[While the others are having fun at camp, Nishi... or rather, Char, is occupied elsewhere. His mind has been in a state of disrepair since the rumor mill turned up an unpleasant truth: his true identity, one he had forgotten, and all the memories that go along with it.
In a word, call it unpleasant. Char is certainly in no mood to expand on his mental state when he approaches Yugamu for a favor, tracking his movements until he's alone, easily obfuscated into a corner where curious ears won't hear them.]
Got a minute? There's a favor I'd like to ask you for.
[ Camp is certainly something new for Yugamu; similar in one way, different in others. Images of a bonfire dance behind his eyelids as he lingers around, the nostalgia almost comforting in a way.
The eyes that have been watching him are a bit different, but he's nothing if not flexible.
It's clear someone needs something, so he's fine with shuffling himself into solitude, a smile on his face as Char approaches with all the enthusiasm of someone off to the gallows. ]
Good evening to you too, Sensei. [ :) ] What can I do for you?
[It's a small mercy that this boy isn't the type to press with questions, though Char knows he's a thinker, someone who weighs his ventures before committing. Good. That makes him feel marginally less rotten for what he's about to ask.]
You're skilled in pharmaceuticals, yes? I'd like you to make something for me. I'll procure the materials myself and compensate you however you see fit.
[ Rarely has someone come to him specifically for this sort of thing, even when he'd nigh lived in the Academy Biolab. It's not a bad feeling, being relied on; even if he knows it's for less than ethical reasons. ]
You could say that. It's just a little hobby of mine, but I like to say I'm pretty skilled. [ He's not a miracle worker, but he's imaginative, and isn't that close enough? ] If you've got it all planned out, then I've hardly got room to complain.
[ ...His smile sharpens. ]
As long as you're not trying to get one of your poor students to aid and abet in something particularly deadly, that is.
[At that, Char scoffs— something particularly deadly. The idea almost makes him laugh. He's no stranger to poisons, nor to quicker, more violent methods of dispatching his grudges. But this? This is different.]
Nothing of the sort. Drugs make you feel good, don't they? Let you slip the world off your shoulders for a while. Hardly the same as a poison.
[He can't be made much more toxic than he already is.]
I don't intend to make a habit of it. Just testing a theory. Will you help me?
[ Yugamu hadn't really been banking on it; nobody would, after all, be stupid enough to ask someone to make them poison in the midst of a death game. Or he would certainly hope so, anyway.
But he'd rather keep all his ducks in a row and keep his hands out of the line of fire. Not that he needs to, right now. ]
Oh, so that's all? And here I thought it might be something worse. [ He can already hear a particular biker's voice bellowing in his ear in protest, but just the ghost of that presence isn't enough to deter him. ] If you're looking for the good stuff, you've come to the right guy.
[ It works for both of them; he gets to test, and Char gets to experience the world in weightless colors for a while. ]
It's been a while since I've had a good experiment, and if you're going to offer yourself up on a silver platter, you won't catch me complaining.
[Char exhales, flat and unimpressed— oh? Of course there's a catch. There always is. Offering himself up in the name of science is a worthy enough sacrifice, though he can't imagine what Yugamu might wring out of him that the world hasn't already taken. Still... what does it matter? He has nothing left to lose. In that sense, Yugamu couldn't ask for a better test subject.]
What portion of this requires experimentation? I'm not complaining, obviously. I'd just like to understand your process, though I'll submit to it fully.
[ Hah. He expected that reaction, at least. Not even the hardiest are usually willing to submit themselves to the whim of an overeager teenager armed with chemicals and pills. Even so, he's abnormally agreeable. ]
Look at it this way; you're asking me to make you psychoactives. Not that I can't, but it'll be far from utterly perfect with the facilities we've got. [ Even he knows he isn't infallible. ] I might have to make tweaks here and there...I could even make it better than what you're hunting for, if you're feeling adventurous. But every test needs notes and observation, don't they? So just consider it a trade-off.
[ Fair is fair, isn't it? ]
Don't worry. The worst you'd likely have is a headache, nausea, or a bad trip, if push comes to shove. I'll even make you something for those as a bonus. Doesn't that sound like a good deal?
