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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[to be entirely honest, Tonic may not have believed that Tek intended to make good on his offer. or maybe he did, but also assumed that his mysterious visitor would consequently forget about it, or wind up in jail or dead before such a thing could come to light. whatever the case, he looked genuinely surprised when Tek told him that they would be going up to the surface in a few hours, though he immediately cancelled any business and rushed to get ready all the same.

when the dragon comes to pick him up again, he's dressed exquisitely, draped in a black dress with sheer panels that accentuate his slender figure--and conveniently keep his more mechanical parts hidden. his chest is draped in gold (or gold-passing) necklaces, and Gods bless him, he's found a small crown of narrow, golden spikes to match. his makeup is dramatic and dark, as always, but what's truly impressive is that he's somehow constructed a complete mouth for himself. the illusion is somewhat ruined as he talks and the worse half of it still doesn't move much, but he could practically pass as someone with a normal face if no one looked too hard.

he walks beautifully in three-inch heels, arm-in-arm with Tek, the entire way up through the levels and past the security that guards the exit. it isn't anything serious today, just a couple of men who watch the trickling crowd as it passes through the old subway tunnels leading surfaceward. Robin told Tek about a dozen things he can do if the guards try to stop either of them, but they're in a good mood today... the two of them get eyed-over, but no one makes a move to approach them as they start ascending into the light.

Tonic has been doing a very good job of chatting about nothing. gossiping about business, complimenting how perfect that coat looks on Tek, admiring the other's wonderful makeup, asking if he's been up to anything fun... but he gets strangely quiet when the air changes, and the tunnel begins to fill with natural light, and no matter how calm and pleasant he appears on the outside, there's no hiding the way he flinches a little when a breeze reaches them, or squeezes Tek's arm tighter as they pass through the iron archway and into the pleasant late-morning sun.

and if Tek wanted some entertainment, seeing his friend vulnerable up here in the open air, he certainly gets it. he locks up just outside the gate. it seems almost entirely involuntary, with Tonic apologizing and trying to poke a little fun at himself while also trying to keep his own body from hyperventilating.]

Yes, I... Was hoping it would not be as bad...

[he also makes the mistake of glancing up, though immediately ducks his head back down, leaning heavily on Tek for any kind of support. he also tries to say something else, but he either can't, or doesn't trust himself to do so successfully, so he winds up saying nothing and swaying uneasily on perfectly solid ground.]

[Tek knows the look. horror is something he's rather intimately connected with, after all. the current subject is maybe a little silly in his opinion, but everyone has their quirks, and it's not as though he hadn't expected this one. and with the way that his normally-independent friend is clinging to him for dear life, he has all the patience in the world right now.

and the dragon is saying something, but it probably doesn't matter much in those first few moments. it makes the scene seem more relaxed than it is; it gives Tonic something to focus on that isn't the entire world of new, threatening experiences around him and the tightness in his own chest. Tek comments on how various things had looked differently the last time he was up here. he mentions the places that he'd been with Robin. he chats with himself in Tonic's direction, and gently, casually, begins to lead him along.

and then, slipped in there amongst the small-talk is a question that is asked as if he means shopping or a perhaps a pleasant meal to begin their day with, when he actually means anything from a drink of water to a quiet place to suffer an anxiety attack.]

--Would you like anything?

[Tonic continues to cling very tightly for a while, as his internal systems slowly acclimate to the idea of openness above him and around him. Tek's words are much easier to focus on, reminding him that normalcy exists outside of his vacuum of uncontrollable terror. once he is led forward a couple of uneasy steps, he is able to start assuring his own reptile brain that he is not going to fall into the sky, which seems to break the spell enough for him to finally let in a big, controlled breath.

the rest of him starts to follow suit with every step. his hold on the other becomes less of a death grip and more of a safety precaution, and he finds enough rhythm to follow along at a casual, meandering pace, and eventually he even begins to look around, try to identify things that Tek points out, try to read signs and look at the ground and slowly take it all in, one detail at a time.

would he like anything...? he makes a small mumbling noise as he thinks, but it speaks to his good progress that he's able to form a sardonic response.]

