Hacking Up Posies (CATCH-ALL/OPEN)

[immortalrose]

WHO: Augustine & You! (open prompts below)
WHERE: Throughout most of Stygia (the Harbors, Serene, the Gallows & the Hinterlands)
WHEN: November catch-all & event prompts
WHAT: Just the random goings of a flower-loving dhampir who may or not be suffering from the dreaded hanahaki virus.
WARNINGS: Possible mentions of violence, blood, and self-harm in the form of blood sorcery magic.

[ I'll be adding more prompts throughout the week featuring the event stuff in question. If you would like to plot with me, feel free to drop me a DM or hit me up on devillady. I'm always more than happy to make a starter or two. So don't be shy. Also, you're welcome to make your own starters as well. ]


PLOTTING 🌹 EVENT🌹 WILDCARD

Comments

[theorems]

Ah.

[The twitch of a wing noticed, Viktor now pieces together something in his mind. What may be uncommon in other worlds and to other people, Piltover and Zaun both are home to not just human species. There's various other races, one of which includes a type of bat-humanoid. Usually purple-tinted in skin, and complete with the wings. It strikes him now that Augustine may be... similar to that- even if it is off-base from the truth, he won't be as shocked as maybe someone more accustomed to only humans would be.

As for the color choice, well. It's a theme. Marketing to make the colors pop, maybe? Not a thing he'd judge anyone over, at the very least. He doesn't understand marketing much.

Seat taken, he sighs in relief, and props his cane up nearby. Not the most comfortable chair for his bony ass, but most chairs aren't for one reason or another anyway.]

Thank you.

[He'll keep to himself until then. Unless that fairy comes back...]

[immortalrose]

[It's not a question of if the faery returns, it's when. Augustine was beside himself with rage after that brief embarrassment. He doesn't even know why the faery followed him here or even how. Usually he's quite sensitive to the presence of magical creatures, especially since he is a mage. However, everything about the Netherworld seems to work by its own set of rules. He can barely tell whether he's coming or going at this point because such oddities but he makes due.]

By the way, would you like something sweet in your tea?

[He asks before adding just a hint of sugar in his. Listen, he needs to sweeten up his day somehow. That pesky little menace completely ruined his boutique's grand debut. It's little wonder why he settled for tea and not for the alcohol in the cupboard. He has two bottles of wine in there somewhere.]

I would suggest honey but I'm in the mood for sugar cane.

[He mutters before returning to the table with two tea cups upon a chipped ivory dish. Nearly everything Augustine owns is either second-hand or self-made. He's been scouring the marketplace for any cheap deals he would find.]

Now tell me--has your opinion on the Netherworld changed at all?

[He's loosely referencing their previous conversation on the network. It seems the two of them had all sorts of theories about this realm but after staying here, some of Augustine's lofty opinions have changed.]

[theorems]

[It's subtle, but Viktor's eyes widen a little, his eyebrows raise a barely perceivable amount.]

Sugar would be nice. Thank you.

[He hasn't had a good amount of sugar since arriving. Everything's expensive when you're barely getting by, and sugar is one of the first things he's cut for cost, despite his small addiction to it. Or maybe because of that addiction.]

Not by much. But there are... inconsistencies. For a world that is our "afterlife," there are elements I have heard of that misalign with that. All word of mouth; I could have been lied to. That would be an easier explanation.

[immortalrose]

[Augustine would happily fund Viktor's innocent little addiction. The only reason he can afford such meager luxuries is because he keeps doing those noticeboard ventures. Whether he's doing them solo or venturing with Cedrik, Augustine managed to support himself by doing such work. It goes without saying that such strenuous work would be rather difficult for Viktor but if he wants to borrow a cup of sugar, Augustine wouldn't mind.]

No need to thank me! You're my guest, after all.

[After adding two teaspoon scoops of sugar to Viktor's tea, he offers the man the tea cup with a cheerful grin.]

Is that right? Well, that begs the question then--[He takes a generous sip of his cup before asking the following.]

Do you believe we're all still alive?

[theorems]

[Viktor takes the cup and takes a deep sip, sighing in satisfaction at the taste. In his own brews, he'd typically have as much milk as possible, but even just the addition of sugar has him sated. He lowers the mug now, but keeps it held in his hands for the sake of retaining that warmth.]

I don't believe I am.

[Not fully going back on his early thoughts, but leaving room for new possibilities.]

There are some who don't remember their death. Some who remember it vividly. My own was... likely an explosion. I don't know how I would survive that.

[immortalrose]

[A thoughtful hum escapes Augustine as he regards the sullen man across from him. While it’s unlikely that Viktor survived that horrible explosion, a part of him hopes that he did. Dying in such a manner is just too horrific to comprehend, especially for someone who already suffered so much in life. He can just tell that life itself hasn’t been too kind towards Viktor judging from the heavy bags hanging under his eyes and the sunken cheeks. Even so, it would be nothing short of depressing for such a young life to be cut so short. This is why Augustine cannot help but offer this man pity despite knowing damn well it’s not his place to do so.]

Even if you did perish like you think, don’t you feel alive now?

[The dhampir questions as he rests his arm upon the table as he leans forward.]

You seem as alive as everyone else here. You still draw breath and require food like any normal living entity. You can even savor the taste of tea like the living does.

[He gestures idly to the cracked little teacup within Viktor’s hand.]

Therefore I ask you, does it truly matter if you survived or not? If so, why? You’re “alive” here, aren’t you?

cw: illness/death talk

[theorems]

Whatever this is, for me, is only an extension of the inevitable. I am sure my... appearance has not misinformed you of my well-being. I am still dying.

[In an effort to rebuff the seriousness in his tone, he tries to smile. It comes out bitter instead. And as if allergic to grinning, Viktor begins to cough. At first it doesn't seem like a bad cough, but then it worsens quickly, and he pulls a handkerchief out of his pocket to cover his mouth. If there's a dabbling of blood there, he tries to make sure it doesn't show as he tucks the handkerchief away.]

So yes.

[His voice rough, and he clears his throat to try and strengthen it.]

Very alive, for now.

[The dryness of his throat matches his tone. He sips some tea to try and soothe it more. It helps as he thinks over his response.]

This may be a second chance, for most. If the explosion were the only thing that happened to me, I would share your optimism.

So to answer your question, no. It doesn't matter, does it?