[Well now, isn't this young man generous? His logic is sound, at least as much as it can be. Char hasn't wavered in his stance. To refuse after hearing the terms would imply he had something left to lose, and he doesn't. His reservations, few as they are, hardly amount to caution.]
Then let's not waste any more time. You seem unoccupied, [rip frolicking around the campfire or whatever it is the youth does for fun these days] so let us be off. This is an urgent request.
[ It's not really Yugamu's business what people do in their spare time. Sure, he does like poking and prodding and knowing how people work both inside and out, but everyone has their hobbies. He, especially, isn't going to judge anyone for wanting to take the edge off.
It's the way it's being asked of him that strikes him as interesting, but he supposes he can simply peel at Char later, see what's eating beneath the skin. ]
Well, if you insist. [ wow he was having fun frolicking or whatever ] If you're in that dire straits, I guess I've got no choice.
[ They are going?? Sorry if this seems sus to the viewers. ]
And of course not. All that infirmary is good for is wrapping wounds, and even then it's a little lackluster. [ A chuckle. ] The laboratory is where it's at. If you want to start seeing things, you need a real workstation.
[Oh... This eccentric boy is quite dedicated to his craft, isn't he? Honestly, nothing but respect. Char can think of quite a few industries this boy's skill would be invaluable to. Char makes a mental note: take this one back with me.
Off they go to the lab!]
You're awfully young to know your way around pharmaceuticals like this. Family trade, or are you just naturally gifted?
[Don't mind him prying a little. Call it getting to know Yugamu.]
[ Even without all the killing stuff attached, his fascination with the human body was very much real. What makes it tick, what could make it stop ticking, what would this and that do if tweaked or amplified...all fascinating trains of thought.
All the more to think, just two dudes skipping out on a bonfire to go to church. ]
The former, mostly. I started out with poisons, but I've always liked pushing limits. Plus, you could say I've got something of an intimate knowledge of the human body...
[ He doesn't mind the prying. It just opens the gate for prying in return. ]
[Sussy way to put it, Yugamu, but Char huffs his amusement all the same. This boy is incredibly talented, and he doubts anyone with sense would overlook that simply because he's an odd bird.
They reach their destination; Char steps inside without hesitation, fully prepared to commit to the demands of this fascinating young man. He turns to him, smiling faintly.]
You make that sound nearly obscene. You must get a kick out of riling people up.
[If he didn't, he'd probably talk like a normal fucking person???]
In any case, I trust you'll be fully transparent about your processes, "doctor". Rather... your name is Yugamu, is it not?
[He holds out his hand, offering to shake. The name he gives does not match the name listed on his profile.]
[ What is he, if not sus...Char might not horribly embarrassed, but the acknowledgement of his little quips earns the widening of his grin. Some people prefer to pretend they didn't hear those, so he'll take what he can get. ]
I'm just a guy who knows what he wants. Is that so bad?
[ In short; yeah. The horniness is real, but there's just that special bliss in riling someone up to a certain point that can't be beat. ]
I can be as transparent as you want. I could even let you take a peek through the inside, if that strikes your fancy.
[ If that name throws Yugamu off, he doesn't show it besides a slight widening of the eyes and flickering of the grin, before it's back with full force. He takes that offered hand without complaint...do watch the sharp nails, though. ]
Char-sensei, then? You're a man of many faces. [ Heh. ] Yugamu Omokage. I'll be your physician this evening.
[He has no intention of watching Yugamu perform open-heart surgery on himself or anyone else... too close to the table for Char's tastes. Better to trust his gut, which tells him that beneath the layers of perversity, there's a principled core in this boy.
He notes every flicker in Yugamu's reaction to the reveal of his 'real' name... and, mindful of those sharp nails, takes his hand in a firm shake. A man of many faces, is he? No denial, only the briefest crack of a wry grin. A sharp-eyed young man, indeed.]
[ Not that he minds going into the details right now, but sometimes it's fun to watch the mind wander. Not that Char's likely will; he's already got something on the brain, and he doubts the internal workings of the human body in the physical sense are part of it.
