iii. video. open, then unseelie-locked. backdated to the end of september, ~29-30th

[vrykolakas]

       [UNLOCKED: VISIBLE TO ALL.]

[Candlelight laps at the dim image of the Brucolac's face, showing up mottled scars along his cheeks. His expression is tired. Whether it's the light or exhaustion, his olive skin looks faintly greenish.]

Alyosha of Redgate is dead by the hand of Reynard the Fox.

[It's not a lie. She is exactly as deceased as he is. He sighs out a breath, tches faintly, and moves on, his hoarse, scratchy voice impassive.]

Unrelatedly, I require information on the thief who stole the feathers of the birdking. He wasn't found? Did anyone pick up a trail?

[He knows he wasn't found. Hence (partly) the current sticky situation he's in.]


       [LOCKED TO UNSEELIE.]

I'm at Caer Scima.

[He hisses through his teeth, rubs his forehead; his head is pounding, thick knots of tension twisting in his temples, pain shooting down his neck, bursting behind his eyes, tightening his jaw. Bone-dry and grimly humourous, he says:]

If anyone, preferably human, feels they have a surplus of blood.

[That sentence is left unfinished, the conclusion—in his mind, at least—obvious.]


       [LOCKED TO ALICE & BERSERKER.]

[Flatly:]

What the fuck happened.

- - - -

[ooc: I realised too late that dating it this way means it went up a few days before new arrivals, damn it! but PLEASE feel free to have any newbies reply a few days late, if you so wish. c: ]

Comments

[vrykolakas]

Gods, no, last thing I need is one more worry. At least my current problems only metaphorically shit everywhere.

[He pinches the bridge of his nose, thinks about it.]

—no. No, it wouldn't be wise, not now. Perhaps in future. Thanks for the offer.

[ziggyzoggy]

[That earns a chuckle.] Small blessin's, ah?

[And the smile disappears as quickly as it appeared.] Ya look like ya could use a rest, if I can be blunt. Or a pick up.

[vrykolakas]

I know. Feel like shit. [Elbow on the desk he's sitting at, he allows his head to droop, forehead braced against the heel of his hand.] Gods.

I was going to go on that little sea-jaunt. With Sparrow. Breathe some fucking salt, get my boots wet for the first time in months. Then, of course, politics happened to me. You were there, yes? Perhaps I... [...should have gone, but then he wrinkles his nose, shakes his head; if he had gone sailing it would have been Harry alone with Alyosha, and he might never have warned her about Reynard's plan to restore the sundered courts.]

[ziggyzoggy]

Eh. [He shrugs. There's no changing the past. he doesn't know about the lives Brucolac saved by being there, but wouldn't begrudge him them either.] Ya get another chance. [And then he grins.]

Of course, ya have to deal with Sparrow. [And are you SURE you want that?]

Listen; if not a meal, is there anythin' else I could provide?

[vrykolakas]

No, no.

[But he can hear the strain in his own voice, and a second after his forcedly airy denial, he relents.]

If—I think I've found a volunteer. If you're free, come around after she's gone, I'll send a message. I keep wine, for guests. You can tell me about this Sparrow and what's been happening since I've been away.

I've heard shardbearer blood might get me completely off my teeth, so if nothing else it might be entertaining for you. —Oh. [Finally, he grins.] And I received a present from the monarchs which you're going to think is fucking hilarious.

[ziggyzoggy]

Sure, mon; we can trade information, maybe. [Over "drinks." Or, he'll drink and watch the aftermath of you "drinking."

Perking up, he looks interested.]

Oh? Ya think you know me so well already? [Well, yeah; the two of you have the same sense of humor. He shakes his head once.] This I gotta see.

video -> action

[vrykolakas]

If I were a betting monster.

See you soon.

[And he cuts the feed.

It's a little while later that he gives the heads-up that his donor's left and his door is open, complete with directions. When Vol'jin comes in, he's sprawled on the sofa with a clay mug in hand.

On the coffee table before him is a bottle of wine and a box made of human hands sewn together.]

yup yup

[ziggyzoggy]

[truth be told, he was getting a bit to eat himself when the note came through. Never drink on an empty stomach. So he dusts off his hands and makes his way over, rapping on the door frame before entering.

At least the Brucolac looks a little less beset now. He raises a hand in greeting.] 'Ey.

[There's a chair nearby he can pull up to near the table. Setting it down, he notices the box. Head tilted, one ear and eyebrow lifted inquisitively, he sits down and indicates the box with one hand.]

Should I compliment ya handiwork? [Oh god Vol'jin can you NOT with the puns.]

[vrykolakas]

[The Brucolac raises his mug in greeting and waits for the reaction. He's not disappointed, but he is surprised, and he responds with an indelicate wheeze of laughter, having to swallow his mouthful of blood sharpish to avoid the most gory spittake in history.]

Fuck. No, no, this wasn't me.

I asked for a box of gold, and specified the measurements in hands. The imps were thorough.

[ziggyzoggy]

[There's a beat before the laughter comes, and when it does, it's a full on cackle. He rocks backward against the back of the chair, then sort of...rolls, still laughing hos body to one side until he's resting his elbows on his knees, shoulders shaking and eyes squeezed shut.

That is--That is fucking terrible, man. Where did they even GET THE HANDS.

Give him a second to control himself, bud.]

Oh, (hah). Yeah, thorough.

I should take ya to see the thing they gave me sometime.

[vrykolakas]

[After a few moments of grinning the Brucolac ends up laughing too, breaking into a rattling chuckle. It feels startlingly good and distinctly unexpected.]

What thing is that?

[ziggyzoggy]

No. Idea.

[He says it with a shrug, lifting his hands into the air for emphasis.]

Huge, hairy, sharp teeth.

[...Much like it's owner??]

I'm meant to ride it. It seem to like me, at leas'.