Astarion

[drfeelbad]

Surprisingly there were not many pubs in London that played American football on the televisions. Even then, it was usually like one television out of half a dozen above the bar. As a result, House had not only a regular pub that he went to this time of year but also a regular seat.

"Hey Greg," said the bartender as House slid onto a stool at the end of the bar and leaned his cane against it. He went ahead and poured a double of Jack Daniels on the rocks and pushed it to him without House having to ask. "Who's playing tonight?" he asked, as if he cared. But House appreciated the effort.

"Ohio State versus Rutgers," said House then added gleefully, "I'm just here to watch Ohio State get their asses kicked." He'd gone to Michigan.

"Hey can I also get a basket of chips?" he asked, and the bartender nodded and walked away.

Comments

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

Astarion had heard rumors about the doctor who tended to work outside the system, and he'd heard enough that the man seemed worth seeking out just to see what he was like. To see if maybe he'd be willing to help.

It didn't take much to narrow down his hangouts, and it was no coincidence that the spawn wandered into the same bar not long after the man had finished his first drink.

Taking a seat one away from the doctor, Astarion ordered a gin before turning his attention to the screen.

"I don't understand this sport, do you? They're always stopping then starting again."

[drfeelbad]

House glanced over at him, a little surprised that someone had addressed him. The guy also looked kind of out of place. What was it with really attractive men randomly talking to him in bars recently?

"It's because they keep tackling each other," House said, nodding up to the screen. "Though... oh, just a moment..." A player clad in red and gray caught a long pass and started running. House rose off of his seat a little, as two other guys hit the ground in failed attempts to catch him, and he crossed the line for a touchdown to cheers.

House sighed, looking annoyed. "Well anyway, that's how it works. Get the ball across the line without someone taking it from you."

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"How exhilarating," Astarion replied. "Perhaps sport just isn't for me."

He studied the man a beat, then smiled and offered his hand. "I'm Astarion, by the way."

[drfeelbad]

"Greg." House reached over and shook his hand.

With a closer look, he noticed a few things about him. The clothes, expensive at first glance, also had a few spots where they were mended. Wanting to seem more affluent than he actually was then. Also the fangs. Though House had seen weirded body modifications.

"Haven't seen you here before," he added. "Come for the chips?"

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"Actually... I came to see you," Astarion said, deciding to play it a little straight. "I hear you're a doctor worth knowing for unusual modifications."

[drfeelbad]

"Ah," said House. "And this knowledge just meant you absolutely must have a drink with me. Because otherwise you could have come by the clinic."

He waved at the bartender for another drink.

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"I just wanted to get a better idea of who you are," Astarion said. "I need a doctor I can trust."

[drfeelbad]

"And what idea have you gotten?" House asked, and took a chip out before pushing the basket towards him.

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"Well none yet, darling, we just met," Astarion replied, taking a chip. "So, American's like this, do they?" he asked, nodding at the screen.

[drfeelbad]

"Sure," said House. The bartender passed him another whiskey and he added, "We also bourbon instead of scotch, don't like tea, and prefer to call these French fries." He grabbed another from the basket, and smirked. "Trust me yet?"

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"Losing points by the minute, I'm afraid," Astarion replied with mock cheeriness. "But feel free to keep going."

[drfeelbad]

Maybe it was because he was a drink and a half in and Ohio State was winning, but House felt inclined to make a bad impression. "So are you," he said. "You know, I thought you were kind of hot when you walked up, but the accent is totally killing it for me. Did you step off the pages of a bad fantasy novel or something?"

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"Are you calling me a fantasy, darling?" Astarin asked, thanking the barman when his gin arrived.

[drfeelbad]

House snorted, amused. It was a good response, honestly. "You caught me," he said. "I've been fantasizing about the rich villains in Jane Austen novels"

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"Whatever gets you off, darling," Astarion grinned, all teeth again.

[drfeelbad]

“And what gets you off?”House asked, eyes slipping to that grin. “Blood? Handsome doctors?”

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"Money and power, generally," Astarion replied honestly, still using that faux cheerful tone.

[drfeelbad]

“I’m shocked,” said House dryly, and picked up his fresh drink.

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"What can I say? No one has ever accused me of being deep," Astarion smiled.

It wasn't quite the truth though. Astarion did want those things, yes, but there were depths there he just didn't like to share. He was forever reluctant to make himself vulnerable.

[drfeelbad]

“Well I’m afraid I have neither of those things,” said House.

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"You are a doctor though, and you do have an interest in unusual modifications, yes?" Astarion asked.

[drfeelbad]

"I actually am probably the best doctor you will ever meet, especially when it comes to the combination of human and cybernetics," House said. "Though weird how that has amassed me neither money nor power."

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"Perhaps it's the bedside manner, hmm?" Astarion suggested.

[drfeelbad]

“When bedside manner makes you rich it’s usually not because you’re a doctor,” House said mildly. “ so what kind of modifications? “

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"The teeth. They aren't for blood, however. ...I was badly hurt some time ago, and was modified, without my consent I might add, to run off biofuel alone. Which would be fine, if I could produce my own. However, I can not."

Dead things didn't produce much of anything.

Though the biofuel wasn't the problem, he simply wanted to see how the doctor reacted to that first half of the story.