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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[to be fair, Tek has never taken very well to being confined to any limited space, especially when there are rules on top of it, so his level of cooperation so far in this cramped hole-in-the-ground should be considered commendable. it hasn't been easy--particularly because he'd been wheeling throughout the vastness of the universe immediately before this. sure, the fleet had been its own sort of horrible cage, but at least the scenery had changed every few weeks.

it feels like ages since he'd found himself stepping suddenly into a new world. and now here he is, a door finally swinging open for him into somewhere entirely new, and permission given to fly through it.

normally, the idea of a party is an entertaining prospect for him, but not the sort of thing that he naturally finds catharsis in. that's more of Robin's thing. the demigod can dive into these things and get lost, where the dragon tends to observe, perform, meddle, and that's about it.

this time, however... Tek is even more silent and still than he usually is as he stands there and drinks in the entirety of the space. instead of slinking and smiling performatively at Robin's side, he just basks in the activity and the noise and he looks like a hungry cat while he's doing it.

this time, he might actually be into the party.

eventually, he rests a hand on Robin's shoulder and leans in, eyes still on the sea of pretty, moving things around him.]

...How obvious is too obvious? [let's go over those rules again, for no particular reason. and maybe nail down the details of the stabbing one too, while we're at it.]

[Robin laughs, even though he shouldn't.]

C'mon, we'll talk about it.

[before anyone at this party has a chance to recognize him (he knows it is only a matter of time), he takes the hand that Tek had placed on his shoulder and starts pulling the dragon off to the side, past a group of rough-looking teenagers, past an older woman in a shawl balancing three drinks in her gnarled hands, past two shadowy individuals who look so blatantly shifty that people naturally give them a foot or two of space more than normal.

they reach one of the walls of the cave, which is were the bar is serving drinks. the setup is just an old billiards table, though the felt is so stained by time that the surface looks brown and irreparably warped. a line of bottles is all that separates the people sitting at the bar from the bartender, who is a woman with a crooked smile made all the crookeder by a deep scar that runs from one corner of her face to the other. stacks of paper cups are sitting in the corner pockets, and there's a huge crate of miscellaneous glass jars, glasses, and other containers in boxes behind her.

Robin guides them to an empty table, which is actually just three or four pillows on the ground with a flat metal panel in front of it to set drinks on. a few people look at them as they sit, but that's the way it is everywhere. just as Robin settles down on one of the cushions, the band finishes a song, and the crowd becomes more-or-less distracted with rambunctious applause and watching to see who comes up to play next.]

So, let's just run through the list. [Robin starts counting things off on his fingers, casually and cheerily naming all the things that could potentially get them killed.] Teeth are fine, but you have to be consistent. Same with the tongue thing. The eyes...

[those predatory, already-glowing eyes... Robin has to think for a moment, considering the worst that could happen.]

Those are trickier. We'll need a story.

[at first, Tek doesn't look like he's listening. it's the other way around, normally--where he's smiling and dutifully attending to whatever is being said to him, while secretly paying far more attention to everything else going on around him around him.

he doesn't have that companionable pretense up yet, so he's still hungrily wrapped up in watching the crowd until the two of them are seated and comfortable and Robin has fully reached his first point. only then does his attention return to Robin, and it does so in a blink.]

Well, the curious individuals down here can't know about every variation possible up in the world at large, can they?

[he nods and hums in agreement--pleased that Tek is already thinking of a way around this in the exact same way that Robin would. it's a vote of confidence in Tek's favor.]

Yes, that's the idea. I doubt it could pass for a mod, too complicated...

[he leans back on his hands, tipping a little closer to Tek. it's partly so that he can keep his voice down, but mostly so that he can just... be closer to Tek.]

But that's not to say there aren't mutations, especially out in the wastes. Maybe it's a family trait, a holdover from when the Capitol was still mostly underground.

[there's scattered cheering and whooping from the crowd as a woman (well, maybe) in a duster jacket and very short pants gets up and kicks some box that starts making a deep, slow, rhythmic bumping sound. it's a beat that is then matched by someone else tapping on a sheet of tin and another gangling-looking individual plucking at strings on a makeshift guitar.]

[Tek can play the game, when it suits him. when the benefits outweigh the boredom of following someone else's rules. it helps that this particular deception is one he has fallen back on many times.]

It's probably considered quite fashionable. Really, it's a shame that the simple folk down here have never heard of such a thing.

[his voice has the usual lazy, sly sound to it, though none of it is reflected in his face as he watches the crowd. a beat too late, he finally remembers to turn and smile fondly at his companion.]

[Robin was already smiling, but the intentional change in expression on his companion's face makes it hard not to grin back in kind. it's nice, watching someone else do that for once.]

There it is. [it isn't clear if he's referring to the cover story, or the smile.] I think you'll do just fine.

[the woman (well, maybe) up on the stage starts to sing. something catches their words and amplifies them through the air, though it's hard to tell if it's something about the set or if it's simply the nature of the cave itself to bounce and echo their voice out to the crowd. their song is a little mournful, a little mysterious, bringing the energy of the party down to to a lower key.]

Kett's welcome to come too... [Robin figures he should mention this, since he still remembers that shocking and confusing people is one of Tek's favorite pastimes.] So long as no one figures out they're the same person.

[oho... there's a new light (maybe literal) in his eyes at that suggestion, and his smile shifts to something just a touch more malevolent than before. when he looks out at the crowd again, it's through a slightly different lens.]

...And here I'd only bought one new outfit. You should have mentioned it sooner.

[again, Robin laughs at that, even though he shouldn't.]

My apologies, how deeply inconsiderate of me.

[how dare he, not suggesting that Tek buy twice the amount of expensive clothes and jewelry than he had already. what a foolish mistake he definitely, absolutely made on purpose. he gestures with a thumb to somewhere behind them, towards the rock wall.]

There are side passages back there, other rooms and such. For whatever you need.

[hiding... changing... drug trades... secret handjobs... occasional kidnapping or murder...]

And honestly, I don't think you can make too much of a mess, as long as you...

[of course, Robin's words trail off as he feels someone approaching the both of them from behind. they're trying to be sneaky about it, creeping slowly, not aware that Robin can track the blood in every body in this entire room. so he doesn't seem at all bothered when two hands suddenly clap down hard on his shoulders--and only shows an ounce of surprise when a cascade of blonde curls comes floating into view.]

Robin! [a woman's cheerful voice comes out of the person suddenly crouching in next to the demigod. she's young, busty, with big, lively blue eyes. she's wearing a short skirt with a lot of patches on it. she's also got a swollen lip and biceps that could choke a man to death in under a minute.]

Sarah, [comes Robin's reply, matching her tone flawlessly as if he really was surprised to see an old friend,] What are you doing here? I thought you were--

[she cuts in to give him a hug, which he returns out of habit if nothing else.] --On the Rotation, yeah! Don't worry, Lorraine just pulled me in for a quick set, not a real job or anything.

That's great-- [As Robin starts the process of politely disconnecting enough to even look back at Tek, another figure comes sauntering along behind the woman with a slight, barely-noticeable limp. he's got short cropped hair, dyed red, a long, black dress, and only half of a normal set of lips. he has a full mouth, just... the left half of his lips seem to be absent. he looks vaguely unimpressed, but it's hard to say how much of that is his expression and how much is just his bizarre facial features.]

[though neither of the supernatural creatures sitting there may have been surprised at the appearance of the two strangers, one of them is not particularly comfortable with being loomed over during it. so, he strategically overcompensates--sighing and stretching and making a show of turning to brace a hand back on the ground so he can look up at their new friends.

he appears patronizingly patient as he watches someone fawn over his companion. don't worry, he can wait. and he sends a longsuffering glance toward the woman's far-more-interesting partner to see if they return the gesture--quickly gathering up all the little social clues he can, here.]

[as he enters conversational distance, the far-more-interesting partner's disdain seems to be leveled Robin's direction, specifically. he crosses his arms carefully, using it as an excuse to glance briefly over whoever else happens to be in the area, picking out who is actually involved and who isn't. his eyes get stuck on Tek just a split-second too long, because he stops to pick out details like eyes, clothing, and posture, before realizing he has no idea who this person is.

it gives Tek just enough time to catch that one of his eyes are an unusual mix of colors before their gaze settles firmly back on Robin and the woman next to him. he isn't giving anything else away, holding his expression with a very disciplined patience.]

