[He frowns when Lorenz slides that package seemingly where that clay jar was going to go, and Hubert pivots around to place it on a different table. Don't get smart with him.]
On my own? Down be flippant. You're too politically canny to be ignorant of how the Empire works. Roll up your sleeve.
[Just... going to go about this like Lorenz answered his request, curtly and efficiently, preparing the needle and tubing.]
Are you Bonded? [Bonded Monsters, after all, have a much higher magical content in their blood.]
[He was going to get smart. Too smart. Hubert would accept that package yet!
Lorenz chuckled--]
You've caught me,
[He quipped-- before Hubert's pointed question had his mood sobering.
Quietly complying with the request about rolling up his sleeve, Lorenz cast Hubert a wry look.]
--No. Not as yet, [He confessed, chuckling once more in his sheepishness.] I had an opportunity during our search when the others were abducted, but she was in a poor emotional place to be making decisions of that nature. I did not push the matter.
[Hubert's motions don't pause, but his eyes sharply flicker up to meet that wry look. Really, now? But it's a quick flash of his eyes, and they're soon enough back on his work.]
Hm. You arrived on the same night as Her Majesty and I. If you've never Bonded since, that's quite some time. You seem remarkably under control.
It isn't without issue, but so far any... shifts have been minimal. For now.
[He was anticipating worse, and truly didn't know what he would do if that time came and he was still Unbonded. He hadn't planned for this as he should have, but he had expected things to fall smoothly into place.
They hadn't. He knew his time to pay was swiftly approaching.]
I suppose it's a less pressing concern considering that Fauns are one of the... less predatory Monsters.
[At least, Hubert hadn't yet heard of a Faun with a drive to hunt. That didn't rule out the possibility. Once everything's in order, Hubert wastes no time in inserting the needle.]
That's quite a luxury you have. I hear many Mirrorbound would've started going mad by now.
[Fortunately, for Lorenz, it was less a drive to hunt and more a hyperawareness and drive to flee. Deer were shy creatures; staying in his room largely kept him out of trouble.]
...I do not wish to trouble you on the matter, but it's liable to become more difficult for me in the future. Surely a man with your responsibilities shouldn't have to worry about a Deer as well.
[He hears what's underneath those words. How couldn't he? Hubert doesn't take his attention away from monitoring the blood flow. Perhaps the answer would be different, if Lorenz had been the person he thought he was in the dream.]
We're both too intelligent to delude ourselves into thinking I'm a man of good will.
[A beat. ]
I am, however, fair. I still insist you take payment for your blood; whether that is currency, or an offering of magic, matters not to me.
[Hubert wouldn't get anything out of it, not like with a Bond, and it'd be a drop in the bucket considering how long the Faun's been without, but he figured Lorenz would take what he could get.]
[Lorenz watches the blood flow rather than the Hubert's impassive expression, knowing full well that this was to be expected. Though there was a nominal truce while they were here, while he was more than willing to collaborate with Edelgard on whatever it was that she felt that she must do, they were still enemies in a way.
Hopeful as he had been for a kinder outcome, he had known better. While Hubert was one of the few he felt he could trust with the ramifications that came with a Bond, it was also too much to ask.
Because Hubert was right. He was far from a man of good will.]
Your fairness is your most attractive trait, [Lorenz said, in a tone that hinted at jest.]
And, while either currency or magic both have their uses, I have an inquiry I would like your opinion on. What do you feel about the effectiveness of those... tattoos that one shop is offering in town?
[Hubert surely knew which one. The idea of spells being imprinted on his skin was at once a tantalizing tool and a possible risk-- one that Lorenz was willing to take, because he would be a liar if he said that he didn't feel a little vulnerable without having any access to spells like Sagittae and Agnea's Arrow.
Yes, Hubert. This Lorenz had previously been classed as a Dark Mage before arriving in Aefenglom.]
[That's what he would rather have? His opinion? Perhaps Lorenz was more of a fool than he thought.]
I cannot attest to their effectiveness without having utilized one, and they function differently for Witches and Monsters. However, from what I know of enchantment—[which was little, and he'd learned 90% of his enchantment from cramming in the last two weeks]—the theory is sound, and I see no blatant reason for it to fail. Beyond theory, how effective and trustworthy it is would likely be completely reliant on the artist's magical talent.
If one would presume it to work as intended, having the capabilities of a spell, even if temporary, would be tremendously advantageous to a creature otherwise incapable of magic.
[A fool? Perhaps. His emotions were off balance after recent events and even more recent fall outs. There was only so much of himself he could give, and he knew time was running short.
He was trying to plan for the worst outcome.]
Those were my thoughts as well. And, while I do have some access to nature based magics, it is far from being at all similar to being able to call up a fireball with hardly an effort at all.
[Even with his lance, he felt vulnerable... and he didn't like it.]
[All he has to do is take the magic payment, and a little more time was his...]
If my honest opinion is what you truly want, wasting one of those enchantments on fire evocation is incredibly utterly shortsighted.
[Hubert taps the tubing, a little flash stopping the blood flow, and presses gauze to the site as he removes the needle. A murmured word, and flicker of magic heals the puncture closed.]
Refrain from using this arm for anything strenuous for the rest of the day. I may have sealed it, but it will rupture again if pushed too soon.
[Healing wasn't his forte, despite his skill in conjuration.]
[Healing wasn't a strength for either of them. Practical skill in no way made up for the natural talents brought about by a person's Faith in the powers of good.]
I will do nothing to put myself at risk in that manner.
[Lorenz said primly, easily acquiescing to that simple-- and very rational-- request.]
Fire evocation was merely an example. I still wish to investigate what the artists are capable of accomplishing.
[Hubert takes the jar over to the table with the rest of them, beginning the seal it with cork and wax. He murmurs under his breath as he does so, the little stamped symbols ringing it beginning to glow gently.]
[Lorenz sighed as he watched Hubert work, hand straying over to the package he had brought along and gently inching it closer to Hubert space. If he wasn't going to get much in the way of polite conversation, then he was just going to keep trying.]
...Edelgard is expecting more changes, isn't she?
[He asked simply, not expecting anything more than a terse answer. He had been doing research on his own and had seen some subtle shifts in patterns. Given the information at hand, there were still a few hurdles that would need to be jumped...]
If you need any help with more practical affairs in the future, then please let me know. [He meant that sincerely-- and, with a teasing smile, finally shoved the box into a place where Hubert couldn't rightfully ignore it anymore.]
In the meanwhile, all I expect of you is to take care of yourself.
[Lorenz knew the look of a hard working man when he saw it, and knew very well that Hubert was likely spreading himself thinner than he let on. With a self-satisfied chuckle, Lorenz rolled down his sleeves and made to see himself out.]
See you another time, in hopefully more interesting circumstances.
[Inside the package, should Hubert care to look, was a pristine sack of fine coffee beans and a complimentary package of elongated, double baked biscuits that were flavored with nuts. The biscuits were too hard to eat on their own... but, when paired with a hot beverage, made a satisfactory snack.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2020-02-10 01:15 am (UTC)On my own? Down be flippant. You're too politically canny to be ignorant of how the Empire works. Roll up your sleeve.
[Just... going to go about this like Lorenz answered his request, curtly and efficiently, preparing the needle and tubing.]
Are you Bonded? [Bonded Monsters, after all, have a much higher magical content in their blood.]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-10 01:20 am (UTC)Lorenz chuckled--]
You've caught me,
[He quipped-- before Hubert's pointed question had his mood sobering.
Quietly complying with the request about rolling up his sleeve, Lorenz cast Hubert a wry look.]
--No. Not as yet, [He confessed, chuckling once more in his sheepishness.] I had an opportunity during our search when the others were abducted, but she was in a poor emotional place to be making decisions of that nature. I did not push the matter.
[...Yep. He knew he was in trouble.]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-10 03:33 am (UTC)Hm. You arrived on the same night as Her Majesty and I. If you've never Bonded since, that's quite some time. You seem remarkably under control.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-10 03:39 am (UTC)[He was anticipating worse, and truly didn't know what he would do if that time came and he was still Unbonded. He hadn't planned for this as he should have, but he had expected things to fall smoothly into place.
They hadn't. He knew his time to pay was swiftly approaching.]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-10 04:17 am (UTC)[At least, Hubert hadn't yet heard of a Faun with a drive to hunt. That didn't rule out the possibility. Once everything's in order, Hubert wastes no time in inserting the needle.]
That's quite a luxury you have. I hear many Mirrorbound would've started going mad by now.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-10 04:26 am (UTC)As I've stated, it's not without difficulties.
[Fortunately, for Lorenz, it was less a drive to hunt and more a hyperawareness and drive to flee. Deer were shy creatures; staying in his room largely kept him out of trouble.]
...I do not wish to trouble you on the matter, but it's liable to become more difficult for me in the future. Surely a man with your responsibilities shouldn't have to worry about a Deer as well.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-10 07:46 pm (UTC)[He hears what's underneath those words. How couldn't he? Hubert doesn't take his attention away from monitoring the blood flow. Perhaps the answer would be different, if Lorenz had been the person he thought he was in the dream.]
We're both too intelligent to delude ourselves into thinking I'm a man of good will.
[A beat. ]
I am, however, fair. I still insist you take payment for your blood; whether that is currency, or an offering of magic, matters not to me.
[Hubert wouldn't get anything out of it, not like with a Bond, and it'd be a drop in the bucket considering how long the Faun's been without, but he figured Lorenz would take what he could get.]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-10 08:12 pm (UTC)Hopeful as he had been for a kinder outcome, he had known better. While Hubert was one of the few he felt he could trust with the ramifications that came with a Bond, it was also too much to ask.
Because Hubert was right. He was far from a man of good will.]
Your fairness is your most attractive trait, [Lorenz said, in a tone that hinted at jest.]
And, while either currency or magic both have their uses, I have an inquiry I would like your opinion on. What do you feel about the effectiveness of those... tattoos that one shop is offering in town?
[Hubert surely knew which one. The idea of spells being imprinted on his skin was at once a tantalizing tool and a possible risk-- one that Lorenz was willing to take, because he would be a liar if he said that he didn't feel a little vulnerable without having any access to spells like Sagittae and Agnea's Arrow.
Yes, Hubert. This Lorenz had previously been classed as a Dark Mage before arriving in Aefenglom.]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-11 03:16 am (UTC)[That's what he would rather have? His opinion? Perhaps Lorenz was more of a fool than he thought.]
I cannot attest to their effectiveness without having utilized one, and they function differently for Witches and Monsters. However, from what I know of enchantment—[which was little, and he'd learned 90% of his enchantment from cramming in the last two weeks]—the theory is sound, and I see no blatant reason for it to fail. Beyond theory, how effective and trustworthy it is would likely be completely reliant on the artist's magical talent.
If one would presume it to work as intended, having the capabilities of a spell, even if temporary, would be tremendously advantageous to a creature otherwise incapable of magic.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-11 03:21 am (UTC)He was trying to plan for the worst outcome.]
Those were my thoughts as well. And, while I do have some access to nature based magics, it is far from being at all similar to being able to call up a fireball with hardly an effort at all.
[Even with his lance, he felt vulnerable... and he didn't like it.]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-13 05:19 am (UTC)If my honest opinion is what you truly want, wasting one of those enchantments on fire evocation is incredibly utterly shortsighted.
[Hubert taps the tubing, a little flash stopping the blood flow, and presses gauze to the site as he removes the needle. A murmured word, and flicker of magic heals the puncture closed.]
Refrain from using this arm for anything strenuous for the rest of the day. I may have sealed it, but it will rupture again if pushed too soon.
[Healing wasn't his forte, despite his skill in conjuration.]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-13 08:32 pm (UTC)I will do nothing to put myself at risk in that manner.
[Lorenz said primly, easily acquiescing to that simple-- and very rational-- request.]
Fire evocation was merely an example. I still wish to investigate what the artists are capable of accomplishing.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-15 03:07 am (UTC)[Hubert takes the jar over to the table with the rest of them, beginning the seal it with cork and wax. He murmurs under his breath as he does so, the little stamped symbols ringing it beginning to glow gently.]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-15 03:10 am (UTC)...Edelgard is expecting more changes, isn't she?
[He asked simply, not expecting anything more than a terse answer. He had been doing research on his own and had seen some subtle shifts in patterns. Given the information at hand, there were still a few hurdles that would need to be jumped...]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-15 03:38 am (UTC)[A neat, evasive answer. Not unexpected.]
I expended quite a bit of it last month, to aid in my spellcasting. I prefer to keep a healthy supply on hand. And so here we are.
[With that taken care of, Hubert writes something on a label; it looks like utter chickenscratch.]
Now, you've been persistent. Don't expect gratitude from an exchange of business. [He's offered, repeatedly. Hubert will not offer again.]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-15 04:29 am (UTC)If you need any help with more practical affairs in the future, then please let me know. [He meant that sincerely-- and, with a teasing smile, finally shoved the box into a place where Hubert couldn't rightfully ignore it anymore.]
In the meanwhile, all I expect of you is to take care of yourself.
[Lorenz knew the look of a hard working man when he saw it, and knew very well that Hubert was likely spreading himself thinner than he let on. With a self-satisfied chuckle, Lorenz rolled down his sleeves and made to see himself out.]
See you another time, in hopefully more interesting circumstances.
[Inside the package, should Hubert care to look, was a pristine sack of fine coffee beans and a complimentary package of elongated, double baked biscuits that were flavored with nuts. The biscuits were too hard to eat on their own... but, when paired with a hot beverage, made a satisfactory snack.]