Drake nodded and pursed his lips thoughtfully, his eerie slitted pupils still staring unblinkingly at Arkady except for the occasional translucent flicker of his nictitating membrane. Sometimes Drake's eyes seemed to have trouble shifting back into fully human form because of his going for extended periods without shedding his draconian skin a few decades back.
"I appreciate the courtesy," he replied formally. He didn't feel any more rebuked now than he already had. He had no trouble accepting that this was Arkady's turf. His house, his rules. So yes, the vampire was indeed in a position to allow him to return, or not, as he see fit. He stood up a little straighter when he was offered the sideshow tent. "Hell, yeah, I'd like that," he deadpanned, ever inexpressive; but his eyes shone with pride. "And you know I don't mind pulling my own weight when I'm not onstage, anyway." At least that was true. Bad attitude or not, Drake had always been a hard worker, and never one to go hide in his trailer when there was grunt work to be done. "For new time's sake. I like that." There was a quirk to his mouth that maybe could have been a two second smile, and then it was gone again.
There was a considering pause. Drake looked away, taking in their surroundings. He saw now that he had been stupid to throw all of this away. No more worrying about the neighbors, or the people at work figuring out he wasn't a normal human. No more hiding his true form in the shadows either. There, on stage, front and center under the lights. Pride of race suffused his chest, something he hadn't felt in years. He nodded to himself once again. The man must look to others as if he was constantly having some private conversation with himself, with as much as he considered and nodded. And they would be right.
"I won't forget this," he said at last, with all the gruff gratitude he could muster. "How long are you here? And where are you going after this? I'll have to get my deposit back for my place so I can get a trailer. Got not much else to settle, but I might have to catch up with you in the next town if I can't get it done this weekend."