-- Monster --

-- Substitution --

Carlisle opened his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose in thought, trying and failing to ignore the burning desire in his throat, realising something.

Yet.. I don't have to be... I don't have to be so condemned as this...

His eyes snapped shut and open again as the thought hit him.

Yes, I need blood to live.. Or to succumb the fatigue, but I do not have to kill for it.

Not humans..

I- I can survive from a substitue...

But what?

What will replace blood?

Nothing... I can't exactly just live on human food now, I don't need that.

I don't have anything for that...

Surely.. Something.. Some other way...

I don't have to be the monster I was created as...

But only if I find a substitute first...

It took him several long minutes, testing the theory he came up with before approving it.

Even if it wouldn't work, then.. Well.. He was screwed.

Well and truly screwed.

Animals...

He could just.. Hunt animals.

Humans did that. Killed animals for meat, to eat. To live. To survive.

So why should he be any different?

The coy smile lifted the corner of his mouth as he discovered the loophole in the Vampirism..

I don't have to be a monster after all...