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[Erik has been standing nearby watching to see what kinds of reactions this new posting might elicit. He is not disappointed. Poor lamb, one would think he's never heard of a prostitute before.]

Are you all right, sir?

[Erik is suddenly standing beside him. When did he get here? How did he approach so noiselessly? How indeed?]

I'm worried you may be about to catch fire.

[John feels the prickle of awareness and turns--but somehow, the guy is right fucking there, making John backpedal about a half dozen steps, eyes wide and heart racing from something other than embarrassment.

He knows he's fine. He knows he's safe--dimly, he realizes he's made very real progress in that department in that his hands are raised for a fight, but he didn't go for his knife.

...but yeah, for a second John can only stare, mute, as he tries to calm the visceral fear response to being snuck up on with a speed and silence that can only be called supernatural.]

[Oh dear. He didn't expect quite this level of reaction. What was supposed to be playful taunting has gone much too far. He puts his hands up in front of him in the universal sign of surrender.]

My apologies. I didn't mean to scare you this badly. Peace, I mean you no harm.

[It takes John a full five seconds to not just see, but register the apology, the peace-making gesture. It takes almost another five to get his hands to drop, and another five to finally draw a deep breath that starts to slow his hammering heart, to get that surge of adrenaline to drop.

And it takes another five for him to be able to break his gaze, to let his eyes screw shut as he blinks hard and scrubs his hands over his face, body and mind finally connecting fully to comprehend the lack of a threat.]

...didn't your parents ever tell you it's not polite to sneak up on people?

[A wan attempt at a quip, but an attempt all the same as John finally moves to close the space he'd created on reflex--give or take a couple paces for personal comfort.]

Sorry. Just...didn't hear you.

[Erik remains still through all of this, but he's making an effort to blink and inflate his chest with breath so he doesn't become too unnerving.]

I was orphaned young.

[Said dryly, intended as a joke even if it is actually true.]

No, you wouldn't have. I am a vampire and my abilities to sneak are better than a mortal can perceive. That said, I promise not to do that to you again.

[That wisecrack, however true (and it is, he knows that kind of humor, loves that kind of humor), earns Erik a huff of silent laughter, and his promise gets a nod.]

Thank you. 'Preciate it.

[Taking one last deep, steadying breath...he glances at the bulletin board and his cheeks start turning pink again.]

So, uh...I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that, uh--that message is you?

[Because it's not an ad, it can't be an ad, oh God it's one thing to know how fucking filthy the Victorian age was and another to be standing in it...]

[Erik appreciates gallows humor, and he appreciates a fellow appreciator of it.]

You are correct, sir. I am Lord Erik Osborne, this town's premier whore. I can see you starting to flush again. No need to be shy. I'm available. Although, I understand if the shock I gave you puts you off of it. Not everyone reacts to that rush of adrenalin in the same way.

[Is John blushing harder?

...yeah. Yeah, he is, because that's the opposite happening here, sir, which is kinda how he ended up visiting his first whore during the war to begin with. Wired after a confrontation, couldn't settle with a drink, Danforth bought him a girl instead--

John makes himself look up at Erik to banish the memory. It's not a bad memory, but there's something about it...that little oasis in Hell, however good or pleasant it might be just thinking of it makes him feel so painfully alone he can't bear up under the weight of it.

So he looks at Erik. Erik's a good looking guy, and it's like the more he lets himself notice the more affected he is by the attractive men he's no longer afraid to admire.

...so yeah, he's blushing harder still, because Erik is--okay, he's hot, but just thinking of it gives him a hollow, far less painful echo of that feeling. More like the wistfulness of thinking about Hawkeye, or the immediate way his mind just slams right towards Sam and suddenly the momentary ideas he's having at Erik turn into ideas about Sam and shit he's damn close to being able to cook eggs on his fucking face...

He ducks his head, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand.]

Uh...I, uh--I-I mean, uh...

[Someone kill him, someone save him, someone please stop him from thinking about sex oh dear Lord.]

[He can practically feel the heat from here and by the looks of it, he's basking. He doesn't mind John looking at all.

But when the man lifts a hand to rub at the back of his neck Erik is struck very suddenly with a memory of how his human pet, Max, used to do that very same thing when nervous. It doesn't help that John vaguely resembles Max in both body type and dark features. A pang of... grief, yes, that's what he thinks it might be, hits him but she does his best to shrug it off. He's working.]

You're shy. That's all right. You can take your time and consider it. The Number to reach me is right there on that flyer. I am still working on acquiring cards.

I just, uh...I've never--y'know...

[Cue him turning even redder, trying to explain the definite interest, the lack of experience--and the fact that he's looking, just not for what Erik's offering.

(Even if there's an instant, a second where he thinks about it from an...educational perspective? Oh God...)

He laughs nervously and makes himself look up at Erik again, cheeks still burning.]

Maybe, uh...if I ever--if I want--

[...nope. Can't do it. He nods, and ducks his head again, smiling a little.]

I'll keep your number in the back of my head. Promise.

[Might never use it, but...it's not a total lie?...]

Ah, is that it? Have you never been with another man? I can see why that might make you apprehensive.

[And maybe less likely to want his first to be a whore. But, then again... there might still be some opportunity here.]

If you would like me to give you some education on the subject, I'm willing to do so for half my usual fee. So, do keep my number Mr...?

[He doesn't believe he's caught a name yet.]

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