vanessa ives (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
transgressings) wrote2019-01-19 07:40 am
transgressings) wrote2019-01-19 07:40 am
inbox for duplicity;
INBOX
text / audio / video / action
INBOX
text / audio / video / action
[ This week keeps going downhill and fast. Oliver's illness. The realizations about himself that are harder to cope with than he's capable of dealing with now that Nate, and likely Thorn, are dead. He just wants nothing more than to be out of his head, and he's only got one thought. ]
Mistress? If I wanted time with you, are you interested?
Mistress? If I wanted time with you, are you interested?
[ The last several weeks have been dedicated to worry — what she possesses for Irving and all of the other souls on that boat, but also what might befall them while they're out sailing amidst the unknown. There's a reason no one has ventured that far before, and given what she has witnessed emerging from its depths, she had not been eager to be among them.
Still, it doesn't prevent her from being at least somewhat eased by a message from someone familiar. ]
I am, Caleb.
Would you like to call on me at home some night this week?
Still, it doesn't prevent her from being at least somewhat eased by a message from someone familiar. ]
I am, Caleb.
Would you like to call on me at home some night this week?
Hello, Miss Ives-- er, Vanessa, that is. This is your friend, John Irving, only phoning to say that your company in church was greatly missed today, and I'm very sorry to know that you've taken ill, or... [ a beat. ] whatever other manner of circumstances may have befallen you so suddenly.
I hope to hear from you very soon so that I know you're well. Please take care. Thank you.
I hope to hear from you very soon so that I know you're well. Please take care. Thank you.
As I sit here beside your grave, awaiting your rising, I've been thinking of what to give you that first time you will be awake and I will not.
There's so much to the world in which I've brought you, even here in Duplicity, but so much more at home. You'll come to tire of the terms, I'm sure, perhaps tire of me droning on, a pedantic old man full more of dust than blood.
I'll start with your blood, Tremere, a self-created line. We arise from the mage Tremere of the Order of Hermes, my order before I was embraced. He brought around him a council of seven, one of which was my sire, Meerlinda, and bound all of them to him and to each other so that they would serve together in fealty and strength.
Every other Tremere until 2008 was bound to the Seven as part of our joining of the clan. You will only be bound to me. Even in that, you will feel the strength of it, your blood powerful and only six generations removed from the first, Cain. Yes, that Cain.
It's why in addition to calling ourselves Kindred, we are referred to as Cainites. Vampire is such a general term. Our strength is our organization and our magic, Thaumaturgy. I will forbid you few things, Vanessa, but what I teach to you of it must never be shared or spoken to another. It is how we rose from a minor clan, looked down upon in contempt for our newness, to a power behind and occasionally upon every Kindred throne from Africa and Europe to the New World.
You will soon find the that power you may have lost is compensated for in other ways. I suspect you'll be an adept student.
When I awaken, if there is more you'd ask, we'll speak then. Know that no question is forbidden even if some knowledge may yet be. More will come to light in time as you adjust to your new non-life. I will be here, watching, and doing my best to give you room to stretch your wings. Forgive me if at times I fail. I was a terrible sire to my first and only other. If I err, it's on the side of best intentions for you.
I am yours in our bond.
[The recording ends.]
There's so much to the world in which I've brought you, even here in Duplicity, but so much more at home. You'll come to tire of the terms, I'm sure, perhaps tire of me droning on, a pedantic old man full more of dust than blood.
I'll start with your blood, Tremere, a self-created line. We arise from the mage Tremere of the Order of Hermes, my order before I was embraced. He brought around him a council of seven, one of which was my sire, Meerlinda, and bound all of them to him and to each other so that they would serve together in fealty and strength.
Every other Tremere until 2008 was bound to the Seven as part of our joining of the clan. You will only be bound to me. Even in that, you will feel the strength of it, your blood powerful and only six generations removed from the first, Cain. Yes, that Cain.
