there's an art to life's distractions

[thomaswieland]

aemiliablack​:

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

I can’t say that isn’t something I’ve had to do before, so you may still get your chance. I’m not asking for you to betray a soul. Especially not your kin. I know you’d never do such a thing. Especially not for the likes of me. I want to see you perform, gauge your potential when you’re not sulking around my home. You already know everyone else here. That’s not a challenge. Simply get them talking more than they are. The bigger rewards such as trust, friendliness in a lonely world for like hearts of endangered species, special benefits… and potential torture assignments… come after building foundations. And perhaps I can extend the same courtesy to your Cristiana, sans the offer to do torture. Mind you, this offer will close at the end of this conversation, permanently.

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

Get them talking about what? What could you possible hope to learn that they would tell me and not you? Nothing that you couldn’t use for nefarious purposes, at some point. I’m not too fond of being tested, either. Loyalty isn’t going to spring up out of nowhere on either end. Your people still did kill my entire family. And so I opt to skip this assignment. Perhaps you’ll get my help with the next one. Then end the conversation; take back your offer. I won’t hold it against you when you need my help with something and you’ve suddenly changed your tune.

[thomaswieland]

aemiliablack​:

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

Good. Dealing with the humans can be counted as your trial for that particular benefit. But your ability to gather information amongst those who aren’t so easily compelled… I’m curious. The new group who came in… I’ve learned some things about them as the host, yes. But I think you could learn more, don’t you? For the sake of an overabundance of caution towards new faces and abilities. 

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

Ah, I thought I’d get to torture information out of your enemies or something in that category. Hard no. I’m not interested in being your spy. Carmen is a vampire, and one I quite like at first glance, she automatically gets my loyalty. And she vouched for her two witches. I’m not rushing to you to parrot back the things I learn about them. Maybe I’ll jump on the next freelance opportunity.

[thomaswieland]

aemiliablack​:

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

I can see your point. Being bonded for life to anyone else wouldn’t be quite the same. Well, Thomas Wieland… you enjoy performing and figuring out peoples’ inner workings. You’re resigned to the boredom that will accompany you in your stay here, but you wanted a challenge when going to find the right humans to kidnap. Would you be interested in more challenges that make use of your skillset to keep the boredom at bay? Accepting such a fate is admirable and I’m more inclined to tolerate your presence for it. But perhaps together, such paths don’t have to simply trudge along. 

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

If I get occasional exceptions to the policy on leaving the property, then of course. I’ll gladly do some of your errands to kill the time.

[thomaswieland]

aemiliablack​:

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

And are you capable of learning what makes people tick through nonviolent means? There must be some level of charm to you under regular circumstances, as an immortal stage actor. It’s not just any legacy. The Black coven has always sat at the top in the world of magic. The way my family has done things through all those centuries is exactly why it is still here. It’s how they survived, and it is how it will continue to survive, along with all of the people who now reside in my home. You understand the value of something ancient. All of that is currently only living through me. As for rebuilding my ranks… that is something I will have to invent a solution for during my quest for our survival. Fortunately, I’m an inventive type. Whatever it takes. And has that point brought to you about children changed how you look at Alex?

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

It certainly takes longer. Then I suppose you sit at the top of the magical world alone for the moment? How very lonely. Looks like I’m not the only member of an endangered species. I can’t wait to see what recruitment methods you come up with. You’ve misunderstood entirely. No, I’ve always wanted to sire someone; it was never in the cards. Turning drains the stores of magic in a dreadful way. So in a way, I got something impossible. I wouldn’t have given her blood in the first place if I didn’t like her enough to want her to keep existing for a while longer. Yet....it’s not the same. It will never be the same as finding a kindred soul and giving them the gift of immortality. Like replacing Presley with the next wolf you stumbled upon, and one who didn’t particularly like you at that.

[thomaswieland]

aemiliablack​:

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

By all means, if you have a detailed list to share, I want to hear those crimes. Presley Stone is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I can’t swallow my pride as each and every person comes to recognize her capabilities. If your behavior remains true to your words, then perhaps boredom won’t be the only thing in the cards for you during your stay. My sister is a Devereaux which makes me the last Black in my coven. I’ve been saddled with a duty that transcends my desires. What those are no longer matters. I’ll be heading the coven until I die, yes.

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

You didn’t get there on your own, it wasn’t earned. The bulk of it involved a ballerina in any case, and we both know how that one ended. Blair had a few hoops to jump through, but I assume she’s already been welcomed home into the pack in a sickly sweet reunion scene and all is well. The rest was just a bit of fun - I like to know what makes people tick, and to put on a good show. If no one has come to your door yet complaining of lasting psychological damage, there probably isn’t any. Ah. I see. Hard to let go of a legacy, isn’t it? I never understood people’s need for children when I was young, these narcissistic little copies of yourself to bring up and tell your stories in an overcrowded world. Then someone pointed out to me that if your name dies with you, you’re breaking a chain that starts with you and stretches back to the beginning of humanity. Puts a very different spin on things. How do you plan to rebuild your ranks?

