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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[ 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.

[ Anyway. ]

Ah, here-- [ He wipes off his knife and scoops the "good" berries to the side away from all the stems. They're... not pretty, but he did passably nip the green tops off them all. He's not Shouto, after all. He did work in a kitchen part time. ]

I'm done. ♥

[ His smile bright, he's quickly brushed over that briefly heavy sort of mood like it wasn't even there, just like that. ]

Eh, not bad. Thank you, Allen. [congrats on managine 'not shouto' levels of cooking. viktor nods in approval before picking up the tray of doughnuts.]

Could you put these in the oven? It is already preheating. [he says, since allen is near it, though he keeps an eye for any strain. with that done he can focus on what was said, with,]

That is why we strive to make them understand. [a shrug then a quirk of a smile.] That is part of our joint legacy now, is it not? Making people understand there is a better way.

[ Joint... legacy? Even if that's always been implied and isn't a surprise, not with how their friendship started, with Viktor's lab, beast and purification research, everything they've done together, and yet... Allen stops from where he had been cracking the oven open a touch to peak inside, looking up at the older man in a stunned matter like that had, yes, struck him so entirely offguard. ]

I... yes! [ He's flushed, standing up straighter like trying to do Viktor proud just by really good posture or somesuch. ]

Yes, it is. [ It's such a happy, overwhelmed sort of flush. To actually leave a legacy to inspire people to a better way...

Blinking rapidly for a moment, he quickly covers up his overwhelmed state with a bright smile. Collects himself. ]

Um.. right! Pre-heating, oven... I can do that-- [ Probably. It isn't a strain on him exactly, but moving over to collect the tray and leaning down to slide it carefully into the oven -- he does wobble unsteadily, especially in trying to lean down. Not to the point of staggering, but... he's annoyed at how much concentration it takes to not topple. ]

Edited 2022-06-14 03:13 (UTC)

[viktor watches him, fond and thinking terribly sentimental things he no longer shies away from so much. things like that chance meeting in the catacombs was one he would not change for anything, and how he hopes to see allen grow into an adult proper and all the good he'll do in that time.

ridiculous. he has to glance away, smile still small as he moves to start the jam.]

Your movement is much better, I am glad. In truth I have expected you to strain yourself. [he says as he starts putting some of the strawberries in a pot.]

[ Don't worry, Viktor. Your moment of sentimentality and thoughts over the man your adoptive teenager might one day grow into are safe for now, as Allen is distracted by the donuts and watching them for a moment through the window of the oven. He straightens, keeping his hands on the counter and oven handle for balance, and smiles a touch sheepishly at that comment. Expected him to... ]

I haven't much-- [ Much. Mostly because of several people watching him like hawks for the slightest sign that he was pushing himself. Check back in with him after sweeping off after Chizuru and Shouto later.

Coming close, he does notice that faint lingering smile though, so perhaps your sentimentality didn't go entirely unnoticed. Allen smiles gently and leans over to see what he's doing with the strawberries. ]

What are you making now? The jam?

Edited 2022-06-14 03:26 (UTC)

Much. [he points out with a shake of the head. ah, his son he doesn't even realize he thinks of as kind of a son or little brother or something. what a life. the strawberries in the pot are getting mashed a little with a spoon before he's adding some sugar.]

Yes, it will be for the filling. One of my neighbors would make these on festive days, though we usually used cavernberries for the filling. [he explains as he puts the pot on the stovetop to heat.]

I would have tried the raspberries but... yes. Those are too dangerous these days.

[ They could be a festive sort of dish of sorts then? It piques his interest and he pays a bit more attention then, though honestly any kind of baked good already gets a good deal of his interest by default.

