It's the kind of drunk that makes him feel like his body is blurred along the edges. A drunk that means he staggers back to the Rover and his journey takes twice as long. It's old. It's familiar. But he's still not drunk enough that his mind is turned off. It buzzes underneath his skull, fast and furious and full of things he doesn't want to think about.
Throwing the rover door open is easy. He spies Sturmhond just as quickly and pauses only in his trek inside to allow Korol to rub his flank against Athos' leg. Glitter comes off against the poor creature but Athos chooses not to mention it. If it isn't obvious by now that he's covered in the stuff, then he'd be worried for the privateer's eyesight. ]
You shouldn't be working. [ Good, he isn't slurring. He holds out his half empty bottle of wine to the other man. ] Drink. You'll feel better.
And then he stares. This isn’t actually a surprise, since he’d seen the other man in the medical tent the day before. He’d thought some of the sparkling stuff might have rubbed off before he made his way back here, though. Apparently not.
Sturmhond sets his plasma rifle aside to reach out and take the bottle.
The label is illegible, but it smells like decent wine, and when he takes a sip his tastebuds agree. Nodding, he offers it back. ]
Decent vintage. Has a nice nose to it. Though strictly speaking, I don’t think I’m the one needing to feel better.
[ Korol wanders up to him again, pivoting and trying to scratch at his own scales where glitter has come off on them. Sighing, Sturmhond grabs one of his shirts – this one had been set aside for washing, anyway – and starts rubbing the glitter away. ]
You’ve come back very flashy. I’ve never seen you so pretty; are you keeping the look?
[ He takes the bottle of wine with a small sigh, downing a large swallow of it. It makes him feel slightly sick but then again, most things do. ] I find it doesn't suit me.
[ His sparkling personality notwithstanding. ] Don't talk about the wine, just drink it. [ Handing it back over. You're now involved in a Musketeer challenge. You drink or you die. ]
[ Sturmhond lifts an eyebrow. Athos is more dour than usual, which - let's be honest, here - is saying something.
He sits up properly, taking the bottle back and indulging in a longer sip. It's got a markedly different flavour from Ravkan wine, but it's not unpleasant. ]
I'm not complaining. Do you want to tell me what you're celebrating?
Or commiserating, I suppose. You weren't the only one who got caught in their explosion, if that's what you're worried about. Plenty did. Green Team is full of damned heroes who seek their own death.
[ He raises the bottle, like he's offering a toast, and then passes it back. ]
[ Sturmhond lets Korol slide out of his hands, as the bahari pads over to Athos' bunk. He sits on the floor, looking expectantly up at Athos. Isn't he invited to this drinking experience? ]
Interesting viewpoint.
You do realise you're sporting just as much sparkle as they are? If you're planning to harangue them, you might want to choose something you're not equally guilty of. Just a thought.
[ Yes, he did just address Sturmhond's pet as though it could understand him. Perhaps he is drunker than he thought. He lifts the bottle up to his eye line and peers at the label as though it has some key to the universe. ]
The circumstances were different. [ With a lose shrug he takes another drink and then places the bottle in Sturmhond's hands. Yes, you're joining him.
He takes a seat, hands dangling loosely between his hands. ] I am well within my rights to be angry with them.
[ Sturmhond lifts his eyebrows, while he takes the bottle back. Korol, overlooked in the passing of beverages, lays down at Athos' feet instead and puts his head on his paws. Clearly, he's sulking.
Unlike Sturmhond, who watches his friend intently. ]
Are you?
Well then, do tell. What went wrong?
[ He takes another sip while he waits for Athos to answer, and offers the bottle back again. ]
[ He doesn't reply for a moment. Instead he takes the bottle and gulps down another sickly sweet mouthful. Glitter comes off against the neck of it as though he's shedding a second skin.
He stares at it for a moment before he speaks. ] What do you know of Stefan Salvatore?
[ Well, there's a question. It makes Sturmhond visibly pause, and his gaze sharpen. He sits up a little straighter, and then he takes out his glass device. With nimble fingers he starts scrolling through it, working while he talks. ]
That he's a very dangerous man, quite frankly. An associate of Elena Gilbert's. I read his file a while back, because of her. It made something of an impression.
[ Finding the right page, Sturmhond pauses with an 'Ah', and hands his device over to Athos. It's fixed on this page. ]
That's the sum of my knowledge, since I've not met him personally. I take it you have.
[ He's silent as he reads, his frown becoming more and more pronounced. This is the man he was partnered with? He'd accused Armada of setting them all to die and perhaps he was right to. Another vampire, and unlike Elena, one who doesn't seem to be particularly worried about the people around him. ]
He's the one I was teamed up with. [ Handing the device back, Athos lifts the bottle again. ]
[ Sturmhond takes the glass back. Because of Elena, and because of this file, he'd known Stefan was dangerous. He hadn't expected it to be announced by glitter, but things never transpired exactly as he expected here. ]
I see.
So, I am to take it you did not sacrifice yourself to save him. What did happen, Athos?
[ The thing is, Athos would probably have done what everyone assumes of him, were he given the choice. ]
He ran. But not before he shoved the thing at me and made sure I'd be the one to take the brunt of its blast. [ Were it done out of fear, he might have been able to understand. But Stefan had acted out of callousness and there is nothing worth than being without honour. ]
[ Sturmhond's expression doesn't change. He's good at that, well-practiced at it.
Inwardly, it's a different story. He knows those bombs wouldn't have killed Stefan, even if they'd been real. Elena had been fairly specific on what it took to kill a vampire. They're stronger than most, and vulnerable to very particular things. Stefan could probably have gotten rid of it fast enough to prevent anyone from being hurt.
Instead, he'd left Athos to die.
Sturmhond leans back, eyebrows lifting. ]
I think it's safe to say his his better nature is not in control, at the moment. I wonder what can be done about that.
I'll investigate.
[ He moves now, shifting across the room to sit beside Athos, and he claps a hand on his shoulder. ]
Would it be terribly sentimental to say I'm glad you're all right? Despite the vampire's best efforts. I've gotten so used to your lack of sleep and avoidance of conversation. It would be an awful trouble to replace you.
Do not approach him alone. [ For a minute his usual self breaks through the haze of alcohol, blue eyes clouded over with nothing but concern. He doesn't want anyone approaching someone who is so clearly mad. ] In fact, stay as far away from him as you can. I'll deal with it.
[ Then after a moment, as Sturmhond's other words sink in. ] Charming. I'd hate to have to put you to too much trouble. [ But! Is that a hint of a smile? ]
[ Sturmhond gives him the slightest little smile. So Stefan is an
immortal vampire of indeterminate age, strength and fortitude? That’s all
right. He’s no Darkling. There won’t be Nichevo’ya surrounding him,
or Merzost leaking from his fingertips. Sturmhond’s shoulder
lifts. ]
Besides, I like having powerful enemies. Makes me feel important.
[ And look at that. Almost a smile, which from Athos is equivalent
to a grin. That’s an improvement. ]
Your life does actually matter to me, Athos. After all, without you, who
would help me keep Wesley out of trouble? One man can only do so much.
[ He heaves out a sigh. ] It's possible I am surrounded by idiots.
[ Yes, that means you, Mr. Powerful Enemies. Because Sturmhond is now someone Athos considers himself close to and as such, he's bound up in this ragtag little family he creates. Of course, he would never allow himself to accept it as such. It has too many painful memories attached.
Dryly. ] And yours to me. So please do me a favour and don't get killed? Wesley will be the least of your worries then.
[ Which he’s come up with just while they’ve been talking, and he’s
still going over the options in his head, but don’t let that concern
you. ]
I don’t intend to confront him. After all what would I say, that he should
be more judicious in his application of glitter? I have something else in
mind.
Now, what is it that you plan to do? I’m presuming you don’t plan to let
this lie, no matter how much you preach caution to everyone else.
[ His plan is confront and stab, Sturmhond. ] You think I have double standards?
[ It sounds almost amused. Athos lifts the bottle of wine to his lips and finishes it with a satisfied hum, only getting up to fetch the second. He's running out and it will be a miserable time before he can get more but right now he doesn't care. ] And what is it do you have in mind?
[ Yes, he thinks you have double standards. He thinks you’ll take more risks than you’ll allow anyone else.
Which is good, in a way, it’s protective. It keeps the weak safe, but the problem is that it puts the strong in greater danger. Perhaps more than the strong can handle, in this case. He smiles, and shrugs his shoulders. ]
Read the file, Athos. He has a better nature somewhere in there. He’s just learned some bad habits.
Wildness can often be tamed. And where it can’t, it can be restrained with the right leash. I’ll talk to someone with a leash. See if we can’t solve this without undue stabbing. [ He lifts a brow. ] I doubt the Instructors would appreciate you killing another recruit. Perhaps this way, you won’t have to.
The Instructors don't seem too worried about the behaviour of their recruits. [ Meaning stop being a spoil sport and let him stab the evil vampires.
Uncorking the new bottle, Athos takes a less than healthy glug and retakes his seat. For a moment he simply watches Sturmhond and then he speaks. ] You may do it your way, if you like. But if he turns out to be a threat to anyone else then I will act. I won't allow people to be hurt, regardless of whether or not he has a more pleasing nature.
[ Please don't do this. Please don't put yourself on the firing line, don't get in trouble. That will make all of this so much worse.
