Two narrow hands press the fabric against the wound. The pain is a welcome distraction from the hollow feeling settling into his stomach at the words that don't mean anythin' to me. For his companion to be so near to him and yet so out of reach?

But this could be a blessing in disguise. This could mean a fresh start for them. The same vampire, but from before Armand broke him so terribly. Oh, he is broken now, of course, to an extent, but he is broken in a beautiful way. The events of Paris killed Louis' spirit in a way Armand hadn't anticipated. This Louis has never even been to Paris.

"Only to other vampires." It also takes up the awkward space left by the lack of a surname. "We do not reveal our nature to humans."

Well, they can, but then they have to kill the human, which seems like it would draw attention here.