive

Myk: Alright.

Myk: Where are you from?

Robert Pratt: Pittsburgh

Myk: Did you grow up there?

Robert Pratt: I did, yes. Until I went to University.

Myk: What did you study?

Robert Pratt: Criminology and Criminal Justice

Myk: Really? That's rather impressive. I hear they're difficult subjects for most people to wrap their heads around... What made you take them?

Myk: Do tell me if I ask anything inappropriate or... difficult to answer.

Robert Pratt: I will. And I thought it was interesting, and I wanted to help find the 'bad guys' and bring them to justice.

Myk: How honourable... I fear it's a rare quality these days.

Robert Pratt: Well, it's why I'm dead. Trying to do the right thing and the decent thing

Robert Pratt: So no wonder it's rare. All those with it, die until it's beaten from them and they turn violent and sociopathic

Myk: It was easier as a human... When you died, you were gone... off to... wherever, nowhere... who's to say... But it's harder in this form... You don't die, you get to live... forever... and that bitterness of a failed hero phase lives with you.

Myk: I was brave once... I think. But then this happened...

Myk: How did it happen to you? How did you become this?

Robert Pratt: You can be brave again

Myk: Maybe...

Robert Pratt: I have faith. As for how I became this - a woman shot me, but I shot her too. Her blood entered my body and I was turned. She wanted me dead and was never there for me, never supportive and hoped I would die. But I didn't. So she used a ritual to find me, told the owls where I was, so they could kill me.

Myk: Why did she shoot you to begin with?

[Robert Pratt]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

Robert Pratt: Because I'm a blood thief

Myk: ... And?

Robert Pratt: That's it

Myk: ....

Myk: That sucks.

Myk: And that's the most useless thing I can say next to apologising for them.

Robert Pratt: It's ok. It's the usual thing really.

Myk: Has any good come from this transition?

Robert Pratt: Becoming a vampire?

Myk: Yes.

Robert Pratt: Yes. I've been able to help so many people with the money I've made!"

Myk: Helping people is good... but costly... not just in pounds and dollars...

Robert Pratt: Yup. As my current location states.

Myk: Indeed... I'm sorry our conversations continue to loop back to your current state in the darkness... Not my intention. I'm somewhat careless like that....

Robert Pratt: It's ok. You're talking to me. It's more than anyone else has done.

Myk: Can they not use telepathy?

Robert Pratt: Some can. Some can't. Most don't care.

Myk: I can't believe that's the case... Is there anyone I should pester on your behalf?

Robert Pratt: Ummmm. No. I don't think there is. How sad eh!

Myk: Well... maybe it's sad...

Myk: I couldn't count on anyone to talk to me either...

Robert Pratt: I would. If I knew you were dead.

Myk: Thanks. I'll keep that in mind when the time comes.

Robert Pratt: What do you mean 'when'?

Myk: It's an inevitable thing... to die.

Robert Pratt: Not anymore.

Robert Pratt: Not unless you're me.

Myk: I'm sorry, I shouldn't chuckle at that...

Robert Pratt: It's ok. I expected you to.

Myk: I was more trying to avoid the topic.

Myk: And I end up leading back to that topic instead.

Robert Pratt: Well, it sounded like you were wrapping up? Am I keeping you from something?

Myk: Not entirely... I'm just a little sleepy.

Myk: It's been a long day... so many distractions and thoughts and whatnot

Robert Pratt: Well, you should sleep. I'm sorry for being a distraction, and keeping you busy. Though I've enjoyed our chat!

Myk: I'm too curious to sleep.

Robert Pratt: Curious about what?

Myk: A lot of things, but at this present moment... I'm wondering what keeps you from questioning me too much.

Robert Pratt: You said you didn't like to talk about yourself.

Myk: I thought that was it.

Myk: Too good for your own good, Mr Pratt.

Robert Pratt: Why?

Myk: While you're playing by the rules... everyone else is thinking about how they can get around them.

Robert Pratt: Depends on which rules you're talking about

Myk: Does it?

Robert Pratt: Indeed

Myk: Explain that to me, please.

Robert Pratt: Well, there are thousands of rules surrounding us every single day and night. Some are good rules, some are stupid ones. Each person has to decide which they think are good and which they think are stupid and do as they see fit. So I play by some rules, but I smash the **** out of others.

