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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[whether Tek finds any of this endearing or not, he does issue a low warning growl like the distant rumble of thunder.

continuing to loom over Robin as well as he can while the other is clinging to his back, the draconic version of the phrase 'enjoy it while it lasts' is at least very easy to recognize when he hisses it at him.]

[Robin's heard that one plenty of times. he hums contently, daring to run his hand over the scales in front of him. it's a little like petting a massive, occasionally spiny snake.]

Have we already forgotten that I got scraped off into a tree? I think this is fair.

[the cadence, at least, sounds a little more like he usual Robin. he's playing, and Tek can tell.]

[Tek growls something about deserving it, and then--as he's beginning to turn his head back around the right way--another shiver ripples through his skin. there's a good chance he can't help this one. he may be covered in scales and spines, but ticklish is still ticklish, especially when you're not used to carting around crawly little passengers.

so, the shiver that begins low on his back travels up and becomes an uncomfortable twitch to the side at his shoulders... and apparently proves too much to fight, as the twitch rolls right into the dragon violently shaking out his hide, wings and all. just a big animal compulsively trying to dislodge a pest.]

[Robin would not have thought that being ticklish carries over... so it's kind of a surprise when the dragon starts shivering, and an equal surprise when he's suddenly being shaken off.

he lets go at that point, dropping off of Tek's shoulders and rolling in a surprisingly compact shape until he tumbles harmlessly onto the ground again. he transitions back to crouch-standing like it was nothing.]

Fine, fine...

[with that out of his system, Tek gives another--smaller and much more voluntary--shake for good measure. he refolds his wings with huffy shrugging motions, but his mane of spines are still a little ruffled.

still, he's uncharacteristically willing to let the whole annoyance pass them by. Robin isn't attached to him anymore, and that's enough for him. he still wants to enjoy this outing.

so, there are a few words that Robin can't place, but Tek sums it up with, 'is water nearby?' he could fly up and do some searching himself, or take time sniffing it out, but it's much easier to just ask.]

[Robin does notice that he isn't being picked on or further growled-at for climbing, so he figures his little adventure was not all that out of line. the demigod remains where he is, looking thoughtfully up at Tek as soon as he finally figures out the question he is being asked.

he thinks, turning his head back in the direction of Skeleton City. it's hard to tell if he's looking, listening, or thinking of something, but a moment later, he lifts one of his thin, clawed hands to point in a vaguely eastward direction. further away from civilization.]

A lake? [he guesses that's what Tek is most interested in, anyway.] Go that way. Won't be long if you fly.

[Tek sweeps up some dust from the wasteland that he's created with a flick of his tail as he thinks, looking off in the direction that Robin has indicated.

flying would be easy, and it would be quick. however, that would presumably mean leaving Robin behind, as he's not about to offer to carry him over there. so, without much weight to it, he asks, 'and how long to walk?']

[Robin is surprised that Tek doesn't agree to just take off without him. he'd assumed he would, or would at least ask if the demigod would catch up. so Robin's very large eyes widen a fraction before he looks in the direction he's indicated.]

Both of us? ...Maybe ten minutes. Fifteen.

[he shrugs his bony shoulders.]

Won't be sneaky, but if the people out here aren't already muttering about some cursed entity blighting their forest, I don't think some foot traffic will make much difference.

[the comment about the locals gets a (horrible) chuckle out of him, and before either one of them can think too much further about how agreeable Tek is being, the dragon happily rises to his feet and heads east.

just like he had when leaping up past the tree canopy, he moves quicker and much more silently than would be expected from a creature of his size. with his wings hugged close to his body, he's actually maybe the perfect size for slipping through the trees here. especially once the forest becomes more regular away from the clearing, he's both ducking under the lowest branches of the trees, and slinking over the loudest plants of the underbrush. his steps aren't exactly quiet by any means, but he at least doesn't sound like a giant monster smashing its way through the wilderness.]

[well, Robin'll hand it to him... he is a lot quieter than he looks. he was worried they'd leave an easy trail to follow, but the natives may not catch on for a while, yet.]

Hah, show-off...

[the demigod is quick to follow, catching up and appearing as a bonewhite shape in the branches of the trees above and ahead. he skitters and jumps and climbs over the forest, always in motion, occasionally disappearing against the glowing spots of sunlight beginning to shine through the canopy and burn off the last of the morning mist.

if they don't stop to talk, they'll reach the lake soon. a wide body of water pooling in a shallow valley, fed by streams from other parts of the forest.]