[thomaswieland]

aemiliablack​:

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

Going above and beyond is the way to garner my interest, which is often much safer than my wrath. I like to know where people stand with each other, especially when it concerns their wellbeing and personal goals. Mutuality is power. How instant is the healing? I imagine you welcomed immortality to pursue those pleasure eternally. And what of your desires now? Is keeping Cristiana taken care of the only thing you’re after?

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

No detailed list of crimes requested, then? None of it is as bad as you’re probably imagining. And I never laid a finger on your familiar, though I had a chance to break a few of hers. Excellent judgement on your part, by the way. One of the only quality wolves to be found. Healing is near instant - a few minutes at most. I welcomed immortality to follow the two of them around for eternity; I only realized the other implications later on down the line. I’m ancient and trying to learn patience. If I have to wait out a few years of boredom here to make sure Gideon doesn’t catch up with either of us, it is a small length of time in the scope of things. What of your desires? Do you plan to keep the top spot in your coven until the day you die, or do other goals compete for your attention?

[thomaswieland]

aemiliablack​:

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

So vampiric powers block magic and concentrated magic blocks vampiric powers. But what of vampiric powers working against other vampires? Is there enough magic there to block each other? I won’t mention your family if you don’t expect a congratulations for not murdering someone I rather enjoy to have around. And I certainly won’t be handing you any names. I’m no fool. Compulsion, enhanced hearing, supernatural strength, immortality… am I missing anything? What did you spend your time on these past few centuries up until this point? And what is your last name?

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

They don’t work against other vampires. You can’t compel a vampire, and Silas’ empath magic never worked on any of us. There’s a weird pull to my own kind, I imagine the same sort you feel for witches. Probably to do with our souls being made of the same fabric. I don’t expect anything - in fact, I was giving you even more information than you first asked for. You seemed very interested in my crimes here, in your talks with other people. The healing potential in vampire blood, that’s the only other major thing. Thomas Wieland. I spent it on the normal time wasters: art, food, travel, humans. I was a farm boy that hated the farm and ran off to become educated, but instead wound up a stage actor enjoying life’s most hedonistic pleasures. Cristiana and Nico stumbled upon me there. I’ve travelled with them for the majority of my afterlife.

[thomaswieland]

cash-stone​:

That’s definitely a possibility. I respect the practice for everything it could bring, the history of it, and the risk. You did some messed up things. I won’t take back being angry at you. But you’re on our side now which means it’s not my decision whether or not to protect you if it came down to it. Magic is magic. Choosing the better path can be painful sometimes. If I were you, I’d ask. No harm in trying, right? Feel people out and see what they think rather than guess it and maybe you’ll get the opportunity to learn some moves. If you’re here to lend a hand, then it makes sense to want that hand to be a trained one.

You’re being very genuine tonight, I don’t know what to do with that. I thought I would be watching a drunk werewolf by now. I'll leave you to leave you to mourn your friends.

[thomaswieland]

aemiliablack​:

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

And yet here we both are, against each other’s soundest dreams. A twist of fate and interests. I’m curious about both. For example, is it only humans you can compel? And do you possess magic like the late Silas? 

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

Humans, holistic witches, bitten werewolves. Anyone without enough magic in their system to properly block it out, in essence. I only used it against two people here, if that helps. The dead human and Lucio. And I didn’t even murder him when I found out he was just a very good actor stalling for time, plotting the demise of my family. Going forward? Don’t speak that name again if you want to remain pseudo friendly. In a similar vein of thinking, I request to never know who gave the killing blow to the other three. Enhanced hearing, I’ll put it together eventually, but best not to have a list of names at the ready in either case. And no. He was a witch when he was turned. I was ordinary.

[thomaswieland]

cash-stone​:

I do. Being bonded to a witch is the dream. But it’s also a big decision. It’s permanent, and you share a lot with each other through the bond. It’s not like dating. You can’t just try people out. Once you’re in, you’re in. If that package isn’t threatening other magic, then I protect it all the same. Why just the girls? Not you?

So a true marriage with no divorce option. That sounds terrifying. Never agree to bond with a morally questionable witch, my first instinct would be to kill off an unsatisfactory bonded wolf and find another. Not me. You seemed positively overflowing with simmering anger the last time we spoke, I didn’t think your protection was in the cards. Honestly, I went four hundred years without getting desiccated, and then somehow wound up staked twice in one week? My assumption was that in some grand overtaking of the manor, I’d wind up with a similar fate rather quickly. No one seems to understand that Cristiana and I are old and powerful, but we were never fighters. And I think attending fight training alongside her might.....put everyone on edge.

[thomaswieland]

aemiliablack​:

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

And I had this wonderful dream last night that my house was my own again and there was nary a vampire in sight, but reality is harsh and we must put our energy into changing it or moving on. Since the former didn’t work out and you were so accommodating with the kidnapping, I say it’s time we had a real conversation. I want to know more about your kind. About you. I have a love for knowledge as well as history. If you’re to be staying here and civility is a common interest, then perhaps you could humor me. 