Ah, that's a nice smile. It suits him. ]
But of course. All I ask for is a bit of patience; after all, you can't rush perfection.
[ As perfect as psychedelic drugs made in a chapel laboratory can be, in any case. He's not claiming to be a miracle worker, but he's damn good with what he's got.
Char can watch as Yugamu shuffles from table to table with a purpose, setting down his tools. What seems to be oil, a few dubious looking powders, the burner...the works. He's free to peek at whatever he likes. ]
[Patience. He has that in spades, though it doesn't keep him from watching the array Yugamu lays out with a scrutinizing eye. Oils, powders, burners... he's seen arsenals before, but this one is crafted for an entirely different battlefield. And yet the purpose is the same: control, survival, the shaping of outcomes by human hands.
And, you know, getting dangerously high. Yugamu is a boy who can truly do it all.]
So long as perfection doesn't mean leaving me blind to what you're doing.
[There's no heat in it, just a quiet warning— he'll give trust, but not without keeping his own eyes open. A faint lift at the corner of his mouth breaks the edge of it, just enough to soften the line into something wryer.]
But I'll grant you this— your confidence is infectious. I look forward to seeing what you're capable of.
[ Ah, it's been a while since he's had to make something of this calibre. It's been his own personal experiments, the potions, a few poisons...after all, Takemaru had threatened to punch his lights out for offering to get a little too recreational.
But if someone wants to get start seeing the good stuff, and he's away from scrutinizing eyes, who is he to deny them? ]
Wouldn't dream of it, Sensei. I might get a bit embarrassed if you watch me too closely, though...
[ Whether or not he's serious about that has yet to be determined, but the smile on Yugamu's face when he turns to meet that grin seems a little coy. He normally doesn't have an audience to watch his every move, after all, so why not enjoy it? ]
It'd be nice if the selection here was bigger. [ An side note as one glass beaker slowly fills, eyeballing it carefully even as he speaks. ] But I'm nothing if not flexible. I like the challenge.
[Char catches the coy smile, weighing whether it's sincerity or another mask. He doesn't call it out either way, just lets the silence stretch a moment, long enough to keep the boy wondering.]
If you're embarrassed by an audience, then you ought to grow used to it. Perfection invites scrutiny— better me than someone less forgiving.
[He shifts his weight, arms folding as he continues to watch the careful pour into the beaker, not missing a detail. The faint curve of his lips doesn't fade, though. It's a test, but not without its share of approval.]
Constraints make or break a man. Anyone can thrive with abundance, but turning scarcity into strength... that's where the real craft lies.
[And here, in this strange place, where survival depends on wit as much as will, Char is curious to see just how far Yugamu's craft can take them both.]
[ What a fascinating man this is. Someone who likes his mind games, a little too much experience...all surface level things he's picked up from watching, waiting. ]
I don't mind less forgiving. [ That part is true, as he flicks the burner on. ] That kind of harsh treatment can be a real motivator in some ways, y'know?
[ And less so, because it truly depends. Humiliation, scrutiny are all things embarrassing and exciting in equal measure, but he does like to think himself rather talented in this field specifically. He'd only take the nitpicking from the truly skilled. ]
While I like the peace of working at my own pace, there's a certain thrill in working under pressure. [ An almost fond glint of reminisce. ] Desperation tends to bring out the best results in people.
[ Admittedly, this is more a problem of limited supplies rather than a time crunch, but he'll still take every second he can get. Ah, he'll need one of the buckets for this...luckily, he may or may not have stored tinfoil from the kitchen in here. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
insistence) wrote2025-08-27 09:41 pm
week 2: wednesday evening
In a word, call it unpleasant. Char is certainly in no mood to expand on his mental state when he approaches Yugamu for a favor, tracking his movements until he's alone, easily obfuscated into a corner where curious ears won't hear them.]
Got a minute? There's a favor I'd like to ask you for.
no subject
The eyes that have been watching him are a bit different, but he's nothing if not flexible.
