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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[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.]

[he doesn't seem bothered in the slightest by the comments; he knows what Tek is interested in, and it isn't the things that any old scrub could make with a covered glass and an open flame.]

Of course, babe. I wouldn't hold out on you.

[the smirk returns to his face as he gets a little more comfortable on the floor--it gives him ample room to slide the ribbon off of the papers and lay them all flat against the low table.

the paper itself is a flimsy-looking, light-brown parchment that he handles with care; maybe more useful for pattern-making than actual sketching. but Tek can still make the marks out clearly, swirling, flowing designs depicting horrible-looking things with eyes and teeth and claws. Tonic drags over a couple of tins from his shelf to hold the corners down, pointing at one paper as he does.]

So these are mostly sketches...

[his sketches are surprisingly (or maybe unsurprisingly) pretty good. a little messy, perhaps, and Tek will have to use his imagination to understand what these would look like stitched together into a sleeve, but... they're certainly beautiful, comprised of shapes that bring to mind the movement of smoke and the slithering of snakes.

as the sketches progress, they turn from the image of one large monster to two monsters, opposing and swirling around each other, but that turns into what looks the closest to a final design--an impressive coiling thing with no less than five different monster faces hidden among the design. he taps this one with a pretty finger, glancing up at Tek's face to catch his reaction.]

And this is what I've landed on, so far. I'll need to tighten up the details, since there's a danger of all of this becoming unreadable when it's all the same color on a rounded form, but...

[Tek settles down with barely-contained eagerness, scooting up nice and close so he can see clearly in the dim light of the back room. and even as he's only catching the first glimpses of the drawings while they're being pinned flat to the table, he's grinning and is clearly assembling early thoughts and opinions and comparisons. he immediately has things to say, and he hasn't even walked his whole way through the sketches yet.

and when he does travel forward through what he assumes is the chronological progression of design, his expression changes. he doesn't seem any less involved (if anything, he's only diving further into the image) but the smile does drift to something more thoughtful when he sees the two creatures opposing one another, and then fades further as he takes in the writhing cloud of them in the final stages of the design process.

as Tek considers the sketch, eyes flicking from one monstrous face to the next, one of those pauses that no artists enjoys begins to stretch on...

for a few seconds, before he finally says something, he even brings up a few fingers to thoughtfully cover his mouth with--further obscuring his reaction.]

...The one with many faces. How did you come around to that one?

[Tonic's own reaction to this lengthy pause is split between two minds. the first is his pride, of course, which is naturally and instinctively offended that Tek does not initially jump on board with what he feels is a very good design.

and if Tek were anyone else, he might have stayed defensive... but Tek is someone he very much wants to know how to impress. Tonic wants to dig into his thoughts and claw at every little scrap he can find, because it is so hard to find someone with opinions that actually have value.]

Mm, well... [he glances down at his design, pulling directly from his extensive espionage experience to look and sound convincingly neutral.] A single face is fine, but each characteristic of a Monster means something... and I didn't know if you'd like being limited to a specific interpretation.

[he'll point back at the two opposing monsters.] So I went on to this one, which is pretty, but conceptually flawed. Didn't really like it.

[which brings them to the third and latest iteration:] So I started in on the many faces, sort of a collection of the many traits. Conceptually, I liked the idea of someone approaching, getting close, and then... Well, realizing that they're stumbled into a swarm.

[he leans an elbow on the desk, though, leaning in closer to the table.]

But, if I have to explain it to you, it isn't a very good design, is it?

[hearing the explanation does help. he's still looking at the illustration, but some of the serious expression breaks up into a thoughtful smile.

when he finally turns his attention away from the artwork and fixes back on the artist, he similarly leans on the table, mirroring his body language a little bit.]

It is a beautiful design. [--he makes sure to correct. that's not where the problem is at all.] It just... reminds me of something very specific.

[and with that thought put out there, the look he's sticking Tonic with is some kind of pointed. not accusing, exactly, because that wouldn't make logical sense... but it's something. he's thinking about it. still working through it in his head.]

