channellings | ☂ fellden inbox

[klaus's mouth instantly opens but whatever words he'd been planning to say die right on his tongue. no, he doesn't intentionally hide it from people; however, he's never gone out of his way to announce when he's out getting drunk or high off his ass. old habits of making sure no one knows so he avoids getting into trouble die hard and all, even if he's an adult now. a slow, measured sigh and then he finally continues.]

Sometimes. Back home though, nobody was ever surprised to see me intoxicated.

[if that's something v's genuinely considering, he'd be pleased to know that he got the actual story before he decided on lying about his actual homeworld. (klaus can understand wanting the perks of having people believe he's not an otherworlder.)

he shrugs, teeters his left hand.] Most people think I should just embrace it? But they aren't the ones being haunted every goddamn night, so, y'know. [a feeble gesture toward nothing in particular with the same hand then it cups his cheek.

although he's pretty sure v doesn't understand in the sense of actually seeing things.]

[ Nobody was ever surprised.That sounds like someone V knows, and wonders how he actually feels about that internal comparison. Of all the people in Fellden he probably wants to date Dante the least. He takes his teacup in both hands before taking a drink out of it, eyes down in thought. ]

No, they aren't.

[ It's also the advice V would give. If Vergil had faced what haunted him instead of cutting it out, there would be no V and that is always the better world that V imagines. He was only able to survive by doing what Vergil couldn't, by reaching into the core of each familiar and letting the nightmares wash over him.

But not everyone is himself, interestingly enough. ]

Have you considered searching for a charm to suppress your hauntings?

[ He motions inward at some of the necklaces around his throat. There are actually quite a few, although he doesn't make it clear which are magical and which are just jewelry. He would prefer that not be clear to anyone, really. ]

There are things that I do not like touching me, so I wear a ward.

[ No more fae charm magic for him, thanks. ]

Edited (typo) 2020-03-16 04:36 (UTC)

[not to worry, v, he and dante have some things in common but are also quite different. mostly in places where it matters, too. klaus softens somewhat whenever v agrees with him, downcasts his own gaze then reaches for the flask, tucking it back into his pocket afterward.

feels a little selfish; though, in his defense, maybe he feels it's rightly claimed for once? and v doesn't seem to be judging, given the offer of charms.]

...I hadn't. [partially since half of him's afraid of the withdrawal, all while the other part almost prefers being inebriated most days. this, however, is true about his whole self:] Also because I'm sort of an idiot who forgot that was even an option?

[they're surrounded by magic twenty-four seven and, how unsurprising, something so small never occurred to him. maybe because he's drunk far often than not. he tucks his cup between his arms, leans over the table and carefully catches one of the cords, examining the trinkets there.]

Sounds brilliant, honestly. Where'd you get these done? Or did you make 'em yourself?

[ He's never had someone lean in to look at what he's wearing like that before. He doesn't often think about how he looks, but it's a moment like this that brings it to mind. ]

The charms I've asked for as blessings.

[ He says that like it's been the formal monthly variety every time, but one of them was a direct gift from Temperance. ]

The rest I've just been collecting since... [ Oh right. ] Well, I took everything off a man I knocked unconscious after I was created. He had some jewelry.

[ There was a reason he wanted to explain how he was created before telling stories like that. ]

[v could wear a goddamn paper bag and make it look great, he has nothing to worry about. klaus's index finger curls tighter, the middle digit catching one of the charms, his thumb rubbing over it thoughtfully.]

Blessings, huh? [it really is a genius idea.

maybe, if he remembers, he could ask for something that might help keep the spirits away (because there are a lot more around fellden than he would've thought).]

Wait, did you knock him out for his jewelry? [listen, he's not judging, klaus has done the exact same thing— or something similar to it, at least. he's undoubtedly taken shit off people while they were unconscious, that's for sure.]

I hope that helps. I--

[ He was going to say something about understanding what it's like to be carrying something awful all the time, but he just... doesn't want to. It's the first time so far he's shirked, he's doing pretty well. ]

It was his clothes I needed, for the most part. Griffon and I needed to escape in a rush, he threw me out a window. [ This was a necessary thing, but the point still remains that he had been thrown naked into a pile of trash and really needed some clothes. ] I thought taking the jewelry as well would help... sell the lie.

[ He clears his throat. ]

I liked his jewelry more than his fashion, but prior to coming to Fellden that was all I owned.

[ Stolen clothes, stolen cane, borrowed nightmares, and a discarded book. ]

[klaus withdraws after v hesitates, lifts his head just enough to meet the other man's eyes, his own curious, silently scrutinizing. whatever v wanted to say, he has every right to keep it to himself... but that isn't going to make him any less inquisitive. was he about to say something about understanding? yikes!

finally, since it seems like he's lingered plenty, he releases v's necklace, shifts further back and plants himself in his seat proper.]

The guy threw you out the window or Griffon did? Either way... yeowch. [mainly if he was naked too, like, what the hell, man? he huffs a laugh at that, shakes his head then takes a pull from his tea before commenting,] Probably not the worst idea, to be honest.

[he snorts this time, barely manages cupping a hand around his face to muffle the rest of the noise (because the second half of the remark is not funny at all).]

That's okay, I came to Fellden the same way and back home, I... didn't really have much else, anyhow. [a faint shrug.] Hell, I've got more stuff here than I do there, I'm sure.

Do you care about 'stuff'?

