softspokenlandlord | IC Inbox

[...Atem couldn't have picked a better target himself.

If the man who rightfully scavenged the coat makes a break for it, Atem will slip a fat roll of solars into a pocket at nearly-indetectible speed. Otherwise, he's content to watch, unless Ryou calls on him to tag in.

He does wonder if Ryou did that on purpose -- if he's really all right with hypnotism. Will doing that to someone else hurt Ryou, in the long run? Only time will tell. It's up to Ryou to find his own path to power, and up to Atem to support him, rather than shield him.

He's doing well so far.]

[Thankfully, Ryou breaks eye contact and therefore breaks the hypnotic hold as he glances back at the young man's victim.]

You found these after the copies died, didn't you?

[He asks it calmly, but pays attention for shifts in grip on the jacket. He doesn't want either of them to run, not yet.

"I did! I did, and I washed them up, like I said! I just wanted something warm, and something to trade. I promise you I didn't steal it!"

The sincerity of those words, the desperation in them, they sway Ryou. It's been a while since he's focused in on people close enough to tell if they're lying, but...he can still do it. As kind as he is, he knows how to tell the difference between pretty words and honesty.]

I believe you. Atem...would you be so kind as to help him up? I'm going to collect his belongings.

["Oh, you don't need to--"

The homeless man is cut off immediately by the indignant kid, who tugs back at the jacket in an attempt to get Ryou's attention. He clearly has something to say, so Ryou angles one ear towards him, but doesn't look at him yet.]

Yes?

["It's not true! This is my brother's jacket, I'd know it anywhere! And the other stuff, he definitely took it! He doesn't deserve to take things that belong to other people!"

...And that gets Ryou to turn back towards him, eyes wide and pupils slitted to barely nothing.

He's lying...but his lie is complex, isn't it?]

I see...it must be very important, yes? If you're this adamant about facing two vampires over it. Show me, then. Where's the proof?

[He releases the jacket. And so the human does show him, revealing the inner lining behind the breast pocket, where it says "Gunnar"

"See, that's my brother!! I'm not lying!!"

Ryou is silent, as if he's mulling that over. Part lie, part truth. Interesting.]

[Atem does. The solars disappear into a worn pocket, and the worst of the dirt is brushed aside.

It's plenty to get another jacket, if that's the solution Ryou chooses. If he chooses peace, instead of violence, and allows the richer kid to keep the memento of his brother.

But violence, and an overthrow of the rules of humans, is what the Fog God wants. And in the end, only one of these people is sleeping outside tonight.

What will Ryou choose?]

[With one human being assisted, Ryou turns his full attention back to the problem at hand. His grip tightens on the jacket and he breathes out a sigh.]

You know...it's very kind of you to look after your brother's belongings like this, but unfortunately, I don't believe you. I can tell you're lying.

[He takes a few steps forward, closing the distance. The kid takes a few steps back, but Ryou's strides only grow longer, and his grip on the jacket is like iron.]

Your heart gives you away. Your eyes. Your breathing. All of it. Sorry, but I'm in the business of calling bluffs, it's part of one of my hobbies, you see. If I'm playing a game with people, and trying to spin a proper story, I have to know about every single one of them.

I have to learn how to read their tells, so I can keep on my toes.

You weren't lying when you said this was your brother's jacket. But you were being dishonest about something. What is that?

[The young man shakes his head, then tries to let go of the jacket and back up again. Ryou allows him for the moment. He wants that answer.

"I'm not lying! It's his jacket, I need it back--"]

Wrong. It's his jacket, but it's not the original, is it? This was found on the streets. It's a duplicate of your brother's actual jacket. So what you're really trying to do, is steal something that was found on the streets after the doubles all vanished, and claim it as your own, right?

[And as he says that, he reaches out and grabs the human's wrist, holding him fast in place.]

Don't lie to me anymore. I'm still trying to decide what to do about it.

[The threat, he hopes, is frightening. But...actually, maybe it's too frightening. The man is breathing harshly, his heart beating a mile a minute...but he's not looking at Ryou. It's almost like he's looking through him.

What...?

"Please, let me go, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, let me go, don't let it near me!!!"

Ryou freezes in place, holding the human uncertainly. This...is it some strange attempt to get Ryou off balance so he can let the guy go?]

[Atem's grin widens. There was a hole in the story, and Ryou...he's using his ability to hear heartbeats to uncover the truth.

He's doing great, as an investigator. But, the fear part...

...

...whoa, hang on a second, the fear part is actually landing way better than Atem expected. And he's talking about things that aren't here....

Atem steps forward.]

Ryou...he's hallucinating.

Are you doing something...?

I...I don't think--

[He starts to deny that he is, but there's something odd about this contact. He's starting to feel a little...tired. But he wants to know too. Atem's right, this guy must be hallucinating.]

What do you see? Tell me, what do you see??

[He tightens his grip, clarifying that he's talking to the young man in front of him, but the answer is honestly very unhelpful.

"The shadows!! The dark, please! Call them away!!"

