sciencesquid | IC Inbox

I need to ask a favor. Is that... agreeable? Or am I overstepping.

[Otto would wonder if this is a trap, but after his last conversation with Beck, he's much more inclined to believe this is a genuine question.]

Whether you're overstepping depends entirely on what the favor is. If it's doable, I'm prepared to help however I can.

It's concerning some recent... developments, for lack of a better word, and I don't know what to do about it. I thought the whole hunger thing was bullshit, but.

It's starting to catch up to me, and

I need help.

The hunger thing, unfortunately, is very far from bullshit. Ignoring it will end badly, so I'm glad you reached out when you did. I guided Peter through it a few weeks ago. I know how it works, now.

How long has it been since the hunger began, do you think?

A few days, probably-? The pang has been there for a while, but now it's like

Ugh. Like something's actually *gnawing*, and I'm not a fan of it. But unlike that other shape, I have zero idea of how to work out the whole feeding thing in this one. The cables were at least some degree of intuitive.

[...And he also happened to shock Otto with said feeding cables as a simulacrum, but. Details.]

[Yes, he remembers the cables, thank you.]

That gnawing makes it sound as if you're dangerously close to losing control. It's best not to waste more time than you need to, at this point.

Faerie feedings are a miserable chore. I can attest to that. Have you learned how to make those circles yet?

['Attest to that'? Oh, wonderful. He couldn't have picked a better person to ask for help, then, even if that probably complicates things somehow.]

No, I haven't. But there has been a weird... pins and needles feeling that I haven't been able to shake out of my hands if that's anything. The inclination to do *something* with them, but- fuck if I know yet. Think it's some... magic bullshit, for lack of a better word?

That would be the urge to make those circles then, I assume. When do you have time to meet? I'll show you how it's done, then you can try to mimic it.

Whenever, really. Probably sooner rather than later before it gets worse. You think it'll go quick, or-?

I don't know if I have that much time before things go south, based on what you're saying. When's your schedule open, doc?

[You're lucky you caught him in the weekend, Beck. Not that he wouldn't still take time off from work for something like this, it'd just be more of a hassle.]

It's open for all of today. We can meet wherever you feel comfortable, just be aware that we'll still need to find suitable 'prey' for you.

[Oh, Quentin hates everything about this. But at this rate, he doesn't have much of a choice unless he wants to end up on a rampage or something.]

Well, the last time we met at a bar, things went sideways. Maybe the park in a bit-? Open, plenty of space. Easy to split off from there for... anything related to prey, I guess.

I hate that I can type that seriously.

[Otto's nose crinkles when he reads the mention of that bar encounter. He has no one to blame but himself for the lingering spite.]

I hate it as well. Believe me.

The park is fine. It'll be more difficult in a public area, but we can make it work. Two hours from now?

Well, when I said the park, I didn't meant hunt *there*. Just. we can practice the rings there and go from that-? I don't even know what to look for or do in this situation.

Two hours works. See you then.

[And in two hours, Otto will be able to find a moth-man leaning against one of the trees in the park, vaguely people-watching to distract himself. He keeps fiddling with the edge of his untucked shirt, tensing his jaw and loosening it as he resists the urge to- well. Consume.]

[Honestly? The public area problem applies to the rings themselves as well. It's a bit difficult to concentrate when there's a crowd nearby. But he'll let Beck find that out on his own, then.

By now, it's been almost seven weeks since Otto last saw the man in person. And quite frankly, that last time doesn't make for a pleasant image at all. The fact that Beck was a Simulacrum didn't make his body any less horrific to look at. Despite the monster change since then, he's easy enough to recognize. He looks more like the human self Otto met with a few days after their arrival, after all. As for Otto himself... Well. The pastels of his hair and eyes may make for a curious sight. That's to say nothing of the fluff around his neck and the colorful wings. At least his outfit's barely changed.]

... Beck.

[Quentin's eyebrows raise as he gets a good look at Octavius for the first time in weeks, and- well. Well, well, well. Seems like both of them got saddled with some neck fluff. And the pastels- wow. Guy doesn't even have an iris from the look of things.]

Octavius. I can't say it's good to see you, but- [He shrugs, pushing away from the tree.] Thanks for showing up. You figure out how to use those things yet-? Mine are mostly fidgety.

[Wings are weird. He still has no real idea on how to control his own.]

[The feelings on the reunion are mutual. Not that Otto thinks it's bad to see Beck again, it's just complicated. He could go the rest of his time in Ryslig without seeing this man again and it'd be... fine, really. But again, he doesn't actively mind.

