psychoshenanigans | GRATIA // PSL

Entry tags:

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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[he's a little sharpened up now, leaning forward in his seat compared to a few moments before. dropping a bit of pretense is one of his favorite, exciting little games to play, and his partner has shown signs of possibly being the same way.

however, he settles right back again to laugh at that, and does reach for the nearest drink, out of a habit that isn't actually his.]

That has been the exact thought looming over my mind as well.

[it's inevitable that the demigod is going to drop like a bomb on their conversation at some point, and Tek is both amused and disgusted at the fact that they both know it.]

[and, at seeing Tek is also in agreement with how this is going, Tonic gestures widely with a beautifully-manicured hand, both eyes going wide.]

Right? This is-- [and then he sighs, sounding like he's halfway between laughing and suffering:] I am so sorry. I really was having a lovely time.

[Tek laughs in a similar breathy, sad way.]

It took him no time, did it? He's not even here, and has still somehow managed to both ruin our conversation and become the star of it.

[they're already there, so commiserating will just have to do. Tek takes sip of his drink in honor of their new misery... but immediately makes a face and pushes it back toward the board. that one is not a winner. he can't even pretend to like that one.]

Ugh, he has a way of complicating everything.

[Tonic was starting to settle back, arms crossed in frustration... but seeing Tek's disgust with his own choice of alcohol quickly prompts him back to lean over the table, pick up another glass, and put that one down in front of his new friend.]

Try that one. [he takes a sip of the old one himself, barely reacting to the taste, partly because part of his tongue isn't very good at tasting anymore.] I really hate him.

[he accepts Tonic's advice, sampling the next one more carefully. it turns out to be considerably more palatable, so he can at least feign halfway enjoyment of it. the little glass gives him something to look at as he makes his way through this particular topic.]

That is a very simple word for discussing such a very messy person.

Messy, yes.

[Tonic nods and frowns at the thought. he remains leaning over the table, invested in what Tek has to say in the same way that Tek had been so thoroughly interested in the potential of informational exchange earlier.]

Tell me, I'm curious. [again, he really does hate to ruin this nice dinner with talk of one of his least favorite people... but this is the whole reason he agreed to show Tek around to begin with.] In your experience, does he has a problem with, oh, pathologically wedging himself into other people's business, no matter how unwelcome he is?

[Tek just smiles down at the little glass in his hand. he may have made a fuss about Robin's inevitable ruining of their conversation, but... really, he has been relishing the chance to make a dent in Robin's secretive little world. for once, he's excited to talk about someone other than himself, and the sentiment is almost entirely malicious.]

Tell me... which do you pay more attention to: the dog peacefully sleeping by the fire, or the one barking loudly and destroying all of your favorite things?

What, you're saying... [Tonic nearly laughs again, disgusted.] ...That it's just for attention?

[Tek gives a little shrug and sips his drink.]

I don't know. Is there anything else that he wants from you?

Tch'...

[it turns out that there's an impressive number of annoyed vocalizations you can make with only one side of your mouth. Tonic seems to find this very frustrating on multiple levels, as more than once he considers saying something, but then takes it back in favor of picking at something else on the table.

eventually he drags over the plate of potatoes, stabbing it with a knife from earlier... to get a portion, of course. obviously. he sighs.]

You must know him very well.

Better than anyone ever has or ever will.

[he says this with the easiest confidence in the world. it is simply truth.

and he straightens up afterward, stretching out his spine with a bit of perfect posture, shifting gears a little as if the next thought has just occurred to him.]

And maybe I haven't spoiled this part so quickly, as now we'll be thinking about how every word said about him will be giving him what he wants.

Oh, and he'd be so smug about it, the bastard.

[give him a moment to shovel a knife-full of food into his mouth again, bringing himself from a low-key rage back down to a thoughtful consideration of the cards he has been dealt.

eventually, he reaches forward to tap a fingernail on the table in front of them, as if pointing something out on a map that isn't there.]

I'll tell you this much--you've managed to make yourself the most interesting topic at the table again, from what little you've given already.

[he finishes the last of his little drink, looking pleased.]

And really, that's the worst thing I can do to him isn't it? He'd fear that I'm giving away all of his secrets, but he'd hate to know that we're not talking about him at all.

[he sets his glass aside and takes a moment to muse to himself as he reaches for the next one.]

...Not that I'm opposed to a few spilled secrets anyway.

[his smug expression only lasts a moment, however. this next drink turns it into just as much of a grimace as the first one had, but he also seems rather impressed with how bad it is.] --Oh lords.

[that, at least, puts a crooked little smile back on Tonic's face. maybe if they can't have a lovely time eating now that neither of them are pretending this isn't completely about Robin, they can at least ruin him in the process.]

No dinner is complete without a couple of those, of course...

[but then Tek has picked another terrible choice in alcohols, and Tonic quickly looks over the remaining options to see what might suit him better--just being a good host.]

Sweetheart, you keep going right for the strong ones...

[it really may have been a nice drink before Tek had gotten his hands on it. now, with the poisons rapidly multiplying, it's turning into a dangerous little thing.]

I mean, yes, the last one did lull me into a false sense of security, but... you really need to try this. It's incredible.

[he casually moves the conversation forward as he holds the glass out toward Tonic, splitting attention to help increase the odds of him just going along with the idea.]