A lobotomy would be nice.

[even in this state, Tonic is still Tonic, and he is fully aware that Tek is being incredibly kind to him when he doesn't have to be. he is becoming deeply indebted with every passing second, and even though he logically believes that Tek doesn't intend to do him any serious harm, he also feels that he is taking an incredible risk in trusting him not to all the same.

so he is vulnerable and grateful and embarrassed, and enamored with the graciousness way he is being treated, but he doesn't want to admit it out-loud for fear of this kindness becoming more of a bargaining chip than it already is.]

But thank you, darling. Whatever you'd like is fine by me.

[luckily for Tonic, half of what Tek wants in exchange for all of his kindness is already being paid to him right now. he gets to be needed and inarguably in control, letting his ego out for a very enjoyable frolic. it's a relatively harmless power-trip, and Tek considers the whole thing a mutually-beneficial exchange, so it could be much worse.

Tek giggles at Tonic's initial answer. it's a good sign of the cave-dweller's progress and it makes for a hilarious mental image, so it gets a laugh. and then he's moving forward to his next thought, which coincides perfectly with Tonic's actual answer to his question.]

Wonderful. Then, I have an idea.

[he doesn't hurry them at all, but he does take on a definite look of intention after that, scanning the merry square around them for something specific. the colorful stalls and carts are all rearranged from where they'd been the last time he'd been up here, but he's holding out hope that his goal is still around here somewhere...

it takes him a good few minutes of strolling, in which Tonic has more time to recover, before a small, quiet cart catches the corner of his eye. with the current partly-cloudy skies, it's not as busy and bustling as it had been the last time he'd seen it, so he almost misses it entirely. but the glint of glass and metal is just enough to hook his attention before he passes it by.]

--Ah! Here.

[grinning before he even gets close, he begins to lead his friend toward a cart selling one of humanity's greatest inventions: sunglasses.]

[taking time is fine by him. he needs all he can get to pull something resembling his dignity back together. he quietly corrects one thing at a time, forces himself to let go of the defensive hunch in his shoulders, works on stepping evenly, hiding his limp, even putting on a crooked, amused little half-smile as Tek starts to lead them in the direction of something interesting.

it's mostly interesting because Tek seems excited about it... but as the two of them get closer, Tonic does seem to start looking over the contents of the cart with a spark of curiosity.]

Glasses, darling...?

[but they don't look like any of the corrective ones he's seen--and he hasn't seen many of those to begin with.]

[oh good. seeing both a spark of curiosity and a lack of understanding on Tonic's face is incredibly encouraging. his grin is growing, only interrupted by him taking time to explain as they approach the cart.

Tek ignores the manager of the cart entirely... but he had the last time as well, when he had bought at least a couple of the man's finest pairs.]

In a way, yes. But, I doubt they are like the ones you are familiar with. The lenses in these are colored, meant to help filter the light from the sun instead of correct or enhance one's vision.

[by now, the dragon has formed definite opinions on what sorts of sunglasses he likes on himself, so he goes right for an attractive pair--thin gold frames with medium violet lenses, of course. without waiting to see what Tonic thinks about the whole idea, he volunteers himself as a model, putting the pair on his face and turning with a modest flourish to show them off to his friend.]

--And they are far more concerned with fashion than the traditional sort.

[Tonic is still hesitant to let go of Tek's arm completely, but he is calm enough now that he can at least give the man some room to reach and explain the wonders of these special glasses to him.

and it turns out that Tonic is the perfect audience for this, taking the dragon's word for as if it had come from a professional and paying close attention to everything that he does. both eyes widen as the idea of it really sinks in and the gears in his head start to turn, and he finds himself with the lovely fingers of his good hand pressed against his cheek in delight.]

Fascinating. Is it like looking through stained-glass?

[but he doesn't quite wait for the answer, seeing another pair with orange lenses on the cart and snatching them up in a moment of impulse. he even braves letting go of Tek, just for a moment, even if his hands feel unsteady as he unfolds the glasses and places them on his face.

but his reaction is priceless. he gasps quietly, amazed, clinging back on to Tek so that he can turn and look around at his new, orange world without falling over.]

It's like... [he's smiling widely, but not finding any words. he looks up at Tek and laughs suddenly, a little startled.] Oh, you look horrible in orange!

[he pulls the glasses off, pulls them on again, pulls them off again to compare... it must be a delight, watching someone other than himself marvel at a pair of sunglasses.]

[aside from a reflexive flinch and grimace when he's caught looking "horrible" for any reason, the laugh that rises out of Tek as he watches Tonic explore this new discovery could almost be called genuine.

he is delighted. and he's just as involved in the whole thing as Tonic is, soon reaching over to pluck a few more pairs off the cart.]

Here, try these. Some of the colors take time to get used to, but you hardly notice after wearing them for a while.

[he hands him one sexy pair with blood-red lenses, a sophisticated one with dark blue, and a pair with dark lenses set in shiny black metal that would shade his vision the most but would be less of a shock, color-wise.]

Yes, please.

[he is very open to suggestions, setting down his orange pair and taking up the other ones that Tek has suggested. the red lenses go on with another curious sound, and he grins as he looks around his newly-tinted world.]

Oh, you look much better in red. These are fun...

[he gets a little caught up in the color of the grass, and then of his own shoes, until he finally remembers the blue ones. this is good for him--Tek has effectively pulled him out of his own tumultuous thoughts and given him something very interesting to focus on instead. especially when he figures out he can look at himself in the little mirror provided on the edge of the cart--he even foregoes the security of Tek's arm again to pick it up and try on another pair.

he isn't as interested in the color-changing of the blue lenses, but he is very interested in the way they sit on his face, examining them from several angles before putting them down again. the dark ones are last, and he puts them on with confidence now, having done this a couple of times, finally grabbing back onto Tek to get his attention and not just to keep his balance.]

These ones. [he looks over the stall, and then slowly over at some of the little houses, and the cobblestone path that led them there. he is quiet for a moment, probably thinking, though his smile never disappears.] I like these ones.

[not that he'd had any doubt that Tonic would enjoy this discovery, but Tek does seem quite pleased when Tonic states that he's found one that he actually likes.]

The red ones were striking, but these do make you seem very mysterious.

[he is certainly not complaining. and after one more appreciative glance over Tonic and his new shades, Tek moves to replace the pairs they no longer need and pay the seller.]

I like mysterious, too...

[he seems all right on his own for the moment, adjusting his glasses and turning his head this way and that way in the small mirror to admire the way that they look. he may also be giving himself a convenient way to pretend that he hasn't noticed that Tek is paying for him.

whatever the case, when Tek turns back from his business, Tonic is turned around and looking up at the sky.

he doesn't seem to be actively panicking, at least. maybe his new glasses are helping that, somehow, putting something between him and the rest of the open world. perhaps he's simply calmed down enough that looking up at it doesn't instantly make him want to scream.

but he's quiet, and has the distant look on his face that means he's thinking very deeply about something, or maybe several somethings all at once.]

[good. if Tonic lets this purchase go without questioning, it means Tek can save his waiting excuse for the next one. so, he finishes his business quickly, the seller thanks one of his best (or at least most enthusiastic) customers, and Tek politely sidles up to his friend again.

he watches him gaze at the sky for a moment, idly guessing at the various things that could be going through the other's mind, before he finally speaks up. sounding completely pleasant.]

...Don't stare at the sun or you'll go blind.

[Tonic doesn't startle when Tek gets near him, which is a good sign... instead, humming in recognition before turning back to his friend.]

I've heard that, yes...

[he's not sure he could if he wanted to, though. the thing is awfully bright, even with these new glasses shading the world with a tint he's a little more used to. he looks back up at the sky for just another moment, debating something, before he regards Tek again.]

Would you humor me by answering what is surely a very stupid question?

[no matter how he tries to hide it, there is a telling glint to Tek's eyes as he compulsively reaches to take his friend's hand, clutching it with fondness.]

Please.

[please oh please ask him stupid questions about this mysterious upstairs world. he wants nothing more than that.]

[Tonic lets his hand be taken as if he was planning on doing the same thing to Tek anyway. he takes a short breath, knowing full well that he will very likely be laughed at as soon as he asks.

but he points up towards the sky, in the direction of the overcast gloom that's littering the sky with patches of white and grey.]

Are those clouds?

[Tek very, very rarely ever finds anything cute. so when it does somehow manage to happen, it's a little rough on his system.

his eyes get wide and his brow lifts very high. its almost a look of incredulity that would normally lead to some kind of indignant outburst. for a moment there, it nearly looks like Tek is going launch right into berating his ignorant friend there on the street.

he's really just having a hard time handlng how absurdly precious and serious this question is. it's a level of discomfort that almost hurts, somewhere.

at first, all he can really do is look disbeliving and frustrated and lift Tonic's captive hand to sort of clutch it against his chest.]

[when the berating never actually comes, Tonic becomes slowly but increasingly concerned that he has asked some kind of unspeakable question, or said something so stupid as to have caused a malfunction in his friend's otherwise very quick mind. it looks a little like he's broken him.

so with his brows rising to match, Tonic speaks again.]

Are you... going to break that hand...? Because I've worked very hard on it.

[please don't break his hand, friend.]

[attention being brought back to his own lack of useful reaction helps shake Tek out of some of his shock. he closes his eyes for a moment, loosens his grip a bit, and sighs. when he looks at his friend again, it still seems to be with some amount of nebulous frustration, but maybe not aimed directly at him.]

...Yes. Those are clouds.

Okay.

[he nods a little, not sure if he's actually out of the clear here, especially since Tek has yet to give him his hand back. and because... he isn't done. with that same seriousness, he points again towards the darker part of the sky.]

And the big one, too?

[he just... needs to know, okay?]

[if it weren't for the fact that Tek was still hanging onto Tonic's hand, it would be believable that he was quickly losing respect for the man.

he's really just disgusted over how endearing this line of questioning is. they've somehow gone from a habit of complex and high-risk mind-games... to this...]

...Yes. The big one too.

[he takes a slow breath.]

And the wide band of gray behind them as well.

Oh.

[Tonic looks cautiously back up at the sky, eyes widening a little as he comes to an understanding about those strange shapes on the horizon. after standing there for a moment more, he squints, looking at said clouds with disdain.]

I still get nauseous just looking at it. It's horrible.

[it's hard to tell whether he's referring to his nausea or the actual sky.]

[it's not that he's relieved that Tonic doesn't immediately follow with another question about clouds, but he is freed from some of the spell as a result, and that fact is a bit of a relief. he can move on with his life.

he keeps Tonic's hand, but lets it hang between them as he tentatively begins to see if his friend is ready to continue walking. they really haven't gotten far, in the grand scheme of things. there is still so much to see, and Tek is sure there are many more questions to run into.]

I still get that way about the ocean, sometimes. It's not so bad when you enjoy it at the edges of your attention.

[Tonic seems amenable to moving on; he actually twists his hand to hold the other's in return between them, and takes a step all on his own back in the direction of other things. Tek will still have to lead, but he doesn't at all mind the idea of finding something else to fixate on.]

And what is that, dear?

["the ocean", he means, as he's looking directly at Tek with his mismatched eyes for an answer.]

Edited 2019-05-26 19:02 (UTC)

[moving is good. strolling is excellent. but they hardly get more than a few steps into leaving the previous topic behind before they run into a new problem.

Tek glances briefly over at Tonic... and then he looks a second time--now with narrowed eyes. he can't tell if Tonic is being serious or not.

he has a guess that the man is being honest, but he's sort of desperately hoping that he's joking.]

[he knows what that look means. he's starting to feel a little foolish, which is not a very comfortable feeling, so he sighs and looks forward at the road ahead of them.]

Should I stop asking? This seems to be distressing you.

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