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

Reality is harsh. My dream was that you never surfaced from the cells and your sister finally realized that the tortured leader look was good on her. A woman of her word, that one. Well, you have managed to get my ego interested. I’m afraid you’ll have to be more specific. Were you curious about my history, or about what I can do? Because I assumed you would come to realize sooner or later that my less savory talents could be used to your benefit. It isn’t all just kidnapping humans.

[thomaswieland]

cash-stone​:

I guess it depends on which witch you heard all that from. They all have different expectations of us depending on how traditional they are, their previous experiences with wolves, and which coven they’re from. But even that can vary sometimes. Miss Aemilia’s bonded to my sister, but Mr. Alister didn’t really want anything to do with us. Then there are some witches who don’t like titles, and a couple who don’t see us as anything at all other than ourselves regardless of species. I’m a traditional wolf myself, which means I’m here to protect magic with my life, and serve in whatever way the witches need. That’s pretty typical of a Devereaux wolf ‘cause that’s how we’re trained. 

You seem to have an awfully clear head about it all. Your heartbeat didn’t falter for any of that. For something that seems so coveted and sacred, there are very few bonded wolves running about. Something doesn’t add up there. Vampires are magic too, you know. I’ve wrapped my head around the necessity of what needed to be done with the others. But you claim to worship magic. We have it, just in a different package. Keep that in mind if the girls ever need protecting.

[thomaswieland]

aemiliablack​:

[ PRIVATE F2F ] @thomaswieland​

Ah. We run into each other again at last. Now that we’re here, I’d like a word. Drink?

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

I was counting down the moments. If we’re trying our hand at civility today, sure. Pour. What’s on your mind?

[thomaswieland]

cash-stone​:

I don’t think that’s on their list of priorities. Sorry. Soldier’s gotta do soldier stuff at a moment’s notice. And I didn’t say I’m not aiming for a light buzz. I’m just not getting drunk. Mr. Alistar was also killed, down in the cells by Sabina. So… still a little unbalanced there. And if you want to count Noah and Alex… maybe even a little more unbalanced. Speaking of Alex, how’s that going? You created a new kind of hybrid and part of her is a werewolf. You’ve gotta be learning something about wolves from that. Depending how involved you are.

I suppose I’m confused about where you wolves fall in the hierarchy. Pesky vampire hearing picks up so much. Sometimes they talk about you like soldier servant hybrids, other times like teammates. Are you guys friends, is this one big happy family? Or do you work for them? Right - never met him, he keeps slipping my mind. I....am slowly learning more about the pack by osmosis so I can better understand Alex, yes. No one really knows what she’ll be. So far she seems to have picked up traits from both sides, and lord knows how those bits and pieces will interact. Stay tuned?

[thomaswieland]

cash-stone​:

Well I’m definitely not going to discourage you from trying. It takes a lot to get a wolf inebriated. This is more for ceremony. I’m not much of the ‘get drunk and lose control’ type. But if you want company for conversation and… to observe… you can pull up a seat. Honestly, it seems like you could use it. 

Literal witchcraft is all around you, and they haven’t even bothered to invent some sort of magically imbued alcohol that works on werewolves. These people aren’t your friends. Ugh. And then we’d be what - just two sober creatures sitting and making painful small talk, all in the name of ceremony? It isn’t as appealing if I don’t get to see you intoxicated. Your grip on control could slip every now and again, it might be good for you. Huh - unless I’m counting wrong, there were four dead at the hands of the vampires: your wolf friend, the two coven leaders, and that unfortunate whoopsie daisy with the ballerina. And your collective bunch got four vampire kills. The universe demands symmetry in the oddest of places.

[thomaswieland]

cash-stone​:

A lesson I’m sure I’ll have thoroughly learned in the next few minutes. You’ll… watch me drink? Great. Sounds like a great time. And when you say you’ll watch me… you’re planning on staying sober during this?

Until someone more to your liking comes along, of course. Tequila does nothing for me, in taste or effect unless it’s mixed with blood. And I made a promise that I’d try something in the vein of virtue ethics for my time here - do no harm, make good choices, and see if that magically alters a centuries old personality. Which means not taking blood from the unwilling. I can still enjoy the view. What are all those muscle groups for if not to impress people? Certainly not pure protection if you’re drinking on the job.

[thomaswieland]

cash-stone​:

It’s never easy saying goodbye to one of our own. It’s definitely not easy seeing so many witches off, either. But for Eden, a fallen warrior and someone who knew how to have a good time, I’m gonna find that brand of tequila she likes and have a shot in her name. Anyone’s welcome to join me. I’ll leave some for those who will be coming off their sentry shift later.

Anyone? You have to learn to think before you speak. I’ll watch you drink. In vino veritas, and all. You can even wax poetic about your fallen warrior.