More and more people joined the gathering, some greeting him, and instinctively he withdrew further. The Queen’s address to him, by name, brought his attention out of his own head. His mind raced with thoughts of what he was supposed to reply, yet his neutral expression didn’t even flicker. It looked as if he hadn’t heard. After a few painful moments, he nodded silently. Jekyll could be quite the awkward introvert in situations, then cast this away completely when he disengaged his mind from the social situation, and put it towards a problem to solve, or an interest to explore. Made sense, in a way. Anyone who applied his general way of thinking to a social situation would be left in just as much confusion.

He waited through the greetings and small talk in growing distress. He wasn’t nervous- rather, he was utterly bored, and bewildered trying to figure out of what purpose all this served. A bit like a little kid, really. He never used to show up to these type of things, even if this earned him the vexation of the leaders. But this being a new place and all, he thought he’d better show up. For a now, at least.

Lucaya began her speech. He was relieved the general yapping of the populous had come to an end, but he slightly dreaded her address. However soon he relaxed, seeing as she’d gotten straight to the point. What worse torture was there having to sit still, listening to an imbecile wind on and on about absolutely nothing all day? You’d sit there, trying to guess when it would end. He’s onto the wishing of health and farewells, maybe 5 more sentences. … Come on, you can do it, this is the last goodbye. … Oh wait. He appears to have created another talk and is winding back up. Jekyll often thought these to actually be quite talented. It’s quite an ability, to be able to go from “now, I thank you all for your hard work, I wish you well on your ways, (goodbye)”, to start giving a speech about coco farming in the desert.

The new (rival?) pack didn’t capture Jekyll’s attention. Perhaps it should have, or would be in the future, but these matters were neither of concern or interest to him. The pursuit of knowledge, but especially understanding, was where he was directed. However, her next words did peak his curiosity.

‘I would like to give you all, the ever giving immortality of being a Vampire.’

He was not interested in this possibility for himself. Personally, he truly had no preference over life or death, but life was what was most convenient to him, hence he happily continued. Yet, the prospect of understanding these powers? That did interest him. He had thought of his own reptile scales that had formed, but in little depth. He had other projects he’d been working on. But this was an opportunity that might not come again, and one he wasn’t wishing to pass up. He generally preferred experimenting on himself, people were unwilling to start with, or just difficult to deal with in general, so this arrangement would the most convenient. He had a desperate need to understand the why’s. Sure, how does it work, how can it be used, are a good one. But why does it work? Why does it exist? Why does it here, in this form, in this person, in this place? He wanted to know it all, of course, but can only answer the other questions well if you understand the underlying reasonings.

He saw some nearby looking at each other, and it seemed as though no one was to answer immediately. Being the first, with a grin he walked over to the Queen. He wasn’t bothered about whether this would work, if he’d have an adverse reaction, if even he’d die. Death in the name of science is natural, and he would experiment on himself just as much. Neither did he think about a potentially torturous existence living forever. Once again, any torment he would have to experience is acceptable, if he could have a glimpse of understanding.

”Soonds quite guid. I’ve bin wanting tae study these abilities.” His countenance was rather different from earlier. With insight and a challenge hanging temptingly close, his eyes shone with life.