deercountry | april catch

Entry tags:

april catch - all

Who: viktor and others, open to all with some closed prompts
What: some late march/early april logs, including some tdm stuff. i'm happy to attach something else on if anyone's interest in doing something specific
When: late march through april
Where: various

content warning; terminal illness, arcane season 1 spoilers, likely game typical beast gore/body horror, potentially ableism mentioned, claustrophobic imagery

open prompts.

fishers of dreams - the lighthouse, early april (tdm)

a. while awake

[if you've been roped into this lighthouse business too you may enter to find a man already there. he seems vaguely disgruntled by the business, offers vague greetings but otherwise sticks to scribbling in his notebook. it looks like schematics and formulae, but anyone with an eye for either might notice they tend to trail off and start in odd bursts.

viktor will offer to cook when evening falls (or whatever seems to be the right mealtime in this place) so maybe that is a better time to strike up conversation. the smell coming from the kitchen is heavy on whatever spices the place stocks, promising pain to anyone who doesn't have the stomach for that sort of thing. worse if he finds the rotgut liquor tucked away, which he will pull out and offer despite smelling more like turpentine than anything edible.

these tricks of the eye though, flashes of people vaguely recognizable, he chalks it up more hallucinations. last month was mushrooms, so this? irritating, far more distracting, but it followed the pattern.

it isn't until later in all this he'll track whoever is with him down.] Did you see someone else come through? There, just up the stairs.

b. nightmare

[trying to reach the odd lighthouses is fruitless, the shadows converge and when the dark clears the area seems more closed in than before. it shouldn't be, he was just outside on the shore, yet now the dark sky seems to hang too low, lower still, suffocating.]

What now? This is another illusion of sorts, is it not? One this place is so fond of. [viktor sounds more irritated than anything, maybe defensive since the grip his has on his crutch is white-knuckle tight. in the distance seems to be a lighthouse, though the light is far and the area is so stifling, promising a tunnel that will close and snuff out the light entirely.

it's ridiculous of course, the walls are not that close, certainly not enough for this suffocating grip on the lungs and throat. there's no real explanation, less so when a few steps forward and the ground begins to dot with great metal cables, the distinct, sickly sweet smell of chemicals in the air. there are pools between them where the ocean should have been, this time shallow spills of what could be gasoline or something similar, slick rainbow puddles, oily and difficult to walk through without slipping or sinking.]

(ooc; for this one please, feel free to add your own character's nightmare in any flavor at any point!)

odds and ends - willful machine, early april

[viktor can be found around the vendors often enough, especially those specializing in scrap metal, tools or small machinery. for the most part he doesn't stick out, except for the fact often his massive omen often accompanies him, some sort of huge pink salamander/axolotl that he'll lean against or ask rather politely to help carry larger purchases.

he doesn't seem to notice or care about any attention, though the creature will blink curiously around. feel free to approach or find him haggling rather intently for such a stick of a man, accent thickening when it gets heated enough. maybe you want the same scrap? or are looking for something and he's standing nearby enough to notice a lost look and offers assistance?]

[one might also find him about by the sound of a nasty coughing fit. he stands with his back curled, a rag to his mouth as a makeshift handkerchief. it's a wet cough that shakes his entire frame, and when it's over his sniffs and clears his throat, straightening.

the cloth is stained in a pale color that catches the perpetual moonlight of april. paleblood, that he regards for a moment before folding the cloth in on itself with a small frown.]

closed prompts.

jinx - willful machine, late march

[viktor doesn't stay by the lamp exactly. he would usually but he hardly sees the point when this person he's meeting knows him by sight as far as he can tell. it leaves him feeling comfortable to wander within eyeshot mostly of the lantern, strolling down the canal docks to find a place to stand and watch the boats cut slowly through the water.

he likes it here, he thinks, in this district. the noise and foot traffic, the winding canals and dirty water, the boats bobbing to and fro - it wouldn't be a bad place to set up. a lab that will double as his home because he doesn't see the point in separating the two any longer, even if he can practically hear heimendinger's tutting about his work-life balance in his ear. it will be closer to the vendors, less of a hike to acquire what he'll need to start fresh. first a new brace for his leg and back, then some basic experiments into lunar energy to get a feel for it.