It's why in addition to calling ourselves Kindred, we are referred to as Cainites. Vampire is such a general term. Our strength is our organization and our magic, Thaumaturgy. I will forbid you few things, Vanessa, but what I teach to you of it must never be shared or spoken to another. It is how we rose from a minor clan, looked down upon in contempt for our newness, to a power behind and occasionally upon every Kindred throne from Africa and Europe to the New World.
You will soon find the that power you may have lost is compensated for in other ways. I suspect you'll be an adept student.
When I awaken, if there is more you'd ask, we'll speak then. Know that no question is forbidden even if some knowledge may yet be. More will come to light in time as you adjust to your new non-life. I will be here, watching, and doing my best to give you room to stretch your wings. Forgive me if at times I fail. I was a terrible sire to my first and only other. If I err, it's on the side of best intentions for you.
I am yours in our bond.
[The recording ends.]
I take it this is you in the photo, Your Grace?
- To my most dear friend and companion, Vanessa Ives,
It has been several weeks since last we saw another, a fact which I couldn't help but make note of this very morning as I was readying myself for Church as usual. I am hopeful, of course, that both your spirits and condition may have much improved since last we (quite briefly) spoke and you mentioned you've been ill; you may think it old-fashioned of me to worry so, and I suppose it is indeed, given what remarkable things Modern Medicine seems capable of nowadays. Still, I do worry, and I cannot help myself doing so, even knowing the unlikelihood of losing anyone (here) to illness of any kind.
I do also hope we are of an Intimate enough Acquaintance by now that, should you perhaps still be upset — or even cross — with me for having departed on such a reckless Odyssey, you would not hesitate to rightfully scold me for it; though I have undoubtedly paid the Price, Knowledge can only ever be earned, and I am confident when I say what (admittedly little, though certainly not insignificant) we did learn over the course of our Journey is most invaluable indeed. In what ways precisely I cannot yet say, entirely, however I can only imagine this will become clearer in time.
But I digress; all this to say, if you do happen to be upset or cross with me then you need not avoid me over it, but please, tell it to me plain. I'll not take offense. After all, what are but a few remonstrances if I am once again allowed the privilege of enjoying a dear friend's company?
Church has of course not been the same without you there. It has admittedly always been more nominal an Experience here than truly Spiritual, given the state of the Church itself, but in Good enough Company one soon forgets such things. I am after all familiar enough with the Bible that I'll not suffer too greatly for going some Weeks or even Months at a time without the sort of focused and attentive Sermons any respectable Sunday Service will usually offer, but still it has been lonely without you there beside me. The Good News, however, is that I now have my own Bible again! Father Tomas Ortega has very generously allowed me to "Photocopy" his Bible page by page (an unbearably tedious process) so after 6 long Months I finally once again have my own version, though it is admittedly rather awkward to look at and to carry. No matter. I am nearly bursting at the seams from Joy over it. Some days I will simply sit and read from it for hours.
Please write back soon, as I shall be anxious to hear of any updates regarding your Prolonged Affliction, and to know that you are no longer feeling quite so poorly, as well as anything else you should like to share with me.
I am ever your affectionate friend,
John Irving
To my dearest friend and trusted confidante, John Irving —I have something to tell youThere is something we must discuss
I have sat at this desk, pen and paper in hand, and struggled over what to write to you now for nights on end. There is... much to speak of, for much has changed, and I fear that putting it all down in a letter will not serve it well or offer the depth of answer that your abiding friendship most certainly deserves. I would like to speak in person, if you are amenable, on whatever evening is most convenient for you, but for now, know that I am well, and recovered, and merely adjusting to a new level of circumstance.
I never harbored any regret or ill feeling toward you over your decision to leave, even if I could not help but experience the foreboding thought that such a journey would only end in catastrophe. You seemed so determined at the time to be a part of that voyage, and in turn I could not find it in my heart to dissuade you too significantly. I would not demand any particulars if there are details of those days that you'd prefer not to reflect back on, but my attention is yours should you ever choose to share the events with me or the evidence that they were able to uncover in the pursuing.
I will admit I was unaware that we had a new priest in our midst. Perhaps I will soon be able to make his acquaintance now that I am feelinglike myselfmuch improved. Though we should likely do something about procuring you your own Bible that is not quite so cumbersome to carry around. I believe the city is home to a print shop, and I would not expect it to be so difficult to make more than one copy if they are able to refer to the one I myself own for reference. Have you read anything of late that has particularly resonated with you? A certain passage that feels uniquely apropos to our current situation?
I look forward to seeing you very soon, at which point I hope that I will be able to explain everything to your satisfaction, if not your understanding.
I remain your abiding friend in love and trust,
Vanessa Ives
Hello, Ms. Ives. My name is Mrs. Maisel. I'm calling you today because a Ms. Daphne Morales Kocchar has listed you as a character reference for my quota survey. Could I trouble you to answer a few questions?
[ when she responds, her voice is somewhat faint, but level and calm. ]
Mrs. Maisel. Of course. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have for me about Ms. Morales.
Mrs. Maisel. Of course. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have for me about Ms. Morales.
Are you okay? Please tell me you haven't vanished as well.
Not as far as I'm aware.
Have you noticed others who are no longer present?
Have you noticed others who are no longer present?
[ pre-disappearances! ]
helllooo!!!
i have a gift for you and i was trying to be subtle but idk where you live so i cant actually be subtle
helllooo!!!
i have a gift for you and i was trying to be subtle but idk where you live so i cant actually be subtle
Edited 2022-10-01 05:25 (UTC)
In the Down, actually.
But if you like I can pretend to be appropriately surprised.
But if you like I can pretend to be appropriately surprised.
He's seated in the bedroom by the window performing his near nightly perusal of the network when he sees the announcement. It's strange, the feeling that washes over him. He'd thought himself incapable of it, inured to it by the march of centuries. This place has awakened things in him for good and ill.
He stares at the screen a moment before turning off the phone and setting it aside. Foot traffic outside the window catches his eye but not his full attention.
He's willing to sit with the heaviness, allow it to permeate him and settle into all the long empty hollows. The man in question would doubtless not wish it, but after his own loss a couple of weeks prior to this disappearance and the state he'd found him in, he believes he's at least understand.
He stares at the screen a moment before turning off the phone and setting it aside. Foot traffic outside the window catches his eye but not his full attention.
He's willing to sit with the heaviness, allow it to permeate him and settle into all the long empty hollows. The man in question would doubtless not wish it, but after his own loss a couple of weeks prior to this disappearance and the state he'd found him in, he believes he's at least understand.
It's still a sensation she's becoming accustomed to, the sudden emotion that filters into her awareness — one that is usually altogether separate enough from her own that she can distinguish it as not belonging to her, and therefore it can only exist within him instead.
When they are together, inhabiting the same larger space, she has a constant awareness of where he is even when they are not in the same room; she has more than the mere five senses with which to find him and barely requires what she does have in order to make her way to him from downstairs.
By the time she discovers him in the bedroom, facing the window, the weight of feeling is significantly more; she doesn't say anything immediately as she crosses the floor to where he sits, simply reaching out with a hand to settle it against his shoulder. It feels like more than dull pressure where they touch, unlike how it would be with any other, but she's come to recognize that as the bond more than the body's physical ability to perceive touch. Once he wants to speak about it, there's no doubt in her mind that he will.
When they are together, inhabiting the same larger space, she has a constant awareness of where he is even when they are not in the same room; she has more than the mere five senses with which to find him and barely requires what she does have in order to make her way to him from downstairs.
By the time she discovers him in the bedroom, facing the window, the weight of feeling is significantly more; she doesn't say anything immediately as she crosses the floor to where he sits, simply reaching out with a hand to settle it against his shoulder. It feels like more than dull pressure where they touch, unlike how it would be with any other, but she's come to recognize that as the bond more than the body's physical ability to perceive touch. Once he wants to speak about it, there's no doubt in her mind that he will.
[The rescue effort Vanessa was part of wasn't personal on his behalf, Dorian knows, but it was still integral to his escape and Toby's fight not being any worse than it was. His gratitude may be coming a month late and while he's still catching up from freshly having risen from his coma, but it's genuine and a good excuse to make contact again.]
