hadriel_logs | Open Log for June

Entry tags:

Open Log for June

Who: Damen and Open
What: Damen does various things with various people around Hadriel in June.
Where: Various places around the city
When: Any day between 6 - 14 June
Warnings: Probably violence, fighting monsters. Also please note my warning for potentially triggering material which may arise when threading with Damen - it's unlikely to come up, but just in case!

A: Training Regime

[ Damen has been imprisoned before. His attitude to that had been the same as it is to this place; to endure, knowing that if escape is not possible now, it will be later, and to survive until that point. Logically speaking, that's a wonderful idea.

In practice, it's harder. The influence of the gods makes it harder, because that kind of magic is something he's never had to endure. He wouldn't even have believed it possible. The influence of Rage had turned people against each other, and had forced Damen to face in battle a creature with powers that should have left him dead. Weeks later, he still doesn't know why it didn't. Then the dreams had come, and teased him with offerings of a world that might have been, and a future that may still be, if he can't prevent it.

These are thoughts he doesn't want to have. Thoughts that he blanks out every morning, when he rises early, and goes to the park, to the spot between the trees where he likes to train. He strips down only to his chiton, and puts his body through drill after drill intended to hone, keep him sharp, and keep his muscles ready. It's discipline as much as anything else. When he's done with the sword, he'll work with his spear, and then his shield, and combinations of the three. Ordinarily, he trains alone; but sparring partners will be welcome, particularly those with skill - or if you want to train along with him, he'll welcome that too. ]

B: Cave Exploration

[ Since Maketh and Hotspur drew up their rota, Damen has taken his turn to patrol the city. He considers this the most useful thing he ever does - one of the only ways to be useful here. When he finishes his shift today, though, another awaits. He doesn't go into the caves every day. They are frankly too dangerous for that. But the monsters there are strong, and allowing their numbers to grow is against his sensibilities. There are days when he goes out determined to thin that herd.

Or maybe it's just that there are days when he needs a real fight, when training won't quite sate the urge.

He goes there directly, his sword sheathed at his side. In his hand is a torch - an electric one salvaged from one of the stores. Damen is, as a rule, not fond of modern technology, but he's fond enough of this. Perhaps you're here for the same reason as he is, or perhaps you have an innocent interest in the caves that he's about to spoil. Either way, when he sees you, he calls for your attention. ]

Did you bring something with which to fight? You'll need it, if we're going in there.

C: Delight's Bar

[ He's in an entirely different world, farther from home than he could have imagined, and yet Damen has still managed to find a place offering good Akielon wine. This is the closest taste to home he can imagine, and honestly, it's better than good. Damen has no love for any of the gods here, but at least Delight has her priorities straight. He looks relaxed, which is a strange enough occurrence for him in this place, but the bottle in his hand is halfway to empty, and his eyes are heavier for it.

It really is good wine.

This, of course, makes him friendlier than usual. Even if he doesn't know you, you might find him talking to you as you approach the bar. ]

You know, I searched every one of those empty restaurants for something this good, and the best bottle I found would have felled a giant with one sip. Delight knows what she's doing. What's your drink? Sit with me a while.

D: Spire Four

[ The problem with living in a Spire, Damen had found, was the unceasing need to go up all the stairs. He and Laurent had are on the third floor, and Damen honestly can't fathom how anyone would have the patience to clamber higher. About the only good thing he could say about that is that it offers good exercise.

So does climbing three flights with a day's scavenging in tow, though. For once, he's not dressed in Akielon clothing. No, for the sake of hygiene alone, he can't do that all the time. That means he's forced into wearing what he finds here - which, for the record, makes him feel ridiculous, since almost everything is too tight, and many of the pants are too short. It's rare that he finds anything that fits perfectly, and today's ensemble includes a shirt that's missing its sleeves (because he tore them off), and is open at the collar (because the top three buttons won't close). His pants are made of stiff blue cotton, but rolled up above his sandals because they wouldn't reach his ankles if he begged it of them.

In short, he looks like a fool.

His haul includes several cans of indeterminate quality, some rolls of sweet-smelling bread, and something that genuinely looks like sweetmeats. He'd grabbed those as soon as he saw them. Now he's hauling them, along with another bag filled with weapons from the armoury, up three flights of stairs. He doesn't totally take in the person he comes across there, too absorbed in making sure nothing falls back down. ]

Do you live on this floor? If you could help me I'd be grateful. I've clearly brought too much.

E: Create your own!

Prompt Damen! I can be contacted on Plurk at halfbloodly for plotting if you would like.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Honestly, when Damen hears that sound, he doesn't pay attention to the human voice accompanying it. Instinctively he draws his sword, assuming only that one of the creatures from the caves has gotten inside. He prepares, planting himself at the foot of the stairs.

This is not a good place to fight anyone; the height of the stairs will give the monster an advantage. But if it's what must be done, then it must be done. He hefts his blade -

And a small flying creature comes into view. He's still staring at it in startled disbelief, when a far more familiar face follows it down.

Now Damen straightens, his intent at once refocusing. His jaw sets, while his muscles brace for a fight.