Also, I feel I need to add that I am interested in more than only wheedling secrets and suffering out of our dear mutual friend. I am honestly curious about you outside of all of that. Robin has kept me away from so many interesting people during this little vacation, I'm sorely feeling the need to make up for lost time.

Hm... [Tonic did say he would finish whatever Tek doesn't want, so he thoughtfully leaves a better-tasting drink on the table in front of his new friend and takes the (secretly) much stronger drink in exchange, giving it a fair sip while Tek keeps explaining.

he looks a little bothered by the taste, but again... not as much as a normal person probably should be.]

Well, I'm flattered to hear that. I can't imagine why he wouldn't want you talking to someone like me.

[he grins entirely with one side of his face, which is either horrifying or charming, depending on your disposition.]

And I meant what I said earlier. It would be a shame to continue to think of you only as Robin's friend. For example, ah...

[maybe he's getting playful again; he leans forward on the table, finding a place for his elbow so that he can prop his chin on his hand.] What brings you all the way to Skeleton City?

[charming, absolutely. Tek is free to show just how much he enjoys watching his companion's face, because it is anything but a ploy.

though, his fond smile is a little interrupted by the specific question that Tonic asks. he makes a face before he even has a chance to try the new drink that has been passed to him.]

Unfortunately... the answer to that question is our least favorite topic. I'd likely still be wrapped up in my own little world over there if Robin hadn't barged in and told me so many stories of his home city. It was only a matter of time before I found the time and the means to sneak away and follow him back for an extended vacation.

[Tonic is also genuinely interested in hearing about Tek, so Tonic remains a captive audience while continuing to sip on the drink that he was given.]

That's funny... He must have really sold it, I can't imagine many people coming to visit here willingly.

[he laughs, cheery--] Though you've already established that you don't exactly follow the norm, huh?

[Tek may be a gifted liar when the situation calls for it, but weaving as much truth as possible into everything he says has always been his policy. so, he's entirely (bitterly) genuine as he goes on to explain.]

Precisely. I'm, ah... not exactly the shiniest star on my family crest.

[he gestures with a bit of potato skin to give his hands something to do.]

Not that I'd want to fulfill all of their hopes and dreams for an upstanding and obedient child, of course. It just becomes exhausting to hear about it with every breath.

I can't imagine...

[he says this with a slight hint of wonder in his voice--though he quickly corrects, fingers flat on the table, as he doesn't want to give the wrong idea.]

I mean, it sounds like an awful time, don't get me wrong, love... But, you know. Dead parents. Only child. Not exactly a strong emphasis on fulfilling hopes and dreams on this side of the track.

[but maybe he regrets saying that, because he quickly asks after it--] Is your profession something that you like? Or are you hoping to get away from that, too?

[if Tonic had been hoping that the next question would soothe onto an easier topic of conversation, he will be disappointed. it actually has the opposite effect. Tek might have moved onto expressing (somewhat inappropriate) jealousy of his friend's lack of family ties, but... he sighs at the new question instead.]

My profession...

[he picks ineffectually at some mostly-eaten relic of their meal for a moment, while he takes a few marked moments to consider things. and when he finally finds a place to stop, he looks up with a new smile and seemingly new topic.]

Do you enjoy playing games?

I love playing games.

[it's a very genuine response. he doesn't seem at all bothered by the time it took Tek to think, and if they really are moving on to a new topic, he isn't hesitating to stop that, either.

but maybe it will all tie together. these things usually do, in his line of work.]

[and Tek's delight at Tonic's response is just as genuine. he sits forward with the same sort of eagerness that he'd shown toward their meal, his hunger and excitement suddenly renewed. he has a specific game in mind, and it's only fun with someone who enjoys playing as much as you do.]

If you are interested, the rules are simple, and the stakes are whatever you want them to be. I've seen it played for money, clothing, drinks, or anything else you could think of.

And the goal is simple--guess whether your opponent is lying or telling the truth. If you guess right, they pay up, and you pay if you get it wrong. It's my personal favorite, because no one is ever obligated to tell the truth, and everyone gets something out of it... unless you happen to be spectacularly bad at guessing.

What do you think?

[what a fascinatingly terrible proposition. he wonders (not for the first time, honestly) if Tek is just a spy for the Capitol, or maybe even the King of Eyes... because he would be very, very good at it.

Tek gets to watch Tonic measure the pros and cons, tapping his fingernail against the stone table while maintaining unsettling, constant eye contact. eventually, his thinking ends in a crooked smirk.]

All right. I accept the terms, and I propose that if you lose...

[that smirk turns into a cheeky half-grin again.]

You have to come buy something from my store.

[he doesn't actually need further stakes, or another customer... the information is gain enough for him. but if nothing else, it's a nice excuse to get Tek to come interact with him again some other time.]

[he loves watching the wheels turn. it has been quite some time since he's gotten to see what it must be like to interact with himself from the outside, and he can't help meeting it with a sly, excited grin while he waits.

Tonic's reply surprises him, though.]

Your store? [the prospect of shopping delights him, as always, and so it takes him an extra moment before he realizes the possible flaw in this plan.] How many rounds are you intending to play? I do love the idea, but the game may run a bit short if I'm losing...

[he may be a fancy man from the Capitol, but his wallet runs a little shallow between his spending habits and the way that his family isn't overeager to bestow him with a bounty of their treasures, especially when he wants to go play with the degenerates in this city...

whatever the persona he's pretending to portray, Robin remains his primary bank account.]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject