alchemenace | week 2; tuesday w/ fane

[ And for once, Fane's immediately expressing more than sarcastic disinterest, but that's probably not great, all things considered. Even without expressions, it's clear he's upset, since he quickly closes the distance between them. ]

Ah, yes. One member of the adventurous duo. [ But Fane actually heads right past him to some dresser in their room, which he opens. ] Just what were you thinking?

[ Varian follows Fane with his. eyes. because walking is kind of horrible right now. He wishes he had a better explanation to give, honestly. ]

I thought that... That maybe I could find something in the woods.

[ he'll admit the truth to fane, at least, since endangering his life also endangers fane and he does feel bad about that ]

[ Fane grabs what wasn't exactly hidden inside, but it hadn't been there long, certainly. It's a bottle filled with a bright red liquid. Since Varian brewed something similar, it's probably enough for him to be able to tell that it's one of the potions that Fane had described to him. He walks back to Varian, and all but shoves it in his hands. ]

Drink. I'll not have you dying of some—Oh, what is it—Infection?

[ He scoffs, then stands back expectantly to make sure that Varian does, in fact, drink it. ]

Well? Did you find anything?

[ Varian hesitates for a second, just holding it in his hand as he looks at Fane. ]

... Um. Thank you. [ he does drink it, because, well, he was stabbed today and they don't have doctors, and Fane is staring at him for long enough it would be hard to refuse. It also makes the follow-up question difficult. ]

No. We didn't. We went in there for hours, and all we found were monsters.

[ it wasn't even worth it. if at least they'd found something... but no. ]

[ It'll taste roughly the same as the healing potion Varian had downed before, though a bit more bitter. It's a healing elixir, which is just a little more potent than a standard potion. That said, how to translate that to RP? No idea. Do What Feels Right for healing.

Fane makes a noise of frustration, but at least once Varian has downed the potion, his posture relaxes. That's more his concern, considering how their lives are (apparently) tied. ]

Wonderful. So you put our lives at risk with nothing to show for it? And you didn't let me know?

[ let's go with making the stab wounds less... wounds... or something. RP logic. Now he can walk!!

And oh, okay, that's a direct hit on the guilt. Varian hunches in on himself at the words, frowning. ]

It wasn't-- It wasn't supposed to be dangerous. I'd brought stuff along just in case, and... [ but he knows they're excuses, and Fane won't appreciate them, so he stops. ] You're right. I should've told you. No matter what I thought.

Precisely.

[ He says with a huff as if his dumb ass didn't do the exact same thing, but. He would surely defend that saying he wasn't quite given a choice, which he assumes that Varian and Stephanie were. But as he continues, he shakes his head. ]

...Well, it's all done now. You're alive, which is what is important. Albeit maybe not in the best shape, but that elixir should at least help reasonably. It seems to for my companions.

[ Since it's definitely not for him. He had brewed it with the intention of using it on someone else, but he hadn't expected it to come so soon. ]

If you've continued problems with pain, you can have some of the drudanae.

The potion version worked fine when we used it in the woods. [ he rubs at his chest a bit ] But that one was the elixir, wasn't it? It felt different, a little.

[ tasted more than felt, but he's not going to complain about taste to the guy who lost his sense of it. ]

No, that's. This is enough. Stephanie probably needs the pain anything more than I do. [ since he's a lot better off now and doesn't have a crushed leg. ] But thanks. Again.

Perhaps. But you are my concern. Your well-being comes before anyone else's.

[ Except for his own, but he doesn't think to make that explicit. He thinks it's fairly obvious, and would expect the same of anyone else. But still, he sighs lightly, in his tone drops a degree of haughtiness. ]

That said, you're welcome. Just do be careful. There were only ingredients to make that and another elixir, which I'm saving for different circumstances. [ It's not quite a healing potion so much as a safety measure. ] ...And yes, that's the elixir.

... Because it's tied to yours?

