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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[maybe it's to tease him a little bit--keeping him hovering nearby and looking hungry--but Tek continues to flip the vial around between his fingers for a few more moments. it's hard to catch many qualities of the substance while it's in motion like that, with the way the dark liquid creates a foggy, muddy sort of slick on the inside of the glass.]

What it may lack in absolute lethality, it absolutely makes up for in rarity... and a few other fun little factors.

[the vial finally stops spinning when Tek suddenly snatches it into his palm, fingers wrapped all around it in a fist. he waits until he has Tonic's attention on his face again before he continues.]

I also feel it only fair to warn you... it is extremely corrosive.

[he knows full well that Tonic not actually a stranger to working with acids. it's mostly a joke about his face.]

[it looks fascinating, at the very least, and the way the other man keeps twirling the vial around between his fingers isn't bad to look at either. pulling the vial back into his fist may actually be necessary, as it takes Tonic a belated moment to actually transition back to speaking with his friend.

and when he does, it is with a wry smile.]

Please, I am very experienced with corrosives.

[he holds out his half-ruined hand--partly as a nod to the joke, but mostly because he'd very much like his payment now.]

[it's enough acknowledgement that Tek opens his fingers after a pause, letting the vial roll into the other's hand. payment has been made.]

One clue is that it is an organic substance and almost entirely unprocessed. It will break down in contact with the air fairly quickly, so does not have a very long shelf life. Though, you might be able to stabilize it somehow.

[he shrugs a little. it's apparently something that he hasn't concerned himself with much.]

I'd maybe call it a cell-toxin, though it does seem to have some nerve-toxin properties as well. It burns flesh... along with most things, really... and quickly absorbs into the rest of the system through simple contact. You need a good amount for it to be deadly on its own, without further processing, but it does cause a lot of dramatic damage and is quite excruciating.

[which is already enough to be baffling and exciting all on its own. it could possibly be some sort of venom, but this substance isn't the clear, saliva-like liquid that you would normally see with something like that--and rarely would you think to find something with those kind of acidic properties as well. it promises to be a puzzle.

once it settles in Tonic's hand, this liquid reveals itself to be a distinctly nasty, dark color (possibly some kind of muddy violet when diluted, judging by the slick that it leaves on the glass) and has a slimy, semi-viscous consistency to it. not quite like anything he's seen before, especially before processing. it looks toxic, and Tonic has been given a substantial amount to play with.]

Edited 2019-01-14 06:47 (UTC)

[Tek's detailed explanation is certainly not falling on deaf ears; once he has the toxin in his hand, the first thing he does is lift it up towards the hole in the roof of his tent, looking at the way the light does or does not shine through it.

this sounds extremely dangerous. it also sounds impractical. there are plenty of other liquids, powders, and poisons that will cause dramatic bodily damage and excruciating pain. he doesn't need another one.

but that almost makes it more exciting. maybe this one is just for playing.]

How short a shelf life? Are we talking days, or hours?

[oh, it's terribly impractical, and there are likely many other poisons and corrosives that are better than it in most categories. but it's meant for fun. it's a puzzle. it's something new, and there are all sorts of interesting little facets to it that will only become clear with tinkering and toying. it's meant as a meaningful gift to someone who will appreciate it, and not some utilitarian thing that will just add to the collection of other tools on a shelf.

so, Tek waves his hand. Tonic will have plenty of time to play.]

Oh, don't worry. As long as it's bottled up, you'll have days.

Oh, good.

[it looks like his misshapen smile won't be going anywhere for a while; pleased with his payment, he finally lowers the vial, passes it from his bad hand to his good hand, and then back again. except with that second pass, the vial disappears, and he holds up both of his empty hands with a casual flair.]

You've already improved my day immensely, darling.

[it's just another sleight-of-hand trick. the vial is probably hidden up his sleeve, in the gap where most people would have a full arm in the way.]

And I'm glad you dropped by--I was getting a little worried I wouldn't get to run my sleeve design thoughts past you.

[ha, yeah, he definitely lets himself be charmed by that stupid trick. both it, and the prospect of custom-design sleeve details, receive a fond smile.]