Ms. Ives? Apologies for the belated message, but I like to think grace delivered late is better than nothing offered never.
I wanted to thank you for your help in Veracity. Not just for being part of the party that kept Toby in one piece, but also for keeping our apparent mutual friend safe.
Ms. Ives? Apologies for the belated message, but I like to think grace delivered late is better than nothing offered never.
I wanted to thank you for your help in Veracity. Not just for being part of the party that kept Toby in one piece, but also for keeping our apparent mutual friend safe.
[ it's fortunate, at least, that he elects to send her a message by video; thanks to certain developments on her side, she is no longer capable of visibility through anything that could render an image — therefore voice and text, in addition to the handwritten messages she has taken to sending select parties, are her only means of communication apart from face-to-face meetings. ]
Mr. Gray. Truly, you need not thank me. I imagine that were the situation reversed and our apparent mutual friend had reason to call on you for some level of assistance, you would feel a similar inclination.
Speaking of the man in question, I suppose it should come as no surprise that we have him in common.
Mr. Gray. Truly, you need not thank me. I imagine that were the situation reversed and our apparent mutual friend had reason to call on you for some level of assistance, you would feel a similar inclination.
Speaking of the man in question, I suppose it should come as no surprise that we have him in common.
Dear Vanessa,
I am doing the rounds after recent events. I hope you are well, and I hope you will forgive me for not checking in with you sooner. Troubles expanded and collapsed in again, but it is truly no excuse. I have been fine enough to visit, if I set aside the time.
It has been a little while, and so I can only assume some happening or change. If I can assist you in any way, please let me know, and please let me know that you remain.
Yours,
Kurt Wagner
P.S. I hope it is not too silly, formatting a text message as a letter. I want the style, but I also want the speed!
I am doing the rounds after recent events. I hope you are well, and I hope you will forgive me for not checking in with you sooner. Troubles expanded and collapsed in again, but it is truly no excuse. I have been fine enough to visit, if I set aside the time.
It has been a little while, and so I can only assume some happening or change. If I can assist you in any way, please let me know, and please let me know that you remain.
Yours,
Kurt Wagner
P.S. I hope it is not too silly, formatting a text message as a letter. I want the style, but I also want the speed!
My dear Kurt,
It gladdens me to hear from you especially. I am well, as I was not among those initially captured and was able to group alongside some of our fellow LIERs to help facilitate a rescue attempt. Thankfully, I emerged from the situation fairly unscathed.
It would be lovely to see you again, perhaps at the soonest opportunity that we are able to arrange? Evenings are preferred for me as of now, so my hope is that we can find a time that both of us can accommodate.
Your friend always,
Vanessa
P.S. I cannot say I have ever received a text in this format before. You have accomplished another delightful first for me.
It gladdens me to hear from you especially. I am well, as I was not among those initially captured and was able to group alongside some of our fellow LIERs to help facilitate a rescue attempt. Thankfully, I emerged from the situation fairly unscathed.
It would be lovely to see you again, perhaps at the soonest opportunity that we are able to arrange? Evenings are preferred for me as of now, so my hope is that we can find a time that both of us can accommodate.
Your friend always,
Vanessa
P.S. I cannot say I have ever received a text in this format before. You have accomplished another delightful first for me.
It isn't often that he feels as though time has gotten away from him. The end of last month and the beginning of this one have proven an exception to that rule, and also unusually, it has taken him some time to recover from recent events sufficiently to want to talk in depth about much of anything at all beyond the business.
About an hour before torpor he proposes they ready themselves for bed, and dressed in his sleeping robe, he pats the space beside him. "I feel as though we have a few things to discuss," he offers. "And as though I owe you an apology for the delay on one of them, but it wasn't my decision to make."
About an hour before torpor he proposes they ready themselves for bed, and dressed in his sleeping robe, he pats the space beside him. "I feel as though we have a few things to discuss," he offers. "And as though I owe you an apology for the delay on one of them, but it wasn't my decision to make."
Both of them have been largely recovering from the aftereffects of Tumenalia, so if she notices anything distinct about his moods as of late she doesn’t attribute to anything beyond that. Still, it’s as she’s preparing herself for bed — slipping into her nightgown, gently brushing her hair — that she notices him readying a place behind her, on the bed itself.
So she comes at his bidding, slowly seating herself on the place he indicates, her unbound hair trailing down past her shoulders as she regards him quietly.
“You’ve left us adequate time to address them, then,” she replies, with a brief quirk of her mouth; an hour does feel particularly ample, but depending on what he wants to raise with her, it could require longer, a conversation that spills over into the next night.
So she comes at his bidding, slowly seating herself on the place he indicates, her unbound hair trailing down past her shoulders as she regards him quietly.
“You’ve left us adequate time to address them, then,” she replies, with a brief quirk of her mouth; an hour does feel particularly ample, but depending on what he wants to raise with her, it could require longer, a conversation that spills over into the next night.
Edited (thanks autocorrect) 2022-12-18 22:06 (UTC)
A bright red box with a silver ribbon is delivered to Vanessa. Inside are pink snowflake sugar cookies and a fun selfie. The back of the picture reads:
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Thank you for being amazing! 💗 Elle
[This. Is. A. Letter. Hand written in ink that hasn't, miraculously, smeared despite an impatient hand. He's had more than enough practice over the lifetimes he's lived to fuck it up, and while it's not rolled into a scroll it is put into an envelope and sealed with a wax stamp of one of the rings he wears on his hands. And then it finds itself in her inbox, along with a little printed out slip of paper, and a small black-papered parcel that contains a small 4'x5' painting of her, racy but not too revealing.]
Dearest Miss Ives,
Long overdue is this letter I'm afraid, but there's no time better than the present to make up for the past's mistakes. It's been a long while since I've written like this and to be honest, the nostalgia does summon from me a desire to continue. So should you find yourself in need of a pen pal such as myself, let us continue? How better to document our sordid affairs, to plot the future meet ups and keep record of it all than this? I mean, it's safer than the cloud.
Wishing you a fine holiday season should you be inclined to celebrate it, and I look forward to meeting up with you once again in the new year. My pencil yearns to follow the curves of your body on paper once again.
Sincerely,
Theodore
Dearest Miss Ives,
Long overdue is this letter I'm afraid, but there's no time better than the present to make up for the past's mistakes. It's been a long while since I've written like this and to be honest, the nostalgia does summon from me a desire to continue. So should you find yourself in need of a pen pal such as myself, let us continue? How better to document our sordid affairs, to plot the future meet ups and keep record of it all than this? I mean, it's safer than the cloud.
Wishing you a fine holiday season should you be inclined to celebrate it, and I look forward to meeting up with you once again in the new year. My pencil yearns to follow the curves of your body on paper once again.
Sincerely,
Theodore
[ He'll receive something returned to him by messenger — during the daytime, even if its sender is well-abed by this hour — and clearly written in an elegant hand, the script careful in its cursive. She doesn't necessarily acknowledge the slip of paper that was included in her own letter — should she have? — but it's likely there in the amusement reflected in the overall missive. ]
Theodore —
It does seem an appropriate time to begin making amends for past transgressions, especially as we hover on the cusp of a new year and all that potentially lies in store for us — not what is simply courtesy of the city but what can be found in one another. I'll admit, even after all my years of existence here, to never truly getting used to our provided devices. There may be nothing that can adequately replace the honesty of a letter, nor the intimacy of receiving something written in another's hand. That said, if you would like to continue our correspondence, you need only continue to write.
You have an unparalleled skill when it comes to your art. My biggest hope for you is that you find new and inspiring ways to apply it in the coming year — whether that involves relying on me as your muse or not.
Your friend,
Vanessa
Theodore —
It does seem an appropriate time to begin making amends for past transgressions, especially as we hover on the cusp of a new year and all that potentially lies in store for us — not what is simply courtesy of the city but what can be found in one another. I'll admit, even after all my years of existence here, to never truly getting used to our provided devices. There may be nothing that can adequately replace the honesty of a letter, nor the intimacy of receiving something written in another's hand. That said, if you would like to continue our correspondence, you need only continue to write.
You have an unparalleled skill when it comes to your art. My biggest hope for you is that you find new and inspiring ways to apply it in the coming year — whether that involves relying on me as your muse or not.
Your friend,
Vanessa
[A box is delivered to Vanessa's home. Inside is a novelty dildo in a nice red and black mix. Hashtag vamp vibes, hashtag witch vibes. Her name is written on the box, though probably not the sender's actual handwriting, once Vanessa finds the typed note inside.]
I was going to get you alcohol, but I don't know if that's much use to you anymore. But everyone can use more dildos.
Merry merry and all that.
O
I was going to get you alcohol, but I don't know if that's much use to you anymore. But everyone can use more dildos.
Merry merry and all that.
O
[On the 24th, two boxes are delivered to Haus Frost. The smaller of them bears Vanessa's name on the outside. Inside are a selection of crescent moon pendants that can be strung from chains or possibly woven into something else. There's also a note written in a careful, looping cursive.]
My dear Ms. Ives,
Thank you very much for the gift, and the opportunity to work with you at the Crucible. Mr. Frost speaks very highly of you. Enclosed are some tokens of the season, and a congratulations for your recent [There's a small blot of ink on the 'T', like maybe the pen lingered there awhile before the author continued,] successful transition into the world of those who walk by night. I look forward to getting to meet you again very soon.
Regards,
Steven Grant
[Under one of the pendants is a smaller note, two edges ripped like it was torn from a larger page, in a different handwriting. This is a spiky, cat-scratch sort of print. Marc tucked it into the box when Steven wasn't looking.]
Hope to see you again soon.
Marc
My dear Ms. Ives,
Thank you very much for the gift, and the opportunity to work with you at the Crucible. Mr. Frost speaks very highly of you. Enclosed are some tokens of the season, and a congratulations for your recent [There's a small blot of ink on the 'T', like maybe the pen lingered there awhile before the author continued,] successful transition into the world of those who walk by night. I look forward to getting to meet you again very soon.
Regards,
Steven Grant
[Under one of the pendants is a smaller note, two edges ripped like it was torn from a larger page, in a different handwriting. This is a spiky, cat-scratch sort of print. Marc tucked it into the box when Steven wasn't looking.]
Hope to see you again soon.
Marc
[ Vanessa gets a small package of apricot/raspberry cookies, as well as a cigarette holder and pair of earrings. A simple card is attached: ]
To Miss Vanessa Ives,
Merry Christmas!
—Your Friend, John Irving
And just who is that charming companion?
Edited 2023-01-19 01:38 (UTC)
[On the night of January 26th, an unsigned delivery arrives addressed to both Vanessa and Grayson. Once unwrapped, the pair will find a hearty night-blooming Datura metel, also known as the Devil's Trumpet, houseplant tied in a dark purple sateen bow. Care instructions are included on a small flag stuck into the soil, and a stationary card edged with a pattern of Art Nouveau-style peacock feathers is secured to the bow.]
Belatedly, allow me to offer my congratulations and very best wishes to you both as a couple.
In an earlier era in England, these night-blooming flowers were cursed as aids to witches and wizards in their incantations. Any humans in the house should take care, as all parts of the Devil's Trumpet are poisonous.
In an earlier era in England, these night-blooming flowers were cursed as aids to witches and wizards in their incantations. Any humans in the house should take care, as all parts of the Devil's Trumpet are poisonous.
Edited (Did not realize that those images didn't allow hotlinking :|) 2023-02-03 22:46 (UTC)
hey Nessa, you going to be working tonight?
At the club, yes. Are you asking to make an appointment?
[ implied playfully, knowing he’d never need one. ]
[ implied playfully, knowing he’d never need one. ]
I wrote something.
[ He feels awkward about admitting as much. No part of him ever thought of himself as an artist, or a writer. But. ]
Do you want to see?
[ He feels awkward about admitting as much. No part of him ever thought of himself as an artist, or a writer. But. ]
Do you want to see?
I would be honored if you'd like to share it with me.
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