icy_veins | Inbox

[ It was a small white fluffy thing. It barely counted as a dog. ]

Between that and my actual job? I have been busy. I noticed that my ability to filter and mask my feelings was just gone. That's what got me into trouble. Anything I felt was intense and almost demanding? I don't like that. I like being able to think things through.

[Huh, that feels like his normal psychology now.]

I came to terms with feelings such as those rather early on in my arrival to Ryslig. Apparently trolls are prone to extreme mood swings, which I have certainly felt.

[And showed her!]

It's still rather jarring, especially since I used to be so level-headed before.

I like to think I was level-headed. Honestly I just put on a really good front. I did notice some slow changes to how I think? I'm having difficulty not cleaning everything. It's an obsession at this point. I was not this bad before now.

Rosefica is the same way, she has always been meticulous before but it's worse now.
It's likely a thing of arachne psychology.

I can't see how a clean home is a bad thing, perhaps you can come clean our apartment.
Lucius doesn't clean, though I'm not sure if it's because he doesn't know how to, or that he doesn't care... And I try but I am no good at it.

Edited 2020-09-24 07:10 (UTC)

[Behind the thin-brimmed glasses that sit low on Eridanus' aquiline nose, his bridge wrinkles with distaste. While they had only had one conversation, it was enough for him to know that he would have to be incredibly inebriated in order to enjoy Larry's company. Unfortunately, even Fiddleford's attempts to rein in that displeasure falls on deaf ears, though not entirely in part for Eridanus' stubbornness. It's mostly because he barely understands the jargon that has just streamed past Fiddleford's lips, with words like 'code' and 'variable' holding vastly different meanings in the troll-elf's repertoire.]

I will have to take your word for it. [He concedes as he steps away from Fiddleford's shoulder to see which cabinet the bowls and spoons are pulled from. There's an idle curiosity to his verdant gaze, though it seems it's knowledge for knowledge's sake as the places for things within this home are etched into his memory.]

At least he has work ethic, I'm sure that's difficult to find in your employees here. [Everyone seems to have their own agenda, at least from his own observation. Though even the prelude to this meeting was on the basis of them being future coworkers. Eridanus wonders for a moment, just how well a monster school will work?

Quietly, and by Fiddleford's direction, Eridanus spoons out a generous amount of chili into his bowl. The scent is divine, urging hunger pangs through his gut as just the spice alone is enough to coax his mouth to water. He was typically not so enthusiastic to eat, yet for some odd reason, he can't help but feel giddy to try a bite. How lucky is he then, that a spot falls onto his thumb, and he's all too eager to stick it in his mouth for a taste. The chili is cleaned off, and the rich spicy taste entices his mouth to water further. With an excited wagging of his runty tail, Eridanus tries his best to hide his anticipation.]

Shall we bring glasses for the wine, too?

It is when you've cleaned things you know are already clean. I haven't gone that far but I have heard of cases where cleaning became an obsession that was unhealthy. I'm not sure he would want to? Cleaning doesn't quite fit with what I understand of him. I'm glad my Mom made me learn to care about my things. Dad was bad before they got involved according to her. Like buy new shirts because he hated washing or didn't have time.

Rosefica was once a commoner, so she is more keen on these skills.
I have heard of this obsessive compulsion to clean repeatedly, though I doubt you have anything to worry about. By my understanding, Arachne just like to have clean "webs."

Lucius is better than I am at living in dismal surroundings, which is why I've started to pick up when absolutely necessary. Both of us had servants for that kind of thing before.
If you had told me I'd be cleaning a home just a few months ago, I likely would have laughed in your face.

well, it's OK to be selfish sometimes, but this seems like less selfish and more curious. i'm happy to answer whatever :Db.

i'm not great with wine, but that does sound nice! just let me know when, my bosses are both pretty flexible with what i do, since i'm good at my job.

As is mine.

How does tomorrow evening sound?
I can pick you up from your house, around, say... 8PM?

sounds good to me!

[thank goodness she has all of her cute clothing.]

[ The day of their promised duel finally draws close, after so many distractions and delays, and so much as he expects Eridanus to provide only the most meager of challenges, Lucius nonetheless has found his thoughts preoccupied with it over the last few days. Impatient energy floods his limbs down to the very tips of his fingers, and with each day, each hour, each minute that brings him closer to the date and time, that energy only grows stronger. He's sure as much isn't lost on Eridanus, either; whether in company or absence, he certainly hasn't hidden the bolstering of his mood.

