abraxasmods: (Default)
ABRAXAS MODS ([personal profile] abraxasmods) wrote in [community profile] abraxasooc2021-07-18 11:55 am
Entry tags:

TEST DRIVE MEME #2

TEST DRIVE MEME
Welcome to the second test drive meme for Abraxas! This meme is run a little bit differently than most in that you'll be asked to choose one of the two different arrival scenarios below for your character to take. If you have any questions about this mechanic or anything else related to the TDM, please take a look at the questions below or ask one of your own under the Questions header below. For general game questions please still use the FAQ.

Our previous TDM has some answers to relevant questions as well, and feel free to look at our Game History page! Anything on that page - including information about the Horizon and the Singularity - can be assumed to be told to newcomers after they arrive, whether they are prisoners or honored guests. For more information on Ambrose and the apprentice mages, please see our NPCs page.

Arrival

You awaken suspended in the abyss, silent darkness stretching out in all directions. If you try to yell, you'll find that the sound doesn't carry. If you try to move, you'll find it's impossible to tell whether or not you're actually getting anywhere. If you reach for an item you were carrying last time you remember being awake, your hand will only touch bare skin.

You're naked and floating helplessly through the void, and what little air you have in your lungs is running out.

There's a pinprick of light that almost looks like a faraway star but as it grows it becomes clear that it's actually quite close. Through the opening you can see a bright room, but it's hard to make out any individual objects, as if you're looking from beneath rippling water.

A hand plunges through and you realize water is just what it is. Whether you take hold of the hand or not it will grab you and yank you up through the surface, lifting you out until you're sprawled on solid ground. Once you catch your breath, you can get a better look at the surroundings: tall trees and even taller stone pillars surround the platform you're laying on. Behind you is an ornate fountain, the base of which is so deep and so dark you might be compelled to scramble away from it lest it suck you back in to that endless abyss. Ahead of you are the walls of a large castle with several tall towers reaching up towards the sky.

If you had any powers, they feel unusually weak. Attempts to use magic or enhanced strength or powers of any sort fizzle out without any effect, but they don't feel completely gone, either.

Set into an indent on a marble slab behind the fountain is a card baring the image of one of the arcana.

An apprentice mage - the one whose hand lifted you out of the fountain - brushes the water off on their robes and runs back to join a group of three others, who all stare intently at a mage with highly decorated robes and a large, heavy book. He peers up at you for a moment and starts flipping through the book.

"I beg your pardon," he says, so absorbed in the pages of the book that he doesn't bother to look up, "I am Ambrose Rhett, the High Mage of the Kingdom of Thorne. One of my apprentices will explain everything in a moment, but please refrain from yelling and thrashing about until then. You're quite alright, and screaming gives me a hell of a headache."

Regardless of your response, he keeps flipping through the heavy tome, until he stops on one specific page, stares at it for a moment, and then exclaims:

"Aha!"

Scenario One: Welcome to Thorne

Ambrose's expression brightens, eyes twinkling with delight. He waves one of the apprentices over with a fine silk tunic, pants, and some basic sandals and with a wave of his hand they reshape to fit you perfectly.

"Oh, thank heavens," he sighs, closing the book and approaching you with a sort of worn-out relief.

Now that he's not hunching over the book, he doesn't seem quite so stuffy and inapproachable. The apprentices all seem quite relieved at his jovial outburst, and the one that handed you the tunic stops to take the tarot card down from the marble slab. If you show any curiosity about the card, they'll let you take a longer look, but won't let you touch it.

"Please, come with me, you're an honored guest here," he says, motioning for you to follow him towards the castle, "As promised, my pupils will explain your current situation. And, ah - if you had any magic of your own, or other special abilities you can't access right now, fear not, they'll return within the week. The summoning takes a lot out of you."

One of the apprentices steps forward and rattles on and on about the castle, Thorne itself, the names of a bunch of royals and nobles, and of course, your reason for being here. The Kingdom and the world itself is in great peril, and tales of your exploits have reached far and wide across universes. If asked about these exploits, the apprentice will simply smile and shrug. The High Mage was happy to see you and that's good enough.

