unfinishednetwork | Bulletin Post #1

It would be an excellent way to determine who is and is not safe to engage with. Speak to my brother if you get the opportunity, he'll have an interesting tale for you. I'm unsure he'll be interested in writing it here however.

Hm. The brother with wings specifically. Two more of my kin have appeared, you should also say hello to them but for vastly different reasons.

I fully agree, that is part of why I am trying to gather all the information that I can.

Wait? Is there more than one with wings now? You simply must introduce me to your family, Night Haunter! I would be delighted to meet them.

I have been told there's certain patterns that hold, and will hold, by way of naming schema and possibly behavior pattenrs but I'd prefer something more concrete.

No, only one with wings, I'm afraid. I'm not the only wingless one. They are both nearly my size. There's another in our range here, who wears black robes head to toe, he's not one of my kin but he's charming nonetheless.

If I get the opportunity I will certainly introduce you directly.

I will confess I do not understand all you said there, but I will trust your judgment. Later, perhaps you can explain for me?

I am making note of this so that I can at least say hello if I see them before you can introduce me.

Thank you, I do appreciate it.

Of course. My apologies, I will be more careful with my choice of words in the future.

Magnus should be the easiest to spot if you are so inclined. He's quite red, hard to miss.

[ Jonathan worried about wasting too much paper, but he took their notes to keep on hand. Moving quickly to find his friend, since it was hard to miss him. ]

I thought it might help us if I came to speak instead of writing. You need not apologize for using words I do not know, I am always happy to learn.

[ He had written down 'Magnus- Red' in his open journal, where the notes are folded. ]

[That is one of the nice parts about having giants hanging around. They're so hard to miss. And today it's not hard to find him in the kitchen, carefully dissecting some of the remains of their midwinter holiday feast.

The journal lay beside him, open, speckled with grease from repeatedly abandoning food making for writing.

He's never not pleased to see Jonathan turn up, though it's a subtle thing.]

You're getting terribly good at locating me quickly, it seems. I've no problem with these books or in person, but this way at least there is also a meal. Do you want some?

[Eating anything Curze is currently taking apart has strong chance of Germs, it's not like he bathes often. At all.]

I had the opportunity recently to speak with one of the assistants that run this place. He had some advice on how to try to find our missing fellows.

[ That was one of the things he enjoyed about Night Haunter and Sanguinius. They made him feel like he was not too tall. It was very easy to find the dark haired one, and of course whatever he's doing with the food catches Jonathan's attention as he closes his own journal. Slipping it into his jacket pocket, to step forward and carefully looks down at Night Haunter's writing. ]

You are rather tall, my friend, and besides. There are only so many places to hide here. And yes, I would be happy with that, but please don't of out of your way for me.

[ He was a foodie, when he says no to food, something is very wrong. Jonathan is Victorian, he doesn't really know about germs, but he trusts his friend. Which might be bad, but for now it was fine. ]

What was his advice?

Would that there were a few more without all these accursed bright lumens.

[Although it's a genuine irritation, he sounds more resigned to it than any real desire to change anything. People liked being able to see, he was the only one here with eyes so sensitive to light.

Meanwhile what was once a nice pork shoulder roast has been carefully deboned, bare handed, and mixed with a fair amount of fruit. Jonathan's welcome to have at as much as he'd like, Night Haunter's appetite is rather less than his size would suggest.]

I can't verify, mind you, as I heard few names while I was there, but it seems everyone in an 'actor' role ... believing they are part of the story, will have similar behaviors and names to their regular selves. I would prefer something more reliable..

Yes, I do wish it was a bit darker myself. Which reminds me, should you need to go into the garden again at night, I am happy to keep watch. I have not been sleeping well as it was.

[ Which, probably, not a shock to the tall one with the bunk beside his.

Jonathan looked at the pork and fruit. A concerned look crossed his shoulder before he moved to grab a fork and gathered some to take a bite. A pleased noise escaped. He had not expected the flavors to mesh, but he liked the taste.]