[ Ah, these are the kinds of weird questions you should expect from someone who hasn't existed for very long. Some behavior he's noticed in others and is now trying to determine whether it's a normal behavior or not.

The guileless curiosity on his face likely gives away that he isn't joking, and is actually interested in the implications of the answer. ]

Depends on the stuff.

[which isn't a lie, some of the shit he has is extremely important. the dogtags hanging around his neck at all times are more or less it, though.

an uncomfortable shift in spite of himself, his head briefly inclining, attention concentrated on his teacup.] Most shit can be replaced, it's true, but there are some things that are just... priceless, you know?

[ Does he know? He knows how Vergil feels about the Yamato and about his mother's locket, but does V have anything that important? Someone might tell him it was the book of poetry that Vergil had carried since childhood, but doesn't that description alone explain how that isn't his, yet again? ]

I have yet to find something like that.

[ Was it inevitable? Or could you go your entire life without finding something priceless? ]

But I do like books.

[ What a shocker the guy is a nerd. ]

[oof. evidently, v needs to find something to make his own, something personal— or perhaps someone? because friendships can count, too. they're rather priceless in their own way.]

Oh. Well, uhm... I'm sure you'll eventually find something? Even if you don't, it's no big deal, not everyone finds comfort in material things.

[but of course, he likes books and that's a start, isn't it?]

Nerdy, [he grins.] I like it. Books are pretty great though, to be fair.

[ The real question is what book of poems does V have in his cloak pocket today... Let's dig it out. Poems Bewitched and Haunted, a little pocket edition with jack-o'-lantern faces in a pattern across the front. ]

Most of my time is spent reviewing textbooks and researching, but I have a few of these I like to take with me.

[ Even nerdier. Textbooks and poetry. ]

[the moment he does, klaus's propping onto an elbow again, leaning to see the book, eyebrows arched with curiosity.] Poems? Oh no, that's cute, [he gestures toward the little pumpkins, sighs and touches his cheek with his opposite hand.]

Anything good in there? Can't say I've read that one.

[nerdy or not, he can appreciate some good prose.]

I have a few of these, on different themes. Different poets from different time periods. They're easy to keep in a pocket, and read one or two when I have a minute.

[ His circuitous answer about if any of it's good. He just likes being able to read poetry, and if one or two aren't that interesting, there's a selection of others to try. But here, this one is short, ]

I met a ghost in an old bare house,
That looked with lustreless eyes at me,
And drove from my eyes sweet dreams & drowse,
Till the morning made it flee.

My house is builded of years decayed,
And in vain I fill it with new glad light,
For a love that is lost is a ghost unlaid
That troubles the silent night.

[ It's more than likely that his reading of it is more interesting than the poem itself. Calm and sonorous, someone who takes pleasure in the simple act of poetry its sounds, its structures, and its intent to bring indescribable things into description. ]

[before he's even given the chance to ask v to read something, his fellow otherworlder is already opening the book, choosing some poem about ghosts and houses and dreams.

klaus listens intently, absorbing each and every word while he absentmindedly sips at his tea. the prose is interesting; not quite what he'd have in mind when picking poems, considering his whole mediumship thing, but it's still good—

and listening to v speak is completely, one-hundred-percent worth it. his voice is lyrical, smooth as silk, like chocolate melting on the tongue— oh. well, that was unexpected, makes him duck his face a little further into the teacup. he's never been afraid of making his intentions known, regardless of being in public even, although he is somewhat worried about coming on too strong and putting v off.

once klaus's sure nothing inappropriate will come out,] Interesting choice, [he comments around the rim of the cup, lowering it again a moment later.]

What else is in there?

It's the shortest poem in the book, I wasn't going to bore you with a full recitation of the Wood Witch.

[ His smile quirks sharp, not at all feeling down about his poetry habits and more bemused by the idea. Keeping the man hostage in this tea house just to give him a good sense of the book he's reading. Ridiculous. V pushes the book of pocket poems across the table. ]

You can take it, if you want.

[ Being offered whatever book V has on hand is something you'll just have to get used to. He likes books, but there are always others. He refuses to be obsessed with the same book of poetry for twenty years like Vergil. Not here, when he had the opportunity to read anything this world could offer. ]

Wow, rude, how do you know I would've thought it'd be boring?

[he's joking, obviously, grinning in kind while he finally sets the cup down, right as v's sliding the book his way. klaus considers it, tilts his head somewhat then reaches out and rests his first two fingertips against the cover, pulling it closer so he can pick it up.]

You sure? Wouldn't wanna deprive you of good reading material. [not to mention he has no idea when he'll actually read it? sooner rather than later, he'd assume.

to be honest, klaus needs more distractions during his downtime anyhow. something for him to do besides drinking and being obnoxious toward his friends would be good; long ago, he'd have his nose in books all the time, usually back-to-back with a certain horror-filled brother but... well, times have changed.]

[ V's own hands lift off the book's cover with a gesture to say 'it's all yours'. ]

Let me know if you like it.

[ Your new beau just built in an excuse for you to see him again. What a clever guy that V is. ]

[he accepts it with ease after that reassurance, briefly dips his fingers between the pages and flips through a few, studying some words.]

Thanks, V. [then klaus twists around, tucks the miniature novel into his coat-pocket, turning back to him afterward] I can appreciate new reading material.

[and whatever excuses possible to see v again.]

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