twenty-ninth twist of the coil

[vampirize]

[There seems to be annoyed muttering over the journal:]

Honestly, the one time I really need to drink, it's been stolen right under my nose...

[No, really, this is the worst timing. You see, wine isn't just any regular alcoholic beverage to Nikola Tesla. It's his guilty pleasure, the thing he turns to when everything goes wrong. And now, having to deal with remembering the nightmares he's went through without its help is really incredibly frustrating. And he knows he can just wish for the things, but some of those bottles had been gifts, and he's not going to trust the wishing system too much after what had happened a few months ago.]

[He clears his throat, finally raising his voice so that the journal can pick it up without trouble.]

Yeah, so, I'm sure you all know the alcohol is gone in the castle. Hardly a new fact. And every single bottle that I had stored up over two years in this place has vanished without a trace. Hell, they even took the modified alcohol that can actually get me drunk- I hope that, whoever they are, they're dying somewhere of alcohol poisoning in the utmost agony. They deserve it.

But anyways, I'm not going to complain anymore about that. No, what I want is for people to start giving me the wine I'm sorely missing, preferably as vintage as you get. However, knowing all of you, you won't give up your precious bottles of the stuff so easily, so I'm going to offer a service in return. If you need something invented for you, considering its not too large, not stupid, and not some huge weapon that will tear your enemies apart or something of the like, then I'll make it for you. I'm a genius, after all.

Also, be warned that I don't take these things lightly. You give me the wine first, and if it is as good as you say it is, then I'll do it. Cheat me out of it by giving me the cheap stuff, and good luck finding someone as smart as me to help you out around here.

So...what do you say?

Comments

[mal_addict]

[She's still keeping herself locked away in their room from everyone ever, so her response isn't as snarky and amused as it usually is]

Glad to see you're remembering the no evil weapons of doom thing.

[yay_heiress]

All the wine's gone? When did that happen?

[luthored]

...I didn't realize the need for alcohol was so high around here.

Guess I shouldn't be surprised.

[vampirize]

You know me, Maladict, that time is over. I'm not allowing anybody to get the upper hand around here again.

...

Are you feeling alright?

[vampirize]

Oh, right after we had all those lovely dreams created by god knows who. I came back and my stash of wine was all gone. It seems everyone else has been having the same problem.

[vampirize]

Oh, trust me, people would kill for that stuff. I don't even need the alcohol, I need the actual beverage. Kind of a wine aficionado over here.

[yay_heiress]

If the wine's all gone... where could you get more from?

[likebreathing]

Wine, huh? Expensive taste you got.

[He's more of a beer person, personally.]

[mal_addict]

Good. Keep that in mind.

[No. No she isn't. Not even a tiny little bit] Fine.

[vampirize]

I have expensive taste in most things, really. I just like wine because of how ell it can be done. It's an art, knowing how to make the perfect glass of that stuff.

[vampirize]

From other people who live in town, of course. Because they seem to have had their stashes left untouched.

[vampirize]

If I start to make weaponized Tesla coils again, you have every right to smack me upside the head.

...If I come over and visit you, the jungle still will be there, won't it.

[mal_addict]

Thank you. I'll hold you to that.

[She's quiet for a moment, considering, glancing around her]

No. I think the jungle's gone now.

[yay_heiress]

Ohhhh. Well, if that's the case, why not jut go to town and get some?

[vampirize]

Because everyone is going to be greedy and hoard it like the misers they are. Therefore, I'm cutting right to the chase.

[vampirize]

Hmmm. Still won't come out and see the big wide world of Paradisa, though?

[mal_addict]

[He can't see her, but she's hunched her shoulders a little, protective of...something. Her sanity maybe? Other people in the castle? It's hard to tell]

No. I don't want to go out.

[unnaturalpause]

[He should probably sound more disapproving then he does.]

You're not going to offer your expertise pertaining to genetic alterations, are you?

[vampirize]

[That gets a sigh. He doesn't want to push her, but at the same time, she needed to get out and about- she couldn't stay in that room forever.]

...

Do you want me to come over, or would you like to be left alone for a while?

[vampirize]

[GOD JAMES don't judge him stop that you are not his mom]

Who do you think I am? That's the last thing I'll do...no this is for inventions. I'm not going to modify genes just because someone asked me to.

[unnaturalpause]

[CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER HIS OWN SELF-DOUBT OVER HERE.]

The man who in his future makes young adult vampires via his own inventions. [NOPE haven't forgotten that.] Though if you are actually giving yourself limitations then I do hope your wine is worth it.

[vampirize]

Why do you always keep bringing that up? I haven't done it yet, nor do I plan to hearing that it's all gone to waste.

Hey, it's always worth it, the little punks who came in here and stole everything stole some of my most valuable bottles of it, there's no way I can completely replace those. But I have to have something, at least.

[unnaturalpause]

[Can they just ask for Helen's wine collection for Christmas this year?]

If you could only alter your future, Nikola. [...Nope not going further into that hole now.] And so you decided to sell your talents instead of looking in town for it? Surely you can find some vintage to your liking there.

[yay_heiress]

Well, how do you know everyone's as stingy as you say?

[mal_addict]

[If this had happened to her back home, she would have certainly asked to be left alone. She would have wanted nothing more. To separate herself from everyone and everything. Maybe even start afresh in a brand new place.

She couldn't do that here, and a very large part of her didn't want to. She wanted him there, as much as she inwardly berated herself for letting anyone other than herself be a rock for her. Gods, what had this place done to her? She struggles to even see it as a weakness any more, even if she's pretty sure it is]


I still want you to come over. It's your room as well, after all.