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+---- Thread: mississippi boys, inner city boys (/showthread.php?tid=10156)
RE: mississippi boys, inner city boys - Dantalion - 09-19-2024
[say]"You have never once celebrated your birthday until now,"[/say] Danta purrs, somehow making it sound like a threat. [say]"I feel as though we deserve to celebrate occasions that used to pass by unnoticed, especially now."[/say] Now that they've slept through their arguably scarce and brutal existence and have awoken into a world of indulgence and near reckless pleasure. Sure, the Caido of today has its purple-tinted issues, but compared to the life Danta used to lead, it may as well be paradise.
And besides, he leads a fucking region, something that almost has laughter bubbling into his chest when he remembers it properly.
But anyway. As his fingers brush softly across the butcher's lips, interrupting his story purely so Danta might fuss and show affection as he pleases, he raises his eyebrows with a grin. [say]"Thirteen? Damn, Asta. Your teenage years were hardcore,"[/say] he rumbles, which is a absolutely a compliment by Ancient standards. [say]"Do you remember the first person you sank your teeth into?"[/say] he asks softly, pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth.
RE: mississippi boys, inner city boys - Astaroth - 09-19-2024
“[say]I am trembling in anticipation, darling.[/say]” He says despite very much not trembling, and the wicked grin that spreads seem to agree with the sentiment even if he does have some amount of curiosity as to how they start celebrating birthdays. “[say]Then celebrate, we shall.[/say]” Conceding the point, his tail winds around Danta’s a touch tighter in comfort.
Before talk of his rite of passage comes, af least. And with it, the full display of teeth for Danta to view and poke and prod at so long as he doesn’t slice his finger. “[say]That was a good year for me.[/say]” He announces a touch playfully, leaning into the affection as his tone starts to shift into nostalgia. “[say]Yes. It wasn’t unlike our bloodlust in terms of the hunt.[/say]” He starts to recollect, dark gaze taking on a haze as he filters through his thoughts.
“[say]She was attuned with a bird shift. And the matriarch had broken her wings so she couldn’t shift and fly away, to help us.[/say]” They were only thirteen, after all. Accepted and without any shifts or items to chase after in the air. So they had grounded her. “[say]She was mortified, but I managed to snag her leg at the start.[/say]” Blinking for a few moments, he focuses back in on Danta and snatches a chaste kiss, waiting to see if he had any further questions.
RE: mississippi boys, inner city boys - Dantalion - 09-19-2024
[say]"Oh, you will be,"[/say] Danta whispers, his tone wicked with the inspiration of all the things he might be able to organise in the months leading up to Deepfrost. He promises himself - and the other man by default - that it will be a better Longnight than the one he went through last, not least because Maea won't be around to cause issues or beat the fuck out of him. (Yes, he knows, that was technically afterwards, but it was caused by the same issue, so whatever).
But then Asta flashes his sharp teeth and the Maverick melts against him further, fully entranced by any memories the butcher wishes to replay. Brushing his thumb across the other man's lower lip, Danta contents himself with watching and listening, humming a note of approval - a good year, Asta says, like a fine wine. The word matriarch brings a little curiosity, granted, but he knows enough about Whitebrim society not to want to know more, put it that way.
[say]"I bet you were so proud,"[/say] he purrs, silenced momentarily by his kiss. [say]"At least it seems as though your upbringing wasn't all bad."[/say] Brutal and savage, sure, but with some enjoyment.
RE: mississippi boys, inner city boys - Astaroth - 09-19-2024
He’s pretty sure anything would beat the Longnight of the year past — so he’s more than content to let Danta figure out the specifics. And with the two of them actually open like this? It would make for even more meaningful nights, he thinks. So he’s content to relish in the memory of his first, true hunt. And offer tidbits of the Whitebrim of the past — even long before they had all but been erased according to Maea.
Letting Danta’s thumb remain resting against his lower lip, the butcher is careful with his words despite the fact he’s got a far away look in his eye. “[say]I was quite proud.[/say]” He agrees, lips pausing to press a kiss to the thumb that’s back against his own after he snags his chaste kiss. His arms tighten around Danta’s neck. “[say]My upbringing was fine. I was left alone, mostly. I was a tracker, you see.[/say]” Not unlike his main job in the Climb, y’know, when he wasn’t beating the fuck out of people not doing their jobs.
