![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ic inbox
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 creditName: Hugo Vlad Ravenlock
Age: 35
Hometown: New Eridu
action; 1/11
[So he does.]
i'm here
outside
it's time for BREAD
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~.
no subject
Okay.
[He says, quietly, as he follows along.]
What are you working on?
no subject
Ah, what am I not working on is the better question… So, pardon the mess inside?
[ Hugo leads the way, since other than the quite pretty lobby, they cut through a hallway that’s clearly still in progress. It looks closer to done than some of the galleries that Sariel can take a look at on the way that are in various states and definitely still fool of tools. But! For once, Hugo isn’t showing off his work, so he leads the way to the freight elevator. ]
This will be an art gallery when I’m all done with it and ready to open. Do you have any artistic pursuits yourself?
no subject
[...What sort of Soul does Hugo have, he wonders.]
Art...I see. And no, I've never made art. It seems like there's a lot to learn before you do it.
no subject
[ He pulls the door of the elevator open, which is definitely a full body effort, but he doesn't seem to mind. He just keeps on chatting. ]
—But part of the charm of art is that its main resource is time. You just get skilled the more you do it. If you've never done it before, I highly recommend just drawing with a pencil and paper for fun.
[ He closes the door after Sariel once he steps inside too, then presses the button for the fourth floor. It's a bit noisy, so he just raises his voice. ]
One hobby at a time for today, though! The first three floors are the gallery, but I live at the top floor. I already have everything we need to make some simple bread.
no subject
[He's really close to just stepping forward to open the elevator door himself, but ...well, look like he's already got it.]
[He's been in elevators since coming here, but its a bit of a novel experience every time. He stares up at the rattling.]
So you own...the whole building? That's a lot just for art.
no subject
I do. I didn’t think I’d get one of this size, since I would have been fine with a business space rather than something more museum-sized, but! I got lucky with obtaining this one for a deal~. I suppose the work of refurbishing it cuts the cost a lot.
[ That’s not completely true. It helps that he’d murdered the previous owner. But! Anyways! It’s a short ride to the top, and after pulling the doors open again, it opens up into an entirely different kind of space. Hugo gestures with a playful showiness, but continues without pausing towards the kitchen. ]
And welcome to my home. The previous owner was making all of this into apartments, so I benefit from being able to take the penthouse for myself~.
[ Though of note, there are two pieces of art on the walls that stand out. One is a detailed portrait of a young woman. Sitting by a window is a smaller portrait of a younger girl, but her face is also completely obscured in the drawing. Delicate lace covers her face artfully save for a warm smile. There’s a vase of fresh flowers underneath that portrait that's absent from the other. ]
no subject
A deal, huh. That's a nice deal. Lots of space.
[And he knows space is expensive, since he asked. Way too expensive for his allowance.]
[Sariel steps after him, casting his pale gaze over everything - and this time, he is distracted. Instead of following him to the kitchen, he's beelining (antlining?) to the pictures on the wall, staring at each one for a good minute or so.]
[If Hugo notices he's lost his ant buddy and approaches, he simply turns his head and asks:]
You...painted these?
no subject
He doesn’t interrupt as Sariel looks at them, instead taking the time to set out some of the ingredients they’ll need. He’s personally very critical of his work, so he wouldn’t go so far as to say they’re worthy of quiet contemplation that art can evoke, but. There’s a story in both. It’s once things are set out that he approaches. ]
I did. Through many, many iterations, I’ll note, since portraiture really isn’t my strong suit…
[ Maybe it sounds like he’s being humble, but it’s true. For these two, he was more dedicated to getting it right than he normally might be. He’s a perfectionist that prefers to draw architecture over people, but for Serena and Vivian, well. ]
They’re my little sisters. Vivian and Serena.
[ He nods to each of them in turn as he says their names, and it’s almost like he’s introducing Sariel to people rather than just paintings. ]
no subject
[He knows they're paintings, but these are also representations of his sisters. Humans always have such powerful feelings about family. That should be respected.]
[Now that he knows they're family, he's paying closer attention to the faces, or at least, what he can see of both of them. It reminds him of Gabriel's art...she was trying her best to be a painter, just like Hugo.]
They're very pretty. [The paintings, and the girls in question, too.] They have ears like yours. And similar eyes.
[Yes, obviously. He purses his lips thoughtfully as he glances over again.]
Why does one have flowers and the other doesn't? One likes them more than the other?
no subject
The thing is, it’s easier with a stranger. Sariel doesn’t have any context to dig in more or to even give him a look of concern that a friend might. That arm’s length is more comfortable, as it always has been. Therefore, it’s easy to smile when Sariel greets them so charmingly. ]
Aren’t they?
[ His smile is still gentle, but it’s a little bit closer to beaming as Sariel compliments them. There’s plenty he can say, from how beauty is rumored to be in elven genes or the more practical of how they all have ears like that, so it’s not really notable, but. The follow-up question takes the wind out of his sails a bit.
…How innocent, he thinks. He would guess the implication was clear, but clearly not to Sariel. That makes it a little easier too, actually. ]
Serena’s is a memorial. She died a long time ago.
