asgardeventide | 011

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011 - Video

[The image is a somewhat rare sight. Samantha is seated behind a worktable. There are a series of beakers in front of her and she seems to have something or another bubbling in a larger one of them. She takes a whiff of it and nodded in satisfaction before shifting to the side and looking at the camera.

Did she have a sort of smirk on her face?]

So, here I am working on magical defenses against the rigors of making certain fish-brained, fin-rotted, purple-obsessed morons look like chumps, and I was almost curious if they were making any progress with their "White Sciences" [Yes, she actually made the quote signs with her fingers as she said that, snickering.] in preparing my ultimate downfall. I mean, it isn't as if they don't prattle about all the ways they're going to have me at their mercy, and I was honest to god wondering if all of that was just a bunch of hot air.

...this is Eridan Ampora. What the hell am I talking about? Of course anything Captain Ahab's said's all hot air.

[Another snicker. Anyone who knew Samantha very well might recognize that some of it was effected bravado. She was still struggling with what her feelings were about him, but these little games were much easier to play on the network, and part of her had a feeling he'd get a kick out of shouting back at her.]

But, since I was thinking about it, I got to thinking some more. What really are the differences between magic and science? It's not like I haven't talked with a few of you about this, and I know what a certain moron thinks on the subject, but all the same with the power turned back on through the runes so to speak and with us able to affix just a little bit of the power of this world into a potion, I was wondering what some of you might have thought was the difference.

Oh, and Ahab, I am expecting great things out of you. Just so you know. Don't think I'm sitting idle over at the shop all the time.

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[And there was the main event. Her lips parted and she put on her best sneer when she replied. It wasn't hard to look a little haughty when surrounded by bubbling, frothing beakers. She felt at home when surrounded by the trappings of her work. Her potions were the closest she had to actual magic in her world, and the runes were a helpful augment.

She actually felt like she was doing something when she was making these.

Laughing back at him, she bared her fangs.]

It seems we're both attempting the silent anticipation build-up. But you'll never know if my precious magic was already at work all around us, and my careful work already coming to fruition, will you? You refuse to believe these things have any power.

It will be so much fun to wipe that smirk off of your face. You know that don't you?

[She was well aware that this gesture was what it was, or rather she was guessing that it would 'do it' for him. God, he was such a ham sometimes. However, it made him easy to please in some ways. A little posturing, pointing and shouting certainly helped with the awkwardness, as had some of Karkat's assurances.

...it also didn't hurt that she wasn't bullshitting him. One of her plots was secretly out there in the city right then. It was building slowly, though, so she wasn't sure she wanted to ever reveal that she was behind it. She still couldn't see the side effects properly yet, not without more inadvertent and willing tests.]

[And a secret, deep hidden part of Eridan? Loved that she could do magic. That it was real. That potions and wands and everything else was actually, really real. Not that he would ever let anyone know he felt anything but disdain for it.

Because Eridan is far too accustomed to having the things he likes ripped from his hands. It's easier to pretend he hates it than to be tricked into getting teased. And so, magic is for 'wwrigglers.' It's simple, really.]

Oh, I think it'll be about as much fun as wwatchin' you trip ovver your owwn fuckin' ego wwhen your magic turns out to be nothin' more than a feww sparks an' containers a' glubbin' bubbles.

[He knows somehow that she's not. That she's up to something. This will require his attention--a pleasant distraction from the rest of his boring life here.]

... That tears it fin-rot. You're coming on this little undersea excursion Odin was talking about. No ifs, ands or buts. Do you hear me? I've got something I want to show you while we're down there, and I'm just going to adore the look on that pretty, empty little head of yours when you see what sorts of bubbles my magic can make.

[Several somethings, actually, though the one she's talking about this time's pretty minor.]

Once again, you're expectin' me to pay attention to anythin' those imbeciles say. Wwhat fuckin' excursion are you referrin' to?

An' wwon't that be pretty difficult, considerin' you don't exactly look like you'vve sprung a pair a' gills lately?

[And he's not sure how to take that pretty comment. It's certainly not a straightforward compliment.]

Whatever cocked up plan they've got in the works, the answer that they need backup on involves hunting down south underwater. They asked us to help them make a choice, and either way we're being sent underwater apparently.

... and be on your best behavior fin-brains.

[Mental note. She needed to have a talk with him ahead of time. She knew a little about where they would potentially be going....]

[Eridan just laughs, a bit dangerous with his fanged smirk.]

I'm not goin' to play nice wwith those flapped-mouthed nooksuckin' imbeciles just because they might get mad at me an' wwhat? Make ineffectual threats?

You already do that on a daily basis.

It's not them I want you to be on your best behavior with, gill-boy. Odin said the person in charge of where we're going's got a temper. They're not one of the gods, Eridan.

And I'm going to keep doing that, you know, right up until one of my creations bites you in the ass when you least expect it.

An' wwhat, you think I am completely tactless? Unable to be diplomatic in the least bit? I'll havve you knoww that I am fuckin' nobility, harpy. I havve manners.

[They just aren't the same as human manners.]

Mm, so you say. But I'm still wwaitin'.

Prove me wrong, fish-brains. I might even do you a favor if you can manage not to go falling flat on your face in front of them down there. We could make this another of our little bets, what do you say?

And don't you worry. This one's already good to go. It's just a matter of finding a time to use it. Tested it out on myself already.

Mm, as I remember it, you already owwe me a favvor. You really wwant to make it twwo?

[Oh yes, he still remembers his Christmas present. And he's yet to use it.]

You really think you can actually claim two off of me? Heh, don't add delusional to your list of glorious traits. You're going to be eating those words soon enough, but why don't we make it double or nothing?

But then wwhat wwould I havve gotten for that imbecilic human holiday?

[He smirks, considering it as he taps his claws against his desk.]

But since I'll be wwinnin', I think it's wworth the risk.

The chance to get your ass kicked by me again. Haven't you noticed that we're always using these as excuses to get each other wrangled into crazier bullshit than the last time? You know if I get one off you, I'm just going to use it to put you in a twisted death trap or something.

[Shh, don't ruin the magic, Sam.]

Bravvo, you finally figured out wwhat the fuck kismesises are for. I'd say I'm proud a' you, but I don't wwant you to get a big head.

You have to be good for something, don't you, even if it's just my personal entertainment.

[She had a bad habit of looking in the magician's hat, as it were.]

There is no way in hell I'll ever manage to have as big a head as your inflated ego. You have no idea how unprepared you are for this.

An' you havve no idea just howw beautiful you'll look beggin' for mercy beneath my heel wwhen I'm done outwwittin' wwhatevver plans you are under the mistaken impression are so foolproof.

[She shuddered. As she did, her lips curled into a little smile of pleasure. The idea of him with his foot planted there apparently did some interesting things to her that made her blush deepen and the woman not want to admit how much it turned her on.]

Enough prattle. Actions speak louder than words. You can name the time and place again, Fin-boy. The one I've got planned for you needs to wait until the right moment.

[Eridan hums under his breath before a grin breaks out across his face and he leans closer.]

You'vve got a deal. Givve me some time to plan, an' I'll let you knoww wwhen, wwhere, an' howw I wwant you.

Done. I'll wait for your next half-baked plan to come to fruition then big boy. Don't keep me waiting too long.

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