I don't know that I learned much of anything beyond that this place is wildly haunted. But we knew that. I think it was the-- Hivemind or whatnot that is running this thing. It was all a bit metaphorical.
[He wants to YELL that Lucien should not just LISTEN to other people's ideas, but then he remembers Lucien listening to his insane fucking plan to suck the Eyes out with the Core.
Nevermind.
A giant sigh of relief.]
Be careful, for God's sake.
[He probably doesn't even know a God, but this is the only sentiment that is the vibe.]
[ it's fine he deserves to be yelled at just in general for existing. when viktor lets himself relax!!!!! for four seconds though lucien is wriggling his wrist free of the grasp and tugging him over the hand to at least sit down somewhere. ]
I saw it. Not my first time encountering a strange dream-like state where an entity declares its desire to assimilate all life to its will, it's only the last time I had the power to potentially wield it, and this time I do not.
[ yet again .......... maybe he shouldn't have tossed the journal ]
Stop that. I'm not letting you wield. dangerous plant hivemind.
[Okay, okay, fine!! He is going along with Lucien to sit somewhere. Uh, probably in Lucien's lap actually because he needs to show Lucien some letters on his IRIS.]
Like the wall of flesh, yes! Everyone dismissed me, but it was the closest to what we had seen of the truth! It tried to consume me.
We talked about whatever is going on being a hivemind. Here.
I'm not going to, I'm only suggesting I know the signs of one.
[ yes, sitting on his lap is the only way to show him this screen actually. there is no other way to do it unfortunately that's just how it goes. wrapping an arm around his middle to keep him there because its simply the only way to see the IRIS properly is to be closer. ]
There are mentions of these CEM cults from the previous planet as well. About how they wish to create a world in which everyone is ... joined together. And happy or whatnot. [ so dismissive when this is exactly what he fell for with the somnovem but its fine. ] He is correct. Running will not work. It seems others even tried to run but this eventually caught up to them as well. It is a vast universe, but there are still only so many corners in which to hide.
[ also yes he sees the bit about the journal he will. circle back around to that. he has to decide how he feels about it first. ]
[The closeness is helping Lucien read the screen, yes. Shut up and accept the fact you are now stuck with a dried up toothpick nerd, you shit.]
I wonder if Hans had been influenced by the cults... They had been trying to cross-breed a plant in hydroponics in secret that let people share a hallucinogenic experience. But it ended up poisoning them, and they died. The only thing to come of it was dream sharing.
But they said they didn't believe in the supernatural...
[He is thoughtful for a moment.]
I guess the how is less important than the what. What kind of metal are we meant to be finding...?
[ HE HAS ACCEPTED IT. he has never once objected to being furniture, he knows his place. ]
Foolish to not believe in the supernatural when it haunts every hallway and hiding place in this cursed ship.
[ also thinking, hooking his chin over viktor's shoulder and humming a bit, but most definitely thinking less about the metal at hand and more about his personal problems. ]
[ it probably should be going on about the metal it is much more important his stupid journal for idiot babies. pushing a hand through his own hair, shaking his head a bit. ]
I put it in there for a reason so I can hardly be shocked when that purpose is fulfilled.
[As if they weren't this was at all during a seance when they should have definitely been discussing important information.
Lucien is too dramatic of a theater kid.
His hand follows Lucien's, attempting to sort out the front pieces so they aren't in his eyes. Basically he ends up having to twirl them into their curl pattern.]
[ look things got done. things got done eventually. the feelings were important, obviously.
he lets him do this without complaint, taking a long breath out. ]
I don't blame you--
[ he isn't angry about it. for once. he'd thrown it away because he knew on at least some level he needed it to be destroyed, it's just very symbolic of choosing to let quite a few paths close off. and to see it confirmed that it isn't just out of his hands but entirely unrecoverable is hitting home. ]
[He twists a little in Lucien's lap so he can both look at Lucien and pop a kiss on Lucien's forehead over one brow.]
Lucien, you know their power has not been here for--what? A month now, almost two. Not until recently. And look how much you have done all on your own. With your own strengths.
I admire your spirit in how you do things than I do your ability to... I don't know, use an arcane power to make someone's mind bleed.