[okay, he can work with that.

he isn't sure what he's supposed to be getting here, under a look like that, but he's not above asking questions to find the answer. he would hardly blame himself for not knowing, after all. he isn't psychic.

well, mostly.

but in this particular instance, his powers had no part in it, so he has to use traditional means. questions, questions, let the games begin again.]

This is exactly why I'd hoped you would visit, darling... Aside from having the pleasure of your company, of course.

[he'll tap the third sketch again, not breaking Tek's somewhat challenging stare.]

Are you opposed to the number of them, or is it something else?

[Tek doesn't know that he's not psychic, but his scrutiny can't hold up for long. Tonic looks too innocent, and Tek doesn't actually want to feel paranoid and inexplicable right now. he eases off, forces himself to not look so serious.]

It's the image of all these creatures, all tangled up with one another, or all part of the same thing. So... yes, I suppose it's the number of them.

[whether they were all meant to be part of one entity or all separate from one another, it would still make him think of the same thing. and he's trying very hard to not think about that particular thing. he's currently (and probably always will be) on an individuality kick.]

...If it was one big creature, that would maybe be better. [he tilts his head from one side to the other, looking at it from another angle while his mental image shifts.] It could be just as expansive, just as twisting, with just as many fierce little details... but there is only one of them.

[then, a branching thought has him suddenly grinning despite himself, and he works very hard at not imagining what Robin would have to say about it.] --Or, if there were other creatures, they would all be smaller.

[Tonic follows along with Tek, looking over the image with him, already nodding at the idea of one large, big monster--as that would have been his next suggestion anyway. he'll need to be very intentional about the design, to keep it from looking too much like his own, but it could be done.

but then, Tek has to add the part at the end about the big monster surrounded by smaller ones... and Tonic has to actively hold back a laugh. the last thing he wants is to be rude to someone unknowingly baring their soul, but even with what little he knows about Tek's family, it's obvious that they aren't just talking about some made-up creatures.

he manages to keep his reaction down to a very similar grin, reaching for one of the pages filled mostly with discarded sketches and flipping it over.]

So, dear, how would you feel about the large one coiling around your arm?

[with a simple charcoal pencil, he makes some rough lines, blocking out where the head would be and indicating the overall, twisting direction of his new design.]

[it was never just about made-up creatures though, was it? why semi-hide an image on a personal mantle if it's just for the sake of being pretty? it might as well be something that brings a smile to the wearer--however petty and juvenile that smile might be.

he nods happily at the image that Tonic is forming.]

That sounds lovely.

[with permission granted, Tonic continues to fill the space with lines as he works through a couple of things, placing taloned hands in a couple of spots, crossing one out, moving it higher, very sketchy. he won't make his guest sit there while he puts together an entire design--that may very well take hours--but he needs to at least define the open mouth of the creature, filled with sharp teeth, to add his next point.]

Now, you'll have to forgive me, as there's one thing I must insist on keeping...

[he hopes that his willingness to change his design (without much questioning, too) will give him a little bit of leeway to make a demand. it's a small one, he feels, but he fills the monster's mouth with a pattern of thick, vertical stripes. grey and black, probably. and when he's done, he points to it with the blunt end of the pencil, fixing Tek with that same, mischievous grin.]

This is where the dead guy's fabric is going to go.

[aha--he'd been wondering about that. so, with the reveal, it's more like Tonic is finally giving Tek a secret, promised gift than anything else. Tek grins and leans his chin heavily on the elbow he has propped on the table. then he slides his friend just the fondest look.]

I think it's beautiful.

[in his opinion, this is one of the sweetest gestures anyone has done on his behalf.]

[oh... be still, his beating heart.

a look like that is enough to mend his wounded pride. maybe it even makes his sense of accomplishment even bigger than it was before, confident that he has at least gotten this detail completely right. he gazes at Tek for just a moment too long, magnetized, before he finally has the sense to tear his eyes away and start rolling up his drawings.]

Then I suppose you'll have to stick around town long enough for me to finish, at least.

[a callback to their discussion earlier--he seems to be in a good, easy mood, and may not even care about getting a serious response. maybe he's just expressing that he'd like Tek to stay as long as he can.]

I suppose so.

[as has been their habit, he leans back into his own space, looking lazy and superficial once more--one more breath of air and space to untangle as they go.]

Though, Robin may really want to send me on my way once he gets a look at that jacket... Unless he also has something as custom-tailored and lovely from you?

[maybe Robin has spent just as much time consorting with his new companion, making eyes over personalized drawings and hidden meanings. he doesn't know.]

[what a funny question... and if they were talking about anyone else, Tonic would have been more coy with his answer. the other man is clearly fishing for something, and his natural instinct is to try and make him work for it.

but they're talking about Robin, so Tonic snorts and laughs at the very idea. Tek can have this one for free.]

Please, that man can't sit still long enough for a fitting without trying to get into my pants. Like I'd go out of my way for that...

[smirking derisively, he suddenly laments that he has no drink in his hand. it feels like a piece missing from this interaction's puzzle. alcohol is what first comes to mind, but even tea would do. he is momentarily distracted enough to look back at his bottles... and some of his vials, potions, and other things.]

[a response like that only puts Tek more happily at ease, and he stretches his legs out to make himself comfortable right where he's at. he even reaches over to snag the nearest cushion, dragging it over to stuff behind his lower back. the hissing of the poisons distilling nearby creates a nice ambiance, really.

and... even though he's not a drinker, he both recognizes and empathizes with the look on Tonic's face. Robin does have that effect on people.]

Oh, goodness. I hadn't even tried to picture him enduring a fitting. There would be no chance of him behaving himself, would there?

[while he doesn't extend this kind of kindness to everyone, he's glad to see that Tek is finally doing some of those "make yourself at home" things that he keeps suggesting. attention now back on the other man and his at-ease posture, he puts his thoughts of drinking any number of things to the back of his mind for now.

it may come up again later. who knows.

for now, he slumps down further against his workstation table, propping up the bad side of his face with a lightly-closed fist.]

None. He'd turn it into a pickup line. He's deplorable.

[he kind of likes complaining about Robin to someone who understands him, after all. the drink can wait.]

[he is a little surprised when Tonic seems to settle into the conversation, as he hadn't expected him to actually want to continue talking about their mutual acquaintance. but, if the other man feels the need to vent, he certainly won't stop him. he folds his fingers together on the table in veiled delight.]

'Deplorable.' I like that one. Do you think he'd recognize that as one of yours if I used it on him?

[he gives this a moment of thought. he bites at the numb side of his lip, running the exact scenario through his mind until he settles on a slick smirk in response.]

There's a good chance. Unless you've found some other well-spoken, cynical gentleman to spend your free time with.

[not that he would want to know...]

[oh, he absolutely mirrors that smile. if his companion can humor his own fishing, he has no problems doing the same.]

...Not any that I've exchanged shirts with, at any rate.

[...he'd almost forgotten about the shirt.

so he chuckles against his hand, at first quietly amused by the answer, but then the chuckling doesn't quite stop as it occurs to him how fucking weird it is that they did that, and what it must look like from the outside, and how it explains everything about the two of them with almost nothing at all.

he ends with his head in his hand, giggle tapering off, somehow looking both charmed and disbelieving in the span of only half a facial expression.]

I was trying not to say that I want another drink.

[but, there he's gone and admitted it, so...]

[Tek giggles too--though his is lower, more of a shifty-sounding chuckle--and he waves his hand. go, friend. get a drink.]

[well, he supposes that if his guest is going to make himself at home, he should probably try to do the same. there had been such an emphasis on relaxing last time, after all. their business is already done. no need to stay so professional.

there aren't many people who keep showing up just to be around him. he thinks that's what this is, anyway. the novelty of it clinks back and forth, turning to thoughts of clinking glasses and bottles as he twists in his spot to regard his fancy bottles of alcohol again.]

And you really don't drink? [for fun, anyway. he throws the question out knowing full-well that the answer won't have changed, so perhaps it is more wishful thinking than anything.]

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