![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Kenos Inbox
voice / text / communion
D's mind is a cacophony of things.
The landscape is shadow and darkness, and it is chilly and reserved where D sits in it; he feels like a simple young man. Quiet, soft, human. But behind the stoicism is a warm, sensual, and elegant sliver of something primordial and powerful. Embracing it is hypnotic, arousing, yet also a little horrifying.
Amidst all of this is something else, too: a craggled and old presence which can be heard on occasion cackling or chattering separately, the crusty voice belonging neither to D or the peculiar entity in the space.
The landscape is shadow and darkness, and it is chilly and reserved where D sits in it; he feels like a simple young man. Quiet, soft, human. But behind the stoicism is a warm, sensual, and elegant sliver of something primordial and powerful. Embracing it is hypnotic, arousing, yet also a little horrifying.
Amidst all of this is something else, too: a craggled and old presence which can be heard on occasion cackling or chattering separately, the crusty voice belonging neither to D or the peculiar entity in the space.
no subject
While she wonders, Add takes the opportunity to to start jabbering back, hopping around excitedly in his cage with a rhythmic metallic clanking. ]
Hahahaha! Is this a joke?! You moving in on our schtick, old timer?!
[ Gray taps on his cage — a gentle warning that makes Add pause with alarm. ]
Add... please behave.
[ Her voice becomes more stern as she addresses him, a product of long familiarity. But even though she's trying to correct Add, it sounds like D's hand(??) might be just as badly behaved... Gray willfully ignores the part where it called her cute and bows a little toward it. She still doesn't understand what's happening, but when in doubt, fall back on manners?? ]
Um, hello. My name is Gray.
[ What is she supposed to call... D's hand... Who knew she and Add would get out-weirded. ]
no subject
The face in D's palm still looks bewildered. It isn't he has never seen something like himself before--there are a few other like him on the Frontier--but to run into a similar sort of fellow in a different form... Intriguing.]
Tell me I'm seeing what I think I'm seeing? [is asked in a mouth-to-the-side stage whisper to D.] A cube in a bird cage?
His name is Add.
[D is helpful.
The eyes of the face twist to survey Gray, and a tooth grin breaks out on the mouth.]
Well, well! Gray, she says! Is this the girl that guy was hooking you up with? Heh heh heh! Kinda small... Don't you usually like them curvy? Still cute, though.
Quiet. Introduce yourself, or leave.
Pah, you're such a downer. Anyway! You can just call me Lefty.
He is a Carbuncle. It's best not to pay him much mind.
no subject
Even if D says she can ignore him, Gray feels obligated to at least put a bookend on the niceties. ]
It's nice to meet you... Lefty.
[ It's a straightforward name, thinks Gray in a fit of failed self-awareness. She looks up at D. ]
I'm not familiar with Carbuncles... What does it mean to be one?
no subject
Help them.]
Countenanced Carbuncles are symbiotes. [Why does he make this sound so dry, like he's giving a college lecture?] They attach as parasites to a host, sharing their bodies, nourishment, and thoughts.
[This makes D sound very disgusting (parasitic sharing), and that's extremely valid because it's true.]
What a way to sell me to a girl! [the hand bemoans.] Don't listen to him. He gets things out of the deal, too! I'm not just a free-loader! Cute girls like you, too, heh heh... I can smell your hair, rub your face, even massage your bre--
[D promptly closes his fist tightly.]
--mmhff!
no subject
In any case, Gray is more than satisfied with D's dry lecture. Having been an apprentice to an actual lecturer on magecraft, she finds a short explanation a pleasant surprise. ]
I think I understand. Add... isn't a parasite, but he's connected to my consciousness too. His personality is a bit like a program based on a knight from a long time ago.
[ She settles his cage on her arm, cradling it to her chest. Add has calmed down a bit, perhaps in part to watching Lefty get finger-stabbed in the face, but he still pipes up with a grin in his voice. ]
So you can call me Sir Add!
no subject
It takes a purposefully long time, but D finally opens his hand again so the face can appear once more, blubbering from having been squeezed off without any chance to abscond. D also has too many manners not to be annoyed by the parasite's sleaziness.]
I see.
[A knight... He glances at the caged cube again. Left Hand does not have any such honors which is clear when neither of them offer any in return. He is curious, naturally, about Add. But this is an exchange now, and he has to debate whether or not he wants to answer questions asked of him. The conundrum of wanting information... but not wanting to give out information since it can be used against you...]
He assists you?
no subject
Yes. He helps me in battle, though he specializes as a gravekeeping tool.
[ Her definition of gravekeeping is undoubtedly different from his, though. ]
That means we're most effective against ghosts... [ Ah. Quickly, she adds, ] Um, but he wasn't particularly made to fight vampires, so you don't have to worry about that.