He watches Viktor's steps with great interest, and takes the time to snag one of the high stools in the kitchen to pull up and sit on. Perching on it so he can watch Viktor while he continues to cook and seeming to find a great deal of happiness in that. ]

Dangerous...? [ No. Not fruit...? ]

[viktor finds he enjoys it too, surprisingly cooking with company is more interesting than alone? what a shock. who would have thought.

it also reminds him of very, very old memories, too faded but tinted in fond nostalgia. it is nice, this. all of it.

raspberries aren't.] They make you aggressive, pick fights despite all sense. So certainly try to avoid any, it isn't a compulsion you can suppress I'm afraid.

[ Raspberries make you an aggressive jerk? That's awful, and he wrinkles his nose accordingly at the thought. That's honestly just rude, as are most things that have to do with toying with food. Come to think of it, Sansa had said something similar about lemons effecting her strangely... and he'd given her a whole bunch of them along with some lemon cakes. That's just unfortunate... also he feels a touch bad about inadvertently contributing. ]

Sometimes I greatly dislike how food isn't always just 'food' here.

[ He lets them lapse into a bit of a silence though, leaning his elbows on the counter and propping his chin up on his hands to just he watch as he stirs and the mashed strawberries begin to slowly bubble. It's a comfortable silence, and the smell of the fruit reduction and the not-donuts in the oven beginning to puff and bake is... quite honestly heaven, but ultimately extremely disarming. And his eyes hood slightly, thoughtfully; like his thoughts have drifted somewhere else. Lulled into a more peaceable, disarmed manner than he often is. ]

Ne, Viktor... Could I ask you something?

Edited 2022-06-14 04:17 (UTC)

It's incredibly irritating. [viktor sighs. made him punch god but that guy deserved it, probably. either way he'll be glad when they get a month without this nonsense, if possible.

he stirs the pot, taking a moment himself to simply enjoy the peace of the place, scratching the weird baking itch the trench gave him. when allen asks he glances over.]

Of course. [he offers, turning his attention back to the stirring, the sweet smell starting to fill the air in earnest.]

[ Hey, Allen would punch god without the assistance of angry fruit. Possibly even the same god, considering. He's been casing the bone house for a while out of suspicion after Sansa's tipoff... he's also a lot more forgiving than her though, and he hasn't seen anything to make his mind up one way or another though. Other than "this guy is really creepy, I don't like him."

The kitchens are dead silent and abandoned at this hour except for them, something Allen is grateful for. People tend to mill around in the other cleared parts of Sanctuary, the courtyard and the infirmary, the places that Palamedes and Viktor and others had been poking at and working on restoring... but after Abigail helps serve a dinner the kitchen shuts down and only a few people linger in the nearby dining hall.

As for what keeps nudging at the back of his mind, blame it on his own paleblood this month making Allen not so much itch to bake on his own, but to want to be around others doing so and be part of the process. It knits together in his heart in a very sentimental way that feels right, and causes his thoughts to drift pleasantly. So he leans onto his elbows more deeply and lets them do so, pale eyes focused on the wooden spoon. ]

After you first met Palamedes... when did you know?

[one day they will have to have a conversation about this god, because boy oh boy. but for now the conversation is a lot nicer, if not a little surprising for viktor, who glances over again with a quirked brow.

his gaze once again turns to the pot, quiet as he considers. he lets go of his own curiosity for a moment at why allen would ask, instead thinking of his answer. again allen is one of the few he feels comfortable being open about with this, so often has his vulnerability with allen been rewarded instead of exploited and so it seems second nature now.]

I was drawn to him from the moment we met, though I did not realize for a time. It was when I was shadowed by those mimics, the ones that would slowly turn you silver? I did not know what it was and decided to try and handle the situation myself. I feared Palamedes getting involved and getting infected somehow.

[he feared the same of allen, which is also why he avoided allen those few days. easier than pal, who he lived with.] Eventually Palamedes found me, he knew I liked to think at the docks. He convinced me to return with him back home, that the risk of my being loss was far greater to him than any chance he could get caught up in it.

