[viktor has to give a small snort at 'liquid assets,' nodding along to the logistics with a sigh.] It is always about funding regardless of where you end up, it seems. Still, maybe we could manage some volunteers if we have anything to show for working with the stones you have.

[he considers making a morbid joke about finding a way to convince his lungs to hack up blood in an easier way to collect, deciding against it for the moment. he's never looked into actually buying blood, though he's seen enough from lumenwood and the ministers to know it borders on being like the chem market back home.

that description makes him chuckle, especially because yes, he isn't sure he believes in this weird schroedinger's darkblood situation.] It does add a mystique, and I've read enough books on the arcane to know half the battle is aesthetic.

[dry. can't blame them, if you're going to have magic or something called 'darkblood' might as well make it sound as intriguing as possible.]

Allen? He is a paleblood as well I believe- in truth most of who I've met are. The only contact I made with the network involved a shared paleblood hallucination, so they're largely the ones I've met.

I'm afraid the most I heard about was vilebloods. Apparently there is a stigma against them? [he shakes his head] Unsurprising, whenever there's a large grouping there's always one cast out for good measure.