Ryou feels a wave of dizziness and, whether the man wants him to or not, he has to let go of the wrist so he can catch himself on one knee and a hand planted on the ground. The cold seeps in between his fingers, but he hardly notices.]

Atem...wh-what did I do?

[The game is quickly forgotten, as both humans finally take the opportunity to scatter. At the very least, the homeless human does snatch up the jacket, but he seems too intimidated to express his gratitude.

Very quickly, the two monsters are alone, and Ryou's stuck trying to figure out what he did, how he did it, and why he could do it at all.]

[Both humans run, frightened out of their minds, and he's left alone, with a frightened Ryou.

What had happened? What had Atem seen?]

I'm not sure.

It began when you touched him...and it stopped when you let go.

I've not seen a vampire that can induce hallucinations through touch. Which means, it might be a different power...

It has to be something I did. It feels like I've tried running at full tilt for a mile...

[Which is probably really reductive, he's a vampire and they're the fastest monster...but Atem can probably figure out what he means.]

I think I need to...try it again? To confirm.

[They'll need to find another human, because there's absolutely no way he'll try anything like this on Atem.]

[Atem nods. His hands go to Ryou's shoulders.

(No hallucinations? No hallucinations.)]

We can test it out later. First, if you're that tired, you need to rest! Watch your energy levels...even monsters are vulnerable if they're tired, or hungry.

[No hallucinations...but Ryou immediately flinches. He's afraid that he'll accidentally activate the power, so he shies away a bit.]

B-be careful! I don't want to hurt you, Atem...

[He's not even sure what triggered the power usage, but he's pretty sure he isn't doing it now. That's for the best. Atem doesn't need something else to worry about in his life.]

...I'm sorry. I just need a moment.

I'm fine. I didn't see what he saw.

Whatever you did...either it's turned off right now, or it doesn't affect monsters.

[It was a gamble, but with Ryou's energy this low, it was one Atem was confident enough to make. But, he gives Ryou space, room to breathe...it's all right for him to take his time.]

I'm glad. I don't want to frighten people I care about, not like that. He looked so upset, and I don't want to spread that to people I care about.

[Ryou glances down at his hands, as if he might actually see something there, some secret. Maybe the Fog had given him more than the tail, and he'd just never noticed before this point. It's possible...and if it's true, then he's grateful for it.

If he can induce fear through touch...then it'd be easier to enact Her will without hurting people. And it would be a good deterrent if it did work on monsters...but again, he doesn't want to really use it on friends. Not even as an experiment.]

...I'll need to figure out if it does affect monsters. But...not now. Another time.

[Right now, he needs to sit and recuperate...and possibly feed. He's looking more gaunt than usual, just from the single expenditure of that energy. Though to be fair, it had been a bit of time since he'd drank properly anyway. It would...probably help to hunt for more than just fear sport.]

[Atem's thinking something similar. If Ryou expended a lot of energy with that, he'll need to eat.]

Come on. Let's sit down.

[Atem's pretty sure there was a bench back there...that'd do, for a place to recuperate.

He'll reach for Ryou's shoulder -- slower, this time, plenty of time to pull away, a question in it: is this all right? -- and guide him back toward the main park.]

[Ryou's not scared of being touched anymore, he's sure he won't affect Atem so long as he's aware of it, just like a few moments before. So he lets the hand settle on his shoulder, and he allows himself to be guided to whatever bench is nearest. It doesn't stop him from talking though, because now his mind is full of thoughts.

About what he was doing. What he could do now.]

I know I'm doing this for strength, but it's still weird, knowing that I have done enough to warrant such a boon. I wonder...if I should ask Her for something specific. Does it, uhm. Work that way? Or is She in charge?

[He's mostly murmuring it to himself, but Atem is also a good listener, and a calculating mind. He'd probably have thoughts about it as well.]

[They settle down, letting Ryou rest. Atem's glad he's got an answer for this question.]

You can ask for a particular power. Not everybody does, but you can choose what you want to be able to do next.

[Atem keeps his shoulder against Ryou's, sitting close, maintaining points of contact. He doesn't want to break it, doesn't want to be separated. Maybe it's the wine, maybe it's the soul-deep loyalty Ryou's earned from him, but Atem doesn't feel like doing anything besides sit close.]

If you could have any kind of monster power, what would it be?

Any power...? Hmm.

[Ryou has to think about that one. And as he does, a hand seeks out one of Atem's, pulling it close onto his lap, They're still on a date, aren't they? Why not be close?]

I haven't really thought much about it I suppose. There's not too much that I can think of working for me as, um. As a shade. I know it's what I am, and that I should feel more comfortable in my own skin, but it's still not easy.

I'm just a shadow...the only thing I can do is build on being a shadow.

[He holds his opposite hand up, imagining it as it truly would be, not how it looks now while he's a vampire.]

It would be much easier if I was working off of an inherently powerful monster type, like vampire. Or werewolf. That's just not my base though.

[Sometimes, Ryou really could do to be more creative, but it's hard when he's in his own head about being a shade--a personal trigger is baked into his powerset already.]

...What about you? Do you have ideas?

