[open] may catchall

[techmaturgy]

Who: Viktor and special guests and YOU
When: throughout May
Where: Cadens, the Horizon
What: open stuff, closed stuff, quest stuff, general nerdery, horizon visits, whatever I WANT
Warnings: the usual references to terminal illness, will list additional warnings as needed.

[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 at whitticus#8139.]

Comments

[techmaturgy]

I think…all of that is reasonable.

[More than reasonable. Generous. Above and beyond what Viktor has ever had anyone do for him. He sounds almost surprised, letting out a breath he’s not sure he knew he was holding. His plate is, momentarily forgotten, though his hand stays curled around the stem of the wine glass, as if it’s some sort of anchor.

For all of his transgressions—intended or otherwise—Viktor has been steadfast in only harming himself. Now that someone else’s literal blood is in the mix, he needs to, at least, make some effort to minimize consequences. It’s not just him, now.]

We’ll move forward as much as you are comfortable with. If at any point you decide we need to stop, we’ll stop.

[Even if it’s at the cost of his own life. To go beyond these parameters, as he says, would be a violation. Viktor is willing to take that risk.]

[cryptsleeper]

[Okay, now he can chug the wine.

Which Alucard does, but in as class a way as he possibly can. He bring the glass up to his lips and takes a long sip, pausing every so often to make it look as if he's maybe considering pausing. But no, he's going to keep going until there's only half a glass left.

The tension is too heavy. Better to be practical right now.]

In that case, I believe the first step would be designing an experiment with the tissue sample, yes?

[Alucard wonders if he should make consequences clear if this agreement is violated.

Then again, Viktor can probably guess.]

[techmaturgy]

[In other circumstances, Viktor might raise an eyebrow, but for now he thinks that chugging wine is a completely appropriate response to this conversation. He doesn't follow suit, though he does take a long sip so he doesn't feel like he needs to fill the silence. Part of him wants to ask if he should draft up some kind of contract to sign.

Nonetheless, the terms are clear. Viktor does not expect to violate the agreement, and figures "under penalty of death" is good enough motivation. (Then he considers that it's all under penalty of death either way, so maybe a more accurate way to put it is "under penalty of murder".)]

Yes, I can draw up some potential avenues to explore. We can review it together.

[For now, however, he thinks he'd just like to enjoy the meal, as much as they can, after a discussion like this.]

[cryptsleeper]

Within the next few days then. My work on the Hall is simple enough to start and stop at the moment that you are not taking me away from anything.

[Alucard knows that on Viktor's end, time is of the essence. His schedule and work is not as important as Viktor's. It isn't his life and well being on the line.

So that's the awkward part of this done. That'll do.]

For whatever it is worth, this still isn't the most awkward dinner discussion I've ever had.

[techmaturgy]

I can come find you there.

[The Old Public Hall makes this kind of thing easy--not that he's going to bring any sensitive information or samples, but it's helpful to have a place to coordinate, especially when they can post up some very convenient "CONSTRUCTION - DO NOT ENTER" signs.

The comment about an awkward dinner discussion does, of course, get a breathy laugh out of him. Surely talk about a little blood magic can't hold a candle to some of the things Alucard must have seen. Viktor will concede that much.]

I'll have to take your word for it.

[An indication that he certainly won't pry.]

[cryptsleeper]

That'll do.

[It's nice, having a quiet haven to do all kinds of work. The space isn't a lab or the endless road - but it is an open, private space that affords this sort of thing.

And...there. Viktor's figured out the Alucard code of not prying. At least about certain things. There's a small, soft flicker of recognition.]

Thank you. I think we can aim for an entirely non-awkward desert if we try very hard.