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

[Even without the kisses and the hype of discovery!! Viktor would be very cute, leaning in like that to conspiratorially share his research goals. Palamedes resists the urge to kiss him again or they will never get any productive hobby time in during this work break, ahem, but the sheer level of dazzling affection with which he looks at Viktor in this moment could melt ice in a pinch.]

Delicately, at least. Until anti-corruption methods are more robust.

[That too is a fun project, though, so it works out. And hey now, sir... Palamedes tuts and picks up his pen again, gesturing at Viktor with it. Care about birthdays at once.]

I want to get you a squid day gift, so for twenty-four hours you'll have to pretend.

[honestly that look is distracting enough, and viktor tells himself they are not so ridiculous they're going to sit here smiling at each other. they are busy men with science and art to do, which means he can force himself to look away, still smiling a little, elbow bumping pal's.]

Mm, which is tied to my other main branch of research. It all comes together.

[hopefully. viktor ignores the gesture and picks up the machine again, making a show of considering whether he'll pretend or not.]

If you must. I was born sometime in the winter, so just pick a day then. [december, to be precise. he's got the rabbit bud as his pthumerian.] Hand drawn mugs are an acceptable offering.

[Good call, if Palamedes goggled at him like a besotted schoolboy any longer he'd be stuck like that, and then who would draw these squids. He'll take this elbowing as recompense as he resumes his important artwork.]

One step at a time. [And.] I really must, especially if you're going to be like that.

[Comically Fussy, that is. A beat, while he considers the mug sitting on the table already waiting to be drawn on, and then the possibility of more.]

We only have so many cabinets.

Going to be like what? [have a bland look, then a glance over at the mug.]

Fine, I will accept other things too for the sake of compromise. I spoil you. [the bit cracks a little, fresh amusement in the breath he releases after then,] Your company will always be enough, you know. Trite things like that.

Not trite, [imagine if Palamedes "has to call Viktor amazing twice a day or he explodes" Sextus thought that was trite. Silly.] And I do know.

[And it makes him very soft every time, like right now, while he smiles sidelong at Viktor before looking back at squid drawings. If he gets any softer he'll start drawing hearts on this squid and it will be critically embarrassing, please, he can't handle any more.]

If you were worried about trite, you wouldn't like me so much. What if I decided to write "World's Greatest Scientist" on the other side of your mug?

[this was a joke until he said it, Oh No]

No, not trite. [viktor does have to admit that, smiling back in a less reserved way than when this all started. as it turns out he's deeply into the trite things anyway, who would have thought.

he forces himself to look back to his work, trying to regain a sense of the gear and snorting at that.] I'm fairly sure I'm not even the greatest scientist in the Trench. [just points that out, logical conclusion, some people come for such advanced technology it'd be difficult to catch up. maybe greatest engineer, but he thinks fiddleford could give him a run for his money.

pal gets a glance.] You're going to do it anyway, aren't you?

"Our House's Greatest Scientist," then. [Hah. He's already trying to write it in big blocky letters on his notebook page, like, just to test out how his scratchy handwriting will translate to the side of a mug, permanently, so - yes, of course he's going to do it anyway.

He glances up, like, hm? Him, do this silly thing? How odd. Allow him to really squeeze the blood from this trite stone:]

"Greatest Scientist, Also Very Handsome and an Excellent Cook by My Standards"— no?

I can accept 'Bunker's Greatest Scientist.' [viktor allows like a grave concession, complete with the necessary eye roll at notebook.

of course pal one ups the bit and he has to bit back a laugh, evident in the way his lips twitch.]

You remember I am using this to drink my tequila at the party, yes? Also your cooking standards are too low for that to be a compliment.

[Oh well in that case allow him to start a new row of block letters, for BUNKER. Here goes...]

It'll give you gravitas. No one else will have a tequila mug. And— that may be true, but if your horrible plans come to fruition, I'll have to learn to make something that can raise my standards.

[The absolute torture of being taught to cook. Cannot he not just purchase his food or wait for Viktor to tsk at him at meal times. That's faster.]

Yes, nefarious. Imagine if you learn to make something more than sandwiches and also sandwiches. [viktor says with a little too much fondness.

back to tinkering, despite distractions. especially peeks over at pal's notebook and the occasional head shaking.] No one else will have a squid themed tequila mug. I plan to be quite smug about that.

[Palamedes thinks for a moment, then offers:] Tiered sandwiches.

[Just stick more bread in there! That's an advanced technique that he can get into and excel at, certainly. He continues to doodle a squid, casually adding a little speech bubble next to a squid when he notices Viktor keeps looking at his notebook. It only says "hi Viktor!" in it, but please enjoy.]

Smug enough to be drunk? [he dimly recalls this being cute, from the blue drinks episode] I can look after the others; you can relax.

[he cannot mind that many people and also explosives, but whatever!!]

Hm, I don't know if you have the skill for that technique yet. Maybe we'll put that at the same step of 'boiling water.'