Once inside the castle you're taken to the North Wing, which has been set up as living quarters for you and your fellow newcomers. There are four people to a room, but each generously-sized bed has opaque curtains that can be drawn around it. You can meet your roommates here and discuss your shared situation (the newcomers who were summoned back in June may have a great deal of information to tell you), or you can wander around and meet the others.

There's also a dining hall stocked with a rotating 24/7 buffet in celebration of the new honored guests. Somehow, your very favorite food is part of the rotation (or at least an attempted recreation of it given the limited technology available to the Thorneans). The town surrounding the castle is all abuzz as well, with most shops and services willing to give free samples of their wares to the new arrivals.

You may also notice that your sign is embroidered on your tunic: the same image you saw on the card from before with the name of the sign itself beneath it. If you ask the castle residents, they'll tell you a little bit about your sign (and will mostly stick to the positives, although some might point out the negatives).

Last (and, if you ask anyone else in the castle, least) there is a worn stone staircase leading underground to the dungeon. You can go there, if you wish, but all powers are restricted in the dungeons and spending too much time with the prisoners will lead to some suspicion being cast upon you. If you ask anyone why the prisoners are being held there, you'll be told that they pose a potential threat to the Kingdom (and, by extension, the entire world) and are awaiting trial.

Scenario Two: Imprisoned

"Drat," Ambrose says with a frown, "And here I thought we'd worked out all the kinks this time."

The High Mage looks up from his book, wide-eyed as he stumbles back. If you look behind you, you'll notice that in the time it took Ambrose to browse his book, the tarot card hanging behind you has reversed and is now hanging upside down. An apprentice runs to snatch it from the pillar and put it back with the rest of the deck.

The apprentices seem apprehensive, but Ambrose regains his composure and resists the urge to insult their newly summoned captive. Instead, he turns to the apprentices: "Get them clothed and we'll send them to await trial."

One of the apprentices drops a baggy, rough-feeling tunic, a pair of pants, and some worn sandals in your lap and glares down at you until you put them on (if you refuse, they'll tell you they can kick you back down that well if you don't want to cooperate).

Once you're fully clothed, another apprentice clamps some heavy iron shackles around your wrists and leads you on. The High Mage is far ahead of you already, muttering some long string of Thornean curses before he stands up straight and pauses, spinning to face you.

"One more thing," he says, holding one hand in the air and chanting something under his breath, "Can't have you getting too troublesome."

If you had powers, the slight connection you still had to them slips away completely and you're left with nothing as the four apprentices drag you towards the castle. Despite your prisoner status, they will answer your questions to the best of their ability.

Once you arrive at the castle you're brought to the dungeons and thrown into a locked cell. There are four people to a cell, and two sets of bunk beds with a thin and lumpy straw mattress. If you're over six feet tall, these beds are going to be awfully uncomfortable. You might as well meet your roommates. Once per day you're dragged out to an enclosed courtyard for one hour of recreation (with some crude weights, benches, and balls lying around but not much else), where you can meet the rest of the prisoners, but you can also talk to your immediate neighbors in the cells on either side and across the hallway. Just don't yell too much or the guards will snap at you to be quiet.

Everyone in the dungeon is fed one meal a day, and for a prison meal it's decent: a bit of meat, a bun, and a salad. It would seem that the Thornean chefs take too much pride in their craft to send bad food to the dungeons. The meals are all served in equal portions, though, so the smaller prisoners may be overfed and the larger ones may be getting hungry. Feel free to fight for food or share with your cellmates.

Crudely embroidered on the back of every prison tunic is the same image that was on your card and the name of the sign beneath it. A guard may explain a bit about the sign, and will be blunt and honest but not overly negative about it.

You may be blessed with a visit from one of the more welcomed newcomers, and they may sneak you some extra food or a small book to read or they may share some of the information they've gathered. The guards will even interfere if the honored guests are being overtly cruel to the prisoners from now on.




Questions


How many slots are open?
Currently, there are only four slots open for new players. We will process activity check before opening applications, so we will have a better idea of the exact count then. Existing players can apply for a second character withour restriction.

How do I choose a scenario for my character?
Pick whichever situation appeals to you most. Whether your character is honored or imprisoned has nothing to do with their personal morality, or how highly they regard themselves and their own accomplishments. Anyone can be put into either situation.

Can I try out both scenarios?
You can! But please keep in mind that only the one you eventually choose can be game canon, if you decide to keep any of your TDM threads.

What happens if my character refuses to comply with Ambrose?
Prisoners will be dragged against their will. Honored guests will be forgiven for their moment of panic or anger if they have one, and Ambrose and the apprentice mages will try to calm them and persuade them further. If they put up too much of a fight and/or start actively attacking anyone, Ambrose will warn them once that he's willing to put them back in the well where they came from (see below), and if they continue to fight he will make good on that promise.

My character intends on causing a lot of trouble (destroying parts of the castle, murdering the castle staff, etc.), what would happen to them?
Characters who make too much trouble for the mages and other staff would be thrown back in the well (which will mean drowning in the void, not returning home). Brawling with other PCs and causing minor damage is fine and will be greeted with a cranky attitude (if they are an honored guest) or a punishment like denial of food or temporary solitary confinement (if they are a prisoner), and there will be plenty of opportunity for destruction and murder later, but for now the Thorneans have no desire to keep huge liabilities around.

I want to wildcard a prompt or use one of the prompts from the original TDM that isn't on this one (eg. the library), can I do that?
Yes!

Is the power loss for the prisoners permanent?
No, although honored guests will regain their powers first due to the lack of interference from Ambrose, the prisoners will be able to regain theirs soon enough as well.

Can the prisoners talk about anything private, or will they be overheard at all times?
There are guards patrolling the dungeon, but they aren't always within earshot. Most of the attention is being focused on the new guests, so the prisoners will have some opportunities for privacy.

The first prisoners in June were just thrown in their cells without being told they are awaiting trial. Will they be told differently now that the new prisoners are here?
Yes, all prisoners new and old will be told that the Court has shown mercy on them and they will be given a fair trial sometime in August to determine their fate.

Whether or not that's actually true - and whether they believe it, even if it is - is another story, but they will all be informed.

Can my character leave the castle?
Honored guests can leave the castle itself, but cannot leave the surrounding town.

Can my character eventually side against Thorne if I choose to make them an honored guest/can they side with Thorne if I choose to imprison them?
For this TDM, it will be easier for welcomed characters to side with Thorne and for imprisoned characters to side with one of the other two factions, so we encourage you to take a look at the factions and see where you might want your character to go.

However, that is not set in stone and if you change your mind, characters in Scenario 1 will be able to betray Thorne, and characters in Scenario 2 can work themselves into Thorne's good graces.

How much will my choice of scenario affect my character's plot later on?
This choice will affect characters throughout August, but our August event will wrap up the honored guests vs. prisoners plotline, so your character won't be imprisoned for too long. This decision - and every other major decision you make in game! - will also be used to flavor some mod surprises that will be coming down the line.

Don't get too anxious about this choice, though; this is just one choice you'll get to make in a game that has a lot of them, and every character in both scenarios can work their way towards many, many individual goals and outcomes. You're not locking yourself out of anything in the future via the choice you made on the TDM. It will primarily impact the immediate future with the far-reaching effects being up to each player.

Are TDM threads mandatory for my application?
No, you may use other samples, but we encourage you to post to the TDM and get a feel for this game and its mechanics before you join. If you do not have a TDM thread you will still need to choose one of the two scenarios on your application.

What if I haven't settled on a sign yet?
You can ignore sign-related prompts if you're undecided (or try out different signs in different threads).


return to main navigation

lamentedinnocence: (lass mich dich nicht lieben)

Leon Belmont | Castlevania: Lament of Innocence | The Wheel of Fortune

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence 2021-07-20 02:22 pm (UTC)(link)
I. Sleepless Night 🗡

[ He’s slept in places far less comfortable, on forest floors or in smothering heat. It isn’t the straw mattress that keeps him from doing so this time. It isn’t the sound of mice skittering across the stone floor either. Nearly two days awake, Leon lays on his bunk with his back to the bars of the cell. Long, vertical shadows cast across a crowded space. The torchlight from the hallway slips through them, flickering orange and faintly illuminating the company that shares his enclosure. Tired of squinting and guessing, he’s finished wondering whatever the different emblems on their tunics might mean.

He thinks instead of the home he doesn’t have and of Sara, no longer able to miss him or pray for his return. Despite how his weighted eyelids beg him to, Leon can’t sleep when he remembers that nothing waits for him anymore.