[ the forehead kiss is infectious. once you start doing them it is impossible to stop. closing his eyes and leaning into it. ]
I was going to be a god. I was going to fix everything that had ever been broken. Make it the way it should be. And it wasn't just the past, it would have been the future too - nothing could ever hurt either of us ever again.
[ at least he is speaking in past tense. besides, should they talk about your creepy haunted emotional support object, viktor? ]
[It's true, the forehead kisses simply keep coming as an exchange of affection.
Also, yes, yes, yes. He was GETTING to that. He eases one arm around Lucien's shoulders.] I don't think you have to be a god to do great things like that. [But he understands.
He lifts his other hand between them, palm up, beckoning for one of Lucien's hands.]
I was going to destroy the Hex Core after I got the Somnovem out of you, but... I don't know what would happen because both of us would probably be connected to the Core like I am. [And maybe each other? Great, eternal love arrows.] I'll make a deal with you.
Depending on what happens if we try... If I can find a way to perfect and house the Hex Core, we... can keep it with us, if you want. It... might have the strength of the Nine in it.
[They can just create this terrible world-ending nine-eyed Eldritch prism abomination of power and be pirates with it together or something else insane.
They can use it to control Ganon who definitely would never love to get his hands on something like that.]
[ I mean, the Nein will certainly go to try and kill the Somnovem in Exandria without Lucien there to stop them, so I think they'd be fucking thrilled for a piece of them to continue living on and waiting for a chance to escape in this fucking Hex Core, that sounds like a brilliant ultra-genius plan. They will absolutely have to destroy that fucking thing eventually. it will be the cause of so much potentially world-ending drama later.
But you know the idea of merging their creepy artifacts and then maybe having An Adventure about that later is not sooooo bad. I mean, you've got to keep things interesting if you're planning long term.
lucien actually just laughs a little, gaze flicking up to meet Viktor's. god. at least Viktor has a moral or two. ]
Certainly the letter of the agreement to rid myself of the Somnovum, if not the spirit of it.
[ but that sounds okay to him. Unfortunately. Someone else will have to talk him down off the "the Hex Core is GOOD actually" cliff. ]
[Listen. LISTEN!! He has one or two morals, and this means they can change the narrative!! He at least perfects the Core later so he can go on to become a weird lil antihero man, but unsure about the future of this when the Nine have been assimilated into an arcane matrix which has evolved and started Learning.
He offers Lucien a small, reassuring smile.]
We can always destroy it after we help Cree instead. Be rid of both for good.
[He does not mind that alternative. He just worries about the connection part.
Imagine its destruction rending both their souls apart and flinging them far and wide into the cosmos. He'd hate himself, but like Lucien thinks, he won't even be aware enough to care by that point.]
Have you decided what you'd like to do after all of this yet...? Where you'd like to go? What you want to be?
[ please do not rend his soul apart and fling it into the cosmos AGAIN he has done that already and it sucked a lot. leaning his forehead in to rest against viktor, nodding slightly. whatever they do with the Hex Core will probably be the correct and intelligent thing to do. ]
I ... don't know yet.
[ he's been stalling on the question, maybe because the whole ... having choices thing scares him a bit. and feels as if it's bad luck to make a decision before everything falls into place entirely. ]
[Lucien doesn't have to know yet. Viktor will just keep tenderly asking every so often until they see what happens to them at the end. He brings his other arm up so he can hug Lucien's head against himself.]
Alive. [Listen.] I want to keep inventing. I want to keep helping others. But... most of all...
[ he curls into him as well, pulling him in tighter by the waist and snorting a bit of a soft laugh. ]
Alive is a good place to start. [ they can start with alive. but there's a couple of plans in motion for that. ] Wherever, with you, is good as well. I said that already, right?
[ this is not a sarcastic question. he probably did not say it he just implied it was good and needed to clearly say it. ]
[ that feels pretty nice actually so he's going to stay right where he is and let him continue to do that. the back of his neck is similar to his chest - scattered with the thin knicks and cuts to draw blood for magic, but most of it is silvery and old, fading back into the skin. ]
Don't make it sound as if I'm going to run off and abandon you like you abandoned your rat family.
[The brushing of his fingers over the scars is more idle than anything, though the idea of spilling blood for some kind of strength makes him a little sad.]
Stop this. What in the... There is no rat family. I don't know what they were even talking about.
[He knows Lucien is teasing him, but he HAS TO MAKE THIS POINT.]
