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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[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.]

[once they're waved at, one man looks at the other and frowns, shaking his head a little bit. the other says something back, shrugging, gesturing with a nod of his own head towards Tek. they seem to be discussing something about him, trying to come to a decision.

one of them looks back over at the bar, where Robin is still acquiring a drink, before waving Tek over to come and sit with them. the other one pushes a third chair away from the table with his foot.

they look mean, but that doesn't mean a lot down here. they don't seem to be looking for a fight, at the very least.]

[and even if they had been looking for a fight, self-defense is the best excuse he could possibly ask for--especially since Robin never did get around to clarifying that rule about violence.

so, Tek pretends to consider it. he also casts a look back at where Robin is lost to his conquests at the bar and takes a minute to make it seem like he needs to make up his mind, before he finally stands up.

he smooths out the wrinkles in his outfit on the way over, as these junk-heaps seem like fine fellows that deserve him looking his best. as a stranger from the Capitol, he is a guest in their city, after all. and he stops just shy of actually sitting down in the offered chair, waiting to see if they have anything to say upon his arrival or if they're going to make him make the first move.]

[the two of them don't seem particularly impressed with his good fashion or polite manners. as Tek comes closer, the larger of the two says something to the smaller one in another language, guttural and full of harsh consonants. the other one nods, not taking his eyes off the stranger before them.

while it may not be apparent to outsiders, Tek can clearly tell that the both of them are dying. the things in their arms look painful, leaving the skin sickly and inflamed, slowly poisoning the rest of their bodies with every beat of their still-living hearts. they probably only have months to live, a year at the very most.]

Hey, stranger. [the smaller one greets Tek gruffly, nodding to the seat in case he hadn't gotten the idea.] Why don't you have a seat.

[Tek graciously accepts the invitation, still sticking to all the rituals of manners and poise as he takes a seat. again he smooths out his coat, and he folds his hands politely on the table--but he assumes that these two can see that his smile doesn't reach his eyes. his enjoyment of being invited to their table is all genuine, but he's not quite an actual idiot.]

I find myself honored that you would ask me to join you. Unless I'm entirely mistaken, you two don't seem the type to frequently go out of your way to make friends.

[the larger one looks between Tek and the smaller man before saying something--again, in another language that makes no sense to Tek. the smaller man nods, leaning back in his chair. he talks a lot smarter than he looks, though his voice still sounds like it, too, could hold its own in a fight.]

And you don't seem the kind of guy who'd associate with types like us. Pierce over here-- [he gestures with his whole head at the bigger guy.] --wants to know what you're doing hanging around the guy with the stupid gloves.

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