jesterlies | OPEN POST 2 ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

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. ]

[Oh, he shouldn't be surprised, really, but it does take him a little off guard to hear him ask so directly. He laughs a little, after a moment, setting his fork down.]

Well, you might be right about that, at least. I go in and trade the records out every so often to really keep them on their toes. I think it says that I have orc-heritage and I'm curious how long it will take someone to notice.

[He picks up his glass to finish off the bloodwine.]

...Alright. I see your curiosity is still as insatiable as it was before. Who am I not to encourage such a thing, especially after your return from such hardship. I can't guarantee it will answer very much for you, however.

[A pause.]

In return, I'll do a bit more asking on your behalf. I think that is fair, yes?

[ An Mm! is given in reply, Percy covering his mouth with a hand to chew rapidly and swallow, licking his lips after, so he can giggle. ]

I once snuck a peek out of curiosity a few years into my studies here. I was trying to add to my board any information I could glean. Your "Banshee" had been scratched out meticulously and "Brat" had been written next to it. Then Madame Lofly beat me about the head with a rag and made me scrub the floors for a week straight.

[ Which, now that he realizes those crests are little spying eyes, means Maverick saw the entire thing and Percy groans in embarrassment. Rats. He will get back at him, he swears.

He beams when Maverick says yes, inclining his head gently. ]

That is more than fair, my friend. Don't think me so crass as to manhandle you here and now, of course, I've already done so once. I'll schedule a time in the Infirmary to see you. Is Madame Lofly still running the place?

Mm, yes, I did hear about that.

[Saw it, too. To hear that Madame Lofly scratched out his medical records in favor of her own commentary is also not a huge surprise. She does hate to see him rifling through her files.]

Oh? Will you be able to handle the anticipation? Mm, she certainly is. Wasn't she quite the sight when I told her who would be taking over Professor Haberly's position.

[And then he falls quiet a moment.]

You know, far be I to discourage your curiosity, but I can't help but wonder if you won't regret learning what it is you're seeking, Percy.

Anticipation makes the revelation all the sweeter! And mmm, oh dear. I suppose I ought to be on my best behavior then.... lest I get reacquainted with those tiles.

[ He smiles fondly at his plate, pushing some bread around to sop up the last of the gravy. He finishes it off in the silence, then settles himself back in the chair, lifting the glass for the last bit of wine in it. Pauses to study Maverick, then smiles softly. ]

When have I ever regretted learning something, Seamus? Every new discovery is a delight, every ending of a pursuit merely leads to another. I know you're old, and I know there are things about you that would take years to discover and pry out of you.

[ He lifts his glass a little and gives Maverick one of his actual smiles. The beam of sunshine. They're rarer now, hiding behind softer more polite smiles, but here at home with his friend, he can relax and drop the facade and smile in sheer joy. ]

I will never regret learning anything about you, for as many years as you will allow me to dig!

[Maverick huffs at that, softly and with amusement. He had a feeling that would be his answer, and thinks that he should maybe believe him, even if there are nerves deep within him that say otherwise.]

[After all, one of the biggest reasons he hides what he hides is so that he can have the life he has now. If who he was got out, then that would like be it for his quaint little Headmaster gig. He does not want to give it up just yet. It means too much to him.]

What can I say to such conviction? Very well, I won't stand in your way. I hope in the end, it will not disappoint you.

[With his plate mostly cleared, though somethings pushed around, he stands up. He will go over to a window where he has a few potion bottles sitting, catching moonlight. He will bring them over to Percy.]

Take these back with you, when you finally depart, they should be ready. And- I suppose I did have one question about the nature of one of your visions.

I know it won't, my friend.

[ The sheer idea that Maverick may, in some way, disappoint him after all this time is absurd. Percy doesn't just owe the man his education, or his years of being accepted and feeling at home, but he owes him his sanity. How many times was he unfocused and feeling lost across the ocean and then Mavericks letter would find him and ease the load? Too many to count, but all remembered.

