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[totalize]

SYNTROFOS PROFILE

Username: mockingbird vivant
Name: Hugo Vlad Ravenlock
Age: 35
Hometown: New Eridu

I'd much rather hang out with all kinds of people than fight monsters I can't even talk to. After all, there is nothing more complex and interesting than "people" in this world. text / audio / video / action art credit code credit

Comments

@medarda

[opposed]

[ Look, she at least gives him five minutes before she blows his inbox up. But then: ]

You're imprinted with him as well, then?

[totalize]

[ This is a surprise, admittedly. Since Hugo doesn't know that they're from the same place, it just doesn't seem like Mel and Silco are people that would ever interact. canon says he's right but In fact, she seems like the sort of person that Silco would deeply dislike.

...But, then again. He knows well that there are appearances that you put on for others. He does it himself, and that appearance is also someone that Silco wouldn't like.

So, it's a bit more than just their shared "friend" that has him feeling a pang of camaraderie. ]

I am.

[ He doesn't send the sentence right away, since what comes after takes a little more of a pause. It's a lie, technically. It's also a deeply wrong way to think about the event, and he knows it, but. It's still what he feels. ]

He saved my life, more or less.

@eyeofzaun; text

[zauneyete]

Are Mockingbirds always prone to singing to their own detriment?

1/2

[totalize]

[ well that confirms his guess that silco IS that paranoid ]

[totalize]

Hm? What ever do you mean~? Are you concerned about me, Mr. Silco?

text • un: aemond.targaryen

[perzyssy]

You revealed your name in the anonymous conversation. Do you think that wise?

[totalize]

[ at this point he's starting to wonder... two out of three are just negging him so far damn ]

It's informative. It certainly tells me who's willing to dig through a thousand comments of inane bullshit to find something interesting~.

But I didn't say anything I wouldn't normally. Perhaps I stated it more straightforwardly, but I don't trust anything "anonymous" if I don't fully understand the technology behind it.

text; @medarda

[opposed]

Hugo, could you let me know when you have some time? I'd like to discuss a proposition for you about the shop.

[totalize]

Well, with an intriguing lead-in like that, I would never say no!

Of course, Ms. Medara. Is this a conversation we should have in person? Because if so, I'm free any time tomorrow evening, if that's not too much trouble. Any time after sunset would be perfectly fine with me.

@goddess.of.death

[queenofkur]

Dear Hugo;

I received your gift and am so very thankful for it. Those flowers are so beautiful, I sometimes have difficulties believing they are not real. Though it pains me to imagine how much you must have sacrificed to procure them. Humans have many needs and I hope you're not cutting on any of yours with this gift. You have, after all, a gallery to open and your dream should take precedence over all.

[totalize]

You're very welcome, Ereshkigal, and truly, it's kind of you to worry about it on my behalf. It wasn't a sacrifice at all, since as long as you enjoy them, it was worth every penny (so to speak!).

Luckily, I have good news on that front regardless! I've found the building, so lately it's more been a matter finishing the refurbishing. I was lucky to buy the lease off someone else who was deciding it was more trouble than it was worth~.

[ by, uh, killing him. don't worry about it. ]

There's still a lot of work to do, but if you'd like a sneak preview, just let me know! I'd be delighted for your company and to show it off just a little bit.

action, backdated to 11/09

[takasugi]

Oh, he's with me. Was waiting for me, even.

( it comes out of nowhere one evening, an arm threaded through hugo's like it was always meant to be there. and at the end of that arm,

is one takasugi shinsaku, his neck wrapped several times in a red scarf and that familiarly playful smile planted on his face. only his smile is directed at a couple of men in high waistcoats, small lapel pins clearly marking their pathos amid all the glamour as being allied with patho-gen. takasugi snugs hugo in tight. sorry. they're giving the two of them very pointed looks for this behavior that could very well be misconstrued as a public display of affection. )

There's nothing to worry about. Honestly, this is just prejudice, right? Prejudice, following me around and checking on me specifically. The anklet does its job well enough, and my fellow Augmented here can ensure that I won't do anything untoward. Right?

( said anklet in question being a metal bangle clinging to his skin from below. )

crying. i love him. babysitting time

[totalize]

[ It’s an evening out for Hugo, since now that he has his sights set on a building he wants to—ahem—obtain, he’s all about flattering the locals to squeeze any money out of them he can. He’s always been a natural at striking up a conversation, so it’s been off to the nicer bars in the evening to see who he can befriend. So far as he sees it, if he doesn’t get an investor, then he’ll at least get a future customer! Advertising and fundraising go hand in hand for this little venture, and when he’s an Augmented that’s easy on the eyes, it’s a lot easier.