(You'll lose, just like you lost before.)

But he'll fight, either way. ]

You. What business have you here? Is that thing - [ Nodding at the dragon. ] - yours?

Edited 2016-06-11 04:39 (UTC)

[At the sight of the sword, the small dragon lets out a startled "Kyuuuuu!" and decides that the washcloth in Hakkai's hand is a lot less intimidating and flies over to him, landing on his shoulder.

Hakkai stops in place as he sees the man that he...uh...yeah...

His eyes are wide from the surprise and he stiffens a bit noticing that the other man is ready for a fight. He shifts from one foot to the other and folds his arms over his stomach in a passive gesture.

The expression on his face is world's different from the nearly emotionless expression he held when they first met. If "meeting" is what one could call it.]

Ah...well...I live...

[He motions up the stairwell.]

And yes, he's mine. I was trying to give him a bath and he decided that he wasn't going to have any part of it.

[Hakkai's voice even sounded a little different from before. It wasn't nearly as icy, either. It was even gentle.

Maybe they could just...talk about his pet dragon and he wouldn't need to find the appropriate time and way to apologize. Even though he still felt really guilty for what he did.]

[ One creature flies to another, and Damen stas between them both. His last encounter with this man had certainly not included this little one, and the friendly nature of it now throws him off balance. It would be easier, he thinks, if they were fighting again.

He'd woken on the floor of an unfamiliar beating with no explanation. He should have been dead. That might have been easier. ]

You live where?

[ Suspicion in his tone. This creature lives here, in his spire? He hadn't known. The thought of it makes him feel vaguely ill. ]

[Hakkai can feel the tension in the air and hear the suspicion in his voice.]

I live on the floor right above this one with my roommate.

[It would have been easier if they just decided to hash it out again, this time with less malice on his part, but he doesn't have the desire to fight him at all. He doesn't understand why last time merely seeing this man breathing made him feel like he needed to get rid of him.

The mere memory of that feeling makes his heart twist.

His hands drop in front of him and lay on top of one another. He bends at the waist into an apologetic bow. The dragon flies off his shoulder so that he won't fall off.]

I apologize for my behavior the last time we encountered one another. I wasn't in control of my emotions at the time. I don't intend to cause anymore trouble for you if I can help it. If there is any way that I can make up for it, please do not hesitate to ask me.

[He chose his words carefully, but stays bowed until there is a reply whether it was forgiving or merciless. He didn't want to apologize for beating him up because that's just downright insulting.]

[ Damen isn't sure what he was expecting, but it definitely wasn't this. He's not sure what to say, and even less sure what to do. As both Prince and King, he is no stranger to men kowtowing to him, but they don't do it like this.

In Vere, they bend the knee to their Prince. In Akielos, they drop to the floor; the lowest of them go straight to their stomachs. They don't bend at the waist. This is something different.

Unsure how to approach it, he gestures in the way that would have told his people to rise in Akielos, and eyes the creature with some wariness. ]

Few were controlling their emotions then. I suspect Rage was behind it. The whole city was full of it, and when you...found me, I was patrolling to try and control it.

[ This is said to show he holds no grudge, though the uncertainty around his eyes remains the same. ]

Why did I survive our bout? I'm not a fool. I shouldn't have.

[Hakkai glances at the motion and stands up straight. The motion was a bit more regal than he was used to, so maybe this man was some sort of aristocrat or something back in his world. It didn't matter. He apologized and it was done.

He places his hands onto his hips]

I'm fairly certain that it was Rage's fault. I was also trying to inspect what was happening since I could sense the heightened blood lust in the air. I was doing fine until I saw you. But I really had no problem with you personally.

[He pauses and looks up to the ceiling then back at the larger man.]

I was able to finally come to my senses. I didn't want to kill you, well...I did at the time, but...haha...I'm sure you understand what I mean.

I don't kill people for no reason at all.

[ You have the power to, Damen thinks. It's difficult for him to look at Hakkai now and see past the balls of energy that had thrown his body around. Had his body been less durable, he might have died before Hakkai even had a chance to come to his senses.

Perhaps unconsciousness had been enough.

Hakkai has the power of a killer, but not the bearing of one. That's clear enough, and if he could convince himself to think around the memory of what happened, he would know it for sure. Reason has never been his strongest point, not when emotion is involved.

But he knows also that Hakkai is right. What was felt on that day had not been natural. ]

I understand. But you were too much for me, and then some. I've never seen power like yours before.

[ He hesitates, and then speaks the words that have been bothering him since this started. ]

I've never seen a human move so fast. Or hit so hard, and believe me, I've fought many men. You're not one.

[ Is he trying to convince Hakkai, or himself? ]

What are you?

[Hakkai's expression shifts a bit into something a bit terse. He doesn't look at anything in particular when the question is posed. It's not something he likes to talk about, but it's something that's prevalent even in his own world.

The polite and nice thing to do would be to explain what he is to someone he nearly killed because of his abilities. What he wants to do is reply with something snarky.]

Would it make you feel better to know? Would it really make a difference?

