VUKODLAK

VALENTIN KUZNETSOV || WEREWOLF

[emiliaxhan]

Right, the other me spent time here being a nuisance. I wouldn't make this choice if I didn't consider the dangers for our Azriel, yet, he is the only person capable of pulling the trigger when even the gods haven't. Look, I'm accepting of his decision spending time with Lust knowing their prior relationship and maybe I'm willing to share, but I'd be lying if I said a fraction of it did not come from a place of jealousy. I care about the version we have, Valentin, I've known him for most of his life. I had centuries of loneliness without a companion because anyone knowing my secret was dangerous. It's the life as the Weaver, tiring, always alone. I wasn't alone with the other him. That is half of where my feelings stem from and the other...is his capability of darkness. I am also capable of such seeing that I set to ruin the lives of the princes for Az. This feeling of disgust and fascination to witness something so terrible but gripping scares me, I can't lie. Here I am, though, unable to look away or run from him.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

That she did, was probably about two seconds from jumping my bones had I not stopped her. You are being manipulated, Lia. I may not have met this other version of Azriel, but I can imagine who he is if he is so different than ours and harboring a darkness that calls to yours. You are a conquest, and you're falling into his hands. You say that you weren't alone with the other Azriel, but you were never truly alone with ours either. Our Azriel cares for very small number of people, and while his road may have taken him from the coven, he never strayed far from you. He went to you when he left his demon Prince. He trusted you with the people he cares most for in the world. You are unable to look or run from the other Azriel because he designed it that way. He is with the alternate version of you; he knows exactly how to be who you think you need.

[theresilent-uriel]

Don't think you're being sly by making any implications, Vals, but my supposed voracious hunger for the someone we know doesn't really matter. He made his choice and I can't change that.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

I have no bone in my body capable of being sly– I meant what I said. My cousin is an idiot, but so was I for centuries. I suppose it runs in the family, even if we aren't related by blood. Is this... how you will be content, then? Just staying by his side?

[robinxellis]

"It's my effervescent talent." Robin dropped the small brown backpack stuffed with their favorite books and began pulling them out one by one as he hummed an agreement to read them all to Valentin, pausing briefly at the wolf's last statement. "Val, babe, where did this romantic side come from? You'll make me blush." He plopped a seat next to the other and reached out a hand, running the back of his index finger against Val's jawline before slowly smiling, "If you wanted to stare at me, you could do that without the excuse of a book."

[valentin-kuznetsov]

Val shrugged lightly as he leaned back, propping an arm behind the dhampir. "Now you do have me curious to see if I can make you blush with just words alone." He gave Robin a lopsided grin, his hand moving to thread through his hair lightly, "I know I could always just stare, but if I don't have a book to focus on, I would get distracted really quick with other things."

[wickedlyxenvy]

You stop to take a shit and everything still gets in the way from doing that. Anything I can do making your stay more comfortable and homely, that's my responsibility while my wife is responsible worrying about every occupant here. I kind of grew up watching how the twins in my family went out of their way for each other, so I got a few pointers. I'm happy you still think I'm a good host after accidentally losing a kid.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

To be honest, just the fact that you're willing to keep us here even with the threat on our heads was enough, but I appreciate it. The thing is, you aren't keeping us under lock and key– it would be a different feeling completely if you did, and we're all adults. Marina knew what she was doing when she left, but she's in the best hands. I've known Kai and Azriel since the moment they started frequenting my bar as barely legal patrons– they're fierce protectors, and they'll cover her.

[jealouslyxestella]

You're living in a house previously owned by a stuck-up hoarder coveting the millions of books in existence. None are the fun kind.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

There comes a point where someone needs to draw the line between hoarding books just to obtain them and actually liking them. I can guarantee that none of these have been cracked open in the last few centuries, with the intense musty smell that's coming off of them.

[orionxfuentes]

When your mother makes herself known in the city, I almost cannot resist magnetizing myself into her orbit. Make no mistake, Valentin, it isn't my intention to take all her free bonding time away from you. She would scorch the earth and slay many enemies to protect you, even when she is here under dire circumstances. I care about her happiness and you make her happy. I just hope I can return the favor.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

My mother is captivating in the best ways. Oh, no need to explain– she and I will always manage to find time to spend together, plus she deserves to not fret over me at all times. You can return the favor. There will be a time in the not-so-distant future when I'm no longer here. I know you were there when her husband passed, before she found me. I want you to look out for her when I'm gone.

[sensiblyxmabel]

Mothers have their ways making everything feel better. You can distract the foreboding feeling and forget about it, but it always lingers.

Valentin, I still wish to confer with my father on this. I'm aware of the rules, accepting that nothing can be done, but I need to see if there is any possibility. He won't grow angry at me of all people for asking.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

It just reminds me of when I was a small child, and she would just hold me in her arms and sing me these Russian lullabies whenever I felt upset. At least there will eventually be a fight that will help me push aside the feeling for now.

