[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"?
[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. ]
[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— ]
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.
[Tells it like he hears it. But, as always, V doesn't look very offended. He has his pride, but when it comes to how he appears (and how he feels, often), then he knows he's not really fooling anyone.]
That depends. On a scale from 1 to 10, how curious are you?
[He asks, taking this moment to decide just how much he cares to share.]
[ That just gets a chuckle out of him. It was rude, wasn't it? The sound soon tapers off into a considering hum instead. ]
I'm always extremely curious, V, but you were kind enough to change the subject at my request. I would be a poor friend if I didn't do the same for you.
[Ah, the usage of "friend" again. He pauses again, still trying to separate what needs to be said versus what he can get away with not saying.
Not that any of this is a very deep, dark secret. But this is the sort of thing where one explanation will lead to another, which will lead to another, and another... And V is not sure he has the energy or the willingness to unravel the entirety of that tale.
So, eventually, he decides a hemmed-away version of the truth.]
I don't mind telling you, it's just that it's just a messy tale. But in so few words, the reason is this: I was once trapped in a horrible place, and when I was finally free... I was terribly, terribly weak. Dying. And when I tried to heal myself, I was left-
[ Ah, so it's a "do you want the long version or do you want the short version?" kind of situation. It seems the short version is what they're settling on for now. ]
Well. At least you seem to have stopped the dying part!
[ A pause, and he once again looks up with those gigantic eyes. ]
[This time, unfazed by those gigantic eyes, he just grins at him.]
That's hard to answer.
[Like yes, he stopped the dying part. By not existing like this anymore. Does that count?]
What ailed me should still be ailing me now, let's just say. But this world is keeping me still upright. [And not disintegrating into nothing.] That counts for something.
[If he were right back where he left off, that would be ideal. Smushed back into one person again. But there's no guarantee that'll be the case. Maybe he'd be back to square one, a world dealing with Urizen a second time, and he'd have to fight tooth and claw to return-
The very idea makes him weary.]
There's nothing you can do about this physical form.
[Blunt. But, then, a little more airly-]
But there's still value in me being in this world to accommodate the spirit and heart, instead, filling my mind and memory with strange experiences to bring back home... Eventually. Ah. You can be my stalwart companion in new and exciting things. How does that sound, instead?
[ To accommodate the spirit and heart, says V like it's the easiest thing in the world, like his body isn't possibly in danger of dying upon his return. Declan's not sure how he feels about that.
But then, what had Juni said? Let's work hard while we're here so we'll be even stronger when we return to our adventures! Perhaps the same is true for V. Nothing is over until it's over, and who knows how much time they'll have in this strange new place?
At last, Declan's lips curve into a grin. ]
I rather like the sound of that. V and Declan, Declan and V, stalwart companions!
[Nothing for it but to make the best with what time they have, right? In this, he'd agree with Juniper — work hard while they’re here, so they can become stronger upon their return. Bring back so many memories that he’ll have no choice but to regard his experiences in this world as positive. A mind filled with warmth and excitement, and so fewer nightmares.
So, yes, that’ll be nice, he thinks. He’ll help himself again. The same way he did before, just less… perilously this time. (Ideally.)
V’s smile widens, and he nods.]
Perfect. It has a ring to it. [DOES IT THO] I’m sure we can find plenty of things to keep us amused between two worlds. Time to flex that sense of wonderment between us. Personally, I want to try every food place in town.
[ Said more like he's trying to get it right for himself than memorize it, because, well, you know. There's some inkling of familiarity in the back of his head, as well, though he'd rather make room in his brain for the engineering stuff over the greasy fast food stuff. ]
And fortune cookies?
[ Forget novel and culinary. WHAT IS A FORTUNE COOKIE? ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
clockworksoul) wrote2023-04-30 08:50 pm
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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.
no subject
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. ]
no subject
(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.
no subject
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. ]
no subject
For a last resort.
[He huffs, amused at the reaction.]
I'm not one for projectiles. Is that so surprising?
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[ Declan clearly doesn't have much by way of tact. ]
I'm not built for close-quarters combat. And neither, I thought, were you.
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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.
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[ He's gone back to working by now, and falls quiet for a moment in concentration. Then— ]
What do you mean "like this"?
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[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?
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And what, pray tell, would I have to compare your current strength to?
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[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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[ Rude, Declan. He still hasn't looked up, carefully building away. ]
If I ask what happened to make you— [ he clicks his tongue ] —less capable, is that a story you're willing to tell?
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[Tells it like he hears it. But, as always, V doesn't look very offended. He has his pride, but when it comes to how he appears (and how he feels, often), then he knows he's not really fooling anyone.]
That depends. On a scale from 1 to 10, how curious are you?
[He asks, taking this moment to decide just how much he cares to share.]
no subject
I'm always extremely curious, V, but you were kind enough to change the subject at my request. I would be a poor friend if I didn't do the same for you.
no subject
Not that any of this is a very deep, dark secret. But this is the sort of thing where one explanation will lead to another, which will lead to another, and another... And V is not sure he has the energy or the willingness to unravel the entirety of that tale.
So, eventually, he decides a hemmed-away version of the truth.]
I don't mind telling you, it's just that it's just a messy tale. But in so few words, the reason is this: I was once trapped in a horrible place, and when I was finally free... I was terribly, terribly weak. Dying. And when I tried to heal myself, I was left-
[Gestures at himself with a hand waggle.]
-with this. Not a terrible improvement.
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Well. At least you seem to have stopped the dying part!
[ A pause, and he once again looks up with those gigantic eyes. ]
You have stopped the dying part, haven't you?
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That's hard to answer.
[Like yes, he stopped the dying part. By not existing like this anymore. Does that count?]
What ailed me should still be ailing me now, let's just say. But this world is keeping me still upright. [And not disintegrating into nothing.] That counts for something.
no subject
[ He frowns a little, not unaware of the implication that once they leave this place, V will be right back where he left off. ]
If there's anything I can do that might help when you return to your home— [ he trails off, simply because he has not idea what he even could do. ]
no subject
The very idea makes him weary.]
There's nothing you can do about this physical form.
[Blunt. But, then, a little more airly-]
But there's still value in me being in this world to accommodate the spirit and heart, instead, filling my mind and memory with strange experiences to bring back home... Eventually. Ah. You can be my stalwart companion in new and exciting things. How does that sound, instead?
no subject
But then, what had Juni said? Let's work hard while we're here so we'll be even stronger when we return to our adventures! Perhaps the same is true for V. Nothing is over until it's over, and who knows how much time they'll have in this strange new place?
At last, Declan's lips curve into a grin. ]
I rather like the sound of that. V and Declan, Declan and V, stalwart companions!
no subject
So, yes, that’ll be nice, he thinks. He’ll help himself again. The same way he did before, just less… perilously this time. (Ideally.)
V’s smile widens, and he nods.]
Perfect. It has a ring to it. [DOES IT THO] I’m sure we can find plenty of things to keep us amused between two worlds. Time to flex that sense of wonderment between us. Personally, I want to try every food place in town.
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Ohhh. Yes, that sounds like a fantastic place to start. What was that we had for lunch?
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...Chicken lo mein noodles. And a soda. We still have fortune cookies to crack open, too.
[Waves a hand.]
But there's hardly anything very novel or culinary about any of that.
[(Even though he did really like it.)]
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[ Said more like he's trying to get it right for himself than memorize it, because, well, you know. There's some inkling of familiarity in the back of his head, as well, though he'd rather make room in his brain for the engineering stuff over the greasy fast food stuff. ]
And fortune cookies?
[ Forget novel and culinary. WHAT IS A FORTUNE COOKIE? ]
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Yes. One for you and one for me. Would you like to see them now?
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