It's clear someone needs something, so he's fine with shuffling himself into solitude, a smile on his face as Char approaches with all the enthusiasm of someone off to the gallows. ]
Good evening to you too, Sensei. [ :) ] What can I do for you?
cocoa... such a good writer... i pinch u lovingly
You're skilled in pharmaceuticals, yes? I'd like you to make something for me. I'll procure the materials myself and compensate you however you see fit.
[How very generous.]
biting u biting u biting u
You could say that. It's just a little hobby of mine, but I like to say I'm pretty skilled. [ He's not a miracle worker, but he's imaginative, and isn't that close enough? ] If you've got it all planned out, then I've hardly got room to complain.
[ ...His smile sharpens. ]
As long as you're not trying to get one of your poor students to aid and abet in something particularly deadly, that is.
no subject
Nothing of the sort. Drugs make you feel good, don't they? Let you slip the world off your shoulders for a while. Hardly the same as a poison.
[He can't be made much more toxic than he already is.]
I don't intend to make a habit of it. Just testing a theory. Will you help me?
no subject
But he'd rather keep all his ducks in a row and keep his hands out of the line of fire. Not that he needs to, right now. ]
Oh, so that's all? And here I thought it might be something worse. [ He can already hear a particular biker's voice bellowing in his ear in protest, but just the ghost of that presence isn't enough to deter him. ] If you're looking for the good stuff, you've come to the right guy.
[ It works for both of them; he gets to test, and Char gets to experience the world in weightless colors for a while. ]
It's been a while since I've had a good experiment, and if you're going to offer yourself up on a silver platter, you won't catch me complaining.
no subject
What portion of this requires experimentation? I'm not complaining, obviously. I'd just like to understand your process, though I'll submit to it fully.
[That's Yugamu's price, after all.]
no subject
Look at it this way; you're asking me to make you psychoactives. Not that I can't, but it'll be far from utterly perfect with the facilities we've got. [ Even he knows he isn't infallible. ] I might have to make tweaks here and there...I could even make it better than what you're hunting for, if you're feeling adventurous. But every test needs notes and observation, don't they? So just consider it a trade-off.
[ Fair is fair, isn't it? ]
Don't worry. The worst you'd likely have is a headache, nausea, or a bad trip, if push comes to shove. I'll even make you something for those as a bonus. Doesn't that sound like a good deal?
no subject
Then let's not waste any more time. You seem unoccupied, [rip frolicking around the campfire or whatever it is the youth does for fun these days] so let us be off. This is an urgent request.
I assume the infirmary is our destination?
no subject
It's the way it's being asked of him that strikes him as interesting, but he supposes he can simply peel at Char later, see what's eating beneath the skin. ]
Well, if you insist. [ wow he was having fun frolicking or whatever ] If you're in that dire straits, I guess I've got no choice.
[ They are going?? Sorry if this seems sus to the viewers. ]
And of course not. All that infirmary is good for is wrapping wounds, and even then it's a little lackluster. [ A chuckle. ] The laboratory is where it's at. If you want to start seeing things, you need a real workstation.
no subject
Off they go to the lab!]
You're awfully young to know your way around pharmaceuticals like this. Family trade, or are you just naturally gifted?
[Don't mind him prying a little. Call it getting to know Yugamu.]
no subject
All the more to think, just two dudes skipping out on a bonfire to go to church. ]
The former, mostly. I started out with poisons, but I've always liked pushing limits. Plus, you could say I've got something of an intimate knowledge of the human body...
[ He doesn't mind the prying. It just opens the gate for prying in return. ]
no subject
They reach their destination; Char steps inside without hesitation, fully prepared to commit to the demands of this fascinating young man. He turns to him, smiling faintly.]
You make that sound nearly obscene. You must get a kick out of riling people up.
[If he didn't, he'd probably talk like a normal fucking person???]
In any case, I trust you'll be fully transparent about your processes, "doctor". Rather... your name is Yugamu, is it not?
[He holds out his hand, offering to shake. The name he gives does not match the name listed on his profile.]
Char Aznable.
no subject
I'm just a guy who knows what he wants. Is that so bad?
