deercountry | [Open] 🚬 June Flames

Never said I was average, did I. [dabi arches and ducks like a cat to avoid getting a stalactite across his face or down his back.] Pretty sure there's nothin average about this place.

[well he's also a bit a head of dito and the cave isn't lit up, so it won't be easy to make him out in the tunnel right now. dabi's following his omen through the otherwise gloom, listening for sounds that herald an attack or something living escaping away from their approach.]

Wasn't askin for a review.

[interesting to note this guy immediately picked up on the family name thing. maybe he was also from some variant of earth's japan? that seems to be a somewhat recurrence among the sleepers... or he could be referring to a lack of family to have a family name. lame thought.]

Ya give it that name or was it already attached?

[dabi steps out of the tunnel and into another chamber. his omen moves to his side, the glowing blue flames down its back lighting up the area around him.] Text

Oh, I could already tell you weren't anything even approaching average. Even before you started throwing fireballs around.

[This guy likes to keep his cards close to the vest, it seems. It's easy to assume just from the fact that he keeps choosing to hide his facial expressions, but the curt way he speaks only reinforces that idea.

Zero was like that too, and Dito isn't sure whether it's that or the mysterious nature of the man that has him so intrigued. Probably a bit of both-- like a book Dito hasn't had the pleasure of opening yet.]

As for my furry compatriot here--

[Bakari suddenly cuts in with an affronted sniff.]

"It" has a gender, you know. I'd been calling out my name for some time, hoping this useless male would finally listen and summon his Omen as any self-respecting Sleeper would have done ages ago.

It's not my fault he keeps his meager brain attic stuffed to the rafters with thoughts of sex and murder.

[Dito throws up his arms in a helpless shrug.] This is what she does for fun, she kinkshames. Be lucky that yours isn't nearly so opinionated.

Flattery ain't gonna get ya places, kid. Build me up too much and I might disappoint ya.

[there's something sarcastic about his words, self-depreciating in a way that's as dismissive as it is wry. with himself out of the cave hallway, that gives dito enough room to pull himself out and get into the larger chamber beyond it.

he glances to the other pair starts speaking, first the guy, then the hyena huffing and growling.]

My bad. [see: "don't care". a brow arches at the mentions of stuffed attics and sex + murder combo. someone just outed its master.] Not all Sleepers can get it right immediately. [a bored dismissive defense of dito's stupidity and/or lack of skills. the male's personal defense doesn't help either.]

Rethinkin that extra part if murder's the end of a fuck with you...

[not that he wouldn't incinerate this asshole if he tried.]

Wolf's free to make its own opinions.

[even said, the lupine omen doesn't care to interject. likely because dabi mostly still sees his omen as a weapon or a tool rather than engaging it like a pet or a friend as most sleepers do.]

Well, seein' as it's been several minutes and you haven't blown any smoke up my ass once, you've already got a leg up on my former mistress. Take it easy on the "kid" stuff, though. I'm 22.

[This correction's becoming rote at this point, honestly. Dito squeezes out of the cramped cavern and takes a moment to look around. There's a light but pungent damp smell in the room, as if it had taken on water damage over the years. The sound of crumbling rocks fills the air, but fortunately the foundations look relatively sturdy for now. Moldering books sit inside bookshelves that seem to have been untouched for centuries.

In a corner of the room, overturned and broken pottery litters the floor, their contents long since crumbled to dust-- or maybe they held the ashes of some forgotten people. Approaching one of the broken vases, Dito bends down and sifts some of the dust between his fingers.]

Seems like it's just a bunch of old junk in here. Think we're gonna find anything of value?

Ya look like ya 16.

[depends on the kind of smoke. but then again, dabi hasn't exactly lied to him, cause nothing dito's asked has been anything nearly sensitive enough for it. the idea of this guy having a mistress is rather amusing, especially since he's so casual about. just how carnal was this guy's previous life?

or maybe he's a whore.

dabi's mildly distracted by the things in the room, moving forward after nonchalantly making sure dito made it out of the tunnel. wolf stays by his side, lighting up the area around him with that same haunting blue glow. crumbling rocks is not a good sound when underground and he waits for that to die away before continuing his look about the room. books... heh, those are gonna fall apart if you touch them, if not just melt all over your fingers. might be time to get some gloves out.

pulling said gloves on, he gives his fingers a few flexes before quietly moving books to the side, unable to read what's on the rotten spines. not putting much faith in them, he focuses on inspecting the bookcase and anything that might be sitting around on it of interest. like... this thing. probably a book end, but the spiky ball of metal and rock is at least an eye-catching trinket. might actually be gold outlines once the grime's cleaned away...]