his lungs flare and burn, minor enough he manages to swallow it down without reaching for the rag in his pocket. he makes a note of the severity and timing, adds it to his growing mental list that seems to indicate his illness does indeed remain but is diminished. promising, if he's being optimistic, but at the moment he feels only a sense of irritation that now he doesn't know the timeline of his own life. one he might be shortening drastically with this ridiculous stunt.

a sigh and viktor goes back to watching the boats, trying to clear his head. he considers trying to message vi and ask her opinion of this but... no, he doubts he'll get anything. he's not sure if he disgusts her as a class traitor or amuses her in truth. better to just see for himself what he's gotten himself into like a fool.]

allen - willful machine, early april

[the 'grand tour' doesn't amount to much yet, the lab area just a large, empty space dotted with a few tables and a couple of desks, not even a chalkboard he's been keeping an eye out for or something that could do the same. one of the desks at least is littered with junk, at the moment tools and the starts of a knee brace, a table nearby with all the scrap he's managed to grab that could be useful in the future. one corner has a cot, maybe he'll clear out whatever other small rooms the place has later for a bedroom proper. maybe not.

viktor seems satisfied with it as he gestures around, and rio has commandeered one of the tables for her own to lie across.] A solid start, I think. I like this area, this eh... Willful Machine, that is.

[he'll never admit part of it is the boats. everyone's allowed a sort of childish interest, right? they're soothing, even if they lack the motors that fascinated him.] Have a seat, if you'd like. How have you been since the tombs?

wildcard.

[as i said, feel free to ask for anything else, including other tdm prompts, i am more interested in seeing the worlds built by others for the archway prompts so i didn't include any here. my plurk is

dichotomy or you can dm me here!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Mm, I know. If I were in your position I would worry as well. [viktor offers as his hand moves in a gentle rhythm. he's never needed to learn the line between appreciated concern and coddling for himself before, and it's been an interesting learning experience.] I suspect the first time you're properly injured by this place while I'm here I'll be unbearable. Alas.

[he glances over, unable to help some amusement as he says,] A little embarrassed, maybe. It is endearing to watch but likely not kind on the budget. How badly do you need them to see?

[it makes him wonder about the kind of glasses sold here, and given the style of the trench he nearly snorts at the image of pal in some bloodborne ass aesthetic glasses. it's not a terrible look really, but still a stark one. maybe all the grey would make it work.

ugh, he's all fond again.] Maybe we'll go to see what they have to offer. I hadn't considered they may be willing to part with materials they use. I ah... hm, I prefer to make my own aids, even back home. [health agency! he offers a shrug as he twirls at pal's hair with a finger without really thinking much of it.]

Hmm, I don't like that you can say it like it's as guarantee, but you're not wrong. [Trench: inevitable bodily harm. He supposes that, since he's already been chewed up by a sea monster, it really won't be a surprise if he breaks an arm or something... Still. If not for Viktor's soothing hand in his hair, he would have a whole rant going already.] If it's from you, I'll gladly welcome a little unbearable behavior.

[Probably. Ninety percent chance. As long as being unbearable involves being next to him, he thinks he can take it.

He sits up just to make a face, squinting - he can see Viktor this close, but,] You're a handsome face in a sea of blobs right now. I used to carry a spare pair, but that got tiresome.

[But maaaybe he'll start doing it again, if this town's lenses can even work for him? Hmm. A shopping trip to judge the available wares, indeed. He settles back against Viktor's shoulder again after that, not quite melting into the hair twirl, but almost. This is what gets him, the idle habit without even thinking about it, ah - just when he thinks he can't possibly get more fond. Mm.]

I had a feeling you wanted to do it yourself, [he says; if only because Viktor's first response to just about anything where getting a new Thing is involved is "I can try to build it."] I can't imagine why they wouldn't part with materials; a trade is a trade. Cost of labor? Never mind, if you want to go, we'll go— I'll stand next to you and scoff and roll my eyes if anyone tries to imply you don't know what you're doing.

[boyfriend mode will, in fact, activate.]