[ Just in case D is wondering about Gray trying to stab him in his sleep?? ]
no subject
I'm not worried.
[Well, he's cautious regardless, but he isn't particularly worried about the two of them coming for him in his sleep. Actually, he doesn't even need to sleep, he just does it to pass the time...]
Did you often deal with ghosts?
[Gravekeeping... effective against ghost types... a spirit of a former knight...]
no subject
Gray finds his question funny enough that she smiles a bit ruefully. ]
My village was home to a prominent cemetery. I'm sensitive to spirits, so my job was to get rid of the ghosts that would appear there.
[ Add pipes up: ] She was the best gravekeeper in all of Britain!
[ Which Gray can't refute because she can't imagine anyone else in Britain had a weird ghost-eating Arthurian artifact in their possession, and also a crippling sensitivity toward ghosts, so. ]
If you ever have a ghost problem, please let me know.
no subject
I'll keep it in mind.
[Sometimes, you are a freak, but desire to be normal, so you pretend...
His attention shifts from Add to Gray. He doesn't argue against Add's declaration at all. Britain... It's been a long time since he has heard someone else remember that place.]
Wow, [the face on D's palm says.] Might could have used her help before we got here, huh, D?
[He doesn't really look away from her.]
Mm.
no subject
Anyway. Naturally, Gray is pinged by Lefty's comment. Since coming here, her ghost-related critical encounters have decreased exponentially. Hearing other people's ghost stories is a bit more novel, and in this case it might be a bit like talking shop. ]
Do you two normally have a way of fighting them?
no subject
Depends on the ghost. Don't usually go digging for ghosts if we can help it... but the sleeping girl, eh? This cute broad had been asleep for thirty years. She kept coming to D in his dreams. Hehe.
[Why must he suffer with this parasite.]
Vampire Nobles can linger behind in a place of refuge as ghosts if they are powerful enough.
Yeah, like Carmilla! Supposed mistress to the ruler of all vampires. Bbleergh. Nasty woman. Never want to taste that again.
He deals with what I'm unable to touch.
no subject
Lefty really is similar to Add. They even complain about the same things.
[ This is still a pretty stunning development to Gray, who truly thought of Add as one-of-a-kind. She raises his cage so that she can talk to him. ]
This might be a good thing. Add, wouldn't you like to have a friend you can relate to?
... With that old-timer?! Idiot Gray, shouldn't you go on a date yourself before you try setting other people up?
Add!
[ Gray chastises him sharply. Add refrains from laughing, if only because he can feel how close to punishment he is. He looks away innocently instead, as if he never said anything in the first place. ]
no subject
The back-and-forth between Gray and Add reminds him a lot of himself and Left Hand. Though he is more stoic and doesn't really ever entertain a reply unless it's to tell Left Hand to shut up.
It gets the corner of his lips to twitch in an almost smile. GUESS SHE CAN FEEL THE AMUSEMENT BC THEY ARE BOTH DUMMY ADVOCATES.]
Who's old?! I'm filled with vitality! I could go all night! Wait, I do go all night, I don't sleep... Anyway, D will take you on a date! Haha! He needs more practice! Right, D?
Stop being a nuisance.
[THE EARLIER AMUSEMENT IS COMPLETELY GONE NOW.]
1/2
D's little blip of amusement makes Gray glance over at him, a bit confused, and then she realizes that he might also be a fellow Advocate. She has to wonder if it will make living with him more complicated. Not that she has anything to hide, and neither of them are the types to tease each other... but still.
On one hand, it's convenient being able to parse D's feelings beneath his stony exterior. On the other hand, this means D will be feeling the instant alarm Gray feels when Lefty suggests a date, followed by her relief when D immediately shuts him down. That roller coaster of emotion could be interpreted as rude toward D, when really, the idea of going on a date with anybody at all is just intrinsically alarming to Gray. She's hoping he didn't notice.
Unfortunately, Add did notice. ]
What's this, Gray? Don't tell me you're gettin' excited! I'm starting to see that you have a ty—
Excuse me.
[ Gray says this politely to D. And then she walks away, into the chicken coop. The door closes behind her with a wooden clack. ]
no subject
AAaaaAAaaAAaaAaaAA—!!
[ Like so. It's accompanied by a high-speed smash and rattle of metallic parts like a cocktail being shaked, except the cocktail is a dense metal cube.
This goes on for a good fifteen seconds.
When Gray emerges calmly from the coop, Add is nowhere to be seen. She returns to her spot and looks at D. ]
Please don't mind Add.
[ Take a drink every time D or Gray has to apologize for Lefty or Add... ]
no subject
As soon as Gray says to excuse her, and she and Add disappear into the coop, Left Hand stretches his face around to look at D with a truly 😨 expression. The yowling and shaking make the old eyes big on the palm. Erebus lifts his head to glance around at the coop curiously, ears forward.
(Gray is getting a sliver of distant amusement again.)
D returns a taciturn, silent, pointed look at Left Hand, and the parasite winces sympathetically before hurriedly absconding inside once more. It's what happens to naughty additions.
When Gray emerges, only D is left waiting for her, one arm by his side and the other holding the horse's reins like before.]
It's alright. Don't let what the Carbuncle says bother you either.
[They like to stir them up.]
Has he been with you for very long?
no subject
Since I was five. The master gravekeeper decided I had aptitude then, and passed Add down to me. There weren't any other children around, so he ended being my closest friend.
[ Try only friend. But still, despite all that has transpired here, D will feel a sincere warmth of gratitude emanating from Gray toward Add. ]
How long has Lefty been with you?
no subject
And with other instances, too. When your annoying parasite entity is your only "friend".....
Gray is so forthcoming with admitting as much, so he says:]
...I was about the same age.
[For the moment, he doesn't tell her Left Hand was experimentally inserted into him... but it might be obvious in a way considering it happened when he was a child.
What child would ask for that unless they were just attacked?]
no subject
Though she's curious, she doesn't feel familiar enough yet to pry. There are some things she'd rather not discuss with a recent acquaintance; call it projection, but she imagines D might feel the same on this particular subject. ]
I see... We really have a lot in common.
[ Freakishly so. It's startling to think that someone she can relate to in such a rare manner has spontaneously come to live under the same roof as her.
She blinks as she remembers why this happened in the first place. She glances back at the house. ]
Mr. Dokja might be surprisingly astute...
[ A mastermind even........ Gray wonders if she should reform her view of him. ]
no subject
He won't tattle on Gray, but he will tattle on Dokja as a gentle, almost distantly affectionate bullying:]
His intent was for me to meet you. He made it sound as if it was for your benefit, [he says this as if he does not believe his company could ever be for anyone's benefit] but now I am wondering if he thought it would also be for mine...
[He follows Gray's gaze directly across the yard at the nearest window or door which would be at the kitchen.
Dokja..........]
It had not been my intent to intrude on your lives.
no subject
[ Gray would never plant her hands on her hips, but a bit of that energy quietly enters her voice. Dokja really played them both...
She leaves that thought aside to look back to D when he makes that regretful comment. She slowly shakes her head. ]
To be honest, I wasn't sure at first, but... I'd be happy if you stayed with us.
[ Thanks to the power of Advocacy, he can even feel that she's being sincere!! She smiles, a small show of support. ]
Mr. Eustace might need a little time, but he's a good person. If it's important to Mr. Dokja that you stay here, it will be important to him too.
no subject
Anyway, sad to say that Gray's very kind and soft words make him feel extremely soft and it's UNFORTUNATE they are the same Aspect. Now she knows his stupid, squishy secrets anytime she is nearby. It's like biting into a sour candy with a sweet inside? He's :man_standing: now with a fuzzy middle.
He also looks quickly away from her when he gets beaten up in the back alley by a smile and show of support feelings. Get those outta here.]
I don't mind if it disturbs him. [As in, Eustace is valid.] He was here first. But I can tell he is a good man.
[Very romantic and loyal when cursed to be in love with him.]
no subject
It sounds like D really isn't offended by Eustace's HORRIBLY INHOSPITABLE reaction, which is a relief. She relaxes and turns her gaze back to Erebus, who continues to be surrounded by chickens like a man feeding pigeons at a park. Which reminds her that if D will be living here, he will need introductions to the many... many animals that live here.
Gray points at each of the chickens as she names them. ]
That's Chicken Nugget, Chicken Tender, Chicken Skewer, Chicken Potpie, and Popcorn Chicken.
[ Popcorn is a lil baby chick actually. ]
no subject
D's face remains as placidly unbothered as ever. He looks at each chicken as they are called out. Not Popcorn Chicken........... What the hell does he say to this? He's aware these are Gray's babies. Maybe she doesn't mind them named this way. Who is he to criticize when only just became invited into the household?!]
I see.
[HE DOESN'T SEE.]
Hello.
[To the chickens... because he's polite. They truly pay him no mind because Erebus is far more entertaining even though Erebus is :horse_standing: amidst the lot of them. Erebus kind of just occasionally leans his head down to give them a sniff when they venture close to his front legs. Good thing there is no weird, sudden lore about Frontier cyborg horses eating meat.]
Do they produce many eggs?
[HE IS PRETENDING LIKE THEY ARE EGG CHICKENS, NOT FOOD.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)