+- Court of the Fallen (https://cotf-rpg.com)
+-- Forum: Out of Character (https://cotf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=26)
+--- Forum: Important (https://cotf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=27)
+---- Forum: Archives (https://cotf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=38)
+---- Thread: stay your pretty eyes on course (/showthread.php?tid=10485)
RE: stay your pretty eyes on course - Dantalion - 12-19-2024
Danta doesn't usually have to play social referee with anyone, and to be standing in between two literal giants as one plays the aggressor and the other does his best not to cause any problems, it's a novel experience indeed. Clearing his throat and pouring himself a measure of the sweet vodka, and accepting the whiskey back to fill Asta's glass, he makes it a point to stand with the butcher, a warm arm slipping around him as he presses the whiskey into his hand.
[say]"Whatever suits you,"[/say] he assures Sunjata, raising his eyebrows automatically at the scars that light up across his body. [say]"Neat trick - you should have told me and I'd have not bothered with the candles,"[/say] he remarks, before smirking and nodding his agreement. [say]"Jata owned the VlamVloed across the way,"[/say] he adds to the explanation. [say]"And he runs the House of Midnight in King's End, now. I think you'd like it there."[/say]
And it'll probably only piss Asta off more, because Danta isn't just saying it to help Sunjata out - the butcher really probably would.
[say]"Anyway,"[/say] he says pointedly, taking a very generous sip of his drink. [say]"I get the feeling small talk isn't going to be our strong suit this evening, so by all means just make yourself comfortable, Jata."[/say]
RE: stay your pretty eyes on course - Astaroth - 12-19-2024
Well, at least he understood it was a den. He supposes that allocates Frey’s demigod a small amount of a boon. Yet, as the crack of light flares across the other man’s face, Astaroth’s grin remains a touch sharper, judging in a way that seems to scream you’re slipping, boy. Ah, but Danta is speaking up and he has a moment to hide that too sharp grin that wants to tear through that tattooed skin for the sheer audacity of just how much he was imposing, in order to take a long slow sip of the liquor, tense beneath the warm arm that slips around him as if he isn’t expecting the touch.
“[say]Oh? Do tell.[/say]” He imagines he’d hate it. He also imagines that — why, if the Flood had owned all kinds of places and a whole region, why he was here practically groveling for a room. Yes, Danta had explained, but it still didn’t quite register for the butcher. Not in the way that it mattered. Following up the sip with another, because he does know somewhere within that he’s being unfair and the stranger is trying, but fuck, it was confusing.
He also despises how much the demigod smells like Danta. And as the comment of small talk is made, Astaroth’s gaze finally twists away from Sunjata to look over toward Danta, exhaling a small and quiet sigh before his tail winds around his lover's leg, his arm slipping around the blonde’s shoulders. Begrudgingly inclining his head toward Sunjata. “[say]Apologies, I am not the type to share easily.[/say]” He despises the idea still, but he could actually try to be somewhat nice.
It wouldn’t kill him, right?
RE: stay your pretty eyes on course - Sunjata - 12-19-2024
He really is imposing, isn’t he? Nor had he misjudged when Danta had said the other Ancient was prickly. He sees that look, the slip, and a stubborn streak blooms in his chest as he flashes a softer smile toward Danta. “[say]I can’t control it well enough to actually give off light, unfortunately.[/say]” Maybe ignoring the other man was all he needed to do? He can’t get a read on him.
He certainly can’t when he’s then asked about explaining the House of Midnight — and honestly, it was the last thing he was expecting to have to do. He wasn’t anticipating the idea that he needed to advertise it. So he downs the whiskey easily, barely feeling a burn as he goes to add scotch to the glass. “[say]The rooms can change to whatever you want them to be. You just have to imagine it.[/say]” He answers, before moving on, not dwelling on that as he tops off his glass and peers through the room to see the couch, nodding to Danta’s comment.
That’s, of course, when the apology hits, Sunjata’s brows pinch as he focuses back on the butcher. “[say]No, that’s fair. I’m sorry to impose. But.. I have a variety of shifts so I’ll probably just sleep as a dog on the couch, if it helps any.[/say]” Maybe that would soothe the butcher some?
