Spice and Sparkles ((Closed RP- Baron Harkonnen, Jasper, and the Raptor))
((Many thanks to A-mun for coming up with the thread title. It is my area of extreme FAIL.))
Although he couldn't claim to be satisfied, the Baron had finally gotten his rooms in order. He was still irritated that rooms was really one large room, with a closet and a semi-acceptable bathroom, but didn't plan to put up with it forever. What he'd ( Read more... )
Although he couldn't claim to be satisfied, the Baron had finally gotten his rooms in order. He was still irritated that rooms was really one large room, with a closet and a semi-acceptable bathroom, but didn't plan to put up with it forever. What he'd ( Read more... )
This led to many hours of aimless wandering as he sought to make sense of a senseless situation, his not-quite-pet dinosaur occasionally trailing after him, seeming almost upset itself by what was going on. The raptor possessed an eerie intelligence, and even at times appeared to comprehend what was spoken to it...
When a house-elf apparated unexpectedly, interrupting his latest circuit of the castle, he quickly plucked the little creature up a moment before the raptor sprang for it. All it had taken was one rather messy incident for Jasper to develop this habit. The house-elf shoved a folded note at him with a frightened squeak and promptly disappeared afterward.
He frowned slightly as he read it. It wasn't the best time for their planned meeting, but he had agreed to it. He couldn't exactly tell the Baron the truth (there was no sense involving him any more than he had to be, after all), and was also reluctant to offer flimsy excuses-which the Baron would no doubt find insulting. Restraining the raptor with one arm, Jasper summoned another house-elf, sent it to get a sheet of parchment and quill, then quickly wrote a reply in his vaguely calligraphic script.
Vladimir: I would enjoy that. This evening. Do you mind if I bring a guest? You may find him as interesting as I do-a living relic from Earth's distant past, likely the only of his kind now in existence.
Jasper
The house-elf disappeared with his note, obviously eager to get away from the struggling, snapping dinosaur. Jasper wondered a little too late whether he'd addressed and signed the note too informally.
Reply
It was hard to focus on the question as to who the guest might be, though, as he wasn't sure exactly what time Jasper would arrive. He realized it would probably be best to see Jasper in a state more decent than a suspensor harness and a cape, and so, he immediately set to making himself as presentable as possible. Wrapping a new silk robe about himself, he noticed that he really did have to admire the quality for the price. After he determined he was about as presentable as he was going to manage, he settled himself on one of the sofas he'd had house elves bring in from other parts of the castle, and waited. Occasionally he'd practice a levitation or summoning spell on a small object, or read over some magical theory from the books A had brought him. But mostly thinking of the unlikely possibilities of the evening. Despite the unlikeliness, they were still a pleasure to entertain. He'd be perfectly happy whatever the results, provided Jasper had an enjoyable time- seeing him again and spending more time around this lovely creature who made him feel so strangely good was enough on its own.
Reply
At Alice's insistence (and with no small amount of her help), he was finally trying out wizarding fashion himself. His latest attempt was a set of fine velvet robes in a burnt copper colour, changing pale gold to near black depending on the light, and carefully tailored to be fitted throughout the torso and sleeves rather than being loose and flowing. Underneath he wore a nondescript, simple black dress shirt with a high collar, and black slacks. His cloak was of a contrasting deep blue shade. His only adornment aside from his wedding band was, as always, the Cullen crust crest-on a black wristband partially hidden beneath his sleeves.
Needless to say, he did feel more than a little ridiculous wearing velvet, but kept his discomfort from showing, remembering only too well what the Baron himself had shown up in. It seemed odd that a man from the distant future was likely to enjoy and appreciate wizarding fashion more than Jasper ever would.
He reached to rest a hand on the back of the raptor's neck as he lightly rapped on the Baron's door. Being in physical contact with his target amplified his empathic influence, though it wasn't strictly necessary at the moment-it just seemed a good idea to keep a hand on the beast in case it became necessary to restrain him again. That his empathic influence apparently kept the dinosaur bonded to him was something not even he could explain; he'd been meaning to speak with the Care of Magical Creatures professor, but hadn't gotten around to it yet.
Reply
Waiting beside Jasper was the mutant raptor who'd decided the vampire was his new packmate at his Sorting and had rarely left his side since. The raptor was even dressed in his own version of finery, a loose collar obviously meant for ornamentation rather than utility, and which was appropriately decorated with a rainbow of various colored jasper stones.
