clockworksoul | INBOX ⚙️ duocaeli

[It's the head tilt that does it, really. V's smile twists until it can't really hold anything back any longer, and he just...

Laughs, a low-sounding but sincerely amused thing. Finally:]

I think you do.

[ The laugh seems to be what he was waiting for. Declan laughs in turn, pushing the goggles up his forehead again. ]

Maybe.

[ He offers a cheeky grin, lifting his soda can again. ]

Cheers?

[Fine, he wins. But if his clear show of mirthfulness is what spares him of a bug-eyed Declan, then so be it.

V lets his laughter trail away, clearing his throat.]

Cheers, I suppose.

[Raises his... soda can.]

To new things.

[ He raises his soda, giving it a little tilt like they've just clinked the aluminum together despite being across the room from each other, and brings it to his lips for another drink. He makes a considering face again. ]

Mm. Yep, still don't hate it!

[ And now it's back to work! He tugs his goggles down again and resumes his task of piecing the tattoo gun back together. While he doesn't work nearly as quickly as he did while taking it apart, it's clear he's going to have it back in working order in no time. ]

Do you have any idea if you might have broken something when taking the other one apart?

[He returns to leaning back in his chair, nursing his Orange 'n Cream soda now and again. The taste is very sugary, and very artificial. But V doesn't hate it, either, even if it's not something he thinks he'd normally gravitate to. But maybe he was mistaken. Who knows?]

I'm not sure. I was careful, and I don't think I lost any pieces in the process. But...

[He smirks again. Worrisome!]

We can always test it out after you put it back together. Are you in the market for a new tattoo, by chance?

[This is a joke (probably.)]

One: absolutely not! [ He's so cheerful about that. ]

Two: if you've broken something, I'm certain it will be obvious as I'm putting it back together. In which case I'll need to take the pieces back to the house to fix them properly.

[WOW. Rejected so vigorously.]

And why not? Don't you trust my talent?

[HE SHOULDN'T]

But of course. Do what you must. A lot of good it would do for me to deny you.

[He'd just be left with a broken tattoo gun.]

As of right now? Not at all. Would you trust my ability to create an automaton capable of performing surgery?

[ As much as Declan has confidence in his skills, that particular piece of his supposed life here is way out of his wheelhouse, at least for now. He wants to remember more of that stuff, but it only seems to come to him a bit at a time.

Anyway, all this is being said as he’s tinkering away, and eventually he lifts the tattoo gun, whole once again. ]

Ah-ha! I believe I’ve done it!

Maybe not. But I do need the practice if I want to properly play the part of… tattoo artist.

[Maybe don’t practice on actual people just yet, V.

But he blinks when Declan triumphantly holds the tattoo gun up.]

It looks like you have. Whole again. [Pretty impressive, all said.] I hope you’re able to provide a repeat performance.

Don't they make— [ vague hand motions ] —stuff that you can practice on that isn't real people?

[ Artificial skin? FRUITS??? ]

I feel confident in my ability to do this again. You know, provided you haven't broken anything.

[Yeah, but. Real people, though.]

Of course. But at some point, I have to pull the trigger and practice on a warm body. Why not sooner rather than later?

[But it's hard to tell how serious he is about this, especially when he huffs out in amusement as he rises to his feet. Soda in one hand, he waves at Declan to follow him over to the taken-apart tattoo gun just one section over.]

Why don't you come and look, then?

Because tattoos are permanent, V.

[ You can't just practice!! On!! People!!!

But anyway, he moves over to the other workstation, eyeing the scattered parts before him. After a bit of murmuring to himself, fingers hovering over each piece as he takes stock, he gives a nod. ]

Everything seems to be present and accounted for. Time to get to work!

[Watch him. :)))

The set-up at this workstation is nearly identical to the previous, including the seating arrangement, so V finds himself settled in a chair once again. He is a little curious if he broke anything, even if he's pretty sure all he did was take it apart...

Anyway.]

As much as I appreciate your help, this can't be very stimulating for you. [Even if Declan is enjoying it, what challenge is there in a tattoo gun?] You know, Juniper did float a few ideas regarding... inventions my way, including one that I might bend your ear about.

[ He’s already plopped down and pulled his goggles back over his eyes, eagerly getting to business, by the time V settles in his own seat.

Which means V is once again treated to those too-large eyes through magnifying lenses, turning his way when he speaks. Declan arches an eyebrow. ]

I’m learning something new, am I not? Even if I have memories of this sort of thing, this is the first time I’m truly doing it for myself. I find value in that.

But do go on, I’m always looking for a new project or two!

[Ah, the cartoonishly magnified eyes again. At least V is a little more prepared for them this time, and he challenges himself to keep a straight face while speaking with Declan.]

That’s true. But this kind of newness is a novelty that’ll fade eventually. What I had in mind was…

[He’s not entirely sure, to be honest. He’s not the inventor, here.]

In the ON world, maybe it would be helpful to wield a cane that can do more than just deal a deathblow to enemies. Demonic or otherwise.

[“Just” a deathblow, he says.]

Maybe making it into a proper weapon for a man like me could provide some excitement for that brain of yours.

[ He makes a little "tsk" noise, turning back to his work. V truly has no sense of wonder! Even mundane things can be made new with the right sort of mindset. Every time he has to fix one of these things, he aims to make it function better than the last.

But he does listen, mind already going over the possibilities at just the mere suggestion. ]

The next time we're in the ON world, you're going to have to let me take a proper look at your cane. It would be helpful to know what I'm working with before I go modifying it.

But, what would you consider to be a "proper weapon" for a "man like you"?

[ A noodle man. ]

[Maybe he just thinks that taking apart a tattoo gun and putting it back together again will only provide so much spark. Variety is the spice of life, after all, and imagination is the precursor.

(And V's always been more interested in weapons; of course he ushers this interest in Declan's direction.)]

You can look at it, of course. But I can tell you right now that it is little more than a normal cane, with only small bits of demonic power flowing through it. As though pieces of the Underworld had been mixed up in its creation, almost unintentionally.

[A weapon with weak power for a weak man. Griffon had told him as much, as helpful as his familiar ever is.]

You can build something new altogether if you like. It won't matter to me. As for what I'd like... [He shrugs.] Maybe something with a hidden blade. Something that stabs and cuts. I'm a simple man, but I wouldn't be disappointed if you dressed it up according to how you like.

[ The way Declan looks up again to glance at V from head to foot and back up again is probably made extra comical by his goggles. Sorry this keeps happening, V. ]

You want a melee weapon?

[ He absolutely does not try to hide the note of surprise in his voice. Beanpoles like himself don't often wade into the front lines to engage in fisticuffs, as it were. He'd get flattened in an instant. ]

[He's just going to have to get used to this, help.]

For a last resort.

[He huffs, amused at the reaction.]

I'm not one for projectiles. Is that so surprising?

A little.

[ Declan clearly doesn't have much by way of tact. ]

I'm not built for close-quarters combat. And neither, I thought, were you.

[Don’t worry. He’s hardly offended, because no, he doesn’t look built for it at all.]

Oh, no, I’m not built for it at all like this. But… I know how to swing a blade around. If push comes to shove, I’d like to rely on something more than just a cane, that’s all. Especially since I only have one familiar.

Alright, alright. I've already got some ideas brewing, but I can't promise I'll be able to come up with anything quickly, since— [ vague hand motions ] —you know, I'm not at full capacity, even in the ON world.

[ He's gone back to working by now, and falls quiet for a moment in concentration. Then— ]

What do you mean "like this"?

I wouldn't dare rush you. Take what time you need.

[Declan would be doing him a favor. V's not rude enough to burden him with expectations of expediency.

With that out of the way, he allows him to work, silence falling between them. V manages to finish his drink, setting it aside, then watches with his chin resting in his hand. At the question, he blinks.

Oh.] Mm. Did you think I was always this weak?

[ This time, Declan doesn't look up, apparently too focused on what he's doing. ]

And what, pray tell, would I have to compare your current strength to?

Your grand imaginings that I was once a profound warrior.

[Dry. That isn’t said to be taken seriously.]

But to answer your question, I used to be much more capable. That’s all.

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