Or Danta for no real reason except for Morax.
RE: mississippi boys, inner city boys - Dantalion - 09-19-2024
Quietly enjoying the affection lavished upon him, Danta relaxes into Asta's arms and shifts to tuck his head into the other man's shoulder, drawing a deep breath and letting it out in a long, content sigh. [say]"Mm, I think I remember you saying before that you were a scout,"[/say] he remarks, smiling to himself. [say]"We ought to make the most of your skills and send you after troublemakers who try to flee the Grounds. Might even catch yourself a snack or two along the way."[/say]
Maybe Maea had a point, as badly made as it had been - Asta could protect the whole region given the right role, the right resources. Selfishly, though, Danta likes having him around the Dusklight for the longest stretch of the day, and he can't see that changing any time soon. [say]"If Halo ever becomes Ancient friendly, maybe we can go and visit your old hunting grounds,"[/say] he suggests.
RE: mississippi boys, inner city boys - Astaroth - 09-19-2024
A scout who tracked and guided, nothing more than the useful herding dog as it so happened. But it had worked, and he had been great at it. At least until he’d come back home only to find his own clan had turned on each other in the time he’d been gone. Because of course, people had realized what was happening and had stopped taking that direct route, so his stretch had to reach farther. And even still, less and less food as the days dragged on.
And that was when he’d left — harboring zero attachment to the place that raised him, craving a change of scenery. “[say]I already do that, darling.[/say]” Not to the scale Danta is thinking, but he has gone out and caught some troublemakers before having a chance to flee. Others he’s trapped within the confines of the jails, convinced the guards he’d handle them; and well… when they weren’t found, it made paperwork easy.
Pressing another soft kiss to the blonde’s thumb, he hums a thoughtful note. “[say]There likely isn’t much left. Apparently it has all been wiped out. Though I met a cultist a while ago from there, too, they’d lost many of the customs my clan had.[/say]” No sharp teeth, no real boundaries that made them so feared. “[say]It seemed more feral and tame at the same time. Does that make sense?[/say]” He asks, blinking as the question comes into his mind.
But another takes the forefront. “[say]What was it like for you? Aside from she-who-I-shall-not-name for fear of ruining a nice evening.[/say]” He knows the mainstays, of course, but to be born Ancient? Still surrounded by people like you for the majority of your life?
RE: mississippi boys, inner city boys - Dantalion - 09-19-2024
[say]"Mm, you do, but I see that more as overtime than your actual job. Or even just a violent little hobby,"[/say] Danta says with a smirk and a gentle shrug of his shoulders. As the butcher's lips brush across the pad of his thumb, the Maverick strokes his hand across his cheek and the elegant rise of his cheekbone before sinking his fingers into his dark hair around the jut of his horns. [say]"And perhaps that's true, but how many people go out there who were actually there?"[/say] he points out. [say]"I bet half of them don't even know what they are looking for."[/say]
Of course, it might be the case that Asta doesn't want to return to that part of his past, which is entirely understandable - Danta feels much the same way, after all. Which likely explains the wrinkle of his nose as the questions are turned back on him, and he huffs out a warm breath into the crook of the other man's neck. [say]"The Climb was The Climb, even when I was a kid. You don't really need to be brought up to speed on that."[/say] he shrugs his shoulders.
[say]"I remember fighting a lot; kids and their pecking orders, you know? And I remember being hungry."[/say] A feeling that had followed the Maverick well into his adult life, as Asta well knows. [say]"I'm probably not the best example. It would have been different if I'd had real parents, I guess."[/say]
RE: mississippi boys, inner city boys - Astaroth - 09-19-2024
It is more akin to being a violent hobby, so he doesn’t correct — if anything he simply lets the Maverick nestle in further as he focuses more on the next subject, over whether or not he would even want to return. Danta makes a good point, though, that things were different because centuries had passed. What he knew to be a particular good area might have not even been on the most recent Whitebrim’s radar. “[say]Well, if it is ever an option, I would love it if you came with me.[/say]” He tests the words out, as if debating them as they pour from his lips, before the hand at his mouth and cheek is lifting to thread through still quite soft hair, brushing against the smooth obsidian of his horn.