Myk: Hmm...

Myk: Who's to decide which are the good and which are the stupid rules?

Myk: Is this something we decide for ourselves?

Robert Pratt: Yes

Myk: So can we only blame ourselves for our conflicts with others?

Robert Pratt: In a way. Yes.

Myk: My father would agree with that hypothesis...

Robert Pratt: Oh?

Myk: He seemed to believe that it was never the world's fault for our troubles... We make our troubles by the choices we make.

Myk: I see some truth in it... A Zen mind would likely adopt this hypothesis...

Myk: I'm rather prone to the idea that it's maybe a little negligent to force that theory on a child...

Myk: For once in your life, it might be nice to live under the delusion that perhaps... for once... it wasn't your fault.

Robert Pratt: Mm Hm. And the choices we make, are always going to bring us into conflict who have made one of the other choices. As we will all think ourselves right for the reasons we made that choice in the first place. Sometimes, our reasons - when explained - are enough to help others make the choice we have. And that's what I try to do. To show the violent ways a new way of life.

Myk: Sometimes, people don't want to change... they don't want to listen... And where does that leave you? Talking to yourself and to others through the mind of a crazy Vampire...

Myk: And so comes the cycle of bringing back the subject I am trying to avoid for your sake...

Myk: I think I should quit there before I say anything else that's insensitive.

Robert Pratt: *Chuckles* Indeed. Where do you end up? Dead. But because you've been doing it for the right reasons - you can't give up. You can't let down those who rely on you. And there's nothing insensitive you could say I don't think. But you should sleep.

Myk: I admire your tenacity, Mr Pratt.

Robert Pratt: Least someone does

Myk: I'm sorry I can't talk much longer... but I'll be in touch again soon... if you'd like.

Robert Pratt: I would. Very much. Sleep well. I'll be here, waiting for you.

Myk: ... Uh... Right then... Urm... Sleep tight?

Robert Pratt: Ummm. Not so much. Not here. But sweet dreams.

Myk: Hmm... Quite.....

Myk: I don't know what to say now...

Myk: Take care?

Robert Pratt: *Chuckles* Nothing else to say. Just close off your mind to me and I'll be alone and you can sleep.

Myk: .... Yeah... like that's going to happen now...

Myk: Did I think that or say that?

Myk: And that?

Myk: I'm going to shut up now.

Robert Pratt: Why won't you sleep now? What's wrong?

Myk: ... Nothing.

Myk: I'm just... distracted...

Robert Pratt: Oh. Sorry. You should go. Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite. "He chuckled softly"

Myk: Yeah... Will do.

Myk: Goodnight, Mr Pratt...

Robert Pratt: Goodnight Mr...... Myk.

[Myk]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

Myk: Good evening.

Myk: It feels like it's always evening...

Robert Pratt: It is. If it weren't - you'd be asleep.

Myk: I do miss the sun occasionally though... Don't you?

Robert Pratt: I have other sources of Light in my life to keep me sustained.

Myk: But don't you miss saying something other than 'Good evening' or 'Good night'?

Robert Pratt: Why? You're wishing someone well. How is that a bad thing, how it's done?

Myk: Oh I don't know... I guess I'm just looking for things to complain about...

Myk: My apologies, Mr Pratt. I shouldn't express my frustrations so... openly. It's not your responsibility to listen to them...

Robert Pratt: Of course it is. We're friends aren't we? And the name's Robert, please.

Myk: Sorry... It's just... well, I didn't know what you preferred to be called... Our relationship status, etc, etc...

Robert Pratt: Well, now you do. And everything is good right? You want to be my friend? It can be..... dangerous you know.

Myk: It... doesn't frighten me... to be your friend. If I'm to be killed under the crime of befriending you, then I'll take to my knees and have it be so.

Robert Pratt: Awww. That's..... sweet. Then I'm lucky to be able to call you friend and hold you close.

Myk: The pleasure's all mine, Robert.

Robert Pratt: I doubt it Sir. I doubt it. I'm nothing special. Especially not all ghosty like.

Myk: You're a pleasure to talk to, regardless of your... err... constitution.