You don't have to, but if you're bound and determined to... whatever answer you have, don't tell me what he says. Death has always been an option for me, I think... knowing that it is coming for me is worse. I don't want to know.

[tumultuouslyxnaomi]

Yes, even the utterance of her name strikes fear in hearts and unashamed adoration in mine. I'm sorry, but when in any interaction did I volunteer to strike the killing blow through my father? Mikail and I need assurance that he's actually dead with our own eyes before culling the herd that's our many siblings and perhaps take over the family business. It's why I'm staying under the radar for the time being, wolfie, he's preoccupied by being in bed with the goddess. If you knew anything about Henrik, he'll go after Robin first which gives me and Mik time.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

My mother does have that presence about her. Not a volunteer, I simply thought you two would want the glory of killing your father, especially if it maintains your position at the top of the food chain. I know plenty about Henrik, and I also know that there is no flying under the radar with him, and that the 'time' you have is a false warning.

[ardentlyxabbadon]

Saying so insults the Prince of Greed and that's technically treason. You should say that to his face and grovel for his forgiveness. I'm just saying.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

I will say it to his face, but I won't ask for forgiveness– the reading material is dry and boring. I would rather bathe in the most rancid smells I can think of than this.

[radiantlyxceleste]

I would never trade my crown for the world, but unfortunately, my reign as the Queen of Hell is a point of contention with your cousin. If you keep growing, you'll be as tall as my father and Rhys. I've missed your boundless wit, humor, and top-notch listening skills. However, it's my turn to listen. When did you and Robin become a thing, hm?

[valentin-kuznetsov]

What isn't a point of contention with Rhys? He's about as easy to get along with at the moment as a cactus at the moment. Uh... well– I think we've always been a 'thing', but it really only came to light what feelings we held for each other when his brother showed up and ruined our party like sore sport. Knowing that his father is here and is trying to rip him from me was the push, I guess.

[violetxjameson]

Substance depends on the perspective of the reader. And the mistake judging a book from its cover.

I made that mistake more than once.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

I would like to think I'm not so dense that I could understand the substance of whatever book I pull, but I also know that this isn't really about books.

I'm surprised you're talking to me if I'm being honest, malen'kiy tsvetok.

[emiliaxhan]

Like running a bar and encouraging Robin's antics? I know.

Very, very stupid. There's this other timeline that Greed's son Aemon came from where basically the First family took over the entire city and killed nearly every demon royal. Azriel is a complete psycho along with a just as psycho version of me. Well...they're married. First time I took a trip into her body, we fucked. I just came back from another trip and I brought him back with me to kill Bellora. I invited him into Az's body, Val, and I'm aware our version will never forgive that, but it's only half the problem. The version who's now here, the one where I'm his, is the one I can't stop thinking about.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

The timeline where the psycho version of you came through? She was... something. You... invited this other version of Azriel into our Azriel? Sure, he's going to be doing us all a huge fucking favor by getting rid of that goddess, but this could be dangerous for our Azriel. How much of your feelings for this other Azriel is because he actually makes you feel like he's yours, and is not actually jealousy, because our Azriel doesn't operate the same way? Don't mistake this as me judging you for your choices; I just want to understand what's going through your head.

[theresilent-uriel]

Goddess, you would see me weighed down in gold medals if that really was a sport. My hunger is insatiable for all things.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

You could have a whole house of gold at that point. Oh, I'm aware of your voracious hunger, Uriel. I'm not so blind as someone we know.

[robinxellis]

Luckily for you and your future tears of boredom, I have our favorite trashy novel contraband. Fifty Shades, the Game Changers series, even all three Twilight books for our twihard hearts.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

My tears of boredom are about to morph into tears of joy. Our unholy trio of trashy novels will make our extended stay here that much better, though I would appreciate it most if you read them to me. And yes, it is a ploy so I can sit here and just stare at you instead of a book.

[wickedlyxenvy]

I'm working on it, kid. How about instead of getting drunk or getting others drunk in a way that doesn't solve our problems, I'll commission more books written in Russian for your boundless boredom so everyone understands how you feel reading something that's in English.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

There's always something that's going to get in the way of your reading time with this city. That would make my entire stay that much better, both because I'll have something I don't have to use much brain power to read and because I'll get to watch other people try to make sense of it. You're pretty good at this whole hosting thing, you know.

[theresilent-uriel]

What books lack in interest, they make up for in being an improvised table for my afternoon snacks.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

If they had an Olympic sport for turning inanimate objects that are not tables for snacks into them, you'd win every time, Uriel.

[wickedlyxenvy]

How would you know if you haven't read through them in one sitting?

[valentin-kuznetsov]

Have you? If I open a book and can't understand a page, I put it back, and that's happened a lot. Besides, I'm not one to sit around all day, but I also can't spend it drunk or getting others drunk either.