For what it is worth I very much hope it is because of a simple accident and not the various other ways this place can harm. [sort of dry but yeah, that is an earnest wish. he'd rather be realistic with a side of optimism and prepared for the worst regardless.] You are of course encouraged to tell me to give you space, in which I will do so and be unbearable in my head instead.

[which might also be a little unbearable, just quietly so? who knows. everyone will get a test run when he finds out allen died.

the squinting gets and amused look, a stolen kiss before he can plant himself back down again, just a peck.] Why tiresome? I can make you a case for them so carrying is easier. [kind of proving the 'if there's a problem i'll just Make Something and fix it' mindset right there. in a shocking turn of events he especially wants to do this for pal, make any problem he has go away with something he's thrown together.

back to hair twirls, resting his head back as he considers this outing.] I've always had to do my own scoffing and eye rolling, that will save me a lot of time in there. [he finds that offer incredibly sweet despite the joke, lips quirking in a little smile.] It's worth a shot. It's times like this I very much miss Jayce's forge, I suppose I got spoiled on being able to ask for any part I so desired and having it made exactly as I asked.

I'll let you know, but I think you'll be fine. [He's, hm, not sure he knows how to graciously accept comfort, unbearable or otherwise - he'd deflected when Camilla had gone away overnight, and deflected a few more times when he'd come back from the sea a second time, himself - but he can recognize that that is not great of him, so. Inevitably, whether it's a sprained wrist or something more, perhaps he can make an effort to, what was it— stop pushing his own needs aside to be stalwart.

Maybe. Here, in private, with Viktor, who will kiss him for his bad behavior with glasses, and so deserves to be let in. Hmm.]

First the taser belt, and now a case— you're practically decorating me. [Huff. He'll need an actual spare pair of glasses first, but it goes unsaid that if Viktor made him a case he would indeed carry it around.

Anyway, it's a date, with plenty of scoffing and eye rolling on the agenda. Palamedes considers, then,]

There must be forges around here, but tragically, you'd have to network. [terrible.... who does that] I can't help you scoff through that one. D'you think he'll turn up? Jayce. I'd have questions about forging, obviously.

[viktor leans his head against pal's for a moment in something like thanks for that. honestly it's funny how he finds this simple sitting together just as rewarding as the borderline makeouts of before, maybe this romance business really did have something going for it.]

They are utilities, and given I am sure you have pockets solely for notebooks and pens you stole I know you're aware of them. [pal gets a little tap to his head to punctuate that.] Besides, you already bend your glasses enough on your own, you do not need the help of carrying them around without a case to help with that.

[he's already thinking of ways the case can be multifunctional too- maybe a space for an emergency blood vial? there'd be room for that. something to consider.

he makes a face at networking- dear gods not again, he escaped that please let him live his best life here- before pausing to consider jayce's potential arrival.] I think so, or at least I think it's a very distinct possibility. Jayce is... hm, he has always been a man who demands attention without trying. I would not be shocked if this place noticed him too.

And I would like you to meet him. He would like you, I think.

[Ah, caught. Palamedes laughs, a little noise he tries his best to cut short, because who, him? Steal pens and line his pockets with them? Absurd. He definitely did not actively remove an article of clothing earlier because it was full of pens, no, that was a different Palamedes.]

I could bend the spare; that would save me the trouble of having to replace the ones I have. [That he abandoned somewhere on this couch, ahem.] You see? Call that being resourceful.

[Mm, but never mind, Viktor will surely badger him into wearing belts and carrying cases in due time. Focus instead on his hand at Viktor's waist, slipping under his shirt again to trace a loopy nonsense shape against his side, purely affectionate like the fingers in Palamedes' hair. Yes, this is more interesting than the glasses...]

Maybe he'll turn up at the same time Camilla manages to find her way back here, [he says, amused and only an ounce bittersweet. Jayce for his apparently wild popularity, and Camilla for what he's sure is her stubborn attempt to crawl successfully back onto shore.]

You make him sound larger than life; I'd like to sit down with him myself one day. This place could use a few more brains knocking around.

