thirty-fourth twist of the coil

[vampirize]

[It's a quiet morning, the sun is shining over the snow-laden grounds of the castle, the pond is frozen over with sparkling ice, and there's somebody shooting out snow from what looks like a cannon outside.]

[Wait, what?]

[Oh, that's not the only thing, because there's a loud BOOOOOOOM as the cannon shoots out the snow, though over the journal it sounds more like a very loud bomb has gone off in the vicinity. Not long after that, there's a pleased chuckle.]

Okay, that wasn't far enough. Probably change the trajectory, yes?

[Tesla seems to be talking to himself more at the moment, mumbling numbers to himself as tinkering can be heard in the background, but after a few minutes he finally addresses the journal, sounding abnormally pleased with himself.]

So...was a bit bored last night and decided to work on some designs I had hanging around, and really, all this snow needs to be used somehow. See, unlike other people, I actually do something productive with my time.

[A happy hum. Hey, when he invents things, he's in good spirits.]

I'm not telling you people what it is. Come outside and take a look if you want, but remember, I'm still testing it out. But no worries, the thing isn't at all that dangerous.

[Which is Tesla speak for "I AM TOTALLY GOING TO KNOCK YOU OVER WITH SNOW BECAUSE I CAN."]

Here's to a wonderful winter! [And the cannon booms once more, before the journal is shut.]

Comments

[mal_addict]

[Maladict is watching this from the sidelines, a cup of coffee warming between her hands. She at least looks amused, even if it's in an eye-rolling sort of way]

Remember to play nice with the other children.

[vampirize]

[He just looks over and grins, looking very much like a school boy who is going to play the greatest prank ever.]

Oh, come on, what's the fun in playing nice?

[mal_addict]

[Oh, Tesla, you precious little loser, she loves you]

Fine, but don't come running to me when someone smashes that thing.

[vampirize]

Smashes? Ha! You've got to be kidding. [He pats the cannon, looking amused by the very thought of it.] I'd like to see them try to smash this, it's pretty much impossible to do so.

[Okay he might be exaggerating on that, but still, he's built it pretty sturdy.]

[mal_addict]

...You are forgetting how powerful most of the residents are, right? [She tilts her head, thoughtful ] I bet I could smash it.

[vampirize]

[He frowns because NO BREAKING HIS BOY-TOYS, MALADICT]

You wouldn't.

[mal_addict]

[She puts down her coffee mug and SMILES]

Wouldn't I?

[vampirize]

[He folds his arms.]

Do it and I won't give you coffee for a month.

[mal_addict]

[She arches a brow at him]

Would you really likes to explain that to all the people I'd inevitably murder because of said lack of coffee?

[vampirize]

I wouldn't have to explain anything to them, they would be dead.

[COMMON SENSE, MAL, COMMON SENSE.]

But seriously, don't even put a finger on it. I worked hard on this cannon, you know.

[mal_addict]

Except when they came back to life.

[She rolls her eyes a little]

Fine, fine, play with your toy.

[sword_redemption]

[The news startled Drift right out of his attempt at meditation, limbs flying, one hand accidentally opening the journal.]

What the....?! Is that a weapon?

[vampirize]

...

[To say yes or no...]

In a way, yes.

[sword_redemption]

In, uh, what way?

[vampirize]

[You can practically hear him smirking.]

You'll just have to come out and see.

[sword_redemption]

[Is this a trap? This sounds like it might be a trap. Then again, Ludicrous Danger hasn't ever been much to dissuade Drift from anything.]

All right.


[Ummmm.]


Where are you?

[vampirize]

Outside.

Just follow the booms, you'll get to me soon enough.

[sword_redemption]

Sounds reasonable enough.

[He closes his book and is on his way eventually finding the courtyard.]

[Well. That sure is a...something you don't see every day.]

[vampirize]

Fore!

[Don't watch now, because there is a huge wad of snow coming your direction from the thing as Tesla stands nearby, looking so amused.]

[sword_redemption]

['Fore'? What does that eve---OOF! Right in the face.

[Play it off, Drift. Try to scrape up some dignity, after all.]

I. Uh. I think you might need to practice aim.

[vampirize]

Oh, hardly, that was right where it was intended to be.

[He chuckles.]

Just testing it out, really. Looks like it works just fine.

[unnaturalpause]

[There are some instincts you just don't get rid of even seventy years later. The sound of a canon going off and the urge to flatten himself on the ground is one of them. The other is to figure out where it's coming from.

The third is well, standard Five approach to dealing with one of their own doing something stupid.

Which is to escalate the situation with something a little worse.

Like say a potato gun and really cold whole potatoes.

Like the one now flying near Tesla, James near enough to be seen even as he tries to look innocent in his now soaked pants and shirt from his earlier dive into the snow because of the canon going off.]

[vampirize]

[Something whumps into the snow beside him, and Tesla turns, raising an eyebrow.]

[Is that a...potato?]

[And he turns to see where it came from, and...oh, mystery solved. Tesla lets out a huff, looking vaguely amused as he turns his cannon around to face James.]

You missed.