jesterlies | OPEN POST 2 ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

[ Percy squawks as those tassles whack him again as his friend twirls around, and he aims a kick that completely misses as Mavericks already moving away. It leaves him huffing, disgruntled.

Then red as a tomato as he realizes: ]

That's how you always knew when I was behind locked doors!

[ Those decorative crests are everywhere. All Seeing Eyes, benevolently watching the students and teachers as they roam the hallways of the spire.

His ass! Peeping spying eyes for the wicked Headmaster to spook his students when they're deep in a tome older than the earth, scratching frantically on paper to try and copy spells down-! ]

Absolutely lazy and wretched! But fine, I shall join you shortly after a clean up. Go away you foul little creature!

[ He picks up a pillow and throws it in the vague direction Mavericks blur is at, reaching into his pocket for his glasses to set them on his nose to make sure he's hit his target. ]

[Oh, his laughter somehow grows at that, what a delicious payoff this has been! It never gets old, even after all these years, when his students find out that he's always had a watchful eye on their antics!]

Did you think me truly Omniscient? Please, Percy, I'm not a Saint! Oh, how wonderful! I shan't need dinner tonight, your indignation was far more than I could hope to dine on!

[Perhaps as he escapes and Percy gets his glasses back on, he will see the way that Maverick practically vanishes as the Pillow moves through him. A burst of ...smoke? or maybe Mist. Yet his horrid cackling can be heard all down the halls in a wretched echo.]

[Of course it will be a little later when someone comes knocking on his door, right about dinner time. Percy will find the familiar face of Bladimir, who despite the years, also does not appear to have aged beyond that of a young man.]

[ Absolutely wretched goblin!!

By the time Bladimir comes to fetch him, Percy has unpacked, taking a relaxing bath and found something more suitable to wear for dinner but not as fancy as his uniform. He beams at the .... young? man at the door. He was always disconcerted by the two as a student, and while it's not quite eased (he was once younger than Bladimir in looks and now-!) he's aware the two must be supernatural, actual Vampires perhaps, and it no longer bothers him as much. ]

It's a pleasure to see you again, Bladimir! How have you and Carmen been doing?

[ And no, as he steps out into the hallway, he's still not wearing shoes. He ran around this Tower barefoot more often than not when he was younger and, by golly, he will simply do it again. Plus he can sense the Towers energies far better like this, and it's comforting. The Tower feels like an old friend as much as Maverick does, a gentle magical hum under his soles that guides him along far better than his failing eyesight ever did. ]

[Bladimir offers him a smile, pleasant and amiable. Despite his appearance he's always terribly polite to contrast the rather rambunctious personality of his sister(?). Though many know Bladimir to be both dependable and dangerous when it came to information. One would think he had eyes all over the walls.]

"Oh, much the same! Things are ...every interesting in this place, of course, but we've seen none of the action you've returned from. I'm pleased to see that you've arrived safely. Lord Maverick has been rather beside himself for some time over you."

[A smug, secretive little smile, but he moves to lead them back to the main stairwell and to then go further up into the tower.]

"Pacing about the halls, bothering me incessantly for information from the frontline. Of course, I had a few contacts there but its difficult to get Info in and out in such a place."

[ Oh, Bladimir, you give him a gift. And Percy takes it gleefully, his eyes twinkling behind his glasses as he follows the other up further along the Tower. Of course he's been higher than most students, sneaking into places he shouldn't go and then invited up further by Maverick himself in 'tests' to encourage his theories and ideas. But this is the first time he's been up into the 'personal' area of Maverick himself.

Which is delicious along with the tea Bladimir is spilling. ]

Ohoho! And here he was doing his best to convince me he was as worry free as a butterfly on the breeze! Why, jogging around the Tower for early morning laps, even!

[ Oh he's going to absolutely rub it in Mavericks smug little face, though his expression softens lightly. ]

Thank you for doing what you could to reassure him. I'm not surprised it was difficult, it was quite hectic out there, and security was excruciatingly tight. I'm glad to hear all has been well! Has Carmen-

[ Stopped being a little shit? No that's mean. Aha! ]

-grown into her big sister role yet?

[He knows exactly what he is doing, and he thinks it will be much more interesting for some of Maverick's carefully guarded cards to be a bit more laid out. Tip the hand juuuust a little.]

"That may be the tallest of any tale he's ever told. Such a thing would require him to retired his coveted heeled boots and I think he'd rather perish."

[Bladimir owes Maverick a lot, and he is loyal beyond death itself to the man, but that does not mean he will not hesitate to destroy him in front of someone like Percy.]

[They slowly reach the top, the staircase ending up on a landing with a large ornate door. There are a few windows that will show them almost above the clouds. Bladimir makes a soft noise at the mention of Carmen, one of a carefully chosen reaction.]

"Hm. Well, perhaps in a few more years yet. She is still rather attached to being the spoiled youngest, I'm afraid. Lord Maverick loathes sparing her anything she desire of course, I'm afraid he is part of the problem."

[Rather than knock, Bladimir pushes open the door.]

[ Percy will only use this information for good. Maybe a little evil. Mostly good. And to laugh about which he does, a pleasant merry thing. Oh, Seamus. Honestly. He catches sight of a crest and gives it an amused look. Then hm's softly to the comment on Carmen, his eyes sliding to look at Bladimir a little. ]

Truly, that relieves me. There is something about coming home and seeing everyone is exactly as you left them.

[ The nostalgia. The ache of return. He's glad Carmen is still very much herself. As much as she was a small terror to everyone.

Bladimir just pushing the door open makes Percy utter a little surprised noise, but he follows in without hesitation anyways, cheerfully calling out. ]

I do hope your decent, Seamus!

"It would be frightening times to see her change, and yet I can't help but think I would finally have a moments peace."

[He loves her, he does, but she causes him so much trouble. As Percy is led in, Bladimir stays by the door. The room of course, is far bigger than the rest of the staff rooms, and takes up the top of the tower. There's a lovely open skylight above them for star gazing, and a living area with a desk, a table and some chairs. The walls a lined with books and even with all this room, there yet remain stacks of books that do not fit on the walls. There are plenty of old trinkets and instruments, ancient. There are lots of big windows, but they're cupped by thick velvet drapes, and of course Maverick's bed would probably put a King to shame, from where it can be seen through the door way to the other half of his quarters.]

Bloody hell, Bladi, why didn't you knock!?

[Bladimir merely grins.]

"I don't believe that was in your instructions, My Lord, you simply said for me to bring him to your room."

[Sighing. Maverick comes out and he is dressed down by quite a lot. A large ruffled poets shirt that billows out and makes him seem bigger than he is, but with a tight fitting pair of trousers and corset belt, telling Percy exactly what was under those large heavy robes he wore.]

It's just as well. Have a seat Percy, I'll pour us some wine while dinner is on the way. Bladi, you're dismissed, but do check to make sure Carmen's done her coursework tonight.

[Sighs. He can already hear her whining at him to help her because she doesn't want to let Maverick down, even though she won't pay attention in class and put it off to the last minute.]

"Very well, have a good night, My Lord."

[And off he goes.]

[ Somehow Mavericks room is exactly as he imagined. Not that he thought of Mavericks room or anything. He glances up and smiles to the sky above them, then glances around slowly. Books, of course. Trinkets. A lovely telescope that Percy is itching to peer into, and he goes over to it to peer into the eyepiece, making a delighted noise to the sight. Of course the students were allowed to use their own during lessons but Mavericks is so higher of a quality. And it's always so nice to see so powerfully.

He's polite, at least, and doesn't peer towards Mavericks bedroom. But he will laugh to Mavericks grumping, lifting his eyes from the telescope with a little grin. ]

Oh, Seamus, that's your own fault. You know you mustn't leave words up to interpretation.

[ Then he double takes, because while the shirt hides his friends form... those pants do not. As Maverick ushers Bladimir out, Percy pulls away from the telescope properly to go over to him.

And with a healers hands he grips the shirt and pulls it tightly backwards against Maverick, forcing the fabric to stop billowing and cling instead. He promptly makes a distressed noise. ]

Seamus! You're skin and bones! What is this, are you not eating well? Do you feel ill?

[ Much like he would manhandle soldiers who are trying to hide wounds from him, Percy begins to try and pull at the collar of the shirt, peering downwards. He's beginning to make the noises one might associate with a distressed sheep. ]

There is no meat on you at all, my friend!! Dinner, at once!

[He's happy to let Percy look around while he fusses over Bladimir. Once he's gone, he only has a second to process his movements before Percy is promptly manhandling him. He makes a strangled noise in surprise to have his shirt suddenly pulled like that.]

[And it's true, he is rather bony, even for a mage. He sputters a few times,]

Percy-! No, I'm just fine, I'm not ill, please do let me-

[And then he's pulling at his shirt to look down, and of course, other than being able to count his ribs, Percy will also see that particular scar he has on his chest. A nasty thing that screams of having some kind of spear rammed through his chest, since Percy would have seen such wounds on the field.]

Percy.

[ The scar stops him dead, as well as the sound of Mavericks voice at the end. He silently studies the mark. He's very well aware of what it looks like. Something's gone through him. A sword. A lance.

It would have killed him. It should have killed him.

The feverish flash of a memory of Maverick pinned underneath something heavy. His screams.

He closes his eyes and unfists his fingers from Mavericks shirt, sighing heavily. Then he opens them to give him an apologetic smile, his fingers fluffing the shirt up a bit again to hide his figure. ]

I'm sorry, my friend. That was uncouth of me. Of course I was expecting you to be skinny, but the reality seemed worrisome. Are you certain you're all right?

Edited 2025-12-27 01:49 (UTC)

[After a moment, once Maverick is able to compose himself, his posture straightens out and he sighs a little, quietly though his nose. He shakes his head and reaches up to pull the strings on the front of his shirt a little tighter.]

...That's all right. I understand that you were concerned. I suppose on anyone else, my stature would be worrisome. I hadn't thought about it in some time.

[He steps away for a moment to open a cabinet near his desk and fishes out a bottle of wine and a few glasses. he will motion for Percy to have a seat at the small dining table set for two.]

This body of mine, it will not succumb to anything as a result its state. Come now, you know me to be thousands of years old, do you not? Do you think I would take such poor care of myself?

Mm, why doesn't that surprise me in the least.

[ As much as many things about his friend are still a mystery, that he fully intends to pry out of him over time, he knows the mans... almost seeming inability to focus on himself at times. Oh, he's haughty. He does himself up to look grand and pompous, because he quite is. At least pompous.

But he also knows the man who will spend hours debating a young eager eyed boy, pouring through old books and newly acquired ones, heatedly discussing newer applications of older ideas until one of them is face down in a book, snoring away. More often than not Percy, but in those moments had he ever seen Maverick eat? Sip at something?

He takes a seat with a little sigh, folding one leg over the others knee to get comfortable, looking amused. ]

My friend, so many stories about you drift from student to student, do you truly believe me to know which of them is real? Are you truly thousands of years old in body, or do you simply spirit jump from body to body and alter it to look as you need? Are you a Vampire or a perfected Homunculus. Ideal to a human in every way, but smaller.

[ He falls silent after his tease, setting his folded hands together on the table, leaning over them, towards his friend. ]

I have seen you while away hours with me until we were both stiff from our seated positions, and have heard your joints make truly ghastly noises as you stretched. Do I think you would take poor care of yourself? Oh yes.

Hm.

[He pours them both a glass and sets the bottle down carefully. He picks it up and then offers it to him in a gentle toast.]

[But of course then punctuates Percy's words by sipping the wine very casually. Here he is drinking Percy, he has ruined the mystery. Anyway he does remarkably not twitching at the part about his height and he leans his cheek into his fist as he props himself up a bit to look over at Percy.]

I need to start coming up with more interesting stories, I think I've heard all of those already.

[It almost seems like he's not going to comment on the rest before he hums and looks off to one of the windows a moment.]

I suppose you and Lily would be in agreement. Ah, but that does remind me, were you not the one most invested in learning my secrets while in school? I feel as though I heard about your little theory board. Tell me, did you ever come up with a proper guess?

[ He takes the offered glass gently, raising it a little in return to the gentle toast, before taking a sip himself. Oh, it's rich. Definitely a wine to nurse slowly over time. And hm... Maverick IS drinking the wine. Surely he can't be a Vampire then, as Percy tastes no iron in the wine that would suggest it's blood. Unless it's covered in magic. Hm hm hm.

He snorts gently, setting his glass down after another sip, smiling over at his friend. It's a small intimately set table, which is a little surprising to be honest, but it means he can lean in close and conspiratorially.

Which he doesn't want to do right then when Maverick hits him with knowing about his board. He leans back instead, affronted and sputtering once more, his cheeks and ears cherry red. ]

I had no such thing!

[ He's a horrible liar even then, and he huffs and puffs heavily as he picks up his glass again to sip, scowling off to the side. His voice is pouty as he admits: ]

I had settled on possibly Minor Deity. Mayhap not a Saint but perhaps something close. Or a Minor Demon. I was never truly sure on which side you'd lay.

[ He smiles against the rim of his glass, using it to hide himself a bit as he slides his eyes back to Maverick. ]

I also thought perhaps Púca.

[He is drinking the wine! And not just pretending, either, he polishes off about half the glass before setting it back down again. Realizing that he's gotten him pegged though, gets a laugh out of him.]

[Of course he knew about the board, he maybe didn't see into his dorms, but he did hear him mutter about it constantly through the halls. Also, most everyone had some kind of theory notes about him, he is the Tower's biggest, most interesting mystery after all.]

Oh? Fascinating. Why not a full Saint? Or Demon, I suppose. Do I not embody such otherworldliness?

[Though his expression drops and he sighs. Puca. He picks his glass up again to swirl it.]

Yes, well, that is at least an imaginative guess! I suppose shapeshifter is not a poor description of some of my abilities.

[Ah, there's a knock at the door, that must be dinner. He will get up to fetch it. Coming back is of course, nothing especially grandoise. It's still the same food they eat from the Hall for meal time, just made a little fresher. There are two plates and also, curiously, another glass for Maverick. A deep, rich red wine, though it seems rather thick.]

Hm? Are you saying I should consider you a full God, then? Something with immense, world shifting powers?

[ His tone is teasing but his eyes are on Maverick with a sharp scrutiny that Maverick has seen plenty of times. When Percy has begun to truly dig into something. Maverick gave him a bone, and he will gnaw on it until it shatters under his teeth.

The disdain for Puca makes him laugh, delighted. ]

Oh, come now, do you not embody the spirit of an imp who may be good or naughty depending on it's fickle mood?

[ He settles back, sipping his wine, as dinner is brought in and though it may be simple fare, the same sort he'd always get in the Tower before, his eyes land on it like it's a feast.

War meals aren't exactly glamorous, after all.

The other glass gets Percy studying it, thoughtful. He watches the way the liquid moves, notes the color. Too thick for wine, not thick enough for blood. Blood would coagulate too.

Unless... he studies his glass and Mavericks newest, thoughtful. His voice sweet, curious.

His eyes the same sharp look. ]

Oh? Was the wine you were sharing with me not enough?

Of course you should. Have I not shown such, in my ability to pass down knowledge to the world? Is this tower not a testament to my own divine purpose? Am I not beholden to the outreaching hands of those wishing to learn?

[Of course he says it like he doesn't believe his own words. A bone, sure, but Maverick is spinning it like one of his great tales. It's too on the nose, clearly.]

Mm, sometimes you say things like that and I am not sure if you're being sincere with me, considering our history and my legacy. If a mere imp is the impression I have given, then I must have gone wrong somewhere!

[Of course he finishes off the first glass quickly so he only has one at the table. He picks it up with a smile.]

A treat from the kitchens, I would be rude to turn it down.

[He tips it into his mouth.]

Are you curious? Would you like to try?

Would I never NOT be sincere with you? You are my dearest friend, Seamus.

[ He puts his hand on his chest, over his heart, his smile soft. Headmaster or not, Maverick is the one that encouraged him the most. Took a simple, mostly blind shepherd boy, and encouraged him to run with his curiosity. Even amongst the other students, there is no one Percy trusts more, confides in more.

And of course, he's not one to turn down a learning experience, so he tilts his head. ]

Hmm, I am most curious. Would it be all right?

[ He stretches out his hand, as if to take the glass, but pauses only mid-way. Waiting for Maverick to offer it properly. As he does, he studies Maverick.

No, surely not. Vampires have more signs. More tells. They've studied them, after all, just as they've studied every other supernatural creature, including themselves.

Hm... but the older books... ]

I suppose out of respect for your history I've no choice but to trust your sincerity! It would be wretched for you to lead me astray, after all.

[Of course, he took pride in encouraging him. Even now he has nothing but pride for the man Percy has become, even as he torments him for a laugh. Which is why they're up here speaking like this in private, and why Maverick may finally, after all these years, give him a little hint about his nature.]

[He hands over the glass with a smile, and then leans on his hand once more as he tries it, eyes sharp.]

[Percy will certainly taste a few things. The immediate taste of iron, that's then overwhelmed by the burn of a fine red wine. The liquid is slightly warm, and it is thick in the mouth. Maverick won't be offended if he spits it back out, just maybe not into his glass.]

Well?

[ He doesn't spit it out immediately. Rather he rolls it around in his mouth, gaze thoughtful. Hm, the wine is there, but it's not enough to cover the blood. And Percy has had blood enough in his mouth to know the taste. The metallic coppery taste of the iron. Not entirely fresh, but combined expertly with the wine and other ingredients to keep it from losing it's potency.

He doesn't swallow though, knowing well enough blood in his system will make him ill. Instead he delicately picks up an empty cup that is meant for water and spits it out there. Then hands the glass back to Maverick.

Curiosity still burns hard in him, his eyes alight with it. ]

A distinct vintage indeed! You know, I wonder. They have recently discovered a state of blood called 'plasma'. It takes a bit of refining to separate it, but have you tried using it for wine instead of whole blood? It has saved a number of soldiers lives.

[ A Vampire! Or a creature that needs blood. There are not many that require it to feed, but there are quite a few that expend it to cast their magics. Is Maverick such a being? Ah... he needs his board... ]

[He takes the glass back and drinks quite a bit out of the glass before finally putting it down. And then of course, he begins cutting into his food like he intends to eat. Percy did nag him earlier.]

Yes, they're very kind to me in the kitchens.

[He pauses a little, listening to him explain plasma and then pops a carrot into his mouth to chew on thoughtfully.]

I've heard a little here and there about such a thing, though I admit that knowledge hasn't yet come to me in full. I worry that such refinement would alter the properties of blood too much for my needs.

Edited 2025-12-27 04:27 (UTC)

[ And not many creatures that need blood and then proceed to eat human food! Oh, his friend, what are you! An enigma indeed!

He hums thoughtfully and uses a little bit of wine to rinse his mouth out, then digs into his food as well. With gusto. It's just as he remembers it. Hearty and rich, filling while being simple. It's delicious and he sighs around a mouthful.

Home.

He hm's again, clearing his mouth from the potato and meat in it, sipping at the wine, thoughtful. ]

It's worth testing. It should not take much! Some of the older equipment repurposed and I know well the spells.

[ He studies his friend, then huffs and points his fork at him. ]

Allow me to be bold?

Hm, perhaps, if just because I am curious of the results.

[It's a nice quiet moment while they eat, and he gives Percy the opportunity to focus on the hot meal from a familiar place, rather than the hardtack and filthy water he might have dealt with out on the field.]

[When he speaks up again, Maverick glances up with a smile, eyes curious but his eyebrow raises.]

Only just now?

[Percy you have been bold by many peoples standards all night.]

[ That makes him laugh, covering his mouth so he doesn't accidentally spit out the piece of vegetable he was nibbling on. He hastily swallows - ugh, sweet delicious carrot - and grins at Maverick. ]

Well at least this time I'm asking permission! But I've decided I am missing far too much information about you to make an education deduction as to your mysterious self. So! Allow me to perform a physical exam? Oh yes, I could easily get your old records from the Infirmary, as a Teacher now of the Healing Arts I'm sure I'm entitled to them, but you're a crafty one and whose to say you have not fudged those since?

[ And while Maverick ponders this request, he will gleefully dip some meat into some gravy and then spear a potato and a carrot and shove the entire thing into his mouth. It looks quite like a hamster attempting to hoard. ]

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