[open; July adventures]

[cryptsleeper]

Who: Alucard and open
When: July
Where: Aquila, Cadens, Ikorr
What: Closed text thread; some exploring in Ikorr; and delving into the aftermath of the Free Cities
Warnings: Added as needed

Comments

[cryptsleeper]

The only question that remains is what is the rebuke?

[He clarifies, because he knows that there's no obvious answer, and it is harder given Viktor's convictions of pacificism.]

You have a little time to think on that answer. And you know the stakes, so I won't repeat them. I...just don't have answers. At least not ones you'd like.

[techmaturgy]

I don't know. That's the problem.

[He has some time to think on it, but not enough. And there's no good solution, not really. He'll just have to go to Portam Hall and see what happens.]

What would you do? Besides turn into bats.

[Viktor is not Alucard. But his own personal course of action might be helpful to hear.]

[cryptsleeper]

The bats were a compromise.

[Alucard considers how to word this, but at the end of the day, it's quite simple.]

I'd become my father in all his dark fury and destruction. Localized to the immediate room, but enough to make the point and demonstrate how much of my natural abilities I have held back on.

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor is quiet, though he allows himself a few uncharitable thoughts. For all that Alucard is concerned that Viktor will walk the same path as his father, or at least exhibit his tendencies, he's the one saying he'd emulate his destruction.

He reminds himself that this is just a fantasy--not a real plan of action. Even knowing the imagined future, he can't imagine enacting that kind of display of power.]

Scaring them into submission is a valid strategy, I suppose.

[He says, flatly. Something he could never hope to do--Viktor doesn't like the idea of making threats, especially if he doesn't actually intend to--or can't--follow through.]

[cryptsleeper]

I never said it was a good strategy. Or even a smart move. If anything, it'd just make me into a matter to be dealt with. [Alucard knows that he's stinking of hypocracy given past problems. He's also worked on owning up to just how much of his father's anger is within him. The cult situation forced that hand.]

You asked what I'd do. Not if it was viable. I don't have the kind of authority to back up a threat to an entire country. And that's what we keep running into. Individually, there's little recourse available.

[techmaturgy]

It's only nonviable because it isn't productive.

[Not that it wouldn't accomplish anything. Viktor knows that a hypothetical is a hypothetical, but this has been revealing regardless, especially given how things ended between them in the imagined future.]

I will try to reason with them. That's probably all I can do, outside of destroying the contents of my workshop.

[cryptsleeper]

It would also be entirely impulse. No planning put into it, I'd just...react. I know what parts of myself I struggle with.

[It's not an excuse. Only an acknowledgement of what the dhampir does when he feels backed into a corner.]

The very, very best thing I can suggest is to find other Summoned that you might trust with this information and who know how to deal with those in charge. Then write what you mean to say, so that nothing is missed. If you need I'll listen.

[He takes a sharp breath at the mention of destroying the workshop entirely. No one wants that, but Alucard can see how it might happen.]

Whatever you need to address this situation, you have it from me, Viktor. Support, presence, a set of hands. Just say what and when.

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor knows that he has to tell the others. His friends in Thorne deserve an explanation most of all, though he hasn't yet decided if he's going to disclose this to the Summoned at large. But it's true that some of their number might be able to provide him with some advice, specific to politics.

He can start there.]

I'll let you know. [He needs a few second opinions, just for his own peace of mind.] They might not even want to see me.

[Because, of course, they know what they did.]

/end, I think?

[cryptsleeper]

If they won't, then that's recourse too.

[Alucard is not sure if shaming the government will work, but he's all for trying. Such as it is, the best he can do is to be present and supportive.]