abraxaslogs | [open] november/december catchall

[Viktor fixes Astarion with a look--part confusion, part disbelief, as if he's not entirely certain that the plan is to simply slash him open and collect the blood. He shakes his head and gestures for Astarion to wait a moment, producing a few more things from a different cabinet. The small leather box seems delicate, and it's soon accompanied by a brown bottle, a glass container of cotton gauze, and a roll of silver tools.]

We don't want to contaminate the sample.

[He opens the little box to reveal glass syringes and fine needles, which he takes a moment to assemble before stepping away once more to wash his hands.]

Your arm, please.

[Viktor gestures for Astarion to roll up his sleeve and offer the inside of his elbow.]

[ What? He thought it was only polite to offer. With a shrug he turns to lean his back against the table they're using, eyeing the new set of tools dubiously as they're produced. Somewhere in the mention of contaminates is a naughty little joke, though it fails to materialize in his head.

His nose wrinkles slightly at the needles, but it's a reaction mostly for show. This all seems slightly more complicated than it needs to be. It's not like he's susceptible to infection like a living person. But, what does he know?

With his sleeved carefully rolled back above his elbow, he leans over to offer it in Viktor's direction. ]

I'm all yours. [ He lets his voice and smile lean suggestive for not reason other than wondering if it might make Viktor squirm a bit. Which, in hindsight, is probably not the best time to experiment with such a thing while the man is holding sharp implements in his direction - he just can't help himself.

His forearm is as pale, if not paler than Viktor's own. There's something pretty, if unnatural about its near translucency, his skin perfectly smooth and unmarred. Blue veins stand out strikingly, not unlike they would on a dehydrated person. Easier to see, but thin and maybe slightly more difficult to tap. ]

Edited 2023-11-19 22:15 (UTC)

[If he finds Astarion's tone and body language suggestive, he doesn't acknowledge it. In fact, it's highly likely he doesn't notice at all (or, at least, is just very good at ignoring it when there's work to be done). For someone who is decidedly not a doctor, he seems well practiced with this kind of thing. First, antiseptic on the area, then he prepares the syringe.

Viktor has long, precise fingers, and his hands exhibit a certain economy of movement as he seeks out the vein. There's a slight downturn of the corners of his mouth, concentration and consternation all in one expression. He runs cold himself, but the chill he feels from Astarion is unnatural.

He does, at least, know what he's doing. There's just a pinch, and then the syringe starts to fill. He frowns, again, at the color of the blood--slightly darker than it should be, though that's not exactly indicative of anything, not yet. Viktor will draw a few vials, if Astarion allows, and in the meantime he figures he should get some answers.]

Is there something specific you'd like to test for?

[Sort of a gentle way of asking what all this is about.]

[ Viktor might not be a doctor but he's still at the very least one step above the man back at camp offering to dig around their leader's eye socket with an ice pick.

As Viktor gets started Astarion distracts himself watching his hands work, idly coming up with more than a few indecent things to say about how slender and deft they are and how else they might be used. But standing this close to each other for the first time - he picks up a faint, odd scent from Viktor's skin. It distracts him for a second before he answers: ]

Oh? Hm. Well - it was actually a... mutual acquaintance that suggested I turn to your equipment. [ And also ask for help with it, but you know. He grimaces slightly. ] Alucard and I both have similar afflictions. I'd hoped he might have knowledge of a cure, something to - [ he waves the arm not being attended to ] - reverse the original process - without killing me again, of course.

[ But sadly, Alucard had proved useless for that information. ]

[The whole process doesn't take more than a few minutes. When Viktor is finished, he's taken several vials of blood, two of which he stops up and sets aside. He'll spin those in the centrifuge later. The third tube he'll use to prepare a slide, but not before he presses gauze against the pinprick.]

How similar?

[From what Viktor understands, Alucard does not wish to be cured. In fact, many of the abilities that he possesses due to his heritage afford him a distinct advantage in most venues. Even the vampires of Nocwich seem content--so to hear Astarion describe this as an affliction in need of a cure has him raising an eyebrow.]

My understanding is that Alucard is only half vampire.

[No sense in obfuscating, now that Astarion has more-or-less admitted why he's here.]

[ Well, now that that's out of the way...

When Viktor tries to press the gauze on him, Astarion pulls his arm away. Not forcefully, but with a definite sense of I'm done being touched now, thank you very much. He'll press the gauze down himself for only a few seconds longer before discarding it carelessly on the table. ]

Ah, yes, that. His kind exist in my realm, though they're quite rare. [ He'd never actually met one before. He wrinkles his nose. ] I'm... let's call it in a transitionary state. They call us vampire spawn. [ He's speaking rather carelessly about all of this, but beneath his words is a simmering anger that Viktor might catch onto. ]

A full-fledged vampire turned me. I suffer all of their weaknesses and few of their powers, for on and on and ever, until he decides he offer me his blood and make me his equal. Which will never happen, because on top of torturing me for two centuries - [ he's near shouting at this point, his features twisted up as he seethes: ] - he also plans to sacrifice me in some insane pact he made with a gods-damned devil!

[ A beat, and he takes a deep breath, then exhales in a huff. Calms down (relatively). ]

So. [ He runs a hand down the front of his shirt to smooth it. ] Any other questions?

[Viktor busies himself with the slide for about as long as it takes Astarion to raise his voice, and then his hands still. The shouting is a bit much, but that doesn't mean the content isn't concerning. He listens, and waits, and after Astarion finishes he appears to need a moment to process all this information.]

I--yes. In a moment.

[He has lots, actually, but he's currently separating the actual task at hand with what sounds like a great deal of baggage from Astarion's home world. Viktor knows a bit about vampire disadvantages from Alucard, but it will eventually be helpful to determine just what, exactly, Astarion considers such.]

I may be able to help you.

[There's no certainty, here, but given his curing of his own illness, he can at least determine where to start.]

But I'm not-- [A doctor. A biologist. Qualified for this at all. His experiment involving physiological augmentation was performed only once. And yet--] --certain. It depends on what this...process...entailed. What it did to you, physically.

[Which is why they're going to examine his blood, presumably. He stops there, not sure how much more Astarion wants to share.]

[ Viktor has treated him fairly for a month, which is apparently the very, very low bar necessary for anyone to reach in order for Astarion to feel comfortable loudly sharing certain details of his past and his current status.

He tsks and shrugs when Viktor speaks of uncertainty. When was the last time anything was certain for him - well, barring the certainty of pain and torture and misery? There's no need to worry about raising his hopes just to disappoint him, he has zero expectations in all of this. But even just having the option to pursue is something, at least. Especially now that he's not stuck chasing down cultists and Elder Brains and wondering which one of his new companions might be a shapechanger waiting to cut his head off in the middle of the night! ]

Well - what does that tell you? [ he leans his hip against the table, pointing at the slide that's been prepared. ]

Let's see.

[Viktor notes the dodging of his question, though he supposes it's only fair, as he didn't really frame it as such. He finishes preparing the slide, then fixes it into the microscope, peering into it to put the sample into focus. While he does that, he continues his train of thought, perhaps with the hope that Astarion will chime back in with specifics.]

I think we could do this one of two ways. The first is to reverse whatever ritual or process put you in this state. The second--and this might be the easier approach--would be to target specific disadvantages, as you said, and work to negate them.

Hmmm. [ he hums thoughtfully, stalling. Because truth be told, he didn't think any of this out beyond see what happens. ]

Well, to start, the original process involved a vampire lord draining me dry. I suppose it's the bite the passes on the - let's call it a curse.

