[open] november/december catchall

[techmaturgy]

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 whitticus and on discord also at whitticus.]

Comments

[ancunin]

[ As much as he wants to poke and prod Viktor about his physical state and all its oddities, he does actually need him to not throw him out of the lab. So. Maybe he'll bother Alucard about it later instead. ]

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. ]

[techmaturgy]

It's fine. I know that it involves the draining of your blood...and a magical element, clearly.

[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?

[ancunin]

[ Clearly. He eyes the notebook warily, but makes no comment on it yet. ]

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. ]

[techmaturgy]

Yes, the bond.

[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.

[ancunin]

I understand that you seem to abhor violence in all forms, but - if he were to arrive, he will try to kill me. Or worse.

[ This is one of the few times there's no mockery in his tone, playful or otherwise. He's been extremely serious right now. ]

[techmaturgy]

Whatever is between you and Cazador...that's not my business.

[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.

[ancunin]

[ Well, that sounds like he's being blown off. Not unexpected, and - it's fine. He doesn't expect more help than what Viktor already offered. What could he even do? Bleed on Cazador? ]

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.

[techmaturgy]

Let's hope this stays in the realm of hypotheticals.

[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!

[ancunin]

[ Even fearing his master, there's a small part of him that bitterly welcomes his arrival. At least he'll finally be done with him one way or another, no more dragging things out in uncertainty, waiting for the sword to fall.

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.