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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[ah, this doesn't seem that strange to Robin at all--he holds his arm out, hand relaxed, to at least extend the invitation for Tek to come and investigate. in the meantime, Robin can see patterns of things all over the other, threads wound and knotted from years and years of existing... but they're satisfactorily spread out, now. the pain that Tek has felt in his life is an understandable size, for one so big.]

It's hard to explain, but you just seem more like... yourself.

[he laughs at himself, the sound of a child's voice particularly easy to pick out among the small chorus.]

Well, of course you do. What a stupid statement...

[he gestures vaguely with his other arm, stretching it out to the side.]

And my, ah... Peripheral is wider. Different eyes.

[so he literally has an easier time getting all of Tek in the picture at one time.]

[as Robin explains, Tek takes the opportunity to flick his tongue out to give the air a little taste--which, unlike snakes and a few other mundane reptiles, is not something that dragons make a habit of doing often. it's only in special instances like this one, and hunting, that they deign to do so.

but then Robin explains about his eyes, and Tek immediately responds to the prospect of increased attention by straightening up, tossing his mane of spikes, and flaring his wings a little. just to show off, while Robin has such an encompassing view of him.

of course, there is a healthy dose of sarcasm about it, as Tek is far from beautiful in this form. every scale and mossy fringe, the rainbow of bruised colors across his hide, his whole twisted frame, is made to be as repulsive and cadaverous as possible.]

[it makes Robin laugh, a genuine one in which his own voice is the one that comes through clear. Robin doesn't laugh often in this form, so Tek should consider this something of an achievement.]

You're very impressive. [Robin picks his words carefully, spreading his long arms as widely as they'll reach.] I've not seen many things your size that aren't buildings.

[he has no idea that other dragons are much, much larger than Tek is... but his statement would still be true. something about the thought finally makes him shift where he's sitting, moving to crouch and lean forward on his hands. it's much more comfortable than the way he'd been crunched up.]

[it's a good-sounding laugh. he immediately decides that he likes it, and it makes Robin's usual way of laughing make much more sense. and he'll take "impressive" as a compliment. it's at least an honest statement.

he regards Robin as he rearranges, seeming interested any time the demigod moves around, as if there's more he might see.

and when he next comments, it's not an easy translation. the last word has gone through a lot of changes over the centuries between Tek's usage of it and how the much more technologically advanced denizens of the underground tended to use it. it'll take a bit of figuring, but the best meaning of the phrase that Robin can eventually work out is something like, 'you don't look like your pictures'.]

[Robin listens, tilts his head in thought. past his bangs, the pale, slowly-changing circlet of markings that live in the demigod's skin are barely visible.]

Mm. Are those the ones I showed you a long time ago...?

[back in the Tower... it almost feels like lifetimes ago, even though it was almost yesterday in the grand scheme of his long life. he stars moving, padding slowly closer to Tek, and then a bit to the side, as if wanting examining him from a different angle.]

You kind of look like yours. Much scarier in person, though.

['Horns,' he confirms. and again, Tek reacts to Robin moving around as if the demigod is inciting his prey drive. his head slinks low from stooped shoulders like a vulture, snaking closer and following Robin as he goes.

of course, Tek has seen Robin like this before, but only under circumstances that were considerably less than ideal. this is the first time that they're all choosing to take on these forms, and have no immediate threat pressing down on them. he can take his time here, and he can have a little fun with it.

Robin calls him scary, and the dragon opens his jaws to bare his teeth, flaring out the spines running down his neck for extra effect.]

Oh, yes. [Robin barely moves, doing little more than blinking (though that, in itself, is a bit of an event with how large his eyes are and how infrequently he seems to do it).] Very threatening.

[Robin hasn't had much fun in this form, over his many years of isolation and self-pity. he doesn't laugh much, he doesn't relax. even if he were not alien and horrifying and deeply insecure, he wouldn't exactly know what to do with himself to have fun around a normal person.

but Tek is the farthest from a normal person he's ever been, right now, and it reminds Robin of things from a very long time ago, when he and his siblings would tumble through the forest together, testing limbs new and old, chasing and wrestling and laughing with each other until the sun dipped below the horizon.

Robin smiles again, before quickly and suddenly scampering straight for some part of Tek that looks easy to climb.]

[this is exactly what Tek had been hoping to provoke out of his strange, spindly friend. it's also something rooted deep in his past--from the very last days spent in his world before he was cosmically exiled from it, all the way back to a childhood spent in a swamp, tumbling around with little monsters just like him. it's what he'd been unwittingly hoping for from the moment he first dive-bombed Robin in the trees.

...even so, when Robin suddenly skitters at him, the dragon lurches backward and straightens in surprise and vague alarm. like a cat that hadn't been expecting the spider it was hunting to suddenly run into its fur.]

[perfect, Robin easily finds a place even with that lurch backwards, and pretty soon the dragon has a bizarre, spindly creature climbing up his shoulder with ease. he's built for this, light and thin and a lot quicker than he looks.

he's laughing, though. not very loudly and certainly not at Tek, just giggling in that strange, multi-faceted way of his in the thrill of the moment.]

[Tek goes from straightening up and away from the creeping threat on the ground, to suddenly hunkering forward as Robin finds a higher purchase on his scaly hide. a shiver runs through him, his wings ruffle uncomfortably. it makes his skin crawl, honestly.

grumbling loud and low (but not shaking Robin off just yet,) the dragon cranes his head around to watch the demigod crawl on him, and maybe threaten to pluck him off with lightly-snarling teeth.]

[oh, he knows he's on thin ice. even in this form, Robin knows that he shouldn't test Tek too much, or else this bizarrely nice interaction that they're having could end in resentment.

but he's just so easy to climb, and Robin cheerily pulls himself up by some spines and nearly swings himself up onto the dragon's back once he's near the top. once there, he tries to keep his skittering to a minimum, merely holding on to a spike with one hand while the rest of him crunches back down.

he presses his other hand down against Tek's scales, smiling very fondly.]

I've decided. I like this one.

[he does not look up at Tek's face as he says this, despite the dragon's face being so close and potentially very threatening.]

[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.]

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