That is what I had gathered, such as Randolph to Randy, and Mina to Min'na. I can see the logic in that. [ He would write it down in a few minutes, there is food first. ]

[That earns Jonathan an assessing look.]

Mortals do require a fair bit of rest or they risk damage to their minds and bodies. There are ... certain medications that can help ease what troubles you.

[That he himself probably needs way more than he gets is entirely irrelevant here, he won't die in a few weeks from a lack of sleep and humans absolutely would!

Although Konrad grew up on dogs and rats and whatever else he could catch, he's learned other things are interesting over time. Pork is fine. Pork and fruit, an illicit and hard to get treat most times, is even BETTER.]

It only helps if their names are known however, and I understand in most cultures walking up to a stranger and demanding their name is often seen as rude.

[ Looking up from the food to make eye contact as he gave another smile. ]

I do not need medication, but thank you. I may not sleep well, and wake a bit, but I do not feel any more tired than ever before. It's dreams and they too shall pass.

[ He may have killed Dracula, but the horrors persist in his mind at night. He didn't care to be a burden on his friends. ]

You don't need to sleep much, right?

[ He liked to learn more about his tall friend as he helped eat the pork fruit mix.]

Yes, that is rather true. Though, introductions can fix that. [ Looking back up again. ] Start a conversation with them, and sneak in an introduction so that they have to return it, and you get the name. It is very rude to ignore an introduction.

[ Because everyone cares about manners. ]

[Probably he should get a fork. He uses his hands instead. It's not like he can really get that much grimier! But there's more than enough for the two of them, so probably some of it will be left behind as a health hazard for others to enjoy.]

I have heard for some humans they do not. [He's going to keep tabs on that, but not overtly.] But I trust you know yourself better than I do. My brothers and I ... need rather less than ordinary men do. Once every few weeks is often enough.

[He avoided it like the plague, and he needed more rest than his brothers did. Oh well.

Deliberately starting conversations with people earns an expression of pure distaste. He would if he had to but his social graces are rather lacking unless he's putting a lot of effort into it.]

If it becomes necessary I suppose that would work. Such interactions are not my forte.

[ Maybe one day Jonathan will bring up cutlery and a possible shower, but that day was not today. Hopefully the poor soul that finds the leftovers will be prepared for the hazard. Jonathan would likely be fine food wise.]

Thank you for that trust. When I get too tired I do take naps even if it is unbecoming at my age, it is needed with broken sleep. [ If someone said something negative about his naps, he would stop, but for now. No one had. ] I can not imagine being awake that long.

[ Jonathan took him at his word, and was a little envious that someone needed so little sleep. ]

If you required help, Mrs. Harker is an etiquette teacher. She could help. Well, my Mina was, so I assume Mrs. Harker is as well. [ A look-up then.] Or I can do so if we are in the same place, etiquette is forced upon us from early on where I am from.

[Maybe the Library itself will protect those poor unfortunate souls.]

Are such short sleeps considered something only those of a different age indulge in? [What an odd idea.] Such has always been common tothe city I grew to maturity in.

[Different cultures. Even some from Earth wouldn't deny Jonathan a nice siesta!]

It does leave a large amount of time to try to occupy oneself with.

[There's silence for a time at the idea of being taught such things. Fulgrim had done his best, and Konrad could after a fashion imitate the proper behavior of someone of his station, but it did not come easily.

Would submitting to mortal instruction do any better?]

I am a poor student, I would not trouble her with such when alternatives may exist. But when another of these ventures begin, perhaps we can accomplish more coordinating than on our own. Knowing friend from foe is .. of utmost importance. [Morosely he picks out a bit of fruit from his concoction, reduced from recognizability to a neat white square. Apple? Pear?] Such were these illusions that even the scent of familiarity was obscured.

Children and ladies can nap in the day. [ The issue for him was more sleeping in the day than broken sleep. It had been common not too long before his time to have segmented sleep, but mostly still at night. Which is where his horrors came from. He felt too old to be frightened of the darkness, and would never admit it. More so beside his friend who needs darkness.

He deserved that siesta. ]

Does it become boring?

