Jesse
Hi there. Thanks for pinging in today.
This is ShortWave – 12th Ping.
I’m Jesse, your virtual host on this frequency.
Peter
And I’m Peter. A kind of virtual host, I suppose.
So then—what exactly is pinging today?
Jesse
There are countless species of monsters inhabiting the world—each with its own behavioural patterns.
And occasionally, their niches overlap in unexpectedly close ways.
So… what do you think might occur when two organisms with near-identical ecological profiles happen to end up in the same habitat?
Peter
…Good lord. That struck me rather like an EPROM being blasted with ultraviolet light.
Now then… what were we discussing again?
Jesse
For example… there’s the case of “Dracula” and “the Chupacabra.”
You’d know that one too, right, Peter?
Peter
…Ah. Right…
Right.
Jesse
Doesn’t that ever make you wonder?
Even their primary food source overlapping is a problem on its own—and then the sheer difficulty of securing that food is practically S-class, you know?
Peter
…How about some tea?
As for me, I need an energy drink...
Jesse
So—about Dracula and the Chupacabra.
How do you think that would actually play out?
Peter
Well, that depends on how many traits they actually share, doesn’t it?
They both go after blood, certainly—but beyond that, I’m not so sure.
Jesse
So? Then what?
Peter
My turn, is it!?
...Right then—let’s look at this from the standpoint of habitat.
Dracula, according to the usual accounts, is tied to derelict castles across Eastern Europe.
The Chupacabra, on the other hand, is described as roaming grasslands and barns from Puerto Rico through Mexico.
With a difference on the order of “castle versus grassland,” the chance of any real conflict is essentially zero.
Jesse
So they could coexist peacefully...
Peter
As for their targets, there’s little chance of overlap there either.
Dracula goes after humans—traditionally the handsome and the beautiful, if the stories are to be believed.
The Chupacabra, meanwhile, is associated with livestock—especially smaller animals.
Jesse
I see. More good news, then.
Peter
Jesse, I doubt anything you’re worried about would actually happen.
By the look of things, they’d get along well enough without coming into conflict.
Jesse
Mosquitoes…
Peter
…Pardon?
Jesse
Mosquitoes—They’re everywhere on Earth, feeding on humans, animals, monsters—anything with blood.
Countless people have fallen victim to them already…
Peter
When all is said and done, the phantoms of fancy bow to the far less courteous horrors of reality.