Or, perhaps better yet, he leaves that to Danta’s capable hands.
RE: stay your pretty eyes on course - Dantalion - 12-19-2024
Danta's capable hands are already trying to smooth the tension he can feel holding the butcher ramrod straight, his fingers slipping beneath the sleek fabric of Asta's vest to press against his back through his shirt. He also moves to top the butcher's glass off with more whiskey after he's finished with that initial, long sip, only relaxing properly when he feels the familiar press of a tail around his leg.
[say]"Frey's demigod gets Frey magic for his brothel. I'd be jealous if Dygra weren't head and shoulders above the rest,"[/say] he says through a wistful sigh, leaning into the arm around his shoulders. [say]"And luckily the only thing we are sharing is space,"[/say] he reminds Asta, peering up at him and promptly finishing his drink.
[say]"Whatever you decide, there are extra blankets on the back of the couch if you need them, and the key is in the door if you want to go out for any reason,"[/say] he tells Jata. [say]"Don't be a hero and not tell us if you need anything, yeah?"[/say] He doesn't say it, because it's not something that ever leaves the four walls they stand in, but neither butcher nor Maverick are novices when dealing with things that come to plague the mind in the dead of night.
RE: stay your pretty eyes on course - Astaroth - 12-19-2024
Well, as Danta smooths the tension, Astaroth finally starts to loosen up — embracing the warmth and the explanation offered in regards to the rooms of the House of Midnight. So curious, in fact, that he hates the way it also helps him deflate his otherwise puffy exterior. And by that time, the butcher’s glass is filled up again. “[say]I admit I was never one for the gods before I met Dygra.[/say]” Ah, but then she saved his life. And from that point on, the butcher was devoted.
“[say]I, too, have a more canine shift.[/say]” He starts, as if extending that olive branch for Sunjata to try and relax some. He remains silent, nursing his glass as Danta explains how he intends for it to work, before he downs the rest of his glass and boldly stakes his claim; tail unwinding from his lover’s leg as he turns toward him, arm tightening a fraction as he aims to snatch a chaste kiss, because all of that liquor has hit hard from the frustration that had blossomed in his chest. “[say]I think I shall get ready for bed. But yes, do let us know if there is anything you require.[/say]” He announces, leaving it to Danta to navigate, before he extracts himself from his lover’s embrace and leaves the empty glass on the table.
And he vanishes, only a few feet away, disappearing into the warm dark of their den; listening to any further conversation as he takes in the state of one of his favorite shirts, who’s collar at the back of his neck is peppered with small burns, meticulously ensuring each portion of his vest and ruined shirt are hung. He can assess the damage later.
RE: stay your pretty eyes on course - Sunjata - 12-19-2024
It’s an olive branch the Flood clings to, nodding and relaxing a touch even if the alcohol hasn’t come close to affecting him. He does let Danta deal with the overly possessive boyfriend, though, finding that this prickly back and forth was a great distraction from thinking about Hotaru and the Family and the void as a whole.
“[say]Yeah, I’ll let you know.[/say]” He says to Danta before he watches with a hint of surprise to see the butcher so forward suddenly — like he’s jealous in a way that makes him no fun. And so, he suddenly wonders if Asta was simply just excruciatingly insecure the entire time.
(He was, but he’ll never admit it.)
Nodding to the dark haired ancient as he departs, Sunjata quite visibly deflates his tension when the cannibal’s back is turned. “[say]Thanks. Do you mind if I just..?[/say]” Snagging the whiskey bottle once he’s finished his glass, he fully intends to just drown himself in the bottle in its entirety. “[say]I’ll try to not be too shitty of a roommate for the night.[/say]” It’s really his intention, but we all know how well things often line up to meet his intentions.
He flashes Danta a brighter and crooked smile, though, hiding the fact that he might very likely not end up remaining on the couch throughout the night.