And then he made me a sandwich. [that makes him chuckle, looking over at allen with a crooked smile.] I know it sounds bizarre, but that is when I knew. Everything leading up to it and then that, and I thought 'no one has ever made me food before.' Not really, Jayce and Sky would bring in food to share sometimes but make it? After I ignored him for days, after he had to go out searching, after everything he made me a truly pitiful jam sandwich and I thought I think I have feelings for this man.

Edited 2022-06-14 04:54 (UTC)

[ The funny thing is, Viktor, you aren't the only one being vulnerable here too. Just by even asking that is Allen opening himself up in a way he very much never, ever does. Which perhaps says more about how very guarded he is about certain aspects of himself. Extremely open with others, wearing them brazenly on his sleeve, but... others he crushes and pushes down where even he won't think about them. Or at least he tries not to.

But that sort of story gets a blink from him, tipping his head to the side to look at Viktor instead with a thoughtful sort of curiosity. Well, of all people Allen would be someone to understand how something as simple as someone making food for you could be utterly overwhelming. There is also an irony in that you realize, Viktor, as they both sit here baking in the kitchen. And as you were the first person to also offer to make Allen food here. Food is love, after all. Why do you think it's something as important to Allen as it is? Well, other than the fact he was a starving orphan for much of his life. But it goes deeper than that.

But that story makes him smile, gently and faintly. Hearing about the bonds people have with each other always touch him like that. Even if HE SHOULD BE CONCERNED YOU WERE LIKE THAT AND ALLEN DIDN'T KNOW... but sentimentality and it being a long time ago means you get a pass. For now. Also knowing that Palamedes will hunt you down if you try that something like that again. ]

I don't think that's bizarre at all. [ He hesitates a touch, mulling that over. That moment of realization, of something like 'no one has ever done this sort of thing for me before...' ]

You're both really natural to see together, so that makes sense. [ His gaze slips back to the jam, an idle smile pulling at one corner of his mouth. ] I didn't really get to say it clearly before, but I'm really happy for you.

Edited 2022-06-14 05:16 (UTC)

[viktor's smile softens a little- yes, maybe allen gets it. he doesn't know all of allen's life by a long shot but there are things he recognizes in allen that he can make basic guesses about based off his own experience.

it's not terribly hard to tell when someone truly knew what it was to be hungry, after all.

he lowers the heat a little, stirring slowly.] ... thank you, Allen. In truth it's been a touch terrifying of an experience, though very much worth it. I suppose having something you feel you could not bear to lose will always be frightening, one way or another.

[ Allen's eyes unfocus and then refocus briefly at that, Viktor's comment about that being such a scary thing, having something dear you realize that you could lose. Because it strikes close to a memory of his, and makes it click to make a bit more sense. Not one from his life before, though. But from sitting in the catacombs with Shouto, actually. ]

...that fear never leaves you either, someone told me. But I think that just shows how important they are to us. [ He says it gently, but a little more seriously too. ]

That's the strongest reason why people fight, after all. The reason that can make them strong, at least. Because they feel they have something to protect.

It gives us a reason to keep moving forward. [viktor agrees, and thinks of his somewhat recent turn to focusing solely on survival over legacy. because he has people he wants to keep moving forward with, afraid to lose them or be lost.]

I suppose it would be easier to never care so deeply you could be hurt, but I do not think that is a way I ever wish to live again. [he turns off the stove, still stirring but taking the jam off the heat as he regards allen curiously.]

Why do you ask? I did not take you as one for romantic stories. [a touch amused, given he wouldn't have thought the same of himself and here he is, having told one.]