A loud and sudden clatter pulls him from his thoughts. His cellmate? A visitor? He’s too groggy to distinguish one sound from another. He jolts to sit up on reflex anyway, shackled ankles pulling chains across the ground as he does. He has to affirm that the lot of them aren't in any danger. ]


Who—?


II. An Offering 🗡

[ Maybe they’d seemed unwell, or they’d had all of their meals until now stolen by a cellmate. Whatever the context, Leon has noticed. He passes an arm through the gaps of his own door, just outside the neighboring prisoner’s reach. Lodging his shoulder into the space as far as it’ll go, his sleeve rides up the length of his bicep and crumples close to him against a cold iron bar. In his hand is a roll of bread. Food. ]

You can have mine.

[ Should the prisoner extend their arm, they may be close enough to accept. Should an honored guest pass through without paying enough attention, however, they may cause Leon to retract his arm back into his pen or otherwise trip over his offering. ]


III. Fresh Idea 🗡

( Feel free to plot with me if you have something in mind for Leon! You can reach out via PM or on Plurk at [plurk.com profile] joousama. )
cryptsleeper: (Default)

Iii

[personal profile] cryptsleeper 2021-07-20 03:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[There had been a small buzz when new faces appeared one day, marched into the jail cells like everyone else. Alucard had only observed with some relief that the cell he occupied being full to capacity made life a little easier. No one new to deal with, and quite frankly, he knew his current cellmates were a stroke of luck in their way.

It wasn't until the first day that the newcomers were about the yard for the allotted single hour of outside time that Alucard felt the world shift and roll underneath him in the worst way possible. In walking towards the area he always occupied in the precious hour (perfect sun and shade as it got too hot, far away from the guards and from where most others congregated), there was a ghost. Or a harbinger. Something.

Leon Belmont. The source of four hundred years of Belmont vs. Dracula, a driver of so many of his father's actions, the proud French knight who left everything behind to hunt vampires and take up night work. It couldn't be anyone else, Alucard had gone past that portrait too many times.

He's careful not to gape. To keep moving, making sure that he doesn't invite attention. But inside there's a new fear. It was one thing, having a hunter like Geralt as a cellmate. He was blunt enough about what it'd take to turn talents on Alucard (enough coin and enough of a threat), and the two at least got along. The Belmont though? Practically a saint in the eyes of his family, with none of Trevor's roughness and hard living, likely here in his prime from hunting Dracula?

He's not scared. Not exactly. For now he is only overwhelmed, processing this new face in conjunction with what, precisely, he'd like to do to the Kingdom of Thorne for the past two months of imprisonment, humiliation, and restraint.

So he stands in his spot, eyes closed, seeming to enjoy the summer skies. Only Alucard's hands shake, giving away anything at all.]
lamentedinnocence: (was getan werden muss)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence 2021-07-22 02:38 am (UTC)(link)
[ Given the pleasant shade that Alucard's spot provides from the summer heat, without knowing the anxieties his presence may evoke, Leon Belmont makes his way to lower onto a nearby bench by complete coincidence. The area is out of the way enough not to draw too much attention to himself. Ideal.

He sits with his back to the gathering of prisoners and guards, but he realizes that it might appear suspicious. It's not convincing enough that he'd come to this corner to sit and gaze at the side of a building, so Leon pulls his legs up onto the bench to lay on his side. There's nothing strange about a nap in the sun.

The Wheel of Fortune embroidered on his tunic shifts against the sweaty surface of his back. From his clothes, he fishes out a book he'd asked a merciful guest summoned to Thorne to smuggle him in from town. By the way that Leon flips through the book's pages, it's apparent that he isn't reading it from start to finish but is instead searching it for information. He toys with the idea of needing an escape plan, should their August trial not come to pass. Other cellmates who'd been here longer than him had gossiped and muttered. He'd heard. ]
cryptsleeper: (Increase bad thoughts)

[personal profile] cryptsleeper 2021-07-22 02:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[Alucard opens his eyes and the Belmont is closer. Of course he is, why did Alucard think that anything might go in his direction.

There's no breath in him. The nearest wall is too close to Leon, but the dhampir has no intention of drawing the attention of guards by all but swooning like a maiden because he saw someone.