RE: stay your pretty eyes on course - Dantalion - 12-19-2024
Smiling across to Sunjata, Danta's lips part to say something further before he finds them quite suddenly occupied. His surprise remains as a soft sound in the back of his throat, chaste as Asta's kiss might be, and he lets the butcher go with a quietly raised eyebrow and a smirk creeping across his face. [say]"Alright, I'll be there in a second,"[/say] he tells him, watching him prowl away before facing the Flood once more and clearing his throat.
[say]"Hm? Oh - by all means,"[/say] he says, nodding readily as the other man collects the whiskey bottle. [say]"Careful, though - he might just like you for your choice, there. It's his favourite whiskey - Halovian."[/say] Where he's from, he might have added, were the butcher not in earshot just metres away.
[say]"And you say that, but you've never had us as roommates before now. We might be the shitty ones,"[/say] he reminds him with a fanged grin. Hopefully not, but neither of them can predict Asta's nightmares, when they'll strike or how bad they might be. Fingers crossed it's a quiet night, though. [say]"Sleep well,"[/say] he tells the Flood, giving one last glance around the room before slipping away to duck into the den.
Dragging his sweater over his head, he slinks straight up behind Asta to press against the warmth of his back, whispering a kiss to the nape of his neck. [say]"I love you,"[/say] he whispers, the words almost spoken under his breath, such are their softness. [say]"C'mon. Sleep - you'll feel better."[/say] Dropping a further kiss upon a scarred shoulder, Danta is already dragging the fire and candles lower as he undresses and slinks beneath the sheets.
RE: stay your pretty eyes on course - Astaroth - 12-19-2024
A noncommittal hum is offered to Danta as the butcher departs, listening to the further conversation even as he starts to settle. The den is comfortable, and it does wonders to soothe him further, embracing the warmth as he sheds the fine clothes and smooths out the burnt collar of his shirt that looks almost as if one had flicked the still hot ashes of cigarettes onto it.
He’s managed to finally get his shoulders to relax by the time Danta’s slipping into their den and he listens to the padding of the Flood’s footsteps and the quieter uncorking of a bottle that sounds suspiciously like his favorite Halovian whiskey, before distraction comes in the warmth that’s shed from Danta’s chest as it presses against his back. The whisper has a soft sigh passing by his lips, cheeks almost aching from the force of the smile he’d plastered to his face earlier – gone for the moment. “[say]I love you more.[/say]” He retorts in a whisper of his own, feeling the Maverick slip away at precisely the time he can finish shedding his clothes to curl up in the sheets along with him – possessive in how he winds his arms around Danta’s middle and tangles his legs with the blonde and essentially curls in enough to be a large spoon that smells like smoke and the faintest touch of iron and whiskey on his breath.
It's here that he nuzzles into the blonde’s neck and ear with a soft whisper of “[say]I cannot wait for the stag in the morning.[/say]” It’s a playful reminder now that he’s relaxed fully with the demigod on the couch in front of the simmering flames and with his lover perfectly and precisely in his arms. As such, he doesn’t mind when he realizes it’s likely for the best of everyone’s sakes that he withdraw just enough to get the muzzle into place just in case.
And it does take him some time before he falls asleep, but when he does? He’s out, as if the night’s adventure has overwhelmingly exhausted him beyond even the threat of nightmares.
RE: stay your pretty eyes on course - Sunjata - 12-19-2024
Perhaps, if he was more focused on the conversation, the Flood might see precisely why Danta had been caught up in the web of the butcher. But instead, he’s too busy snagging the bottle away and asking whether it was fine for him to simply down the whole bottle (expecting it to do very little). And while he’s collecting it, he makes a mental note of the other man’s accent and flashes Danta a small yet somewhat amused smile. “[say]Ahh, he has good taste.[/say]” And not just for the whiskey, though he isn’t in a charming enough mind to admit that portion out loud.
Instead, he shrugs a shoulder and huffs a soft laugh, crooked and more relaxed than he had been when he’d darkened Danta’s doorstep, the Flood inclines his head in an agree to disagree kind of motion before he’s drifting over toward the couch. “[say]You too.[/say]” He calls back softly as he sinks onto the couch and the flames sink lower, plunging the room into an orange ember kind of darkness that should be comforting and warm.