He leans into the touch, dark eyes watching as Danta’s nose wrinkles – which is fair, he supposes, but he’d only felt it necessary to ask if Danta was so intrigued by the butcher’s own past. And given what he thought he knew about the Maverick once upon a time, well, those have proven to be false for the most part. Either that, or orchestrated by someone else. So he’d rather hear it from Danta’s own lips before letting his judgement cloud his way.
Even if Danta didn’t feel like talking about it.
So he nods as the blonde starts – familiar enough with the Climb to know what it might be like for a kid – but as Danta continues, a soft frown tugs on his face where there typically was a smile. “[say]Mm, well, I did not have real parents either.[/say]” There’s some commonality there, at the very least, even if he never had to go hungry in his youth. It was only when he’d gotten older that his portions or allotments for food became more and more spaced out – but it all depended on how well the trackers and scouts before him did their jobs.
Shifting a little and tugging Danta with him, he snags the bottle of white rum, hoisting it in a small little toast. “[say]Here’s to… Figuring this out all on our own?[/say]” He shoots Danta a playful smile, trying to lighten the mood a little, even going so far as to offer the first sip of their little toast to the blonde before he takes his own sip.
RE: mississippi boys, inner city boys - Dantalion - 09-22-2024
[say]"Oh?"[/say] Danta smiles at that, his mind briefly casting itself out towards Halo and its blanket of endless white, head lolling against Asta's shoulder even as his fingers smooth through his hair and behind his ear. [say]"Well, if that's the case, I would be honoured to come with you. I've heard there are huge bears in Halo called ursur. I'd quite like to hunt one down."[/say] Because of course he would; nosing around Whitebrim and the butcher's old hunting grounds is just a bonus at that point.
His enthusiasm dampens, naturally, as he's reminded of his own childhood, the Maverick raising an eyebrow to hear Asta speak again, and he scoffs under his breath. [say]"With how balanced and well-rounded we turned out, who needs 'em?"[/say] His smile is wry and self-deprecating, and he very willingly adjusts himself to snag the bottle of rum for the toast.
[say]"Mmhm, and here's to not having to deal with any of that any more,"[/say] he agrees, taking a very healthy swig from the bottle before handing it back to Asta to enjoy as well. [say]"And also to my first real vacation,"[/say] he adds, winking.
RE: mississippi boys, inner city boys - Astaroth - 09-22-2024
Truthfully, the last thing Astaroth expects Danta to want to see when it came to Halo were the ursurs, and it’s evidenced by the smile that twists a touch wider despite the rest of his face taking on an almost confused look – hidden by how the blonde’s head lolls into his shoulder, but maybe felt with the way the Maverick’s hands smooth through his dark hair, still soft from the healing fountain. “[say]Somehow I am both surprised and not surprised by that realization. I figured you may be more inclined to want to see the white dragons.[/say]” The ones that terrorized the span of land for quite some time. But an ursur was likely easier to come by, and certainly easier to take down.
But talk dampens the mood, focusing on the fact that neither of them had parents to raise them but societies own appointed ‘mothers’ in a sense. And as he shifts to hand Danta the bottle of white rum, a deep hum of a laugh leaves him as he nods. “[say]We are quite stellar.[/say]” He drawls as if to punctuate the point, even if it comes out a touch sarcastic. But hey, Danta’s really made a name for himself since then. Ruling a region, doing whatever it was he pleased with his own decisions, not influenced by someone else. And given everything, the butcher finds in the deep recesses of his heart that he’s quite proud of him.
“[say]Thank Dygra for that.[/say]” The butcher flashes a bright, sharp grin toward Danta as he takes the bottle back, lifting to his lips as his dark honeyed gaze lingers on the Maverick. “[say]The first of many, I am sure.[/say]” Which, if they all went like this? He certainly does need to go on more as well.
The rum burns as it slips down his throat, letting a soft hiss escape his lips as he shifts to set the bottle back down, twisting in the bed to tug Danta up against him to tangle his legs with his and his tail around him. “[say]For what it is worth, I am sorry I threw you into the fountain.[/say]” He offers quietly, pressing his face into the golden crown of the other Ancient’s hair.