Nothing ever happened while I was there concerning rats and a family!
[ this is making him laugh more, shoulders starting to move with it. ]
I saw an image of a screen with a letter written in your own hand. You threatened your rat family and said you wouldn't be paying child support, because you have a new life now. I suppose this makes me the other woman.
[ things were so serious ... but this is cracking him up ......... ]
HE SITS STRAIGHT UP, INDIGNANT.] What?! [A LETTER PENNED IN HIS OWN HAND?!]
I never wrote such a letter! The only letter I've written sent to them is a single one claiming them as insurance dependents like they requested! It was even signed "Viktor Tavelle" because they kept mentioning whatever a meme wedding is!
[He says this like "meemee" also. WAIT. He freezes, and then he smooshes Lucien's face into his chest so Lucien can't look up to see how red his face gets.]
Anyway, that is the only nonsense letter I have written any of them there, or in my time there. Would you stop laughing?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ it's fine it's fine it's fine it's fine ]
I don't know that I learned much of anything beyond that this place is wildly haunted. But we knew that. I think it was the-- Hivemind or whatnot that is running this thing. It was all a bit metaphorical.
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Nevermind.
A giant sigh of relief.]
Be careful, for God's sake.
[He probably doesn't even know a God, but this is the only sentiment that is the vibe.]
What happened? You saw it?
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I saw it. Not my first time encountering a strange dream-like state where an entity declares its desire to assimilate all life to its will, it's only the last time I had the power to potentially wield it, and this time I do not.
[ yet again .......... maybe he shouldn't have tossed the journal ]
no subject
[Okay, okay, fine!! He is going along with Lucien to sit somewhere. Uh, probably in Lucien's lap actually because he needs to show Lucien some letters on his IRIS.]
Like the wall of flesh, yes! Everyone dismissed me, but it was the closest to what we had seen of the truth! It tried to consume me.
We talked about whatever is going on being a hivemind. Here.
[Showing Lucien his screen.]
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[ yes, sitting on his lap is the only way to show him this screen actually. there is no other way to do it unfortunately that's just how it goes. wrapping an arm around his middle to keep him there because its simply the only way to see the IRIS properly is to be closer. ]
There are mentions of these CEM cults from the previous planet as well. About how they wish to create a world in which everyone is ... joined together. And happy or whatnot. [ so dismissive when this is exactly what he fell for with the somnovem but its fine. ] He is correct. Running will not work. It seems others even tried to run but this eventually caught up to them as well. It is a vast universe, but there are still only so many corners in which to hide.
[ also yes he sees the bit about the journal he will. circle back around to that. he has to decide how he feels about it first. ]
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I wonder if Hans had been influenced by the cults... They had been trying to cross-breed a plant in hydroponics in secret that let people share a hallucinogenic experience. But it ended up poisoning them, and they died. The only thing to come of it was dream sharing.
But they said they didn't believe in the supernatural...
[He is thoughtful for a moment.]
I guess the how is less important than the what. What kind of metal are we meant to be finding...?
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Foolish to not believe in the supernatural when it haunts every hallway and hiding place in this cursed ship.
[ also thinking, hooking his chin over viktor's shoulder and humming a bit, but most definitely thinking less about the metal at hand and more about his personal problems. ]
Creating a weapon of some sort, then.
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But then he sort of double-takes at Lucien instead.]
What? What is it...? [Lucien looks a lil moody about something.] ...The journal?
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I put it in there for a reason so I can hardly be shocked when that purpose is fulfilled.
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Lucien is too dramatic of a theater kid.
His hand follows Lucien's, attempting to sort out the front pieces so they aren't in his eyes. Basically he ends up having to twirl them into their curl pattern.]
You can blame me. I told them to get rid of it.
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he lets him do this without complaint, taking a long breath out. ]
I don't blame you--
[ he isn't angry about it. for once. he'd thrown it away because he knew on at least some level he needed it to be destroyed, it's just very symbolic of choosing to let quite a few paths close off. and to see it confirmed that it isn't just out of his hands but entirely unrecoverable is hitting home. ]
I told you that I trust you.
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Lucien, you know their power has not been here for--what? A month now, almost two. Not until recently. And look how much you have done all on your own. With your own strengths.
I admire your spirit in how you do things than I do your ability to... I don't know, use an arcane power to make someone's mind bleed.
