[ 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. ]
[ Athos makes his way to the bathroom and spends some time trying to scrub his skin clean. His beard is still a little worse for wear and his face is far pinker than it should be but it's the best he can do. After that he changes his clothing and while there's still a sparkle about him, it's a little bit better.
Instead of going to bed like a normal person would, Athos nurses his wine. ]
[ It's some time before Sturmhond finds him again. He'd spoken to Elena first, and then gotten into a strange conversation with Seth that leaves him with a considerably lowered opinion of both of them.
Troubled, he comes to sit on the edge of his bunk, and he looks at the newly clean Athos with a rather grim smile. ]
Well. It's nice to see one of us was successful, at least.
That didn't go as well as I'd hoped. Athos, I need to know if you intend to go after this Stefan. I'd be very grateful to hear an answer in the negative, if it wouldn't give you trouble.
[ Athos pauses, his cup half way to his lips as Sturmhond enters and takes a seat. ]
Go after him? No, I'm sick of vengeance. [ It reeked too much of Anne and her re-emergence, of Milady and her plots. ] I intend to keep an eye on him however. And intervene if he's a threat. Why? What happened?
[ Sturmhond sighs. The intervention part of that is what bothers him. He reaches across, snagging the wine bottle and pouring a glass. ]
I want you to come to me, if it reaches that point. If you believe him a threat, and you intend to intervene. Come to me first, I want your word.
You’ll be glad you did.
[ Because at that point, he would tell Athos how to defend himself. He would tell him the weaknesses of the vampires from Elena’s world, such as he knows them. If it reaches the point where there’s a genuine danger to Athos’ life, or someone else’s, he’ll share what he knows, and if either Elena or Seth want to avoid him doing that, they’ll make sure that time never comes. They both know that’s his position, and so it will remain. ]
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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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[ He's already sensing that this is a lost cause. ]
Unless of course you wish to retain the sparkle. Perfectly understandable, of course, but I didn't think you were the type.
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I do find it hard to keep up with fashion. But if you allow me a moment I will see what I can do. [ Read: He will cover the bathroom in glitter. ]
do you want to timeskip to after he talks to Elena and Seth?
[ Laughing quietly, he moves to shoo Korol out of Athos' way. ]
I'll go out, while you do. Give you some privacy.
yes pls :>
[ Athos makes his way to the bathroom and spends some time trying to scrub his skin clean. His beard is still a little worse for wear and his face is far pinker than it should be but it's the best he can do. After that he changes his clothing and while there's still a sparkle about him, it's a little bit better.
Instead of going to bed like a normal person would, Athos nurses his wine. ]
(:
Troubled, he comes to sit on the edge of his bunk, and he looks at the newly clean Athos with a rather grim smile. ]
Well. It's nice to see one of us was successful, at least.
That didn't go as well as I'd hoped. Athos, I need to know if you intend to go after this Stefan. I'd be very grateful to hear an answer in the negative, if it wouldn't give you trouble.
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Go after him? No, I'm sick of vengeance. [ It reeked too much of Anne and her re-emergence, of Milady and her plots. ] I intend to keep an eye on him however. And intervene if he's a threat. Why? What happened?
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I want you to come to me, if it reaches that point. If you believe him a threat, and you intend to intervene. Come to me first, I want your word.
You’ll be glad you did.
[ Because at that point, he would tell Athos how to defend himself. He would tell him the weaknesses of the vampires from Elena’s world, such as he knows them. If it reaches the point where there’s a genuine danger to Athos’ life, or someone else’s, he’ll share what he knows, and if either Elena or Seth want to avoid him doing that, they’ll make sure that time never comes. They both know that’s his position, and so it will remain. ]
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