MURMÚRIOS DE LISBOA CVI

The Vampire & the Werewolf - Part III

The vampire enjoys socializing. He's what you would call a social animal, metaphorically if not literally. Vampires are not very social by nature. This one goes against tradition. In his social habits aswell as his literary beliefs. The vampire believes in human relations, or should I say, he thinks he believes in them because what he really appreciates is being in control. Control of others feelings, control of others timetables, control of an audience's emotions. He's a remarkable actor. Maybe that is why he accepted her thesis theme, although the old school might have raised an eyebrow. He doesn't care. Or rather, he does care, as long as he can have the upper hand in the matter. He's using her, she believes. She's the joker in his deck of cards. The exotic element in the fruit basket. He will throw her to the lions and expect her to survive on her own if the lions decide to have her as a feast. If not, she will contribute to his glory.

The werewolf, also against his nature, is very private. He enjoys being on his own. Unlike the animal with which species he shares his most revealing features, he is not a family man or a team hunter. He's quiet and drawn to himself. However, he is not a thinker, but a doer. Unlike the vampire, who thinks his every little action to exaustion and plans every single move with premeditated care, the werewolf is impatient and prefers to get his hands on the matter, literally and metaphorically. His passion are the expensive machines he carefully tunes for others with expertise and craftsmanship. Racing cars are his food. Speed his philosophy. He doesn't like to wait. He wishes people would be like his engines, simple and straight to the point. If it isn't working there's always a reason: a spare part missing, a wire badly connected, a clog in some valve. Humans are much more complicated than that and frankly, too much of a cunundrum for this werewolf's simple rationalizing.

The vampire, on the other hand, believes he knows everything there is to know about the way human beings function. He is positively sure he cannot be surprised in any way. Deep down inside he is aware and a little melancholic about having lost the element of fascination. Nothing can take his breath away anymore. Life is an endless series of déja vus carefully orchestrated and similar to eachother, give or take an insignificant detail.
When he looks at her he sees what everyone else sees, a plain girl who was once infatuated and is now cured of that desease.
When the werewolf looks at her he sees an enigma. He doesn't understand why he feels so drawn to her and yet they have never spoken one single word to eachother. He tries and tries and tries to interpret her polished face hidden behind those huge sunglasses, but he doesn't seem to find enough solutions to solve her puzzle. She likes to imagine that is exactly what's going on inside his mind. She doesn't care about the vampire's self assurances. She's certain he's completely mistaken.