deercountry | june catch-all

Entry tags:

june catch-all

Who: viktor and others, open to all with some closed prompts in comments
What: june catch-all, some tdm prompts
When: june
Where: various

content warning; terminal illness, arcane season 1 spoilers

misc lab stuff and various fruits.

[viktor's lab in the willful machine is usually left unlocked when he's working inside. friends or acquaintances have likely been told they're welcome to stop by if they like, either to say hello or to get help with whatever a vaguely sketchy lab could handle. of course someone he doesn't know can just walk in too or knock. maybe there's a sudden downpour and that ajar door is tempting? go for it.

the lab has been slowly filling with all sorts of nonsense on the various tables- lasers! tasers! some weird machine hooked up to a blood gem? it is not unlikely to be walking by and hear some minor booming noise and either a curse in czech or a satisfied 'a-ha!' feel free to investigate.

this month there's something else too, a bowl full of fruit. all the fruits mentioned in the tdm in fact, there to be tested on though it looks more like they're just for guests if people are unaware there's some weird shit going on.]

Just a moment, make yourself at home. [he might say to guest. that would include eating some fruit, right? enjoy. probably not the raw lemon though, that's weird.]

[ooc; if you want to memshare i am game, my only hard limit on memories is no suicide stuff please. self sacrifice is fine! feel free to ask to make sure one is okay. if you'd like a viktor memory let me know any hard limits and what sort of memory you might prefer!]

gaze and time loops.

[having lungs mostly working for the moment is pretty great, in viktor's humble opinion. it means walking around the trench doesn't come with the risk of coughing up blood and attracting beasts and generally having a bad time, along with added perks like not getting so easily winded and going for longer. it also means he finds himself out longer than he usually would, which maybe isn't the best, as it turns out.

for example, making his way home through gaze and hearing the chilling cry of a beast, sighing and trying to make his way around what turns out to be the wrong corner. maybe that's where he sees your character before the snarling of a too close beast starts in earnest.

and then snap! they're both back about an hour, where they passed on the street. the look viktor gives is somewhere between resigned and 'fuck this, actually.'] There is a term for this. 'One of those days,' I think.

[ooc; if you'd like to wildcard or do something else you can pm me here or find me at

dichotomy]

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[being talked to like an adult does wonders, unsurprisingly, even if he remains a little unsure about this guy being here. it's probably better not to poke his nose where it doesn't belong, even if curiosity is a hard thing to curb. if this guy is sick maybe he doesn't want to say it.

he would rather nod quickly, one moment of hesitation before he carefully moves across the little creek. he wobbles a little on a slippery stone and rio skitters over, helps him catch his balance before he's approaching pal. again, one moment of keeping a little distance before he gives in and shuffles closer, bold with rio at his side.

he offers the boat and the little crank that can be slotted in.] You um, you put that in the slot there and turn it. There's a torsion spring that holds the energy until the crank is pulled out and then moves the gears.

You can try it, but don't keep turning it if it gets hard to, okay? [he is very Serious about this. rio watches with clear interest in the boat itself, ready to be a menace about it the second it hits the water.]

[viktor sighs as he turns his head back.] I thought I saw something, but I am a paleblood. I cannot tell you how irritating the occasional hallucinations are.

[which he hopes is the case. little does he know a horrible little imp of a doll is crawling along the wall behind him, out of his sight. it's probably in scorpia's when it finally does lung, aiming specifically for the very rude man here that did not decide to buy it.]

[viktor moves to grab some tools, taking a seat in front of the fan and gesturing for gaia to take a seat wherever she'd like.] Oh, if you'd like tea I can put the kettle on. But yes, it was an unfortunate overlap. The transformation itself wasn't as bad as it could have been, at least.

I have seen some people still suffer it, unfortunately. [extremely unfortunately to some of them. he doesn't think monstrous people do well in a place where monsters are hunted.

ah well.] Oh yes, I have actually seen some automobiles here. That is no trouble though, I may need some assistance with more physical aspects of the labor but aside from that it would be my pleasure to handle it.

[he opens a panel on the fan, starts tinkering with a quirk of his lips.] Lunar energy is very easy to work with and incredibly fascinating. I wish other worlds had such a resource.

That is true. I often think in my first language- I suppose that would also confirm it is a language. Why else would it be so solidly in their minds?

[interesting. he wonders if one of these vampires could ever awaken as a sleeper then.] It is a shame you could not find a way to communicate with them. I would have been interested in hearing what they have to say about the whole affair.

[ooc; absolutely! i'm already excited about purification talks honestly. i think i'll have the injury happen in the next loop, and of course let me know if any tag ever needs changing! heavy action tags can get tricky and i def don't want to step on any toes]

[the blast of cold is almost as shocking as the sudden movement, viktor's eyes wide as he tries to understand what just happened. magic, certainly, at least some force beyond his usual understanding of the mundane world. it would be quite remarkable to see in such close proximity, if it weren't for the circumstances.

he does look and sees nothing, turning his head back to see the beast land.

up close it has a wolfish look aside from the terrible excess of clawed legs, one head full of eyes and a long, dripping jaw that opens with a bellow and another flash of far too many teeth. the ice makes it slide, shrieking as its claws carve into the icy stone. it does seem to be more interested in close range because it skitters up the wall and tries to take another lunge, this time at fushiguro, all claws and teeth.]

[Viktor makes his offer, and Ortus perceives it: a rock rolled over the mouth of the tomb where he has long interred that swallowed memory. It would be naught but a shadow in shadow, left where it fell, if he but wishes.

There is black behind his eyes farther than he can fathom, and in it there is a horror which crushes him to nothing, sinks it teeth into his heart and suckles at all the feeling inside of his body until there is nothing, not fear or pain or hatred, only the numb, and the empty, and the silent.]

Mikael. [He says, as if he must heave the rock of Drearburh itself aside, and perhaps that is no less than he does.] Mikael Noven.

[He rubs his fingers together on one hand, absently, the clinging tack of well-worn flimsy ingrained with human oils from long handling still on them, impossibly.]

He was my friend. [He breathes deeply, eyes closing.] That man, and the animal. Rio. If you would speak of them, I would listen. [Then, quite quietly, faraway:] He had a gap between his front teeth. He would not let his sister correct it.

Oh yeah, that must be tough to live wi- Watch out!!

[She calls out as the mysterious being lunges at her new friend! Scorpia reaches for his shirt with her pincer to pull him out of the doll's way!]

[viktor lets the name sink in, there is something to the way it is said that demands a respect he is happy to give. he lets it linger on the edge of his mind as he lets out a sigh, black omen smoke pouring out into a massive form that takes shape beside him.

rio, just as she was in the memory, perhaps healthier. she looks curiously at ortus, tail thumping a little against the shack floor as viktor puts a hand on her head.] She is my omen here. I am aware omens are reflections of us but I-

[a pause, then he decides to just admit it fully.] I like to believe she is truly Rio, in some way. A little naive, I am sure.

[he lets his hand drop, watching rio shuffle a little closer in curiosity to ortus, mikael noven still on his thoughts.] He was a very good audience for a dramatic reading. Then again you were quite skilled at reciting it for that age.

[a pause, then,] What happened to him?

Don't know if it would help. [He examines the harmonica in his hand glumly]

One of my guys got infected. Don't know how or when, but by the time I saw him he was totally fucked. Had horns and sharp teeth. He attacked me. I held him off, called his name, but he just kept tryin' to get me.

[He squeezes the harmonica tight in his grip] I had to stake him.

[viktor is pleased, and probably would be pleased even if their weird paleblood compulsions were trying to get them to share fruit at every turn. he picks up a slice himself and it really is very good, shockingly so given the state of the soil in the trench.

it's a thought that never quite settles as he takes another bite, replaced instead with enjoying the moment.]

I've always preferred it to the cold, I admit. Perhaps I just get chilled too easily, but I find the summer a far more pleasant experience all around. [this is a nice, normal conversation over apple slices. just a normal, not weird at all day in the trench.

which of course is why when he opens his mouth again the world tips with the sudden onslaught of memory.

the memory plays out on an early summer day. the children splashing in the watering hole, a place viktor cannot follow and has never been invited to follow besides. he has learned bitterness isn't helpful here, because it is the way of undercity kids to run and climb. it has never been their way to wait as he tried to keep up. it only annoyed or amused them when he simply couldn't.

he can't be bitter, because it's useless to be. he makes do by himself, because he knows better than to think a hand will be offered.

she can feel that, along with the faint flutter of cautious hope when the girl seems intrigued, the quick and quiet disappointment when she turns away. it's fleeting though, and then he's following the boat, proud. and then he's tripping, climbing awkwardly into the cave, meeting an odd man and his odder creature.

he's scared but fascinated, and the man is patient and kind in a way that seems foreign to most of the undercity. he feels a dull pang when he's told rio is dying, and that same, fluttering and cautious hope when he asks if he can help.

this time it's met with agreement. we will be loners together. he holds his boat closer and smiles.]

People can become these creatures? I... suppose that does fit in with vampire lore, at least as I know of it.

[still, he wasn't really expecting it given just how intense the change must be, unless this infection was something else. horns and sharp teeth? it didn't sound unlike beasthood.]

My condolences, Jason. I genuinely cannot imagine being forced into such a situation.

[OOC: Awesome! That sounds good to me. And the same goes for me as well! I will fix anything that gets a little sticky just let me know :) P.S I see what you did there with a wolf spider! ]

Get back!-

[ A low rumble from beneath the ground reverberates causing pebbles to bounce. As the creature lunges, Megumi braces his vitals before dashing backwards. It appears he's not quick enough in the narrow space. But that is the precise location he needs the beast to be in.

One sharp claw whips, ripping into his forearm taking a substantial chunck of skin. It should have cut his hand off, but instead he is left with a nasty gash almost to the bone.

A smoky scent begins to fill the air. Blue ooze solidifies before hitting the ground in its crystalline form.

Ringing ever faster the sound becomes louder as tremors shock through rock. Tunneling at an increasing speed towards the surface of the Earth something, lurks just beneath.]

[Oh- oh, he didn't expect to actually be handed the boat, how exciting. Palamedes takes it carefully, holding it up to look at it closely, checking it out - it's a boat, for sure. Really he knows nothing at all, but he enjoys the things Viktor makes in the lab, and little Viktor looks like he wants someone to admire his handiwork. Even if he won't say it.

So, ooh, boat. Very nice.]

I don't know if my word means anything, ignorant as I am about machinery, but it looks exceedingly well-made. Tell me if I'm doing it wrong.

[He can handle turning a crank in a slot, but it's the principle of the thing. He crouches by the edge of the water as he turns the crank, glancing at Viktor to see if he's good to go before he sets it in the water.

Ah, but this time he's ready to get out of Rio's way after the boat hits the water, here goes.]

[viktor smiles like he's trying not to, an impossible to miss pleased air to his work being appreciated. even if this guy didn't know the difference, he'd see for himself how well made it was.

he puts his arms around rio's neck and murmurs,] Rio let it run for a little bit, okay? [rio trills but sits and viktor pats her head.] Thanks, you can run after it soon, just remember what I said.

[then his attention goes to pal, this odd man- why did nice people hang out in caves anyway? it's kind of weird it happened twice, he thinks, but then focuses on the boat.

it chugs down the creak and viktor glances to pal, trying not to make it obvious he's peeking at his reaction. soon enough rio loses her patience and skitters after it, a little splash of water in her wake that has viktor biting off a laugh and holding up an arm. at least she didn't knock pal on his ass again.

speaking of pal viktor looks to him and offers a proper smile, lost a little in the moment a rio's happy splashing.]

At least he's at rest now. Bein' trapped like that... He deserved better. They all did. Even whatever those other things were before they were infected.

[Look at the little boat go, wow... Look also at little Viktor and Rio, who Palamedes finds much more interesting than the toy, but he's studiously not being disconcerting by looking too much. This tiny, shy Viktor is just adorable? He gives him a short grin when Viktor catches his eye - probably accidentally, given how he keeps glancing over and Palamedes keeps pretending not to notice - and turns his attention back to the boat.]

It's fast! [And jesus christ, so is Rio, splashing away so suddenly that Palamedes also laughs in surprise, ah-]

Well, she listened for a handful of seconds, there. [rio.....] I'm starting to think if you managed to see the engines in the bigger ships, you'd have a whole one put together down here in record time.

[Wind up toys are very comparable to engines, ahem, he already said he doesn't know anything about machines.]

She always dents the hull. [viktor sighs with all the world wariness of whatever the hell age he is right now. nearby rio is pouncing and probably denting the hull as they speak, so she's having fun.] And then I have to take it all off and try to bend it back to shape! It's annoying.

[and yet he's looking to rio fondly so... there you go. worth a little elbow grease, as it were.

all in all he's pretty pleased with getting to show off his work though, torn between ducking his head and standing straighter. maybe more so at the implication he could make a whole ship, like out on the water. he scoffs, pretty sure this has to be teasing but- well, maybe a little happy with the prospect.]

You don't know enough about engines to say that. [another pause and he says,] If um, if you went on a walk again you could come back. Rio likes you. [viktor does, but admitting that? nope.]

[ Given she's still standing and Viktor's already settled in to look over the fan, it's a given Gaia looks around even as she perks up by the offer of tea. ]

That'd be nice honestly. Though I can put the kettle on.

[If it's obvious where everything is, Gaia will just do that task herself before returning to the seat offered. Otherwise direct away! Either way once she settles into a seat nearby, she is obviously mildly interested in the conversation. Or maybe just watching the tinkering, who knows?]

As for the physical aspects, I can handle that. And if I can't, I'll trade for some extra help. And you can handle the complicated parts.

[ Gaia might look like a delicate teen but honestly, anyone who's moving on their own at her age probably has a hidden strength. And her attitude indicates she's confident in what she's capable of.

Though this is also the girl that sometimes overextends what she believes herself to be capable of through sheer pride. Still that's also very like a teenager. She's getting better! ]

I suppose it's close enough to aether. Lunar orbs I mean.

[ Her words are offhand. ]

Alisae or Thancred would probably have been able to tell you more details if they were still around.

Why were you in that area exactly? Was it eh... a deployment, I think they call it?

[ooc; i will! and heheh, i had to honestly.]

[viktor startles when he sees the gash, only the vague thought of 'he's a coldblood then' following when the blood crystalizes on the ground. it is always an unnerving feeling when this happens, when he knows there is little he can do aside from get in the way, and he regrets it each time even as it often seems a sad inevitability of this place.

maybe it's that regret, maybe it's the blood or maybe it's the whatever happens when that odd tremor final reaches the surface. it's the last thing viktor sees when suddenly the world lurches again and they're back to where they ended up before, GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME still etched where it was before.

this time remina is there too, watching them with a hard stare from a distance away. viktor ignores her completely for a moment, moving to fushiguro with a furrowed brow, eye on his arm. back to normal of course, as though it never happened at all.]

Are you alright? The phantom pain can sometimes linger.

[Nauseating. The sudden pull from one time to another is not something that one simply "gets used to." The writing is on the wall. Failure.

Looking down, he flips his arm over and finds it to be in peak condition. Not a hair out of place. Everything perfectly preserved from before the encounter, down to the sleeve which is completely mended and stitched as if nothing had ever happened.]

It's cold, but I'll be fine. [Still staring in somewhat disbelief.] So our bodies reset, too. [Said half as a question and half as a realization. That's a relief, energy is not a limitless resource.Looking over at Viktor.] How are you holding up? [The initial pull out of the beast's grasp must have been a shock, and he's not sure if Viktor had been hurt in the battle.]

That sounds fascinating...[And he really does seem interested. He may not be versed in the sciences, but that doesn't mean he can't find value in the results.]

Have you come across anything promising? The moon obviously plays a rather serious role here, it would be interesting to see if the effects have been quantifiable in some regard.

My own focus has been on reading up on the boundaries of this place and its Patrons.

Yes, that has been my experience in these. Admittedly I was never in one where anyone has been injured or worse. [viktor answers as he frowns down at fushiguro's arm, wondering what happens if they were to die in a loop. it is understandably unsettling and something he would rather neither of them find out.

then again, ultimately better than actually dying. he sighs softly before shaking his head.] I am fine, were you the one who moved me out of the way? I felt a burst of cold.

[a pause, then solemnly,] Thank you for your aid. I think you very well saved my life that run.

[viktor blinks, stumbling a little as he's pulled but when his gaze turns to the doll that lunged it just... stops. freezes, a normal doll sitting on the sidewalk like it fell out of the hands of a wayward child.

aside from the stomach churning unease that comes from looking at it viktor would be hard pressed to find anything odd about it.]

That- you see that, yes?

[at least it isn't moving? maybe that's worse somehow.]

Yeah, I was deployed to Iraq about two years ago. We were in that area specifically because there was this fancy satellite system that claimed there was an underground silo full of weapons.

I think it might've just picked up equipment left behind by these explorers from the 1940's. Or some other shit we found that I think was from whatever the vampires were before they got infected.

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june catch-all

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ableism cw!

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