[ "But I do not think that is a way I ever wish to live again." Don't think Allen didn't notice that one very important word in there, Viktor. It's a very important insight, one that would actually have him stilling a little to realize. And he will later, but-- right now, Viktor's managed to throw him off keel enough to distract him. ]

Ehh?! There's nothing wrong with wanting to hear stories like that... [ Sweating, just a little. It isn't a lie; truth be told Allen is a romantic. Just... not the traditional archetype of one. If this were some saccharine out of touch fairytale that didn't seem real or hot and heavy he'd be nope'ing out so fast. But the truth of people's affections and their bonds with each other are literally the reason why he fights, the reason for his everything, simply by virtue of both his nature and the nature of akuma. It doesn't matter what kind of bond, what kind of love they are, and he doesn't rank any over the others.

But. He also wouldn't ask about them either, yeah. ]

I was just curious. [ Yes, that sounds lame even to Allen. Even if he wasn't fidgeting slightly at being called out -- and definitely glancing away when Viktor peers at him. ]

[viktor's lips quirk as he moves to the oven to check on the tray, resisting the urge to point out a reason people sometimes ask a question like that is because they are wondering about their own feelings. that is interesting, if so, but viktor knows allen well enough now to know teasing him on such matters would not be the best method of help in this area.

at least not before he settles himself, if that is what is happening here. after teasing is free game.

even so it could just be curiosity, he does remind himself that. he hums, straightening and leaning back against the counter.] Not at all. Palamedes actually writes romance stories, they're quite dramatic. In truth romance is something I know very little about, so I have simply been following what feels right for us.

[just. some vague advice there, in case that is what this is about. without actually saying it's advice.] It's worked quite well, I would say. Expectations have a way of muddling things.

[ He stands down a little at that, mollified -- and also rather comically surprised by that revelation enough to forget that he should be defensive. ]

--Palamedes does? Really? [ you think you know a guy ]

Huh. [ A blink, his guard eased back down. Still... wow. Palamedes, huh. He shifts in his chair a little, turning about to look at Viktor as he leans down on his palms, pressed upon the edge of the chair between his legs. A little hesitant sure, but. ]

...didn't you ever worry it might ruin your friendship? [ Truth be told, he's hesitant because he also doesn't want to cast any shadows over such a good thing. ]

Or is that what you meant by "following what feels right."

Edited 2022-06-14 20:40 (UTC)

[viktor grins a little at that.] I know, I wouldn't have expected it at first. He is an odd man. [and there's that fondness again, gross.] I suppose it isn't terribly surprising. He cares about people a great deal and has a flair for the dramatic. Love stories are a good outlet for both.

[ah, that question has viktor schooling his expression because now he's more sure than ever allen is trying to figure himself out. who could it be, he wonders? miss stone or todoroki? they seem the closest to him.

hm. well regardless, he considers how to answer that before saying,] Not particularly. I had other worries, but in terms of our friendship I trust Palamedes to be honest with me, and I trusted our friendship could survive the awkwardness of a rejection.

And yes, I suppose it is. In truth? There came a point where it felt like lying to him to pretend my feelings were purely platonic. I did not like that feeling, so in that way it felt right. [a pause] Not that I think it is lying to have a crush, mind you. Simply... we have always been open with each other, I suppose.

[ "There came a point where it felt like lying to him." Fuck.

Allen's chin lifts up slightly at that, brows lifted and expression a touch like he'd just been struck as that had... not occurred to him. Not so directly, at least. Always open with each other...

--why does he feel guilty? ]

[ He shakes it off mentally quickly, pulling a smile up instead. A little sheepish, scratching at his cheek for a moment as if embarrassed but also warmed. ]

I think that's the more admirable sort of thing, really. [ He says it gently and simply, but it's almost a little too easily. Skating by. ]

Just being able to be open with someone like that.

[ Also good luck trying to deduce which of those two Allen is more affectionate with, Viktor: he held hands with both at the fireworks party pretty openly because that's just how he is. Well, Shouto more than Sansa... but that was mostly sitting together under cover and in the name of fireworks. Although Sansa had serenaded him with a love ballad at one point... in the name of storytelling. ...Because she'd been charmed about the similarities they were showing with the pair in the song after he'd been showing off his juggling. Hm... ]

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