[Forever contrary—even when he may know far less on a subject than his opponent—Stiles parts his lips to protest. How can it be possible for someone to have never cast a shadow? The chance to pursue an interrogation is denied him, however; the stranger redirects the conversation. Mouth closing begrudgingly, he studies Liem in silence with a mutinous scowl that expresses an obstinate intention to return to the subject, later. And now, despite the man discussing the general situation on Kenos, Stiles remains visibly preoccupied. Brown eyes search Liem for any small, seemingly insignificant details that may offer him clues. Unraveling the mysteries of the supernatural world isn’t just his personal wheelhouse, after all. It’s also an obsession.]
Yeah, the architecture is similar, [he admits, arms crossing over his chest.] I’ve never been to Greece myself, but the country is featured in Hollywood enough that—
[A pause. Judging by Liem’s wording, he’s unfamiliar with Greece. With that in mind, there’s a good chance that he might also be unfamiliar with “Hollywood.” Stiles blows out a heavy breath—one stemming less from frustration and more from marvel. The culture shock is both overwhelming and fascinating.]
Never mind. The point is, I have recognized bits and pieces from my world. “Earth,” for the record.
[His mind is even now caught—hook, line, and sinker—on the lack of shadow. Stiles assumes the man must be some vampire-adjacent creature, though he has little firsthand experience to compare. An impressive variety of nonhumans have plagued Beacon Hills…with the exception of vampires. Was it Stoker who popularized the idea that vampires cast no shadow? Well, it’s entirely possible that Stoker drew inspiration from real-world folklore, passed down by hunters like the Argent family. Still, this guy here claims to have never had a shadow. If he is vampire-adjacent, wouldn’t that imply he wasn’t “created” in the traditional way? That is to say: born a human (presumably one with a shadow) and then turned undead by another vampire. Maybe he’s a vampire…prime. Or whatever the hell Dracula was meant to be (Stiles is acutely ashamed that he didn’t read the novel).
Racking his brain, the teen settles on another hypothesis. The stranger could be a dhampir. Unfortunately, Stiles can barely recall any pertinent information on the hybrid species; he researched vampires and their ilk with his usual neurotic, monomaniacal focus years ago when Scott first started displaying symptoms of lycanthropy. There hasn’t been reason to investigate vampires since.]
Okay, uh, [Stiles struggles to return to the discussion, thoughts scattered.] Keep going. I’m listening.
no subject
Yeah, the architecture is similar, [he admits, arms crossing over his chest.] I’ve never been to Greece myself, but the country is featured in Hollywood enough that—
[A pause. Judging by Liem’s wording, he’s unfamiliar with Greece. With that in mind, there’s a good chance that he might also be unfamiliar with “Hollywood.” Stiles blows out a heavy breath—one stemming less from frustration and more from marvel. The culture shock is both overwhelming and fascinating.]
Never mind. The point is, I have recognized bits and pieces from my world. “Earth,” for the record.
[His mind is even now caught—hook, line, and sinker—on the lack of shadow. Stiles assumes the man must be some vampire-adjacent creature, though he has little firsthand experience to compare. An impressive variety of nonhumans have plagued Beacon Hills…with the exception of vampires. Was it Stoker who popularized the idea that vampires cast no shadow? Well, it’s entirely possible that Stoker drew inspiration from real-world folklore, passed down by hunters like the Argent family. Still, this guy here claims to have never had a shadow. If he is vampire-adjacent, wouldn’t that imply he wasn’t “created” in the traditional way? That is to say: born a human (presumably one with a shadow) and then turned undead by another vampire. Maybe he’s a vampire…prime. Or whatever the hell Dracula was meant to be (Stiles is acutely ashamed that he didn’t read the novel).
Racking his brain, the teen settles on another hypothesis. The stranger could be a dhampir. Unfortunately, Stiles can barely recall any pertinent information on the hybrid species; he researched vampires and their ilk with his usual neurotic, monomaniacal focus years ago when Scott first started displaying symptoms of lycanthropy. There hasn’t been reason to investigate vampires since.]
Okay, uh, [Stiles struggles to return to the discussion, thoughts scattered.] Keep going. I’m listening.
[For the most part.]