You're not just a shadow. And you don't have to build on what shades can do!

[He squeezes Ryou's hand.]

Shades are powerful, too. But if those kinds of powers aren't something you'll be happy with, then you should definitely think about different monster types, and abilities of theirs you envy.

Think about it in terms of what you want to be able to do, instead of what you think you should do. For instance, I want to be able to do magic like what I did back home...to add the illusory, psychological effect to the shadow games I play here. That's got nothing to do with being a vampire...but everything to do with the way I fight.

I see...so you're going to try and cross classes then.

I guess my tail was the first step in that direction as well...and this fear power, that just falls in line with being a shade, but...if I could just come up with something that adheres to my wishes...yes. I think that would be good.

[Ryou really does look like he's thinking it over pretty hard, and his ears flick back as he seems to concentrate on any errant ideas.]

If you can do it...so can I. Now that I've experienced other things and seen the powers others have earned, I think...I w-would like to incorporate the strengths of other monsters into my powerset.

[He doesn't quite agree with Atem that he can be any more than a shadow without the Fog's influence, but that's a wholly personal opinion. He's just glad that Atem had given him a very important piece of information, one that could change everything.

Ryou leans against Atem, closing his eyes and smiling. He's still buzzed, and it makes him fonder of his boyfriend.]

You're smart. I love you.

[Though the simplicity of his words is also affected by his energy loss. It shows in the paleness of his skin, the way his eyes seem a little more sunken. That ability, whatever it was, had taken a fair toll on him.]

I love you, too.

[He does, with all of his heart. Atem rubs his cheek against Ryou's, confident enough that no one is close enough to gawk.

Ryou definitely needs to eat, though.]

I know we were going to frighten, not kill...

...but it looks like what you just did drained a lot of energy. If we don't encounter anyone suitable on the way, you'll definitely need blood when we get home.

[At this point, let them gawk. Especially if they're a human, gives Ryou an excuse to sink his fangs into their--

--no. Wow, no. That is very inappropriate, and it lends weight to what Atem had just said.]

Ah...well, there's...bound to be someone out here. Bavan doesn't always have criminals out and about, but if there's one, we could do something about them.

[And if there's not...that is also fine. They do have blood at home. Ryou's just singularly greedy and enjoys it fresh. Being able to eat anything other than souls really is nice...it's easier on him, morally. Even if it is still murder.

He's certain...the Fog would like it.]

...We could do it for Her. Feed in Her name. She's bound to enjoy it.

[Ryou doesn't like to think of it as a sacrifice though. It fills a need, and that need was given to him by the Fog. It simply is what it is.

He does seem hesitant all the same.]

That is one of the things she told me she wants. To feed on humans in ways that are sacred to her...it might boost the value of the offering, if a feeding is dedicated.

Especially if we have blood at home.

[The implication here being, they are choosing this, for power, rather than starving themselves and scraping by.]

If the time's right, and it's meant to be...we'll encounter someone. We can let chance, or fate, decide it. Besides, she said to me that every feeding on a living human was for her, whether a monster did it respectfully or not. It's the same result for the human either way...

Well...maybe if it's Her will, we can just sit here for a minute or two and someone will show up.

[Ryou means it as a joke, of course. But he wouldn't complain about sitting a little longer, and the way he remains leaned close to Atem makes it very clear he's happy here. Even if he is hungry. He's not ravenous, after all. Just...peckish.

For now.]

This is a weird date, isn't it...? But if it means we're stronger, together, then...at least we're giving each other some kind of gift as well.

Heh heh!

[No seriously, Atem believes much less in coincidence while he's in Ryslig than he used to. Good, or bad...

But that's an extremely weird thing to say, so he just holds Ryou's hand, and laughs it off.]

Don't worry. We'll have another date soon, without anything to do with the Fog, or tiering up...it'll be just for us, without any work involved!

I'd like that. But...the dinner was nice, you know. I think I'd like to go there again sometime, whenever I'm back to normal.

[By now, they're both probably equally aware that Ryou eats because he wants to. So that's probably expected, that he'd want to go back.]

Next time, perhaps we won't have to deal with rude, awful people. That's what started this...

There's awful people everywhere...but, hopefully, at least one's been discouraged from--

[Speaking of "everywhere," there's a little bit of a scene starting to be made a little ways away, down one of the park paths.

"Don't sell it back," one woman is pleading with another. "You're giving up right as you're about to make it! You're giving up control over your life, making your own money, running your own business!"

"I just want you to buy them back," the other woman insists, her jaw set. "You said you would, if it didn't work out."

"Because I didn't think you'd let me down like this! You're not just letting me down, you're letting down yourself!"]

What the...?

IC Inbox | ryslig

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

do you cw for lederhosen mlms

we do now. also CARROT ACHIEVED!! WOO!!

(no subject)

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, WhiteWizard. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 007.80.751.19 * WhiteWizard has joined 007.80.751.19 <WhiteWizard> Hello, this is Ryou Bakura! <WhiteWizard> Feel free to reach out to me if you need anything. :) <WhiteWizard>** I will get back to you as soon as possible.