He stood about as tall as Jasper at his full height, but was currently crouched closer to the ground, the better to stalk his prey. The powerful muscles throughout his hind legs flexed as he shifted his weight slightly in preparation for a lunge. The touch of Jasper's inhumanly cold hand on his neck mostly dispelled the urge, so he made a content, continuous growling sound instead, not unlike a reptilian 'purr'.
Reply
He glanced around the room quickly to make sure that everything was in order. He'd even had the house elves come in to tidy up and make the bed. Floating to door, he thought he heard a strange sound behind it. It wasn't one that he could identify, but, it sounded animalistic. Vladimir decided that he would have to see if there was any sort of spell for looking through doors prior to opening them.
Jasper had said that he was going to bring someone. Perhaps this was what he was hearing? Reflecting back on the note, it did sound as if it was going to be someone that wasn't human. Maybe he had a pet? Vladimir realized that he wasn't going to find out by any method besides opening the door- of course, as soon as he opened it a crack and saw what appeared to be a rather large reptilian eye looking up at him, he closed it. He didn't slam it, he just gently closed it to take a deep breath before opening it again, trying not to think about talking dragons.
Two seconds after he closed the door he opened it again, this time more fully, one hand poised to grab his maula pistol. He was extremely relieved to see Jasper standing beside the raptor, which didn't appear to be doing anything specifically threatening. The fact that was a raptor made it impossible for the creature to appear unthreatening.
Vladimir smiled warmly at Jasper, filled with pleasure at the sight of him, and noting he'd dressed especially well this evening. He couldn't help but feel a flattered that he'd apparently made an effort. Not that anyone as lovely as this young man required much of one, but, it only made him a touch more impossibly perfect. The cut and coloring of the robe did suit him extremely well, although Vladimir couldn't help but wonder what that cut would look like in black leather. Perhaps he could find out, on Jasper of course. He knew better than to even try to pull it off himself, as he was stuck with robes out of practicality- anything he wore had to fit comfortably over both himself, and the suspensor harness.
"Do forgive that there- the sight of your friend was something a surprise. For a moment I thought that it was going to be the talking dragon. Please, come in." He drifted away from the door to allow Jasper and the raptor clearance, the latter of which he kept glancing at a bit suspiciously, although his hand no longer lingered over his maula pistol. "Your friend seems well behaved. . .forgive me if I have to ask what he is, and if he'll stay this calm. I've never seen a creature like it." Whatever it was, it was impressive, and looked like it was bred for the arena games.
Reply
"Talking dragon? Smaug, or the even bigger black one? You'll most definitely know them when you see them. And thank you," Jasper said with a polite smile, offering a courteous nod as he stepped inside first, the raptor closely following him. He kept his hand on the dinosaur's neck, subtly increasing his calming influence over the beast. It would soon begin to make the raptor feel somnolent. He didn't wish for this meeting to stress his not-quite-pet any more than he wished for it to stress the Baron. Ideally they could both relax while Jasper did his best to mask his nerves.
"According to the school application records this guy's a Velociraptor, a species of dromaeosaurid-a dinosaur, that is, that went extinct millions of years ago on Earth, long before human ancestors were even around. But Velociraptor fossils have shown them to only be about three feet tall. I think he's closer to a Utahraptor, another, much bigger dromaeosaurid. If that's the case he may still have some growing to do. Fossils of them have specimens standing over six and a half feet tall, and their aptly named 'killing' claws," he paused as he knelt to touch one of the raptor's claws, the impressively large, curved one on the second toe of his foot, "were about 10 inches long. Huge, adept predators. Nothing else quite like him is still alive on Earth today, not even in the wizarding world."
Walking encyclopedia syndrome had stuck again. He ducked his head a little as he stood back up, hoping the Baron didn't mind how verbose and almost tediously thorough his answer was.
"I think he's remarkable," he concluded, fondly running his fingers over the quill-like spines along the back of the raptor's head. Would those eventually become feathers? "You should see him hunt. But he's tame as a kitten around me, for some reason. I promise you won't have to worry about him."
Reply
Humans were so unusual! Didn't he know copulation was futile with another male? Of another species, no less.