He imagines the flurry of their blades. He recalls threats Eridanus had made during their heated conversation, of flaying and quartering and binding Lucius' limbs to make him accept his fate. He replays every hungry word that had passed between them then and has passed between them since, revisiting old conversation again and again within his mind, giddy laughter welling in his lungs whenever he is reminded of the innocence of those first moments of budding obsession.

All that to say that it isn't precisely odd, the immediacy with which Lucius greets Eridanus upon his return from work. He presses well nearer than is polite, but doesn't touch, those excruciating inches left between them pulling a grin to Lucius' face as he circles, at once the prowling predator and the doting housepet. ]

Eridanus, [ he says, the name a purr on his tongue, ] come out with me tonight.

[ Already, to demand attention and company out of boredom is a commonplace thing between them. However, the cadence of his words makes plain a motivation unlike anything so idle. Mischief gilts each syllable, and the furred stinger that crowns his overlong tail brushes its harmless face against Eridanus' ankle, bobbing and weaving inches from the floor with restless energy. ]

[The shorter commute home would have been reason enough for Eridanus' chipper mood, but with the date of their duel drawing closer, it's hard not to consider the obvious. The jaunt he makes up the dilapidated path is practically a skip, as he fishes his keys from his trouser pocket to insert into the door.

As the lock turns her can hear the quiet, nimble footsteps that come down the hallway, and by the time he's through the threshold, Lucius is before him. It's a sight he knows well enough, ever since Mirage had been disbanded, Lucius has been idle and often greeted him the moment he came home. Still, it never fails to pull an affectionate smile across his face.

The way Lucius paces about him tickles a different sort of excitement up his spine though, his mind jumping to conclusions it seems to have been trained to. As his fingers find the buttons of his jacket, his head pivots to keep his gaze locked with golden cat-eyes.]

Out? [He repeats the word, surprise in his guttural voice as what he had been expecting is thwarted. While he'd never reject the opportunity to go about town with Lucius, it was still rare when he was included on one of the man's prowls. A sheepish smile replaces his initial surprise, and he peels himself out of his coat.]

Where do you plan to take me, then? You never include me on your hunts.

There once was a boy who was a Halloween fanatic. He loved dressing up for Halloween, he loved pulling pranks and watching horror movies, and above everything else... he loved candy. One fateful year, while he went trick-or-treating, he visited a house. This house was creepy as hell! It was big, it was old, it smelled like a grandmother and it was owned by a happy, old rich couple. The boy came here thinking that he would be handed out big chocolate bars, because it was a rich person's house but when he knocked on their door... he was handed a bag of that shitty candy that nobody likes! Tootsie rolls, shitty flavoured dum-dums, those weird... peanut things... needless to say, the boy was heartbroken. He was so heartbroken that he died, right there on their porch and now, every Halloween he goes out and finds people to curse. He wants everyone to suffer the same way he did!

Everybody is already suffering from his curse!! Send this to ten people to break the curse, or to avoid getting cursed, or you'll be stuck looking freakier than usual for the rest of your life!!!!!!!!!!

Fiddleford, I think you've dipped a bit deep into your moonshine tonight.

Also, what is "Halloween"?

I've had a perfectly appropriate amount of moonshine for someone who weighs as much as I do.

Halloween is a holiday where I'm from. It's the one night a year that children can stay up as late as they want and demand candy without anyone telling them no.

[Now, does he take advantage of this situation to be kind of a shit? Yes. It feels like it's in the spirit.]

This is an ancient Halloween curse that comes back every year around the start of October. You've seen what I look like, you don't need me to tell you how serious it is. You better figure out who you'll be sending it to.

[Eridanus doubts that Fiddleford. He has seen you drunk.]

Sounds juvenile.
If this Halloween is for children, why are you participating in this foolishness?

Curses do not work like this, and it cannot be prevented by simply forwarding along a message.
Why would I subject others to this hoax?

Oh, but you'll want to be a part of this one. [ His lips curl with self-satisfaction, and never more has he been the image of a cat in cream. A swift step, and suddenly, Lucius stands at Eridanus' front again—and this time, he doesn't bother to keep his hands to himself, fingers coming up to tug at the knot of Eridanus' tie for no reason but to toy with the man in front of him. ] When we first spoke of crossing blades, you sighed so wistfully over the thought of the moment preserved in paint. Now, the hour draws near. Shouldn't we find an artist worthy of the task before it's upon us?

[Eridanus' breath catches in his throat as Lucius settles before him. There's still a lightness that seems to keep the man barely off the balls of his feet, as if he's ready to simply sweep Eridanus out the door without any explanation. Instead, those clawed fingers find and loosen the knot of his tie.

He exhales a shaking breath, as color rises to his pale visage. His brows lift at the mention of a painter, and suddenly excitement heats the blood in his veins. His serrated smile splits wider, and he reaches an opaline gauntlet to take Lucius' hand.]

Yes, we should... to have our clashing of souls immortalized in such a way, would bring me no greater joy than to taste your blade itself. [Eridanus brings Lucius' fingertips to his lips, placing a short-lived chaste kiss to the pads before the point of his lesser tusk drags against skin.] Have you one in mind? No, do not tell me... take me to them.

[ The flush that rises to Eridanus' skin is that of a flattered lover, and it makes heat sting within Lucius' veins in kind. The warmth of it comes to coil low in the pit of his stomach—but, for once, he resists the hungry urge, instead letting the sight sit within his mind and savor, fuel to cast over the fire later. ]

And where would be the joy in choosing without you? [ The tease of a claw along Eridanus' lip matches that question's tone. ] I haven't been completely idle in your absence, [ by which he means he has taken the time to find out at least the names and residences of local artists ] but even so — won't it be more fun, to decide together who should receive the honor?

[ Frankly, Lucius doubts Eridanus' taste in painters will be very different than his own. And yet, it pleases him to give Eridanus this indulgence. After all, he had said so himself: this is a hunt. ]

[The claw at his lip is enough to shiver anticipation up Eridanus' spine, his body's reaction to promises of the event yet to come. Those words are sweet, and for a moment, Eridanus allows infatuation to well through his chest. He knows he should not feel so flattered over simply being considered, yet he can't help it. Lucius is an elusive creature in his own ways, selfish and single-minded, even he knew this. Yet here the cat before him was, giving his honeyed invitation for exhilarating chase.

Eridanus catches Lucius' hand once more, holding it firmly within his own as his ardent eyes widen with excitement.] Yes, I believe it shall. [The quickness in which he takes a step closer to Lucius, their bodies almost slotting against one another, betrays the evenness of his guttural voice. For a moment, it seems as if excitement would overflow, and he would come to embrace Lucius.

Then, without warning Eridanus turns away from him. He snags the knitted cardigan that hung from the coat rack hung against the wall, and offers it.] Do you knew their addresses already? I can hardly wait!

[Like a kid in a candy store.]

You might find this shocking on account of you sprung fully-formed from the dustiest bookshelf in the library, but I was once a child myself. You subject others to it because it's fun to play along, you wet blanket.

[He is squinting at this SO HARD Fiddleford!!]

Firstly, I am not a wet blanket.

Secondly, I don't even know ten people to send this silly message to!
So I will just be fake-cursed.

Has anyone told you about Halloween yet?

Edited 2020-10-05 06:03 (UTC)

[ Laughter wafts from Lucius with that excited question, and the absence of cruelty in the sound likely speaks more of his fondness than any word ever could. ]

Of course. Names and addresses, and enough to know which ones are worth pursuing — though I suppose we'll have to ask nicely for a late night showing of their work, won't we? [ He laughs again, and this time, the sound is meaner. The hunt, and the chance for needless intimidation, is nearly as tantalizing to him as the end goal of this romp, and his tongue passes across his teeth like a hungry animal salivating at the suggestion of dinner.

Before Eridanus has even had the chance to answer that question, Lucius steps forward and takes the cardigan from his hands. He's already out the door before he has finished shrugging it on. It's only then that he stops and turns back, waiting beyond the threshold for Eridanus to come and lock the door behind them with an expectancy that can only come from knowing that his Archmage will follow wherever he leads. ]

My Dad liked to think he was capable of taking care of things too. He was okay I preferred going to my Mom for things like that. He was more of the parent who would recommend a good book or show. We'll see how I actually react. Seriously? That's pretty bad. Some stuff needs to be cleaned a specific way or you risk destroying it. Please tell me he knows how to get his clothes cleaned? Buying more when what you have gets stained doesn't count. It's just super wasteful to do that.

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Play: Minecraft Eating Soundbit

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action | a day or two before their duel

what a cute cat, I love

<teslacoils> this is friends

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<a.dyer> ( 3am 10/05 GO TO BED ANNIE!)

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WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, ERIDANUS SUNGAZER. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 099.23.886.00 * Archmage has joined 099.23.886.00 <Archmage> Hello, this is Eridanus Sungazer. <Archmage> In the event I am currently unavailable, please leave a message. <Archmage>** I will answer back, promptly. If I feel you are worth the trouble.