Introductions normally start with 'who' and not 'what'. I do have a name.

[Maybe he is wrong in answering like that. Maybe he owes this man some sort of explanation. But he doesn't associate himself with his own 'kind'.]

Edited 2016-06-22 16:54 (UTC)

[ Damen's eyes narrow a little.

He hasn't been thinking of Hakkai as a person. No human could have done what he'd done, or borne the strength that he'd showed. He's been thinking of him as a creature, without any more specific description than that. Part of the reason for that had been Hakkai's obvious rage during their encounter, though; he hadn't been willing to talk then. He'd seemed like an animal.

A barbarian.

That thought is what makes Damen pause. How often have people thought the same of him? ]

It would begin to explain things, if I knew. That would make a difference. You did things that I've never seen anyone do. Or anything. If I'm rude, it's because concussion makes me unfriendly.

[ He makes himself temper that feeling. A muscle moves in his jaw, and he says: ]

I am Damianos, King of Akielos. Who are you?

My name is Hakkai.

[His expression softens.]

I wish we met in better circumstances, but it is nice to meet you properly.

[So him being a King makes sense on being very...curt with him. But here, his status of King doesn't matter here and that must have been a bit hard. Or so he thinks. He didn't know the man well enough to make those kinds of assumptions, so he won't.

But...he did make a good point. Concussion would make anyone a bit on edge.]

To be completely honest, I don't feel comfortable telling people what I am. But, since you requested to know and I did say that I would make up for it...

I am a demon. That is what I am. Right now, I appear human because of my power limiters.

[He smiles a bit awkwardly. Yes, power limiters. If those had been off, more than just Damen would have been in serious danger.]

So, now you know, er--how should I refer to you as?

[ A demon.

In fairness, the word itself doesn't mean much to Damen. It doesn't invoke any more fear than the sight of Hakkai already have, because he's seen what he can do. He's seen what it means to be a demon. Now, the only difference is he can put a name to it.

He nods. ]

I told you my name. Damianos will do.

[ 'Damen' is a nickname that his friends had given, and he has yet to establish if this one will become his friend. He would, however, rather they were not enemies. He lets his gaze flick to the creature on Hakkai's shoulders. ]

And him, does he have a name? I took him for one of the monsters of this place, but I see that he isn't.

[ Hopefully, anyway. He has the impression that he might have frightened the dragon more than it frightened him. ]

Damianos, then.

[He would have been a bit hard pressed to use 'Your Majesty' because that seemed awkward here.

He looks over at the dragon who is perched firmly on his shoulder. The little thing was definitely more frightened of Damen, but he could read conversations well enough to start to relax a little.

Hakkai smiles softly.]

This is Hakuryuu. He's harmless.

[He reached up and started to pet him.]

Back in my world, I found him injured and nursed him back to health. He's been so good to me ever since. Isn't that right?

[The dragon let out a 'kyuuuu!' in affirmation.]

Would you like to pet him?

[ It's strange to see Hakkai so gentle with the dragon. Damen, who actually is fond of animals, steps forward at the invitation. His own expression softens as it focuses on Hakuryuu, and he lifts a careful hand. He brings it towards the dragon, not quite touching, but offering it, to see if the dragon will permit. ]

I would like that. I've never seen a creature like him before.

[ His eyes slide back to Hakkai, then. ]

I have no wish to repeat our bout. What happened was not your fault. I know that.

I'm grateful, that you stopped when you did.

[The dragon bends his neck just a bit to allow the man to pet him on the head. He's been around a rowdy group of men long enough to have the patience of a saint. And even though Damen scared him, things seemed fine now.]

I'm glad that I stopped when I did as well.

I also don't want to fight anyone that I don't need to. There are enough monsters here for that.

[He smiles a bit more, feeling a little better about the situation.]

If you ever want dinner or anything, you're welcome to come up for some. I don't mind cooking for an extra person.

[ The dragon is strangely calm and tame. Like a pet. It must be a pet, and that thought is about as strange to Damen as the magic Hakkai can do. ]

That’s kind. I’m still getting used to cooking here.

[ Actually, he’s still getting used to cooking as a general rule. Damen has rarely been in the position of having to cook for himself. Even at war, there would have been servants to do that. ]

The machines they use to cook here don’t exist where I’m from. Our kitchens are full of braziers and wood fires. It’s all very new.

The machines here are a little off. They don't quite work the same, but are similar enough to the ones I'm used to, so I've been able to figure them out after a bit of trial and error.

I've had to cook with many different means.

[Hakkai is oddly the one most capable of domestic duties in his group and he enjoys it.

He brings the dragon back to himself and holds it close to his chest.]

Now that I've caught him, I should give him a bath now.

[At that, the dragon wiggles unhappily. He bows his head politely.]

Just message me if you ever need a lesson in cooking or are too tired to scrounge up a meal.

[ Damen inclines his head in return. This was strange, but he’s not sorry they met. He steps back. ]

I’m glad we had the chance to clear the air. I am sure I will see you again.

[ Whether he comes looking or not, if they truly live so close by. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Open Log for June

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject