entrancelogs | (open) the stars gaze upon us too

Who: Stefan Salvatore and YOU
Where: all around the Citadel
When: April 1 - 4
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Space adventures start out so calm and then you end up running from the law. Sounds about right.
The Story:
a. presidium commons

[ When he had first arrived, Stefan had been told about another him, traveling across the galaxy on a spaceship. Until this very moment, the idea had seemed ridiculous.

Now that he's here, embarking on a similar journey, he wonders how he could ever grow used to the wonder, the ambiance, and even the sound of his slow, purposeful footsteps. Stefan orients himself quickly with everything the Commons have to offer, from the wide range of shops (cue him browsing for new space-age jackets) to even admiring those Blasto posters.

Mostly, though, he spends the mornings crawling through every single cafe and coffee shop the presidium has to offer. When he spots someone he thinks is from Wonderland - which isn't hard, they've got that equally tourist-y look to them - he gives them a wave and slides over his current coffee of the hour:] Try this.

I know the menu says something else, but trust me. Nothing else wakes you up more.

b. a photo says a thousand words

[ Or perhaps you'll catch Stefan with an old Polaroid in hand, stopping all along the Citadel for that perfect shot.

He's no photographer - his composition leaves much to be desired, and the windows' glare prevents him from capturing the best shot of the stars outside the station - but he wants to savor every moment. (He has no idea that those photographs might leave him, once Wonderland returns back to normal. He also knows that he has to try, to at least remember the past with something more tangible than one of his handwritten diaries.)

Stefan does, however, remember the importance of consent and so, before he even tries to get a shot with other people, he'll lower the camera and motion towards it, then to the people in the frame.

He's gonna ask before he captures it on film forever. No question about it. ]

c. the perfect swim (presidium)

[ Well, this blows.

After discovering the foreign booze in one of the Citadel's less prestigious bars, Stefan returns to the Presidium with slightly wobbly steps and an even more wobbly outlook on life. The lakes in the Presidium look so tempting right now. They're an oasis in the desert, and Stefan's the parched man who could use a pick-me-up. He doesn't know it's his last night in the Citadel, but he has this insatiable urge to dive in.

Even in the temporary darkness, the water seems to sparkle as he approaches the edge of the lake. The coast should've been clearer than the water awaiting him (and the faint stench of alcohol that he wants to douse off).

He flings his shoes and socks off, tentatively dipping his feet into that surprisingly cold crystal water. He doesn't take much longer to wade in and-

And those sure are C-Sec officers staring back at him. Stefan doesn't even try to nab his shoes; he's got bigger concerns. Like trying to evade some pretty unhappy law enforcement officials. Don't mind the drenching wet vampire running past you, or the officers intent on mowing him down - it's nothing personal. Especially if he accidentally bumps into you on his way out. ]

d. wildcard

[ Want to do something else with Stefan that wasn't mentioned here? Shoot me a PM and we'll get the ball rolling. ]

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In other words, I don't get to keep it.

[ Stefan laughs, completely unsurprised at this request. It's classic Dorian, after all – and Stefan is the mere photographer who sought out to capture the moment. ]

Sure, I think I can manage that.

[He chuckles at the notion.]

You could always take two pictures and keep one, you know. I'm sure you have enough film for that.

[It's nice to see someone accept him for who they think he is.]

Fair enough. [ He readies the camera, careful to keep his hands steady. ] Ready when you are, so... strike a pose?

Of course.

[Dorian's a fop, but he isn't overly flamboyant. He adopts a subdued stance in front of one of the brilliantly lit bars and smiles.]

Ready.

Say cheese!

[ Stefan grins, pressing the main button twice in rapid succession. Two prints come out of the "old-fashioned" camera, one of which he hands over to Dorian. ]

They'll develop faster if you wave it around. Or uh, so I've heard.

[Old fashioned? This looks like an iPhone compared to the old shutter cameras that took hours to develop!]

Really now? No need for a dark room at all?

[He waves it around, as instructed.]

Not around here. Everything's instantaneous.

[ The film's just starting to develop for Stefan, so he just casually holds it between his fingers. ]

But someone I know showed me the power of film and feeling something physical in your hands, so... that's what I want to work with.

[Oh, would you look at that. Not as instantaneous as taking a video on the (usual) device, but it was interesting to watch the film develop before his eyes.]

Is that so...? Intriguing...

Who showed you that, if I may inquire?

[He tilts his head thoughtfully.] You've probably met her. Max? The one who owns the art gallery?

It's a bit of that, and a bit of me also being super old-fashioned.

[That jogs his memory.]

Ah, yes! I actually woke up there when I first arrived in Wonderland. She contacted me on that device and showed me how to use it. Somewhat.

Are you good friends with her?

Not that close, but it's hard to ignore someone still using one of these.

[ He laughs, folding his arms, ] Speaking of devices... how've you been doing over here? Is the Citadel giving you much trouble?

Ah, it's been a fun vacation so far! It doesn't quite make up for all the times Wonderland has tormented us, but it's a lovely diversion.

[He hasn't been bothered by the Cidadel... Yet.]

No kidding. If only all of these events were like giant field trips...

[He sighs, thinking back to some of the more painful ones they've experienced.]

I don't think I'd love Wonderland even then, but I sure wouldn't grumble so much.

I wholeheartedly agree. Seeing other worlds is much more preferable than being tormented by them.

[Dorian would like to forget about those awful events, thank you very much.]

You should have been here for Hogwarts. Sure, we all thought we actually lived there and were capable of magic, but it was a rather pleasant event!

Edited 2017-05-01 14:33 (UTC)

Really? [ headtilt. ] You're the first person I've met who seemed to enjoy it.

What kind of magic did you have at this, er, "Hogwarts?"

You didn't?

[Or were you not there for that one?]

Ah, things you expect from a sorcerer. Levitation, transfiguration, potion making, defense against the dark arts...

[Dorian shrugs.]

And the student body and staff was composed of the other residents trapped in this world. It was a rather interesting introduction, I think.

I wasn't there. [ Stefan shrugs too. ] It's more, I've heard mixed things.

[ Something must've happened back there, or else his friends and loved ones wouldn't have shied away from the subject. At the time, truthfully, Stefan hadn't thought much about it. ]

Which now seems kind of weird, considering that Hogwarts doesn't sound that violent.

Edited 2017-05-03 06:33 (UTC)

Ah, fair enough.

You know, I wasn't sure what to make of it at first, but after getting bombarded with a long line of horrible events afterward, I start getting nostalgic.

[Dorian didn't have a lot of bad memories of it... Aside from the flying squid incident and the magical creatures class.]

It wasn't violent at all!

Huh. [ Note to self: his loved ones must've hated it for another reason altogether. ] If it's anything like this, I probably would've loved it.

What's your favorite part about the Citadel?

You definitely would, looking back. During that event, though, it would have felt like any other day. Wonderland sometimes toys with us like that...

[Like that Neverland incident he will not want to talk about.]

My favorite part? Must I chose one?

[And leave out the debauchery, possibly.]

Okay, maybe two. [ Stefan laughs, holding two fingers up as if he's counting. ] Just because I'm feeling a little generous.

[Dorian chuckles.]

If I told you the night clubs and the shopping district, would that satisfy you?

[ . . . ]

I don't know if satisfy is the right word, but yeah. I've heard enough.

Good.

[He replies with a smug nod.]

What about you, my friend? Where have you been visiting?

Parks, shopping centers, cafes.... [ Stefan shrugs. ] Might as well soak up the culture while I'm here, right?

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theothermrgray - 2017-05-13 19:23 (UTC) - Expand