Vlad's voice was calm. Perfectly controlled, wonderfully smooth. At any other time, it might have soothed Max. He'd have appreciated knowing that there was at least somebody on this crazy ship that wasn't running around in circles, fanning the flames on his head and screaming. But right now, at this moment, that calm made him want to beat his dear friend until he, too, bore Max's marks.
He resisted, though.
He resisted because even though he was clawing at his arms - Brian's arms - and living in a constant state of inebriation, he retained some form of reasoning. It was primitive, even caveman-like, but it was there. And it was the only part of him that responded to Vlad even remotely favorably.
"You don't understand," he said forcefully as he continued to pace. "This is...this is...I have to do this." He clawed at his face, raking his nails deep along the slant of his jaw. "Brian is past upset. He's drunk all the time. He ignores that girl he's friends with. He knows I hit his wife. He knows he has a Hyde, Vlad, he knows I exist."
His voice faltered, threatening on a whine, as he paused and looked to Vlad helplessly. More than anything, he wanted parents right now. He wanted a mom and dad he could call and ask for advice. Right now, he had this unconscious kid in the corner and Vlad. And that just didn't make for a healthy home life.