It has Sunjata downing the bottle of whiskey with perhaps a bit too much ease – finding that it’s strength is actually strong enough to affect him in ways that have him feeling a buzz yet not being sloppily drunk (a boon, he thinks), because it’s enough for him to shift into that canine shift of his to curl up as a german shepherd on the Maverick’s couch.
It’s a fitful sleep, restless in the way he wakes himself up repeatedly with the sensation that he’s either falling, or his own whines rouse him awake. And it’s about the third time that he does – staring into the darkness as if a threat were to walk among the unfamiliar to him room. It’s when he spots the full-length mirror, angled in a way that has the fire’s glow reflecting around his fur in a halo, and warping his face momentarily into something gruesome and half full of eyes. His stomach drops and he shakes his head with a whine that has him scrambling, seeing a second later that his reflection is just that - himself as he should be – when he finds himself slinking off of the couch to shift back into himself and feeling quite alone were it not for the soft snores from within the den that call to him despite the prickly nature of the butcher.
A blanket is found to cover the mirror before he can startle himself again, and with his mind full of stressors and restlessness, the Flood wars with himself whether he should bother them at all or not. In the end, they had both said to let them know, and so the Flood finds himself with eyes partially shifted to see better in the dark of the den after snagging a blanket from the couch, leaning into the side of the bed that Danta faces and away from the sleeping butcher (wearing a muzzle of all things??) and reaches out slowly and carefully to nudge Danta hopefully into a position awake enough to ask in a quiet whisper if he minded.
You see, he’d sleep at the foot of the bed in his canine shift, provided there was room for him. But with the way the two had slept and with the way the dark-haired Ancient’s horns appear to have scratched the headboard, there really isn’t that much room. So, in light of that, the Flood nudges Danta just enough to ask whether it was okay he joins them, waits for the confirmation, and leaves the two of them to remain beneath the sheets as he twists to sleep on the edge of the bed on top of the sheets – facing out of the den with the borrowed blanket wound around him, trying to be as small as possible (which is quite a feat when all three of them are tall men).
RE: stay your pretty eyes on course - Dantalion - 12-20-2024
Danta falls asleep to the thought of hunting stags and prowling through the Leafchange undergrowth, shivering a touch at the steel muzzle that presses briefly against his skin until it warms up, his body loose and malleable to allow Asta to wrap himself around him as tightly as he wishes. And without any worry of overheating, both Ancients are liable to remain this way right up until dawn and beyond, barring any disturbances.
And if those disturbances to happen, Danta's money is on the man at his back being the cause, so when he's drawn from a deep slumber by a gentle nudge rather than the fitful shifting of a nightmare, he's bleary eyed to say the least.
[say]"Mm...?"[/say] Peeping over the blankets and furs to the man all but lurking over them, Danta stretches briefly before relaxing again and shifting enough to welcome Sunjata onto the bed. [say]"Mmhm,"[/say] he says, making very little sense but assuming the confirmation is enough to get the point across; based on the weight of the Flood's body sinking onto the bed a moment later, it is.
Practically able to feel the cold radiating off him compared to the heat of their den, it's of little surprise, really, that Danta frees an arm to snake it around Sunjata to drag him closer, huffing a warm, sleepy sigh against the back of his neck and promptly closing his eyes again. [say]"D'you need to talk or anything?"[/say] he asks before he can fall too deeply asleep.
RE: stay your pretty eyes on course - Sunjata - 12-20-2024
The butcher sleeps while the Flood curls up on the edge of the bed beneath the borrowed blanket, settling in. It was better than having to worry for every reflection in sight, better than to sleep in a space where he was by himself. If anything, just laying here at the edge of the mattress was enough to soothe the Flood’s warring heart.
He feels the arm a second later, tensing before he relaxes as he’s tugged back — sandwiching Danta between himself and his beau. The whispered question and the warm breath at the nape of his neck has him shaking his head. “[say]No. I think I’m okay.[/say]” He isn’t really, but he doesn’t know how to talk about it either.