He flexed both killing claws upward when the vampire touched one but was otherwise behaving just as tamely as Jasper promised he would. He resumed his content growl-purring when he was petted, his ever alert crimson eyes fixed on the Baron, trying to determine what relation this human had to his vampire packmate. There were only so many distinctions possible: enemy, prey, ally, family, mate. The last was unlikely; he knew Jasper's small mate by sight, by scent. Curiously, he made a short chirruping sound at the Baron.
Reply
"So there's two talking dragons? I've tried to avoid the one I knew about, but. . ." He considered, realizing that he was only being half-evasive of the creature. He thought about it a bit too often to really want to avoid it. "But I think I'm only avoiding it out of fascination- it seems wiser than going to look for it." He grinned at Jasper, wondering why he was bluntly honest with him about this. It was another mildly alarming sign of a genuine affection for him, that didn't appear based upon how pretty he was at all. That was a definite bonus, but, a great deal of people were pretty. Jasper had something else too.
He stared at the raptor with undisguised admiration as Jasper delivered his wonderfully comprehensive explanation about the deadly reptile. To think this was a creature from the very dawn of time was interesting enough, but, even if it not been, it would have been an impressive beast. Vladimir's gaze lingered on the wicked, elegant claws, aware that if the beast so chose, there was a good chance it would kill him before he could pull out his pistol. Even if you couldn't die, injury was probably possible, and, although sensation was often a lovely thing in so many unexpected forms, there were limits and displeasing variants. Such as your guts scattered on the floor. But still he felt no reason to fear the raptor, only to respect such a well-made beast properly. He felt strangely confident that Jasper did bring it along because he thought he would find it interesting, and he was very correct.
"He is remarkable, Jasper." He couldn't help but smile with a bizarre, instant fondness of the creature when it chirruped at him. Vladimir was a believer in certain aspects of natural law, such as the predator's right to be itself. Superiority was a trait to be admired, striven for, not derided out of some misguided sense of humility- what was good, or right, or beneficial in striving to be anything but the best? Such a brilliant design. He could imagine the speed at which it could move from its structure, and the power that must lay behind those jaws. "I am so pleased that you brought him to visit. He's not just remarkable, he's lovely. I would very much like to see him hunt one day, it seems it would be a display of nature at its finest."
It was rather difficult for the Baron to resist reaching out to stroke the spines of the docile-acting creature, being of an impulsively tactile nature. But he knew that acting was the key word, that he was not familiar to it, and it was very capable of taking his hand off in a second if it chose. "Please, do make yourself comfortable. I'm afraid it's not much, but, it's improved somewhat since I discovered it. I'll have to find better eventually, but it's quiet. Thank you very much for visiting." He smiled at Jasper, his mood about the best it had been since he arrived here. Although a couple of the times he'd gotten spells to work right were pretty good too.
He gestured to a couple of sofas, arranged in a close "L" around a coffee table, and drifted over to the red one he'd come to prefer. The other was an acceptable shade of gold, but he failed to find it as comfortable. The room he'd found was off a deep, rarely-used corridor in Slytherin, practically a dungeon, but it was large. It resembled an unused classroom from its size, and the fact that Vladimir had left the desk. He'd brought in (had the house elves bring in, more accurately) an assortment of furniture from various unused-looking rooms, including carpets and a large bed, now draped in crimson silks, and mostly partitioned from Vladimir's attempt at a sitting room by a screen.
Reply
"I've only seen the black dragon from a distance, but I've encountered Smaug-he's the red-golden one-a few times," he replied. "Given his foul temper, avoiding him probably is wise." And if Vladimir did run into the dragon, Jasper dimly hoped he'd be in the area. As he'd found out during said previous encounters, the dragon wasn't immune to his empathic influence, though he was understandably very nervous about tampering with the creature's emotions in the first place. The only sure way to kill a vampire of his kind was to tear them apart and burn the still-living pieces before any pulled back together-who better for that than a huge dragon? It was highly unlikely any of the lesser deities, demons, or even the kitsune at Hogwarts possessed the same physical strength or speed required for that feat. Vampires hadn't evolved to be the perfect predators by having easily exploitable weaknesses. (It was also a Very Good Thing Jasper was unaware of how Vladimir felt about predators.)
"I'm glad you like him," he said, amused by the raptor's attempt at communicating with the Baron. He smoothed his hand down the beast's snout. "Seems he likes you, too. He's very curious about you." That he knew through sensing the raptor's emotions, rather than having any understanding of what his sounds meant.
