[March Catch-All] | Open

[cryptsleeper]

Who: Alucard + ???
When: March
Where: Not Nocwich, the Horizon, Aqulia
What: Making frowny faces at the closed portal to Nocwich, braving the Horizon, and watching the storms roll in
Warnings: Added as needed

Comments

PORTAL TO NOCWICH | OPEN

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard lingers at the closed portal to Square, arms over his chest and frown on his face. The simple truth of it all is that he is not surprised to find it closed. In fact, it’d be infinitely more surprising if Luna and Ikorr decided to go ahead with commerce after what’s happened in the past few days.

Still. The closure stings, although not nearly as much as the sense of disappointment that rolled off of Luna’s delegation as the festivities in Ikorr soured and concluded. The feeling is understandable. Luna has given much. To ask for trust is to be expected.

And yet.

The dhampir exhales, like that might fix everything.]

I hope this will not be a permanent closure.

[thedreamer]

[ It doesn't entirely surprise the Doctor, either, given everything that transpired. In the back of his mind, he'd hoped for an opportunity to speak further with those on both sides, with due caution, of course. He's an outsider, still new to most. He seeks first to understand, as much as he can, every side of a situation, but this isn't his world and he doesn't have a place to go barging in on such a precarious situation. Or rather, that's been his modus operandi all his life and he's forced to change course here.

He does fumble things, of course. Like he had the first time he'd encountered the man lingering near the portal.

Quiet as he approaches, eyes lingering only on the portal for a long moment, the Doctor observes, holding a silent worry within for everyone on either side beyond their sight now. ]

I hope that too, and I like to believe there's always a bit of hope lingering about, even when it's hard to see. It's understandable they've closed, I suppose, given what transpired.

[cryptsleeper]

A set of artefacts that are meant to cut through time murdering a well known and high class individual who orchestrated a giant crime that threatened to destroy a fragile peace does have a way of putting a damper on festivities and trading enterprise, yes.

[Alucard does not turn just yet. It is a bitterly disappointing thing, but it is better that both sides have not immediate launched into attacks against the other than....really any other outcome. What's beyond the portal could be diplomatic talks, but Alucard is not that hopeful.]

And who could have known that the giant rock could have a tantrum about it.

[thedreamer]

I absolutely wish that were only the plot of a gripping novella with a satisfying conclusion, and not something that actually happened to anyone here. Certainly opening the portal this go 'round is the least for them to worry about.

[ Not the sort of situation where you just take a day to regroup and go on carrying about as you did before. The Doctor has seen much in his travels, enough to unfortunately not be surprised that someone might have masterminded a crime like this at all. Like anyone, though (he assumes), he always hopes the occasions of events like Ikorr opening their doors after so long might have been met with a night of genuine celebration and frivolity and nothing more, concluding with the assurance they could do this again without a worry. Still, he hopes for better to come, even in the face of the opposite. ]

Yes, now that, that, is just the sort of coincidence that's actually anything but. I haven't been here nearly long enough to have an accurate measure, though, are you aware of it ever reacting quite this strongly before?

[cryptsleeper]

Vampires love drama, unfortunately.

[The words are said with a weary sigh suggesting he's experienced that combination more than a few times. It is true though, Alucard has never met a vampire that wasn't dramatic, his half-breed self included. At least he came by it honestly, his human mother was just at bad even if she denied it.

To the question about the Singularity, Alucard shakes his head no.]

I've not, and I was in the first group that was brought here, before anyone but Thorne could perform the ritual. Someone in Solvunn was able to find an expert in the so-called new gods though and found a potential lead in Umbvagher, Herald of Abberations, noted for a capricious nature. As if we needed more deities making things difficult.

[thedreamer]

[ Taking note of the sigh, he picks up that thread for a moment — ] You sound like you speak from experience. [ That's the extent to which he'll pry, though. He's trying to be more mindful of boundaries and taming his curious mind. ]

Vampires would be among the multitudes out there with an affinity for it, certainly. [ Most notably, the humans the Doctor is so fond of. ] About the only species not especially fond of drama are sky fish from Ember. Lovely things! Just float about peacefully in the crystalline fog — they love music — sorry, sorry! I go on a bit.

[ He's especially interested speaking further with someone who's been here a long while, particularly given recent events, so he clings to the lead with a bit of carefully contained enthusiasm. ]

Umbvagher, oh that's something. Umbvagher. Depending on the inflection, sounds a bit like Umber. Perhaps. With a certain accent. The one who came and went quite mysteriously when Cassia took ill.

[cryptsleeper]

Slightly. [That's all Alucard is willing to offer for the time being, given that there are much more important matters at the moment. Besides, he and Astarion are the only two with fangs these days walking amongst the Summoned.

And then suddenly, the focus is fish. The dhampir pauses, letting the moment settle and raising an eyebrow.]

You do, yes.

[The comment is dry, and Alucard very much does not pry. Not his circus or his monkeys or...fish, was it were. However, he perks immediately at the mention of Cassia's sudden illness.]

--I hadn't heard about that last part.

