VANESSA
Ron, I thought I told you to shut the fuck up.

Mari stares at her with the beginnings of a smile.

VANESSA
Offspring have a relationship with their parent vamp - well, there's a reason they're called "parent" vamps. I know your mom was shitty and I know I lost my daughter - we're two halves of the same whole, I guess. Fuck, I sound cheesy.

MARI
(hurriedly)
No, you don't.
(slower)
I like it.

Vanessa reaches up slowly and brushes the hair away from Mari's neck. Mari drops her head to one side slightly, creating a wider surface.