That is called being ridiculous- actually, where did you put those? [right, the glasses. maybe they should take care of the original pair before hypothetical second pairs and cases. he glances around for them but not particularly hard. he's comfortable, sue him. they're probably fine.

yeah, just cuddling in again, head resting against pal's, always melting a little more at the idle contact.] She does sound like the type who will find her way back to you regardless of any squid related nonsense. [a pause.] And I would very much like to meet her.

Ha, they put his face on airships. Piltover's golden boy, the Man of Progress, there were even mugs. [actually larger than life, on the airships at least. he shakes his head, cheek brushing against pal's hair.] It annoyed me sometimes, how they commodified him like a product. In that way I think being here would be good for him.

They're around here somewhere. [The arm? Slid quietly off to the floor? It's not as if they're moving much at all, so no one is going to errantly sit on a pair of glasses without a pair to spare. This is nice, just sitting around and adding friend-sentiment to the usual sentiment - a lovely evening.

Anyway, first:] They put him on mugs? Did any fall out of those portals?

[It's very funny, even though commodifying a person like that is uncomfortable, on that much he can agree. He would still like to see the Jayce Mugs, though. Somehow, that one is funnier than the airship...]

He wouldn't have so many crowds to please, I'm guessing. That would be simpler; more time for projects. And Camilla— I'd like you to meet her, too. She'd like you, except for when you encourage my ego. At least I'm not on a mug.

[ah well, they'll just have to live on the edge and not know where the glasses are. and hopefully not step on them. frankly rio very likely weighs more than either of them so hopefully she won't either.

he snorts softly then says,] If only. I kept several around the lab to terrorize him with, and yet no luck. Imagine a very cheesy headshot with yellow rays coming out of it- it was positively awful.

[said with a grin in his tone, because it really was a delight to tease him about at every turn. a good way to distract him from the pressure of it all too.]

Precisely. They made him a councillor before I came here, just dragged him further and further from the lab. Here he could focus on the work again. [a touch wistful. he wants to believe that would be good for jayce and not the constant social circus.] I'd be tempted to try and have a mug made just to see the reaction, but I'll spare you both.

[Rio, stay over on the other side of the couch, good girl... Palamedes would visibly shudder at the awful sun rays headshot mental image if he were inclined to sit up, which he is not. Good god, that poor man.]

Now I almost wish he'd wash up on the shore— purely for a break from being on mugs.

[Unless, of course, he likes being on mugs? Palamedes can't conceptualize it, but he supposes it's possible. Still, if there's any reason to want a person to show up here that isn't entirely selfish, it's probably 'a break from being a household name and also product.' Geez.

But also, the "face on a mug" exercise is very funny, so,]

Thank you, anyway; I'd look ridiculous on a mug. What kind of background would you give me? My shelves?

[thankfully she sleeps still and spares pal's glasses this one time in her infinite benevolence. after a thoughtful pause viktor answers,] I'd like to see what he'd think of our research, or how he'd react to being capable of magic. That said I do not think he has the stomach for the violence here, so I'll refrain from hoping for his sake.

[leave him to suffer with mugs in piltover hell.

ah, another conceptual exercise, one he hums like he's giving it some real thought since it's clearly important.]

Tempting. Maybe stylized horizontal lines to represent notebook paper. Or a skull, that does seem to be the general eh... aesthetic trend of necromancy, no? It would make for a much more dramatic mug at least.

[Oh, a softie, huh— which is disingenuous at best, Palamedes knows, it's not like any of them want to be desensitized to violence, but from the people involved in this conversation alone: a necromancer, a cavalier, and someone from the undercity do have that particular, ah, advantage over a guy whose face is on mugs. Palamedes hums, deciding that if Jayce does turn up, they will simply take turns covering his eyes from the worst Trench things. Easy.]

Salient point. [And this mug, wow...] Would it need my face on it if it had a skull already?

[Would his face simply not get in the way. He knows nothing about design.]

The notebook idea is very you; maybe a series of ink smudges, for emphasis.

[it's definitely a marked difference when he's honestly not sure how even the blood aspect will be taken by jayce, let alone the body horror and monsters and other assorted goodies. is it weird to be thankful of pal's necromancy giving him an edge over being disturbed by more things? maybe. ah well.]

It would, I'm sorry to say your actual skull isn't the selling point here, it's the whole eh... whole package. [viktor points out.] Besides, it could be a stylized skull. Or your scroll skull mascot.

