[open] the first work of the Arts Restoration Committee

[cryptsleeper]

Who: Alucard and [open]
When: Throughout the month
Where: Libertas, the Horizon
What: One half of the newly created Arts Restoration Committee begins the first assignment in Libertas; sometimes loafs in the Horizon
Warnings: Added as needed

Comments

LIBERTAS: A giant, open field

[cryptsleeper]

[In a city now moved from recovery to restoration, it is easier to see the scars left on the land. Great open lots exists where there were one homes, businesses, theaters, places for the public to gather. Each has the potential for reuse and rebuilding.

The one lot that has become a field of plush, green grass in the middle of January is no different, although it has been marked off with a small wrought iron fence. Signs attached to the fencing at precise intervals read Park coming soon - please keep off the grass.

Alucard, however, is on the opposite side of the grass, seated near one of the fences. Beside him is a tool kit of drawing implements and rulers, in front of him is what looks to be a map of the field itself, with little additions to it.

A pencil rolls away onto the sidewalk, and he groans as it goes just out of reach.]

Pardon, can you grab that thing right next to you?

[theidlemaiden]

[ Since their return from Luna, Hilda has been dividing her time between Cadens and Libertas doing what she had been doing before: not much of anything. The guilt she feels freeloading off of her friends (which isn't entirely true since she's been doing small patch work tasks for Mags for some pocket money) hasn't been enough for her to justify seeking out an actual job yet.

It's no surprise that a noble who hasn't had to work a day in her life for money is both reluctant to work and having trouble figuring out how to spend her time; but Hilda has always been adverse to hard work, avoidant of difficult situations to her core.

Thankfully volunteering at the orphanage isn't something she sees as hard work which is where she's returning from that day when she passes by the field/future park. ]

Oh! Sure. [ She hands the pencil back to the man, unable to bottle her curiosity when she catches sight of the map he's hunched over. ] Are you planning out the park?

[cryptsleeper]

[Long, slender fingers take the pencil back, ready to press point to paper again.]

Certain elements of it, yes. Having the space laid out makes it easier to consider placement for primary features, the movement of the sun, and the overall purpose. [Never mind how grass grew in so quickly.]

It'll be done soon, we suspect.

[theidlemaiden]

The plans or the park?

[ It’s a genuine question laced with an undertone of humour. Hilda casts a glance towards the plot and its plush grass. It doesn’t cross her mind to ask about how the grass grew so quickly; she wouldn’t be surprised if the answer was magic considering how infused it is in Abraxas’ fabric. ]

Who knew so much went into planning a park. But I guess gardens are a similar concept. What kind of features do you have planned?

[cryptsleeper]

Both.

[Alucard's reply is all cool confidence, because he knows himself and he knows Jaskier. They can work at an all too rapid pace when asked, and they both have their respective abilities to draw upon. The grass took no time at all. The hardest part will be the water features, and Alucard is sure that can be fast tracked.]

Well, the garden element is intended, as well as fruit trees for when things are in season. Our hope is to have a fountain and sculpture in the center, but I want to consider the question of elevations before I do any of that. [He shrugs, considering.] Flat land is not terribly exciting.

LIBERTAS: Hauling big ol' chunks of metal

[cryptsleeper]

[At one of the park's entrances, Alucard stands waiting. Beside him is a monumental piece of crumbled metal - a piece of destroyed building from Thorne's pointless attack on the city. His arms are folded over his chest, and gold eyes scan the street looking for--

--well for someone. Someone he's not happy with if the scowl is anything to go by. There's nothing subtle about the situation, or how goddamn weird it looks either - a pale man standing next to destroyed metal, and the metal looking a little better for wear all things considered.

He huffs, refraining from throwing his hands into the air entirely.]

A return trip can't possibly take two hours...

[cointosser]

[Between helping a pair of men that are, apparently, a part of the Arts Restoration Commission -- two big, strapping chaps that Jaskier is quite sure are only here for coin rather than artistic preservation -- the temporary shelter offset to the side of the park rose rather quickly. There's a cot with a thin, feather-filled mattress to rest on, a washbasin (where Jaskier is truly practicing the extent of his magic to craft water with), and a single pillow.

He's come to terms with how much time he has recently been spending in the park. And once, when he woke to a wild dog licking his face, he made the decision that something a bit more substantial should be erected.

Unfortunately, they had needed a bit of Jaskier's help with direction, and lifting, and hammer, a thing he's never done in his life. And after all that, and providing enough water to fill the basin, he's earned a break. At least a lunch.

It's as he's peeking around for a nice, quiet place to chow down that he spots Alucard looking -- well, not entirely like Alucard often does, but even more annoyed.] Don't tell me a few of the men are slacking off for you, too?

[Okay, so they hadn't slacked for him, so to speak. But they had made him hammer things. One of his fingers has yet to forgive him.]

[cryptsleeper]

[Jaskier, it is not the end of the world to have to hammer things. Promise.]