Jasper subtly took in the layout of the room at a glance as he moved to take a seat on the gold sofa, sitting on the end nearest to where Vladimir would be on the other. He didn't want to seem unfriendly, though he was grateful for the distance between them. Less likely to be any physical contact this way. He left the raptor to choose for himself where he'd like to be; he really wasn't a pet to be commanded, after all.
"Better?" he asked with a quiet chuckle, now deliberately looking around the overly large room for the Baron's benefit. He affected a very convincing impressed expression to ensure his next comment wouldn't be misconstrued as criticism. "The décor is very Gryffindor... Surprising, to see that in Slytherin. Your room's also several times the size of my own, and I share mine." He shared both of 'his' rooms, technically. His attention returned to Vladimir as he settled back comfortably against the cushions, looking more at ease than he truly felt. In truth the anxiety caused by recent events wasn't ever very far from the surface. "It was kind of you to invite me, Vladimir. How have you been liking Hogwarts so far? Have you started studying magic yet, or have you been too busy meeting all the unusual inhabitants here?" Both of which were simply educated guesses; he had no way of knowing for certain what the Baron had occupied himself with since their last meeting.
Reply
Then the two moved (and he observed the Baron floating with keen curiosity), so he wedged himself into the space between the coffee table and where Jasper sat, lying on the floor but with his chin resting up on the vampire's knees, to keep an eye on both men. As if he'd choose to be anywhere else. His adopted packmate obviously wasn't comfortable there, so the raptor didn't yet rule out the possibility of the human being an enemy, fear or no fear. On his home island humans did fall between the enemy and food categories. Especially the egg thief.
He started trying to nibble at Jasper's fingers in the way he'd often done in the past, not knowing any better and hoping to comfort him. Rougher than he'd have been able to be with a human, but, his teeth never pierced or even marked the vampire's hard skin.
((Done with Jasper-mun's approval!))
Reply
Magic was proving immersive, but, his pragmatic mind was learning to comprehend it by viewing it as a subtle scientific phenomenon. Beautiful, intelligent men who seemed to want to visit him and even to amuse him seemed more in the realm of mystical fantasy. Even if Jasper was masterfully playing him for some scheme or another, he didn't feel like worrying about it yet. First, he couldn't see what schemes he'd be much use in here yet, and, second, he knew that being involved in a scheme wasn't inherently bad. He'd pulled his nephew into a brilliant one, intended to land the boy the Imperial throne eventually.
He reduced the power of his supsensors, and settled himself with difficulty. Several days of atypical behavior combined with latent stress over the situation had hit him rather hard, his joints and muscles aching more than usual. He rested his right arm on the armrest nearest Jasper's couch, unable to repress a surge of strange emotion at seeing him sitting in his room, visiting of his own will. He wasn't sure what this emotion was, although it had something in common with the feeling after a well-earned victory. Could it be happy? It wasn't a frequent emotion if so, but he figured he should enjoy it as it was pleasant.
Smiling at the raptor, he told Jasper, "I'm very curious about him too. He's a beautiful creature- there's nothing quite like perfect design, and he's clearly perfect for what he's made for. You appear to have done a remarkable job with him- but you do seem a remarkable young man. Thank you again for dropping by- it's been becoming rather, hrm. . . I think the word is 'lonely'. I've met some interesting people, and, A's been incredibly helpful- but I'm sure he'd prefer to spend his spare time with people his own age. So your visit is a kindness to a somewhat confused old man." He chuckled, not sure why the hell he found himself behaving so honestly with Jasper. Perhaps the man had some natural appeal to those of a predatory nature, he inwardly mused, watching the raptor nibbling at Jasper's fingers, apparently with extreme gentleness considering the lack of damage. Which was fortunate, considering they were lovely fingers.
"I've been getting less confused, but am still confused as to why the hat put me in Slytherin, when it seems this Gryffindor may have been more apt. My House's symbol is the griffon, and there is too much green down here. It's not that I have an issue with the color itself, but, it's the color of the House of my ancestral enemies so I'm not fond of it for decoration. Better means a window, and a bathtub of reasonable size." He smirked, reflecting on the fact that at least it was a functional tub, just seriously cramped. "I'm stuck requiring a bit more room than average." And I even go playing sardonic at myself around him- why the hell does he make me act so relaxed? Perhaps because he doesn't seem to go judging?