Sturmhond puts a hand on his shoulder. ]
I understand wanting to protect them. I believe it's what you'd do no matter the risk to yourself, but please. Think on your companions. What would you counsel them to do, in your position?
There are alternatives to fighting. We are all recruits here. We have to act like it, and I don't want anyone saying you're no better at it than he is.
[ What would he council them to do? To take a different path, surely. He always has. And for a moment he's angry that Sturmhond can know so much of him when Athos would do all that he can to hide it. ]
I'll consider it.
[ He gives him the Musketeer equivalent of a stink eye, fingers clasped around the bottle. ]
[ His irritated expression simply shifts to another shade of displeased. ]
Does it offend you so? [ It's insolent, surely. But Athos' expression is mild and his tone polite. ] It would take hours and the alarms are nearly upon us. I would not want to deprive my companions access to the washroom.
[ He's going to keep drinking, you can't make him. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
day whatever you told me it was going to be ; late lmao
It's the kind of drunk that makes him feel like his body is blurred along the edges. A drunk that means he staggers back to the Rover and his journey takes twice as long. It's old. It's familiar. But he's still not drunk enough that his mind is turned off. It buzzes underneath his skull, fast and furious and full of things he doesn't want to think about.
Throwing the rover door open is easy. He spies Sturmhond just as quickly and pauses only in his trek inside to allow Korol to rub his flank against Athos' leg. Glitter comes off against the poor creature but Athos chooses not to mention it. If it isn't obvious by now that he's covered in the stuff, then he'd be worried for the privateer's eyesight. ]
You shouldn't be working. [ Good, he isn't slurring. He holds out his half empty bottle of wine to the other man. ] Drink. You'll feel better.
Day 35
And then he stares. This isn’t actually a surprise, since he’d seen the other man in the medical tent the day before. He’d thought some of the sparkling stuff might have rubbed off before he made his way back here, though. Apparently not.
Sturmhond sets his plasma rifle aside to reach out and take the bottle.
The label is illegible, but it smells like decent wine, and when he takes a sip his tastebuds agree. Nodding, he offers it back. ]
Decent vintage. Has a nice nose to it. Though strictly speaking, I don’t think I’m the one needing to feel better.
[ Korol wanders up to him again, pivoting and trying to scratch at his own scales where glitter has come off on them. Sighing, Sturmhond grabs one of his shirts – this one had been set aside for washing, anyway – and starts rubbing the glitter away. ]
You’ve come back very flashy. I’ve never seen you so pretty; are you keeping the look?
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[ He takes the bottle of wine with a small sigh, downing a large swallow of it. It makes him feel slightly sick but then again, most things do. ] I find it doesn't suit me.
[ His sparkling personality notwithstanding. ] Don't talk about the wine, just drink it. [ Handing it back over. You're now involved in a Musketeer challenge. You drink or you die. ]
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He sits up properly, taking the bottle back and indulging in a longer sip. It's got a markedly different flavour from Ravkan wine, but it's not unpleasant. ]
I'm not complaining. Do you want to tell me what you're celebrating?
Or commiserating, I suppose. You weren't the only one who got caught in their explosion, if that's what you're worried about. Plenty did. Green Team is full of damned heroes who seek their own death.
[ He raises the bottle, like he's offering a toast, and then passes it back. ]
Nothing I didn't already know.
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Don't talk to me about that. I could wring both Aramis' and d'Artagnan's neck. [ Taking a large gulp. ] It wouldn't help.
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Interesting viewpoint.
You do realise you're sporting just as much sparkle as they are? If you're planning to harangue them, you might want to choose something you're not equally guilty of. Just a thought.
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[ Yes, he did just address Sturmhond's pet as though it could understand him. Perhaps he is drunker than he thought. He lifts the bottle up to his eye line and peers at the label as though it has some key to the universe. ]
The circumstances were different. [ With a lose shrug he takes another drink and then places the bottle in Sturmhond's hands. Yes, you're joining him.
He takes a seat, hands dangling loosely between his hands. ] I am well within my rights to be angry with them.
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Unlike Sturmhond, who watches his friend intently. ]
Are you?
Well then, do tell. What went wrong?
[ He takes another sip while he waits for Athos to answer, and offers the bottle back again. ]
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He stares at it for a moment before he speaks. ] What do you know of Stefan Salvatore?
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That he's a very dangerous man, quite frankly. An associate of Elena Gilbert's. I read his file a while back, because of her. It made something of an impression.
[ Finding the right page, Sturmhond pauses with an 'Ah', and hands his device over to Athos. It's fixed on this page. ]
That's the sum of my knowledge, since I've not met him personally. I take it you have.
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He's the one I was teamed up with. [ Handing the device back, Athos lifts the bottle again. ]
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I see.
