[ Death isn't permanent? It's an absurd thing to say, an absurd idea. But Nikolai has reached some internal threshold and now that he's over it, he's just accepting the nonsense without questioning it. If that's the case, there's no last resort. Death isn't even an option. They'll simply have to figure out some other way. ]
Yes, a basement seems about fitting.
[ He means it to come out as darkly humorous, but it mostly just comes out dark. Nikolai feels bleak and oddly hollow, having spilled his secret. A dank underground lair is what he deserves, abomination that he is.
Nikolai masks that little surge of self-loathing by forcing a smile. He's rather good at it, even if it remains a little pained at the corners of his eyes. ]
Please, Onni, I'm already asking you for far more than I'm comfortable with. You don't need to make introductions with the doctor. I'll contact Daan and explain the situation myself. Thank you for telling me about him. For tonight, at least, alcohol will do the trick. I saw a shelf of bottles further back there. Getting blind drunk should do just as well as a tonic. It's not the healthiest tactic for every night, but once won't do any harm.
[ He feels a fraction less wretched, now that they are making actual, tangible plans. Nikolai exhales with decision, striding back to where he had seen some likely-looking bottles. The labels are surprisingly informative, and after a moment or two of searching, he chooses the one that appears to boast the highest percentage of alcohol by volume. He isn't trying to have a lovely evening, after all.
When he returns to Onni in the snack aisle, Nikolai has regained some of his animation and cheer. He tucks the bottle into the basket along with the rest and says: ]
Thank you. That is- I really- thank you. You said the hardware store is where we should look, next?
[ His excitement over trying foreign foods has dimmed somewhat, under the harsh reality of his curse and how few hours they have left before he's going to start to get sleepy. Between them they have plenty of ingredients for a stew.
Haltingly, Nikolai offers: ]
Is- is there anything else you want to know? About... all of it? I know that I didn't explain, much. But if there's anything you want to ask... I'll try to answer.
cw: alcohol
Yes, a basement seems about fitting.
[ He means it to come out as darkly humorous, but it mostly just comes out dark. Nikolai feels bleak and oddly hollow, having spilled his secret. A dank underground lair is what he deserves, abomination that he is.
Nikolai masks that little surge of self-loathing by forcing a smile. He's rather good at it, even if it remains a little pained at the corners of his eyes. ]
Please, Onni, I'm already asking you for far more than I'm comfortable with. You don't need to make introductions with the doctor. I'll contact Daan and explain the situation myself. Thank you for telling me about him. For tonight, at least, alcohol will do the trick. I saw a shelf of bottles further back there. Getting blind drunk should do just as well as a tonic. It's not the healthiest tactic for every night, but once won't do any harm.
[ He feels a fraction less wretched, now that they are making actual, tangible plans. Nikolai exhales with decision, striding back to where he had seen some likely-looking bottles. The labels are surprisingly informative, and after a moment or two of searching, he chooses the one that appears to boast the highest percentage of alcohol by volume. He isn't trying to have a lovely evening, after all.
When he returns to Onni in the snack aisle, Nikolai has regained some of his animation and cheer. He tucks the bottle into the basket along with the rest and says: ]
Thank you. That is- I really- thank you. You said the hardware store is where we should look, next?
[ His excitement over trying foreign foods has dimmed somewhat, under the harsh reality of his curse and how few hours they have left before he's going to start to get sleepy. Between them they have plenty of ingredients for a stew.
Haltingly, Nikolai offers: ]
Is- is there anything else you want to know? About... all of it? I know that I didn't explain, much. But if there's anything you want to ask... I'll try to answer.