deercountry | (no subject)

Ruby. You heard of her? [ ...it's a lot to expect, but Robby also wouldn't be surprised if he did? Ruby seems like the kind of person people would just know, for some reason.

But he'll listen for a bit, let Viktor say what he does without interruption. He's curious about these devices, how accessible and mobile they are to carry. But maybe he can pick Viktor's brains for ideas. After all: ]

If you're up for sharing your ideas, I'll give you the blood -- I'm warmblood. [ Tada? ] I've been learning this magic language so I can do stuff with blood too, but I'm not really -- [ he pauses, then gestures to Vikor- ] --like you, or the person I'm learning from. I just want to make stuff that anyone can use to get away. Stay protected.

[ A pause. ] And I want to learn to use my own blood, too. I read warmbloods could learn to use it like everyone else does magic, but I guess no one's here like that who could help.

[ ...he really doesn't want to bug the hospital... ]

Ah, the weaponsmith. [yup, heard of her. frankly wants to meet her to talk shop, so this was as good a reason as any to seek her out. he makes a mental note of that and moves no to-

ah, a warmblood. no wonder the interest. he listens with a nod and a genuine understanding. given he was a walking target for months and still isn't exactly equipped to deal with beasts he rather agrees with pushing for things ordinary people can use to protect themselves.]

I'd be happy to share them. [and he can't help an amused huff.] This technology I mentioned, it is based off a technology my research partner and I founded in our own world. Hextech- it used technology to harness magic, rather than a mage. Putting magic in the hands of the people, he used to say.

I suppose here it's putting bloodmagic in the hands of those without. So... while I cannot help you learn magic itself I can certainly make it more accessible.

Sounds good to me. [ And, with his lips quirking: ] And better if you can bring the people here back from turning beast, too. That sucks -- seems like the people born here get it rougher than us from the sea.

[ Does Robby hate saying 'Sleeper'? Yes, yes he does. And he pauses, but figures to ask: ]

I don't know a lot about them, but have you talked to those Patrons? I mean, [ really, ] god-like beings aren't on my list to jump and ask things from, but that Nevermind -- they were giving those bracelets that helped with the pollution. Maybe there's something they could give that works with your equipment.

[ He lifts a shoulder, a shrug held in place as: ] Maybe his biggest ask will be you learning something new and cool?

[ Because there will be a price, surely. ]

I would say. Frankly I am surprised they don't loathe us more than they sometimes do, as misdirected as it would be. [that rarely stops xenophobia. ignoring zealots they're a pretty chill bunch otherwise.

that's an interesting suggestion though, and viktor hums as he considers it.] No, I haven't. I admit I don't trust most of them very much, but recent events make me see they aren't without their own troubles. Speaking to Nevermind couldn't hurt. [as long as it's not remina. they have beef.

and a soft snort.] Yes, that or new ways to make his archives a more chaotic maze. Tell me, what sort of magic is it you are trying to learn exactly?

It's from Saeri, if you've heard of her. [ If not: ] You write in a language that's magic, with stuff in the ink. Blood, whatever -- you can put it together a few ways. She made smoke bombs and fire out of a few stones. Was how I found out about her ink.

You just need a lil' magic in you to activate it. But you throw a stone with that paleblood? You can write how it works -- make it affect what you want, how quick and strong.

[ A beat. ] Probably can with your stuff too, but I've never seen tech and magic. Wouldn't know how it works.

[ But he's still intrigued, admittedly. Tech isn't that hard to figure out if you take some time with it--it's just about learning what each piece does. How to crack it. ]

Oh yes, she works with Vi I believe. [a nod.] Not unlike runework then. Bloodmagic is malleable, it seems capable of latching on to any magic system. I have yet to see someone come from a world and not be able to translate their own abilities into it.

[the mention of tech has him move over, picking up what he was working on before. it looks like a little metal disc, thick and palm sized with a coldblood gem in the middle and wiring very much curled into rune-like shapes around it. clearly still a little rough but he hands it over, gestures to the switch at the side.]

It sounds very similar, in truth. Here, flip that. [if he does the immediate area around him will start to grow warm, like a little portable heater. a bit on the hot side because it's still a work in progress but hey! getting there.]

[ Oh, he knows Vi? Robby suddenly recalls a conversation he had with her about someone who worked on her gauntlets. He'll have to ask, but for now Viktor is picking up that disk, and he wonders if he should stand up and meet him -- but the man comes over with it, so Robby takes it when it's offered.

And does he do the thing? You bet he does the thing, to a surprising heat. Oh. Robby turns it in his hands. ]

What turns it on? Lunar power, or just the stone? [ This is a similar idea, and definitely a higher level from what he's doing.

Though, ah, he might want to sit it on his lap, see how long it takes to get too warm before he clicks the switch. ]

[boy does he, the only person from his world he doesn't have a complicated relationship with. regardless he watches the machine work with a twinge of satisfaction, even if he makes a mental note of some fiddling he needs to do.]