So, I am to take it you did not sacrifice yourself to save him. What did happen, Athos?
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He ran. But not before he shoved the thing at me and made sure I'd be the one to take the brunt of its blast. [ Were it done out of fear, he might have been able to understand. But Stefan had acted out of callousness and there is nothing worth than being without honour. ]
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Inwardly, it's a different story. He knows those bombs wouldn't have killed Stefan, even if they'd been real. Elena had been fairly specific on what it took to kill a vampire. They're stronger than most, and vulnerable to very particular things. Stefan could probably have gotten rid of it fast enough to prevent anyone from being hurt.
Instead, he'd left Athos to die.
Sturmhond leans back, eyebrows lifting. ]
I think it's safe to say his his better nature is not in control, at the moment. I wonder what can be done about that.
I'll investigate.
[ He moves now, shifting across the room to sit beside Athos, and he claps a hand on his shoulder. ]
Would it be terribly sentimental to say I'm glad you're all right? Despite the vampire's best efforts. I've gotten so used to your lack of sleep and avoidance of conversation. It would be an awful trouble to replace you.
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[ Then after a moment, as Sturmhond's other words sink in. ] Charming. I'd hate to have to put you to too much trouble. [ But! Is that a hint of a smile? ]
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I’ve faced worse than him, Athos.
[ Sturmhond gives him the slightest little smile. So Stefan is an immortal vampire of indeterminate age, strength and fortitude? That’s all right. He’s no Darkling. There won’t be Nichevo’ya surrounding him, or Merzost leaking from his fingertips. Sturmhond’s shoulder lifts. ]
Besides, I like having powerful enemies. Makes me feel important.
[ And look at that. Almost a smile, which from Athos is equivalent to a grin. That’s an improvement. ]
Your life does actually matter to me, Athos. After all, without you, who would help me keep Wesley out of trouble? One man can only do so much.
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[ Yes, that means you, Mr. Powerful Enemies. Because Sturmhond is now someone Athos considers himself close to and as such, he's bound up in this ragtag little family he creates. Of course, he would never allow himself to accept it as such. It has too many painful memories attached.
Dryly. ] And yours to me. So please do me a favour and don't get killed? Wesley will be the least of your worries then.
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Well, you need not be worried. I have a plan.
[ Which he’s come up with just while they’ve been talking, and he’s still going over the options in his head, but don’t let that concern you. ]
I don’t intend to confront him. After all what would I say, that he should be more judicious in his application of glitter? I have something else in mind.
Now, what is it that you plan to do? I’m presuming you don’t plan to let this lie, no matter how much you preach caution to everyone else.
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[ It sounds almost amused. Athos lifts the bottle of wine to his lips and finishes it with a satisfied hum, only getting up to fetch the second. He's running out and it will be a miserable time before he can get more but right now he doesn't care. ] And what is it do you have in mind?
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Which is good, in a way, it’s protective. It keeps the weak safe, but the problem is that it puts the strong in greater danger. Perhaps more than the strong can handle, in this case. He smiles, and shrugs his shoulders. ]
Read the file, Athos. He has a better nature somewhere in there. He’s just learned some bad habits.
Wildness can often be tamed. And where it can’t, it can be restrained with the right leash. I’ll talk to someone with a leash. See if we can’t solve this without undue stabbing. [ He lifts a brow. ] I doubt the Instructors would appreciate you killing another recruit. Perhaps this way, you won’t have to.
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Uncorking the new bottle, Athos takes a less than healthy glug and retakes his seat. For a moment he simply watches Sturmhond and then he speaks. ] You may do it your way, if you like. But if he turns out to be a threat to anyone else then I will act. I won't allow people to be hurt, regardless of whether or not he has a more pleasing nature.
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[ Please don't do this. Please don't put yourself on the firing line, don't get in trouble. That will make all of this so much worse.
Sturmhond puts a hand on his shoulder. ]
I understand wanting to protect them. I believe it's what you'd do no matter the risk to yourself, but please. Think on your companions. What would you counsel them to do, in your position?
There are alternatives to fighting. We are all recruits here. We have to act like it, and I don't want anyone saying you're no better at it than he is.
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I'll consider it.
[ He gives him the Musketeer equivalent of a stink eye, fingers clasped around the bottle. ]
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Good. Thank you.
[ His hand comes away covered in glitter, and with a wince he starts brushing it away. ]
Now. Is there any chance I can convince you to do something about this, before it redecorates our rover?
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Does it offend you so? [ It's insolent, surely. But Athos' expression is mild and his tone polite. ] It would take hours and the alarms are nearly upon us. I would not want to deprive my companions access to the washroom.
[ He's going to keep drinking, you can't make him. ]
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do you want to timeskip to after he talks to Elena and Seth?
yes pls :>
(:
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