So he walks over to the wall, one hand splayed flat against it and back to the Belmont. A risk, but he'll have to take it. It'll draw attention, but it will also offer the dhampir a moment to collect himself before turning around, if needed.

His breathing is still unsteady, but it's there. Step one accomplished.]
lamentedinnocence: (die einladung)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence 2021-07-23 01:02 am (UTC)(link)
[ It isn't until Alucard drifts to the nearby bench that Leon notices him. He reacts. In an inconspicuous motion, he's quick to sheath the book in his clothing again, wary of the other seeing. It's when Alucard doesn't turn to face him that Leon feels more uncertain. He starts to study him.

His skin is unsettlingly pale. The fact of it aligning with his posture is alarming, and Leon finds himself growing concerned. He's seen many fall unwell under the sun. Rising from his bench, he reluctantly draws closer to Alucard. ]


Are you all right? Should I find you a drink of water?
cryptsleeper: <user name="malagraphic"> (NO??? NO!!!)

[personal profile] cryptsleeper 2021-07-23 01:37 am (UTC)(link)
[Alucard waves a hand. Dismissive. The one against the wall has more pressure placed upon it, as if the wall might give if only Alucard presses hard enough.]

I'm fine, thank you.

[He manages to get the words out, somehow calm in spite of himself.]
lamentedinnocence: (torbogen)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence 2021-07-23 06:13 am (UTC)(link)
[ Leon isn't sure he trusts what Alucard says. He stops in his steps, a polite enough distance away. He doesn't see Alucard's face, and there's little to read other than the motion of his hand or leveled inflection of his voice.

Blinking a couple of times in worried silence, he looks over what he can see of Alucard in case he should ask a guard to someone to come check up on him. Long, wavy hair that doesn't seem to tangle. The arcana on the stranger's back is obscured by it. He sees the hand that hadn't waved him off still pushing on the wall, threatening to crack brick under the weight of his finger tips. ]


There's a bench behind you if you'd like to sit, just in case. [ It's a suggestion rather than a push. ] I can also go elsewhere should you hope to be alone.
cryptsleeper: <user name="malagraphic"> (NO??? NO!!!)

[personal profile] cryptsleeper 2021-07-23 05:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[The wall doesn't crack or crumble. It can't, not with Alucard's natural strength and abilities muted by magic. He just wants it to. Some outward manifestation of everything churning deep inside him.

He shakes his head, symbol of the Hierophant peaking through the strands of hair.]


Space would be the best thing for the matter, thank you.

(no subject)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence - 2021-07-24 01:02 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] cryptsleeper - 2021-07-24 01:15 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence - 2021-07-24 01:49 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] cryptsleeper - 2021-07-24 02:05 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence - 2021-07-24 03:26 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] cryptsleeper - 2021-07-24 12:25 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence - 2021-07-25 01:23 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] cryptsleeper - 2021-07-25 01:31 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence - 2021-07-25 02:12 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] cryptsleeper - 2021-07-25 16:54 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence - 2021-07-26 00:15 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] cryptsleeper - 2021-07-26 02:04 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence - 2021-07-28 12:13 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] cryptsleeper - 2021-07-28 22:00 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence - 2021-08-06 00:28 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] cryptsleeper - 2021-08-08 01:27 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence - 2021-08-08 01:41 (UTC) - Expand
extremethirst: (>D)

i

[personal profile] extremethirst 2021-07-20 05:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's becoming a bit routine with how he comes down to the dungeons. He is starting to spend more time among those in cages than out in the bright sunlight. It isn't really that he wants to revel in their misery and anguish -- he could enjoy that just fine in a comfy room. No, it's more that he's wondering about the breaking point of every one of the wrongfully imprisoned.

At what point will they stop wanting to play nice and start murmuring about murder? At what point will they want to see this entire country burn to the ground?

It isn't misery that he's interested in. It's what people do with that misery that he finds fascinating.

But he stops when he sees -- what he thinks -- is a familiar bob of white hair. The build is also similar to that pretty boy. He gets his hopes up, because really, what lunatic would summon Nero without One? Gripping onto the bars, he leans his face in through the gap as far as it can go. He barks out a harsh laugh, spit flying out past his lips and onto the floor. ]


You fucking idiot. I can't believe this shit. You finally got what you want -- people thinking that you're a monster before you start absorbing all their blood.

