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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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.]

[Tonic doesn't seem too bothered by the complication, shrugging a little while he continues to prop his chin up on his less-good hand.]

You on a budget, sweetheart?

[he would like to know why, but he won't ask at this particular point. he works in a business, and people have all kinds of reasons for not wanting to spend money, himself included. he chuckles.]

It's okay, I only wanted an excuse to make you swing by again anyway. I'm open to changing the stakes, if you have something else in mind.

Edited 2018-10-30 17:07 (UTC)

[he won't elaborate on his current financial situation (he is sure it will come up again soon) but the rest deserves a little bit of a detour. he'll return to the subject of the game in just a moment.]

Oh? You've already decided that you're not tired of me? I'm flattered.

[he is a little surprised, honestly--even if it ends up being mostly just talk, or hiding some ulterior motive. he hadn't expected his new friend to even express an interest.]

I'm sure I could be tempted. Depending on what sort of shop it is, of course. [--the last bit mostly added as a joke, but he really is curious, and quietly hoping that he won't have to pretend to be interested in whatever it is.]

[one of the funny things about Tonic is that he genuinely enjoys what he does. he's one of those rare cases where a front became a hobby, which somehow wound up his actual job, which somehow now takes up more time than the thing he was fronting for in the first place.

so he makes a sound into his drink as he finishes it off, jumping on the chance to actually talk about what he does.]

Clothes, darling. People bring me things, and I finish them up.

[he holds out his sleeve for Tek to look closer--the dragon had probably already noticed the craftsmanship by now, but the wrappings and tatters that have been pulled together to make Tonic's very aesthetically-minded sleeves are sewn together with secure, even stitching of a near-matching color. hard to catch in passing, though, is that there are other stitches and small patches in very specific shapes and patterns--with his arm stretched out like this, he reveals the face of a snarling monster on his sleeve, with sharp teeth and four angry eyes and a body that coils around his wrist like a snake.]

The Argent Stone, up in the Marketplace. I sell jewelry and accessories, too.

[again, Tek doesn't have to feign a thing as he leans in to eagerly inspect Tonic's handiwork. he really can't help it when he reaches to run fingers over the stitches shaping the monster's mouth. the calculations for how he's going to wheedle more spending money out of Robin have already begun.

it's beautiful, of course. and also haunting in its similarities to something from several lifetimes ago--as if he'd needed even more reasons to feel nostalgic about this whole thing.]

...Yes, I think I can be convinced.

[it's a joke. he's in love and wants this jacket right now.]

[Tonic just lets his arm be handled, chuckling again... he's been put into a very good mood and laughing seems to come easier than it did when they were first talking. his posture seems a little looser, too. maybe the alcohol is really starting to kick in.]

Come find me sometime, I'm usually around. I'll make you something nice.

I will.

[he seems just a little reluctant to finally release Tonic's arm, continuing to gaze at the stitchwork as it returns to a cryptic tangle of shapes in the folds of his sleeve.

then, for one of first times since they'd begun their meal, Tek lets his attention wander through the window of their alcove and out over the crowd below. he's getting ideas and considering options as the gears of the conversation continue to shift.

when he turns back a few seconds later, he has the beginning of a new, musing smile forming on his face, and he glances his companion over one more time, up and down.]

You know, we could still play for clothing--in a manner of speaking.

[he's not entirely certain that it's something Tonic would have any interest in, but it is his favorite way to play, and if any point in their conversation has a chance of segueing neatly into the idea, it's now.]

[Tonic watches Tek watching the world outside with continued patience and interest. Sarah's set will have long-since finished, at this point, but whatever is now up on stage has continued to create a strange ocean of low hums and gentle reverberations on their side of the wall.

at Tek's suggestion, and after being looked up and down, Tonic raised an eyebrow. maybe he'd meant to raise both, but only one actually moves, so.]

Do you mean...? [but he isn't able to finish the thought before he starts laughing, more than before. this is something that he actually finds hilarious, like he was just told a joke, and his little fit ends with him leaning back and clutching his own middle, smiling so broadly that the bad half of his face is partly forced to play along.] I mean, I'm not very good at it, but if you want...

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