Viktor (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
techmaturgy) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
abraxaslogs2023-11-15 10:32 pm
techmaturgy) wrote in abraxaslogs2023-11-15 10:32 pm
[open] november/december catchall
Who: Viktor and special guests and you
When: throughout November/December
Where: Cadens, the Horizon, Nocwich
What: open stuff, closed stuff, whatever I WANT
Warnings: will add as things come up!
[open and closed starters in comments! If you want a custom starter or something specific, just hit me up. full horizon details are here for any and all wildcarding needs. For everything else, I’m on plurk at ![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
whitticus and on discord also at whitticus.]
When: throughout November/December
Where: Cadens, the Horizon, Nocwich
What: open stuff, closed stuff, whatever I WANT
Warnings: will add as things come up!
no subject
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.]
no subject
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? ]
no subject
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.]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
[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.]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
[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?
no subject
Mm - ? Oh, yes. Very much so. [ His wry grin is maybe a touch more genuine than usual. ] Thank you, Viktor.
[ And of course, he's thinking about mentioning the connection between Viktor's blood and Alucard's scent - his gaze slips down to Viktor's forearm again with a curious look.
What's a 'polite' way to do this... ]
Have you ever looked at your own blood under the glass?
no subject
Or, perhaps for now, Astarion is just curious.]
I have, yes.
[Among other things. He sees no reason to lie.]
no subject
And when you were looking at mine earlier, did you notice any glaring differences? [ One arm uncrosses to make a vague gesture. ] Or, perhaps, some similarities...?
[ What is subtly, he doesn't know her.
He's prepared with a hammer next, though. ]
no subject
[Or, at least, give the impression of having been living tissue in recent memory. Viktor raises an eyebrow at Astarion--he knows exactly what he's getting at, so there must have been something detectable in his blood, but there's still enough plausible deniability that he has no inclination to explain.
If anything, Astarion should explain the whole...undead aspect of this, but Viktor is fine taking things one step at a time. He can't expect the other man to be forthcoming when he himself has not disclosed his own personal experience with vampirism.]
But that's good, that the differences are noticeable. It means I have something to work with.
no subject
[ He peers at Viktor. There's certainly something off about him, besides the itty bitty hint of dhampir in his system. He doesn't taste of disease. But there's something... lacking. Malnourished, maybe? Or perhaps recovering from some past illness.
He waves his hand. ]
I'm kidding. But yes, I'm technically deceased. Risen from the grave and all that.
[ Literally. He was forced to claw his own way out. Astarion grimaces. ]
no subject
[Not that he thinks Astarion could tell the difference, just by peering into the microscope. He stares for a moment, challenging, until Astarion breaks the tension. His shoulders relax, just slightly, and nods at the confirmation.]
Like I said, it may be difficult to reverse your...physical condition. But if we target your specific disadvantages, brought about by the, eh, conversion, that could be a start.
no subject
As much as I'd love to give you more details about the process, I wasn't very conscious throughout most of it. [ And what he does remember is pain. Horrific pain. His frown lines deepen. ] And my master wasn't exactly the forthcoming type. Asking wasn't an option.
So let's see... disadvantages. [ He counts off his fingers as he lists them off. ] Being bound to the one who turned me - we already went over that one. Turning to ash in the sun, needing an invitation to entire private residences - both of which you might have noticed aren't a current issue, which I've been led to believe is thanks to the benevolence of a giant rock. But I prefer not to gamble with that one so...
[ A major lie, of course. He knows most of his vampiric banes have been nullified not thanks to the Singularity, but the tadpole lodged behind his eye. But the only one who could contradict him is Haelva, and why would she? He sighs, looking down at the three fingers he's already counted off and adding a fourth - ]
Food meant for the living tastes like chewing on wood at best, and wine might as well be vinegar. [ He opens his hand for the fifth. ] I can only be sustained by blood.
[ And as fun as it may be to feed while in the midst of battle, the constant pain is a problem. He still has nightmares of that year spent imprisoned in the dark, starving. ]
no subject
[For Astarion to be dead, technically, but still walking and talking.]
Or a pathogen.
[But maybe not. Viktor has been working with magic long enough not to dismiss it as an explanation. As Astarion lists his disadvantages, Viktor pulls a notebook towards him and starts to write.]
I don't like the idea of you relying on the Singularity to not burn up in the sun. That seems like a priority target, yes?
no subject
That and the bond.
[ Both are top priority. And with that in mind... ]
If a vampire calling himself Cazador turns up in any future Summonings, I'll need to know. Immediately.
[ So he can kill him, since the ritual is off the table in this world. ]
no subject
[He's reminded, again, of how the Singularity supplants those kinds of connections. It would be prudent to ask Astarion if he's felt anything unusual, or different, upon arrival. If he senses something is missing.
Maybe they'll only find out if this Cazador arrives.]
I wish I could say his arrival is impossible. But, I believe that once the ritual has a...lock, so to speak, on a particular world, it's easier to continue summoning from that world. We should be prepared.
no subject
[ This is one of the few times there's no mockery in his tone, playful or otherwise. He's been extremely serious right now. ]
no subject
[It's not an endorsement of violence, rather, a recognition that if push comes to shove, there will be very little Viktor can do about it either way. He can't stop Astarion from defending himself, or...proactively solving the problem. He's more than aware of his own limitations.
That said, he knows he isn't powerless.]
But I will do what I can to defend you from him, if necessary.
no subject
Right, of course not -
[ He starts to grimace again and shrug, and - oh, wait. He's offering to assist after all? Um. He gives Viktor an uncertain look. ]
... er, alright. [ A pause. ] I... appreciate that.
no subject
[Because, even if he would do what he could to keep Astarion safe, he would rather not deal with the situation at all. The best thing he can do, he thinks, to avoid potential violence is to sever this bond that Astarion has with his master--if it hasn't been replaced by the Singularity, already.
For now, though, he thinks they've discussed enough. He doesn't want to push his luck.]
I'll analyze these samples and let you know if I find anything. In the meantime...try to stay out of trouble.
wrap!
He laughs loudly at that last part, though, grinning handsomely at Viktor - ignoring those sharpened teeth and the discussion of murder not less than a minute ago. ]
I'll try my best, darling.