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[open] Sᴀɴᴄᴛᴜᴀʀʏ - May renovations

The Sanctuary - RENOVATIONS START

MAY BEGINNINGS

Following the discovery of a guardian sapling within an abandoned and ruined monastery on the edges of Crenshaw and the sudden growth of purified plant life around it, there's a growing bustle of activity around it. Word of mouth first from the boy who first found it talking with those on the street he knew and had helped before, asking if they might help him clear some of the debris in order to reach it more easily, and then people they told, and so on and so forth. Small, relatively nonviolent and previously animal Beasts have been observed flocking there where they begin to slowly regain themselves, and so inhabitants of Trench start coming as well to see it for themselves. Those suffering corruption or despair come to sit under its boughs and let its tranquil aura help set them at ease. People start chattering on the street, marveling at it and the unprecedented greenery it's brought with it, and begin setting up small shops and carts out front to peddle wares to those who are basically pilgrims. Some are useful... some aren't. Incense is common.

Residents of the Trench and Sleepers both can be found milling back and forth, sweeping, dusting, moving debris, or taking hammer and nail to build anew, and anyone who lingers and looks for too long might be asked to help pitch in and quickly saddled with tools they may or may not know how to use. (It's fine.) Alternatively, someone might try to just slip by and explore to see what else there might be that hasn't been fully uncovered yet.

A white-haired boy in a wheelchair is there almost every day, and most inhabitants if asked "how did this place come to be" would point and say "Ser Allen" seemed to be here first and began asking people he knew to help him start to clear out the debris. Others followed and began lingering around, curious and drawn by the idea that something new might be starting, as well as feeling and marveling at the tree's tranquil aura that now blankets the grounds. If the boy is asked, he'd say it started because of Lady Amaterasu planting one of her trees here and it's something they should take care of. That it was meant to help give people hope and some comfort. "What is this place called?" Well, most people would shrug and look a bit confused as well about that at first. Before answering, finally:

"It's a Sanctuary."

WHAT

Humane beast purification efforts. Renovations begin on a ruined monastery in Crenshaw following the discovery of one of the purifying Guardian Saplings. Join in! Or not! Heckle and pry!

WHEN

Mid-late May

THINGS OF NOTE

➢ only a handful of rooms are currently cleared/accessible.
➢ the guardian sapling/sakura tree is in full bloom
➢ the primary focus is on renovating the space, protecting/cultivating the guardian sapling and cloister, and providing for/protecting those that show up for help with their corruption
➢ community/NPC involvement is heavy, especially at the beginning as more Sleepers are filtering in and taking roles
➢ actual organization around beast purification efforts starts next month
➢ permanent roster and location info HERE!

Courtyard

The heart of the Sanctuary, one of the special guardian saplings planted by Amaterasu. The old monastery revolves around a large courtyard that is surrounded by cloisters, at the center of which is a large sakura tree in full bloom. The whole of the courtyard is covered in greenery and flowers unlike can normally be found elsewhere in the Trench aside from where there are similar such trees, and a pool of forever-pure water looks like it's just waiting for some fish. It's in full bloom this month, and some residents have started trying to make a tea from its petals. It's said to be very relaxing (and delicious, delicately floral and positively... heavenly. But don't drink in excess.)

It's the most common place for both residents of the Trench and Sleepers to be, as its tranquil aura helps soothe one's mind and ease corruption. Napping at its roots or in its branches seems quite popular, and birds and small animals can often be found there, drawn by it. Because of this, one Sleeper has started leading meditation sessions for corruption relief there.

Small and non-violent Beasts also seem drawn in, similar to how they are with the salt lake under the full moon. Twisted little fairies that are not so consumed that they don't still desire to be saved, they can be found resting there before slowly beginning to slip back to their formal selves; perhaps a dove, or maybe mice. Perhaps one could find similar such Beasts, either non-violent or easily restrained, and help bring them there in the hopes that they might also be able to be healed...?

INFIRMARY WING

Many of those who have come seeking some sort of tranquility are taxed, injured, or suffering in a way where they may need to rest within the confines of safety. One of the first spaces that has been cleared and made useable is a makeshift infirmary. There are simple beds and cots, a series of rooms for some privacy for those who simply need a clean and restorative place to stay temporarily versus those who need more medical attention. It's no Lumenarium, no place with any advanced medical treatment, but there are basic supplies for treating wounds and illness that have been donated. No one will be turned away, though violent individuals would be... dealt with in order to not be violent or cause harm, and anyone is welcome a bed for a night if it's needed. Some healers filter in and out, and most medicine practiced here is not the blood ministry common in Lumenwood but a mix of Sleeper powers from their worlds and basic aid.