[ it's meant as a joke, but it's also meant because Varian doesn't think he can handle that. not when he feels a little bit bad about where his own priorities lie. ]

I know. I made a few things myself, but I was worried about how much inventory was available. Everything else in the castle is in waaaay better shape.

[ Fane nods with a gesture that pretty much implies "yes, obviously." But he also does like Varian. Not that he's realized yet or would admit it, but. There's that too.

Instead, let's complain about the laboratory. THat's a much better use of time in his opinion. ]

Ugh... Yes. It's atrocious. You know, I've found labs in ruins better stocked than that. It's purposefully insulting, I swear it.

Oh, it was definitely on purpose. The one useful thing in this place and it's in shambles? That is the definition of on purpose.

[ what does varian think the kitchen is for if that's not useful. also the armory is also in shambles but listen. lab > everything else ]

[ Sourly: ]

And still no paper!

[ It's all he wants!! Why is it so hard!! Clearly the answer is to spite him, because that's all he'd accept. ]

Ugh... Well. Did you find anything else of use in there? There was plenty that I had no idea what it even was.

[ amen to the paper. varian is nodding along solemnly. ]

Oh, yeah! There was plenty enough to make some of my chemical compound-- I designed it to humanely stop critters, like... well, like Rudiger [ the raccoon is probably lurking under the bed. like a creep. ] from getting all over areas I would rather they not be in, but it works on everything. And everyone. It's a glue-like substance? I had to use it in the woods, unfortunately, but I still have my neutralizing agent in case I get enough to make more. Oh, I also made this.

[ and he takes out a small flask that looks like ... it does... nothing? ]

It pretty much only glows in the dark, but I thought it might be a good idea to keep a light source handy in this castle.

[ Fane takes up a thoughtful posture as he listens, and nods along with interest. His own studies tend towards the metaphysical, but he can't deny that he has an interest in things like this all the same. The perks of being a Nerd. ]

Ah, too bad. At least you did make it, as I imagine things may have gone worse without it.

[ He shrugs, then takes a closer look at the flask. He considers it thoughtfully too, then chuckles ]

...Do you have enough to make more of that? I have something that may help, though I've truly no idea what might happen.

I ... might? It doesn't take a lot compared to some of my other compounds, though it depends on if anyone else has been using the lab. What were you thinking?

[ he's genuinely curious and even excited at the prospect preemptively. this is obviously a mistake ]

[ He motions to his (currently gloved) wrists ]

Why, just a few drops of my Source. It should glow quite brightly and indefinitely.

[ So long as Fane's alive, at least. But he doesn't even consider that when compared to the practical. ]

Oh! Hm. I don't know the chemical make-up of Source [ it's... life force... whatever that means ] but there shouldn't be anything that would make this little baby react badly. It mostly utilizes bioluminescence and enhances its natural effects. We can try it right now if you want!

[ don't let it explode ]

Nor do I. I'd hardly be surprised if there weren't any.

[ But he nods as he starts to take off the glove where the bone is cracked from the adventure with Stephanie. ]

But regardless, let's. I'm curious myself.

[ he's not going to go into "everything has a chemical make-up" because I might cry and he doesn't want to argue, just see what happens. he removes the cork and holds it out next to Fane's wrist ]

Alright. Let's start with a drop and see what happens.

[ If only it were as easy as pouring it in from his wrist! ...Or, no, actually, it's quite good that it isn't. Whatever force is keeping Fane's Source inside his bones prevents it from leaking out, so Fane goes for a much more direct route. The thin bones of his fingers are enough to reach into the crack in his bone, and though he stiffens lightly, there's no actual reaction beyond that. He gets some Source on his fingertip, then moves it over to let it drip into the flask. Just a drop or few was all he was willing to give anyways.

And since it's ~magic~ it probably does just make the potion glow a bit brighter (and greener). ]

Ah, so indeed it does. I've seen great vats of Source in— Well, no matter, but they do give off quite the glow.