[ In short; yeah. The horniness is real, but there's just that special bliss in riling someone up to a certain point that can't be beat. ]
I can be as transparent as you want. I could even let you take a peek through the inside, if that strikes your fancy.
[ If that name throws Yugamu off, he doesn't show it besides a slight widening of the eyes and flickering of the grin, before it's back with full force. He takes that offered hand without complaint...do watch the sharp nails, though. ]
Char-sensei, then? You're a man of many faces. [ Heh. ] Yugamu Omokage. I'll be your physician this evening.
no subject
[He has no intention of watching Yugamu perform open-heart surgery on himself or anyone else... too close to the table for Char's tastes. Better to trust his gut, which tells him that beneath the layers of perversity, there's a principled core in this boy.
He notes every flicker in Yugamu's reaction to the reveal of his 'real' name... and, mindful of those sharp nails, takes his hand in a firm shake. A man of many faces, is he? No denial, only the briefest crack of a wry grin. A sharp-eyed young man, indeed.]
Well met, Doctor Omokage. Shall we begin?
no subject
[ Not that he minds going into the details right now, but sometimes it's fun to watch the mind wander. Not that Char's likely will; he's already got something on the brain, and he doubts the internal workings of the human body in the physical sense are part of it.
Ah, that's a nice smile. It suits him. ]
But of course. All I ask for is a bit of patience; after all, you can't rush perfection.
[ As perfect as psychedelic drugs made in a chapel laboratory can be, in any case. He's not claiming to be a miracle worker, but he's damn good with what he's got.
Char can watch as Yugamu shuffles from table to table with a purpose, setting down his tools. What seems to be oil, a few dubious looking powders, the burner...the works. He's free to peek at whatever he likes. ]
no subject
And, you know, getting dangerously high. Yugamu is a boy who can truly do it all.]
So long as perfection doesn't mean leaving me blind to what you're doing.
[There's no heat in it, just a quiet warning— he'll give trust, but not without keeping his own eyes open. A faint lift at the corner of his mouth breaks the edge of it, just enough to soften the line into something wryer.]
But I'll grant you this— your confidence is infectious. I look forward to seeing what you're capable of.
no subject
But if someone wants to get start seeing the good stuff, and he's away from scrutinizing eyes, who is he to deny them? ]
Wouldn't dream of it, Sensei. I might get a bit embarrassed if you watch me too closely, though...
[ Whether or not he's serious about that has yet to be determined, but the smile on Yugamu's face when he turns to meet that grin seems a little coy. He normally doesn't have an audience to watch his every move, after all, so why not enjoy it? ]
It'd be nice if the selection here was bigger. [ An side note as one glass beaker slowly fills, eyeballing it carefully even as he speaks. ] But I'm nothing if not flexible. I like the challenge.
no subject
If you're embarrassed by an audience, then you ought to grow used to it. Perfection invites scrutiny— better me than someone less forgiving.
[He shifts his weight, arms folding as he continues to watch the careful pour into the beaker, not missing a detail. The faint curve of his lips doesn't fade, though. It's a test, but not without its share of approval.]
Constraints make or break a man. Anyone can thrive with abundance, but turning scarcity into strength... that's where the real craft lies.
[And here, in this strange place, where survival depends on wit as much as will, Char is curious to see just how far Yugamu's craft can take them both.]
no subject
I don't mind less forgiving. [ That part is true, as he flicks the burner on. ] That kind of harsh treatment can be a real motivator in some ways, y'know?
[ And less so, because it truly depends. Humiliation, scrutiny are all things embarrassing and exciting in equal measure, but he does like to think himself rather talented in this field specifically. He'd only take the nitpicking from the truly skilled. ]
While I like the peace of working at my own pace, there's a certain thrill in working under pressure. [ An almost fond glint of reminisce. ] Desperation tends to bring out the best results in people.
[ Admittedly, this is more a problem of limited supplies rather than a time crunch, but he'll still take every second he can get. Ah, he'll need one of the buckets for this...luckily, he may or may not have stored tinfoil from the kitchen in here. ]