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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Oh, babe, I definitely know.

[he manages to prop himself up on his elbows, rearranging a little so as to actually lay on his stomach instead of half-sitting at the table. it helps make him look more playful, and not like he's trying to entice someone into doing something that could get them into a lot of trouble. he wouldn't say yes, if someone offered this to him, so he's not about to pretend this doesn't sound suspicious.]

But I wouldn't let you do it alone. I'd like us both to have a little fun.

[he laughs, then, a deep chuckle because of how he is sitting. he knits his mismatched fingers together in front of his face.]

Besides, I think it's clear I'm too wary of you to try anything bad.

[he listens and watches with a low, easy smirk while Tonic explains. he appreciates every bit of extra harmlessness that the other man works into what he's saying, but he doesn't give him anything in return.

not until that last note, anyway. that one finally breaks up the smirk into a suddenly laugh.]

Are you kidding? That's why this seems like a trap. Do you know how many people in my life would kill to have me in some situation of impairment? You'll have me right where you want me. [whatever that might mean at the time.]

[and this admission has Tonic smiling up at his guest with even more fondness than before; he plays this game with others on a daily basis, but it's almost relaxing to be playing with everyone's cards face-up on the table.]

I will, darling. And where I want you is alive and well... At least until I can see you in that coat.

[another sideways grin, he kicks his feet a little--an impressive feet with those heavy, heeled boots he's still wearing.]

But let's talk, please. What would you like to feel assured that I won't take unfair advantage of you, sweetheart?

Goodness. How sad is it that I believe you primarily because of a coat?

[and then he settles to give this some serious thought. he gazes over the rainbow of concoctions covering the shelves, for once giving any attention to the things that aren't deadly poisons.

it takes him some time. there are many things to weigh, and only half of them even have anything to do with the current universe he finds himself stuck in. he needs to think about the things that this reminds him of, and consult with various past iterations of himself. he needs to take the incomprehensible past few years of his life into account. he's taking a step back from himself for some perspective, and really... it will come down to having to decide what kind of pages he's really going to add into his life's story from here.

the fact that the only person around to witness this has only known him for a matter of weeks is a very important factor. and he ultimately holds up two fingers.]

...First, show me what you're considering. I want to see it. [he wants to get his hands on it.] And second... you first.

[the comment about the coat has him chuckling against his fingers again, but he says nothing else, giving Tek plenty of time and room to mull things over. returning the favor from all the times his guest has let him do the same.

while they're both quiet, he takes to looking around at his carefully-stacked boxes, idly thinking of what he might like to suggest, and thinking of how funny and strange it is that he's even suggesting it.

at the end of the day, though, he likes Tek, and he would like to have fun with him. he really doesn't have any malicious intent this time around. maybe later, when they've settled, if they start talking about deep, dangerous things again... but that won't have anything to do with the chemicals they may or may not have in their systems, at that point.

he snaps quickly to attention when Tek moves, watching those two fingers before watching the other man's face. the conditions make perfect sense to Tonic, and he grins widely in agreement.]

And if it doesn't work, well... I suppose I'll be the only one in trouble, hm?

[he hoists himself up, back onto his knees, stiffly positioning his bad leg underneath him when it doesn't quite follow suit the way it should. it's hardly enough to distract him from what is suddenly an exciting proposition, what with how it may actually happen. he considers his own shelves one more time, tapping his fingers against his face.]

But nothing too strong, darling. I don't really like... [he drifts off, finding a better way to say it.] I prefer to feel like myself, with these things.

[ah, he knows a good one. he takes a small, unassuming bottle of something off of his shelf--capped with a dropper, the liquid is clear and faintly tinted blue. he swirls the contents around once, twice, before holding the bottle out for Tek to inspect himself.]

Here, would you like the sales pitch?

You're the expert here. Though, I also enjoy feeling like myself, so I doubt you'll hear an argument from me...

[like any new voyager into the various worlds of intoxication, he's caught between disliking the thought of being impaired or clouded in some way, but is also terribly curious about the fun that everyone else seems to be having.

and, ah... then the first door of opportunity is opening before him. he takes the bottle, inspects the contents through the glass, and then closes it into his hand for a moment of focus. time to see if he can feel any poisons in there that will render the experiment useless.]

Yes, please. Pitch away.

Yes, I have a feeling we'll have similar tastes.

[he settles back to sit on his heels, clapping his hands together before pleasantly resting his face against them. while his "sales pitch" is put together with the experience of someone who talks about this sort of thing for a living, he is careful to give details for Tek's benefit and understanding, rather than necessarily trying to sell his product.]

It has a few names, but you'll hear it called "Rapture" the most... It's fairly kind on the system, very easy to dilute. If you don't want to take it straight, it mixes well in water, so you could take it to your exact level of comfort.

The feeling of it is like... [and here, he has to search for words a little longer, not entirely sure how to describe it for someone who is apparently immune to most of these things.] It nudges everything you feel in a pleasant direction. It usually gets lumped in with the aphrodisiacs, since it tends to put people in that kind of a mood... But at a low dose, I think you might be more interested in experiencing basic sensations, like taste, textures, that sort of thing. It opens up nerve endings well.

[he rubs the fingers of his bad hand together, illustrating why he would have an interest in something like this.]

With a good batch, you'll stay pretty clear... The only downside is that it does take a little while to feel like anything is happening. Some people find it too subtle--or overdo it, thinking it's having much less of an effect than it is.

[that seems like it might be the end of his pitch... but he mulls something over, for just a couple of seconds, before continuing with only a small smile on half of his face.]

And don't ever take it with a hard stimulant, unless you want to be preoccupied by the feeling of your own heartbeat all night. That's a common mistake.

[he seems to be viewing the substance favorably, musing with a positive sound while Tonic explains. when no true poisons ping him through the bottle, he just holds the little thing where the light can catch the liquid pleasantly. as if it being pretty might hint at its efficacy--or at least sway his opinion.

Tonic's last note, though. he can't help the short, horrified laugh. Robin's face immediately springs to life, for some reason.]

I hadn't exactly intended on it, but I'll keep it in mind anyway... maybe as a bad prank on someone, someday.

A very bad prank.

[but the way he says this--with a lopsided smirk--makes it seem like he may not be above doing such a thing himself. he holds out his beautiful hand towards Tek, silently asking for the bottle back.]

So, are you interested in giving it a try?

[while he fully intends on taking something at this point, whether or not Tek also partakes... he does hope that the thrill of a new experience will be enough to lure his guest into joining him. he's done a dozen things to entertain Tek. it would be very flattering if Tek did something to humor him, in return.]

[one last-minute moment of deliberation. just one more hesitation, fidgeting the bottle back and forth between his fingers, double-checking the calculations he's drawn up in his head. doing one final count of pros against cons.

what's honestly the worst that could happen, he asks himself. he has done stranger (and most certainly worse) things in his life. going along with it promises to only increase his friend's attachment to him, especially with all the trouble that Tek has been needling him with lately. besides, the drug probably won't even work on him--the antipoison is more guaranteed to have a dramatic effect than this this stuff is.

and it's with this last thought that he finally hums to himself and hands the bottle over.]

...Robin is going to lose his mind.

Oh yeah?

[he can't help the unsettling grin that crosses his features again, pulling at the wrong side of his face. he takes the bottle, uncaps it, and sticks his tongue out... to squeeze two drops of Rapture onto it, one-two, and then screw the cap back on.

you can put it in water, yeah, but it's slower--and Tek wanted him to go first.]

What makes you say that?

[he holds the bottle back out to Tek. his turn, whenever he wants to take it.]

[he takes the bottle, but doesn't do much with it but gesture at first--believable to the casual observer as just getting distracted while something is in his hand.]

You know how he is with this kind of thing. Now imagine him being with someone for years--them unable to drink or otherwise ruin themselves while he does.

[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?

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