He considered Jasper's inquiry about liking Hogwarts. "I'm not sure if I like Hogwarts yet. Some aspects are fascinating. Others, frustrating. I think I'd like it more if I wasn't constantly worrying about home, and if the cultural divide wasn't so profound." He was beginning to feel starved for physical contact, but, he could tell this was not a cultural atmosphere that allowed people to just do whatever they wanted based on superiority. Vladimir was a lifelong politician- he knew it was necessary to appear to be playing by the rules of the game at hand if he was to get anywhere.
"But I've met some interesting people, such as yourself." He gave Jasper his most charming smile. "And with A's help, have started learning about magic." He indicated a large stack of books on the coffee table. "A's idea of a few days worth of reading. He's a bright kid, with a great deal of potential if he's helped along the right way. He helped out with some shopping and obtaining a wand."
Reply
He politely focused on the raptor, letting him nibble his fingers as Vladimir got himself settled, not wanting the man to feel self conscious over being watched. Of course, Jasper was careful to do this in a very natural manner so it wouldn't be obvious he was concerned. Experiencing a rippling echo of Vladimir's emotions, he glanced back up in time to catch him smiling at the dinosaur.
"I really haven't done a thing with him except be myself," he admitted. "I wouldn't know the first thing about training a dinosaur, even though he seems smarter than any dog or horse I've known." The Baron's frankness about being lonely stirred a curious sense of sympathy in him, and prompted him to attempt to ease the man's mood further in the direction of that prior surge of pleasant emotion. Accompanying it was the usual serenely calming atmosphere he liked to project, which would also help to soothe Vladimir's physical discomfort a bit. The comment about being a confused old man drew a genuine smile from Jasper. He wondered if it wouldn't be uncouth to point out his own age-his true one, not his apparent age of 20-when he really couldn't relate to what it must be like to be a mortal with a body still susceptible to the ravages of time. "I enjoy speaking with you," he quietly added instead.
"Over the last few years Gryffindor became known as the House where emotionally damaged heroes in tight clothing got sent... but I think it's back to being the House for the brave now. You're not required to stay in the Slytherin dormitories, if you don't want to. There are also many spells for altering rooms-making them bigger on the inside without affecting their outside dimensions. I'm sure there's something like that for bathroom fixtures too. But creating a window may be a bit trickier down here," he mused, trying and failing to recall any appropriate spells that fit the bill. There were some that could possibly be modified for that purpose, but their results would undoubtedly be inferior to those of a specialised spell tailored specifically for creating functional windows with an outside view. He assumed Vladimir was hoping for a view of the sky and not the earth surrounding the dungeons, anyway.
He noted the stack of books, which probably would have only taken him a few hours to memorise. Leaning forward to turn one of the spines so he could read it, he realised he actually already had learnt that one.
"I've heard interesting theories about time anomalies here. You may find that no time has passed at all when and if you return home, even though years might have passed here." He gently stroked the raptor's snout to make up for jostling him a moment ago, and returned the Baron's smile. "I'm happy to hear A's been helping you. I visited him and his cats in his garden just the other day and helped do some pruning, it was very relaxing." Up until he'd inadvertently revealed his unfortunate dermatological condition, but that was better left unsaid. "Have you been practising any spells, then? Would you mind doing a demonstration?" he asked, teasing a little but figuring the Baron might like to show off if he did know any magic. He pointedly avoided mentioning anything about wands, though, lest Vladimir decide it was a euphemism and get the wrong idea.
Reply
"You do have a magical touch with old tyrants- I expect he can't help but but like you." He smiled warmly at Jasper and his pet, unsure why this man seemed to strip his usual emotional armor by simply being present, but it wasn't like he had an iron-fisted reputation to uphold at the moment. And it would have been a difficult to suppress the almost electrical effect of Jasper's smile and honest-sounding statement that he enjoyed their conversation. When was the last time someone like him wanted to speak with me, without a stack of political ulterior motives? Half a lifetime ago? It's experiences like this that have me wondering if I -am- dead, and this is some bizarre afterlife.
He propped up his legs on an ottoman angled between the sofa and table, grateful to be able to ignore some of his discomfort thanks to Jasper's distracting presence. An increased dose of spice had been of some assistance, but, the company was a better. He smiled at Jasper's ideas on room alteration- he'd been wondering if some of these things might be possible. "It's good I haven't ended up with a bunch of hero-types. They tend to be troublesome, and to the best of my observations, cause half the problems they 'solve'. I plan to try and find other rooms with a better location, but finding something to do first seems wise. It would be a nuisance to have to wind my way through the entire castle to get a classroom on the other side."
