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[It's too late, local minister thinks Viktor is very cute and precious when he excitedly rambles about boat parts that Palamedes can't understand even a little. He hums, shrugging; he'll defame Viktor's tough and bristly reputation all the way to the docks.
Now, 'borrowed' is fine, but this other thing— Palamedes doesn't point out that talking about their feelings isn't picking on him for borrowed blood at all, actually. But.]
Overbearing? You? Never. [Unless he has a handful of grapes in his pocket, ahem... Palamedes gives him a sideways look, eyebrows raised while that implication sinks in, then he laughs.] I thought we'd established that I like it when you're direct. You didn't have to worry about it.
[Well, he's a little relieved it wasn't fruit that pushed them into saying it; not that that would have spoiled the sentiment, not really. Still.]
Am I going to sound arrogant if I say I totally knew all along? You have a tell.
[he doesn't. it's just being sappy.]
Now, 'borrowed' is fine, but this other thing— Palamedes doesn't point out that talking about their feelings isn't picking on him for borrowed blood at all, actually. But.]
Overbearing? You? Never. [Unless he has a handful of grapes in his pocket, ahem... Palamedes gives him a sideways look, eyebrows raised while that implication sinks in, then he laughs.] I thought we'd established that I like it when you're direct. You didn't have to worry about it.
[Well, he's a little relieved it wasn't fruit that pushed them into saying it; not that that would have spoiled the sentiment, not really. Still.]
Am I going to sound arrogant if I say I totally knew all along? You have a tell.
[he doesn't. it's just being sappy.]
Only when grapes are involved apparently. [he gets the joke. the grape incident is something he knows he can never live down and kind of doesn't want to anyway.
his lips quirk at that though, at 'direct.'] You are right, as you often are. I was likely trying to rationalize and irrational.
[because the being open and vulnerable thing is a work in progress he usually thinks he's doing quite well at, all things considered. reaching the lamp and he stops though, giving pal quite the look for that claim.]
I do not. What tell? [the nerve, truly. almost like being incredibly gay and all the incredibly romantic things they do are a tell.]
his lips quirk at that though, at 'direct.'] You are right, as you often are. I was likely trying to rationalize and irrational.
[because the being open and vulnerable thing is a work in progress he usually thinks he's doing quite well at, all things considered. reaching the lamp and he stops though, giving pal quite the look for that claim.]
I do not. What tell? [the nerve, truly. almost like being incredibly gay and all the incredibly romantic things they do are a tell.]
[The grape incident lives in infamy, forever. Bring some nonmagical grapes to the Lumenarium next time just to snack on in front of the ministers, they'll love that. Palamedes snorts, giving him a nudge. Please, sir.]
When did you want to tell me? I must have been doing something impressive.
[You know, as if his phone call wasn't just in the middle of a serious conversation. It's fine, tell him the gossip about himself, he loves to hear it.]
And you do. You make this face, [he wiggles his fingers, A Face that is Made, this isn't purposely vague.] It's a dead giveaway.
When did you want to tell me? I must have been doing something impressive.
[You know, as if his phone call wasn't just in the middle of a serious conversation. It's fine, tell him the gossip about himself, he loves to hear it.]
And you do. You make this face, [he wiggles his fingers, A Face that is Made, this isn't purposely vague.] It's a dead giveaway.
[don't tempt him, grapes might be the only common fruit he likes after gorging through paleblood compulsion this month, purely to menace the ministers.]
The last time was when I was telling you I had your back. [he answers that, smile small as he glances over. he tugs him to the lamp then poof, close to the docks. thanks lantern friend, you funky little monsters.] I often think it at small things, really. When you bend your glasses like a madman, for example. When you're concentrating on a book.
[gay. it's like he's in love. the not face gets a face of his own, the other thread mentioned it. the pal is saying/doing something ridiculous face.] That is not a face I make.
The last time was when I was telling you I had your back. [he answers that, smile small as he glances over. he tugs him to the lamp then poof, close to the docks. thanks lantern friend, you funky little monsters.] I often think it at small things, really. When you bend your glasses like a madman, for example. When you're concentrating on a book.