[ Of course, he doesn't have warm, welcoming words for his long companion. One also would be disturbed if Nero didn't greet him such a harsh, cruel manner, too. ]

How does it feel to know that I got a celebration about my dick while you got locked up in here? [ Again, it wasn't like that, but Nero loves saying that is what happened. He just loves joking that the mage -- whatever the fuck his name is -- was so overcome with joy and awe over the sight of his massive slong, that he made him an honored guest. ]

[ Violently shaking the bars, it doesn't do anything to move them, but he still can't hold back his excitement. ] Hey, what do you have to say for yourself, One?!
lamentedinnocence: (nicht zufrieden mit dir)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence 2021-07-22 12:48 am (UTC)(link)
[ The unsavory character who's made his way down to Leon's cell leaves a lot to swallow. He's never had anyone speak to him this way, creature of the night, heretic, or otherwise. Nero's crude taunting is the loudest thing in the prison, amplified even more by the gritty chamber that he's managed to shove his head into. Two days sleepless or not, Leon doubts he might ever make any sense. Hoping he can deflect the elf's interest, his face remains unwincing and still, though his eyes move up to look. ]

I don't believe you're speaking to who you think that you are. [ Polite. Refined. Crisp. Is it enough to send Nero away? ]
Edited 2021-07-22 00:50 (UTC)
extremethirst: (:\)

[personal profile] extremethirst 2021-07-22 01:02 am (UTC)(link)
Eh?

[ It as soon as the person looks at him that he realizes that it isn't One. The man's eyes are a light blue instead of a deep red. His hands slide down the bars as he droops dramatically against the cell. ]

Here I thought that your hair just got a little filthy from being locked up. [ But no, he scrutinizes a little more and see that it's a fair blond instead of a soft white. ] This is some real bullshit.

[ Nero breathes in deep before letting out a sigh. ] I got my hopes up for nothing. [ As always, the elf takes the blame for his own mistake. He lifts his hand to lightly scratch the side of his face, accidentally rubbing grime from the bars onto his face. ]

... 'ch.
lamentedinnocence: (ich gehör nur mir)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence 2021-07-22 03:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The energy changes. As Nero slumps against the door in defeat of his own mistake, Leon feels a sense of relief fall over him. His muscles had tensed unwittingly in response to the words intended for someone else. Maybe someone to look a little similar to himself, a person named One.

Even if sorry isn’t said to him, Leon tries to be helpful: ]


Perhaps another cell. There are new arrivals besides me still being summoned and brought here. [ Nero is lucky to be a guest instead. He’d mentioned it in a vulgar way before, something about his dick? ] He may otherwise be getting a welcoming celebration of his own.
extremethirst: (o_O;)

[personal profile] extremethirst 2021-07-23 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
Perhaps.

[ Nero draws the word out before cupping the side of his mouth. He turns his head to scream down the hall of cells: ]

One! You fake-ass bitch monster! You down here?!

[ Turning his head, he tilts it slightly with his hand that was cupping his mouth to cup his ear. His eyes roll up as he listens for a sharp "Nero" in reply, but there doesn't seem to be any response like that, and he lets out a small sigh.

Again, his hand drops. ]


No, he's definitely be dragged down here even before the celebration would end. He can't stop himself from killing people especially if he were summoned abruptly. [ The elf leaves out some key details and reasons as to why he feels this way, of course, but well, whatever. ]
lamentedinnocence: (hast du mich angerufen)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence 2021-07-23 05:24 am (UTC)(link)
[ Dear God, he's so loud. After Nero's voice booms and bounces around the chambers, Leon can hear the other prisoners groaning and starting to complain. A guard nearby looks like he's thinking of interfering, but is uncertain of whether Nero's crossed a boundary yet.

Leon clears his throat. ]


You'll be scolded for disturbing the prison if you aren't more careful. [ He politely tries to coax the elf into behaving. ] Did you come here checking for your friend?
extremethirst: (u_u;)

[personal profile] extremethirst 2021-07-25 05:29 am (UTC)(link)
Right, right.

[ Nero draws the two words out. He'll lose his one form of entertainment if he is kicked out of the prisons. His head slides down against the bars as he starts to snicker at his own current state of being.