A stockpile has been started for various items known to help reduce corruption or Beasthood as well, notably orbs of hope and a few precious moon drops, though most of those have been reserved for study. Anyone helping to assist, or who gets care, would be asked to just help return the favor for the ill and corrupted by donating what they can when they can.

KITCHEN AND DINING HALL

Where there are people and the needy there is a need for food! A ramshackle affair currently, lunch and dinner is usually provided in the dining hall for anyone who is helping with the renovations or assisting in some manner, as well as anyone who has come there for aid. All the food is brought in via either donated supplies from local merchants or farms, some Sleepers, and pot luck style.

The kitchens are easy to access though, currently dominated by a stout Crenshaw woman named Abigail who is very thorough in how she wrangles any lollygaggers into chopping mushrooms or gutting fish. No one is safe from her. No one. Heaven help you if you make a mess of her kitchen. She is there almost every day, will lecture a grown man like he's her child, but has a soft spot for young people and will sneak them extra helpings even if she'd deny it. Heaven help you also if you have cooking skills or show any interest in it, because you will find her immediately recruiting you.

Her daughter often comes by bearing a huge bushel of sometimes-questionable "fish", a middle-aged fisherwoman named Joanna.

MAIN HALL

Wide open at the moment, this is used primarily as an open community space at the moment. It leads directly through to the cloisters that surround the courtyard, and so all foot traffic passes through here. At the moment, it's used as a staging grounds for all donated materials that are being used for the reconstruction effort.

Intricate carvings, statues, and faded paintings are throughout the nave and altar area -- but all have been damaged or worn in such a way where it's hard to make out what sort of shrine this was originally, or to whom. Some people will chime in and say it was to Moon Presence herself. Others to Argonaut, or perhaps The Reckoning. Maybe something else entirely, some bygone remnant of another civilization. Who's to say, there doesn't seem to be any consensus or proof yet.

Lunar flowers have begun to grow again around the monastery grounds, so perhaps there's something to be said for it.

What is this? The start of a long term player-based movement of characters pushing for more humane treatment and purification of Beasts using canon and blood magic abilities! Questions? More information, character sign-ups, and questions can be asked over on the location page!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[having commandeered some of pal's ponchos (sorry, robes) viktor is still impressed with just how many pockets the man seems to have at any given time. it's convenient, maybe swaying him more towards pal's fashion sense and it's utility. not the grey, sadly, but the rest.

still the instant gauze gets a small smile, fond of the raging hypocrite. the man has gauze on him, that is both concerning and so very him. still, focus on the ghosts here.]

I admit 'lying to us' isn't that far off from the feeling I got. It wasn't unlike digging into a prototype that shouldn't work on paper. I wonder if there isn't some magic obscuring matters? Could a ward do such a thing?

[and have a soft huff as he take pal's hand with his when it is wrapped, a kiss to his fingers in thanks for the bandaging.] I am not a mage, using magic of any kind is an odd experience. Worse still when I am trying to look at a building as though it were a machine.

[It's good to be prepared; he's prepared. He's a blood minister, half his pockets are filled with medical supplies for work, obviously. It's fine. He even takes the scalpel back to deposit it back into the pocket it came from, after he... wipes it off on his pant leg... ahem.

Anyway. He hums a self-satisfied hum, the 'I told you so' hum, because the building is a liar. Threading his fingers into Viktor's to hold, he taps the wall with his other hand a few times before resting his palm against it. If he strains, there's something there - somewhere. Someplace. Maddening.

Wards, though.]

A ward could, potentially. Whatever this building is hiding, it doesn't even want us to know it's hiding something. But it wasn't expecting me.

[Or Viktor the machine wizard, huh!!]

You don't think what you do with your blood and machines is magic? [odd flex,] Still. Can't a building be like a machine? It has a function, and moving parts.

[on his pant leg pal please, viktor literally carries so many rags for blood coughs on him at all times without a million pockets, take one and use that to clean your scalpels! viktor does give him a Look for that, one that sadly can't last long because pal looks like he's having such a nice time of this it's distracting.

'it wasn't expecting me,' ah there is master warden. viktor hides his fond smile poorly by glancing to the wall.] Do you think it is truly the building itself hiding the truth in some way and not a former resident who tried to use it to hide something?

[he hasn't the slightest clue how any of this works but he is eager to learn. teach him of ghosts and touching stuff, it's bizarre and fascinating.]

Oh it is, but I very rarely use it. I suppose it does not feel my own magic so much as an odd effect of this place. [just like his blood doesn't feel much like his own blood and many other fun identity issues sleepers handle on a daily basis. existential, delicious.] Mm, I think you are right there, otherwise I doubt this would have worked. Well, as a sum of working parts this building is very much off. You do not think it means this place is dangerous, do you?

[Well, his pant leg is right there? In any case, it's done, and now there are walls to stare at. Again. He cants his head to the side, making a considering kind of 'ehhh' noise, for a moment-]

Undoubtedly, it was a former resident. But this place is old. Whoever put the original framework in place, the building is holding it there now. Whatever's been done here, it was strong enough to last. That much effort tends to seep into the cracks, you know? I don't think it's dangerous.

[Probably not. Not dangerous in the sense that it's coming for them, and Palamedes is all too familiar with haunted houses coming for people, so trust him on this one. He finds a crack in the wall and traces it idly, adding,]

It's holding, but every lock has a combination if you're willing to put in the time.

[Projects! Magic! Ah!! He blinks, almost physically shaking himself out of building mode to look at Viktor and focus on his existential crisis. Yeah, he knows that one too.]

Do you want it? Magic, I mean.

I like seeing you in action, it is quite endearing. [viktor decides to inform him, mostly because the 'ehhh' killed him and why not. perks of dating, he can just say those passing thoughts sometimes.

but focus viktor, which he does, glancing back to the blood now staining the wall.] Hm, magic does tend to leave traces that can grow from there. I wouldn't be shocked to hear this thanergy you spoke of is similar with it's influence.

What can I do to help? [because he knows pal is going to put in that time. also because he does find it fascinating. haunted houses are classic for a reason.

the question makes him glance back over, a pause to consider it seriously.] Hm, I see no reason to reject it. I suppose it feels dangerous to get accustomed to something that does not feel firmly in my grasp, if that makes sense.

[Oh, does he, well! That gets him a kiss to the back of his knuckles and the flash of a grin, before it's back to blood time.]

Sure, a strong enough thanergetic resonance could mutate on its own. Thanergy can be muddled, too, particularly over time, but this feels different. Intentional.

[Purposefully provoking him into picking at it, even. He skips helping with the building for a second, he'll get there, but first - the blood wizardry.]

You make perfect sense. I only know one type of magic, but if you wanted to fiddle around with it with an audience, you know where to find me. [ha ha. by audience here he means, essentially, a chaperone? in case something goes Very Wrong, but he doesn't expect that, really.]

In the meantime, take a walk with me? I want to show you something. Maybe you can help.

A puzzle. [fond. sometimes a haunted house is just a big puzzle for certain nerds to sink their teeth into.] I will admit, learning what it is 'lying' about is compelling. Perhaps we can learn more about the Trench itself that way.

[history isn't really his subject but hey, here? useful. very much so, he thinks. but oh, a magic chaperone slash guide, that isn't a terrible idea.]

I think I would like that, if you are willing to do a little teaching as well. [even if pal's method doesn't translate well to how his own magic works why not? thanergy and wards makes more sense to him as a concept than blood magic most of the time.

oh, a walk and help though? he's in.] Of course, lead the way.

[Ah - has he made this building a puzzle, maybe. That sounds like him. He nods slowly and then a little faster, like yeah, you got him there. Oop.]

I'm going to fill copious notebooks on a handful of walls alone, [so fun!! So very pleased Viktor is going to learn history with him, too.] You'll like this, then, if you want to learn about this place.

[Well, "learn"... he'll see in a few minutes. Palamedes tugs his hand, turning away from this wall to retrace his steps to The Weird Tapestry Hallway. He doesn't stop for even a second to think that maybe a big tapestry won't be interesting, because how could it not be? It's old and confusing and drives him insane, what more could a person want from art.

But the hallway in question is a few hallways away, actually, so on the way,]

As for teaching you, I'll do what I can. There's definitely a point where my applied theory can't help anymore. Luckily this town is crawling with mages.

[it's a plus, really, building and puzzle. heaven forbid it be a boring old sanctuary to combat beasthood.]

Good thing you have plenty of notebooks to spare. Are you setting anything up here? [he does seem to be settling in. does viktor need to make shelves here too is his real question. he'll do it, happily even.

he hasn't been through this area much so viktor takes it in as they walk, mostly with a critical eye of what needs fixing, how viable a thorough heating system would be, if wiring through these walls for lighting would be possible. nerd shit. he may have a problem with taking on projects too as it turns out.]

Hm, maybe I'll ask Waver then if it comes to it, he mentioned being a teacher in that regard.

I'll show you that next. I found a place to start dragging some of those statues. [It does have shelves already, although perhaps in some general disrepair. And this is Allen's place, even if he makes community-centric noises about it, but - a room to put stuff in, at least. Including maybe a chair or two, comfortable ones so Viktor can sit somewhere besides a stool at a workbench sometimes, and Palamedes can gently badger Allen into taking a nap that isn't slumped over the edge of a bed in the infirmary.

You know, basic organizational tasks.]

Waver— [Might have implied his brand of magic is also inherited, sort of? But whatever, Viktor should have wizard lessons if he wants them, that's what's important, and,] He's some kind of professor at a clocktower full of mages, can you imagine? The aesthetic of his world almost sounds like the one on display here. He'll like having a student.

[Ah, and maybe Viktor will finally have to write papers, the possibilities are endless... but: here is the hallway Palamedes has been looking for, as dusty as the rest but more well-lit by a glass ceiling, and he takes them immediately over to the massive tapestry. The moon, the blood red sea, the inky black of the beach, all very dramatic and mysterious even without the embroidered message at the top: 'I am the mother of dreams'.

Palamedes brushes the edge of it with a silk touch; even without understanding the full history he can still be somewhat reverent of it, although - well, he doesn't know how to preserve a thing this large from the ravages of time and light. And, like, weather? God, he has to understand weather now. Horrible.

Anyway,] I've been thinking. The 'mother' has to be the moon, right? I mean, look at the thing.

[basic organizational tasks. maybe that will be the room that gets a lunar lighting system of allen prefers to keep the candle aesthetic. regardless, shelves will be fixed at least. where else will the cool, dusty things go.]

It does sound like something the School of Mutter would love. At the very least I think he could be helpful in cracking a better understanding of how blood magic functions for our tech. It may be worth a few lessons.

[ah, that is quite the tapestry though. viktor knows better than to reach out like he wants, instead tilting his head to regard it and the almost familiar landscape. almost. the black shore at least, the common themes of the place- the moon, the sea, dreams.]

Possibly, given how the moon seems almost more nourishing than the sun in this place. [for palebloods and lunar energy at least.] Have you heard much of the 'dream' sleepers came from before this? I've been told it was the dream of a little girl that was killed for that dream to end. Julia.

[All the orbs at his disposal, excellent. He'll make sure Viktor gets a very nice, very plush chair, and he will not comment at all if he happens to fall asleep in it sometimes. Maybe he will comment a little. Anyway.]

I know he's been trying to enchant a sword. Ask him about his techniques for that, maybe. Could be something.

[Don't question his choice of venue for blood rituals though or he'll get testy, Palamedes already learned that one.

He curls his fingers minutely into the edge of the tapestry and quests out at it with psychometry, fumbling at the cascade of moments and memories that seems to fall out of it. It's— a whole lot of things that mean nothing to him, not without further study, and none of it seems to relate to a dream. Or a Julia.]

I've heard of the 'dream'; not of her. [~~not til he talks to his grandpa ghost some more anyway...~~] They killed a little girl to come here? That's darker than I imagined.

[Perhaps he'll do more digging with someone who remembers the dream; surely, killing a little girl was a significant event? Good god.]

Well, in any case— this thing was important to the people who were here before. I'm tentatively marking it down as part of the overall puzzle, considering... [He gestures up at the embroidered words; considering that! Assume nothing is mere decoration until proven otherwise, that line is practically screaming to be cross-referenced in a book or twelve.] And maybe this Julia is involved. Was involved.

[it will be better than falling asleep at the party at least. if the chair is big enough he might get dragged into joining him anyway.]

Enchanting... I've heard of that. I wonder how enchanting the base material of our project would effect the results.

[he goes into a bit of a think about that, one that needs to be filed away for 'not right now you're doing things.' he'd offer to try his trick again but he doesn't think it'd be great to bleed on this tapestry. yet.]

That's what I was told. The man I spoke to was quite understandably disgusted by the whole affair. [viktor still has a bit of hard time imagining 'kill child' as a best option to anything but there's that.]

Maybe. That phrase made me think of her, either whoever her mother was or perhaps her as the 'mother' of that dream in a sense. [he scans the line again before looking to pal.] What do you sense when you touch it?

[They're skinny, he'll fit. The ghost can stand guard at the door.

While Viktor has his think about enchantments, Palamedes has another moment with the tapestry. He's loath to touch it more than how little he is already, the thing is so old and worn - and it speaks volumes to the importance of it that the rush of energies left on it are so clear. Is it because of the image, he wonders, or the space? What was this hallway for, before the monastery was abandoned? Maybe the study he's found will have old documents to illuminate that— hmm.

He looks away from it back to Viktor, brow furrowed.]

People. Dozens of them, maybe more, robed in white. Our previous residents? I don't know what this area was for, or I'd know more than that, but it was a popular spot to be.

[Hmm! A mystery! He looks at the tapestry again, up at the words.]

Anyway, thank god you haven't been accidentally meeting people down for killing kids. [grim. what the fuck, dream.] It must be one of the two, otherwise I'm calling bullshit on this place having a religious significance.

[thanks grandpa archivist, you're a real one.

that description gets a small frown and,] That sounds eh... cult-like. No offense to robes. [even grey ones. sorry it seems pretty cult to him but then again, necromancers are sort of that vibe in general.] I wonder if this was before the Trench came to such a state. Fascinating.

[and that gets a snort, despite the fucked up topic.] You may have some luck asking the network for more information. I'm not sure how many are still from that time, with how quickly things change. It might be worth getting a few accounts.

Hm, I know you will hate this but there might be something about a 'mother of dreams' in the archives. [his favorite place!]

[That guess gets a shrug; everything here is cult-like even today, kind of? Even if it was particularly cult-like in the past, it was a long time ago. And surely, cults write everything down. Surely they had a record-keeper. Maybe they knew why The Red has a stupid octopus on it-!!

Anyway, the network and the archives, two things he finds either tedious or aggravating, ugh. He makes a short, irritable little noise, sucking his teeth, then holds up his hand like okay! Okay, sacrifices must be made.]

The archives first. Not that I'm in the habit of turning away people's personal traumas, but they'd have to want to share it in the first place. I might know someone who knows a few things, anyway.

[He can't remember if Anna was there, but she knew a handful of fun facts, so there's that. Easier than sifting through network conversations, at least for a start.]

Come with me to the archives? Eventually. That Never Mind probably knows how many times I've insulted him by now.

[poor pal, viktor does agree having to delve into the network is a horrible fate. the archives less so, though he doesn't disagree it's ridiculous. pal's hand gets a supporting pat.]

Of course I will. I was about to suggest just that. [it'll also be funny to watch the faces pal makes while in the archives, so win-win.]

I will also offer you emotional support should you be forced to make a post. The man I get our incense from said he was from the dream as well, perhaps I'll ask him next time I am in there.

[he's helping. being nosy is a skill he'll gladly utilize here.]

As always, you're sublime. [Is he exaggerating how little he wants to go back into the archives, mm, no... He'll make plenty of faces, as thanks.] I'd be banging my head into this wall without you around.

[And helping him to be nosy, too! What a man. Palamedes gives the tapestry one last idle kind of skim along the edge, then steps back from it and turns to Viktor.]

D'you want to look at it some more? I do have that other thing to show you.

[And it's much more exciting than the tapestry of vague cult mysteries, at least in his opinion, so he may be buzzing with anticipation, just a little.]

Don't do that, it is too brilliant a head to damage. [viktor answers, a touch dry. he curls their fingers together, one last look at the tapestry before nodding his head.]

We can move on. I assume it goes without saying you'll keep me up to date in what you find out about it. [he's very curious. case in point:] The moon especially fascinates me. More mythos around it could answer some questions.

[or just be interesting, but he'll take what he can get. lunar energy is already so bonkers to him.]

[That gets him to chuckle as he turns to lead them back the direction they came. The study is back near the front, closer to the courtyard and the spectacular magic tree, so away they go.]

Of course. You're my sounding board for my most preposterous theories, you know. [He's shared enough 'okay, but what if the blood is sentient'-tier theories already, at least this tapestry study will eventually, ideally, hopefully - bear fruit.] And I think I've come upon an invaluable resource entirely by accident.

[Which he shan't elaborate on, because it's part of the grand reveal of this cool study he found. He doesn't rush them back, but he's not stopping to poke at any other cracks in the walls or anything until they reach the study, however much emptier than its heyday. What remains mostly is the desk and chair on the far side, facing the open archway and the tree beyond, and a number of scattered belongings from whoever used to do their work in here. It's been... swept? Clumsily, a little, because it was Palamedes and a broom hastily sweeping and definitely not very well, before he gave up on the floor and concentrated on the objects instead.

So, that's where all the dust all over his sleeves came from, definitely. For all intents and purposes it's an abandoned room, not quite sacked of its once-many books but divested of them and most of the other knickknacks over time, now an open, dusty mausoleum with a loft overhead that does not look like it's structurally sound anymore.

Palamedes, for his part, is obsessed with this room. Look at it, Viktor.]

This room— [pause for effect,] is haunted.

Oh? You are truly enjoying these reveals, aren't you? [extremely fond. still he doesn't push for answers, just waits until they reach the area that-

honestly? it's nice. run down obviously but the view is good and the 'bones,' necromancer pun here, are solid. more so it's little leftover belongings are interesting, and he steps further in, crutch clunking on the sort of swept floors.

a glance around, then up- that loft needs fixing, he makes a note. the shelves, the furniture largely seems at least salvageable but ah, ghosts. right. he turns on that pause, not at all surprised by how it ends.]

Is this haunting less secretive? [ok, he's drawn in. only a few months ago he would have scoffed at being told anything was haunted and now look at him.]

[He's having a great time, yes, thank you. He hums brightly and holds up a finger, skirting around Viktor towards the desk; it's a little crooked, but not so much that the simple pen and inkwell sitting on its (mostly dust-free) surface are sliding off. He picks them up, turning to take a seat on top of the desk and gesture for Viktor to come and join him. Come, observe.]

I hope so. Calling a spirit takes more than a touch, so I haven't had more than a glance yet. But someone's here— all over this room, but- [he holds up the pen and ink] -they had a passion for writing, at least.

[So relatable. He does realize that just waving these things at Viktor isn't going to, like - prove anything, but he mostly wanted to show him the room itself, anyway. Out of habit he gives the pen a little twirl, then stops like, oh, there's a guy in there. Yikes.]

For a revenant, they're tolerating our presence pretty calmly. I've got a good feeling about whoever's still in here.

[he comes to observe, taking a seat next to pal and resting his crutch against the wall. his attention is on pal as he speaks, a faint quirk to his lips giving away his continued fondness for how he presents all this, how much he seems to enjoy it.

and there's a ghost in the pen, fun. he reaches out to tap at it, wondering if that's rude but well, pal's twirling it so clearly it can't be that rude right.]

Given the room I'm assuming whoever this is was a scholar. [lots of shelves? good writing desk and implements? not a bad guess, he thinks.] Firstly what exactly is a revenant? Second, can you communicate with him in any way?

[if he hears anything about ouji boards he's going to... probably laugh internally. that's what.]

[There's a ghost in the pen, or most of a ghost. He passes said pen over to Viktor to inspect, holding the inkwell in both hands in his lap.]

A revenant is the spirit left behind when someone dies— suddenly, usually violently. The spirit gets stuck in something left behind. I doubt our friend in here had that bad a time, but I know they're still here. It suggests a strong enough attachment to this room that I'm generously applying 'revenant' to them. For alacrity.

[Anyway, please, can he talk to ghosts. Ye of little faith, Viktor.]

I'll need more space to draw the diagrams, but since the spirit is still here— yes, easily. It's much harder to call back a spirit that's already gone beyond.

[Not that he's tried, or anything. Ahem. Never mind that now.]

Once the room is properly cleaned up, I'll see who I can coax out. No point in taking the pen home; don't want to startle them.

[hello sir, viktor regards the pen and resists the urge to take it apart just to see what the inside of a ghost pen looked like. that had to be rude, right? or would unleash a ghost or something. probably.]

And they do not go to the River you mentioned? Interesting. [he doesn't know enough about ghost stories to really say how that tracked against his world's take on things. it sounded close enough to his very vague understanding of 'someone gets murdered and becomes an angry ghost about it' trope.

he glances up from the pen, a touch more eager when he asks,] May I watch you try to contact this revenant? [so much about that intrigues him despite himself. pal in his element, seeing how this process works, etc.] I will even help you clean the place up in preparation. [bartering for ghost privileges.]

[open] Sᴀɴᴄᴛᴜᴀʀʏ - May renovations

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