[gay. it's like he's in love. the not face gets a face of his own, the other thread mentioned it. the pal is saying/doing something ridiculous face.] That is not a face I make.
[Ah, there's a point for continuing to ruin his glasses. He tugs them to a proper stop once they're through the lamp, to lean in for that kiss delayed terribly by all the Lumenwood mist (not good for kissing outdoors). The noise and... smells... of the docks make for a better backdrop, so before they head all the way down: a kiss, for loving him at the most mundane of times, which is really the best he could ask for.
That said,]
You're making the face right now. [is he. is that the face. or are there many faces, actually, because Palamedes is also in love, and that's just how these things go.] Come on, teach me something about the sea that isn't horrifying.
[It's up to Viktor to mediate Pal vs. Sea... Well, away they go to lunch, content, all things considered.]
That said,]
You're making the face right now. [is he. is that the face. or are there many faces, actually, because Palamedes is also in love, and that's just how these things go.] Come on, teach me something about the sea that isn't horrifying.
[It's up to Viktor to mediate Pal vs. Sea... Well, away they go to lunch, content, all things considered.]
Palamedes? [ There's a crackling sound along with his voice, like a bad connection, except there's an organic quality to it almost like wingbeats. The wind? Like he, or his omen, are moving very swiftly?
Allen sounds hurried, too. Worried. ]
What do you know about ghosts and trying to put them back to rest? Angry ones, that is.
[ He knows you know a lot!! If the archivist's spirit that's now another amicable presence in Sanctuary means anything. ]
Allen sounds hurried, too. Worried. ]
What do you know about ghosts and trying to put them back to rest? Angry ones, that is.
[ He knows you know a lot!! If the archivist's spirit that's now another amicable presence in Sanctuary means anything. ]
[When user 'an.exorcist' calls you to ask about what sounds like an exorcism... hmm. He knows about the, ah, hauntings that have been going around, so perhaps the usual methods simply do not take?
Also what the hell is all that noise, but first the important bits:]
Enough to manage. What do you need?
Also what the hell is all that noise, but first the important bits:]
Enough to manage. What do you need?
[ The irony is crushing, he realizes that. Alas he is not an exorcist; he's an Exorcist. And it's not the first time that has been extremely confusing... ]
Miss Chizuru is experiencing violent ghosts that are trying to attack her... And she isn't the only person I don't think, others have said they have felt like they're being haunted suddenly too. [ More muffled sounds. ]
I'm going to her, [ was he still on crutches last you saw him? yeah ] but I don't know if this is something my ability can work on. I've never tried it against souls that weren't corrupted by something else...
[ He pauses. ]
I'm worried it might not be enough.
Miss Chizuru is experiencing violent ghosts that are trying to attack her... And she isn't the only person I don't think, others have said they have felt like they're being haunted suddenly too. [ More muffled sounds. ]
I'm going to her, [ was he still on crutches last you saw him? yeah ] but I don't know if this is something my ability can work on. I've never tried it against souls that weren't corrupted by something else...
[ He pauses. ]
I'm worried it might not be enough.
You're going to her?
[Does he even need to voice his disapproval? Not of the helping, but of the reckless self-endangerment that is going to fight ghosts while already in recovery. No more than that question already implies, but he's not saying no, so.
There's that.]
Most everything here is corrupted by something; don't discount your abilities just yet. These ghosts- [there's a pause while he considers, hm, his own little visitor, whom he is dealing with deftly for sure,] I doubt they're more than a manifestation of this place, you know? Not the actual spirits of the people they represent.
[Which is all to say,] If you need me, I'll come.
[Does he even need to voice his disapproval? Not of the helping, but of the reckless self-endangerment that is going to fight ghosts while already in recovery. No more than that question already implies, but he's not saying no, so.
There's that.]
Most everything here is corrupted by something; don't discount your abilities just yet. These ghosts- [there's a pause while he considers, hm, his own little visitor, whom he is dealing with deftly for sure,] I doubt they're more than a manifestation of this place, you know? Not the actual spirits of the people they represent.
[Which is all to say,] If you need me, I'll come.
[ Oh, oh he knows that tone. Allen has been on the receptive end of a tone like that many times. ]
I'll be fine. [ Ehe... ]
I think you're right. It wouldn't make sense for people who haven't died here to be haunting others. Not all at once like this, either... something else is causing it. The timing is too strange otherwise. [ Sobering, but also somehow a bit more relieving than the alternative. ]
...Thank you. [ He lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding; that wasn't even something he'd asked for. ] My Innocence lets me put souls to rest, normally... for creatures like beasts. So I'm hopeful. I'll let you know.
[ But he does hesitate, curious. ]
How would you do it?
I'll be fine. [ Ehe... ]
I think you're right. It wouldn't make sense for people who haven't died here to be haunting others. Not all at once like this, either... something else is causing it. The timing is too strange otherwise. [ Sobering, but also somehow a bit more relieving than the alternative. ]
...Thank you. [ He lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding; that wasn't even something he'd asked for. ] My Innocence lets me put souls to rest, normally... for creatures like beasts. So I'm hopeful. I'll let you know.
[ But he does hesitate, curious. ]
How would you do it?
I know you will. [Is this a threat. It's not not a threat. It's definitely got an edge of 'practice self-preservation, it's good for you' laced in there, subtly.]
And that's what I was thinking; mine— [ugh, he has to pause and full body cringe at even the concept of claiming this ghost as His] hasn't attacked me. I don't know what triggers that; I'm working under the assumption that it's our unresolved feelings about the people we see that brings them up as ghosts in the first place.
A vengeful spirit haunting something - in our case, someone - is what we call a revenant, and they can be banished by destroying the thing they're haunting, obviously not a solution here, or by resolving their unfinished business. You know, that old chestnut. The kind of revenant that wouldn't stick to the widely-known parameters is, [uhhhhhh] not going to turn up. I should think.
If none of that works, how else do you solve things around here? Blood.
And that's what I was thinking; mine— [ugh, he has to pause and full body cringe at even the concept of claiming this ghost as His] hasn't attacked me. I don't know what triggers that; I'm working under the assumption that it's our unresolved feelings about the people we see that brings them up as ghosts in the first place.
A vengeful spirit haunting something - in our case, someone - is what we call a revenant, and they can be banished by destroying the thing they're haunting, obviously not a solution here, or by resolving their unfinished business. You know, that old chestnut. The kind of revenant that wouldn't stick to the widely-known parameters is, [uhhhhhh] not going to turn up. I should think.
If none of that works, how else do you solve things around here? Blood.
[ Hold up there!! You can't give him crap when: ]
Palamedes? You're haunted by one too?! [ Nnnnnnn... this is his worried tone. Of course he respects the other man to know how to deal with it better than Allen can, but that doesn't mean he can't still fret a little. ]
Please be careful. [ There's a small huff. You'll let him know if you need help too, right? ]
A revenant... [ He repeats it like it's an unfamiliar phrase he's committing to memory -- spoilers, it is. ] All of that makes sense, it isn't so different from thinking about souls that can become corrupted and tied back to the world.
And of course blood would be a solution. [ Can you detect the wrinkling of his nose in his tone? 'Cause it's there, his distaste. ] Does it matter what sort of blood? If that doesn't work. [ Wracking his brain here. Were there any with abilities that helped with spirits...? ]
Palamedes? You're haunted by one too?! [ Nnnnnnn... this is his worried tone. Of course he respects the other man to know how to deal with it better than Allen can, but that doesn't mean he can't still fret a little. ]
Please be careful. [ There's a small huff. You'll let him know if you need help too, right? ]
A revenant... [ He repeats it like it's an unfamiliar phrase he's committing to memory -- spoilers, it is. ] All of that makes sense, it isn't so different from thinking about souls that can become corrupted and tied back to the world.
And of course blood would be a solution. [ Can you detect the wrinkling of his nose in his tone? 'Cause it's there, his distaste. ] Does it matter what sort of blood? If that doesn't work. [ Wracking his brain here. Were there any with abilities that helped with spirits...? ]
I'm fine; nothing is attacking me, like I said. Except for attacking my patience, I guess. She comes and goes.
[See? Handling it deftly! He'd wave a hand dismissively - of this ghost, mind - if this were video, so just imagine it.]
I'd hesitate to call a revenant corrupted— angry, though. Definitely mad about things.
In any case, I don't know. Our blood, probably. Trial and error, like everything else; do you know Chizuru's blood type?
[See? Handling it deftly! He'd wave a hand dismissively - of this ghost, mind - if this were video, so just imagine it.]
I'd hesitate to call a revenant corrupted— angry, though. Definitely mad about things.
In any case, I don't know. Our blood, probably. Trial and error, like everything else; do you know Chizuru's blood type?
[ He hears it, and can picture it even. The tut-tut don't worry wave of someone trying to say 'it's perfectly alright, don't worry' -- he's used it himself. But will also respect it, if file that information away for later concern and checking in. ]
A mad ghost. That's delightful. [ It's not sarcastic, but... more wearied and accepting. ]
Umm... she's in the bake-off, isn't she? [ He saw her responding to Luna. ] I'm guessing that means she's a paleblood too.
A mad ghost. That's delightful. [ It's not sarcastic, but... more wearied and accepting. ]
Umm... she's in the bake-off, isn't she? [ He saw her responding to Luna. ] I'm guessing that means she's a paleblood too.
[God, his whole life is baked goods now that Viktor is scone-mad, the bake-off is both welcome (somewhere else to put baked goods!) and a bane (he keeps practicing at home!!). Palamedes sighs, cutting himself short to focus on the relevant facts here. Paleblood.]
Got it.
[...do any of the blood types help with spirits...?]
I can't say with authority which blood type would be the most helpful, so let's proceed assuming 'any of them' is good enough. If, again, blood is the answer. Depending on the severity of her situation, reasoning with her visitors might still be on the table.
Got it.
[...do any of the blood types help with spirits...?]
I can't say with authority which blood type would be the most helpful, so let's proceed assuming 'any of them' is good enough. If, again, blood is the answer. Depending on the severity of her situation, reasoning with her visitors might still be on the table.
[rio is happily munching on her mushroom at the foot of the couch, where viktor is curled up against pal with his omni in hand. true to form a not spicy dinner was had (kebabs, viktor thought pal would enjoy Sticks again and it's very easy) and gay fruit was also enjoyed.
it's been a very nice night. a reminder that he needs to finish things up in sanctuary so he doesn't miss these as often.
after the makeouts he settles back into tapping away on his omni, learning about otakus mostly. still not sure what an anime is.] I wonder if Paul regrets this yet.
it's been a very nice night. a reminder that he needs to finish things up in sanctuary so he doesn't miss these as often.
after the makeouts he settles back into tapping away on his omni, learning about otakus mostly. still not sure what an anime is.] I wonder if Paul regrets this yet.
[Honestly, nothing beats a quiet - well, quiet outside of the omni - evening like this, with Portable Dinner and a happy Rio and plenty of time to simply relax like this, together. Palamedes has made sure to write "mug cake?" on a sticky note and stick it on the fridge, as a reminder about that exciting mystery, but by now he's more or less settled in to, well.
Heckle Paul with incorrectly-used meme formats. It's a hobby.]
Maybe. He's learning about consequences, that's for sure.
Heckle Paul with incorrectly-used meme formats. It's a hobby.]
Maybe. He's learning about consequences, that's for sure.
[right mug cakes, that is definitely happening. probably waiting for pal to be hungry after dinner or something. rio makes a happy trill sound, and whenever she swallows her body glows lightly.]
I am still sending him a gift for his good work. From our House.
[his lips quirk a little, both at the teasing of it and. well. our house.]
I am still sending him a gift for his good work. From our House.
[his lips quirk a little, both at the teasing of it and. well. our house.]
[Rio, a gem as always. Palamedes will let her finish her mushroom before he wiggles a hand at her to bring her big up here on the couch for petting, because he's polite. And ah - our House.]
Your gift that only encourages him, of course.
[Hmm! He leans a bit more into Viktor, bumping his shoulder.]
