The youngish looking man didn’t look up immediately upon Godric’s arrival, intent on breathing some life into his dead automobile. After a few sputtering noises, it became evident that the car wasn’t really going anywhere.
"Don't suppose you know the number of a decent mechanic in town, do you?"
“I’m afraid not,” Godric replied, “I’m rather new here, and thus far, I do not drive. I was out on a walk to get to know the town when I happened upon you and your ill motor vehicle.”
Godric had witnessed a great many mysteries in his millennia on the planet, but always found human innovation to be one of the most compelling to observe from the shadows. Although the car had long been part of human history, for one so old, he considered it to be a fairly recent development. He had no need of such transport himself, but always marveled at the simple mechanics working in unison for a common cause. To this end, he had taken a great interest in their creation. Granted, the last time he had looked under the hood of a motor vehicle was sometime during the Second World War, but he assumed the specifics couldn’t be terribly different. If he could help this gentleman get on his way, it would be a step in the right direction to his new life in this town.
Yet, before Godric could begin musing further on the condition and history of automobiles, he caught a whiff of a familiar scent.
Fear.
The human body always reacted the same way when it was seized with fear, an amalgamation of rushing blood and sudden sweat. The man’s easy nature changed with a turn of his head, and Godric knew instantly that this was a man who was aware he was in the presence of death. It was a subtle expression the old vampire had seen thousands of times before.
“Early night tonight?”
The question was a disarming one, meant to distract. The man had no more interest in small talk, his posture and scent suggested one of alarm and defense. Godric couldn’t see the whole of his body, but by the dip of his shoulder, could tell he was going for something in the car. A gun, perhaps.
Godric stayed motionless, but decided it was time to cut to the chase. “Leave it, whatever it is. The instigation of violence only begs for more. I do not wish to harm you, it is not my intent.”
Humans were not always rational when seized by terror, but he hoped this could be easy.
But that was the thing about Godric’s existence: It was NEVER easy.