[the sight of the lake makes all of this annoying patience worthwhile. normally, he doesn't stop flying and exploring until he finds a nice body of water to wash away the memories of his human body in. so, with it right here, he can finally relax.

as soon as there's room around him as he heads down toward the lake, the dragon stretches and flaps his wings, shaking off the lingering tension he'd been carrying around. he'll always be a mostly-aquatic being at heart, and Robin can read in his body language just how pleased he is to be heading for a swim.

soon, there's a dragon leaving the cover of trees to wade eagerly into the lake, immediately flattening down and ducking his head into the water as soon as he's deep enough to do so.]

[Robin waits at the edge of the forest, for two reasons.

the first reason is that he just needs to look, check the trees for anyone watching. he doesn't think there's anything other than birds and mostly-harmless tree-dwelling creatures around here, but he knows that these people can be tricky. he didn't think they passed this way very often, last he knew... but it's been years since then, and a lot can change in years. he'd keep an eye on an open lake, if he were them.

the second reason is that he remembers the lake behind his bedroom very clearly, back in the dark underground caverns. he remembers swimming there many times, but the Tekhetsio he knew there never really joined him. the one time he did, it didn't go well. a lot of things didn't go well, down there.

so it is both heartbreaking and intensely relieving to see his Tek practically diving into the water, having fun before him, so far away from that awful place he wound up. there's a constant feeling of something coming from Robin in this form, but it swells a little as he stays at the edge of the trees, cautiously and gratefully hanging back to watch.]

[it's probably that well of feeling that calls Tek's attention to the fact that Robin is still hanging back and not immediately joining him at the water, because the dragon is otherwise completely absorbed in his bathing.

in the middle of happily dunking his head and neck, using his wings to shrug water onto his back like a giant, bathing bird, Tek pauses to look back toward the shore. and once it's confirmed that the demigod is indeed still back there, lost in thought or caution or whatever it is he's doing... Tek lashes his tails out, sending an impressive spray of water in his direction, whether it's enough to reach him or not.]

[only a little bit gets him, spraying lightly at his arms... but he reacts to it almost comically, skittering back onto his legs and standing fully, eyes wide with an expression that is somehow undoubtedly Robin. a full shudder runs through his body, from his shoulders to his feet, but it ends up shaking a vivid laugh out of him when he catches just how off-guard he was caught by a little splash.]

Hey, don't be a brat.

[he pushes the old things away, sends the nightmares back into the shadows as he finally crouches forward to pad out into the sun. he's a little slower to get into the water, pacing a little at the edge... but it's just so that he can find a good spot to jump in, springing like a frog and disappearing under the surface with a quiet splash.]

[a pleased rumble rolls through the water when he sees Robin finally moving away from the safety of the trees to come down and join him. and when Robin hops in and disappears under the surface, Tek opens his wings to cast ominous shadows over the lake around him. it makes it much easier to see down through the water, even though it tends to scare all the fish and other animals away. it's a terrible tactic for hunting, but comes in handy when looking for traitorous siblings lurking under the water.]

[thankfully, Robin is not a particularly gifted swimmer, in this form. he isn't bad, he could likely keep up with most mortals, but his limbs just... don't provide a lot of surface with which to pull himself through the water.

he's also the palest thing down there, so he's easy to find, and easy to track. he brakes the surface of the water again soon enough, treading water with his ridiculously long arms and peering up at Tek with eyes that look even bigger now that his hair is plastered down against his scalp.

he gives the dragon a smile, nearly a sharp-toothed grin.]

I think I remember you lurking in the pool back at the Tower...

[for once, he isn't tracking Robin with some nefarious intent... or any other sort of intent, really. the dragon is content to just watch in fascination as the other creature swims through the water, and continues once he bobs to the surface again. quiet, observant, and unreadable. it isn't until Robin's comment that the dragon starts moving again.

Tek confirms Robin's memory with a derisive snort. yeah, he remembers that pool--the poor excuse for a body of water that it was, all unnatural and full of strange chemicals.

he's moving forward through the water then, kicking up a gentle wake of ripples as he glides out toward deeper water. this is what he'd wanted to do, back in the Tower. once he's in water deep enough to be able to lift his feet off the bottom, he slinks low in the water, menacing and soundless.]

Yeah...

[the chorus of voices that is Robin seems to agree with the sentiment. he also drops the rest of his face below the water, following along in a much slower (and probably cuter) version of Tek's menacing glide.

after a while, though, he takes a big breath and dives back under, kicking for the bottom of the lake. he'll be back.]

[while Robin dives, Tek continues to enjoy just floating fully suspended in the deep water. it feels as though it's been ages since he's been able to swim like this, especially in the middle of wilderness that feels as old and full as this one.

he's enjoying himself quite a bit. and aside from occasionally ducking his head and neck down below the surface to soak every scale, he's using the smallest effort possible to slowly propel himself across the water.]

[Tek gets a few minutes to enjoy the lake all by himself. Robin is down there somewhere, not bothering to mask his aura much, if only so that Tek can have full confidence that he's around somewhere and not about to try something tricky while the dragon isn't looking.

he comes up for air somewhere, eventually, a pale shape bobbing up to the surface of the water before ducking right back down again. this gives Tek a few more minutes to himself, before Robin finally comes back up near where the other is peacefully drifting.]

Hey, can you help me grab something? It's too heavy for me.

[he's got a big, sharp-toothed grin on his face, though. he looks excited.]

[not that Tek is an ancient, paranoid creature or anything... but he appreciates the peace. he likes knowing where Robin is without having to look for him, detaching just enough to actually relax and let himself rest and enjoy simply being. it's not something that he allows himself very often, not really.

so, he's actually in a rather balanced mood when Robin pops up to make a request of him. his eyes might have even been closed for a few moments, but they open with a curious grunt when Robin calls him.

he sits up in the water, lifting his head a little bit to look at Robin, and then back the direction that he'd come from. reluctant but listening...]

[oh, he could probably explain. since he isn't being outright turned down, he points through the water at exactly the thing he's hoping to get.]

You remember that glass that refracts light into flecks, aah... Like in that necklace?

[Tek probably remembers; the necklace with the large, tear-drop shaped pendant that bends the light into dozens of little flecks of sparkling color. Robin said it was made when some kind of radioactive lightning struck the ground, or something.]

There's a big chunk of it down there. Must be from before the lake filled up.

[with one swish of his tail, Tek floats over to the vague area that Robin is pointing toward, peering down through the water with reluctance. he doesn't seem overtly excited by the idea. The way he hangs there seems very much like the way his human version silently deliberates when he's weighing the potential benefits of something that he doesn't actually want to do.

no bartering or extra convincing is actually needed, however. without warning, his spines suddenly slick back like feathers against his neck, he shifts his weight and rears up a little, and dives straight down. there isn't a huge splash, but the sheer amount of water being displaced kicks up impressive waves.

and he's gone within seconds, using half-open wings to power him down through the water toward his prize.]

[it's amazing how much the dragon resembles the human-shaped person that he's so familiar with. for something with a reptilian face, Robin knows exactly what kind of calculating he must be doing in that mind of his.

which is why he's only encouraged when Tek suddenly dives under the water, sending the much-lighter demigod bobbing away in the waves like a cork. before he can get too far, he takes one more breath and dives down too, heading to where he saw the thing glinting at the bottom of the lake.

it isn't very far for a dragon, though it will take Robin a minute more. the floor of the lake is mostly covered in large, slick stones, though some of them are shaped in such a way to suggest that they may have once been part of some building or structure, too big and evenly-sized to have occurred naturally. a pack of lake-dwelling eels slither away as the large dragon gets closer, hiding under outcroppings while smaller, plain-colored fish only panic and flutter away in random directions.

the place where the glass is sitting looks pretty obvious; several tree stumps are standing in a ring around it, rotted at the top, their bases still surprisingly well-preserved and clinging to the muck below them. pale glints of light sparkle here and there against their trunks, coming from a spot in the middle where a semi-clear piece of something has been partly wedged out from under another stone.

it's hard to tell how big it is, but it's probably about three feet across.]

[whatever hesitations or considerations Tek might have had about this little adventure, they hadn't been about the actual retrieval part of it. he knew that part would be fun. he can't remember the last time he's actually had something to do while swimming around, so being able to dive down for a little bit of treasure is a treat.

with the forehand part of his wings folded back, he uses the rest to push himself through the water, freeing up his claws to reach down and grab the hunk of glass. he technically only needs one massive paw to wrap around it, but using two gives him a better grip--with this form technically lacking opposable thumbs and all.

then, when the rest of his body follows the trajectory and settles close to the bottom of the lake, he kicks off of the stone floor with his hind legs and powers back up toward the surface again.]

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