Did you mean that? About being part of the House.
[And does he still mean it right now, or is it a playful little bit. Ahem.]
Your gift that only encourages him, of course.
[Hmm! He leans a bit more into Viktor, bumping his shoulder.]
Did you mean that? About being part of the House.
[And does he still mean it right now, or is it a playful little bit. Ahem.]
[rio is having the best day too. skeleton harassing, mushrooms, pets? living the life. she rests her head on the couch with a happy, sleepy blink. viktor has Feelings about it.]
He should be rewarded for a skillful maneuver. [said with a smirk that shifts to more of a smile when asked that. oh no, another feeling.]
I did. I know it is perhaps... pointless, or sentimental, but I would enjoy being considered part of your House. [less so with all the uh. empire stuff surrounding the sixth but it's easy for him to see the sixth simply as pal's home, and important to him. so important to viktor.
he glances to rio, a touch embarrassed as he usually gets about this sort of thing.]
He should be rewarded for a skillful maneuver. [said with a smirk that shifts to more of a smile when asked that. oh no, another feeling.]
I did. I know it is perhaps... pointless, or sentimental, but I would enjoy being considered part of your House. [less so with all the uh. empire stuff surrounding the sixth but it's easy for him to see the sixth simply as pal's home, and important to him. so important to viktor.
he glances to rio, a touch embarrassed as he usually gets about this sort of thing.]
[Where is that poor Dr. Sex Jr. In the corner, probably. Facing a wall. Palamedes is handling it deftly. He also drops his omni onto the couch to give Rio her many deserved pets, officially more interested in Rio and this House thing than he is in the memes.]
Skillful! It was a disaster. [his shame is eternal!!]
And— you are. It's just... [He too looks down at Rio while he thinks about how to phrase this, so congratulations Rio on all the extra attention.] Well, you know; every time more things from the Nine Houses show up here, I like the Nine Houses a little bit less.
[He shrugs, because it could very easily be no more than a little affectionate something, and here he goes making it into a Thing.]
It might be something as small as a House title, but I don't want to subject you to the Empire any more than I already have, even by association. Does that make sense?
Skillful! It was a disaster. [his shame is eternal!!]
And— you are. It's just... [He too looks down at Rio while he thinks about how to phrase this, so congratulations Rio on all the extra attention.] Well, you know; every time more things from the Nine Houses show up here, I like the Nine Houses a little bit less.
[He shrugs, because it could very easily be no more than a little affectionate something, and here he goes making it into a Thing.]
It might be something as small as a House title, but I don't want to subject you to the Empire any more than I already have, even by association. Does that make sense?
It was delightful. You made many people very happy at a severe cost to yourself. [viktor replies, intensely fond like the gay he is, watching rio's tail thump on the floor and mostly ignoring jr because well. he's blair witching in the corner and that's a thing. it's fine. necromancers.
but pal is talking, and there's a lot about what he's saying that warms viktor. specifically the slow crawl of realizing how fucked the empire is. maybe not slow, he has a feeling pal realizes just fine, but accepting your entire system you were raised with is fucked? is a lot.]
It does. In truth I do not think you should have to be 'God's Reason.' I do not think you should be anything of his at all. [a touch heated there, at the end, before he reaches over to steal pal's free hand, letting his own omni thump on the couch.] Though I am well aware the Sixth is more than what he wanted of it.
but pal is talking, and there's a lot about what he's saying that warms viktor. specifically the slow crawl of realizing how fucked the empire is. maybe not slow, he has a feeling pal realizes just fine, but accepting your entire system you were raised with is fucked? is a lot.]
It does. In truth I do not think you should have to be 'God's Reason.' I do not think you should be anything of his at all. [a touch heated there, at the end, before he reaches over to steal pal's free hand, letting his own omni thump on the couch.] Though I am well aware the Sixth is more than what he wanted of it.
Can you believe that, [he says, to Rio,] he's delighted by my suffering.
