GRATIA // PSL

[skeletoncity]

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?

Comments

[skeletoncity]

[the other items make it a little hard to tell whether or not their placement was intentional... there's a small crystal mounted on a ring that fits the bill, but the other items are a bead (from a container of other, similar beads), a small scrap of red fabric near the top of a chest of other fabric scraps, and a button that is sewn onto the cuff of a shirt that has several other identical, non-magical buttons running up the front.

the woman emerges fully, wearing something less-exciting than the shirt she'd put on earlier. she waves a little before suddenly asking if she'd given him the box--but Tonic helpfully lifts up a palm-sized tin that had been sitting on the edge of a table and gives it a cheery little shake. their transaction complete, she smiles, says her thank-yous, and heads back out into the market.

for a moment, it seems like Tonic means to follow her... but he only reaches up with a half-smirk, flicking a small latch above the entrance, which drops a heavy flap down over the entrance of the tent. the two of them now have something resembling privacy.]

What did you find, dear?

[heresyandlace]

Many things... [he answers, appreciatively, over his shoulder.] I've hardly begun to scratch the surface and I'm already in love with everything here.

[he lifts the mirror bracelet in particular, much like Tonic had lifted the jingling tin to show the woman.]

I'm curious about this one. What can you tell me about it?

[skeletoncity]

Oh...?

[while he's pleased to hear that Tek likes what he's seen of his establishment, he tilts his head curiously at the bracelet. maybe he's trying to remember, or maybe he isn't sure why Tek is so interested in it to begin with. the metal is copper-colored, and the size of the shard makes it quite the statement piece.

he comes closer, bringing one of his good fingers up to his mouth to fidget thoughtfully.]

It's designed to be worn against the underside of the wrist. The thought was to make it look like a tear in the skin that's showing what's underneath. Light, or the dark, or just a reflection of the outside world.

[there's a beat, then:] That was the story, until I learned that the shard came from a haunted mirror.

[heresyandlace]

[Tek seems just as thoughtful as Tonic had as he explains, looking like he may also be curious as to why he'd picked out this piece in particular.

the explanation is a fascinating one... until the last bit of it falls into place, and Tek gives a startled laugh. in the wake of it, he holds the piece just a little farther from himself.]

Oh. That would change things, wouldn't it?

[skeletoncity]

[Tonic laughs too, because that is a common reaction, even among those who have no attachments or sensitivities to the supernatural.]

A bit! I'm sure someone out there has the bravado to buy it... I just haven't met them yet.

[which is all right with him. the piece has bothered him a little since he learned that it was connected to a ghost, but still... he's never been able to part with it himself, either. something about this particular shard has always been very beautiful to him, even before he knew its story.]

[heresyandlace]

If it had been anything but a haunting...

[this is a topic that he hasn't decided his official Opinion on, and that fact would just end up bothering him to no end. for all he knows, the hauntings of this world could essentially be the necromancy of his world. so, it's not the same issue that the usual person would have with the bracelet, but his reservations over it are just as strong.

which makes him wonder about the other magical things he'd detected. he gestures over at the enchanted ring that he'd noticed earlier, resting innocently on a surface nearby.]

And what about that one? Does it have a similar story?

[skeletoncity]

[now, Tonic looks openly confused when Tek refers to the ring on the table. while they both have magical properties, the two items are aesthetically very different. this ring is melted iron with a soft-pink hunk of crystal sticking out of it. one of the less artistic (but still very well-made) items in his collection.]

Not even a little. [he chuckles briefly, still unsure as to why Tek is asking about it.] I just thought it was pretty.

[heresyandlace]

Really? [Tek also sounds a little confused by the whole thing... though, by the way he glances back at Tonic after stepping over and plucking the ring up from the table, it may actually be something more like skepticism.

he almost looks as if he doesn't believe the other man. like he's trying to see through a ruse.] There's nothing else?

[skeletoncity]

[this interaction is going in a very strange direction--he'd begun so openly, off the heels of their last conversation, but he feels a little like he is being accused of something, and it bothers him that he isn't following why.]

I think it's pretty. [he crosses his arms, not cutting himself off completely--but showing that he is now on the defensive.] Why, what else did you find?

[heresyandlace]

[at the very least, Tek is quick to react to the shift in posture. he doesn't often put on a look of apology, but he does so now as he's beginning to catch on to some of the misstep he's making. gesturing out a little with open hands (mostly, anyway, with the few articles he's still holding) to show his lack of ill intentions, his demeanor softens as he backs off of the topic. he shifts a step closer to the other man instead.]

Forgive me. This is a terrible reintroduction.

[skeletoncity]

[he appreciates the apology--he really does--but his eyes dart over the things in Tek's hands before he can really bring his attention back to the moment, sorting out something within himself, weighing the risks, before he very intentionally lowers his shoulders and drops his arms to the sides again.]

No, I apologize. I'm just not following.

[or maybe he is following, but didn't like that Tek is asking him about it.]

[heresyandlace]

I know. And, I'm sorry--it's nothing, really.

[he can only be so reassuring before it circles around to become even more suspicious, so he turns to set the objects aside on the vanity. it really doesn't matter to him in the grand scheme of things, especially as he is realizing more of the possible implications here.

whether Tonic does realize what he's talking about or not, he wouldn't want him to feel accused of anything. Tek would love to distance himself as far from the people who make a fuss about these sorts of things as possible.

magic or not, there are things that he would much rather spend his attention on--in this case, the person who he would most like to be friends with in the entire city.]

[skeletoncity]

Well... I don't believe you.

[but he drops his shoulders, sighing his way into a quiet laugh. at least his smile returns now, as he waves his nice-looking hand to clear the metaphorical air.]

But I will pretend it didn't happen. May I offer you some tea, sweetheart?

[and something about that makes his smile even wider and more genuine than before. maybe he finds it funny.]

[heresyandlace]

That's fair. [after all, they've both established their mutual, mostly-benign dishonesty already.] And tea sounds lovely.

[and if the topic comes up again later, so be it. they'll both be more prepared for it, anyway. the games they've already played have established a tolerance for unexpected conversational turns.]

[skeletoncity]

Perfect. [with a sweeping gesture of his hand and a small bow, he puts on a much more dramatic presentation.] Then I'd like to welcome you properly to the Argent Stone, the finest provider of wearable oddities and things that make proper folk very uncomfortable at parties. Kettle's in the back.

[which is the only explanation he gives for why he starts heading for the back of the tent, only to duck under that flap he'd been standing in front of earlier. perhaps there's a kitchen back there? Tek can hear clanking past the tarp.]

[heresyandlace]

[the introduction gets a good giggle out of him, especially in light of the possibly-haunted articles he'd been plying with earlier. the whole thing makes him feel a little more at home, really.

when Tonic disappears behind the tarp, Tek steps up to it but doesn't intrude beyond it--yet.]

I guess this means I need to start going to more parties.

[skeletoncity]

[Tonic will not leave him alone out there for long, emerging moments later with a small stack of cups, a heavy-looking metal kettle, and a cumbersome (but technically portable) gas stove. he balances it all with the same skill he'd used to balance a half-dozen plates when they'd eaten dinner a week before, carrying them over to the middle of the room.]

Ah, I was about to ask... Is our mutual acquaintance still keeping you cooped up somewhere?

[with surprising dexterity, he lifts what Tek now knows is his false leg so that he can shove everything off of the low table with a sweep of his foot. that pile of clothing instantly becomes part of the landscape of the floor, but now there's a nice open surface for him to set down his things.]

[heresyandlace]

[Tek hides his surprise and vague dismay very well at Tonic shoving his things unceremoniously to the floor. if he hadn't been equating all of this to his own hoard, it wouldn't have been so bad, but watching this makes his hands flinch and itch to fix it.]

The leash has been loosened somewhat. I think the fact that I came back from the party intact, and with nothing left collapsing behind me, helped ease his mind a little bit.

[skeletoncity]

[he puts the kettle on, smiling politely, and sets the table for two.]

How funny--I can't imagine why he'd be worried about something like that.

[the delivery is a little sarcastic, since he clearly remembers everything Tek admitted about his wants for his time here in Skeleton City. curiously, he doesn't stay to wait for a response either, but instead walks towards one of the walls of his tent, crouching down at a particular spot near the entrance.

Tek would realize that it's right behind that drumming girl. Tonic wraps on the tarp wall with his knuckles, upon which the drumming slows, eventually stopping.]

Business has been quiet today. [he says this to the girl outside, most likely, as Tek hears her respond with an apathetic, "Seems busy to me."]

Still, I need you to go fetch some thread. Bring it back tomorrow. [he wraps his knuckles against the tarp again--barely making any noise, but the girl can probably feel it against her back. the girl makes another sound of acknowledgement, but doesn't waste time getting up, her footsteps barely audible as she walks away from the tent.]

Good. [Tonic looks up at Tek now, finally ready to engage without hesitation.] We shouldn't have anyone listening in, now.

[heresyandlace]

[seated at the table by the time Tonic returns--elbow on knee and chin on knuckles--Tek is watching the whole interaction with interest. his brows raise when Tonic turns back to him.]

A friend of yours?

[skeletoncity]

[pleased with how his friend has settled right in, Tonic lifts himself off the ground and returns to entertaining his company. he gathers the folds of his dress out of the way before sitting, comfortably leaning both elbows on the table to gaze steadily at Tek. the kettle hisses softly as it warms.]

Essentially. She looks out for me, I look out for her.

[he tilts his head a little, now looking his friend over for all kinds of little details, not at all bothering to hide the fact that he is doing so.]

[heresyandlace]

[he's still dressed nicely (of course), but he's in a much more comfortable outfit than he he'd been in at the party--partly to avoid standing out so much in the marketplace, and partly to facilitate any lounging or undressing (for clothes-shopping reasons, obviously) that may or not happen here. his makeup is classy, understated, neat. nails short and shiny and perfect. this is his casual look, probably.

and, of course, everything about the person underneath the clothing is absolutely flawless. it certainly hadn't been a trick of the light at the party.]

What a cryptic relationship. I like it.

[skeletoncity]

[of course he looks perfect. after a moment of thought, Tonic sighs and shakes his head, giving up on his analysis in favor of opening up the containers on the table and scooping small piles of loose tea into his cup.]

You've been here for ten minutes and I already have so many questions.

[heresyandlace]

[Tek laughs at that, leaning back from the table a little bit as he does so. the expression could almost be mistaken for a sheepish one, if he were actually capable of such a humble emotion.]

Do you really? [he covers part of his smile with a few fingers.] You hadn't had enough of my answers at the party?

[skeletoncity]

Well, I can't argue that I'll probably regret my curiosity almost as soon as I indulge it...

[he puts a couple of scoops of loose tea in Tek's cup as well, without consulting him. it doesn't smell like much from here, but looks like a dried, grey tea with a small scoop of something resembling cocoa added on top. he returns the spoon to a small dish, and goes back to leaning his own face on one of his hands to gaze at Tek from across the table.]

But I really did have a lovely time