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[mrballisticsdummy]

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[no_innocents]

I hardly think that's the case.

There is such a thing as recreational chemistry.

[mrballisticsdummy]

Recreation? I don't think so! We only work here!

If I can make angry explosions or light something on fire, I think I'd be happy.

[no_innocents]

Heh. Fuck that.

But I think angry explosions and fire can certainly be arranged. I'll have to see what the proper laboratory has on hand. I haven't been up there much as I didn't have the means to enter it without bothering people.

[mrballisticsdummy]

Have fun with that.

My current project is water purification, but that's easy.

[no_innocents]

You as well? How many people were tapped for this? Goodness…

[mrballisticsdummy]

[A laugh.]

Have you met us? You can't just ask one person to do something. You can't trust them to actually do it.

[no_innocents]

Fuck.

Well, you're welcome to my lab. My rooms are properly appointed now.

[mrballisticsdummy]

Thank you. I might once I get something more fun than work in my head.

[no_innocents]

That will never happen without due cause.

[ A pause. ]

Would you be interested in learning magic?

[mrballisticsdummy]

Magic?

Uh, I don't know if it works like that. But I'm always up for a challenge.

[no_innocents]

Well, we'll have to see.

You'll have limitations, certainly, no witch blood in your veins. But it's not an absolute no.

[mrballisticsdummy]

I would love to figure it out.

[no_innocents]

At your leisure, of course.

[mrballisticsdummy]

Today? I - need a distraction.

[no_innocents]

And I'm doing fuck all at the moment.

As I said: at your leisure.

[mrballisticsdummy]

And there's Jacobi at his big door, knocking because he likes to see it magically open.

He is a man of simple pleasures.

[no_innocents]

They open, and now they open into a much grander, wider space. Into a central space with two floors, a lab beneath and books lining both floors.

Dracula is on the first floor, at a small desk not far from the door. The fireplace isn't far either.

[mrballisticsdummy]

"Hey MTV, welcome to Dracula's new crib..." he says softly, letting out a low whistle. "Perks of being a warden, huh?"

He walks inside, hands in his pockets.

[no_innocents]

"I hardly need a kitchen," he points out mildly as he stands from his seat, where he's been fiddling with a small... looks like a marble? It's not a marble. But it's carefully nestled in a box before he moves away from the desk.

"I much prefer the library. And the laboratory space."

A pause.

"...don't suppose I get to hear what's happened?"

[mrballisticsdummy]

"Oh, you know, normal things that happen around here. Someone showed up. Someone who has fucked up the people who are actually important to me. And then I - broke my warden over it." He shrugs.

"Basically, I'm making some really great choices."

[no_innocents]

A moment before-

"I attacked my own son," he offers gently.

He tilts his head to one side.

"At least you've figured out rather more quickly how much you've fucked up. That counts for something."

[mrballisticsdummy]

"Yeah, that sucks, too," he admits. "And I - well, I don't think I fucked up that badly. I mean, with Tim? Yeah. But I don't think they're right about it. But - that's not why I came here. I really, really don't need the advice."

[no_innocents]

"You'll notice I didn't give any," he points out mildly, "just... sharing."

Instead, his clawed hand extends towards Jacobi to usher him over.

"What do you know about magic, incidentally?"

[mrballisticsdummy]

"In my world? It's all tricks and illusions," he says, walking over. "Magic has always been just what isn't explainable."

[no_innocents]

Dracula, for his part, raises a hand and a box on one of the shelves opens as mirror shards slip out. They fly to the central corridor of the room and assemble loosely. He manipulates them with a hand.

"Magic is in many ways a science and in other ways an art. It sits between the two, an outward expression of internal intent, shaped by the means at one's disposal."

The shards suddenly reflect an image, one of the deck up above, the stars above them, and then it darkens and they slide together, returning to the box. He closes his hand to close said box.

"Magical blood is but one source of energy for such an action, but there are others."