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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[the bunker has enough of a little kitchen for viktor to get some baking done but sanctuary? much better. avoiding being fed is a matter but today viktor is lucky, cleaning off some not magic strawberries in the empty kitchen.

of course when he hears someone going by his first instinct is to hide, because of said avoiding being fed, but when the one in the hall is allen he relaxes.] Good, I do not need to flee. I wanted to try a new recipe, it is- they are like donuts, yes? My neighbors when I was very young would make them, vdolky.

[he gestures for allen to join him if he'd like. viktor actually looks healthier than he usually does, even so far as using a cane instead of his crutch, his breathing a little less rattled. he had a corruption spike earlier in the month but the baking has helped, as you know, friends and a good boyfriend and things of that nature. who knew.]

[ Ah! He thought he heard someone down here. His instincts are still spot on. ★ And it had seemed too late for anyone who usually cooks the dinners to still be here, so... ]

Hiding from Miss Abigail again, Viktor? [ It's a good-natured tease as he comes up to peer over at what the older man had been working on. Allen is likewise more mobile these days, ironically upgrading from the wheelchair to a pair or crutches himself, and he uses them easily enough. Strong enough to carry himself entirely on his hands. ]

Ehhh? [ He sounds excited. ] I've never heard of them. They're like donuts?

Can I help?

[ Whether help means "help" or "help taste" is debatable, but... ]

She is terrifying and I feel no shame in admitting as much. We are lucky she uses her powers for good. [viktor informs, faux solemn before his lips quirk. it is very good to see allen more mobile, though viktor feels for him in terms of what a pain in the ass crutches can be. at least allen seems to be handling them well.]

They have a dip for putting jam in, otherwise in every other way they are fried dough. [a recipe even allen could not mess up.... right...

he knows allen well enough to hand over a plump strawberry before gesturing to the pile.] Take the green tops off of those? And try not to eat too many, if you can manage. How have you been? [he asks as he goes to start measuring out the flour and sugar.]

[ Haha! His summary of Abigail gets a genuine sort of laugh from Allen. He really isn't wrong there. He's seen how she can dog after Viktor, especially with him spending more time around Sanctuary to study it.

But jam and fried bread? With strawberries? He's in, and takes the offered fruit with an amicable sort of smile. ]

Sure, I can do that. [ And gosh you don't need to tell him not to eat too many!! (Even if he... probably would....) But he moves over to the pile of strawberries, leaning his crutches against the countertop before assessing them and the paring knife. (Left hand? Left hand.)

He nicks one and pops it in his mouth while he's debating, clearly just to confirm they're good enough to use. ]

It's been really busy, trying to figure out everything. [ He says that, but he's also smiling as he figures out how he wants to cut the berries. Holding them in his right hand as he uses his left more deftly with the knife.

It's a soft, warmed sort of smile he doesn't often get. Happy, but also a little heavy. ]

I wish I was able to fight properly again already.

What about you, Viktor?

[clearly just to test them. it is fine, there are so many strawberries since viktor figured any he didn't use would just stock sanctuary's shelves. it took a while to find types of fruit that weren't cursed but that's just the hardmode of trench shopping.

viktor's attention goes to the yeast, the flours, mixing it all with a furrowed brow for the measurements because at the very least he's a stickler there. the smile gets a glance, glad to see it after all the stresses of the previous month.

admittedly he has a bad feeling about june but he's trying not to be obnoxiously pessimistic. yet.] As much as I wish you got more rest the time you spent organizing all of this? It was very needed, and quite fruitful as far as I have seen. In truth I expected far more resistance than we've seen.

You have done very well, Allen. [a matter he's sure to remind allen of. the question about himself gets a click of his tongue.] I have managed. The eh, the time looping is exhausting, though ultimately useful. You know Fushiguro, yes?

[ While Viktor is far more precise with the dry goods than Allen would ever be, so good call there, Allen is rather enjoying being on fruit cutting duty. Every time he cuts one a little wrong or too much that's just one they can't use, right? Might as well just pop it in his mouth then. He likes this. ★

He startles a little and quickly waves a sheepish hand dismissively at the compliment though. Aaahh, everyone keeps presuming so much of everything here is because of him. It feels so dishonest. ]

Aaa no-- so much of that is Alayne, really... She's the one who suggested [ aka diplomatically strong-armed him ] we reach out to the Hunters. And got a lot of other people onboard even if they wouldn't. [ Still... his cheeks have pinkened a touch, and he scratches at one for a moment a little self-consciously. Warmed? A little.

But he blinks, looking up and forgetting what he's doing when Viktor mentions a name he's quite familiar with but very rarely hears. Megumi is a bit of hermit, after all. Even Allen doesn't see him much. ]

Fushiguo? I do, he woke up the same time that I did... you know him too?

Edited 2022-06-10 20:13 (UTC)

Bah, you dance around it. Her work has been incredibly admirable and I am sure she would agree with me that you take less credit than you should. [viktor tuts, not having it. he wouldn't say he know alayne well but he can somehow imagine her diplomatically putting her foot down about that. a good ally.

he starts kneading the dough once it's ready for that, nodding. still baffled that these two knew each other for so long without one critical exchange of information.]

We were trapped in a loop together. In that loop I learned he had powers very similar to yours, including the ability to purify beasts. [he glances over to allen at that, brow raised.] I saw him do so myself. I can't say I'm thrilled with Remina at the moment but I suppose she at least gave us ample chance there.

[ Hold on, Viktor. We'll get back to our regularly scheduled programming on how bad he is at taking a compliment in a moment. Or even processing all of that, time loops, etc. But first, that offhand remark about Megumi... ]

? He can-- [ Head cocked prettily to the side, he blinks again. ]

--what?

Edited 2022-06-10 20:46 (UTC)

Ehhhhhh?!?!

[ sputtering ]

What?!?!? He never told me that was something he could do!!!

[ BETRAYER ]

[allen.exe is loading. viktor regards this actually pretty reasonable reaction with amusement, leaning his hip against the counter as he pats excess flour off his hands.]

To be fair Allen, did you not tell him you can exorcise beasts as well?

[yeah the uh. exasperated amusement is pretty thick. these two are oddly similar in certain ways.

though if allen did tell him and megumi still didn't mention it that's just as hilarious.]

[ Don't deny him this! That jerk! And here he's been thinking since his announcement that he's entirely alone in the whole of Trench as far as people who can truly exorcise are concerned!! ]

I told the whole of Trench!! On the network!! Also he's seen my sword too, we fought together!!

[ Did he... spell out the nature of his exorcism exactly to Megumi directly though? He doesn't remember!!! Still not the point!! Betrayal!!! ]

[ok, at this viktor can't help a snort of a laugh, plucking one of the cut strawberries up as he decides they're both a little ridiculous.]

So collectively it took you both... eight months is it? To share this information with each other, and by share I mean through a mutual acquaintence.

[he pops the strawberry in his mouth. exorcists. when it's chewed and swallowed he offers,] I directed him here, obviously. He is a very good man, I think.

[ Well when you put it like that they both sound like idiots! Ugghhh...

Audible groans aside, he's a little mollified by Viktor's point and merely looks sulky. ]

You did? [ Hhh... he'll shelve his annoyance for now. ]

What happened exactly? [ time loops? ]

[viktor plucks up another strawberry and offers it- here you go bud, enjoy the paleblood fruit craze and being a bit of a double act comedy with megumi unintentionally. viktor, for one, is having a great time.]

We ran into each other in Gaze and a loop began when a beast got involved. You know how Gaze is with its changing paths, it took a time to make sure we could approach the beast without being ambushed or the situation getting dire.

[a pause and he says,] Despite knowing we would loop with failure he made a pointed effort to help me at risk to himself. As I said, a good man. I owe him.

[ "A pointed effort to help me at risk to himself..." Allen's expression smooths at that, an awe-touched sort of sober, gentle surprise. He did something like that for Viktor, who he presumably either didn't know before or at least didn't know well...?

He takes the strawberry, popping it into his mouth automatically, but he doesn't need to be mollified. Instead, he's recalling the last time he'd seen Megumi in person, the horror as they both struggled to survive. 'Don't be selfish and die all alone...']

Mm, he is. I haven't seen him since the catacombs... [ Where he'd met Viktor, too. ]

I'll have to go see him again one of these days. I had no idea anyone out there could do something like I could too.

Where we met. [it's on viktor's mind as well, and after a moment he can't help a small smile, a little more sincere than he usually allows himself.] The beast was a child, and he saved the boy. It reminded me of Abigail's daughter.

[it had been a lot, all of it. nearly dying, the cursed energy, the beast. in the end though it's a memory he's ended up holding close, fueling some inner drive that they can do better. they have the tools, they have the will. they just need to press forward.

he turns back to the dough, a touch embarrassed for the sudden sentimentality. he spends to much time with the shounens, truly.] I plan on calling him over to the lab later this week, I think. He has some excellent theories I would like to hear more about. Really he should be brought here, I can't imagine he wouldn't be interested in your efforts.

[ The beast was a child? Though he says that of Abigail's daughter too, who isn't really a child compared to Allen, and the thought makes him laugh quietly to himself. Viktor you sound older than you are when you say things like that. (Though... how old is he? Good question...) ]

I hope I might get to meet him one day then. [ Might he come by Sanctuary someday at hearing of people who save beasts? It'd be a nice thought and, yes-- makes him feel more warmly towards Megumi, who puts on such a standoffish front but has very deep feelings as well. ]

Theories? [ That gets a curious look from Allen, and renewed interest. He resumes coring the strawberries as well, though he has already gotten through most of them. Which means that a third of the pile has been cut and are ready and the others that should have been are in his stomach. ]

What kind of theories are those?

[nebulous early thirties, which now make him feel very old surrounded by so many teens. he and rose the horror protag mom sigh about it sometimes. that said viktor nods, hoping the same.] It is a traumatic thing to live through, I hope we can encourage those saved to return if only to check their corruption levels and perhaps discuss the matter with sympathetic people.

[beasthood counseling? boy. the trench is something. viktor starts shaping the dough into little balls with a dip in the middle, puffs of flour as he works. he hums and says,] About the pthumerians, the purpose of this place, our role in the larger body of it. I can't say I gave any of it the thought it deserved, and now I admit I want to learn anything I can about the pthumerians.

Like that tapestry, what it means, what this building was used for. I am starting to think some of what we learn here could come of use in understanding how everything fits together.

[ Allen hopes it can be something like that too. It's why he's been so happy to see so many people like Tara and Ezra here, who help provide emotional support for people either struggling with their corruption, or trying to re-integrate after their beasthood. ]

The pthumerians? [ His head tilts slightly to the left at that, curious. Thoughtful. ]

I... don't think about them a whole lot either. Not much, at least. [ He glances down at his gloved left hand, where the crystal on the back would be. He wonders, sometimes, before ultimately deciding it doesn't matter, much like he decided god no longer mattered to him or his actions back in his world before. He does have some beliefs and opinions after all this time, but...

He looks back up at the other man, shaking his thoughts from it. ]

What do you think it might mean, Viktor? I know you and Palamedes and some of the others have been looking into that more.

[viktor is quiet for a few moments as he shapes the dough, places it to the side to rise, shapes another. nice, repetitive motions as he frowns and considers just how much there is that could be said on it all.

what does he think? he himself, without any filter, a matter allen is one of the few people he'd feel comfortable being completely honest with. after a moment he says,] I think to assign them good or evil intentions is assuming they have human morality. Making them an enemy or an ally... it is an assumption I do not believe is right to make, not without a better line of communication.

But I do believe regardless of all that they are a key player in whatever grander motions are at play here, and ultimately we are brought here to be tools or players in those motions. For that reason alone I believe we need to be careful with them, but not to the point of condemnation.

Not yet, at least.

[ He watches how he seems to lose himself in the motions of kneading and shaping the dough, though he doesn't comment on it. Link would be like that sometimes; he found a solace and comfort in the process of baking like it helped him even out his thoughts. Maybe there was something to it. ]

Mm... I can understand that, I think. But... [ He trails off a little, examining a strawberry. He hasn't even stopped to eat anymore since they started talking about this. He's normally quite filtered about topics like this. Steers clear of them if there isn't adamant agreement, and instead asks people more what they think -- unless they're being dangerous or offensive, in which case he'll go after them. But with Viktor...

Viktor is someone he's always been straight with, and who's always seemed straight with him. ]

...I think I think of them a bit more like people. Just because there's a vast difference of power, to the point where we might look at something and think it's immortal or a god... it doesn't mean they aren't still like us to some extent. They can be good and bad both, have their failings and faults... even they might look at the world in an entirely different way than we do.

That one responsible for the catacombs, or whose followers were responsible for it, the Moss King... and the Tower, whose shrine was in the Sleeper Farm... those places were undeniably evil. But some like Argonaut-- they seem to only want to help people. I saw him a lot a couple months ago, when there was no daylight, and every time he was trying to reach out to someone and comfort them. He came to me several times too, even if I didn't quite know why or what he wanted. And every time someone talks about the Moon Presence, I feel a sense of calm. In a way where I wish I could meet her. [ He pauses, trying to parse out his thoughts coherently for perhaps the first time. ]

I don't even know that I believe we're any more "brought" here by them than any living creature is... I think that gives them too much credit. [ it's decided, his tone, like this is something he has very personal experience with ] They aren't deities, to me. They're just very powerful, and often followed by also powerful, often insane people. Maybe they're as bound up by the magic of this world as we are even. Something at the center of the universe populated by so many people reborn from so many different places.

"God" might just be the perception of the relative power difference between two individuals, after all.

[ Like the Noah. Terrible, powerful, seemingly evil demigods who were actually just... human. Very powerful humans. And Innocence like his own, a crystal "fragment of God", well... ]

But it's dangerous, not knowing anything about something like that... [ God, if there was one lesson he learned in the last of his memories from "before".

But he turns and looks at Viktor directly then, eyes clear and steady. ]

So I think we should learn more about them, too.

Edited 2022-06-14 02:10 (UTC)

[viktor pauses to listen, thoughtful as he takes in allen's ideas. after a moment of consideration his lips quirk, meeting allen's eyes.]

Ultimately then we are in agreement on the important matter. It isn't simply dissecting them or unravelling their mystery, if we are to have any hope in understanding them it should be through mutual communication.

Whether they are more alien like I imagine or more like people as you do. Too often I have seen people get violent or hateful to what they view as 'other.' In truth it is the trap I most fear sleepers falling into with the pthumerians. [he goes back to the dough, making the last few and letting them sit.

another pause and,] Remina, her loops may have saved that child's life when I was trapped with Fushiguro. I cannot say I am her biggest fan but... it is something I will not ignore.

[ "Too often I have seen people get violent or hateful to what they view as 'other...'" Allen stills slightly at that, looking over at Viktor, before giving a reluctant sort of nod. Thoughtful. ]

Mm... [ It's soft, and there's a gentleness to it and a faintly bittersweet sort of smile he has. ]

People are all too often afraid of what they can't understand, after all.

for allen, june baking

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