Alucard \\ Adrian F. Ţepeş (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
cryptsleeper) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
abraxaslogs2023-01-04 09:33 pm
cryptsleeper) wrote in abraxaslogs2023-01-04 09:33 pm
[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?
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?
[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...
--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...
[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--?
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--?
[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?
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?
[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.]
[ 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?
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?
[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.
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.
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?
[ 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?
[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.]
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.]
[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.]
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.]
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.
[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.
[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.]
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.]
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?
[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?
[Alucard is right to sound that way, because Viktor is not being entirely forthcoming about the nature of this acquisition. That had been Jayce, and it had been out of necessity, and neither of them are particularly happy about the circumstances. It's something they're going to have to live with.
All the more reason to move as fast as he can, as if he didn't have that already.]
Quickly. Less than a week. I've done all the preliminary research, the math is sound-- [And he's built it once, already, over the span of days.] --It just needs the power source.
All the more reason to move as fast as he can, as if he didn't have that already.]
Quickly. Less than a week. I've done all the preliminary research, the math is sound-- [And he's built it once, already, over the span of days.] --It just needs the power source.
Edited 2023-01-07 02:34 (UTC)
[There is too much unsaid. Alucard knows that much, just as he knows he doesn't want details. He doesn't like it, and his opinion about liking it absolutely doesn't matter at the moment.
So far as he knows, he has many lifetimes ahead of him. So far as he can guess, intervention has only worked so far now, even with his blood in Viktor's veins.]
What is the intended source? And should you find it, what do you genuinely believe the odds of success are?
So far as he knows, he has many lifetimes ahead of him. So far as he can guess, intervention has only worked so far now, even with his blood in Viktor's veins.]
What is the intended source? And should you find it, what do you genuinely believe the odds of success are?
It's a crystal imbued with arcane energies. Not unlike what I would have used to power the device back home.
[So, he's even more confident, here. The principles are all the same. There's no reason why it shouldn't work. As for odds, well. He's not sure.]
The theory is sound. I want to take the chance.
[So, he's even more confident, here. The principles are all the same. There's no reason why it shouldn't work. As for odds, well. He's not sure.]
The theory is sound. I want to take the chance.
Not unlike. But not the same either.
[There's margin for error. Alucard can't tell how much, he doesn't know what he's even comparing things to.
He doesn't like this.
And he isn't here for idle reasons.
Alucard finally looks up from the plans, meeting Viktor's eyes. There's no denying the worry in them, but it is mixed with a particular coldness that suggests he's starting to build up walls to engage with this situation.]
What are you asking of me in this plan?
[There's margin for error. Alucard can't tell how much, he doesn't know what he's even comparing things to.
He doesn't like this.
And he isn't here for idle reasons.
Alucard finally looks up from the plans, meeting Viktor's eyes. There's no denying the worry in them, but it is mixed with a particular coldness that suggests he's starting to build up walls to engage with this situation.]
What are you asking of me in this plan?
We'll test it. Practice here, in the Horizon.
[Though if healing magic and all of his stop-gaps are finally failing him, he supposes it doesn't matter either way. It's either go forward with the plan, or wait for the effects to dwindle until they're functionally useless, and the his body will succumb to the inevitable thing they've been holding off for all this time.
Alucard is right, though. Viktor is dancing around the subject, including why he's moving forward with the plan in the first place. He deserves no less than the truth.]
When I first mentioned the procedure I intended to perform, I told you about a, a substance. One that would help me survive the arcane energy channeled through the Hexcore. Obviously, that's not available here. I believe the potion we developed from the Ikorr sap can act as a substitute. [This is the harder part, where he admits vulnerability. He needs support. Companionship. People who care about him and will help him see this through.] And, I want you to be there, as my friend. [And something else, something undefined, but running through his veins, regardless.] I know what I have to do, but I can't do it alone.
[That had been his mistake the first time, if Jayce is to be believed. He's not going to risk such foolishness again.]
[Though if healing magic and all of his stop-gaps are finally failing him, he supposes it doesn't matter either way. It's either go forward with the plan, or wait for the effects to dwindle until they're functionally useless, and the his body will succumb to the inevitable thing they've been holding off for all this time.
Alucard is right, though. Viktor is dancing around the subject, including why he's moving forward with the plan in the first place. He deserves no less than the truth.]
When I first mentioned the procedure I intended to perform, I told you about a, a substance. One that would help me survive the arcane energy channeled through the Hexcore. Obviously, that's not available here. I believe the potion we developed from the Ikorr sap can act as a substitute. [This is the harder part, where he admits vulnerability. He needs support. Companionship. People who care about him and will help him see this through.] And, I want you to be there, as my friend. [And something else, something undefined, but running through his veins, regardless.] I know what I have to do, but I can't do it alone.
[That had been his mistake the first time, if Jayce is to be believed. He's not going to risk such foolishness again.]
[Alucard bites his tongue. The Horizon will only work so much. It can't account for all possible moments that an experiment like this can go awry in the real world. This runs the best case scenario and only the best case scenario, with certain luxuries of time.
Things Viktor has doubtlessly accounted for already. Things that the dhampir does not need to vocalize, because that's not the point. The point is his blood and his presence. One he can only offer in a limited supply before he is spent. The other he can manage.
Within reason. Fuck. He's probably going to have to find a donor to replenish his strength from in order to be functional during this event.]
When were you intending to do this? It is safer to anticipate needing more of the sap and my blood than less, and I need to account for myself accordingly. [He's already making a too short list of those he can take a drink from. Ciri is decidedly not on that list.]
And what would you have us do if it all goes awry? I imagine the technology can't fall into anyone else's hands.
Things Viktor has doubtlessly accounted for already. Things that the dhampir does not need to vocalize, because that's not the point. The point is his blood and his presence. One he can only offer in a limited supply before he is spent. The other he can manage.
Within reason. Fuck. He's probably going to have to find a donor to replenish his strength from in order to be functional during this event.]
When were you intending to do this? It is safer to anticipate needing more of the sap and my blood than less, and I need to account for myself accordingly. [He's already making a too short list of those he can take a drink from. Ciri is decidedly not on that list.]
And what would you have us do if it all goes awry? I imagine the technology can't fall into anyone else's hands.
As soon as we're ready. You have to know that this is not my preference. [Despite his general impatience, he's aware of all the moving pieces and the people that are involved, and that this is, once again, asking too much of Alucard. He's not sure how he's ever going to repay any of this.] I have reason to believe our stop-gap methods have been losing their efficacy. I don't want to run out of time.
[The admission he's been not-so-subtly dancing around. He's sure he doesn't have to say it, at this point, but Alucard deserves the truth. If and when he returns from Libertas, he'll see it either way.]
We'll use it, and then destroy it. [That's probably the most painful thing to admit, because the applications of the Hexcore are nearly endless. Viktor believes, fully, in the amount of good it can do, but he understands that in their current situation, it will be too dangerous.] If I can't, then Jayce will.
[The admission he's been not-so-subtly dancing around. He's sure he doesn't have to say it, at this point, but Alucard deserves the truth. If and when he returns from Libertas, he'll see it either way.]
We'll use it, and then destroy it. [That's probably the most painful thing to admit, because the applications of the Hexcore are nearly endless. Viktor believes, fully, in the amount of good it can do, but he understands that in their current situation, it will be too dangerous.] If I can't, then Jayce will.
If you are test running it here, I would like to be present so I know the precise steps and can commit them to memory. The less recorded, the better. [Less to destroy.
Viktor didn't need to say the other part. This discussion made that much very obvious already. Still, to hear it said is important.]
I will need one day's notice. [Use and destroy. Alucard nods. Destruction is easy.
But there is a more important question at hand:] And of yourself, if this fails? If you would not have nature take it's course, I mean.
Viktor didn't need to say the other part. This discussion made that much very obvious already. Still, to hear it said is important.]
I will need one day's notice. [Use and destroy. Alucard nods. Destruction is easy.
But there is a more important question at hand:] And of yourself, if this fails? If you would not have nature take it's course, I mean.
There's a surgeon. In Thorne. He's offered to help, but obviously can only consult in the Horizon. We'll practice with him, too.
[As many times as they need. Viktor knows he went about this the wrong way the first time--in some ways, he didn't have a choice. Now, however, he's determined to avoid the future that Jayce saw, which means real preparation. People to help him. If it fails, it won't be because of his own stubborn pride.
And it might fail. That much is important to note, and Alucard reminds him of the possibility with every further question.]
I imagine that if it fails, it will kill me in the process. [He shrugs, though his expression is hard.] I would rather that than the alternative.
[As many times as they need. Viktor knows he went about this the wrong way the first time--in some ways, he didn't have a choice. Now, however, he's determined to avoid the future that Jayce saw, which means real preparation. People to help him. If it fails, it won't be because of his own stubborn pride.
And it might fail. That much is important to note, and Alucard reminds him of the possibility with every further question.]
I imagine that if it fails, it will kill me in the process. [He shrugs, though his expression is hard.] I would rather that than the alternative.
[Alucard nods once, comprehending everything. They practice here until everything is rote, and then hope that the best possible version occurs in the outside world.]
During the practice, I want to account for all ways that things could go awry and how we can fix them in the moment. [Safeguards and reroutes. It seems the best they can do, considering.]
Understood. We do this, or oblivion.
[If Alucard is suddenly colder, it is a defense mechanism. There's no room for error here.]
During the practice, I want to account for all ways that things could go awry and how we can fix them in the moment. [Safeguards and reroutes. It seems the best they can do, considering.]
Understood. We do this, or oblivion.
[If Alucard is suddenly colder, it is a defense mechanism. There's no room for error here.]
It really isn’t. But you don’t want incredibly steep hills either; parks are meant to be relaxing. [ The last thing anyone wanted was to do in a park was hike. Or maybe they did, but Hilda certainly didn’t. ] How would you make the elevation?
Could I take a look at the plans? I can’t speak for everyone obviously but crowdsourcing is always a good idea if it’s a community space, right?
Could I take a look at the plans? I can’t speak for everyone obviously but crowdsourcing is always a good idea if it’s a community space, right?
Nothing steep, but there is a need to have some variation in the overall visual, I suspect. The actual work of the elevation, however, is not under my auspices.
[That falls under Jaskier's domain with plant magic, and the possibility of more plants under the ground to form a solid network beneath. They're still working out the particulars of the design at any rate, with plenty of things to bat around. Walking around the physical space helps.]
You may as well come over here then.
[While Hilda does that, Alucard flips back to the top sheet. That has the overall plan for the park, paths scribbled in, and a large circle at the center.]
We've worked through a long list of written suggestions as is, but the majority of this is still in flux.
[That falls under Jaskier's domain with plant magic, and the possibility of more plants under the ground to form a solid network beneath. They're still working out the particulars of the design at any rate, with plenty of things to bat around. Walking around the physical space helps.]
You may as well come over here then.
[While Hilda does that, Alucard flips back to the top sheet. That has the overall plan for the park, paths scribbled in, and a large circle at the center.]
We've worked through a long list of written suggestions as is, but the majority of this is still in flux.
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