Either they got lost, something fell, or I don't know what. We're losing daylight at this point, and I really want to get things in place so that the magic component can be dealt with tomorrow.

[The dhampir isn't pacing yet, which is a good thing. Still, he isn't happy, and his scowl grows deeper, then fades all together with a begrudging realization.]

--It's different when you're relying on others rather than doing the work yourself.

[cointosser]

[Talk to someone about it whose entire career relies on his hands.]

A shame. Work ethic is hard to come by, of course, but I can't imagine the people here are not utterly exhausted, too.

[It hasn't stopped him from being less than charitable about the hammering. However, Alucard, while less than joyful, can be quite... not dangerous, exactly, but let's say he is not so much one for making the situation better.]

Believe me, this is my first time with, ah... employees. [To put it lightly.] Perhaps you should take a break. They'll show up in time.

[cryptsleeper]

[Okay, point.  Look, come find him the next time a hammer is involved, Jaskier.  He's got you.]

I....will admit I had forgotten to consider exhaustion.

[He isn't stressed, exactly.  More too narrow in focus, wanting to be a workhorse and do the work now in order to make this space available as quickly as he can.  The Hall has been on hold, a project with the luxury of time.  The park?  Not so much.]

....I'll say words that won't surprise you: a break and do what, precisely?

LIBERTAS: Street theater

[cryptsleeper]

[Act one ends with a round of applause for the performers involved, their stage a nice little nook near one of the libraries that survived the attacks. The library itself seems to be the spot for the cast to run in, change clothes, and generally operate out of, given the number of times that Alucard has heard a side door open from the little alley off to stage left that seems to exist behind the simple black curtain that serves as a set here.

Alucard's noticed the later the theater performances begin, the more daring they are in asking what shall we do next? Tonight's play about a vicious queen certainly qualifies along that theme, and with the end of the act, the dhampir wonders how wise it is to remain.

He sighs, standing up from one of the little benches that the company has provided for the performance. Looking up there's--

--ah good, some enterprising individual has already set up a food stall. With a hell of a line.]

The performance only just adjourned. How--?

HORIZON

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard's domain remains as it ever was: caught in November, with mist curling around the forest floor and a gentle rain always falling.

He's built a porch onto the small hut now, outfitted with two rocking chairs and a table to hold whatever drinks are being consumed. For now, he's gone with mulled wine, a warm wool blanket over his lap, and a stack of five books, neatly arranged by size.

The maze effect still stands of course, until whoever wanders finds the right path. When they do, Alucard doesn't find himself compelled to get up from his spot. They can come to him, especially if they're strangers.]

Was this the Domain you were looking for, or have you taken a wrong turn?

WILDCARD

[cryptsleeper]

[Anything and everything else, please PM me. Alucard's primary focus this month is collaborating with Jaskier to get their park project done, and so that's why everything is Libertas-centric for now.]

as discussed

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor should probably be spending less time in the Horizon, at this point, given the fact that he's very close to making his imagined project a reality, but with a general decline comes an inability to work as hard or as long in the real world. The Horizon makes up those gaps, which is why Alucard's current location in Libertas provides Viktor a good excuse to simply meet in his domain.

Rio will direct Alucard up to the lab, given the opportunity, where Viktor is currently hunched over his desk, scrawling at notes. The imagined Hexcore spins next to him, seemingly of its own accord. When he hears a visitor, he perks up, swiveling in his chair.]

Good. You're here. Come take a look.

[He gestures towards his desk, inviting Alucard to approach.]

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard isn't sure where in the Horizon Viktor is. Thank goodness for Rio being there to direct him.

Before departing, Alucard offers her a gentle pat and a thank you. She's a good girl, even if he has no idea what she actually is.]

I am, yes.

[The dhampir is quickl and deliberate in his movements, boots silent as he moves towards the desk. Gold eyes glance over what Viktor has presented, familiar with the other man's handwriting now.]

[techmaturgy]

[He's sure Alucard has seen this before, in various visits to the laboratory here, and Viktor has explained what he intended to do to attempt to cure himself, but building the device in the real world, in Cadens, will be a different story. Still, he's not about to unload that information all at once.]

I've made some headway at the Academy. [That's one way to put it.] They've given me the material I need to power this device in the real world.

[What he doesn't say is why it would be necessary. He'll get to that--Viktor still finds it difficult to talk about his own illness.]

[cryptsleeper]

Some.

[Alucard repeats the word, but there's an unintended darkness in the tone. Out of politeness, his eyes stay on the paper, rather than move to Viktor. If time is a luxury, Alucard cannot wait for answers organically. He can only give this tiny bit of privacy.]

But how quickly can it be constructed?

Closed to Jaskier and Geralt

[cryptsleeper]

--Does this work?

