Kenos Inbox

[damnpire]

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.

Comments

[damnpire]

[Them: DOKJA.................. They're really learning they both got played by this idiotic guy, wow. Who would have ever thought Dokja would trick them into friendship...?

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.]

[gravings]

[ She can feel that he is appreciative, yet his face is a line face emoji. What a strange guy. But it's a bit cute, and a demonstration of the true power of this connection they apparently have. She is thankful for this cheat code called Aspect-sharing, which she will use ruthlessly to ensure that D's needs are met. If only she had the same cheat code for Eustace and Dokja, who are similarly stubborn about asking for nothing from her.

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. ]

[damnpire]

[Gray shall continue to receive D's radio signals, and so it's very evident when his mood takes a very sudden nose-dive of surprised horror when the names begin. Almost immediately, he knows exactly who in this household may have had a hand in the chicken naming convention. This is what he should have confronted Dokja about later instead of having to drop some of his lore onto the stupidest man alive.

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.]

[gravings]

They lay eggs every one or two days.

[ A normal amount! More importantly, Gray catches the BLAST OF HORROR from D and raises her hands to assuage him. She can guess where his horror is coming from... ]

Um, we didn't cook any of our chickens for the meal. They're basically pets.

[ That said, D won't feel any reciprocal horror at the thought from Gray, even if she's fond of the Chickens Sometimes Known as Tristans. She did grow up in the remote countryside, where animal butchery was close and common. Sometimes she feels a little silly keeping chickens for pets, but being able to talk to them makes a girl a bit more sympathetic.

Speaking of which, she's happy to translate. She calls softly to the chickens, layering a bit of spellbook goodness into her voice. ]

Everyone, this is D... He'll be living with us from now on. He says hello, and he's very nice.

[ The chickens all look at her, then at D. Then they hop up and bob over to form a loose circle around him like they did Erebus, except this time they are looking at him curiously. ]

[damnpire]

I don't mind if they're eaten.

[The nuance of his surprise being maybe Dokja naming them after food items which he does not explain because he is yet another stupid man addition to this household.

Though if they were to be eaten, maybe food items would be better than something personal.]

Though it seems they are happier alive. It's been a long time since I have seen chickens like this.

[??????????

He watches these hens (and baby) become suddenly infatuated with greeting him...

Carefully, he squats down to one knee so he can give one or two of them some friendly pets. One hen decides it's fine if she roosts on his raised knee, not bothering to ask if it's okay. (It's okay.)]

Thank you for allowing me to stay.

[gravings]

[ Gray does not translate the part where D is okay with these very chickens being murdered. Also, "it seems they are happier alive." Yes? What a cryptid thing to say? D is a very strange person riding hard on the strength of his manners and kindness. In any case, she translates D's thanks to the chickens, who are pleased with his deference.

Gray watches as the chickens blink and bob excitedly under D's friendly petting. It's a heartwarming scene. The chickens not being petted by D's mere two hands crowd closer to D's haunches so that they're nearly under him, impatient about getting their turn.

A bit of movement catches Gray's eye. Ah, yes. She turns and addresses yet another important family member. ]

Raisin...! You should say hello too. D will be staying with us from now on.

[ Raisin the giant dog boofs cheerfully as he heads over. Eager to give D a warm official welcome, he begins to sprint at D and the chickens. He is only getting faster. ]

[damnpire]

[Uh oh.

Raisin is a perfect creature. D appreciates dogs maybe in the same way Eustace appreciates them. He doesn't hate cats, but dogs... Loyal, loving unconditionally, protective. Just like him. 🥹 D can tell almost immediately the dog is going to be a dog about the greeting.

Swiftly and fluidly, he moves the chicken off his knee and uses both arms to sweep them forward toward Gray, out of the way. The dog is getting so much faster, wow. D faces Raisin and lowers his knees, bracing them on the ground. He holds both hands out, an attempt to at least steer Raisin correctly when they inadvertently collide.

And collide they do. Raisin is too excited, galloping directly into him. He at least doesn't topple over onto the ground in the middle of all the chickens. But now he's getting a bunch of dog kisses, messing up his hat, tangling his hair.

Very weird to get dog kisses when most animals are terrified of your aura.]

[gravings]

[ The chickens waddle out of the way, swift but not panicked. They have lived with this dog and they are used to his tomfoolery.

Together, Gray and the chickens watch as Raisin forcefully smothers D with all of his wrinkled, slobbery pounds and delivers a rousing baptism by dog kisses. It's a remarkable sight, all of that pure dog energy poured directly into making the ever-stoic D's head a disaster zone.

Gray laughs. It's out before she can think it might be too mean-spirited of her, the kind of laughter that comes from the chest. It's a brief affair, and in a moment she steps over to drag Raisin up off D as if he were an unruly puppy. As she is only a little taller than him at full height, his doggy rump is still on the floor when she hugs him under his forelegs to her middle. ]

He can be a little too friendly.

[ Raisin pants and thumps his tail on the ground, looking at D eagerly as if willing him to get closer so that Raisin's tongue can reach him. ]

[damnpire]

[Gray laugh.....!!! It makes him feel some time of way, a bit softly surprised, but ignore all of that, thanks. Besides, the dog is more important right this moment than his pushed away feelings.

Dogs never know a single brake! D is at least strong enough to keep Raisin from jumping too wildly on him, and he makes sure the strength isn't too much to hurt the excited doggo. He's left to sort of... blink while finding his bearings as Gray pulls Raisin away. Reaching up, he politely uses the back of his hand to wipe some of the slobber away on his face.]

That's alright.

[He could never hate a dog for being friendly. He reaches out with his hand to offer Raisin some distant, controlled pets.]

[gravings]

[ Naturally, Gray assumes that all of D's feelings are a result of Raisin. D need not worry about being perceived.

Raisin's tongue whips out at D's hand as it ventures into the lick zone, but otherwise he peacefully accepts the head pats. Meanwhile his tail thumps uncontrollably, slapping at least one chicken around.

Feeling that Raisin has calmed down enough, Gray lets him down onto all four paws. From there, Raisin joins the crowd of chickens in competing for D's attention with their eyes and wiggles. ]

The cats should all meet you too... but, um, that can wait for when you're ready to move in.

[ She assumes he has affairs to put in order?? Things to pack?? Maybe he needs time to mentally prepare before moving into a house with three people and eleven animals?? ]