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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[that's a safe move. he wasn't sure if he'd expected his guest to do any one thing in particular--but he might have been a little disappointed if he had dove right in. impressed, certainly, but disappointed.

but he's got something to picture now... imagining Robin, the hot mess that he is, trying to flirt with someone as composed, rules-oriented, and distinctly sober as Tek. the idea has him shaking his head.]

He would kill to have this, I'm sure. [he laughs.] I'll consider this a great privilege, then, assuming it works.

[which is the perfect transition--he gestures towards his collection of food and drink, his makeshift pantry.]

Would you like something to drink other than alcohol? Water, tea?

[either for his drug delivery, or in case he just wants a drink of something. Tonic won't judge either way.]

You should. [--consider this a privilege, he means.] And tea actually sounds wonderful right now.

[whether for the drugs, simply to have something to drink, or give his host something to do in the meantime, he won't say. but, as soon as Tonic makes a move to presumably fulfill the request, he'll open the little bottle to have a casual, curious sniff of the contents.]

Of course, darling.

[whether that's in response to the first comment or to the second, he won't say--but he smirks, picking himself back up to maneuver the small space and gather everything he needs for tea.

the liquid smells vaguely of licorice, but with a lingering bitterness... not as unpleasant as it could be, but it seems like the kind of thing that would leave a distinct aftertaste. even if Tek doesn't disperse the dose in his drink, he may want the drink after just to wash the lingering flavor from his mouth.

Tonic comes back to set his tea kettle on the middle table, perched on top of another portable burner, before scooping up whatever kind of tea he deems is best for this little experiment of theirs. with the way he keeps stopping to adjust his leg, though, it isn't that surprising when he finally reaches down to just start unhooking the thing, knowing that it will make any kind of moving around in here much easier.]

[yeah... while he doesn't mind the taste of rotting meat and old, dead leaves, his palette is rather particular in all other cases. he would love to have a chaser on hand for this.

it also gives him another excuse to let some time slide by before he takes that last step.]

Is it rude to ask where such a potion originates from? I'm terribly curious.

[the tea will take a few minutes to warm up, and if what Tonic said is true, it will also take a few minutes for the substance to have any affect. Tonic is perfectly fine with the wait himself, busy with his dress pulled up to his thigh, pressing down on the release mechanisms that will detach his prosthetic leg.]

Not rude at all. It's actually based on a very old remedy for night sickness.

[he twists--and off comes his leg. he sets it aside, though it still has a heavy boot on it, and starts to unlace the boot on his other foot. he explains in a pleasant tone, while water starts simmering on the table in front of them.]

You mix one part phantom-root and two parts dram, which is... basically a crystal that grows between layers of rock, sometimes. [he laughs lightly, moving his other boot to the side, smoothing out his dress.] I'm not sure what first possessed someone to eat rock crystals to figure it out, but it's lucky that they did. It has a very soothing effect on most people.

'Most' people... [he muses to himself, while he watches his host remove his own leg. while the tea brews, he spends a few moments to just enjoy the absurdity of his whole world right now. humans are hilarious.]

And honestly, compared to some of the things that people have tried throughout history to make the bizarre breakthroughs they have, eating a few rocks doesn't seem all that strange.

[after removing his dead weight, Tonic is more willing to drag over some pillows and make himself comfortable while he waits, passing the minutes with idle chatter about potion ingredients.]

Well, the amount of work someone would have to put in to get this from a folklore cure-all to an actual drug is phenomenal... They can barely keep a city running, but Gods-willing, people will put a surprising amount of time and energy into things that will get them high.

[this is when his teapot begins to make a loud hissing sound, steam pouring out from the pressure vent near the top. Tonic keeps his eyes away from the steam, focused in on the dial on the burner, turning it off... but his motions slow as he does so. like he's testing something, feeling something out.]

Mm... [he presses his lips together in analytical silence... before he breaks into a smile, lifting the kettle normally and starting to pour.]

It's starting to work.

Edited 2019-01-21 05:18 (UTC)

Oh, good. Just in time to maneuver around hot liquids. [he says with a smile.

and he's perking up now, sitting forward with a renewed glimmer of eagerness. he's looking forward to observing the effects and is fighting excitement all over again to give it a try himself.

it still won't work, probably. it's just a silly thing to try. but he still sets the bottle on the table beside him with an audible, decisive little tap. he's ready... even though he's not getting his hopes up, of course.]

