Theoretically, yes, I suppose. I mean, maybe there are other worlds where they have, or they call it something different. Or it manifests differently. A lot of worlds call on magic of some kind. If you ask me, we all just have different ways of relating to the same thing.
[ Nate's magic works differently from Stephen Strange's, and so on. He isn't troubled by that. Every world is different, too. Why would it be surprising that magic might take different forms in each one? ]
I like that thought. Like the chaos of nature, expressing itself in different ways across an infinite universe.
[He can't help himself. Even though he's grown more accustomed to the chaos and randomness of life over time, a core part of him will always see it as mess in need of research, understanding, and fitting into the known logic of the universe.]
Chaos that, often enough, has rules guiding its expression. [Even nautilus shells express the Fibonacci sequence.] I prefer your explanation to the one I've heard often enough from other magic users in the city, which mostly amounts to shrugging, and saying it 'is what it is'.
Yes, well. I've had to spend a lot of time thinking about the nature of the universe. My world's in some trouble on that front.
But...I can't change that here, and I much prefer problems I can solve, so. What do you think would work best, for getting you out of bloodlust? Could a shock bring you back to yourself, or would you need to be knocked out entirely?
Most likely the latter. As far as I know, there's nothing that can bring my type of vampire back from bloodlust, except satiation. That much could be done, I suppose, but it's not ideal. Anyone in my path would be made to deal with a blood-crazed vampire, which could be dangerous for even people in the city with the strength to counter me.
[There's no elegant solution either way, but he doesn't care.]
Not having control over where, and how, I might be knocked out is dangerous for me, too, but I don't see any other choice. People can't truly die here, and I'm prepared to accept that consequence, if it comes to that. [The obvious way he sees it happening is if he manages to pass out somewhere that sunlight will touch hours later.]
I could build in some kind of shield charm, to give you some protection once you're down. At least it might help.
[ But there'll still be some level of risk. There'd have to be; they're talking about something that would do enough damage to Charles to knock him down when he's at his strongest and most vigorous. It's not going to be gentle. ]
Tell me what it's like, when you're in that frenzy. I mean, physically. The charm's going to need to be activated by something, some kind of trigger where it'll recognise you're out of control and release the spell. Normally I'd make it trigger when your heartrate goes over a certain amount, but that's hardly going to work in this case. Do you have any thoughts on what would?
[It's a critical question, and Charles falls silent for a solid minute as he considers what the proper target might be for a trigger. Alaric was planning on putting a purely mental block on his mind, but it sounds like Nate's magic is more physically-oriented than that. His heart doesn't beat, blood doesn't push through his veins, so what else is there?
He's not sure what to offer, beyond the extraordinary tangle of heightened emotions and instincts that is bloodlust.]
I don't, beyond the way I feel when it's happening. Any more obvious physical triggers - the teasing out of claws, or fangs - are the result of other emotional states I experience, and not simply bloodlust. [Charles frowns deeply.]
The experience of it is pure savage elation. [He offers the words without reverence.] Whatever I had been thinking about, before it occurs, is swept entirely from my mind. My focus narrows to the closest living creatures near me, the beating of their hearts, and what the Creature will do to them. [It's always some variety of violence, which he doesn't think he needs to expand on, and neither does he want to.]
The mental state is highly specific, and could serve as a trigger, if something like it can be targeted.
[ Okay, tricky, but potentially doable. Nate leans forward, considering it. ]
Can you...visualise that mental state in your head? Maybe we could try and teach the charm to recognise it, based on your memories. Then when that happens in real time, it'll react.
It's new territory, [Charles admits, frowning] but I've never experienced emotions or memories as a gateway to bloodlust, alone. It's not something I've heard of happening to other vampires of my kind, either.
I'm willing to try it; I have some fresh memories from this place that could be recent enough to give the charm something extra to 'latch onto'. [He trails off pensively.]
But for the sake of taking additional precautions, I'll arrange to try it somewhere safe. [Which means relying on the same restraint he used with Alaric. Easy enough.] Is it something you'll need to be present for, to gauge the take?
[Even without a display of Nate's power, his confidence sells that he can handle himself. It's not enough to dissuade Charles from taking his own precautions, but it's reassuring, all the same.]
All the evidence I have says it can't, and won't, happen, but I prefer not to take risks with my vampirism. There's a basement room in the hospital that would serve the purposes of a test well: it's never occupied, and should you end up needing some kind of help, Kyle and numerous other magic-users work in the building. I can meet you there on any night you'd be prepared.