[Ha ha. That much is easy, in the exact way that this other thing isn't, for patently silly reasons - or at least, reasons Palamedes automatically has slotted into "silly," and might now be reconfiguring all that. The Sixth was home for a long time, and it's familiar, but - not for the first time, he wonders if nostalgia is enough to paper over the rest. The grim parts.
He squeezes Viktor's hand, grateful for the sentiment. Distancing himself from all that has been fairly simple to do just by keeping busy here, but it's novel to hear someone else say out loud that, huh! He doesn't have to follow the role written for the Sixth!]
Thank you. I'm not sure... well, thank you. [It feels messy, still; he'll work on something neater, a clean break. Until then: thanks.] Whether or not I belong in the Empire any longer, I know I belong with you. We could make our own House.
[haha, unless......?]
[Ha ha. That much is easy, in the exact way that this other thing isn't, for patently silly reasons - or at least, reasons Palamedes automatically has slotted into "silly," and might now be reconfiguring all that. The Sixth was home for a long time, and it's familiar, but - not for the first time, he wonders if nostalgia is enough to paper over the rest. The grim parts.
He squeezes Viktor's hand, grateful for the sentiment. Distancing himself from all that has been fairly simple to do just by keeping busy here, but it's novel to hear someone else say out loud that, huh! He doesn't have to follow the role written for the Sixth!]
Thank you. I'm not sure... well, thank you. [It feels messy, still; he'll work on something neater, a clean break. Until then: thanks.] Whether or not I belong in the Empire any longer, I know I belong with you. We could make our own House.
[haha, unless......?]
[rio trills. viktor leans in to kiss his jaw.] What can I say, I like to see you squirm. [clam down.
but this is some important stuff, reevaluation stuff, blessedly being done without the trench forcing it down anyone's throats. another kiss, this time to the inside of pal's wrist as he lifts his hand up, humming against the skin and saying,] You're welcome. [simple as that.
but please, talk about slamming him in the chest with 'I belong with you.' viktor has to rest his head against pal's head a moment, ears pink with a helpless chuckle. gods.]
We could. I've never even had a family name before, let alone something like that. [he answers, finally glancing to him, a crooked smile.] And I would like to, if it is with you.
but this is some important stuff, reevaluation stuff, blessedly being done without the trench forcing it down anyone's throats. another kiss, this time to the inside of pal's wrist as he lifts his hand up, humming against the skin and saying,] You're welcome. [simple as that.
but please, talk about slamming him in the chest with 'I belong with you.' viktor has to rest his head against pal's head a moment, ears pink with a helpless chuckle. gods.]
We could. I've never even had a family name before, let alone something like that. [he answers, finally glancing to him, a crooked smile.] And I would like to, if it is with you.
Oh, I know you do. Not in public, next time. [gosh, relax.
Ah, but he's glad, though, a gentle warmth that blooms in his chest and on his skin where Viktor's lips connect, something soft and secure that he leans into eagerly. This other idea here, one he's circled back to and slipped away from again for months now - reframing the Empire, like he should have done even sooner - is too heavy and tangled up in itself to work out in an evening, but-
Viktor, and belonging with him, and his adorable blush and his precious smile - those things are much more palatable, alongside being so much easier to handle. Palamedes stops petting Rio (for like, a few seconds, do not give him the eyes) to cup Viktor's cheek and tilt him into a kiss, languid and fond. Hmm.]
Good; my turn to give you something you've missed. I'm glad it gets to be me. [it's like he's in love or something, dang] What do we call it?
Ah, but he's glad, though, a gentle warmth that blooms in his chest and on his skin where Viktor's lips connect, something soft and secure that he leans into eagerly. This other idea here, one he's circled back to and slipped away from again for months now - reframing the Empire, like he should have done even sooner - is too heavy and tangled up in itself to work out in an evening, but-
Viktor, and belonging with him, and his adorable blush and his precious smile - those things are much more palatable, alongside being so much easier to handle. Palamedes stops petting Rio (for like, a few seconds, do not give him the eyes) to cup Viktor's cheek and tilt him into a kiss, languid and fond. Hmm.]
Good; my turn to give you something you've missed. I'm glad it gets to be me. [it's like he's in love or something, dang] What do we call it?
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