Just the stone for this one. The wires, see? They aren't unlike the writing you are learning, I imagine. They form something that functions as both a spell and coding, letting the machine itself access the latent power in the stone and cast it.

The gem will eventually be used up, not unlike a battery. Using blood itself as the powersource is easier and more efficient but the pollution is much higher, so I have been focusing on gems for this matter.

Would lunar power stop it from running out as quick? You could probably control the flow of the heat easier too, stop it from overheating. [ But then he clicks his tongue, adds with a sheepish tilt of his head as he holds it back out, turned off. ] --but I don't know anything about stones.

[ He could be full of shit, really. It's more of a curiosity than a suggestion, since the guy's probably thought about it. Did it even make a difference? This isn't exactly Earth tech, and he wonders if it's even a problem, the heat of a stone if managed properly -- with either the right wires, or spells.]

It could in fact. [nice catch robby, viktor nods as he leans against his cane and explains,] I've been hesitant to add it until I have far better mastery of the function- adding what would essentially be another power source gives more ways it could eh, blow up.

[explosions are fun but only when they don't fuck up the people testing them.] You have a good eye for this. Do you have any interest in engineering?

[ Robby just needs to think for a moment to know how to phrase this... ]

I used to figure out how stuff worked after it was made. Stuff like computers, [ alarm systems, locks, ] some vehicles. But overheating's always a big problem wth anything. But using a stone like that's cool anyway.

[ No unrespectful ways with technology here, we're just a normal and curious teen! Please focus on the compliment, and the beat it takes to ask: ]

By the way, you said Vi -- are you the guy who made her gauntlets?

[oh robby, you just described him as a kid, potentially also with some uh. not legal things. he'll even say as much, sans the not legal part.] I was similar as a child. I suppose as an adult now too.

If you're interested in tinkering more you're welcome to come to my lab. I've been giving engineering lessons to some people. [largely robots and androids who could use learning self maintenance. but hey, some people just interested. might as well make use of his agonizing time in academia.

but oh, vi. he nods] Oh, yes I did. Using some of this technology too, largely for shielding. She needs it, she is a trouble magnet I am afraid.

[ Has he ever thought about tinkering before? Not really. But it's-- different. It's something new, and Robby might need a thought to think about it in a baffled way, but- ]

--Sure. [ Sure, he says, but it's the kind where he needs to kick the word of his throat. ] If you don't mind a newbie.

[ Because he really, really is a newbie. But it could be cool? He looks over at the heater disk again, and knows it could be cool if he could get his head around it.

(This might be better than trying out the Gaze school.)

It makes him rather giddy, talking about Vi, that kind of disbelieving excess energy that follows. ]

And, uh, I like to get in trouble with her now and then. [ Hah. ] She's one of the first few people I met. She said you made some gauntlets, but I forgot the name.

[ Did she mention a name? Maybe. He thinks. ]

You used a stone with them too?

Not at all. [a wave of the hand] Pick a day and a time and we'll start meeting, if you would like. I have a proper lab in the Willful Machine.

[he could use the distraction, honestly. rio will enjoy the company too, hope you're good with giant lizards, robby.

that bit about vi makes his lips quirk.] Ah, so you are a trouble magnet too then? Perhaps I should be offering shielding for you as well. [and a nod] The Atlas Gauntlets, yes. Very dramatic, they were named by my research partner back home. They were supposed to be used for mining, but... obviously that did not end up the case.

They run on a magic from our world, but I outfitted them to use bloodstones as well. Largely darkblood, the telekinetic nature of it makes for good defensive measures and offensive.

[ Giant lizards are cool....

He'll have to think of a day and time (he's got room, somewhere -- he's not training every second of his life (just mostly)) and line it up with this guy's schedule. But at least they can talk gauntlets for a bit. Was Robby thinking darkblood there? Absolutely, and he might be inwardly smug when Viktor mentions them. A little. A point for Robby. ]

Yeah, darkblood can do a lot of things. [ It's been the most impressive of the bloods, honestly. ] If you got blood from someone, can you tap into the same stuff they can do with it? I mean, I know a friend who can remember something she knows and makes it.

[ Like. For example. That'd be pretty cool (even if he is not going to drop her name, unless all darkbloods can do that). ]

[giant pink lizards are even better. also good catch robby. viktor agrees with that though.] Much better than paleblood. Largely that has been a headache.

[that's very intriguing though, making viktor's brow raise then furrow in thought, fingers tapping against the handle of his cane.] Remarkable... it should be possible, yes, if it isn't a power she brought from her own world that's augmented by bloodmagic.

Even that may be possible if we used bloodgems made from her blood in particular, but that is a long and grueling process to make anything substantial I'm afraid.

All 'cause of this place, [ he answers for that. ] But I know everyone can't do that, and I heard if you take blood when the month's messing it up, you can do something with that too. [ A tilt of his head. ] If I knew, I could've saved up when I first got here. Everyone thought I was a lucky charm.

Don't know what you'll get out of it this month, but, small>[ he lifts a hand, turning it in a needless motion, ] --it hasn't been that weird. I don't actually feel that off, for once.

[ Which is baffling, but also nice? ...but also baffling because it's nice. (Too nice.) ]

It's certainly rare. Darkblood has reality warping abilities I've seen. Gravity, matter, the structure of existence. Incredibly dangerous, of course, more than the others I believe, even vileblood. [a quirk of his lips] Regardless, we may be able to make something of this. A machine that creates food would certainly be a boon.

[ah yes, monthly stuff. like the time palebloods really like baking for some fucking reason. that was a nice but weird one. he nods though.] I wonder, sometimes people aren't affected but others are. Do you know any other warmbloods to compare notes with, so to speak?

[ Does he know any other warmbloods? He's thinking about it by the pause he takes with the question. Vi? Warmblood. Larusso? Cold. Dad, paleblood... ]

I don't...think so. Everyone's pretty much magic, or - magic blood. [ Same difference. ] But I don't really ask. Talking about blood isn't much of a conversation starter when you're a warmblood.

[ It's not meant to be self-deprecating, but there is a lacking subject matter there. What can you do? Nothing. Before the blood? Karate? ]

If anything's happening, I haven't noticed. And no one's said nothing.

[viktor isn't surprised. he's only met one before he's known of, definitely the rarest of the bloodtypes in his experience. frankly meeting robby is a bit of a boon in that way, he can finally get some real research done on the matter.]

I suppose it's possible then there's an effect you haven't noticed yet. I would suggest trying to seek out other warmbloods if only for comparing notes each month. I have several palebloods I speak with to be sure of matters, given how easily they get out of control.

Frankly someone should make some sort of hub for such information. Someone else, that is beyond my level of patience. [the network is So Much sometimes. fun to watch but boy.]

Think people would share what blood they are? Sounds like it can useful in the wrong hands. [ After all: ] I'm trusting you 'cause you've got your own space and people called you by name.

[ He knows that simply <>being in a space doesn't make you legit. He's done that a few times. For things. ]

But I can ask around. If you can get something going with the research, I'll even ask if anyone wants to help.

[ And he pauses, thinks, and adds while raising that one hand back up: ]

I'll let you have some of my blood now if you let me have some of yours.

[ It's casual, a bit of a fun look in the edges, but it's a fair trade, no? ]

Hm, that's true. I often get told I shouldn't so bluntly ask about it. [he doesn't sound like he cares much. people can just not answer, no skin off his nose. science waits for no man, probably.] I suppose glowing through my skin last month didn't make for many secrets in that area.

[hey, if robby can find someone to do that? excellent. the offer and tone have him chuckling, though he's serious when he says:] An even trade. If you're serious then yes, you're welcome to some.

Though I should warn you, the paleblood effect of this month is paranoia. I'm not sure how that will change it if you have some sort of ritualistic purpose in mind.

[ Paranoia, huh? He tips his head this way and that, but-- ] I'll figure something out. It's just for practice. I stick with ink.

[ Nothing spoopy. ]

But if you're paranoid, I'll even go first. [ It doesn't seem like he's actually n a paranoid mood right now, so it's more of a joke. But he does look at the room, but then towards the door he came through. ] --Can we draw it out here?

[ At the Sanctuary? ]

[that gets a wave of the hand] No worries, I have been capable of recognizing the thoughts as intrusive thus far. And well, we are on my 'home turf,' some would say. You would be very quickly dealt with if you caused any trouble.

[one of the reasons he's been sticking around sanctuary a lot, to be honest. he moves to one of the drawers of nearby desk, pulling out something that looks like a little gun only with a needle and vial attached. for extraction rather than administering, in this case.] That we can.

[he puts it into the crook of his arm, turning so robby can see. a hiss and the little vial fills up with blood, purely red at first until the dim light of some of the lunar orbs around turn it milky and pale, just as the name suggests. the vial gets pulled out and capped, turned over in his fingers as he regards it.]

Here. [it's held out for him to take.] For your practice, then. I'd be curious to hear how that goes.

[ Fair, fair assessment, and Robby's not about to get paranoid over someone with paranoid tendencies, watching the blood drawing...mainly for its changing colour. He's seen the stones, some paleblood, but this is under better circumstances for it in its natural form.

He takes the vial, pocketing it. ] Thanks, sure. We're going to be seeing each other, right?

[ Do you need to clean that needle first or switch it, Viktor? Because Robby will shift his shoulder to get his arm out from the jacket sleeve, then roll up his t-shirt sleeve to expose his arm. And also arrange a time and day to meet with Viktor at his lab while blood extractions are happening.

This blood doesn't take time to change, either: it comes out a bloodied orange, rusted in its colour from the get-go, the bottle capturing it keeping the tar-like smell from coming through. ]

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cw: needles

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