A couple weeks it is, then. I'll await your call. [And with any luck, the first test will work without any unexpected problems.]
And thank you, Nate, [he says, sincerely.] Even for simply trying - it means more to me than I could begin to explain.
[Which may go without saying, but it feels important to insist on the significance of his being able to live in the city without worrying about being a threat at any given moment.]
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no subject
[ Nate's magic works differently from Stephen Strange's, and so on. He isn't troubled by that. Every world is different, too. Why would it be surprising that magic might take different forms in each one? ]
I like that thought. Like the chaos of nature, expressing itself in different ways across an infinite universe.
no subject
Chaos that, often enough, has rules guiding its expression. [Even nautilus shells express the Fibonacci sequence.] I prefer your explanation to the one I've heard often enough from other magic users in the city, which mostly amounts to shrugging, and saying it 'is what it is'.
no subject
Yes, well. I've had to spend a lot of time thinking about the nature of the universe. My world's in some trouble on that front.
But...I can't change that here, and I much prefer problems I can solve, so. What do you think would work best, for getting you out of bloodlust? Could a shock bring you back to yourself, or would you need to be knocked out entirely?
no subject
[There's no elegant solution either way, but he doesn't care.]
Not having control over where, and how, I might be knocked out is dangerous for me, too, but I don't see any other choice. People can't truly die here, and I'm prepared to accept that consequence, if it comes to that. [The obvious way he sees it happening is if he manages to pass out somewhere that sunlight will touch hours later.]
no subject
I could build in some kind of shield charm, to give you some protection once you're down. At least it might help.
[ But there'll still be some level of risk. There'd have to be; they're talking about something that would do enough damage to Charles to knock him down when he's at his strongest and most vigorous. It's not going to be gentle. ]
Tell me what it's like, when you're in that frenzy. I mean, physically. The charm's going to need to be activated by something, some kind of trigger where it'll recognise you're out of control and release the spell. Normally I'd make it trigger when your heartrate goes over a certain amount, but that's hardly going to work in this case. Do you have any thoughts on what would?
no subject
He's not sure what to offer, beyond the extraordinary tangle of heightened emotions and instincts that is bloodlust.]
I don't, beyond the way I feel when it's happening. Any more obvious physical triggers - the teasing out of claws, or fangs - are the result of other emotional states I experience, and not simply bloodlust. [Charles frowns deeply.]
The experience of it is pure savage elation. [He offers the words without reverence.] Whatever I had been thinking about, before it occurs, is swept entirely from my mind. My focus narrows to the closest living creatures near me, the beating of their hearts, and what the Creature will do to them. [It's always some variety of violence, which he doesn't think he needs to expand on, and neither does he want to.]
The mental state is highly specific, and could serve as a trigger, if something like it can be targeted.
no subject
[ Okay, tricky, but potentially doable. Nate leans forward, considering it. ]
Can you...visualise that mental state in your head? Maybe we could try and teach the charm to recognise it, based on your memories. Then when that happens in real time, it'll react.
I could see that working.
no subject
I'm not sure what you mean, exactly. Try to put myself in the emotional shoes of what the state feels like?
no subject
[ A beat. ]
Is that possible, or likely to trigger an episode for you?
no subject
I'm willing to try it; I have some fresh memories from this place that could be recent enough to give the charm something extra to 'latch onto'. [He trails off pensively.]
But for the sake of taking additional precautions, I'll arrange to try it somewhere safe. [Which means relying on the same restraint he used with Alaric. Easy enough.] Is it something you'll need to be present for, to gauge the take?
no subject
I was planning to cast the spell actively. Would that be a problem, I mean...do you think it's likely to actually set off a bloodlust state for you?
Because if so, I should definitely be there. I can knock you out myself if need be.
no subject
All the evidence I have says it can't, and won't, happen, but I prefer not to take risks with my vampirism. There's a basement room in the hospital that would serve the purposes of a test well: it's never occupied, and should you end up needing some kind of help, Kyle and numerous other magic-users work in the building. I can meet you there on any night you'd be prepared.
no subject
That'll work. Kyle won't mind.
I have some research to do, and some building blocks to make, but...give me a couple of weeks, maybe? I'll be in touch.
[ ooc: would you like to play this out? ]
no subject
And thank you, Nate, [he says, sincerely.] Even for simply trying - it means more to me than I could begin to explain.
[Which may go without saying, but it feels important to insist on the significance of his being able to live in the city without worrying about being a threat at any given moment.]