[ He doesn’t like to dance around it with the softer words like “passed away”. She was murdered, and he didn’t— No. He clamps down on that thought quickly as he explains. It might be a melancholy explanation, but it’s something practical rather than that emotional weight under the surface. ]
Long enough ago that I don’t really remember her face, I’m afraid. [ He nods to Vivian’s portrait. ] That’s why I wanted to paint Vivian. I didn’t want to forget her like I had Serena, you know? But then it felt strange to have one and not the other, so I did my best for both.
no subject
[He hasn't really talked to others directly about death. Even so long ago, all the people he killed....he simply was ordered to return home, and that was that. He wonders if the families made memorials like this for the people whose lives he cut down with his scythe.]
[...What a painful feeling.]
[But after some thought, he tilts his head owlishly in the other's direction, gesturing to the empty space under Vivian's portrait.]
I know its a memorial. But Vivian looks lonely. Not flowers, but...you could put something here she likes. I know she can't feel it....it's a painting. But I don't know. It's empty underneath, so...
[It would feel right, somehow. So both "have" something.]
no subject
...Do you think so?
[ Hugo looks back to Vivian thoughtfully, and he seems to seriously consider it. What comes to mind first isn't exactly feasible... But he knows immediately that she'd want Phatheon merchandise first of all. It would probably sound like a mean-spirited joke if he said it, but it's absolutely, completely true. Vivian is unique in her tastes, that's for sure. ]
It's a sweet idea. I'll have to think about what to put there, but I think I will. Thank you, Sariel.
[ The thanks is genuine. It's soft, even. ]
Just so long as it doesn't look like a memorial, at least. That'd really be far too depressing, wouldn't it?
no subject
[He just made a suggestion. It doesn't feel like he DID much of anything, but he appreciates it regardless.]
A memorial...no, I understand. She's still alive, so. [Hmmm. He rubs at his chin a little, thoughtful. How to make it not like a memorial? Well, he hasn't seen that many memorials to begin with...]
Maybe you could paint...whatever she likes? And put that next to her. Maybe.
no subject
Sorry, I'm not laughing at you! I just know exactly what it would be, and, well.
[ Another chuckle, though this time it comes with a shrug. ]
Unfortunately for her doting big brother, she has someone that she adores more than me, so it'd be a representation of them. She's, um, a little bit obsessive about them, so that's why I laughed.
no subject
[He's trying to understand. Obsessive...like a fan....]
[He has an idea.]
I see. She must like an idol. Many such cases.
no subject
[ Close enough, anyways. Explaining Phatheon as a phenomenon to anyone is just a very long explanation, but. He truly wasn't expecting Sariel to get it at all. Hugo may not be sure what this fellow's deal is, but he seems very sheltered.
...Not as much as he thought, he guesses? ]
You have idols where you're from?
no subject
[He rifles in his pocket, pulls out a button that has Takasugi's face on it.]
Some of my friends here are idols. I support them with buttons like these. Do you want one?
no subject
He’d just assumed that it would be at home, but right. They have their own idols here too. He’d forgotten, since with no offense to the group, it’s just not really his thing… And without the ever present pop culture of things like tv or the Inter-Knot, well! ]
Ha… I do, actually.
[ Taking a button of the man that murdered you… Yeah, he’s not unpacking that one, thanks. ]
I know Takasugi. Were imprinted, actually, so I’m surprised he didn’t give me one himself.
[ He looks back to Sariel with just a little slyness in his smile. ]
Is he actually a little shy about this sort of thing? That’d be very cute if so.
no subject
Oh, an imprint?
[Small world, it seems. He wonders what their imprint is like.]
Ah.... [Now that question makes his eyebrows knit together.] No. The opposite. He gave me these to give away. Maybe he...ran out before he could give you one. I did take a lot...
no subject
[ Hugo gives out the compliment/flirtation so easily that it seems like a natural flow of the conversation. Is it something Sariel will pick up on? …No, he guesses not, but this is also just how he is. It might be coy, but he also means it. ]
Thank you, then! You’ve already given me plenty and you’ve only just gotten here… A gift for Vivian, a token of support for Takasugi…!
[ Showily, he gestures towards the kitchen as he beams. ]
So! Shall I return the favor? We’ll make the best bread we possibly can!
no subject
[He doesn't say it in a flattered way, but genuinely curious. It's not a word he's heard used to describe him at all.]
...Well, I feel happy giving people things. It's good you like it. [But yes. The time has come.] Yeah. Let's go make some bread.
no subject
Of course you are, my dear! Why, I would even go as far as to say you’re handsome. Not my type, I say meaning no offense, since I just like my men broad and muscular…
[ And furry. I mean what. ]
But you have a lovely face and way about you. I’m charmed already~.
[ Hugo is always open to giving dizzying compliments like it’s the easiest thing in the world… It’s also perfectly natural, since he tosses a simple apron across the way to Sariel, then takes one and starts to put it on himself. ]
no subject
Mm. I've heard that, before.
[The handsome, thing. There's no evidence he's flattered by this, its simply reporting a fact, like someone told him the sky is actually green, and he's taken it for granted without really getting what it means.]
A lovely face...I suppose my creators made me that way. Though I wore a mask when I did my role, so...hm.
[Logically, doesn't add up! Maybe it does. Quandaries. He's taking the apron to put on - no need to help him, here.]
What's the next step?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)