"Dracula." He was hesitant, but not about to let the vampire see how hesitant he was. The creature was proud, every line of his body showing how it was help firmly erect, poised, and he wondered, somewhat, how to interact with him. The vampire gave a regal nod, and Abraham found himself bridling inside. This was no king receiving a supplicant, though Dracula had the nerve to nod and "allow" him to continue!

Keeping the frown from his face, he went on.

"You're a prisoner here, that has not changed. However, your behavior is not what I had predicted, and as a result, your coffin and soil have been returned to you. Should you continue to behave well, I have every intention of continuing to supply you with them." Still expressionless, the vampire merely watched him.

"I do intend to experiment, but no longer so much ON you as WITH you." Still no response from the vampire, still only a blank expression and a steady gaze. And now on to the most important part, the one that he hoped with all his heart that the vampire would agree to. This could not be done with an unwilling vampire; he had to willingly enter into such an agreement. "What I would like to do is to create a contract with you. In return for your obedience, you will not suffer unduly, will be fed, protected, and retain access to both coffin and earth. In return for my protection of you during the daylight hours, and my restraint during my studies, you will be obedient and cooperative." That was a carrot, and now a stick. "Should you decide not to cooperate willingly, we can certainly return to starving you, strapping you to a table, and only returning you to your coffin when absolutely necessary. I would prefer not to do so. I would prefer to have you awake, cooperative, and comfortable."

x

Dracula had been so pleased to see the door open, to see Abraham. He knew he should hate the man, but he couldn't. Much as he hunted humans because it was his nature, Abraham had killed vampires. The wolf could not hate the shepherd for defending his flock. The man hadn't been cruel about it, had done what was a necessity from the human viewpoint. Even so, Dracula would have hated him except that he needed contact so badly, needed to no longer be so isolated.

The men with him, he remembered clearly. Remembered their burning crucifixes, their subdued joy at subduing him, the fear and pleasure they took in hurting him. They had not impressed him with their intelligence, had not demonstrated great bravery and fortitude and strength of character in overcoming him. Instead, they'd simply tormented the monster that Abraham had caught.

His voice would be a broken whisper, his body palsied and infirm, visibly weak and helpless, and he would not appear so in front of them. Instead, he kept all emotion from his face, not wanting them to have any weakness to exploit; they were undeserving of anything but being a meal, only typical weak humans. Abraham was a lion surrounded by a pride of spoiled tabby housecats. And while he would bare his throat to the lion, he would never show weakness to the spineless fools beside the man.

And so while he listened to the man, and thought over what was being offered, he remained still and silent, unwilling to reveal any infirmity.

He had no doubt the man could force him down, force him to submit to whatever sort of "experimentation" Abraham wanted. He'd experienced that much already. Starved, deprived of coffin and soil? The man was willing to do that as well, willing and capable. But it wasn't what Abraham wanted.

What did he want? There was no threat in the man, only a calm confidence. Van Helsing wanted his willing cooperation. A contract? He somehow doubted it was at all like the contracts he had signed to obtain Harker's services, or to prepare his properties in Britain. Was the man alluding to a rather different contract, such as the one that had promised his soul to the Devil for the powers he now wielded?

What did Abraham intend, as the months and years went by? There was much he wished to ask, but the unwanted and unwelcome presence of the men huddled behind Abraham kept him silent. Even sitting up so proper and powerfully was draining what strength he still possessed; speaking would give away the game entirely. Time ticked by, Van Helsing blatantly waiting for an answer, Dracula reluctant to give it and reveal his weakness.

Abraham's heart sank a bit as he realized the vampire would not answer. Keeping the disappointment from his face, he drew back from the door.

"I'll give you time to think about this. In a few days, perhaps, you'll be more inclined to discuss the matter." Moving briskly, he pulled the lantern away, plunging the room into near-darkness and then pushing the door shut. Pausing, he listened, hoping for some response from the creature, not wanting to leave and to wait and wait for it to give him some sort of reply. But there was no response. Whether the creature was too startled to reply, too angry, or simply too proud to acknowledge an offer of servitude, he did not know. But he wouldn't be waiting in the basement on the beast's pleasure, either.