RE: mississippi boys, inner city boys - Dantalion - 09-22-2024
[say]"Eh, aren't white dragons a lot more difficult to spot? And a lot harder to kill?"[/say] Danta asks, furrowing his brow. [say]"We hear enough black dragons in The Climb. I figured they were just the same, except white and frosty."[/say] Which is yet another reason why he doesn't think he'd want to run into one. At least an ursur would be warm if he succeeded in killng it - and he might have an easier time of it, too. Only experience would really tell, though.
Happy to be considered stellar in any sense of the word, not least by Asta, the Maverick relaxes fully into the other man's arms, his tail curling gently about them, the blankets feeling suddenly warmer and heavier as he starts to consider sleep at last. [say]"The first of many if I have anything to say about it,"[/say] he agrees, raising his eyebrows at the butcher's last comment, only for a soft laugh to rumble up in his chest.
[say]"Don't be - it was pretty funny, now that I've had a chance to get over myself,"[/say] he says, leaning in to kiss the side of Asta's neck before burying his face and letting out a long sigh. [say]"If I fall asleep, I'll say goodnight now,"[/say] he mumbles, his voice muffled by the other man.
RE: mississippi boys, inner city boys - Astaroth - 09-22-2024
“[say]Essentially.[/say]” Astaroth hums, though white dragons for him in his youth had been a combination of mortifying and mystifying, and without the worries of being an Ancient and turning to stone, he can recall a few times he’d had to find cover whenever one flew above. But as they reorient themselves in bed and the warmth of Danta drapes him now, the butcher finds it all that much more relaxing – sinking into the pillows and winding his arms tight around the other Ancient, quite content despite pressing a few of Danta’s buttons earlier.
Buttons that don’t seem to bother him that much at the moment with the laugh that rumbles out of his chest to his apology. “[say]Mm, goodnight, darling.[/say]” Asta hums, head shifting a little to keep his cheek pressed against Danta’s crown, indulging in the soft kiss left behind against his neck and the way the Maverick’s buried his face against his skin. He isn’t that tired yet, so as Danta sinks into sleep, his hands will continue to smooth and trace patterns into his back beneath the blankets as he tries to lull himself into his own slumber.
RE: mississippi boys, inner city boys - Dantalion - 09-22-2024
As it happens, for perhaps the first time since the start of their friendship (and then some), it is not a good sleep for the Maverick. His nightmares are few and far between compared to Astaroth's, it's true, but a combination of the booze, the long day and talk about his past before sleeping must have rattled a few subconscious cages, because some of his demons sneak out. And as the moon stretches high and they reach the dead of night, he starts to stir.
Luckily, Danta is no danger to anyone as a result of his bad dreams, and so the most Asta will get is woken up by the Maverick's flailing in his sleep. Quite what he's facing is unclear, only that he's trying to make himself small, shifting and kicking out as if to find something to back up against, some corner to hide in. Of course there's nothing like that in the bed they're in, and if he's not careful he'll find the end of it and fall away into the empty air.
RE: mississippi boys, inner city boys - Astaroth - 09-22-2024
It’s the last thing he expects, to be honest. Because as he sinks into the slumber of his own that’s relatively benign, the butcher can be quite a light sleeper (without the sedatives on board). So when Danta starts to move, there’s the moment of his arms tightening as he’s pulled from his dreamless sleep, failed attempts until he manages to actually start to register what’s happening. And by that time, it’s with Danta already flailing, kicking out against his leg and scooting back toward the edge of the bed.
“[say]Darling..?[/say]” His voice is rough with sleep but it’s quiet in his confusion, shifting to twist and try and snag at him to keep him from falling out of the bed when the blonde’s flailing again. He doesn’t have the dart ability that Danta and Charlie do, but he does have long gangly limbs that allow him to maneuver just so that Danta in his sleep won’t realize that the thing he’s backing up against is his scarred chest. He doesn’t grab him just yet, despite how much he wants to, trying to keep him from scooting around the bed to the floor any way he can. “[say]Danta, love, you are okay. Everything is okay.[/say]” Comes the slightly louder, more awake tone, trying to wake him slowly but enough that he could register it, but realizing belatedly that his own voice might not even be helpful here, given their history.