who: Victor Frankenstein + You? what: catch-all for March when: various places where: March warnings: I have no idea, but it's Victor, so it might get creepy/morbid/idek
Hospital | Shopping | Want to do a thing but it's not listed? PM me here
[Victor is growing tired of living in communal housing. He knows he got lucky with a private room, but it's still small. So when he has the time, he goes house hunting. Where it is, he doesn't really care. He's more focused on the size: he needs room for an office and a small library.
Also while he's out, Victor drifts into shops looking for things to buy for James. Mostly just stuff for when James stays the night, but now and then Victor tries to figure out what to do for gifts. Something that will make James smile. Victor does ask when he's stumped, wondering what to get someone special]
[ Finding some kind of tolerable routine here and sticking to it has been pretty much touch and go for Jefferson. He has good days-- more good days than in Storybrooke, strangely, even with Grace's absence an ever-present wound to his spirit-- but the bad are enough to knock him out of sorts for a while.
Today's a good day, though, and Jefferson celebrates it by crawling out of isolation and returning to the world of the living. He's never been the best with money even when every copper counted, and in Storybrooke, he was afforded ludicrous wealth, so... Yeah, budgeting's not his strong suit, and he's not thinking twice before grabbing the things that strike his fancy: clothes, scarves, cologne, this and that.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there's Victor, who he spots in the shop, seemingly caught in a loop of indecision. ]
You seem stumped.
[ That's it. No other introduction. Just Jefferson walking up behind Victor and speaking his observation. ]
[it's only because Victor knows Jefferson well that the sudden sneaking up and blurting out words doesn't startle him-- that much. He was focused on trying to figure out gifts, so he wasn't completely aware of his surroundings.
Victor glances at the man, then at the displays he'd been debating over]
[ His brow lifts. 'Someone,' but clearly not Lucy. Presumably not a woman, either, judging by the stuff Victor's looking at. So this is already 100% more interesting than Jefferson's own shopping, and he leans down to look at the displays. ]
Someone, huh? What kind of someone?
[ DISH. HE'S BORED AND HAS SO LITTLE TO OCCUPY HIM. Your love life is now his primary source of entertainment, pal. ]
Flowers. [ Jefferson wrinkles his nose and shakes his head. ] Definitely don't do flowers, unless there's a story behind them. 'Oh, I picked these from the poppy fields of Oz...'
[Jefferson gave some solid advice about the stuffed animals, but Victor's not as sure about the flowers. If he chose the right ones, he feels like James would enjoy them.
To the question, he shrugs]
He's strong, confident. Very charming. Intelligent. Funny. Good taste in music. Adventurous.
[ Honestly, Jefferson's track record with relationships is basically nonexistent outside of his one true love experience. Lots of nothing flings, maybe a fwb here and there, and then he fell hard and fast for Priscilla. And then it's been tumbleweeds since her death.
Basically: Victor's right to feel dubious about his advice. ]
You seem utterly smitten. [ It's adorable. He recognizes this, from the way he used to talk about Priscilla to others, before they'd ever even started their courtship. Jefferson picks up a bottle of fancy aftershave, as if inspecting it. ] Hm. What to get the perfect man... [ Just a hint of teasing there. ]
[Victor gives him a look but doesn't actually try to deny it. Maybe because Jefferson knew him from a long time ago. Maybe because he doesn't want to dismiss what he's feeling, even if it's just to avoid Jefferson's teasing]
How about you just keep helping me figure out what to do with Lucy? Not that I don't appreciate the help, but I think it's the sort of thing that will mean more if I put in the effort.
That’s why you’re going to help me look after Lucy.
[he picks up some cologne, giving it a sniff. Makes a face and puts it back. He’ll test a few other scents until he finds one that makes him think of James. Seems like a good plan]
His name is James. He leads the aerial unit of the Perimeter Guard. I saw his profile on Friendr and asked what kind of music he liked. We agreed to meet up for drinks, and the sparks flew. I’m not sure how “good” that is to you, but it’s what happened.
[ Which is a redundant question. After all, Victor just said why. And yet, Jefferson has to ask, anyway, surprised that anyone would want him to look after a kid after how monumentally he failed as a father with Grace.
The good news is, this distracts him from the subject of Jim for now. YOU'RE FREE FROM HIS INTERROGATION, VICTOR. ]
She likes you, and you at least have some experience with raising a child. I know this is nothing like your daughter, but... I’m out of my element. I’ll need you to help me out.
[The shops are still a confusing experience for Zelda. They're just... so large, with so many items on sale, that she hardly knows how anyone finds what they need. Lately she's taken to trying the smaller boutiques, feeling they're less intimidating.
It's in one of these that she comes across Victor, frowning at one of the displays. She puts the book she was leafing through back on the shelf, giving him a politely questioning look.]
[Victor glances over at the voice, his eyes taking a quick scan of the woman]
Waiting for something to jump out at me. There are so many different worlds represented in the Quarantine and I'm curious what sort of things are being sold from those worlds.
[books are always good, but it's one thing to have a first edition of Frankenstein (which he does) and it's another to find a botany book describing plants he's never heard of before]
[The most noteworthy thing about her is her long ears - it makes her stand out, she knows, among a lot of the populace. Zelda nods her agreement, taking to the topic with interest.]
There are a lot, aren't there? And that's in addition to the Quarantine's own resources and items. I find it's hard to tell where everything is from, at first glance. It's all so new to me.
[Zelda has to laugh at that, because it's so familiar a grievance.]
