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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[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... ]

[the question is will viktor have the strength and willpower not to gossip about all this with palamedes later. can he be that much of a bro to allen. probably, but it will pain him.

regardless viktor nods.] Vulnerability is a frightening thing. If it were not for Jayce's influence over the years I am sure I would not have confessed to Palamedes.

[he moves to open the oven, the smell a delight that fills the kitchen even more when he does. he hopes it isn't too obvious and pointed to say,] And here it is important, is it not? To be vulnerable with those you can trust.

[ You know he honestly figures most of what he tells Viktor would get back to Palamedes, that's just how couples work in his mind. He wouldn't even mind that. He WOULD mind that he thinks there's anything to gossip about!!! Really!!

But Allen leans over, taking a whiff of the scent that comes from the oven now. The perfume of baked goods. ♥ It's his favorite. ]

Ahhh it smells good... [ He also, while Viktor is doing that... might lean over and steal a quick swipe of the cooling jam. Is it still piping hot? Yes, that's why he uses his left hand. Although he has to blow on it quite a bit before it's safe enough for his tongue. And he blinks slightly at that point he makes, giving Viktor a curious look around the finger still in his mouth. ]

"Here"? More important than elsewhere? [ talking around it? talking around it ]

Edited 2022-06-15 01:58 (UTC)

Be careful. [viktor chides, placing the tray down and waving allen away from the jam with a look. he is not a motherhen he swears.

the jam gets scooped into the little dips in each, a hum as viktor answers,] Well yes. Corruption is largely mental, and having partners of any sort offer many ways to combat that. A partner can notice changes in your demeanor that indicate a corruption spike, they can offer support that keeps your mental wellbeing strong.

A great deal of the trials here end up requiring someone to help as well, and it useful to always have someone to turn to. Obviously many of these roles can be filled by good friends or even roommates. A romantic bond I do not believe is inherently more important than platonic ones, but I imagine denying such feelings if they do exist would be a strain in some ways.

[with most of the vdolky filled he finally picks one up carefully, still piping hot but offered to allen. they did it, they baked a thing and it's pretty ok!]

I am! [ The motherhen doth protest too much.

Allen blinks slightly as Viktor begins speaking though. Listening quietly, though he will hover a touch to see if he can help with the filling. It's just putting jams in the middle, right? That's something he can do. But he listens to Viktor as he does so, his expression growing more quietly thoughtful as he continues speaking. ]

I hadn't thought about it like that... [ He's right though, of course. As slightly uncomfortable as some of that makes Allen personally, someone used to being very friendly with a great many people and being close to them but not letting them be close to him. And... as much as that makes him think of someone else who he worries after whose demeanor can be harder to read. It's sobering.

But he takes the vdolky, if with a more subdued manner than usual, and making sure to do so with his left hand while he blows on it for a moment before he takes a bite. ]

! Hot, hot... [ You know that awkward little dance people make when they eat something too hot? Yep, that's him. At least until the taste registers. ]

--oh! [ He blinks, looking to Viktor as he swallows then. ] It's good!

Edited 2022-06-16 06:36 (UTC)

Eh, it is perhaps an overly rational way of looking at things, I admit. That does not stop it from being true, however. Those who isolate themselves here are at the greatest risk.

[and it's too easy to do just that, far too easy. his expression goes a touch fond as he regards allen, mostly because yes, meeting allen is what helped break him from that habit early on in his stay.

he can't help but snort when allen does the little too hot food dance, a look that says 'you're being careful, huh?' he picks up one himself mostly to regard it, a pleased look at how they turned out and the verdict.]

Hm, maybe I will make some for our next dinner. Do you think Todoroki would like them?

[ He catches that look, blinking for a moment at why it's directed his way for a moment, before he smiles gently in response. It even makes him forget his slightly burnt tongue for a moment. _Ow. ]

Todoroki is his family name, you know. [ mentioning it only 'cause... Allen didn't realize the mistake until he met the other Todoroki...

His expression turns thoughtful though, blowing on the pastry before taking another bite that isn't so hot this time. ]

But hmm. I don't think he likes sweet things very much. [ He never had them when they had been living together, and seemed a bit disturbed at the idea of putting sugar in tea even. Or at least Allen's concept of sugar in tea. ]

I think he likes simple flavors more. Cold soba is his favorite kind of food.

[a blink then a sigh.] I should have known, Chizuru and some others have the same naming order. So Shouto then? Bah, you all have too many names. It is easier with just one.

[he waves a hand but hurray, he's finally learned. this will make ever meeting other todoroki a bit less confusing.

he leans back against the counter again, accent curling around:] Soba? Those are noodles, yes? [huh. he'll keep that in mind for family dinners, if he can learn it. or get what's needed to make it.] I will make some of these anyway, at least you will like them. I may manage to make Palamedes eat one with enough persistence.

[ --that's right, Viktor is only... Viktor, isn't he? Somehow that never really occurred to Allen. He gives a sheepish sort of laugh at that though. ]

Mm, 'Shouto.' It's alright, it took me too long to realize that too... [ He really hopes you don't have to meet the other Todoroki though, Viktor... instinct tells him that probably wouldn't go well. ]

And they are! [ He perks up, we're talking about food here. Also because Viktor said he'd make more of these and Shouto not liking sweets means there's more for him. And maybe to try and nudge Pal into eating. ] I'd say they taste... kind of nutty? They're rather good, and can be served a couple different ways. It seems less complex than other noodles dishes? [ Did they eat soba a bunch while Allen was there? You bet. As much as the reminder of Kanda also made him sweat a little. ]

[why he seems like a very normal fellow. aka yes it would be a disaster in the making.]

I will look into it. Noodles are easy enough. [a dish he knows, because you can find them cheap and add whatever you have to make something decent. he considers for a moment before asking,] Are you rooming with Shouto now?

[shouto did take him in from what he understands, and doesn't know if it's permanent or not. he kind of hopes it is, it would be good to know they looking out for each other in the day to day. then again maybe shouto's the one all these questions are about and things are more complicated.

ah teenagers. he resists the urge to shake his head as he finally takes a bite of his own vdolky.]

[ Viktor. Even Allen knows better than to mess lightly with him and that's saying something.

But Allen pauses, and looks... briefly intrigued by that. Hesitant, but there's a curious, hopeful kind of spark there. ]

...Do you think you could show me how? If do you. [ Blame it on paleblood baking month. ... even if that's... not actually baking at all... ]

And, um-- no, I'm not. [ His gaze flickers aside as Allen waves a hand slightly, somewhat dismissively before he rubs at the back of his head. There's something a little uneasy about the way he looks away though, almost -- guilty? But more complicated and conflicted than that. ]

I only stayed with him for a couple weeks, before I got used to getting around and found a place to stay here... I didn't want to impose. [ If Viktor brought over dinner he would have seen it. Small and quaint, it wasn't really the type of place meant for two people. Well, outside of a couple. And staying permanently hadn't been the invitation. ]

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

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