psychoshenanigans | GRATIA // PSL

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GRATIA // PSL

The first thing he feels is the cold.

It permeates everything down here on the lower levels. What little warmth humans have made for themselves is greedily gobbled up by the stone walls that surround them on all sides. Despite the stirring of people in the streets, in their homes, and around corners, this place feels like a grave. A similar sense seems to loom over the heads of most who make their way through this deep, dark part of the world, hovering around them like a cloud of inevitability. No one has been outright sentenced to death, but they may as well be.

Upon waking, Tek will have found himself in a dark, wet alleyway. Attempts to orient himself reveal that he has been brought, somehow, to an impressively large network of tunnels that all lead, more or less, to three or four larger chambers. There is far more vibrant life above him somewhere, far, far above the layer of caves he's in now, and there is also a very deep, sluggish form of life somewhere far below his feet.

No one is coming to get him. No one follows him in his immediate vicinity--the few stragglers hanging around doorsteps and windows don't give him a second glance, or even a first one. The place is crowded, but not busy. Everyone keeps their heads down. The people are all dressed poorly, in rags and robes and bundles that suggest a certain level of consistent poverty all throughout the level. The buildings in these tunnels look man-made, either built from scrap or carved straight out of the rock of the cave, but the majority of the actual roads and cave walls seem to have been formed with very little help from human hands.

The place is lit with lanterns and dirty-looking florescents suspended high above in the cave ceiling. The air is thick and stuffy, the smell of mold and mud prevalent over even the smell of human stagnation. It would not be hard to drag someone off, and he gets the immediate feeling that if he did, it's unlikely that anyone would come looking for them.

What does he do?

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[the waves of fresh death lap at Tek's skin as he turns to stare at the monster beside him, and only the easy expression on the other creature's face encourages him to stay right where he's at. it's not that he necessarily trusts this wretch or its ability to protect either of them; it's only the best option out of the ones he has available to him right now.

if he runs, he becomes part of this flock of prey. if he fights, this situation promises to turn into a bigger mess than it's already turning out to be--though he does get ready to lethally defend himself if necessary. and doing something to protect the humans isn't even a consideration. this isn't his world. these people aren't his responsibility.

so, with wide, fascinated eyes, he just... watches. and waits to see if he is going to be swept up into the violence or not.]

[even in all of the chaos, it's easy to tell that these new things are not particularly smart. they seem intent on making a huge, barking racket and killing as many people as they can... but they are easily distracted, sometimes abandoning an easy victim just because someone else darted too close or made a large noise. at least one of them becomes preoccupied with digging through a boarded-up window instead of going for stragglers in the open street.

one of the monsters lopes past Tek and his mysterious acquaintance without even noticing them. another one stops to sniff the air in their vicinity, but turns away almost immediately. whatever they smell like, the dog-creature isn't interested.

a ripped-off limb flies in their direction, rolling to a stop in front of both of them. the creature gives Tek a cursory glance... before slowly reaching out, picking up the arm, and pulling it back into the depths of its robes.

he'll save it for later, if that's all right.]

[...well.

through the whole disaster, Tek is tense but unblinkingly intrigued. it has been a long time since he's been so close to monstrous slaughter, and never as an idle audience like this. it's a little thrilling, honestly.

until his new friend helps himself to the disembodied limb that flops across the ground, anyway. then, he can't help but look a little bit nauseated.

...still, this isn't the strangest way that he has met a friend.]

[again, if the creature is offended, it shows no outward signs of such dissatisfaction. it is content to sit while the dogs continue their rampage. all and all, this event has unfolded rather pleasantly for everyone.

and then, somewhere amidst the screaming and scrabbling, a male voice bellows out over the crowd.]

I thought you said there were mages! Not a pack of man-eating, mother-fucking--

[there's an awful squeal as one of the dogs goes flying backwards just at the edge of their view, skidding ungracefully to a stop with a huge gash in its chest. from the same direction as the other voice, Tek hears a startlingly familiar voice yelling back--]

I know, I know, but there's something down here!

[a loud gunshot cracks through the cave, accompanied by another wounded yelp.]

[the first voice has Tek snapping to attention, half-crouching as he's suddenly ready to fight or flee. voices like that could mean nothing, or they could--as they more often tend to--mean serious trouble for magical creatures like himself and his new friend here. at first, he's planning on riding out another few moments to decide exactly what to do, and judge whether or not he can bring the other monster with.

that second voice, though.

when he hears that one, Tek jumps up to his feet in an instant. that voice really is trouble.]

[for whatever reason, the creature stays where it is, not budging an inch even when Tek jumps to his feet. the threat of possible discovery is, apparently, not enough to get him to move from his huddling spot.

the source of the first voice comes into view very quickly, and he stands literally a head-and-shoulders above the few people still panicking in the streets. he's dressed in some sort of long dark coat and wielding a massive claymore, but his most distinctive feature is by far how large he is. he seems preoccupied with wrestling the dog-monsters that've started picking him out as their new target--though his swinging a gigantic blade through the air at them seems to be making it difficult for any of them to land a hit.

a smaller figure darts out from the chaos, also dressed in black. his hair is a little shorter, but the white streaks running through his bangs are unmistakable. Robin rolls deftly away from a charging monster, barely paying it any mind, instead scanning the windows and doors for the thing he's been tracking this whole time.

he looks serious, focused... and anxious to find what he's looking for.]

[Tek wouldn't be able to explain why his first reaction is to press back into the shadowy nook that he and the other creature have claimed. maybe it's the monster-slayer accompanying Robin, or the fact that Tek is suddenly doubting his own senses, but he makes sure that his hood continues to shade his face... and he doesn't make a sound.

holding his breath, he continues to spy on Robin from his hiding spot and wills his aura to dim down and cling as closely as possible.]

[Robin takes a couple of steps down the street, but stops short and whips his head back around the other way. the thing he's looking for is here, he's sure of it, if only he could just...

another monster charges him, ricocheting off the wall right towards his back--but it gets knocked aside by some invisible force, and is dead before it hits the ground. Robin never strays from his search, eyes darting over hiding spots and dead bodies until...

he sees him. he looks surprised--and then startled as what he's seeing clicks into his memories of that familiar face. he took care of him when he was sick, back on the ships, back in the Fleet, back when...

the taller man yells something about "can I get a hand over here", but Robin is too dumbstruck to even hear it.]

[he's already as still as can be, but something in him somehow freezes when he can tell that he's been spotted. it's probably a relic of old habits, hiding from hunters.

he doesn't say anything when Robin's eyes lock on him, but something else shifts and he hardly notices. another reflex, much newer than the one that has him hesitating like a cornered animal, changes his face. once Robin has caught him for sure, Tek's mask goes up--covering the wrinkles and sallow skin, putting on the persona that matches the resurfacing memories.]

[and if Robin had any hesitations or doubts in his mind, that seems to settle them.]

...Tek?

[it's not a good idea to approach a cornered animal, but Robin rushes in anyway, dropping his weapons just so that he can fling both of his arms around the startled dragon. he holds him tightly no matter what he tries to do, and for a moment, Tek can feel a rush of confusing, vivid emotions welling up inside the demigod's form.

it is much less noticeable, but at the same moment, the magical presence of the creature beside them is quietly snuffed out. the taller man is still trying to call to Robin, though he sounds increasingly sarcastic about it.]

[at first, there is a little bit of a struggle as Tek is forced to clumsily acclimate to being crowded and touched. with how primed for trouble he'd been, it takes him a few seconds to switch gears. he would like to be able to keep his distance until he can verify all of this as being both true and safe, but Robin doesn't give him that luxury. he has no choice but to sort through his nerves and fears while clutched close.

when it does all register as being reality, he can finally get himself to calm down. after those few seconds of flighty discomfort, he eventually settles--letting his shoulders droop with a halting, hesitating sigh of relief.]

[that's good enough for Robin. with one final squeeze, he finally lifts his head so that he can bring their foreheads together.

he's sorry to be so rushed with this--and Tek can feel that, now, with the mental connection that Robin has created between them. the demigod keeps himself very open, so that Tek can see it is truly him, the way he remembers.

Robin tells him that they can talk about everything soon. he imagines a small room in large, glittering mountain suspended from the ceiling. he warns Tek that there are spies all around, most of which will be looking for magical creatures like them.]

--Guys, are you--hugging? What the fuck is going on over there...?

[--and that's Vincent, someone Robin considers a friend. he breaks the connection and steps away from Tek, turning to yell back down the street.]

What, like you needed my help. They're puppies.

[Vincent, as he is apparently named, yanks his sword out of one's skull with a wet squelch. the monster-dogs, for as ferocious as they'd been, have now either retreated or died at the hands of these two hunters. Vincent seems to look down at the ground.]

Yeah, but--did you know they were gonna spring up under us like that?

[Robin smiles wide--getting back into his role. Vincent wanders over, keeping his eyes on the ground.]

[Tek tends to keep his own mind pretty well-shuttered during connections like these, but he still can't quite keep his seething gratitude hidden. he is so glad to have something that makes sense directly deposited into his brain, as well as trustworthy confirmation that this really is Robin. this is his friend. nothing important is missing.

so, when Robin smiles, Tek is able to pretend right along with him. he smirks, as if any of his confidence is real, and continues to keep a tight rein on his aura. his eyes still aren't colored right, but they no longer glow.]

Goodness. Who's your friend? [--he asks, even though he's already been granted the answer.]

Ugh, [is Vincent's immediate reaction as he joins them.] Who's that guy?

[he's probably asking Robin, but Tek will quickly notice that Vincent doesn't move his head to look at either of them like a normal person would. he points with his ears more than his eyes, on account of his eyes being nothing more than pretty painted spheres of glass in otherwise empty sockets. they're blue. Robin must have picked them out.

the man towers over the both of them even as he slumps forward over his sword. for a blind guy, he's incredibly expressive, scowling openly between his friend and this stranger.

Robin offers an explanation to both of them.]

Tek, this is Vincent. He's my... Business partner, for lack of a better term.

[Vincent makes a disgruntled sound, though his expression changes a little as he... smells the air. it is subtle, but very intentional. Robin pays it no mind, gesturing between the two even though Vincent theoretically can't see it.]

And Vincent, this is Tek. He is a man from the dream I told you about.

[...Vincent stops sniffing, pauses, and then lifts his head just to shoot Robin a flat look.]

Okay. [the man seems unconvinced.] That sounds crazy, but okay.

[Tek wonders if his cloak and stolen belongings is enough to make him smell like a human, or if the blind man can pick up on the traces of gravedust and dried leaves.]

It's wonderful to meet you, Vincent... though, I can't say that I'm impressed with your judgement of character if this is the company you keep.

[it turns out that Vincent can laugh just as hard as he can scowl. he finds that very funny, leaning forward with a hearty chuckle as Robin takes a turn to frown.]

Oy... So you do know him. Real pain in the ass, ain't he?

[Vincent may be grinning, but Robin's eyes flit up to the windows of the building behind them. since the noise has died down and someone is laughing, the terrified residents of this level have finally started poking their heads out to see if it's safe to leave. the three men standing in the open street next to a couple of monstrous corpses are quite a sight, and Robin is keen to avoid making a lasting impression.]

Vince, we're going up to the church. Clean up here?

[Robin takes Tek's hand and leads him along, heading past a confused Vincent, who asks:] What, you led me all the way down here just to ditch me?

[Robin turns back just enough to reply, with a new grin:] Moving parts, friend! See you at Molly's!

[this does not slow his attempted exit, and Vincent's shoulders droop a little in admitted defeat. this is definitely not the first time that Robin has ditched him under bizarre and poorly-explained consequences.]

[at the very least, Tek is pleased with the brief impression he's made on Robin's old friend. he'll undoubtedly ruin his own hard work later, but it seems smart to ingratiate himself at the start of things--especially with Robin breezing them both away right afterwards.

once Tek catches up to fall in familiar step with his friend, he's sure to stick casually and comfortably close at his side--for the sake of both comfort and safety. and if Robin needs any more evidence as to how Tek is feeling about the current state of things, he doesn't seem particularly eager to let go of Robin's hand.

and he doesn't speak first. hood still up, following companionably along, he's waiting for Robin to take the lead in conversation too.]

[the tall hunter and the giant mess he made are left behind. Robin meant to let go of Tek's hand as soon as they were both heading in the same direction--but immediately finds himself making excuses to not. Tek himself doesn't seem to mind it, so why not? of all the things that could get him in trouble around here, holding hands with a beautiful man is not one of them.

holding hands with a beautiful mystery man, however... he stays quiet for a little while, formulating a plot while he knows he's got the time. Tek is led down a side alley, into a tunnel, and right up to a flight of stairs that leads up until the steps are swallowed in complete darkness.

Robin finally takes his hand back, but it's just so that he can reach into his shirt and pull out a now-familiar tube of color. his is much smaller than the ones Tek has seen so far, more artfully made and capped with a stylized piece of metal. it glows red, and it glows brightly. as Robin holds it up, small striations in the rock walls around them seem to glow with a surreal, ambient light in response to its presence. it makes the staircase before them much easier to see.]

So... [he smiles, taking Tek's hand again.] How long were you wandering around down there before I found you?

[up the stairs they go. there's just room enough for two.]

[the light and its associated reflections are beautiful enough to be pretty distracting for an aesthetics-starved dragon. he almost seems a little surprised when Robin speaks up and takes his hand again, bringing his eyes back down to the conversation.

he grins a little. the edges of his teeth are humbly flat and normal, and Robin's light is still the only glow here. even around his inhuman friend, Tek isn't reassured enough to remove his hood or enough of his mask to feel comfortable again--not that he isn't eager to, however.]

Hours. Two or three, by now. [he glances over his shoulder, back down the dark stairwell.] ...And you found me that quickly?

[the stairway tunnel is empty and fairly uneventful. it doesn't look like it was carved with any more care than strictly necessary for function--so even Robin has to look down and make sure he doesn't stumble on the craggy steps.

his glowing pendant continues to light their way as they ascend. every once in a while, they pass a small cluster of fungi along the wall that responds by turning the same vibrant, glowing red.]

Honestly, not quick enough. [he laughs a little--because it is true, despite the cover he is about to start weaving.] I know you're new in town, but someone of your standing shouldn't be milling around the lower levels without protection. It's very dangerous.

So I've noticed.

[he probably should have sounded more genuinely alarmed and less flat about a pack of murderous, monstrous dogs, especially if someone may or may not be listening in... but sounding any less flippant about anything right now would be too close to the truth for comfort.]

Trust me, if I'd had a choice in the matter, I would have been anywhere else but there.

[Robin gets to choose exactly how Tek might have ended up where he was. he's mostly making mention of it to subtly confirm the fact that he has no idea why he is in this place at all. though he has hopped between a few worlds during recent years, it never makes much sense, and this time has somehow seemed... different than the others.]

I assume that you've been in town for a while, then?

Oh, yeah. I've been back here for months.

[he says this offhandedly, but it's a very important point. he's been here for months, thinking more with each passing day that his time in the Drift Fleet and in Court and on Nor and in the Tower were all a long, distant dream.]

But Skeleton City is my home town, more or less, so I'm never away for very long. It's not much to look at from the bottom... [he laughs a little, almost apologetic.] But I think you'll like the higher levels.

[at the top of the stairs, the two of them reach a doorway that opens up into another tunnel. Robin leads them along again--and at least he seems very sure of where he's going.]

[Tek doesn't give much of a reaction at that, of course, but he has taken careful note of it. Robin has been here for months. he has been back home where he should be, settling in his place, unimagining all of the impossible places they'd ever been to together.]

If there is running water and a place to lie down, I'm sure I will love it.

[he says it in that light, joking way that he says most things... but the silence that follows is pretty telling. he's doing his best to adapt and put on an impervious smile, but he can't think of how to safely phrase all of the questions and worries in his head. he can't even drum up some decent small-talk. he is stressed and unsure, very eager to reach someplace where he can finally retreat with his friend, and try to find some semblance of normalcy.]

[even with the length of time that has passed between them, Robin understands. the motions of their friendship come back to him with every new word and every fine silence that Tek creates. he understands, and he squeezes the dragon's hand to let him know that it's going to be okay.]

Mm, I suppose the bar has been set fairly low thus far, hasn't it? No matter...

[he tucks his pendant away as they enter a wider cave filled with more lights. there are a few people mulling around, but they already look like a more colorful bunch than those below. while not much better off financially, they seem to at least have a sense of life about them that the lowest level was definitely missing. Robin steers them away from traffic, back down another side corridor, and ultimately up to another flight of stairs.]

I'd engage in more small talk, but honestly... this isn't really the place or time.

[this staircase looks much more frequently traveled. the steps are smoother, the walls are wider, and the way is dotted with the occasional dim lantern. someone else passes by them with a dimly-glowing blue pendant, which the fungus responds to by glowing blue in kind.]

We can catch up when we finally get there.

I'm looking forward to it. I'm sure you already have quite a few stories to entertain me with.

[in other words: message received. they both have an excuse to keep silent, whether for reasons of security or general discomfort, and there is some sanctuary up ahead where they can safely let their guards down. or so Tek hopes, anyway.

he is more than content to spend his attention on memorizing what he can of the path they're taking, and focus on his own mask and demeanor, in the meantime.]

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