I know what you mean; I would never have space for all the things I see here that I'd like to collect. [She tilts her head curiously, following up with a question.] You've been to many worlds then? Even before this place?
One world I was in briefly and the other I'm living in, but don't really travel a lot. Then of course there's the world I was born in, and this one. I've known people who've ventured into even more worlds than that. It's not an easy thing, but people do manage it where I come from all the time.
Wow... [It still sounds like a lot to Zelda.] I've met someone else here who says they've visited many worlds. For what reason would people travel to another world where you're from?
Well, it depends. I first crossed worlds in a professional capacity. Science wasn't a very strong presence in that land, so they needed my knowledge. Sometimes the other worlds are used as a kind of prison. Or helping ferry people across worlds could be your job. A friend of mine used to do that.
[The idea of whole worlds being prisons sobers Zelda up quickly. It's a dark notion, to have need of something like that. Still, it mustn't be all of them.]
You're a scientist then? It's a marvellous concept to me, being able to ask those of other worlds for their expertise to help in your own. Like travelling to an entirely different country on a much larger scale.
And a medical doctor. [he nods at her comparison] It is a little like that, I guess, though I don't imagine you need to walk through mirrors or get swept up in tornadoes to get there.
Mm, a lot of worlds have legends that revolve around mirrors. [a pause] Sorry, I haven't introduced myself yet. Doctor Frankenstein, though just "doctor" will be fine.
Shopping; OTA
Also while he's out, Victor drifts into shops looking for things to buy for James. Mostly just stuff for when James stays the night, but now and then Victor tries to figure out what to do for gifts. Something that will make James smile. Victor does ask when he's stumped, wondering what to get someone special]
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Today's a good day, though, and Jefferson celebrates it by crawling out of isolation and returning to the world of the living. He's never been the best with money even when every copper counted, and in Storybrooke, he was afforded ludicrous wealth, so... Yeah, budgeting's not his strong suit, and he's not thinking twice before grabbing the things that strike his fancy: clothes, scarves, cologne, this and that.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there's Victor, who he spots in the shop, seemingly caught in a loop of indecision. ]
You seem stumped.
[ That's it. No other introduction. Just Jefferson walking up behind Victor and speaking his observation. ]
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Victor glances at the man, then at the displays he'd been debating over]
I'm buying a gift for someone.
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Someone, huh? What kind of someone?
[ DISH. HE'S BORED AND HAS SO LITTLE TO OCCUPY HIM. Your love life is now his primary source of entertainment, pal. ]
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[he's blunt anyway, and knows Jefferson will just keep bugging him until he tells all]
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[ A line he'd used once. (It was a total lie.) ]
What does he like? No, wait. What's he like?
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To the question, he shrugs]
He's strong, confident. Very charming. Intelligent. Funny. Good taste in music. Adventurous.
[he may be getting a little starry-eyed]
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Basically: Victor's right to feel dubious about his advice. ]
You seem utterly smitten. [ It's adorable. He recognizes this, from the way he used to talk about Priscilla to others, before they'd ever even started their courtship. Jefferson picks up a bottle of fancy aftershave, as if inspecting it. ] Hm. What to get the perfect man... [ Just a hint of teasing there. ]
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How about you just keep helping me figure out what to do with Lucy? Not that I don't appreciate the help, but I think it's the sort of thing that will mean more if I put in the effort.
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Fair enough. Daughters are more my area of expertise, anyway.
[ He casts a sidelong glance at Victor. ]
At least tell me his name. What he does. How you met. [ He gestures vaguely. ] I could use some good gossip.
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[he picks up some cologne, giving it a sniff. Makes a face and puts it back. He’ll test a few other scents until he finds one that makes him think of James. Seems like a good plan]
His name is James. He leads the aerial unit of the Perimeter Guard. I saw his profile on Friendr and asked what kind of music he liked. We agreed to meet up for drinks, and the sparks flew. I’m not sure how “good” that is to you, but it’s what happened.
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Me? Why?
[ Which is a redundant question. After all, Victor just said why. And yet, Jefferson has to ask, anyway, surprised that anyone would want him to look after a kid after how monumentally he failed as a father with Grace.
The good news is, this distracts him from the subject of Jim for now. YOU'RE FREE FROM HIS INTERROGATION, VICTOR. ]
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It's in one of these that she comes across Victor, frowning at one of the displays. She puts the book she was leafing through back on the shelf, giving him a politely questioning look.]
Trying to choose something?
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Waiting for something to jump out at me. There are so many different worlds represented in the Quarantine and I'm curious what sort of things are being sold from those worlds.
[books are always good, but it's one thing to have a first edition of Frankenstein (which he does) and it's another to find a botany book describing plants he's never heard of before]
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There are a lot, aren't there? And that's in addition to the Quarantine's own resources and items. I find it's hard to tell where everything is from, at first glance. It's all so new to me.
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I've been to several worlds and I'm still discovering new things. I'd probably buy out the store if I had the room.
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I know what you mean; I would never have space for all the things I see here that I'd like to collect. [She tilts her head curiously, following up with a question.] You've been to many worlds then? Even before this place?
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One world I was in briefly and the other I'm living in, but don't really travel a lot. Then of course there's the world I was born in, and this one. I've known people who've ventured into even more worlds than that. It's not an easy thing, but people do manage it where I come from all the time.
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You're a scientist then? It's a marvellous concept to me, being able to ask those of other worlds for their expertise to help in your own. Like travelling to an entirely different country on a much larger scale.
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No, probably not! There's a legend in my world about another realm that could be reached through a mirror, but it's likely not the same thing.
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