Oh, I wouldn't miss that for the world. The universe can't decide to send me home just yet.

[that's a... funny way to hear it said, and it raises a few questions, all of which are meticulously added to Tonic's mental list of "Things to Ask Tek Eventually".

one stands out in particular, being relevant to Tonic's surprise at seeing him again, and he raises one of his fingers.]

About that. When are you going to be leaving Skeleton City, anyway?

[he feigns a look of disappointment at the question and finally begins to move away from where he'd parked himself, drifting deeper into the shop.]

Has my novelty worn off already? I'd been hoping you wouldn't be happy to see me go just yet.

[he laughs, amused by the statement--but not because of what was said.]

That's not answering the question.

[but it would be rude of him to let Tek's words go completely ignored (he doesn't want to bully the other man into answering questions so early on--they haven't even agreed upon a policy of mutual destructive honesty yet), so he watches the other man wander and takes to leaning on a piece of furniture with a pleasant smirk.]

I just want to make sure I'm not taking too long with my work, is all.

Edited 2019-01-15 04:53 (UTC)

[if they had been hanging out long enough to establish today's rules, he might have said something different. but, as they haven't quite reached that point yet, Tek instead elects to turn and send an eager look back at his friend]

Oh! Can I see it? I'd love to see how far along you are.

Oh, of course.

[this at least confirms for him that this was one of those questions, which means that the answer must be worth something to someone. hopefully it's worth it to him, and he won't regret asking.

but still, for now, he gestures towards the back of his shop, towards that makeshift sleeping area and workshop of his. a beautiful coat in about Tek's size is hanging up on the inside of an open wardrobe door, safely kept off the floor.]

Please, go take a look. You can even try it on.

[Tek wastes no time, temporarily leaving the previous topic behind, along with his current jacket--shrugging it off and leaving it somewhere that at least seems acceptable as he crosses the room.

he really is eager to see what the other man has been making for him (just for him!) in the time he has been away. once retrieved from its hanging place, he'll have to hold it out and inspect it from every angle (mostly to make sure that nothing looks too terrible to move forward with) before trying it on in front of the nearest mirror.]

[Tonic makes a lot of strange, beautiful things, but even from several feet away, it's clear that he has been pouring all of his skills and talent and patience into this masterpiece of a coat.

it is a relatively simple shape--flattering, but not overstated. it looks almost suspiciously well-fitted already, save for too-long sleeves and a hem that needs to be taken in. every piece of fabric used has been carefully picked and patched together to look intentional, with more long, straight seams and very secure, subtle stitching. honestly, most of the work has gone into making something that looks like it may never fall apart, with a quality of work you'd be hard-pressed to find at even those high-end, expensive boutiques Upstairs.

he steered away from a breast pocket, in the end. just couldn't make it work. however, he has stitched a cheeky little "X" shape over where Tek's heart should go, with a thread that is very easy to miss. he also included some dark brocade, just for him, in a panel on the back. a couple of other pieces are pinned there, but not finished.

the only other thing in progress are the collar, which Tonic is still deciding on, and the signature sleeve... which, right now, sort of just has a large, open hole in it where the eventual design should go.

Tonic watches with delight as Tek looks over his jacket, pressing his pretty fingers over his mouth to keep his comments to himself... for as long as he can, anyway. he can't help himself, when Tek starts trying it on in the mirror.]

What are your thoughts, babe? Give me some words.

[the details are not going unappreciated. it's easy to track Tek noticing each and every one--he rolls a few of the sturdy seams between his fingers, he smiles at the subtle use of brocade. he loves the stitches crossing his heart. and he makes Tonic wait for a few moments more while he admires himself in the mirror, before finally giving him his answer.]

...Robin is going to sulk for a week.

[he cackles, immediately filled with biting, malicious glee. Tek can see him grinning widely past his fingers, the other arm tucked safely over his stomach. wouldn't want that vial to jostle loose, after all.]

It will be my greatest creation. Hah.

[what a wonderful thought. he continues eyeing over the coat and the man wearing it, just tickled with how well his work is being received.]

Would you like to see what I have planned for the arm? I was hoping I could get your approval before I commit to hours of hand-sewing.

I love surprises... but the curiosity is killing me.

[so, for his own health, he'd better take a look at the design.

and this seems like it's probably the appropriate time to remove the half-made jacket off and return it to its creator, but... just one more look in the mirror. from two different angles. maybe three.]

[and Tonic, of course, keeps his eyes on Tek for a little too long. if pressed, he could come up with an excuse about watching how the coat moves on him (not a lie), or looking for places that need fitting (also not a lie), but he feels secure enough in their strange relationship that he thinks a little shameless admiration will not go to waste either way.

but eventually, he will tear his gaze away with a small, happy sigh, and start wandering towards the dividing wall of the tent--to the back room.]

And I want your thoughts on the back, too. I was thinking of laces...

[he lifts the flap up a little behind him as he passes through, helpfully keeping it open for Tek to follow as he chatters about the possibilities.]

In case you ever want to cinch it up a little. Could be swapped with something else, too, if you want a more masculine or a more feminine look...

[as if Tek could ever possibly dislike being stared at while he's looking this good. it's only encouragement to spend a few extra moment in the mirror, before Tonic finally pulls himself away. Tek follows soon after... though he does shoot one final glance backward to catch his reflection as he's walking away. that's a very important angle to check.

then his attention is finally moving on and he's following Tonic into the back room, immediately sounding intrigued by the idea being offered to him on the way.]

Oh... it has been a long time since I've had anything with laces...

Lacing is wonderful. It'll make anything look romantic.

[and it's a very easy trick that will make an already-versatile coat even more adaptable to whatever fancy meeting or underground party the man decides to attend.

the back room is almost exactly how they'd left it the last time, save for a new project that's unobtrusively bubbling in a glass distiller over an open-flame burner on his desk. as he continues talking through options, he places the re-appeared vial of acid carefully in a stand at his workstation.]

But I could also put a belt there, or leave it flat and do some detailing... I haven't been able to commit to anything yet.

[but that did sound like a strong vote for laces.]

I'll leave the final decision to your expertise... but, I wouldn't hate laces.

[it's mostly to be cute while he begins to take liberties around the shop--the first one absolutely being to do a little bit of snooping in the direction of his newest project. though, he'll at least keep his exploration to eyes and other senses for now, politely keeping his hands to himself.]

[the bubbling substance is about the color and consistency of a strong black tea. in it, there are small twigs of something that have been crushed up and left to soak. a majority of the steam is caught in the domed shape of the distiller, while a small spout to the side keeps the glass from cracking under pressure as the mixture boils.

a little wisp of steam escapes every now and then. in large quantities, it could be very dangerous to breathe... but as it is, the poison is dispersed so quickly and in such small amounts that it could barely be counted as an irritant at all.

Tonic crouches down, momentarily busy with trying to find something underneath his desk. there are a number of books, boxes, and other writing miscellany down there.]

Working on anything fun?

[by which he means, anything that Tonic himself finds interesting. if he has something new or fascinating brewing, Tek would love to hear him talk about it, but he imagines that it's just as likely something that the potionmaster considers mundane. one must pay one's bills, after all. but maybe hearing him gripe about something he considers boring would be just as good.]

Oh, not really.

[with the offhanded way that he answers, it's probably more of the latter. he retrieves a roll of papers (tied with a black ribbon, of course), and finally gives his own bubbling concoction a brief glance.]

It's just queen's brambles. [he says this in the way you typically say the names of plants--with both words smashed together and the emphasis on the first syllable.] It's toxic if you burn it. Not much good comes of eating it, either. But it'll grow almost anywhere.

[he reaches up to tap the glass, causing a few droplets to fall back into the pool of liquid at the bottom. he sounds a little bored.]

Very basic, but it keeps the shelves stocked.

That's a shame.

[it's a light comment; Tek assumes that Tonic will understand what he means by it.

and with it being established that nothing fun is currently going on at the workstation, Tek's curious attention slides over to the roll of papers in the other man's hands, sidling up a bit as he peers at them.]

Is that something more fun?

[he knows what it probably is, but he has to be coy about it anyway.]

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