…Though, admittedly. He has been trying out something new as of late. Being a Spectral may be something he largely feels negative about, but he’d have to admit, it comes with its fair share of useful powers. As of late, that silver tongue of his has been complimented by a more supernatural pull to win people over.

Not that he’s practicing it when Takasugi finds him. He has his usual of a dark wine, and by all appearances, it actually is reasonable that he might be waiting for someone. He’s alone and casually looking around the place, but he’s been looking for a mark, not— ]

Ah.

[ He at least catches himself from having a question in his tone as he looks to Takasugi, and there’s a little bit of a flinch under his hands, though it’s subdued. Hugo does look surprised for a moment as his mismatched eyes meet Takasugi’s, but it easily becomes a winning smile as he looks to the Patho-Gen escorts. ]

That’s right. It’s just a little date night, so nothing to worry about, gentlemen.

[ He plays along very easily probably more than Takasugi expects. In fact, Hugo immediately gives some petty payback for being put in this situation where he has to play along as he leans in to plant a kiss on Takasugi’s vulpine cheek without any shame whatsoever. The pair definitely recoils at the public affection here, and it could be enough to scare them off… But Hugo’s eyes intensely stay on theirs as they freeze to listen to his Spectral Suggestion. ]

So, why don’t you enjoy your evening elsewhere?

@13th (december sometime)

[verminous]

Hugo? Emergency situation

Well, not as in a real physical emergency, I mean, not that it isn't real either, this is a very real situation, nobody's hurt or anything like that

Social emergency?

Anyway, I can't go back to the apartment right now.

[totalize]

[ At first, Hugo feels an immediate spike of motivated adrenaline, since he's absolutely the kind of person that will leap into action immediately at an emergency. He's always prepared for that kind of thing, since it's practically reflexive after so many years of being a professional thief.

It's also at least quick to abate with the... partial clarification. Though, honestly? A social emergency where you can't be in a shared apartment does admittedly bring one scenario to mind over others.

...Hugo may not have met them, but you know? Good for Dante, he thinks. ]

Well, so long as no one is hurt! I was ready to valiantly leap into action, you know~

[ and when he texts it like that, it sounds like it's a joke instead of 100% true ]

You're welcome at my place, of course. Is this just a brief engagement, or do you need to stay for a while? Neither is a problem, mind you!

late december.

[opposed]

[ Hugo will find a box left behind at his gallery one day sitting next to some propped up blank canvases. There's a new brush set in the box, some tools, and some starting paints - all oil and very nice. Next to the box is also a little bottle of wine. A note is taped to the bottom of the box. ]

I hope you get a chance to enjoy the Midwinter celebrations.
~MM

mid-december!

[reprisings]

[ Hugo will also have a little package for him at his gallery but at least this one looks like a proper package, boxed up and signed and everything. Inside the mail package box is...another box! And this one has a green bow on it. Inside of that is an insulated scarf for him and a really nice hat, like the one he already wears, but with a sash accent around it. A note's included: ]

I wasn't quite sure if you feel the cold but I figured it wouldn't hurt!
~ Dorothea

Delivered on December 25th

[queenofkur]

[ For Christmas, Hugo receives a painting Ereshkigal has tried making. It depicts the goddess herself, Hugo and an attempt at painting his sister based on what she remembers from his own painting, all smiling and waving. There are also a few other people, smaller in the background. People she's met in this world, such as Vanitas, Soundwave and... Silco. The art isn't exactly good but not bad either - it is akin to the sort you'd see in ancient ruins found in Mesopotamia.

There is a letter with it. ]

Dear Hugo,

This is my first attempt at art, I wanted to contribute to your art gallery, but I do not believe this is worthy of being exposed next to the masterpieces you plan to show to the world. But perhaps it is good enough to be a piece you personally will at least enjoy.

Merry Christmas!
Ereshkigal, Goddess of Death and Queen of Kûr

christmas-ish

[verminous]

[left at hugo's place, at some point while greg is there, is a plain little pot full of soil with a red ribbon tied around it. a thorned stem inside holds up a rosebud that has yet to bloom, sticking up from a base layer of moss on the soil. it's accompanied by a stem of bleeding hearts, another of baneberries-- all familiar plantlife, plucked and propagated off of gregor himself and rooted into the pot.

attached to the ribbon is a note:]

It might not be much, but you know, I figured you're in a better position than me to go get anything else you might want-- so I'd better go with something you can't get so easy.

They shouldn't be too hard to keep alive. The moss doesn't want much, just to stay damp, and if you're keeping up on that it should be enough water for the rest to soak up, too. That, and... give them a little blood if you can swing it? Seems like they like it, especially the roses. If you get sick of the rose you've got on you, we can probably move it into the pot too, so just let me know if I ever need to give that a shot.

Thanks again for letting me crash here. You've been a big help-- not just with that, but I really do appreciate having you around. Turns out that I couldn't have asked for a better stranger to get bribed into imprinting experiments with, eh? So, merry Christmas, Hugo.

[the rosebud will bloom quickly if it's given blood & will take a week or so if just watered, but whether he feeds it or not: it will turn out to have orange petals, tipped with purple.]

action; 1/11

[antline]

[Here it is. Just like Hugo said. A big red building by the water. Sariel stares at it for a long moment...and then remembers that Hugo has to be texted to let him know he's here. That's right.]

[So he does.]

i'm here

outside

it's time for BREAD

[totalize]

[ imagining him just standing outside for like an hour so patiently… thank god he remembers ]

Ah, perfect timing! I’d just finished up some flooring~ [ if sariel wonders what that means, alas, hugo does not elaborate, ] I’ll be right out!

[ Though there may be a clue in how Hugo is dressed once he comes outside a few minutes later. It’s all very much clothing for doing manual labor, and his hair is pulled up into a high sitting bun to stay out of his way. The flooring in this case is completely literal, since the renovations for the gallery are all things that Hugo is doing himself to save money!

He twirls his ring of keys on his finger as he heads to the gate, so clearly, he’s in a good mood already. ]

Welcome to Vivant! [ He says it with a flourish as he unlocks the gate and pulls it open, though it also comes with a shrug. ] Well, partially. We’re just going up to my place at the top floor, so don’t judge whatever works in progress you see along the way~.

text, un: traveler, backdated to end of January (before Wrio got in trouble)

[startraveler]

Hugo! One of my friends agreed to take a look at the gate. I'll be helping him out. I can't promise we're definitely going to get it fixed, but we'll do our best. He has some experience with machineries from back home.

His name is Wriothesley, if you happened to meet him before.

[totalize]

That's wonderful! It was such a minor thing that I didn't expect you to actually find someone to help, but I'm certainly appreciative! I just thought it would be easily forgotten~

I can't say I know him, no, but always pleased to meet new people. If he has experience back home, I do expect this should be no problem, at least. It's that fun problem of looking something and knowing that it's broken and why *but* also not really knowing enough to fix it, haha!

3/3, @onestepforward txt

[ignoreher]

[ now speaking of mr kissable,

malkuth's recovery period is closer to its end now, even if she'll be resting just a bit longer to make sure her energy's back to normal, but she does want to check on her friends now that the fog is for sure gone... hugo among them. ]

How're you feeling?
Like, after the past month... It's been pretty rough on all of us, so I just wanted to ask!

[ and maybe she can segue into mentioning that one of the artists he'd looked forward to exhibiting can no longer do so. malkuth's getting better at talking about that. probably. ]

[totalize]

[ Now, physically, he’s fine. Following his hunger like it was instinct in the fog had made him feel great, in fact. Stronger than ever, so even when he had been rather seriously injured in the process, “healing” was easy. Set’s Terra powers helped, but it was also just a pain that was quick to fade away into nothing.

All of that resilience just came at a different cost. He has to put all of his attention into things like his gallery, his new little “orphanage” of Spectrals, anything to just avoid thinking about what he’d done. Or, more importantly, how much he’d enjoyed it.

So. Her question is very nearly one he leaves on read as he works on finishing touches of one of the exhibits. He’s not even sure how to answer it, doesn’t want to, et cetera, but.

Politeness wins out. Or maybe he gets the feeling that not addressing it would just lead to her proverbially (?) breaking down his door to find out the answer personally. It’s easier to put on an affect in text anyways. ]

Hmm… Alright, I suppose?

It was nothing like what happened in November, but I suppose circumstances here are just determined to put us through the wringer sometimes! I can at least half blame Patho-Gen when it comes to Kelesis, but back here in Karteria, who knows? Not that I would be surprised if it ended up being their fault…

But it’s kind of you to check in, I’ll note. I hope you’re similarly okay.

@goddess.of.death, text, sometimes after the underworld disappeared

[queenofkur]

Hugo

I
I need help with a most embarrassing and shameful matter.
There are very few I would dare turn to for such a thing.
Though there are no doubts a perfect goddess could accomplish such a thing perfectly without any help...

I would rather be careful!

[totalize]

Of course, Ereshkigal. I understand preferring to be safe side~

[ But also. He may not have any idea what this is about but he can sure guess that it's probably something she genuinely does need help with... ]

What is it that you need help with?