[ He won't go into the gory specifics right now. Not unless pressed. And yes, Viktor might not be a healer or doctor or whatever kind of specialist might apply here, but let's not forget that there's a supernatural component to his affliction. ]

When I next awoke, I was like this. [ He motions with both hands from his shoulders down to his hips, then waves one hand in front of his own face. ] Fangs and red eyes. No reflection. [ a dramatic flourish of the same arm ] And forevermore compelled to follow the sadistic whims of the bastard who did this to me! Which is a connection I hoped to permanently sever by killing him - [ and, well, he still plans to... ] - but for now I'll take whatever I can get.

[ Which, currently, is a lethal parasite in his brain.

... he's still deciding whether or not that's relevant to all of this. ]

Call it whatever you need.

[He doesn’t seem pressed by the fact that there’s a clear supernatural element involved, almost as if he has some experience in the matter. What does get his attention is the reference to a bond—Viktor wonders if that connection, like others, has been supplanted by a link to the Singularity. If Astarion would notice such a thing, in the (presumed) absence of said vampire lord. The intent to murder, well. He’ll unpack that later.

All of that, however, seems far too personal to address, not when so many of his other questions are being deftly sidestepped. Viktor pulls back from the microscope and invites Astarion to have a look for himself, not that he would be able to discern what he’s seeing without supplemental explanation.]

I don’t see anything here too different from the sample of an ordinary human. A bit…deoxygenated. A more thorough study of your physiology might be required.

[Though he’s not so presumptuous to assume that Astarion will permit that—he phrases it like it’s an option he can pursue or decline. No obligation.]

Does your blood have any particular properties? Regenerative ability, perhaps?

[ One wary look later and he'll take Viktor's place at the lenses. Just as Viktor predicted, he has very little idea of what he's looking at - other than a bunch of dark-ish dots. He's not sure what he was expecting exactly, and after not too long he's stepping aside again, arms crossed over his chest. ]

I regenerate more quickly than most of the living, yes. [ It's been slowed down a bit since he gained the tadpole, though. One of the downsides, for whatever reason.

He's decided right now not to mention the passenger hanging out just behind his eye. Maybe people here are tolerant of vampires - he can't be sure that tolerance extends to someone in constant danger of bursting out of their own skin and transforming into an illithid. ]

What would a more thorough study entail, exactly?

Have you ever tested its effect on someone else?

[Viktor knows more than he's letting on, given his research with Alucard's blood, and the integral role it played in his surgery. If Astarion and Alucard are at all similar, even in small ways, that might be a good place to start.

He also can't help but notice the fact that Astarion doesn't seem to consider himself among the living, hence the suggestion for some kind of work-up. Viktor will have to ask for further clarification from Alucard after this, though it does make him feel a bit guilty, that he's already planning to discuss this behind Astarion's back.]

A physical, to start. Like the one you might receive from a doctor. And I'll analyze these samples to see if they reveal anything with regards to your...disadvantages. The biological source of them, perhaps.

What? [ He gives Viktor a surprised look, then one of distaste. ] No. Why?

[ He's only a spawn, his blood doesn't serve a purpose the way his maker's would - as far as he's aware.

Unless this is some kink shit.

The topic of a physical and samples gets ignored in favor of stepping closer to Viktor again and eyeing him pointedly, breathing in deep through his nose to satisfy a curiosity - there's always been a slightly strange smell following him around, they're just not usually quite close enough for him to tell if it's coming from him, or just a whiff of something he's working on, or something else -

Also, he hadn't been recently in close proximity to Alucard.

What have they been getting up to...?

Another pointed look: ]

Is this your way of asking for a taste? [ And then he takes a step back. ] Because the answer will be no.

[ You're not his type. Also, he's trying not to mix business and pleasure anymore. It gets messy. ]

Edited 2023-11-27 22:31 (UTC)

Curiosity. I've heard of vampire blood used in elixirs. Medicines, that sort of thing. If you have known abilities in that regard, it could help me isolate specific properties, perhaps even the ones that cause your disadvantages.

[Sort of a lie, that first part, but it seems best not to divulge his own prior experimentations with vampire blood. Besides, he's still figuring out how it all works. Just because something is true of Alucard or the Nocwich vampires doesn't mean it's true of every vampire in the universe--that much is readily apparent here.

Still, this is all very invasive, which Astarion makes readily known. Viktor shakes his head, pulling back.]

I'm not interested. [Astarion doesn't have to worry about that, at least.] Though, if you'll indulge one more personal question, are you...subsisting? Do you have a reliable source?

[Because he can imagine that might be a hard sell, and Viktor doesn't really like the idea of one of his employees enduring...food insecurity. In a manner of speaking.]

[ Oh. He's 'heard' of these elixirs and tonics made of vampire blood. And just 'happens' to smell a bit vampire-y.

Right.

Astarion is already giving Viktor an openly suspicious look at the explanation, and then his eyebrows shoot up at the next question. Excuse?

Okay, look. He's failed to get Viktor to squirm even once, so at this point he's going to cut the shit, otherwise they'll be here forever: ]

Are you... offering?

[ Because, weird little friend, you don't appear to be the healthiest donor.

Not that that's an automatic no... it's more... the rest of the conversation putting him slightly off. ]

Your situation is complicated. [And he imagines most people might not be keen on assisting Astarion, in this department. A gesture, to the additional tubes in the centrifuge.] And you're putting some amount of trust in me. If you need anything else, I'm amenable.

[Alucard might not be, though, and it occurs to him that he should probably pump the brakes on all of this and consult him. It's tempting, in the wake of Astarion's suspicious expression, to remind him that he is the one who asked for assistance to begin with, but despite Viktor's general lack of tact, he can recognize when things need a lighter touch. Astarion likely doesn't want to be more indebted to him than he has to be, not that he's familiar enough with Viktor to know that he isn't that kind of person.

(He's reminded, again, of how indelicate he is, in interpersonal matters. How if this business was still a partnership, instead of a solo operation, he could have just done the work. How he wants to try, despite that.)

Viktor discards the used needle and begins to arrange the metal tools back in their case.]

Whatever we do with these findings--and how we proceed--is up to you.

[ The suspicion has started to fade from his expression, though he continues to read Viktor's face, seeking something. Some catch, some part of this bargain that he could be missing. The stakes are far lesser than they were back home - yes, he's giving Viktor some measure of trust, but vampires aren't treated like vermin to be exterminated here. He's come to accept some relative understanding of safety in his time 'settling in'.

Telling him that everything will be up to him - well - ]

Alright. [ He seems for a moment almost oddly conflicted by his own answer, a pinch at his brow. ]

Just as long as we're clear that no one - [ he looks pointedly at Viktor ] - plans on consuming any samples. [ he wrinkles his nose, reminded of the blood merchant - strangely for the first time this afternoon. Surprisingly, he actually doesn't think they're alike at all.

A pause, then with a slight frown and a dismissive wave of his hand. ]

And - so you know, I'm subsisting well enough for now. [ On animals mostly, which isn't ideal - ] But I'm not opposed to supplementing my current diet.

[ He only feeds off of Haelva once a month, and the occasional Draconae visiting the Free Cities. It's not really enough, not compared to how often he had humanoids in his diet before coming here. Viktor's right to assume he doesn't want to be indebted to anyone in that particular way - it's part of why he refused Haelva the first time. But with the way things are, the more options the better, spread out so he's not beholden to one person for this. ]

[Well, that seems to have been at least a little convincing, and Viktor's shoulders relax a bit, releasing some of their tension. The last thing he wants is for Astarion to think he has nefarious motives, or that he would jeopardize him by taking advantage of the samples that he plans to analyze.]

I promise. [They don't know each other well, but hopefully this will mean something to him.] Nothing leaves this workshop without your permission.

[It's the same terms he agreed to with Alucard, really. Viktor is already thinking about involving Nadine, but it might be wise not to push too quickly, too soon. They already have enough to think about. He gives Astarion a nod.]

It's an open-ended offer.

