[The door to the fancy house opens hardly beats later to a tall man dressed warmly in dark colors. He eyes Ven and his scars impassively for a few seconds before stepping outside and closing the door behind him.]
Ventus, I presume. Follow me.
[And he walks off without any further preamble, leading him around to the side of the house and the locked door of a cellar. Hubert pauses in the process of unlocking it.]
Will the location cause any issue for you?
[Cold as Hubert seems, not unaware of the emotional effects of trauma.]
[ven nods, peering up at hubert curiously.] Um, yeah! That's me.
[he follows after him, looking around the house still with that same curiosity until they get to the cellar door. he shows some hesitation seeing what it was, where it was.
underground.
after a moment he shakes his head and offers hubert a smile.]
[There's that stone-faced, observant look of Hubert's again. He's seen that pause before, many times, in someone close to him. But ultimately, it's Ventus' call to make, and his fault for not standing his ground otherwise.]
[So Hubert curtly nods, turning back to open the cellar.]
Very well. I don't expect this to take long.
[It's cold outside, and cold down here where the winter sun couldn't warm it. Hubert lights little floating fires as he descends the steps, lighting up what had once been a wine vault and repurposed into an alchemical lab. The place is absurdly neat and spotless, and while cleaned to the best of Hubert's ability, a Turnskin's nose would pick up on the lingering bitter odors of potion components, from medicinal herbs to chemical compounds to metallic elements. There's also a faint lingering scent of blood, though there isn't a spot of it to be seen in the cellar.]
[Hubert walks over to a bench with empty metal vials and larger empty clay jars. One of the jars is larger than all the others, and sealed; little glowing runes run around it in a circle under the lid. The tall mage gestures to a stool.]
Before we begin, I'd like to see if you're fit enough for this, all considered.
[And he's still impassively watching closely—studying, almost—searching for any sign that Ven is in fact, not okay.]
[the mixture of new scents has ven wrinkling his nose at first, unable to place a lot of the smells except for a few. some of them he could place from being around kairi whenever she practiced her potion making and others he knew from plenty of experience.
blood stood out the most.
ven walks over slowly, head turning as he peers around the lab with an uneasy curiosity.]
Huh? Oh- because... of what happened to me?
[he takes the offered seat, tail curling behind him under the stool.]
[Hubert's patient. At no point does he rush Ven, but neither does he do anything to reassure him.]
Yes. Though Monsters are generally more robust than humans, I would rather not risk taking more than you can give; healing magic does not always do a complete job. It'd be an utter legal hassle if you died or fell ill, even if you're here of your own volition.
[Hubert turns to the worktable, sliding a small knife closer. It can't even be called a dagger, really—a fruit or paring knife, perhaps. He purposely refrains from picking it up.]
A drop of your blood, if you will. I should be able to determine if you're healthy enough from that.
I doubt I'd die... but I'm pretty sure some of my friends would be upset if I got sick again.
[sick... is a funny way of putting it.
ven watches him move the blade, both ears falling back briefly. carefully he reaches over to pick it up by the handle, turning it over once.]
So are you like a medic? [he has to breathe first before he can bring himself to prick his finger with the sharp tip of the blade. a spot of blood wells up and ven holds out his hand for hubert.]
Hardly. [Hubert collects that tiny bead of blood in a small glass tube, then strolls over to a different work table and begins adding a couple things to it.] Though, I did borrow from techniques. This is a method that can be used to determine the... density, I suppose, of an individual's blood.
[He holds the now diluted up to one of the floating firelights, flicking it and launching a little spark of magic through it. A moment later, a sediment starts gathering at the bottom of the mixture.]
Why are you here?
[Maybe that was kind of abrupt for a subject change, or kind of blunt. Still, giving up blood so soon after being horribly injured, and with the flashes of discomfort on top of it...]
Woah... That's pretty cool! Being able to figure out stuff like that must make you pretty smart, huh?
[ven is kind in his sincerity because it is really amazing to him. out of the three back home, ven would rank himself last place in the intelligence department.
he watches hubert work with the vial, mildly distracted by the spark until he's brought back by the question. at least his answer comes easily.]
It is, though I'm sorely tempted to declare it unfit—it is thinner than normal, but not unacceptably so. You will weak afterwards, and likely easily breathless; but, you can help, as you so wish.
[Hubert moves to collect the supplies necessary (a needle, a tube, the empty clay jar).]
Even though it will involve sitting around doing nothing.
Provided you rest and eat as needed. Turnskins are rather robust.