[Alucard is, vaguely, aware of how goddamn silly this is. He had added a few trellises into the office for Jaskier to make use of, making sure that the oiled bronze sheen matched the other metal textures in the office without coming off as cold and industrial. The darker color meant that anything Jaskier wanted to add would pop, and if it was too tall, Alucard could always float up and be the bard's hands.

Except for the past twenty minutes he hasn't gotten any of it correct. The obvious thing to do was to just hoist the bard up and float while holding him, allowing Jaskier to do what needs to be done.

Perfectly fine. A little over the top, but what part of either of their personalities didn't hit that point eventually?]

[cointosser]

[It was the best decision for both of them after Jaskier has spent far too many minutes stepping back, hmming, and deciding now, it was not perfect, and Alucard was not getting the placement right, which was very important, because once it was up there he was not getting a ladder to fix it.]

Ow. Just -- a little delicate with my waist, if you will.

[Not that he has not had dreams of Alucard crushing it, but those were in much different circumstances that he will not speak aloud. Besides, he was focusing enough on not wiggling around too much, because even though he proposed the idea, floating in the air, and especially being held up in it, was sort of terrifying.

Even if it was, at most, a few feet.]

Almost there -- [He ties the ribbon around the bundle of dried herbs and peppers a little tighter, attaching them to the trellis (a trellis indoors? An incredible idea) with a bit more brightly stained ribbon. His tongue sticks out between his lips as he works, jumping in Alucard's grip as the door opens behind them.] Er. There? I think? Is it still crooked?

[gynvael]

[ Geralt noted offhand he might stop by Jaskier's new office a bit ago. Shared with a certain dhampir. He'd say it's surprising they've not found themselves together yet, the three of them, but it isn't. Between Geralt's preference to be alone and Alucard's extreme preference to not even exist in the city (architectural projects aside), it's more a wonder they've managed to be in one place. For once.

As is his nature, Geralt neither announces his arrival nor knocks. It's an office. What would he be interrupting? A planning session over schematics?

He should've known better. It's Jaskier.

The door swings open. Geralt stares up at the bard hovering several feet. Alucard lifting him up as one might an infant. He.

All right. (What the fuck.)

A long pause. Long. Then: ]

It's crooked.

[cryptsleeper]

Did you invite--

[The question dies on Alucard's tongue as the door opens. He could have sworn he had it locked (he's installing a doorbell), or at least that there was something in place to not have anyone wander in off the street.

Thank God it's only Geralt.

Alucard tilts his head over his shoulder as best he can, aware that he probably should be focused on Jaskier and only Jaskier. But now they have another set of eyes, and it is one at a distance.

You're part of it now, Gerry.]

Stay there and tell him when it's straight then. My perspective is skewed.

CLOSED TO GIDEON

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard is aware that all of this is the height of insanity. Asking to bite a friend and drink their blood in order to provide blood for another friend's actually a total nightmare magic surgery thing is absolutely bonkers.

It makes the little things Alucard's gotten ready in his office feel even more wild. The ointments, bandages, extra bits of food to get blood sugar going again. Vaguely, he realizes Gideon has yet to see the office either, which is another layer.

The door's not only unlocked when Gideon gets in, but opened. Jaskier's plants have wrapped themselves around the trellises that line the room and the ceilings, making everything smell just a little more pleasant. The whole place is airy and open, a far cry from someone's comfy little cactus.]

Close the door behind you?

[frontlinetitties]

[Is this the weirdest thing she's ever done in the nineteen years she's been alive? Nah, not even close. Is it the most sensible thing she's ever done? Probably not. But what can she say? Crux once accused her of lacking even an iota of loyalty, Aiglamene had accused her of much the same. They'd been wrong though-- she's more than happy to give what she gets in return, to bend over backwards for someone who's been kind to her, actually taken the time to get to know her. She doesn't know who this is all in aid of, but so what? Al did the asking, and so she's here to oblige.

She doesn't bother to knock as she enters - the door is wide open, which makes it kind of redundant anyway - and instead announces her presence with a low whistle. Takes in the space with a slow sweep of her eyes, hands shoved into trouser pockets. Fancy. But this is Al's place, so that's kind of a given.]

Nice place you've got here.

[She says it with casual ease, like she isn't here for anything so serious as blood letting.]

You've been busy.

[cryptsleeper]

I realized I can't store a lot of drawings in a cactus.

[Alucard absolutely still sleeps in the cactus most nights, but it has been good to have a dedicated workspace that wasn't also just, literally where he has been working. He smiles, admitting:]

Jaskier's helped. Half of this is his, and we've uh. [To the surprise of no one, really] Had equally strong opinions about decorating?

[frontlinetitties]

[She snorts as she crosses the room toward him, one hand emerging from a rusty black pocket to run along the back of an elegant chair. Real wood. She knows it means so much less in a world where trees grow in relative abundance, but it will always smack of excessive wealth to her.]

Two old-fashioned dandies working on the same space? I'd be surprised if there wasn't some sort of bitch-fight.

[She says, as she throws a good-natured smirk his way.]