Sarah, this is Tek-- [Robin is able to gesture, and the woman looks over with a start, as if she hadn't even noticed he was there. she immediately looks apologetic, picking up on Tek's show of attitude without issue as Robin finishes explaining.] He's visiting from the Capitol. Thought I'd show him how we party on this side of the world.

[the woman leans over, extending a hand with a wide smile.] Shit, I'm sorry! I just shoved right in on your whole thing... I'm Sarah.

[the man, still standing, is watching Tek now. waiting. quietly gathering.

that is, until Robin reaches out to smack at the man's bad leg with the back of his hand, announcing loudly with a grin:] Oy, Tonic! Stop being a creep.

[this is sufficiently distracting enough for the man, who jostles at the touch and sighs irritably down at the demigod, his frown turning into half of a sneer:] You're one to talk, babe.

[whatever Tek's own calculations might have been, they're run right over by the woman's boisterous greeting. and he's nice about it; she's being gracious enough to apologize and include him, so he seems forgiving as he accepts her hand.

and he rolls his replies to both new parties together so that they're practically one easy sentence, with only a glance from one individual to the other to really mark that they're intended for two different people.]

Don't worry, dear--it's always a pleasure to meet characters from Robin's sordid life in the flesh. And I imagine we would all be hypocrites if we started throwing that word around.

Sordid, oh-- [the woman lets out a big, boisterous laugh before leaning in closer, sounding like she knows exactly what's going on here.] So you're one of those friends, huh? And he says he got you all the way from the Capitol?

[the man, meanwhile, smiles coldly at Tek. he's thinking about something, clearly, even as he starts talking to his friend:] Sarah, why don't we leave these boys alone, then. You're interrupting.

[she looks a little surprised, glances to Robin for a second opinion--but Robin only shrugs in vague agreement. she is interrupting the middle of their conversation. he would very much like them to leave.]

Aw, damn, you're right-- [she pouts, then, but only at herself.] Well shit, if you're free later, you guys aught to come find me, okay? [she looks pointedly at Tek, smiling again.] Okay? I love making new friends.

[he makes sure to pointedly accept that eye contact right back. at least as it stands right now, it's a promise.]

Oh, as do I. I wouldn't miss getting to know associates of my dear friend for the world.

[he smiles with those teeth that Robin said he could keep.]

It's going to be a fun night. We'll find you.

[the woman gasps... in delight, as it turns out, as the next thing she does it grab her face and grab at the hem of her date's lovely dress, almost like a child.]

His teeth are so good, Tonic! Look at them!

[Tonic only rolls his eyes, starting to walk away.] Yes, yes. There will be plenty of time to get to know him after, dear.

[this only makes her giggle as she gets back to her feet. she waves good-bye to the both of them before following, not willing to lose her friend in the crowd.

and then Robin and Tek are alone again, or at least not immediately beset upon by people that Tek has never met before. Robin watches the two of them walk away, shaking his head with an amused, if not somewhat annoyed, expression.]

Honestly, that's probably going to be happening all night.

[Tek shifts over to watch them depart, which has him leaning closer to Robin as a questionably-accidental side-effect.]

Oh, I'd expected nothing less. I can't help but imagine that you know a great number of these people in a level of detail that isn't polite to discuss in public.

Oh yes. [Robin's eyes widen with the truth of that statement.] That's just kind of... the way of things, in these circles. My own interests aside.

[speaking of his interests, he tips his head onto Tek's shoulder. it's a very easy gesture, as if he was only doing it incidentally. maybe he just needs to rest his head. it's nice, though, reminds him of a few things that flit in and out of his cloudy memory like birds flitting through the branches of a tree.]

Mm. [he remembers one very good memory from a long time ago, while looking out at the spot his two acquaintances had long-since disappeared from.] We should dance. Would you save me one, before the night is over?

[the dragon's eyebrows quietly raise at just how heartily Robins agrees to his comment, and he remains in a casual state of consternation until Robin's question. then, he glances sideways at him, eyebrows still up.]

...You remember that dancing isn't exactly my favorite activity, don't you?

[he's recalling the same event, but it's remembered a little differently for him than it is for Robin.]

Yeah, but it's mine.

[he turns his head to look up at Tek with a playful smirk and a look that says, 'this should be enough to convince you to just go along with it anyway'.]

I'm basically letting you run wild all night--it's the least you could do, don't you think?

[he doesn't think it's going to work, but that doesn't stop him from trying to ego his way through the conversation anyway.]

[with their faces so close, it's easy to lean just a bit and plant a sweet, small kiss on Robin's cheek. a little bit patronizing, maybe, but very cute.]

I'll consider it.

[--that tone, however, is definitely patronizing.]

[after all these years, multiple multiverses, times together and times apart... Robin still doesn't know what to do with a kind gesture of affection like that one. even if it is deservedly patronizing.]

Thanks. [he tries to say it sarcastically enough to throw off suspicion, but it's a hopeless effort. he's suddenly antsy, sitting up, hoping that whatever stupid color is rising in his face isn't enough to be seen under the strange, mismatched lighting.]

I'm going to go get a drink. [he announces to compensate.] You want anything?

Unless they have something to snack on, [a leg of boar would be nice right about now,] I'm fine.

[he smiles in the sweetest and most trustworthy way he can, which is almost a decent imitation of the expression.]

I'll wait right here.

Nah, that's across the way.

[Robin says this as he gets back to his feet, waving vaguely in goodbye as he steps away from their little sitting place.]

Be right back. [the end of his remark gets swallowed up by more applause as the singer finishes her (well, maybe) song. after a short, buzzing silence, something a lot more lively starts getting played on stage, and the singer actively invites all of them to come dance, sending many people off of the floor and away from their tables to join the growing mass up at the front of the cave.

there are still plenty of people hanging back, though. it's no easier for Robin to get to the bar, having to squeeze in between two large men waiting for their own turns. he asks for something strong--fully expecting that when he turns around, Tek will be long gone.]

[in all fairness, if Robin happens to glance back right after arriving at the bar, Tek might even still be there. at least at that point.

because, he needs to gauge the territory, first. he can't just dive in without a plan, unlike some people. he needs to see what's interesting, who the predators and the prey are, what everyone around him is doing.

he needs to pick a game before he can play it.]

[this is a good move; it only takes a little bit of patient watching to notice that there are plenty of options available to him. for instance, at one of the tables (this one is actually a table this time and not just pillows on the floor) furthest from the crowd, two men are watching him. they're both sporting the same closely-buzzed haircut, and have similar, sunken eyes. they both look like they could take their own in a fight. they would be easily passable as working-class nobodies, if it weren't for the fact that both of them have bits of sharp, angry-looking metal grafted into their arms and hands.

on the other side of the bar, a younger girl with long dark hair and a nervous expression is staring at the singer up on stage. some older man tries to start up a conversation with her as he passes by, clearly asking her to come dance, but she looks darkly at him before shaking her head and going right back to staring at the stage. the man continues to ask once, than twice, but she says nothing--and soon he gives up to go inevitably complain to his other friends about the whole thing.

if Tek wants something a little less challenging, there's always cards. a boy and a girl in ripped clothing and heavy makeup are playing some kind of game against each other in one of the pillow pits. part of the game involves slapping one's hand down on a pile of cards while the other person tries to set their hand down on other piles around them at lightning speed. the couple of people watching them seem to be entertained, laughing between sharing cigarettes and passing around round disks as the players win or lose.]

[Tek takes a moment to weigh his options, predict which opportunities might disappear while the others remain open... and also judge which would require the least amount of effort right off the bat. and while he plots, he makes sure to broadcast his apparently short attention span to anyone who may be watching. he needs to make sure that him hopping up to go bother someone for probably-harmless reasons would make sense to potential observers. a knee bounces, he leans on his hand as he scans the crowd--

and, ah. he easily narrows in on which one would be easiest to experiment with right from where he's sitting.

he locks eyes with the pair at the table once he notices that he is definitely the target of their stare, and smiles wide. he gives them a friendly wave for good measure, just to watch what they do with it.]

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