@yesod; march 4th

[wordchain]

[ Yesod has been keeping to his room whenever Malkuth has visitors while he is at home, in order to give them enough space and privacy, though his Reptilia soul remains on edge if it detects unfamiliar scents in what it deems its territory, all the more restless each time that he finds the front door unlocked. Aware of Hugo's visit, he was able to override these nonsensical instincts, at least, and it's good that Malkuth has the company of numerous friends to look forward to, rarely alone with her thoughts then. Little does Yesod know that Hugo is also the mystery person who provided Malkuth with a timely distraction of a different sort in the form of his kissable people list, but as that conversation noted, some levity and fun are most likely sorely needed, and Hugo seems to be quite skilled in that regard as well.

That said, last month's impact has been on Yesod's mind. Knowing that Hugo has a Spectral-type Natural Soul, he wonders how the other man is faring after the recent weeks behind them. ]

Greetings, Hugo. I must apologize for the belated response, as I recall that you offered your art gallery as a refuge while the dark fog affected Karteria. I failed to thank you at the time.

[ He was rather preoccupied with searching for Malkuth, and Malkuth herself couldn't answer her Syntrofos... ]

[totalize]

Ah, please, don't even worry about it! I take it that means you stayed there for a bit? I hope it was comfortable.

[ Or not, but. He'll just be doubly surprised that Yesod is simply that polite! ]

Honestly, I wouldn't have responded to thanks at the time anyways! I was "out and about" to put it politely.

text

[biomancy]

I have been thinking on our predicament.

Have you spent much time thinking about it? What they have done to us?

[totalize]

I have. Honestly, there’s scarcely a day that goes by where I don’t think about it… It’s a bit hard to forget when it’s so physical, no?

Why is it on your mind today, though?

nebulous april it doesnt matter, txt @onestepforward

[ignoreher]

[ it took some time to weed out all the things she'd crossed off, but as promised...

a list. there's things she'd said, things she hadn't, and there's some more clearly influenced by her being here than just what she couldn't do back home. ]

- See a movie in a theater
- Learn to swim
- Fly
- See a shooting star
- Bake a cake
- Build a structure that touches the sky
- Paint a massive work
- Make flowers crowns
- Be in two places at once
- Play an instrument
- Get a piercing
- Date someone
- Share clothes with a friend
- Sleep on the train
- Eat fire
- Jump off a cliff
- Sail a boat (need to learn to swim first!)
- Trim a bush in the shape of an animal
- Write a book
- Perform shadow puppets for a crowd
- Skinny dipping (also need to learn to swim for this)
- Follow an ant trail from start to end
- Adopt an animal
- Learn to sew
- Sculpt something
- Act out the scene of a play
- Skip stones
- Figure out what a grass whistle is
- Fix something that's broke
- Get a tattoo
- Find a pearl in a clam
- Be kissed
- Blow glass (I read about this, it sounds fun!)
- Make my own candle
- Participate as a nude model
- Attend a play at The Peacock
- Cook every dish in a cookbook
- Learn a new language
- Eat the specialty at every restaurant in Karteria
- Carve something into a tree
- Dance in the rain
- Successfully prank someone

To be honest, it's ever growing... And I might've knocked some off if they didn't apply too (sorry, you can't help me with having a girl's night out), but--
I'm eager to see what we can get done, and what we can add!
You might already be "dead", Hugo, but you should think of some things too. I'd like to make them come true.

THIS IS SOOOOO CUTE AAAAA

[totalize]

[ Which, honestly, is not that far off from Hugo’s reaction when he reads this text… It might be a little melancholic to have so many simple things be on this list, but instead, Hugo sees them as a beautiful joie de vivre. As he reads through, he quickly evaluates each one, where some he has an immediate idea for how to accomplish it, and others… Well, they’ll take a little more work, but never say never! He’s quite resourceful!

Though he does pause a little at that last sentiment. It’s incredibly sweet, of course, and he’s touched to be considered too, but… It’s odd to realize that he hasn’t thought about things like this at all in a very long time. ]

What an excellent list! And I’m happy to say that 90% of them (ish!) are things that I immediately know how we can accomplish~ The rest of the 10% might just take some luck!

[ Like finding a pearl! He wouldn’t cheat and manufacture that, so that truly is just purely down to luck. ]

And the ones that stick out to me immediately are learning to swim (an important one!), getting a piercing (I know someone that can do that, buuuut most of mine were diy actually), and attending a play at The Peacock (just straightforward).

As for myself, well… I might have to mull that over, actually. Once I was on my own, I crossed a lot of things off my personal list, but that was a long time ago at this point! Nowadays I don’t actually have much in the way of a bucket list, but that’s not because of being here. I just haven’t thought about it.