He grinned, explaining, "I've been considering teaching- being useless is frustrating. I visited A in his garden recently, and we chatted about it a bit. He's done a very good job with his garden, but it needs chairs. I've been suffering since I decided to sit on the ground. So we're putting in a gazebo. And his cats are charming- I've half a mind to obtain one. But I'm not sure it would provide much of a substitute for human companionship." Which was crazy to go admitting he wanted, but Jasper kept making him drop the typical masks.
"I've been leaning towards the anomaly theories, for my own comfort." He sounded embarrassed by this. The Baron didn't like ignoring things because it was convenient, but, in the circumstances, assuming this seemed the most mentally healthy approach. "It's better to think I'm still at home doing my job than entirely vanished. It makes it more possible to try and enjoy the experience, and to focus on remedial education. Which appears to go well." This surprised him, but he was consistently becoming less amazed every time something worked, because he knew it would.
He withdrew his wand from his robe. It was basic in design and rather short, but thick, made of polished oak, and absolutely inflexible. "I should be able to manage a demonstration. Hopefully it'll not be too much of one. I've already found a weak spot in overdoing it a bit." He made a mental note not to shout the spell. He'd already reduced several wine glasses to a fine powder by smashing them into the wall at high velocity. Luckily, he'd found the "reparo" spell, and it wasn't possible to over-fix things.
He focused on the wine bottles arranged upon a built-in shelf, and directing his wand, firmly stated, "Accio cabernet." One did fly over, at a reasonable speed. He placed it on the table before using equal self-control to summon a pair of glasses, which he set beside the bottle. "I'm not sure if it's good. I asked for quality red wines in Hogsmeade, but am unfamiliar with the vinyards."
Reply
Still smiling, his hand absently rubbing the back of his neck was the only indication of his discomfort over the compliments Vladimir always so freely paid him. He would have almost preferred insincerity and empty praise to this... bizarre flirtation, if he could call it that. He couldn't be sure what it truly was, between them, but hoped it would lessen into a more innocuous interest if he didn't explicitly encourage it. The change of subject to one not about himself was definitely welcome. That the Baron was hoping to gain another title and rank at Hogwarts came as no great surprise.
"Shall I start addressing you as Professor Harkonnen to get you accustomed to hearing it?" he asked solemnly, the corner of his mouth quirking up and giving him away. He wasn't serious. "What are you interested in teaching?" The remark about suffering explained some of what he sensed from Vladimir-he could perceive physical pain in others by the way it affected how they smelt, and even more clearly whenever the discomfort carried over into the mental realm, where it would then be reflected through subtle nuances in one's mood. Everyone was different; no two people had ever tasted quite the same to him, emotionally speaking. So this was what Vladimir tasted like when in mild pain.
Then came the entirely predictable wave of disgusted shame that caused Jasper to look away. He couldn't help liking the flavour, even relishing it; it was simply in his nature, he supposed, since he associated the taste of humans in pain with the more literal taste of human blood, and the all but forgotten relief of having his burning thirst quenched. He'd been living in a half-starved state for so long now...
By choice, he had to remind himself. And he knew he'd only feel worse if he ever gave in to his thirst. Few things compared to the torture of empathic backlash induced by a dying person.
"A gazebo is a very good idea," he commented, still not looking at the Baron, instead occupying himself with tracing the pattern of the raptor's scales with a finger. "I've never had a pet cat, but from what I know of them, they only offer companionship when they want it." This was said with a slight smile. He felt strangely pleased that the Baron was being so sincere with him, even if it also worried him. Maybe he was overdoing the empathic influence. "And I hope you're not hurting too badly? The house-elves would probably be able to help with that, or even someone from the hospital wing... That would seem to be their only purpose now, after all, since no one can die here and magical mishaps aren't as common as they once were."
He eventually glanced back up so he could provide the Baron with an appreciative audience for his demonstration. It didn't matter that Jasper could do the same thing-he knew what it was like to successfully master a spell and then be able to correctly perform it thereafter. The accomplishment felt good. He laughed quietly upon noticing it was red wine. Vladimir might one day understand his amusement, but for the present, Jasper would just play the gracious guest.