He hm's softly with a little tsk at the state of Mavericks plate, but notes what he didn't eat. More to his journal. Then takes the potion bottles with with heavy relief, giving Maverick a grateful look. Perhaps he could have come up with something on his own, but sleeping potions are.... finicky, and Percy never could get them quite right.

Too little and light, and he risks them simply not working.

Too heavy, and he risks never waking again. ]

Question away. The ones that hit like fever I end up with little detail, but any of the clearer ones I can recall more with.

[ He very carefully tucks the potion bottles into the pockets of his outfit, then gestures for Maverick to sit again, scooting his chair a little around the table to be closer. ]

[Maverick hums in acknowledgement, then. That settles that. He would not turn his identity into some silly game without knowing that one day someone might finally win it. He has to be ready for what that will mean.]

[Of course he is happy to hand off the potions. It's true, they are not an easy formula to get right, and it requires a very practiced, experienced hand to brew. Better it left to him, who has made such things for centuries without much mistake. Give Percy one less thing to worry about making himself.]

[Let him take care of you-]

The one you saw of Lily, where she was sleeping. Can you recall much more of that one?

[ To be taken care of again is so odd when he's been the carer, but he finds he doesn't mind at all when it's Maverick. Who else better?

The question makes him huh softly and he closes his eyes, tilting his head back as he thinks, his hand curled to his chin. When he speaks his voice is soft, a little dreamy in memory. ]

She slept in a coffin of glass and hope. She was not dead but not alive. There was a piece missing? I think? I couldn't see it but I could feel it. Mmm.... that's all I can really recall.

[ He tilts his head back down and opens his eyes, giving Maverick an apologetic look. ]

That one passed like a fever. I'm sorry. The enemy may have kicked down the door to my third eye, but they didn't exactly leave a handbook.

[He listens quietly and seems to be making a note of something.]

[A glass coffin...]

[He looks up after a moment and then offers him a smile.]

No, that's quite alright. I'm merely ...testing a theory. Ah- the one of me, the one you recall of me being pinned down. Do you recall very much about that one? Perhaps the room I was in, though I believe you said you couldn't tell what had me trapped.

Edited 2025-12-27 06:53 (UTC)

... Oddly, yes.

[ And he always wondered on that one. Though it's not as clear as the one he saw of Maverick waiting for him, it's clearer than the other two. ]

I think perhaps because it is connected to you?

[ He closes his eyes again, focusing. Letting the memory come. He's silent for a while here before he speaks, and again, his voice is dreamy. ]

You were... mmm. Yes. I can't see what has you trapped, but it's heavy. It's heavy and it burns. It's pierced you. It's pinned you. You're screaming but it's not from the pain. Your mind swirls in chaos, you barely know what's around you. There's ... stone underneath you? Cold. You should be dead but it's missed your heart, so you continue. Portraits. Portraits on the walls around you. You hate them. You scream at them, curse them. They look like you? Are you? No.

[ His brow v's down almost angrily as if he feels the anger the pinned Maverick does, then suddenly opens his eyes, rubbing his forehead. It throbs painfully, clustered in the middle along the altered mark. ]

Ah.. sorry, it hurts...

[He listens with intent. He sees him fall back into that state, not quite a trance not quite a dream, but still much closer to those visions.]

[It's a lot of information, but he takes it all in, churns it over. It tells him a lot and he thinks he has a clear picture of the circumstance when Percy is suddenly opening his eyes and rubbing his head.]

[He's instantly up and at his side, bringing his hands to cup his face and quietly try and sooth him. Let him use what remains of his Vampire talent to ease his mind.]

Shh, shh, I am sorry for asking that of you. It did tell my a great deal however.

[He smiles a little.]

I think... your feverish ones may be less futures or pasts, but perhaps possibilities that could have come to pass. Divergent timelines.

[ Selfishly he will let himself be soothed, the aching pain fading away under the gentle touch to a dull ache, and finally into nothing. It's nice to be cared for again, to be soothed.

... Oh no.

He smiles at him and shakes his head gently, reaching up to take Mavericks hands off his face and squeeze them tightly. ]

Don't apologize! I'm glad to answer what I can, especially as I've never heard of prophecy coming from injury.

[ As Maverick explains, it makes Percy frown. Then frown harder. ]

I hope they never come to pass, those are quite horrible.

[ The black blot. The nothing. That one terrified him, awoke him screaming.

Let go of his hands, Percy.

He squeezes Mavericks hands gently again and lets them go. ]

I have never heard of seeing alternate possibilities...

[He'll make it a little worse by placing a gently kiss on his mark before he squeezes his hands back and steps away.]

I'm only aware of such things because I am ...acquainted with someone called the Curator. They are a powerful witch with the blood of the Saint of Fortunes. They can see into many, many of the threads that make up the past, present and future, often seeing many that could come to pass without knowing the true thread. Fate is, after all, ever shifting.

[He returns to his seat for a moment to think things over.]

Castle Maverick was the place I was pinned. Those paintings ...yes, I suppose if I found myself mad enough I would curse them. I recall the room with many of them having a large silver chandelier.

[He hums a little in thought.]

I have not seen that place in a thousand years.

[ It might be a gentle, friendly kiss to the forehead, much as the one Percy had given the top of Mavericks head earlier but it feels like a punch to the chest. It makes his heart ache and that embarrassing crush from his early years rear it's head once more. He thought himself over it!

He's quiet as he wrestles with that and listens to Maverick explain, bringing his elbow up to put it on the table so he can rest his chin in his hand. His eyes unfocus a little as he studies nothing, thoughtful. ]

Mmm, my blood line has no Fortune connection, I think? I am aware I'm distantly related to Lady Lily - as a grain of sand is distantly related to a star - and thus have some call back to the Saint of Life but I recall nothing about Fortune.

[ He focuses on Maverick finally, using his finger to adjust his glasses a little. ]

It did not seem a pleasant place, in that... ah well, timeline I suppose? I think the you of that line hated it.

[ He hesitates a little, the same finger rubbing along the side of his nose. ]

Do you hate it in this life?

[Hm, he seems flustered. He wonders what about.]

A witch's bloodline can have many intersections. For one to be as powerful as your magic often is, I would bet on there being another bloodline within you somewhere on the other side of your family. It could very well be Fortune. I would likely have to confirm with the Curator. I'd like to take you to meet her once you've settled, considering the intensity of your visions.

[Of course that question gives him a moments pause as he thinks it over.]

No, I have little love for that place. I may carry the family name, but you will find that they have long scrubbed me from their records.

[He smiles a little.]

Fret not, to them I was just a bastard, and to me, they're but dust in the wind. I don't even know if the family remains, or what has become of Castle Maverick in all this time.

Edited 2025-12-27 07:50 (UTC)

Hm! Fascinating! I will have to write my parents and see if they can find any of our old records. Perhaps take a trip myself to spend some time with them, and dig into our past. I know they both have a little magic themselves, though neither cares to further it.

[ Hearing that Maverick has no love for the place, or for his family, sits ill at ease in Percy. He scrubs his mouth with his fingers, worry pinching the corner of his eyes somewhat. And he'll confess his worries. ]

I hope it is simply a timeline cut short then, my friend, and not something that may occur in the future. If there is no reason to head back to that place, I beg you then to never return to it. I could not bear the idea of that fate happening to you.

[ If it still stands. Hopefully the local municipality has reclaimed it, or tore it down, or it sank away to never be found again. ]

I think they would be happy to see you, too, yes? You ought to do that when you have the chance.

[He could push back Percy's start date if need be, it won't be so big of a deal. Either way he huffs a little laugh to Percy's worries, shaking his head.]

I highly doubt that its something yet to pass. If I were to find myself pinned by that chandelier now, I would be capable of getting free very easily. The Seamus you saw was likely a still mostly Vampire.

[He thinks perhaps it would be nice if it's been torn down or reclaimed, but he really has no plans to return there. This is his home, not that place that never wanted him.]

As for the vision of Lily, you could say once a very long time ago, she did fall into a great sleep after one of her experiments went awry. Eochaidh and I nearly came to blows over it, but I was able to talk sense into him and we found out how to wake her.

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