You are the man with the notebooks. I am just reading the trends. [fond, as always.] I do like that one, see the ink smudges are a subtle nod to the pens as well. It comes full circle.

[It's weird to be having this oddly sweet conversation about putting his skull on things, for sure - that's simply the brand. He chuckles, giving Viktor's waist a brief squeeze that is totally reprimanding for making fun of the Imperial Cool Skulls. Please, they're so serious.]

You don't know; my skull might be very nice. I'd even let a scroll be shoved in there for the most House spirit.

[And listen, he has only so many vices, let him have office supplies. He pictures the mug, notebook smudges and all, and decides with considerable amusement,] It's hideous. Don't put me on a mug, please. I can't fathom a future of my face being forgotten about in sinks and cabinets.

[That said, in the spirit of things,] What about your face mug?

[he respects your necromancer culture pal, especially the space ships, but the very serious mascot skulls might just need occasional teasing. everyone has to draw a line in the sand somewhere. still pal's very nice skull gets a peck on the temple, lips curled in a smile against it for a moment.]

No skulls, culturally significant or not. You don't wear the skull facepaint, you haven't earned a skull background if we are being fair and just. Your ninth friends have 'dibs,' I think. [sorry pal, just not goth enough i'm afraid.

viktor hums like maybe he'll consider sparing pal this fate, up until a mug of his own is brought up and he makes a disgusted noise, grimacing.] Dear gods no. Jayce made me one, actually, and it was absolutely hideous. I hate everything about it.

[yes i am counting the stupid picture one of the official arcane twitters commissioned canon because it's so funny and ugly a mug it makes me laugh. also spoilers he doesn't hate everything about it, but he'll only admit that under pain of death, thank you.]

[Thanks, his skull is very fine, it's full of super dope brains. He hums, like-]

That's fair. I don't want to upset Harrow by muscling in on Ninth traditions.

[Now, hold on, he has to sit up and boggle at Viktor for this one, Jayce did what!!]

You're already on a mug? And it hasn't fallen out of a portal purely for entertainment's sake? This town is a nightmare. If Jayce washes up on the shore, I'm going to beg him to recreate it— don't try to change my mind.

[Partially because it's allegedly hideous, he really, desperately wants to see this Viktor Mug (tm). Jayce, out in the ether... send mugs...]

They do seem like the type to have skull mugs. [just like, in general. shaped like a skull even. he is so curious to meet the pair properly and see if that assumption stands.

viktor lets his head fall back with a suffering sigh he hopes conveys just how terrible the mug is.]

The worst part is he wasn't even trying to mock me, he was indignant I didn't get horrible mugs too. So he somehow earnestly made the worst thing I have ever seen. [he points at pal as though this battle can somehow be won, even though he knows he lost the moment he spoke of The Mug.] If I suffer you suffer, I'll badger him until he makes one of you and then you'll regret it.

[actually that might be worth it. poor jayce, on mug duty.]

[Well, now the obvious question of what to get them for their birthdays is answered. Where is the nearest Trench Hot Topic.]

No, no; now I'm coming around to the idea of my face on a hideous mug. D'you think he'd figure me out if I am only ironically interested in mug design? I'd hate to lie about somebody's art.

[But if he's so earnest, like he sounds... well, Palamedes would hate to hurt a guy's feelings by laughing at his mug art, even if it's a good laugh? A kind laugh? And yet. He lists a hand to catch Viktor's fussy pointing one, leaning in to press a kiss to his knuckles to mask, like, an ounce of his amusement. It doesn't work, mugs are the funniest thing now.]

I could make you an even worse mug, although it'd lack the charm if done on purpose. Maybe you as a squid?

[how would the local potter feel about being asked to make a hollow skull out of clay. given the trench this probably isn't that weird. also he's trying not to looked charmed and keep up the stern bit, but it isn't working.]

Eh, hard to say. He can be fairly dense. [casually mean, that's what friendship is.] To be fair he's aware painting on mugs isn't his strong suit so I doubt he'd be particularly offended. It would be just as terrible if it turned out well anyway.