So instead, the Flood tucks an arm up underneath the pillow and relaxes, tucking his head in as he closes his eyes and tries to leech the warmth from the two Ancients.
RE: stay your pretty eyes on course - Dantalion - 12-20-2024
Sunjata won't have to try hard at all to leech the heat from the Ancient curled around him; typical of his kind, to say that Danta runs hot is an understatement, doubly so when considering Asta's presence in the bed as well. [say]"If you're sure. Wake me if that changes,"[/say] He rumbles through a voice made deeper by sleep, taking a long, deep breath and releasing it in a comfortable sigh that has him relaxing further around the Flood, his fingers finding their way beneath the blanket wrapped around him to rest against scarred skin.
Danta passes the rest of the night like that, barring any interruptions, and with the butcher at his back and Sunjata pressed against him, one might be correct in assuming that the Maverick has never slept better. Indeed, as dawn stretches its golden fingers across the Hollowed Grounds enough to penetrate down and into the Last Whisper and the Dusklight, Danta will remain as he is, breathing slow and heavy, limbs still and warm where they tangle against the other men in his bed.
RE: stay your pretty eyes on course - Astaroth - 12-21-2024
The butcher doesn’t wake when the intrusion occurs, nor does he wake after everyone has gotten all settled in. No, Astaroth wakes when the sun starts filtering through the room in refreshing hues, and warmth radiates from him to sink into Danta’s back. He hadn’t dreamt and perhaps had slept well enough to forget the night prior.
Either that or he simply hasn't woken up enough to see the addition to the bed (one he thought that should it had happened, would remain on the foot of the bed). Because he’s twisted slightly, eyes still closed as he unclasps the muzzle and sets it off to the side, so that he can return and bury his face properly into Danta’s neck and the sleep tossed blond strands that splay against his skin and the pillow they’ve ended up sharing.
He presses soft kisses against the Maverick’s neck, ones with the intention of a gentle wake up, soft and tender as his arm moves to slip back around him when he feels the additional hard panes of a body essentially sandwiching Danta between them.
It has him immediately awake, tail twitching under the sheets as his dark gaze surveys the situation; the fact that Frey’s demigod had not been a shift at the foot of the bed (regardless of the fact Astaroth had taken up most if not all of the space there with how he’d stretched out in the night). The only boon so far is that he isn’t under the sheets with them, and from what he can tell, he still remains in his rumpled clothes.
A long hard frown twists onto his face, an awkwardness blooming that has a flush of near embarrassment heating his cheeks, but one that also has his arms twisting around Danta a touch tighter, pressing him in against his chest possessively. “[say]Danta, darling, he is in our bed.[/say]” Just in case the Maverick was unaware of such a thing – which he assumes he isn’t with how his arm is wound around the other. It takes everything in him to bite back that flare of jealousy, trying to rouse the blonde into wakefulness before he does anything horribly drastic and dramatic.
RE: stay your pretty eyes on course - Dantalion - 12-21-2024
His subconscious senses that Asta is awake even if he remains mostly asleep, Danta distantly hearing the click of the muzzle as the butcher unclasps it and sets it aside. But it's only as warm lips come pressing to the side of his neck that he starts to properly stir, and he has every intention of rolling over to continue such a gentle wake up with full reciprocation. But then he feels the other man freeze against him, tense and clearly upset, and it's as Danta blinks his eyes open - and shifts enough to realise that his arm is still wound around Sunjata.
[say]"Mm, so he is,"[/say] he mumbles, voice low and rough with sleep, purposely quiet as if not to rouse the Flood. He can practically feel the heat in the butcher's cheeks even if he can't see it, malleable as Asta draws him possessively back against his chest. [say]"I thought I had dreamed it. Must have been the middle of the night. He said something about the mirror...?"[/say] Clearly Danta neither remembers nor cares, and he tips his head back enough to try and nuzzle against the butcher's cheek.
[say]"Would you like to pretend to be asleep, still, and I'll wake him up?"[/say]