HORIZON | OPEN

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard’s Horizon has taken to the storms as best it can. His perpetual autumn has been replaced by the heat of highest summer in Wallachia, all blistering sun but without any leaves to offer shade. The brilliant reds, bronze oranges, and golden yellows have turned brown from the temperature, and it all mixes with a howling wind that makes no sense at all. Walking for just a minute or two brings travelers to the central cabin of the domain, whereas normally it takes fifteen minutes to an hour.

He hates it. But Alucard doesn’t hate it enough to leave. He instead sits on the porch of his cabin, the door open to let out what appears to be a rushing stream of water. Within the house is a perpetual thunderstorm with pounding rain. The porch, with the rocking chairs, is the only thing left untouched.

The chair groans gently as he rocks back and forth, looking upwards.]

If you’ve come to assess the situation across the Horizon, I regret to inform you that things are not well here.

AQULIA | OPEN

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard has been in Aqulia for work for some time now, but the nature of the storms have made him redouble his effort. If anyone asks, there’s a castle to work on for the sake of creating a new workspace and exhibition space for artists. In the wake of the current storms though, well. There’s other reasons too. But the work site is dangerous today due to the storms.

So he’s taken to the now mostly empty Andromeda Bay area, seated himself in a quiet bar that usually crawls with vacationers, all in order to watch the dust cloud rise over the city itself. Beside him is large hat and a thick scarf meant to protect against the storms.

He frowns as the windows rattle. Takes a small sip of the tea he’s ordered.]

Just watching it feels like the end of something unknowable.

[techmaturgy]

[The door to the bar opens--the figure in the frame is ominously backlit by the coming storms, and might even be intimidating, if not for the fact that the silhouette is immediately betrayed by its crooked posture.

Vitkor is wearing full desert gear and also a hat, befitting of someone with a slightly fragile constitution who still has business in Aquila, despite the weather. Sand blows in behind him through the door, which he forces closed with some amount of effort by bracing his shoulder against it. Given the current situation (and the fact that he's out and about at all), he's forgone his crutch in favor of the bulky metal exoskeleton he wears on occasion, and the groan of metal as he clomps his way over to Alucard's table is slightly disconcerting.]

It's the end of these actuators, that's certain.

[Another creak, this time as he pulls up a chair and sits. Viktor divests himself of hat and goggles and gloves and respirator, then starts digging around in one of his many pockets and pouches for a little metal brush, which he will use to scrub sand out of the joints. ]

How delayed are we?

[cryptsleeper]

Do you have any spares, or is this about to become a parts issue as well?

[Alucard isn't surprised that Viktor's decided to rely on the exoskeleton for the time being. Truth be told, it'd be stranger if he didn't given the storms. Hell, Alucard's having problems.

He pauses, scanning Viktor's clothing for anything that looks like a brush outline. No dice, and he isn't about to pat his friend all over either.]

For now, only by a day or two. The nice thing about working in a former dungeon is that it is rather well protected against these storms. Getting there, however, that's the trick. I may just buy provisions and camp out there for a few days to make up for time.

[techmaturgy]

[He shakes his head, finally finding what he's looking for in one of his meany pockets. Viktor produces what seems to be a portable repair kit, and starts lining up tools from within it--the aforementioned metal brush, an air puffer, a travel-sized oil can. He'll get to work and carry on the conversation while fastidiously cleaning sand out of his metal joints. That should help.]

I have what I need at the workshop.

[In fact, that might be where he's staying. It's not as spacious as the main base of operations in Cadens, but it will suffice, and save him a few trips back and forth from Aquila. Even with the portal, the weather makes things needlessly difficult.]

If nothing else, it's a good test case for how it might hold up in poor conditions.

[cryptsleeper]

Can I get you something to drink after you're done with the work?

[Alucard can smell coffee in the air, and truthfully, it is a welcome scent. Reassuring and warm in a way that the dust storms are cold and awful and nondescript while still being present with the faint scent of ozone. There's life in the smell, he supposes.

At least Viktor has what he needs near by. Alucard wouldn't mind doing a portal run if need be, but....apparently those are questionable now.]

It is, as well as a good means of seeing what other stressors we haven't considered yet. If the roads are clear tomorrow, I may pack food for a few days along with some blankets and stay for several nights. [Alucard pauses, tilting his head slightly.] Or is that overzealous?

[techmaturgy]

Let's see how I feel once I finish.

[As in, Viktor doesn't want to commit to anything while he's busy. He's here in Aquila to provide continued assistance to the bunker project, and despite being safely out of the wind, he's not quite ready to relax.]

No, it's best to stay put, especially if the weather continues to be unpredictable. Besides, if you stay in the bunker, you might get an idea of what it might be like to actually use it.

[gynvael]

[ Geralt does not often travel to Aquila without business, but given the state of...everything, he's made a point of examining the situation in neighbouring cities. Just in case. His trip with Steve was only days ago; they uncovered more questions than answers, but at least nobody uncovered them spying on the soldiers.

It's coincidence that he passes by the tavern where Alucard is seated. Geralt tilts his head, then decides fuck it and steps inside. He shakes the sand from his cloak. It clings to his hair, sticks to his boots, is generally just a fucking nuisance. He'd rather be buried in a blizzard any day. At least snow will melt. No matter how much he tips out his saddlebags, there's sand in every nook and cranny.