Oh please, darling...

[Tonic pours water into his cup (the ground-up tea floating freely again, of course) without the slightest indication that he could be under the influence of something. he pours water into a second cup, too, speaking as he does.]

I can handle pouring water into a cup. It isn't that dramatic.

[not yet, at least. he holds the second, steaming cup out to Tek with half a smile. the tea smells good even from here, something to offset the bitterness of the tincture.]

Cheers, darling.

[of course it will be a disappointment if the tincture doesn't work as they're hoping, but Tek seems to be enjoying everything about this visit anyway. whatever the results of their experiment, Tonic can rest assured that he has successfully entertained his guest for another day.

once his cup of tea is safely set near his elbow, waiting at the ready, Tek finally returns his attention to the little bottle. it's now or never.

hopefully, Tonic will be proud. Tek ends up following his lead, sticking out his forked tongue to quickly and neatly dropper a few drops (there may have been three) into his mouth. and then it is unhurriedly followed by a grateful sip of tea.

let the games begin.]

[the man's smile widens as he watches this happen out of his peripheral, properly turning to look just in time to catch what he thinks are more than two drops...

but he's thrilled, at this point, by the prospect that Tek is excited enough to even give this a try. he claps his hands again, letting out a giggle--and it's hard to tell if this is influenced by the beginning notes of Rapture, or if this is still entirely Tonic being himself.]

If you don't mind me saying, this is kind of exciting... [he leans across the table, resting as close to Tek as he can without actually getting up from his middle table.] I cannot wait to see if it has any effect on you.

That makes two of us... and I do hope you won't be too disappointed if it fails.

[though, he doesn't sound terribly worried. he has a feeling that Tonic will still have plenty of fun, even if he's the only one having a chemically-altered good time.

meanwhile, he's relaxing, sipping his tea, seeming exactly as at-ease as he ever is... but, quietly, underneath that, is the beginning of what will end up being several minutes of hypervigilance and second-guessing. every tiny thing that catches his attention will be run through a barrage of mental questions, trying to figure out if it's a first glimmer of the drug kicking in, or just his paranoid imagination.

he's hoping that this is the least-fun step of the whole process.]

Oh, I don't really think I will.

[and he leaves it at that for a moment, gathering up his things and putting them diligently back on the shelf now that he's done serving his guest.

he won't give Tek too much time to himself, however. the waiting period is the worst part of the whole experience, and the single reason it isn't found in every club scene and house party here in Skeleton City--it's hard to tell if it's working for minutes after one takes it, and that is a hard sell for most.

so he slithers back, maneuvering his tea across the table and travelling in that strange, one-legged way that he does to the side of the room where Tek has gotten comfortable. he props up a few pillows himself, finding a spot to recline right next to Tek (if he sticks his one leg under the middle table, he'll fit), and makes himself comfortable.

he seems to take a little extra time making himself comfortable, really wedging himself down into those pillows, before he finally lets out a contented sigh.]

Since I seem to have committed myself to another day of not working... [he laces his fingers snugly over his chest, glancing over at Tek.] What else would entertain you, hm? What would you like to talk about?

[having Tonic slither closer (and really just being able to watch the slithering gives him something to occupy his mind with while he pretends not to be waiting) is a nice shift. he appreciates the closeness, and he watches how he settles down with barely-veiled amusement. now also apparently begins another game--this one of trying to find differences in the behavior of his companion and wondering if they're just his imagination or not.]

Hmm... I suppose I could ask if you have any ideas yet on what you'd like to do with that gift I'd brought you.

It's a gift now, is it?

[he can't help himself, laughing quietly at the way his guest has shifted a clearly agreed-upon payment into something that he has given Tonic out of the goodness of his own heart. no matter what state he's in, he wouldn't let something like that go without at least pointing out that he sees it happening.]

[he rolls his eyes a little and waves his hand, brushing the whole thing off. he seems amused and isn't looking at the other man's face when he does, so it's a good sign that Tonic has absolutely caught Tek in showing some of his opinion in himself. he does happen to think very highly of his clever choice in payment.]

You know what I meant. And don't think I'm planning something else as payment instead. You've already wrung me of most of my belongings to spare.

[the small, pleased little laugh of his is a good indication that he isn't taking this too seriously. if anything, this proves that Tonic is still thinking clearly and quickly, despite other influences working through him.]

Don't worry, darling. I knew what you meant.

[he seems content with looking up at the ceiling, at the moment... it isn't that far from them, a slanted, layered collection of canvas and tarps. not much to look at, really.]

But ideas, yes. I have a lot of those--the first of which is to see what it's made of, of course, and how it reacts to different materials.

[and Tek contents himself with watching Tonic's face. part of it is genuine interest and fondness, curious about his thoughts... and the rest is absolutely still watching for anything that could be construed as telltale changes in the other's behavior.]

Do you enjoy that part? The deconstruction and exploration? Or is it only a step to the things you're actually interested in?

[he makes a thoughtful sound. doesn't answer right away, stewing through a few things while his eyes drift lazily over the simple patterns of woven fibers above them.]

Mm-- [he suddenly sits up, reaching forward... for his tea. he forgot it at the edge of the table. he laughs a little (how silly of him) before reclining back in a slightly more upright position than before.]

I'm not sharing an ounce of it with anyone, if that's what you're wondering.

[he looks pleasantly down at his tea, as if he was still considering saying something, but ends up saying nothing for the moment.]

[well, a little more of his curiosity becomes genuine as he watches Tonic move through... several thoughts? is that what's going on in his head there?]

It wasn't what I'd been asking at, but it's a flattering thought nonetheless.

[the motion at least reminds him about his own tea, which he'd also only taken a single sip of. so, he'll busy himself with that.]

I was mostly curious if you'd have fun playing with it, or just find it frustrating.

Oh. [he laughs quietly at himself, lifting his cup to drink.] I see.

[whatever's going on in his head continues just up until the point where he actually tastes his tea--to which he looks a little surprised, and then starts giggling, and then has to lower his cup so as not to make a mess. unless this is some bizarre coincidence, this is probably one of those changes in behavior Tek was looking for.]

Yes, sorry-- [he finally gives in to the dragon's question, dropping his mysterious facade in favor of smiling fondly at nothing across the room.] I'm very much looking forward to taking it apart. It might be fun to build with, too, but...

[he stretches out the fingers of the hand not holding his cup, grabbing absently at the air.]

I'm excited to play, see what I can learn.

Good. Playing should be the fun part.

[which is, of course, a much grander statement than just referring to toying with mysterious poisons. and it goes well with how he rests a hand against the side of his own face, fighting a smile of sheer amusement as he watches Tonic giggle and reach and generally show signs of appreciating his own skin.]

...Enjoying yourself?

I am, thank you. I hope it isn't distracting.

[because he isn't going to stop any time soon. he's always fighting off stiffness, soreness, tenseness, or other general states of unwell... so any break from that is something he wants to explore thoroughly, quietly observing the way sensory experiences are starting to change.

the light seems warmer. his tea tastes very good. he sips it again, checks himself to see if he is still conscious of the dangerous position he's putting himself in, having abandoned his important work to play question games with this mysterious (and possibly not even human) stranger for another day.

he is. this could still ruin him, with just a few wrong moves. but he's content just knowing that he still knows it, and the Rapture makes it easier to shove such thoughts aside, which is why he is able to sigh contentedly again and relax a lot faster than he had during their previous visit.]

Now, would you like me to ask a question?

[Tek is running similar self-checking questions through his own mind, but watching Tonic succumb to a compromising situation (and the growing length of time between himself taking the drug and nothing happening) is putting him at ease.

especially when his companion starts talking about asking questions again. it's hard not to feel confident and mischievous in the face of that.]

By all means. As long as you can handle answers in your current... state.

[he has to smirk to himself, now holding his teacup with both hands. the warmth is wonderful against his fingers.]

Honestly, I may find it easier like this. Well-- [he immediately corrects himself, because this is for science, and he doesn't want to give his friend the wrong idea.] Not easier, actually. Funnier is a better word.

[that's the nice thing about this particular drug, and the other reason it isn't widely popular... it doesn't numb him to danger so much as it gives him the ability to point at danger and laugh about how stupid it is that he keeps falling into it. similar experiences, but different where it counts.]

Now... [before he can ask, he lets out a sigh. already resigned to the fact that he's going to hate the answer, but knowing full well that he's going to ask the question anyway. see? hilarious.] ...Did you make that acid you gave me?

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