[The tall Witch sets to work, preparing everything as he'd learned at that vampire bar. He works quickly, cleanly, and efficiently, and before long he's setting the needle into Ven's arm and blood beginning to flow into the jar.]
It does—it's preferable, even. Since a Bonded Monster is receiving an cycling blood from a Witch, their blood will bear a higher magical content.
[Most of the other items in the lab were meticulously labeled and stored in jars of various materials or other containers, and warded against temperature as needed. All in all, it looks more like a pharmacy than a mad alchemist's lab, if you discount the fact that it's in what used to be an outdoor wine cellar.]
I'll be sure to compensate you appropriately. I did promise more for Bonded individuals.
[oh... aqua wasn't a witch- should he mention that?
he glances down at the line of blood being drawn through the tube at his arm.]
Well, Aqua isn't a Witch... she's a monster like me. [he knows it's better to tell hubert now. what if something happened?] I'm sorry, I guess I should have mentioned that sooner.
[He taps the tubing, and the flow halts with a tiny spark of magic. Hubert goes about removing the needle.]
Two Monsters bonded without either connected to a Witch is like expecting to draw water from dry wells. You might as well be completely unbonded. But, if she is connected to a Witch, you are still receiving some of the magic flowing through her in turn—if far less efficiently.
[He makes a mental note to label this jar differently, like a halfway point between the others.]
You should find at least one Witch, if you know what's good for you—and the others around you. This trickle may not be able to sustain you forever. Even if it is better than nothing.
Good. I hear the Coven is quite harsh with negligent Mirrorbound that wind up feral.
[Hubert, that isn't how you encourage someone. The mage turns his back to Ven, corking the jar and setting about sealing it with wax.]
I did not anticipate a Monster bonded solely to another Monster answering my request. Seeing as I did not specify one way or another in my notice, you will receive the Bonded payment, regardless. Do nothing strenuous with that arm for another day; I sealed the puncture, but it may still rupture if pushed.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bloodypath) wrote2019-10-03 11:06 am
Feb 1st, for Ventus
However, I couldn't help but find something familiar. You were among the recently captured weren't you?
no subject
yeah I was, but I'm pretty much healed now
is that okay?
no subject
[An address comes along.]
Wait at the door. Give me at least an hour.
[Someone's got to quickly design a test to see if someone's healthy enough to donate.]
no subject
thank you
[ven does as he's instructed, waiting at least an hour before heading to that address. he knocks hesitantly, tail wagging slowly behind him.]
no subject
Ventus, I presume. Follow me.
[And he walks off without any further preamble, leading him around to the side of the house and the locked door of a cellar. Hubert pauses in the process of unlocking it.]
Will the location cause any issue for you?
[Cold as Hubert seems, not unaware of the emotional effects of trauma.]
no subject
[he follows after him, looking around the house still with that same curiosity until they get to the cellar door. he shows some hesitation seeing what it was, where it was.
underground.
after a moment he shakes his head and offers hubert a smile.]
No, I'll be okay!
no subject
[So Hubert curtly nods, turning back to open the cellar.]
Very well. I don't expect this to take long.
[It's cold outside, and cold down here where the winter sun couldn't warm it. Hubert lights little floating fires as he descends the steps, lighting up what had once been a wine vault and repurposed into an alchemical lab. The place is absurdly neat and spotless, and while cleaned to the best of Hubert's ability, a Turnskin's nose would pick up on the lingering bitter odors of potion components, from medicinal herbs to chemical compounds to metallic elements. There's also a faint lingering scent of blood, though there isn't a spot of it to be seen in the cellar.]
[Hubert walks over to a bench with empty metal vials and larger empty clay jars. One of the jars is larger than all the others, and sealed; little glowing runes run around it in a circle under the lid. The tall mage gestures to a stool.]
Before we begin, I'd like to see if you're fit enough for this, all considered.
[And he's still impassively watching closely—studying, almost—searching for any sign that Ven is in fact, not okay.]
no subject
blood stood out the most.
ven walks over slowly, head turning as he peers around the lab with an uneasy curiosity.]
Huh? Oh- because... of what happened to me?
[he takes the offered seat, tail curling behind him under the stool.]
So what's gonna happen?
no subject
Yes. Though Monsters are generally more robust than humans, I would rather not risk taking more than you can give; healing magic does not always do a complete job. It'd be an utter legal hassle if you died or fell ill, even if you're here of your own volition.
[Hubert turns to the worktable, sliding a small knife closer. It can't even be called a dagger, really—a fruit or paring knife, perhaps. He purposely refrains from picking it up.]
A drop of your blood, if you will. I should be able to determine if you're healthy enough from that.
no subject
[sick... is a funny way of putting it.
ven watches him move the blade, both ears falling back briefly. carefully he reaches over to pick it up by the handle, turning it over once.]
So are you like a medic? [he has to breathe first before he can bring himself to prick his finger with the sharp tip of the blade. a spot of blood wells up and ven holds out his hand for hubert.]
no subject
[He holds the now diluted up to one of the floating firelights, flicking it and launching a little spark of magic through it. A moment later, a sediment starts gathering at the bottom of the mixture.]
Why are you here?
[Maybe that was kind of abrupt for a subject change, or kind of blunt. Still, giving up blood so soon after being horribly injured, and with the flashes of discomfort on top of it...]
no subject
[ven is kind in his sincerity because it is really amazing to him. out of the three back home, ven would rank himself last place in the intelligence department.
he watches hubert work with the vial, mildly distracted by the spark until he's brought back by the question. at least his answer comes easily.]
I want to help.
no subject
Help whom?
[Hubert places the vial down, apparently satisfied, wandering back over to Ven.]
Are you earning your keep with the payment? Aiding me with whatever my cause may be? Or is it merely the sense of productivity you seek?
no subject
[he tilts his head, thinking.]
The money would really help out my friends, but I also just want to help whenever I can. Sitting around doing nothing... doesn't feel right to me.
[he looks over to the vial.]
Is it okay?
no subject
It is, though I'm sorely tempted to declare it unfit—it is thinner than normal, but not unacceptably so. You will weak afterwards, and likely easily breathless; but, you can help, as you so wish.
[Hubert moves to collect the supplies necessary (a needle, a tube, the empty clay jar).]
Even though it will involve sitting around doing nothing.
no subject
[maybe he'll sleep a little easier too.]
Being what I am I'll bounce back pretty quickly anyways.
no subject
[The tall Witch sets to work, preparing everything as he'd learned at that vampire bar. He works quickly, cleanly, and efficiently, and before long he's setting the needle into Ven's arm and blood beginning to flow into the jar.]
Tell me: are you Bonded?
no subject
[he has to be to have survived everything.
ven briefly watches hubert work before looking away to study the contents of the room they were in.]
Yeah, I am! Does- does that make a difference for this?
no subject
[Most of the other items in the lab were meticulously labeled and stored in jars of various materials or other containers, and warded against temperature as needed. All in all, it looks more like a pharmacy than a mad alchemist's lab, if you discount the fact that it's in what used to be an outdoor wine cellar.]
I'll be sure to compensate you appropriately. I did promise more for Bonded individuals.
no subject
he glances down at the line of blood being drawn through the tube at his arm.]
Well, Aqua isn't a Witch... she's a monster like me. [he knows it's better to tell hubert now. what if something happened?] I'm sorry, I guess I should have mentioned that sooner.
no subject
Is she now? Hm. [It's difficult to tell if that little hum was more thoughtful, or judgemental.] And is she Bonded to a Witch?
no subject
Y-Yes, she is!
[he can't tell at all how hubert feels about this new piece of information and ven is... mildly nervous about it.]
Sorry. Again.
no subject
[He taps the tubing, and the flow halts with a tiny spark of magic. Hubert goes about removing the needle.]
Two Monsters bonded without either connected to a Witch is like expecting to draw water from dry wells. You might as well be completely unbonded. But, if she is connected to a Witch, you are still receiving some of the magic flowing through her in turn—if far less efficiently.
[He makes a mental note to label this jar differently, like a halfway point between the others.]
You should find at least one Witch, if you know what's good for you—and the others around you. This trickle may not be able to sustain you forever. Even if it is better than nothing.
no subject
he'd be okay. he's been okay so far... right? right.
with the needle gone from his arm ven looks down as hubert finishes cleaning him up, flexing his hand slowly.]
... Thank you. I know I should- find someone. I will find someone soon.
no subject
[Hubert, that isn't how you encourage someone. The mage turns his back to Ven, corking the jar and setting about sealing it with wax.]
I did not anticipate a Monster bonded solely to another Monster answering my request. Seeing as I did not specify one way or another in my notice, you will receive the Bonded payment, regardless. Do nothing strenuous with that arm for another day; I sealed the puncture, but it may still rupture if pushed.
(no subject)
(no subject)