He sits at the table without invitation, setting down a silver coin for his drink. ]

You were always were prone to dramatics.

[cryptsleeper]

As are all vampires. It appears to be a constant across spheres.

[Geralt's welcome. The man knows it well enough by now, and Alucard is happy enough for the company. Storm watching is starting to become a hobby now, seemingly out of requirement.

He glances towards Geralt's cloak.]

I'm trying to develop a spell that removes sand in an instant. It's proving surprisingly difficult.

[gynvael]

[ Geralt makes an expression of acquiescence. Can't argue with that. He gives the hood of his cloak another shake and strips off his gloves. He's been caught in desert storms before in the wastelands, but it's different when it's blowing through the cities. Especially for such a length of time.

Lightning flickers through the windows. He pours his ale when the jug lands on the table. ]

Any side effects?

[ He's imagining Alucard displacing inordinate amounts of sand onto inconvenient surfaces. ]

[cryptsleeper]

Doesn't work great for hair, which is a strong drawback.

[So Geralt's correct. Far too correct.]

I can do the gloves, if you'd like to see an example.

[gynvael]

[ Good to know.

A pause. What could it hurt?

Geralt slides his gloves over. They're supple and fairly new, which suggests either a gift or he recently lost his gear to some monster's gullet.

Then he covers his cup of ale with a hand. As a precaution. ]

Closed, Hilda's office in Old Public Hall

[cryptsleeper]

I've finished checking and reinforcing everything. If there's damage to the building in any capacity, that means the storm is much too fierce.

[Alucard's means of announcing himself in Hilda's office is really just a way to strategize what they might have to do if something really does break. With the storms, wind, and dust rolling in, it had felt only fair to go to each of the buildings that he had worked on in some capacity and assess their current state. Alucard was not worried about the newer constructions in Libertas, but Old Public Hall? As an older building, it gave him pause.

Still. Everything seemed fine with a few small exceptions, and now all that's left to do is to pick up his hat and thick scarf he has been using to brave the outside.]

Is there any thing else you need me to take a look at?

[theidlemaiden]

[ While Alucard had been preparing the Old Public Hall, Hilda had been frantically bustling around the space getting others organized and ensuring that Alucard had everything he needed. She had been pouring over the agreed upon plans just to ensure that they hadn't forgotten anything. It's only upon his return that she looks up, relieved. ]

Thank you. I know you had a lot going on earlier with reinforcing your office.

[ Her normally breezy, sparkly persona seems somewhat frazzled which has less to do with a physical disheveled quality and more of a frenetic energy. ]

Maybe just the window above my desk. The last thing I want is glass shattering down onto me.

[cryptsleeper]

It's fine. It let me figure out a few quirks before coming here, actually.

[Which is a true statement. Alucard had spent a few solid hours trying to figure out the best way to create and set the reinforcement spells, and he was now snoozing in the office overnight as a wolf to make sure that nothing broke in the late hours. It was fine.

What's not fine is Hilda's energy. It is unusual to get the wave of something close to overwhelmed from her. The dhampir chooses not to comment, instead simply walking over to the indicated window. He begins by running his hand over the whole of the frame, a faint green light following in his wake.]

That's easily done. The lower floors are at less of a risk overall, but it also means that something breaking can be much more devastating.

[theidlemaiden]

[ Is it fine though? Before arriving here Hilda had never really seen the meaning of "married to the job" - but she was beginning to see it in person.

(She's teasing. Mostly. Because she's doing the same thing about her office and place of work too. Although she doesn't plan on sleeping here tonight.) ]

Well hopefully that won't happen. Not with you here, now!

[ There's her usual obvious, cheerful levity in her voice but it's still clear that something is off. ]

I was just going to have someone help me board it up with some wood! But then I realized that might hurt the integrity of the structure around the window and decided against it. You're a lifesaver.

[cryptsleeper]

[Look, sometimes you're married to the job, sometimes you just have a workspouse. Life contains multitudes.]

If it does, tell me right away. As long as it's safe to go out, I can help fix the damage.

[Nimble fingers trace a number of delicate circles on the glass itself, and then....a horizontal lines. Like wood boarding the window up.]

It wouldn't do too much harm to the structure - at least, not this part. Some of the higher up windows would have issues. Nearly done--

[With a little boop to the center of the window, the green light fades. Alucard turns around, then leans his forearms on the back of Hilda's chair, hovering ever so slightly.]

Now I'm done.

[theidlemaiden]

[ Even as he works he can probably hear the arch of her eyebrow in her voice. ]

Once we're done here I'm not planning on leaving! I'm going to stay right in my cozy loft where it's wind and sand free thank you very much.

[ And she planned on telling the rest of the team at the Old Public Hall to stay home too. Just because the Abraxians might have been used to sandstorms this feels more extreme than your average sandstorm.

Begrudgingly she huffs- ]

Thank you. [ And then - ] You better not be thinking about spending more time out there than necessary too, mister.