[ it is absolutely messed up that Fane found great big green vats of Source around places, but Varian's okay not thinking about it and concentrating on his #shiny new potion ]

Fascinating. I wonder by how much the range was improved... [ but he, uh, corks it back up ] Thanks, Fane!

Of course. It's only a small amount, so I won't miss it.

[ Fane pauses thoughtfully, and his silence stretches on a bit longer than a normal thoughtful pause. Yet once he speaks, it's fairly clear way, based on the hesitation in his tone to share this at all. ]

If— Well, void-forbid, but if something were to happen to me, would you be willing to do me a favor?

[ that is implying varian doesn't die with him, but varian understands what fane is getting at, so. he's looking pretty serious ]

... Of course. What is it?

Bottle my Source. Don't do anything with it [ because look, he knows he needs to specify in the presence of a nerd ] but don't let it just be mopped up.

[ He puts his glove back on with a difficult sigh ]

If I die, somehow, I'd at least like a chance to come back. I'll not go to the Hall of Echoes so soon. Not yet.

... You can come back from that? [ he looks at his wrist with a frown. but, more importantly: ]

Of course. Don't worry, if anything happens, I'll take care of it.

[ He nods ]

Of course. Either a resurrection scroll or I mean be properly undead instead of my unique situation, perhaps. The first is preferable, but if the second is the only course of action, so be it.

[ Fane sighs, though it's quite a bit softer ]

Though I hope it's not necessary, mind you.

... Me neither. And not just because our lives are linked together.

[ he does like fane, after all. ]

[ There's another pause, though this one doesn't linger quite as long. Really, it's just because his tone shifts to slightly awkward. ]

...Well. Thank you. I hope that it's not something we have to worry about. Either way. [ He motions between them, and the gesture conveys the sense of whichever of them could die being so attached to the other. It might carry a sense that he'd said it out of obligation, but it does get lessened when he elaborates. Just in a very Fane way. ] You're... curious, for a mortal. It's an excellent quality to have. It is not one I have run into very often thus far.

Ha! Heh. Not to brag, but I am a pretty special mortal.

[ but, to be fair: ]

It would be hard to be a man of science without a healthy dose of curiosity.

Precisely! And yet, it's an exceedingly rare trait. It's disappointing just how few scholars I've run into...

[ He shakes his head with a sigh, since even though that's not quite what Varian is, it's close enough for Fane. Eternals don't really make a further distinction than that. ]

Well, regardless. Temper some of that curiosity with caution. [ After he says that, he pauses a little more, then adds a little more gently: ] Research can only take you so far. There are some things it is not worth.

[ he's a bit flattered at being described as a scholar, but it's short lived as fane's gentle reminder makes him feel worse than anything else he could've said or done. he grabs at his bandaged arm and looks away ]

Yeah. I know. I don't ... It's not like I want to die here. But if we don't figure things out, we might die anyway.

[ It wasn't quite Fane's intention, and as soon as he sees Varian deflate slightly, he's quick to try and explain further. Being vague was largely for his own reasons. ]

Well... Not quite that. I was speaking in a bit too wide of a sense.

[ He crosses his arms ]

Here, it may very well be worth pursuing in full. The risk and reward is, well. Dire. I meant it for my experience. My own pursuit is what led me to this. [ He motions to himself, clearly meaning the whole skeleton thing ]

[ ~~not featured: me checking the date on this pc~~ varian understands risk and reward to research more than he wants to admit (to himself, mainly), but that ... takes him by surprise. ]

I, I thought you said you were locked in a crypt?

I was. But that was not by my hand.

[ He scoffs, since unsurprisingly, this is a sore point for him ]

It was my king. Or, former king, since my loyalty to him ended the moment he threw me in that tomb. I did nothing wrong, and I don't regret pursuing my research, but— [ He pauses, hesitates, then continues more softly. Regretfully, even. ] ...But because my king was too ignorant to understand, because he feared what he didn't understand, I lost everything.

[ There's a small silence, and he adds: ]

As much as I loved my work, I do not think it was worth this. Even if I find my family, I will never feel their touch again. I will never be who I was, and so it will never be the same.

[ There's a lot in what Fane says that resonates with Varian. Of course there's everything to do with his king, but even more than that, what he says about his family...

He stretches out his arm and puts his hand on Fane's elbow (because that is about as high as he can reach) in an attempt at comfort he knows the man can't feel, though he hopes the sentiment is enough. ]

I might not know all the details, but I know you didn't deserve that. But. Your family... They'd still be glad to see you again. I know that much.

[ it's not much of a reassurance, because there's not much to say to fane's fate. it's facts, after all. Varian takes his hand off, a slight furrow to his brow: ]

I wonder if that's just how royalty is everywhere. The, the fear, the ignorance. The selfishness. [ and that might be projecting a bit, which he knows, but he sighs and continues: ] The King back home, he's lied to everyone in Corona, put them all in danger, simply because he doesn't want to deal with the truth.

[ it's more details about his circumstances than he's given anyone else in the castle so far, and part of him still feels worried about it, even though he knows it's very likely fane will see some of those memories this week, and even less likely that fane will turn on him for it, if only because of their partnership. still. ]

[ Fane isn't quite surprised at Varian's kind words and the gesture, since he knew the story would resonate with him. Not the extent, but it's clear enough that they're similar, and therefore, similar enough that Varian could very well fall into the pitfalls that Fane had. It's a story shared more as a warning then looking for sympathy, yet he finds that he does appreciate it. ]

Thank you.

[ It's all he says to the comfort, since, well. There isn't much else he can say to it, but it's genuine thanks.

That, and it's way easier to hate on shitty kings than to open up about emotions lbr ]

It very well may be. I would have once said that it's the best form of governance, but-- [ He shakes his head ] No, it cannot be. Your king seems quite similar. The problem with a single person in charge is that their mistakes and biases effect all. There is so much that can be lost to that.

[ that's also what varian thinks. shittalking it is. ]

Ha, heh, guess it's time to start looking into new form of governments.

[ He sighs heavily ]

Apparently so. When your king becomes a despot, then the entire system is much less charming.

[ Not that this is at all what happened to the Eternals, but Fane is 1) bitter 2) overdramatic ]

Hopefully some mortal has a better idea. Still all I've seen is monarchy, somehow!

That's definitely not all there is. Some people here don't have monarchies where they're from. I haven't asked much about it, but that could be something to keep in mind for later.

...Hm. You know, that may not be a bad idea.

[ He'd gotten that impression from his conversation about justice with Rebecca, at least. ]

If I'm to ascend to Divinity, well. It may be worthwhile to offer a suggestion to the mortals I rule over for something a little less fragile.

Right. It's that or you have to personally overthrow their monarchy whenever they make a bad decision, and, heh, that's going to be pretty constant.

[ He sighs ]

And that I would like to avoid. Divinity is one matter, but I hardly want to become some kind of God-King myself.

[ He groans in short displeasure, but shrugs ]

...Well. I suppose if there's such things to learn, then this place isn't a complete dearth of information.

I agree. Murdercastle isn't so bad if we can at least get something out of it.

[ which is part of why he got himself injured i remembered the context of this thread. he shrugs back at Fane ]

[ ok. but. ]

...Did I just hear you correctly? "Murdercastle"?

[ ....... nyeh :3? ]

That's what Stephie calls it. I mean, it's, it's accurate?

It is accurate, yes, but it is—

[ He pauses, since when he tries to think of a word for what this makes him feel, he truly can't find one. So. He'll just truly speak his mind. ]

I don't know. It irritates me, for some reason. It's quite a bit of levity for this place.

[ oh. hm. for varian, the levity is what makes it appealing. if he gave everything the appropriate gravitas it deserved, he wouldn't be able to handle it. it also became so much easier to deal with the things he did in corona when he was flippant about them, but he was downplaying issues a long time before that.

still, it's not like he's particularly attached to the term, so: ]

O-oh. Um. I can just not use it if you prefer?

week 2; tuesday w/ fane

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