Robert Pratt: As are you. I look forward to your mind pressing into mine each night.

Myk: ... Seriously?

Robert Pratt: Of course. Why wouldn't I?

Myk: Eh... well... You might say I'm an acquired taste...

Robert Pratt: Well then. You could say I have a taste for you. *Chuckles*

Myk: .... Hang on... I think I need to lie down...

Robert Pratt: Oh dear! Are you ok? Myk.... what's happened? What's wrong? Talk to me!

Myk: ... Well... You know... it can be draining to the mind to hold a conversation such as this...

Myk: It's just better I lie down before I fall down.

Robert Pratt: Oh I'm so sorry. I didn't know. You should rest, leave me be. Look after yourself.

Myk: I'm fine. Don't make a fuss over me. I feel much better now.

Myk: Besides... I worry about you... all alone in that darkness.

Robert Pratt: Of course I'm going to make a fuss. I care about you. I care about all my friends.... though they are few and far between now. But you care enough to speak to me, so I'm going to care about you and make sure you're looking after yourself. You're no good to me or anyone if you tire yourself or hurt yourself. And if I had a body - I'd hug you tight!

Myk: A hug would be nice, actually...

Robert Pratt: Well then. I owe you one. Should I return. And I'll make sure that one of the first things I do is give you one. If I come back.

Myk: What's with this 'should' talk?

Myk: You will come back, Robert.

Myk: You owe me a hug.

Myk: ... plus I'm sure you have other things... other people worth returning for...

Robert Pratt: We'll see.

Myk: A girlfriend... a wife... something like that?

Robert Pratt: No. Nothing like that.

Myk: Hmm... how odd.

Robert Pratt: Odd? Why odd?

Myk: Such a charismatic man like yourself isn't tied down... it seems odd to me.

Myk: Not that I'm judging...

Myk: I just find it curious.

Robert Pratt: Well, I'm divorced, once. Though it was never official in the first place. And then there's someone...... from my past. But.... you know.... with what we are..... and her being human. I don't think it would ever really.... work. But, she's the mother of my children. I just.... can't work it out. You know?

Myk: You have children?

Robert Pratt: I do. Two. Proper ones. Not vampiric ones.

Myk: It never really occurred to me that you weren't talking about real ones for some reason...

Myk: I never did quite understand all this archaic talk of sire and childe... But I digress...

Robert Pratt: You've always got to check in our.... community.

Myk: That's a fair point...

Myk: Is it a sore subject... this one?

Robert Pratt: No. It's fine.

Myk: Can I ask about your kids... this ex-wife of yours?

Robert Pratt: Course. Ask away.

Myk: It seems like it might be a touchy subject... to ask what happened... to make you two... er... split.

Robert Pratt: The vampiric wife? Nah. She slept with someone else. Cheated on me while I was dead.

Myk: Oh... you mean, you had a Vampiric wife and the mother of your children... was her?

Robert Pratt: No no. The wife that's the ex, the one who never really was - she was a vampire. Is a vampire. She's the one who cheated on me.

Myk: ... I couldn't imagine what that must feel like... to be betrayed like that. Eh... Sorry, I shouldn't scratch at your wounds...

Robert Pratt: It's fine. It was a long time ago now. Now, they're just facts about my life and there is no emotion attached to them.

Myk: How... stoic of you.

[Robert Pratt]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

Robert Pratt: How so?

Myk: You seem emotionless about it in a Zen-like way...

Robert Pratt: You've called me Zen before. *Chuckles*

Myk: I have?

Myk: I could very well have...

Robert Pratt: Mm Hm

Myk: On second thought, I think lying down was not the best idea... I feel terribly dreamy right now...

Robert Pratt: Perhaps you need to sleep? I should go. I've taken your attention from your family for too long.

Myk: I wouldn't worry about them... we pass each other by like ghosts. If we need each other, we talk to each other... otherwise, it's a kind of friendly silence we share.

Robert Pratt: Oh. Ok. And.... that's enough?

Myk: It... seems to be.

Myk: Why do you concern yourself with my time keeping anyhow? Afraid you might be absorbing too much of my focus? Or are you too polite to tell me when to leave you alone?

Robert Pratt: I'm worried you're wasting your time on me and ignoring someone else who needs you and wants you. As much as I love your company and wish I could always talk to you.... I like to help people, and would hate to think I was taking that help from someone else.

Myk: Well... in that case... I release you from this worry. There is no one in my life, Robert... No one who needs me, certainly.

Robert Pratt: Other than me.

Myk: You... need me?

Robert Pratt: Of course. I said as much when I said I looked forward to your mind meeting mine

Myk: I remember...

Myk: Just... yeah...

Myk: I feel a little light-headed.

Robert Pratt: You really don't sound well and I'm worried about you!

Myk: People have been saying that my entire life...

Robert Pratt: Well, I mean it. I only want good things for you Myk

Myk: I certainly recall telling you that you are too kind for your own good... or maybe it was something to that effect...

Robert Pratt: You did. I said everyone needs a little kindness in their lives.

Myk: Are we to repeat ourselves until tiredness swallows me up and our connection drops? It seems our time could be spent better... though, I wouldn't count on me to keep or start a subject that was vaguely... er... poignant.

Robert Pratt: I think from the sounds of things, you need to go to sleep. Then do something to talk about tomorrow night, or think of a topic to talk about. Not like I can do much here.

Myk: ... Every subject I attempt to broach seems... insensitive...

Robert Pratt: But I told you, nothing is insensitive and everything is fine. I have no secrets. Not really.

Myk: Not really?

Robert Pratt: Nup

Myk: Though it suggests you have some...

Robert Pratt: Don't we all?

Myk: I imagine so. And some more than others... undoubtedly so. I'm just nosy, I guess.

Robert Pratt: Then I guess it will be a challenge for another night for you - to try and discover my secrets.

Myk: You're allowing me to probe those deep, dark holes of yours, hmm?

Robert Pratt: Sure. See how far you get.

Myk: I like a challenge.

Robert Pratt: I bet.

Myk: I wonder... what would happen if I just fell asleep... what would happen to our connection...

Robert Pratt: I don't know. I wonder if I'd see your dreams.

Myk: Ha! You don't want that, I assure you.

Robert Pratt: No? Why? What do you dream of?

Myk: Eh... depends. Sometimes they're good... or, gross by your standards... and sometimes they're interesting... Did I tell you I saw myself die once? That was weird...

Robert Pratt: Why weird? You did.

Myk: I did? Did I not go into detail? It was the details which made it weird...

Robert Pratt: Oh. Ok. But yeh. Course you did. How else did you become a vampire?

Myk: Oh... My bad. I meant a different 'death'.

Myk: Ah... the Lexis...

Robert Pratt: Lexis?

Myk: Aye... words...

Myk: How we use them to mean different things... how we change their definition so fleetingly...

Robert Pratt: Ah k

Myk: Sorry... I talk too much.

Robert Pratt: Not at all.

Myk: But I do...

Robert Pratt: Says who?

Myk: They don't need to say such... I just see how bored and tired they become and I can also hear myself chattering away...

Robert Pratt: I'm not bored.

Myk: Hmm...

Robert Pratt: You are though I'd guess. And tired.

Myk: Not bored, dear--- err... Robert... Just... sleepy.

Myk: It gets harder and harder to filter out the crap...

Robert Pratt: *Chuckles* Well, fall asleep to my voice?

Myk: I think I would have pleasant dreams for once if I were to fall asleep to your voice... Such a nice, warm, loving voice...

Robert Pratt: I'm glad you like it. So, you're still lying down? Just close your eyes and see what happens.

Myk: My eyes are generally closed to use this kind of thing...

Robert Pratt: Well, just relax and I'll sing you to sleep. You got a favourite song?

Myk: ... Not really...

Myk: Just... talk... or something...

Robert Pratt: I dunno what to say. At least with a song, there are words there for me.

Myk: Then sing your favourite

Robert Pratt: *Sings* https://www.youtube.com/watch?...QGESUTo

Myk: That can't be your favourite.

Robert Pratt: *Just keeps on singing*

Myk: ... you're weird... Robert... so.... *yawns* weird... but... so handsome...

Robert Pratt: *Continues singing, not projecting thoughts on that one*

Myk: Zzzzzzz....