[he has faith, hence making pal suffer endlessly when they do have gideon and harrow over. when his next glance over catches the squid he laughs despite himself, bitten off and with a ducked head. that was endearing, pal kills him daily.]

I am not getting drunk and leaving you to the hordes, I promise. [he is not so cruel, just make you help cook for your friends cruel.]

Not on the bunsen burner, I hope. I'll riot.

['Riot' here meaning, of course, 'groan loudly'. But still no bunsen burner boiled water. And trying not to laugh so obviously only encourages him to add more speech bubbles, the next one saying "what?" and then another that says "something funny?" He shan't be stopped.]

And you could; I would survive. What are they going to do, fall into bushes and get stuck? [there are other people on Fire Safety, so,] Letting you relax is completely within my power as, I guess, host.

I'll never understand your disdain for the bunsen burner. [typical tut.] But yes, we'll keep that to the kitchen. Chizuru left us some rice, maybe that's a lesson to be had. [a good staple food. easy stuff.

probably. but alas, pal's reign of terror against him personally is not over, and viktor runs a hand down his own face. when he leans in to kiss him it's unclear if this is a reward or a distraction. maybe both. definitely a little of both.]

Noble of you, but given we both live here I am technically a host as well, at least in some sense. That said- [he reaches over to gently tap pal's glasses a touch straighter and offers,] A large part of this is to show you fireworks. I want to be completely coherent for when that happens. So, only a little tequila.

Rice sandwiches? [ha ha, no.] Thank you for your generosity, O wise cook. Is Chizuru coming to the party?

[Now it's him who's having trouble keeping track of the teens, assuming this Chizuru is, in fact, A Teen. She's invited either way, if Viktor wants; he'll just make a note to, ah, ask Paul to get more snacks.

Great party planning by Palamedes. He assumes he's being kissed for both things, anyway, and leans after Viktor to get another peck in before sitting back. This squid now needs its beauty marks, which he will put on it... someplace...]

It's getting harder and harder to believe you hate parties, [he says, with a sideways little grin.] But you do have to show me how to use those fruit bombs of yours, so I'll allow you to co-host on that condition only. I'll make it worth your while, regardless.

I promise you you are capable of moving past the crutch of putting things between two slices of bread. [viktor informs him solemnly. a pause and he says,] Not as of yet, but I wouldn't mind inviting her. I think she is lonely, it might do her some good.

She is eh... also a little jumpy. The teenagers may be a bit much. [he'll invite her anyway. actually is she a teen? he's not even sure. hm. well either way maybe being spooked by teens with explosives would be good for her?]

I loathe parties, but as it turns out how much I like you cancels that out. [matter of fact as he regards the progress of the squid. just how it is, doesn't even have to be sentimental when that's how it be.] Oh of course. I'm saving the best of the bunch for you to try first. Then I plan on making the teenagers come and ask politely for 'fruit bombs' from my comfortable seat to the side.

[Jumpy... well, maybe she likes explosives, that's a thing, uh, jumpy people like, for sure. Palamedes nods - really, he just wants a fun and chill excuse to put all of his people and Viktor's people in the same place and see how it goes? That's the point of parties.]

You're giving me far too much power, [he's already made Viktor cook on the stove, and now attend a party? What horrors will be wrought next.] But— good. I was thinking about having them sign a waiver, or maybe a 'don't stand in the path of explosives' contract, but I'd have to write it up.

[snooze... why do that thing.]

And I trust you not to abuse it horribly. At least not for parties, feel free to abuse it in other ways. [is viktor's reply to that one. he can cope because he's pretty sure pal doesn't do the party thing much. honestly he's still trying to figure out the exact series of events that had this one happening.

and he has to snort, resting his chin in his hand as he turns the machine over.] Do you really think any self respecting rowdy teenager would honor a contract? Also in my world a minor couldn't be held liable anyway. If you really want to annoy them make them sit through a safety lecture with graphs.

Then I would have to give the lecture instead of tossing your explosives around, [he points out, like, a real tragedy! Why would he do that.] Besides, if I ever do any teaching, I'm exclusively offering it to people who'll actually pay attention and absorb it.

[A paid lecture and/or babbling at Viktor at 2am about blood tinctures, either one of those will do. He gestures for Viktor to lean in here and watch him put dots on this squid, come see...]

Now, I think the first mark should be here...

[And so Squids were Drawn, and finally a Viktorsquid could join Palsquid on the fridge.]

That is true. [wouldn't want him to miss out on any prime explosions time. and hell yeah, more lectures for him. one day he'll badger pal into doing a full one on wards, their history and uses.

viktor leans in to watch those squid moles get put in, lips quirked to a small smile.] Truly a work of art. Now you just need to transfer it to a mug.

[which when done pal will get a kiss for, and viktor will in fact find some kind of varnish to make sure it cannot be washed off, which would be a tragedy.

seriously, it becomes his favorite mug. a bit of nostalgia for jayce and his own attempt at such a ridiculous thing, a lot of affection for pal playing along and making such an effort.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

april catch - all

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject