Curious is right. I wonder at the point of it all. Why these false memories, why we’re weakened. Why we’re even here. Do we all share certain traits, something that makes us qualify for interdimensional kidnapping? Or is it random?
I have no idea. And as interesting as all this is, I do have rather urgent business I need to get back to at home.
[ A sigh. He hopes that the others aren't too distressed about his disappearance, but after what happened with Ash... he can only imagine Gideon his beside himself. ]
[ If that's the case, it's only a shared trait because this place made it so. ]
Well, when I say "impenetrable" I do mean that literally. We cannot leave. But all that aside, the people there have suffered enough. Dispatching the vampire lord who rules the place would be a benefit to everyone.
Then, if you'd care to hear it from the man himself, I can provide. We were gifted his diary at one point.
It is about what one would expect. "I loved this girl, she loved my brother instead. I killed my brother and, for some strange reason, the woman I loved didn't take that well and flung herself from the castle walls. My torment knows no bounds, Vampyr is my name forevermore, blah, blah, blah."
[ This is clearly a Declan-ification of the words of "the man himself", though he can provide the text in full if V is really that curious. ]
[A "Declan-ification" is no doubt a biased account, though V is sure he's... justified in his patronization of this vampire lord, given what little he's already been told.
Even so, brother issues? Double yikes.]
But in his own words, I'm sure his actions made sense to himself, if only himself. A relationship between brothers can be a messy thing.
[HE WOULD KNOW......]
I wouldn't mind hearing a passage or two from his diary, if you can recall it.
[ The downfalls of a photographic memory. In any case, Declan clears his throat, and does his very best (or very worst) Strahd impression as he recites: ]
All goodness slipped from my life. I found my youth and strength gone, and all I had left was death. My army settled in the valley of Barovia and took power over the people in the name of a just god, but with none of a god’s grace or justice.
I called for my family, long unseated from their ancient thrones, and brought them here to settle in the castle Ravenloft. They came with a younger brother of mine, Sergei. He was handsome and youthful. I hated him for both.
From the families of the valley, one spirit shone above all others. A rare beauty, who was called “perfection,” “joy,” and “treasure.” Her name was Tatyana, and I longed for her to be mine.
[Oh my god. This impression. The dramaticism. It's really very amusing, but V makes sure to focus on the words spoken, instead, no matter how much they're wreathed in the impression of an unhinged vampire lord.
And the more he listens, the more his lips press into a thin line. Not only does it sound like a man with brother issues, but also one who may just have a tendency to fixate. Wonderful!
I lo— Ahem! Oh, yes, I do! This mind of mine is like a steel trap, you see!
[ He taps a finger to his temple. ]
Which is both a blessing and a curse, sometimes, but it has proven useful more often than not. I know a few other tricks as well. Go on, ask me which way is north!
[Oh. Is this like V reading to some poor audience the endless lines of certain Blake and Shelley poems from memory only? Maybe, maybe not. V's also pored over those books a gazillion times in his youth, and something tells him Strahd's diary might not have gotten quite as many re-reads.
[ He takes a second to think, then... points!!! If V cares to double check using the map app on his phone or something like that, he will find that Declan is spot on. ]
Ta-da!!
Edited (when you typo the one word of dialogue in your whole tag) 2023-05-09 18:27 (UTC)
[ Declan blinks back, then shrugs like, "why the hell not?" and does just that. Eyes closed, he spins, once, twice, again, five times in total. He sways a little on the spot, then, and ultimately opts to just. Sit on the floor.
V watches as he spins, then wobbles a little, then just... sits down. Help.
But the direction he indicates is the exact same as the one prior, which is impressive in its own right. V opts to take his word for it; there's no reason why he'd want to exaggerate this strange little party trick.]
[ The sit turns into a full-on flop, Declan laying back on the rug, long limbs splayed. That pointing finger arcs up to point at the ceiling instead. ]
And lest you wonder, the sun will set in approximately an hour and a half!
[ Oh, it's getting late. That's what happens when you go galivanting in the halls on a panther-scooter and start reciting passages from a depressed vampire's diary. ]
[He cranes his head up to look at the ceiling as though that would somehow give him an estimate on when the sun will set, too. Predictably, he sees only ceiling, and then he looks back down at Declan, who's splayed himself down on the rug properly.
Nudges his shoulder with the tip of his cane, then crouches down so he's not looming.]
That you are.
[He smirks.]
Now that we've established that you're an inventor with a vicious memory and a walking compass, what of the rest of that vampire's diary...?
[ Declan's eyes flick over to V, but he makes no move to get up from the floor. ]
Ah, right. That.
[ This just in, V Devilmaycry revealed to be a fan of the Vampire Diaries. Declan clears his throat and resumes, though with slightly less dramatics now that he's laying on the floor. Anyway, here's the whole spiel. ]
Actually, as Declan recites the rest of that diary entry, he decides he is very much not a fan of this lord. He sounds truly unhinged, having reached that point of no return in a way that settles unwell with V.
He's silent for a moment as Declan finishes, frowning.]
Another who lost his humanity and became something far more terrible without it. Desperation makes a man act in despicable ways, especially when he feels lacking.
[ Declan sits up at last, brushing off his cardigan with a flick of his hand. ]
Most tragic of all, Strahd's hold on the land means that anyone who dies there is trapped in perpetuity. Their souls do not pass on, they simply reincarnate into another Barovian. The soul of his beloved has been trying to escape him ever since.
No, you truly cannot. I've come face-to-face with the man twice now and each time it was... oppressive. I think he sees us as amusements, playthings. A cat toying with the mouse caught in its claws.
[ And the reborn soul of Strahd's beloved is now in the care of Declan's friends, traveling with them as a fledgeling adventurer. They'll be seeing him again. ]
We're going to have to kill him. There's no other recourse.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
clockworksoul) wrote2023-04-30 08:50 pm
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[ He frowns a bit, one hand braced on his hip and the other tucked beneath his chin in thought. ]
Curiouser and curiouser.
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Curious is right. I wonder at the point of it all. Why these false memories, why we’re weakened. Why we’re even here. Do we all share certain traits, something that makes us qualify for interdimensional kidnapping? Or is it random?
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[ A sigh. He hopes that the others aren't too distressed about his disappearance, but after what happened with Ash... he can only imagine Gideon his beside himself. ]
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[Perhaps that’s a shared trait. All of them cut off from something important — this much would apply to V.]
What it is exactly that you’re trying to achieve in this place?
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Well, when I say "impenetrable" I do mean that literally. We cannot leave. But all that aside, the people there have suffered enough. Dispatching the vampire lord who rules the place would be a benefit to everyone.
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This vampire lord… He adds to the people’s suffering for what purpose? For this woman you mentioned?
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[ He's read Strahd's diary, he can recite it— the dude also has brother issues, it'll be a great time. ]
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...My curiosity knows no bounds.
[Of course he wants to know the details, even if he might be curious for more personal reasons, too.]
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It is about what one would expect. "I loved this girl, she loved my brother instead. I killed my brother and, for some strange reason, the woman I loved didn't take that well and flung herself from the castle walls. My torment knows no bounds, Vampyr is my name forevermore, blah, blah, blah."
[ This is clearly a Declan-ification of the words of "the man himself", though he can provide the text in full if V is really that curious. ]
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Even so, brother issues? Double yikes.]
But in his own words, I'm sure his actions made sense to himself, if only himself. A relationship between brothers can be a messy thing.
[HE WOULD KNOW......]
I wouldn't mind hearing a passage or two from his diary, if you can recall it.
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[ The downfalls of a photographic memory. In any case, Declan clears his throat, and does his very best (or very worst) Strahd impression as he recites: ]
All goodness slipped from my life. I found my youth and strength gone, and all I had left was death. My army settled in the valley of Barovia and took power over the people in the name of a just god, but with none of a god’s grace or justice.
I called for my family, long unseated from their ancient thrones, and brought them here to settle in the castle Ravenloft. They came with a younger brother of mine, Sergei. He was handsome and youthful. I hated him for both.
From the families of the valley, one spirit shone above all others. A rare beauty, who was called “perfection,” “joy,” and “treasure.” Her name was Tatyana, and I longed for her to be mine.
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And the more he listens, the more his lips press into a thin line. Not only does it sound like a man with brother issues, but also one who may just have a tendency to fixate. Wonderful!
Not to interrupt, but also-]
...You remember what he wrote, word for word?
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[ He taps a finger to his temple. ]
Which is both a blessing and a curse, sometimes, but it has proven useful more often than not. I know a few other tricks as well. Go on, ask me which way is north!
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Brow arching.]
...Which way is north.
[sure why not]
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Ta-da!!
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Close your eyes, spin around five times, then tell me which way is north.
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As he's going down, he points. Same direction. ]
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V watches as he spins, then wobbles a little, then just... sits down. Help.
But the direction he indicates is the exact same as the one prior, which is impressive in its own right. V opts to take his word for it; there's no reason why he'd want to exaggerate this strange little party trick.]
...Useful. If not a strange quirk to have.
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And lest you wonder, the sun will set in approximately an hour and a half!
[ Oh, it's getting late. That's what happens when you go galivanting in the halls on a panther-scooter and start reciting passages from a depressed vampire's diary. ]
I'm full of strange quirks.
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Nudges his shoulder with the tip of his cane, then crouches down so he's not looming.]
That you are.
[He smirks.]
Now that we've established that you're an inventor with a vicious memory and a walking compass, what of the rest of that vampire's diary...?
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Ah, right. That.
[ This just in, V Devilmaycry revealed to be a fan of the Vampire Diaries. Declan clears his throat and resumes, though with slightly less dramatics now that he's laying on the floor. Anyway, here's the whole spiel. ]
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Actually, as Declan recites the rest of that diary entry, he decides he is very much not a fan of this lord. He sounds truly unhinged, having reached that point of no return in a way that settles unwell with V.
He's silent for a moment as Declan finishes, frowning.]
Another who lost his humanity and became something far more terrible without it. Desperation makes a man act in despicable ways, especially when he feels lacking.
That poor girl.
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[ Declan sits up at last, brushing off his cardigan with a flick of his hand. ]
Most tragic of all, Strahd's hold on the land means that anyone who dies there is trapped in perpetuity. Their souls do not pass on, they simply reincarnate into another Barovian. The soul of his beloved has been trying to escape him ever since.
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[What a hellish place, where suffering could not even be escaped via death. Trapped for eternity.]
So how does one loosen the grip of a vampire's wrath over the land? I suspect you can't reason with him.
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[ And the reborn soul of Strahd's beloved is now in the care of Declan's friends, traveling with them as a fledgeling adventurer. They'll be seeing him again. ]
We're going to have to kill him. There's no other recourse.
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