He's gotten used to following after what the fake Intoner wants to do; he goes wherever he wants and has been doing that for decades. When left to his own devices, he finds that he just tries to kill time.

Of course, he isn't so chicken-shit as to blame One for it. He just enjoyed traveling together a lot that he isn't sure what to do with himself. Well, beyond watching these people destroy this world. He lifts his head up. I guess I can take a more proactive stance on that. ]


Kind of. [ The elf shrugs his shoulders. ] I also get interested in what all you people are up to... and what you're thinking.

(no subject)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence - 2021-07-25 23:58 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] extremethirst - 2021-07-26 02:38 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence - 2021-07-28 13:48 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] extremethirst - 2021-07-29 17:15 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence - 2021-08-06 00:43 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] extremethirst - 2021-08-09 03:51 (UTC) - Expand
petcromancer: (hands crossed)

III.

[personal profile] petcromancer 2021-07-21 10:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hector is down at the cells enough that apparently he's started some gossip about how often he visits a certain imprisoned dhampir. But this time, he's not looking for Alucard. He's here to see The Belmont (capital T). The source from which all other Belmonts spawned.

He's... prettier... than Hector expected. Not the face you'd think would cause terror across the Vampire courts and in the far reaches of the night world. Huh.]


So you're him.

[He stands on the opposite side of the bars, arms crossed.]
lamentedinnocence: (tot zu sein ist komisch)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence 2021-07-22 01:14 am (UTC)(link)
[ He looks from the spot he'd been staring at to Hector. He doesn't say anything to him at first.

The scenario in itself is twisted. A forgemaster centuries from his own time gazes at him through a steely cage. The original Belmont. Naturally, Leon isn't aware that he's nearly a being of myth in Hector's eyes, or in anyone else's. The promise he'd sworn to Mathias after he'd turned in his own time had been true but also impulsive.

Unfortunately, he believes Hector's just as mistaken as the rotten elf that'd come to rattle his bars days before. It's hard for him not to be a little dismissive. ]


Are you looking for somebody?

[ He passes a hand through golden hair, restless and tired of strangers. They need more sunlight in a day. The minutes pass far too slowly. ]
petcromancer: (judgey)

[personal profile] petcromancer 2021-07-23 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
[Hector gives the man a harder look. He's sure this is the one. Alucard was pretty thorough in his description of the man.]

Yes, you. You're The Belmont.

[He's supposed to 'be careful' around him, according to Alucard, but Hector's not known for his caution.]

You're supposed to be able to slay a Night Creature in a single blow of your whip, and you may or may not piss Holy Water. I thought you'd be... taller? More grizzled?
lamentedinnocence: (je länger ich lebe)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence 2021-07-23 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
[ Leon isn’t usually put under such scrutiny. He watches Hector unhappily as he’s studied, but his expression shifts when he finds that the man isn’t mistaken. His surname is said, and blue eyes light up when he’s knows he’s been recognized. He doesn’t know who Hector is, but the man speaks as if he’s heard the kinds of stories that pass through village to village. Grossly exaggerated, but in line. ]

Holy water can’t be pissed.

[ The words fall off his tongue in answer, but he feels strange for saying them so bluntly. The moment passes, though, and he’s so desperate to talk to Hector that he’s already getting up from where he’d been sitting on the bed. He hurries closer to the door. Chains clank at the movement, hands curling around steel bars. Now that he’s out of the shadows of his enclosure, he’s easier seen. He isn’t especially rugged or burly, but he’s instead poised and well-sculpted. ]

From where do you hail, sir? How is it that you know of me?
petcromancer: (Hmmm)

[personal profile] petcromancer 2021-07-24 09:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Can it not?

[Holy water can be drunk, so it has to come out eventually, right? Or what if a priest blessed someone's bladder? But those are theoreticals to ponder later, he supposes.

When The Belmont steps into the light, Hector sees his form and the grace with which he moves himself. Not the giant bear he was expecting. More like a dangerous feline hunter.]


Oh, I'm from Greece originally, but most of the stories I heard of your line, I picked up when I moved to Wallachia. Your family name is quite famous there.
lamentedinnocence: (torbogen)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence 2021-07-25 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
No, it can't. [ Leon stands by this. He'll need more convincing. ]

Wallachia, though... [ He doesn't understand. While he has plans to make his way there because of the rumors of night creatures that lurk there, he hasn't yet arrived. How can the people there already be sharing stories about him? Had the story of Walter's defeat made it so far? ]

The plan was to make it there soon. Although, that was until I was summoned here. [ A beat. ] My forename is Leon. [ He doesn't know that Hector already knows this, that many more people other than Hector know this. ]

What should I call you, then? You're lucky to not be kept down here.
petcromancer: (looking down)

[personal profile] petcromancer 2021-07-25 01:25 am (UTC)(link)
[Hector doesn't have time to dance around the truth. It'll come out eventually, right?]

Well, you made it, and had children who had more children. A whole merry, vampire-killing bloodline.

[At least he skips over the fall of House Belmont, a small mercy.]

I'm Hector. I'm a Forgemaster. Did they have those in your day?

(no subject)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence - 2021-07-25 01:49 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] petcromancer - 2021-07-26 01:57 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence - 2021-07-28 11:42 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] petcromancer - 2021-07-30 02:31 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence - 2021-08-06 01:02 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] petcromancer - 2021-08-07 19:02 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence - 2021-08-08 01:28 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] petcromancer - 2021-08-10 01:22 (UTC) - Expand
fallen_cetra: (Looking back all I see is broken lies)

i

[personal profile] fallen_cetra 2021-08-02 10:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Shhhhh, it's all right.

[She presses a finger to her lips as she hushes him, glancing over her shoulder at the stairwell before turning back to him with an embarrassed smile.]

Sorry, I fell down the stairs. Came down here to see what was going on. My name's Aerith.

[She cocked her head, her loose braid falling over her shoulder. Her hair was unbound, but still damp from her being plucked from the well, so the braid held even though it would come loose into an almost unmanageable cloud of curls and waves when it dried. There's worry in her gaze, but little fear as she draws close enough to the bars to hook her calloused fingers around them.]

What happened that they threw you in jail?
lamentedinnocence: (je länger ich lebe)

[personal profile] lamentedinnocence 2021-08-06 01:14 am (UTC)(link)
[ Aerith is an unexpectedly soothing source of the clatter. She isn't the first of honored guests to wander down here (maybe out of curiosity?), but it doesn't make Leon any less attentive. Her clumsiness has either startled or irritated a lot of the prisoners trying to sleep, but Leon is receptive to the interruption, as his own thoughts are heavier to deal with.

The tiredness shows in his face, though. Leon leans out of the dark so Aerith can see who she's talking to better. ]


Hello, Aerith. My name is Leon. [ The way he answers her at first is a bit formal, like an example in a textbook meant to display greeting structure. What he follows up with adds more life to it: ] They say there will be a trial in August. None of us know why we were put down here, but the sorcerer Ambrose summoned us by mistake. [ Is Ambrose a sorcerer, even? He's a magic user, so the term works for now. ]

You should be careful. I think they'll punish you if they suspect you're conspiring anything with us.

[ Some advice for her, if she doesn't want to be involved. ]
fallen_cetra: (Secret garden)

[personal profile] fallen_cetra 2021-08-09 05:12 am (UTC)(link)
Nice to meet you, Leon!

[Her smile is bright enough to illuminate her sun-freckled face, but when he continues it dims, her brows furrowing the more he talks as she almost bristles, her cheeks puffing up indignantly before she looks ready to stomp back up the stairs.]

They did what? That's not fair at all! Why are they making you stand trial when you haven't even done anything? That's not fair to any of you.

[Normally she could tell whether or not someone was a good person just by being close enough, but she hadn't been feeling like herself ever since they'd dragged her out of that horribly cold well. Down here she felt even more numb and alone. The silence in her own head was slowly starting to get to her. Still, her fingers twist on the bars, nose wrinkling as she thinks furiously. A spark in her eyes that was definitely the beginnings of mischief rekindled her determination, and she waves a hand at his warning.]

I don't like how they haven't explained anything, it all seems a bit suspicious now that I know you're all down here for no good reason. Hang in there until then, okay? Maybe we can figure something out. Besides, what could they do to punish me anyway? Toss me down here with the rest of you? Not the worst place I've seen.

[Something about that nonchalant response might be bluffing from anyone else, but she sounds...oddly sincere when she says it.]