"You must be a quick study. And I'm sure you chose well, though I'm afraid fine wines will really only be wasted on me." He wasn't too thrilled by the thought of choking down wine. They all tended to taste like vinegar to him regardless of their quality, what with his changed palate. How absinthe was able to taste so good to him was still a mystery, but he suspected it had as much to do with La Fée Verte's presence and scent as the drink itself. All things considered it was good the Baron hadn't seemed keen on the idea of hanging around the hookah bar, so there was less chance of him ever witnessing what would undoubtedly be a very unfortunate display of inebriated vampire shenanigans.
Reply
The raptor had been being steadily lulled to sleep by the feel of Jasper's cold fingers moving over his scales, but the very soft whoosh of a bottle flying through the air caused him to jerk awake with a hiss of alarm. He sat taller and looked for the source of the noise, and there was a dull thump from his lashing tail striking a leg of the coffee table.
Magic was not a completely foreign concept to him; he'd been at Hogwarts for a few years, and there was also all the oddities he'd lately observed Jasper doing with and without a wand. He soon grasped what had happened when he saw the floating glasses moving to join the bottle on the table, so lazily resettled his head back in Jasper's lap. This magic wasn't something he had to fear or defend against. Let's be grateful he wasn't able to wedge his snout between Jasper's legs in the way dogs were prone to do, because he definitely would have. And he did try to, briefly, but gave up with another of his content, rumbling growls, his eyes losing focus again.
Reply
He shifted slightly, attempting to become more comfortable, which wasn't easy. He noticed Jasper's slight shift of mood and focus, and wondered if he might have said something wrong. "I hope I didn't upset your pet at all. And I know I'm only recently arrived, and it's rather presumptuous to assume I can find a job and fill it. But, this place needs some more organization. I can't figure out how it is being funded, and, if someone doesn't bother with some attention to details, it could become a mess." He sounded apologetic- it wasn't that he was apologetic about his idea, but rather about potentially upsetting Jasper in some difficult to discern way.
"The gazebo idea was A's, as I mentioned that he needed some seating. His garden was a pleasant sort of place to spend time in. My world is not the sort that's conducive to, hrm, natural settings. It's not that there aren't plants, but, it's very artificial conditions." He smiled affectionately at Jasper's inquiry about his well-being. Such a perfectly behaved young man. It's like he's been specially trained to be ideal company.
"I'm grateful for your concern Jasper. I'll survive. I'm just not really of an age or condition that's suited to a great deal of unexpected stress. It's mainly because I don't have my attendants. A good massage is the answer, and, house elves are not doing that. Or random strangers from a hospital wing." Vladimir was not about to be touched by creepy little midgets, nor did he feel confident dealing with medical practitioners who weren't Suk educated. Medicine here was probably primitive. It was one of those annoying aching conditions that didn't exactly hurt unless he moved, but it was all the more irritating for being constantly present. He'd decided just to wait it out. But, he'd happily allow Jasper to assist, and considered suggesting it, deciding against it for the time being. He didn't want to frighten Jasper off. His company was pleasant as it was, and, although he could think of many more things he'd like to do with him, Vladimir was content to speak with him for now. Not that he'd complain about whatever he could get.
"I'm sorry that you find wine less than exciting. But, if you let me know what you'd prefer, I can make sure to have it the next time you drop by." He summoned a corkscrew from the shelf and directed it next to the bottle and glasses. "Moving too much isn't that pleasant, so perhaps I can take advantage of your presence and talk you into opening that?" He smiled at Jasper hopefully- it was one of those questions that was delivered in the classic leadership style of phrasing a command as a question. But, it wasn't demanding, and there were tones of affection in Vladimir's voice. He was of course unaware of Jasper's empathy, but, even without it, his reaction would have been similar, simply due to the man's behavior and appearance. Thus, Jasper's empathic influence was having a magnifying sort of effect, rather than creating an artificial one. And so it was very effective.
"So far, the subject of magic is interesting, but I'm not so sure I've been learning that quickly. I've only bothered with a few spells. Mainly, spells related the manipulation of objects. It's easy to see if they've succeeded, and it provides a good concrete reference. Mostly I've been studying the theory behind the spellcraft, more than bothering with any rote memorization. Everything has foundational patterns, and, if I learn to understand those first, the rest should come easily. And could be improved upon."
Reply
Leave a comment