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[ the forehead kiss is infectious. once you start doing them it is impossible to stop. closing his eyes and leaning into it. ]
I was going to be a god. I was going to fix everything that had ever been broken. Make it the way it should be. And it wasn't just the past, it would have been the future too - nothing could ever hurt either of us ever again.
[ at least he is speaking in past tense. besides, should they talk about your creepy haunted emotional support object, viktor? ]
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Also, yes, yes, yes. He was GETTING to that. He eases one arm around Lucien's shoulders.] I don't think you have to be a god to do great things like that. [But he understands.
He lifts his other hand between them, palm up, beckoning for one of Lucien's hands.]
I was going to destroy the Hex Core after I got the Somnovem out of you, but... I don't know what would happen because both of us would probably be connected to the Core like I am. [And maybe each other? Great, eternal love arrows.] I'll make a deal with you.
Depending on what happens if we try... If I can find a way to perfect and house the Hex Core, we... can keep it with us, if you want. It... might have the strength of the Nine in it.
[They can just create this terrible world-ending nine-eyed Eldritch prism abomination of power and be pirates with it together or something else insane.
They can use it to control Ganon who definitely would never love to get his hands on something like that.]
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But you know the idea of merging their creepy artifacts and then maybe having An Adventure about that later is not sooooo bad. I mean, you've got to keep things interesting if you're planning long term.
lucien actually just laughs a little, gaze flicking up to meet Viktor's. god. at least Viktor has a moral or two. ]
Certainly the letter of the agreement to rid myself of the Somnovum, if not the spirit of it.
[ but that sounds okay to him. Unfortunately. Someone else will have to talk him down off the "the Hex Core is GOOD actually" cliff. ]
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He offers Lucien a small, reassuring smile.]
We can always destroy it after we help Cree instead. Be rid of both for good.
[He does not mind that alternative. He just worries about the connection part.
Imagine its destruction rending both their souls apart and flinging them far and wide into the cosmos. He'd hate himself, but like Lucien thinks, he won't even be aware enough to care by that point.]
Have you decided what you'd like to do after all of this yet...? Where you'd like to go? What you want to be?
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I ... don't know yet.
[ he's been stalling on the question, maybe because the whole ... having choices thing scares him a bit. and feels as if it's bad luck to make a decision before everything falls into place entirely. ]
What do you want to be?
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That's okay.
[Lucien doesn't have to know yet. Viktor will just keep tenderly asking every so often until they see what happens to them at the end. He brings his other arm up so he can hug Lucien's head against himself.]
Alive. [Listen.] I want to keep inventing. I want to keep helping others. But... most of all...
I want to be wherever you are. If that's okay.
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Alive is a good place to start. [ they can start with alive. but there's a couple of plans in motion for that. ] Wherever, with you, is good as well. I said that already, right?
[ this is not a sarcastic question. he probably did not say it he just implied it was good and needed to clearly say it. ]
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We start with alive then.
[THEY CAN START WITH ALIVE. His hand idly rubs up and down on the slope of Lucien's neck, an affectionate sort of petting.]
You probably did. I think I'm stuck more with you than you are stuck with me.
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Don't make it sound as if I'm going to run off and abandon you like you abandoned your rat family.
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Stop this. What in the... There is no rat family. I don't know what they were even talking about.
[He knows Lucien is teasing him, but he HAS TO MAKE THIS POINT.]
Nothing ever happened while I was there concerning rats and a family!
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I saw an image of a screen with a letter written in your own hand. You threatened your rat family and said you wouldn't be paying child support, because you have a new life now. I suppose this makes me the other woman.
[ things were so serious ... but this is cracking him up ......... ]
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HE SITS STRAIGHT UP, INDIGNANT.] What?! [A LETTER PENNED IN HIS OWN HAND?!]
I never wrote such a letter! The only letter I've written sent to them is a single one claiming them as insurance dependents like they requested! It was even signed "Viktor Tavelle" because they kept mentioning whatever a meme wedding is!
[He says this like "meemee" also. WAIT. He freezes, and then he smooshes Lucien's face into his chest so Lucien can't look up to see how red his face gets.]
Anyway, that is the only nonsense letter I have written any of them there, or in my time there. Would you stop laughing?
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You left your rat wife and then married me? No wonder you have relationship problems.
(no subject)