[ He asked before finally finishing. Moving to place down the fork in the sink. ] Would you like some tea, Night Haunter?

[ He inquired before listening. ]

That is very true, and it would be very important to know. [ He waited for an answer, if yes, he would bring him a cup as well, if no he would just carry the one for himself.] Mrs. Harker's theory was that we were all dreaming, shared, but dreaming. Do you think that possible?

Therefore you should too, yes? [Segregating things in that fashion seems silly to him. If sleep in the day is needed, then sleep in the day!] If anyone attempts to shame you for it I suggest hitting them. Perhaps if their sleep is disrupted they'll be more considerate.

[Violence solves many, many problems.

Even dinner! Which he picks at in only half-interest; there's plenty still for others. He still is dubious about tea, but Harker liked it, and he knew there were social components to such offers. He will, at least, try.]

It is not boring. I know no other way to be, it is as routine for me as your usual schedule is to you. More of the same type of tea as before?

[At least the remains will be put in the cold-box for later. He knew most would be thrown off by rot and mold.]

...Mm. [Dreams. He didn't think it was a dream.] Possible, yes, but unlikely. Dreams are highly symbolic and the entire experience was terribly mundane. But I have heard of some technologies that can do similar things, from a long time ago.

I suppose that I can not argue it. [ He replied, offering that same kind smile he always does before waving a hand.] I could not be that rude to someone just for that.

[ The Victorian could be violent when his temper is pushed, but not often. Though sleep-deprived does seem to do it. ]

That does make sense, what seems alien to me is normal to you, as is some of what I do to you. It does make life much more interesting, I think. [ Placing the second cup before Night Haunter he shook his head some.] No, this is not nearly as good as what we had in Woodhurst. It is still better than what is normally here, I can tell Mrs. Harker brewed this tea. Just from the smell, no one makes it better than her.

[ She's not his Mina, but he will forever sing her praises just the same.] I wouldn't know, I rarely remember my dreams unless they are terribly strange, or night terrors.

Oh but it can be terribly satisfying to be petty sometimes. You should try it.

[Encouragement, kind of, in a way. He'd be lying if he said he didn't find Jonathan's impeccable manners refreshingly bizarre, but surely there were times where he wanted to snap! .. Maybe it required certain Counts.

The cup of tea is picked up promptly, but for a time merely held in his hands, the heat of it not enough to be unpleasant. This Mina might not be the one Harker knows, but that sounds to him as a kind of affection regardless.]

Are there other dreams to be had?

[Something besides nightmares and strangeness? He had never experienced anything else, and assumed some people simply slept through them better.]

... If you might humor me a question unrelated, I wonder something. Perhaps you know the answer.

[ That got a slightly guilty look out of him.] Being petty to the Count was one of my greatest joys. Even if I did have to try to stay on his better side. I delighted in disobeying him. You may be right, perhaps I should be more.

[ Being petty to the Count only started after he realized he was a prisoner. Still. He had a temper though, but it took a lot to get him there.

Holding his own tea, his hands were forever cold since he got sick after his escape, so it was delightful to hold the cup for him. Night Haunter was right, though, it was affection. Looks were all that kept this Mina and his from being impossible to keep apart.]

Yes, some are delightful, have you never had good dreams? [ Those blue eyes looked up a touch concerned, before nodding. ] Ask me anything at all, my friend.

[The only downside of Curze grinning, like right now, is it does put all those sharp teeth on display.] Well, see, there you go. There's always situations where it's not only warranted but encouraged.

[There is a time and place for EVERYTHING. And he suspected Jonathan would be a master at being politely petty, in the most 'you can't do anything to retaliate because technically I'm not breaking any rules of etiquette' way possible.

He'd be interested in watching it in real time.]

No. [That's a simple answer. There's only ever been nightmares. He waves it off with one hand, the other still occupied with tea. He will drink it, eventually.] That aside. I have never had interest in another the way you seem to feel about your Mina, or even this other version of her. What .. is it like, truly? What does it mean to feel that towards another being?

[In modern terms the Night Haunter might well be easily classified as aro-ace but such terms don't exist in the grimdark future of 30k.]

[ One day it would happen again, and Night Haunter would get to see he is correct. Jonathan had mastered being petty without breaking a single rule. His stubbornness was on par with his loyalty to those he cared about and his love for his wife.

Which happened to be one of his favorite subjects.

Holding the tea a moment as he tried and failed at not giving the goofiest smile at the question. That flood of affection the thought of Mina always caused making him feel just a little giddy. She may not be here, but having Mrs. Harker around helped keep him from feeling devastated by the separation.

Shifting to lean against the counter he considered his words as he took a drink of his tea. ]

It is hard to describe, I was not always in love with her. She was my dearest friend when we were children. Life nearly separated when I was taken from the orphanage to work for Mr. Hawkin's at 13. He realized quickly I was lonely and allowed me back to see her when I could, inviting her for tea and other social visits. I can't say when it changed.

[ Looking down at his tea the smile back.] One day it seems, out of nowhere, after she had been away visiting Lucy I realized I felt like part of me was gone, an injury that nothing seemed to ease the pain of. [ Lifting a hand with his wedding band from the cup to place it over his heart, as if to show where the pain was.] I met her at the train station when she returned, I knew at that moment I would marry her and never have to be apart again. That is why I focused so hard on my work, so I could earn enough money to be worthy of asking for her hand. That is also what drove me to go to handle the deal with the count when Mr. Hawkin's became ill.

[ he looked up giving his friend time to process it, or ask questions. Clearly there was more, but he didn't want to overload his friend. ]

[Curze says nothing as Jonathan speaks, though he looks bemused.

It had been obvious the emotions Harker felt for his wife were profound, but without anything to compare it to, he can only make guesses. A better description ... might help.

It doesn't, so far.]

Please, continue. I know if your work as a solicitor, at least a little. That you chose this profession to be ... worthy of her is new.

[Not a trace of scorn though. This is interesting.]

[ Jonathan isn't sure he can even describe it for someone who isn't him, but any chance to talk about his wife is a good time for him. Lowering his hand back to the cup the smile still not wavering as he spoke on. ]

I didn't choose my field, the man who took me in did so, so I could become a clerk once I reached the minium age. I ran errands for him before that. But, a mere clerk wouldn't be good enough to marry a school mistress, my friend. I had to become better to be worthy of here. I was studying before, but I didn't care as much, if that makes sense.

[ Looking up at him. He took a second to consider his words. The teeth at the earlier smile should have frightened him, but it didn't. Not when he trusted his friend.]

Going to Transylvania was my first true job as a solicitor. It was promised to be good money. I had not even gotten Mina a ring yet when I accepted the job, I asked her to marry me at the train station just before departing. I intended to get the ring once I was paid. I was only supposed to be gone a week. It was Mina that kept me going.

[ His eyes a little more focused, that fire returning. ]

I could suffer it all just to return to her side. I never felt complete without her. Most men in my time think so little of women, but not me. My Mina was the smartest woman I ever knew. She would always take me to task if I did something stupid or unbecoming. She was all the motivation I ever needed.

[ Taking a breath he made a face.] I do not know how to describe it, I am sorry if I am doing this bad. All I can say is without her, I am half of the man I should be, as half of my heart is always with here. Mrs. Harker here may not be my Mina, but just having her here keeps me from falling to the misery I did in those final days in the castle.

You are describing things very well.

[It may be a little like describing color to a blind man, but Jonathan's doing his best, and he can make some vague associations to things he's experienced. But only vaguely.

What would it be like, having someone he felt so intensely about that their presence alone chases away his misery? That without them he felt incomplete?]

I think I would fear such an emotion. To risk having that feeling of being half of who I should be forever, should something happen to the other.

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holiestlove - 2026-01-19 00:48 (UTC) - Expand

Bulletin Post #1

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To Action.

onoes!

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Some head canon to fill in here.

delicious headcanon!

Switch that 13 for 11, up there, I forgot I made a timeline based on what little we got. Opps.

I saw nothing!

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