[ugh, the kiss absolutely ruins the stern bit, expression softening on cue. hopeless. the squid mug just makes it worse.] I do like your squid art. Very well, if any mugs are to be had and accepted here it will be your squid artwork on one.

[Dense... this is how Palamedes knows this friendship is real and true. If Camilla can call him a weenie and get away with it, Viktor can call Jayce dense. Truly, the measure of a friendship is being a little mean.]

I admire the dedication to... [he shrugs, like, ehh-] -equality, I suppose. You never know; maybe he's improved in the interim.

[That is, of course, assuming time continues to pass when they're here - he's never quite figured that one out, other than time continuing to pass while he was dead-from-sea-monster — a very different concept. Better to not dwell on that now, instead going for another hand kiss before he lets go. Hmm, yes. Squid art.]

One squid mug it is, then. If I'm dedicated to the cause, I could have it done before that ill-advised fireworks party. You could take it around and show everyone.

I wouldn't put it past him to decide he needed to perfect the craft, he's insufferable like that. [it's true, if you can't be mean to your best friend something is wrong. either that or be their entire hypesquad like jayce and pal. just the way things are.] If he does show up promise me you will show him your squid drawings, he would enjoy those.

[another jayce-pal similarity, doodling in notes. a refined art.

viktor steals his hand back just to intertwine their fingers, he tilting as he considers.] Not a bad idea. I can fill it with something strong and lord it over the teenagers who will not be allowed both alcohol and fireworks at the same time. I can make them new fingers but I'd rather not.

Of course; he can even critique them. Has he seen a real squid? I still lack that particular advantage.

[It would be— fun, he thinks, in the moments it isn't standard-Trench-terrifying, for Jayce and Camilla to both turn up here. Camilla could call all three of them cocky brainiacs and it would be a joy to behold. And there could be squid art! Amazing. But the terror is somewhat of a downer, so— for now, this: the little happiness just imagining it brings.]

Oh, right— one of them has already requested tequila. I told him the tequila and fireworks will occupy distinctly separate parts of the field. [hmm,] That said, drinking tequila out of a squid mug has a certain aesthetic I can't not encourage.

Probably? He's certainly eaten it before, I'm fairly certain we ordered it fried once or twice. [he probably shouldn't find the new cannibalism aspect of that kind of amusing but ah well.] I'll see if I can't find you a proper photo or drawing one day.

[it's something viktor thinks about too, feels only slightly guilty for hoping despite himself maybe the pair will come. at the very least he thinks camilla would want to be here, with pal, and be equipped to handle it so maybe that is alright. he has this terribly gay inclination of wanting pal to be happy
]

No one with a cup of tequila gets a cherry bomb, that is certainly going to be a rule. [he'll probably break this rule himself but he making the cherry bombs so everyone can deal with that.] Good, I plan on bringing out a stool, sitting to the side and drinking my tequila within vague range of socializing. That's a good compromise, yes? You are welcome to join me, because I like you.

Thanks, I'll be sure to update my drawings accordingly.

[He means it, he will strive to make the most accurate squid drawing possible, besides when he draws glasses on them. But ah, Viktor's party plans make him earnestly laugh, and he shifts back in to lean on his shoulder again. Picky and antisocial, truly the most attractive things a man can be.]

I'm obliged to set off a few explosives, as it's my party— I suppose. Then I will gladly join you, although without any tequila. I've already promised to be sober in order to remain responsible for - well, the rest of you. [if Viktor is going to drink his mug liquor, he's included,] Don't worry; that's how I'd prefer to go about 'partying'.

[viktor will find him a proper anatomical listing drawing of a squid some day for the sake of the mug being as spot on as possible, thank you.]

Of course you are, I am making these cherry bombs for your enjoyment more than anything else. If you did not set off a few it'd be quite insulting. [designated explosives handler then. he takes a moment to consider if this is a shame or not, because drunk pal is pretty cute if he remembers correctly. ah well, they can have dates now so they'll likely meet again eventually.]

I promise I will keep lucid for you. I guess we are supposed to be the responsible ones. [he rests his head against pal's again.] How do you end up throwing parties you don't even like much yourself?

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this mug ended me

it's an absolute work of art on every level

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