[Viktor doesn't outright ask if he needs it now, but he'll leave the door open, so to speak.]

Edited 2023-11-30 21:59 (UTC)

[ Well. This has been. Something. He's still doubtful that Viktor will come up with any solutions for him, but there's always a chance. Another way to keep his options open.

And, you know, nefarious motives are fine in general. If Viktor had a secret torture dungeon in the basement of this place he'd mostly be annoyed it took him this long to share. All he cares about is not ending up a victim to someone's nefarious motives.

Although he's moved on to larger prey, he still does the majority of his hunting at night. Which means he manages his constant hunger during the daylight hours, right now a low-grade pain in his middle and itch in the back of his throat.

So, when offered the chance to ease it... ]

Well - no time like the present, is there? [ He holds out a hand, tilting his chin down with a pleasant smile.

Are you really sure about this? ]

[It sure has been something. Astarion might have his doubts, but Viktor is already thinking of avenues to explore. More will be revealed once he runs the additional blood samples, so right now he'll just be glad that the conversation didn't implode.

Except, now is the part where Viktor has to admit to himself that he's playing a dangerous game. It's possible he offered in the first place to sate his own curiosity--to see if there's anything detectable in his own blood, that would reveal what he did to himself, in search of a cure.

He should halt this. He should check with Alucard, first, to get on the same page. But he doesn't. He rolls up his sleeve, instead.]

I trust the arm is suitable?

[Viktor has seen the two puncture wounds on Astarion's neck. That, in particular, feels a bit too intimate.]

Edited 2023-12-02 04:23 (UTC)

[ He gives a small, careless shrug, his head tilting this way and that in neither a conclusive nod or shake. ]

It's good enough.

[ If he's asking his honest opinion. When hunting he prefers the neck, but he also generally doesn't have to worry about not killing his victim. Given certain parts of the previous conversation, and the late reminder of that wretched drow, it's all probably for the best anyway.

He takes a step forward into Viktor's space, waiting for him to offer his arm. ]

This won't be anything excruciating, but it won't be painless either. I hope you're not the squeamish type.

[ Fair warning. ]

I'm not worried.

[And he's not exactly a stranger to pain. Even before curing his illness, he considered his tolerance fairly high. And after, well. He doubts anything will compare to what he felt during the procedure. The one concern, beyond whatever might be detectable in his blood, is that he does not know Astarion and therefore doesn't know if he's able to control himself.

So when he offers his arm, his other hand reaches for his crutch. Viktor plays it off as needing it for some stability, but as he grasps the handle his finger searches for the button on the underside, just in case.]

[ (Perception check, 9: he's too distracted by the prospect of a quick meal to notice anything amiss about that grip - although the presence of the crutch in general makes him feel like this is PROBABLY a bad idea...) ]

Just be ready to say when.

[ Not that he's not going to stop, but - just to be sure.

With that, he lifts the offered arm to his mouth, the fangs that puncture his flesh will feel like two shards of ice sinking down into an artery just enough to get a coppery trail going. And while he's definitely had healthier donors, there's a hint of something unique to the taste that hits his tongue, matching the scent he caught on Viktor's skin whenever he got close - the one that seems to match a certain dhampir.

It's not awful, more like... noticing someone else's perfume on a partner.

Probably because of that - and despite his earlier warning for Viktor to pipe up when he's had enough, Astarion pulls away on his own after maybe twenty seconds, wiping any stray blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. ]

I'm ready.

[If this goes on a moment longer than he wants it, he's prepared. Viktor remains still, not wanting to accidentally harm either of them, and he sucks in a breath when the fangs plunge into his arm. It's colder than he might have expected, but to Astarion's credit, he is efficient.

He spends the few minutes it takes wondering if and when Astarion is going to express some kind of surprise, but he doesn't. Maybe that's good. Maybe that means there's nothing unusual, or detectable. At the release, Viktor lets out an exhale of his own.]

Sufficient?

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