At the mention of 'those things', his own wings reflexively do that vibrating flutter that dragonflies excel at. And if you thought a normal-size dragonfly is audible, just imagine the sort of noise a human-sized one can produce.]

Mine are loud. [When he first arrived, he was a bit envious of flying monsters. Not anymore.] ... Anyway, it's no problem. The sooner you learn how to feed yourself, the better. And I mean that in the most objective way possible.

[Plenty of things are complicated here. At least some of the usual problems are tabled for the moment, or... not much of a problem anymore. That wing flutter leaves Quentin wincing a bit in sympathy.]

Why, doc, you don't want to spend time with me? I'm wounded. [His tone is dry as he presses a hand to his chest melodramatically, only to let it drop.] Fair enough. Lemme guess, the rings are... some kind of conduit? And without using them, I'm fucked feeding-wise.

[The melodramatic sarcasm certainly isn't making Beck any more popular in Otto's book. He'll just pretend he didn't hear it, nor see it. Down to business, that'll be easier for the both of them in the long run.]

They're a conduit, and they also double as containment in a way. Once you begin the process of sapping energy, the prey should become too weakened to flee. [He scrunches his eyes shut for a moment, knowing damn well they're talking about living human beings here.] I don't believe it's possible to sap energy when your target isn't standing inside a circle of your own making, so yes. Without them, you'll find yourself in trouble.

['Containment'? Great. Quentin can't help the disgusted look that crosses his face as he connects the dots. Talking about people like this leaves a bad taste in his mouth.]

So, okay. I just... do the circle thing- [He does a small circling gesture in the air, and is startled by the hint of green twining between his fingers. What the fuck-] And- get somebody to walk into it? Go full 'walk into my parlor, said the spider to the fly'-? Will I know when somebody enters the circle and it'll start on its own, or-?

[Otto too hates the way they're talking about people right now, but... It makes things a bit easier, to detach oneself emotionally from that concept as much as possible. His gaze strays to Beck's hand when it circles, as well as that twine of green. His hands don't do that, he's fairly sure.]

I can't say for certain what it'll be like for you. From what I understand, there will always be minute differences between how each other individual monster functions. ...When someone stepped into my circle, I knew. And while the process didn't start automatically, I knew how to start it. It was like taking a breath or moving a limb.

[Like 'moving a limb', huh? Quentin blows out a breath, and scrubs a hand down his face.]

Great. Intuition is what I have to rely on here. There's no other... guidelines? Just... get the circle to show up, have somebody in it, and- what. Hope instinct kicks in before they can try and kick my ass?

[And here Quentin had been hoping Otto would have the full rules figured out or something. He seemed like that kinda guy.]

[The problem with rules and guidelines is that in order to have them, something needs to function objectively and be reproducible. Monster magic is different for everyone, so Beck can be frustrated all he wants, but it won't solve a damn thing.]

That's your best bet, yes. I hate to say it, but this is a trial and error sort of situation. Thinking about it will only lead to overthinking and slow the process down.

['There is no try, only do', pal.]

[If looks could kill, Quentin would have Otto six feet under right now. He knows the guy was a physicist, those nerds are all about parameters and variables and whether or not a black hole will eat your face.

Quentin is conveniently forgetting that he is also a nerd here.]

Wonderful. Grand. Do I need to worry about this kinda thing blowing up in my face, any sort of... backlash if I fuck up? Or the worst that'll happen is a strained wrist from this circling bullshit? Trying won't... [He gestures awkwardly, face scrunching in annoyance as more green 'magic' follows his fingers.] I'm not gonna hit 'empty' and launch myself at somebody, right?

[... Alright, that 'hitting empty' is a good point, actually. It's possible that Beck using his powers will lead to increased hunger. Otto doesn't know for certain that's how it works, but he wouldn't be surprised if it does.]

I don't know. [Because he has to be honest about this.] Would you like to see me do it first, so you can try to mimic it? I've fed recently, it shouldn't be a problem for me.

[Thank fuck, Otto can pick up what Quentin was putting down. The gnawing feeling has already become a constant buzz in the back of his head. He doesn't want to see what happens if that feeling takes over everything.]

Please, I'd appreciate it. While I know I have to... feed at some point, I'm not interested in it happening because of outside circumstances. Plus, between you and me- [He makes a gesturing motion between them.] Kinda like being able to come here without people thinking I'll go at 'em. But, so-

[Now Quentin makes a small sweeping motion to the grass around them.]

Care to demonstrate, doc? Give a few pointers?

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WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, OCTAVIUS. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 015.03.020.15 * OCTAVIUS has joined 015.03.020.15 <OCTAVIUS>** You've reached Dr. Otto Octavius. Please leave a message.