Depends on ya sense of value. Some people would be very interested in the books. I think they'll fall apart if ya try to open them. [not even sure what's left inside is legible.] Probably not in this room, but deeper in, maybe.

Wolf. [the canine beside him glances up with its burning blue eyes. yeah, dabi's real original with names.] See if there's any other exits. [at which point his omen dips its head and moves off to start inspecting the perimeter of the room. one small drop of flame slips off its tail, leaving a floating ball of blue fire beside dabi for light.]

[Dito rolls his eyes at that, shaking his thick hair out of his face. He really ought to see a barber one of these days-- this mane's getting rather uncontrollable.]

Yeah, yeah. I've heard that before. My mistress liked me that way. Young. Cute. Virginal. Especially virginal.

[His face twists; his voice speaks the words as if they leave a disgusting taste in his mouth, and perhaps they do. Other than that his tone is casual, almost bored, and he idly peruses the bookshelves as he talks.]

I wasn't, obviously-- haven't been for a long time-- but when someone as powerful as her wants you to be a certain way, you don't really get a say in the matter, y'know? I wouldn't be surprised if she worked some magic to deliberately make me look like this. Wouldn't put it past her, honestly.

[don't look at him. dabi cuts his own hair and this spiky mop is the result. technically that's just how it grew, but it's got some more ragged ends than other spike-headed people around. liable to end up straight whacking dito's bangs right off.]

Ya only got that trait once. Then ya all used up.

[another glowing example of not giving a crap about other people. he listens to the insinuating telltale and pockets the metal spike burst he found a few seconds ago. recognizing the emotion in dito's voice, he doesn't have to see it on his face. not sure why people like to talk about things they don't like to talk about. especially to strangers.]

Yeah. I know.

[dabi abandons the bookshelf and goes off to kick around a few of the pots dito had looked through, scanning the dust and slime inside. nothing of interest here.]

Didja kill her?

While following his fellow centipede, the demon chances upon a familiar face. He notices the teen sleeping beneath the tree. It's been quite the time...hasn't it? The old man smiles. He debates whether or not to interrupt the other's nap for sake of conversation. However, Chin Yisou isn't given the choice. His small centipede scuttles up to the teen and nudges him.

Xiao Wu!

The demon scolds loudly. He startles while dreading what's to come of a rude awakening...

Bump... bump... The little nudging is more than enough to stir Dabi to waking, blue eyes twitching once before flashing open. He's not survived as long as he has by being slow to wake up. Instinct and alertness keep him from lashing out immediately, his eyes dropping to the bumping thing. Just in case it was some beast, predator, or enemy checking him out. Reacting could've prompted an aggressive response before he was ready.

Instead, there's some... bug-looking creature? And then a voice calling out towards him? It? Probably it. Dabi lifts his head and a bleary scowl aims at the approaching man. "This yours?"

"My apologies!" The old man bows.

Chin Yisou scoops up the impish critter. He regards the sleepy teen with a nervous laugh.

"It's been quite some time, hasn't it?"

The demon wonders if he would be remembered. After all, it wouldn't surprise him if the teen forgot their misadventure.

More awake now, the younger man sits up out of his slouch by the tree trunk. His eyes linger on the man, particularly when he talks about "some time" as if they've met before.

"Do I know ya?"

There's... a vague, faint recollection, and it shows in his eyes. Wheels turning, memories flickering, a search going on.

"Wait... the fuckin circus."

"Exaclty!" The demon cheers.

He squats down in the grass while holding his peculiar pet. While glancing to the sky, more questions comes to his mind.

"So, have you been on any fun adventures of late?" The demon asks with an eye casted at him.

Of course, there may be some cases where the Trench is anything but fun.

That at least proves his memory's working well. Dabi keeps an eye on the guy, gaze narrowed in a slightly wary expression. So that bug-looking thing is his omen, hm...

"Nothin since those portals in April." There had been some events between then, with some going on right now as well, but nothing he'd want to babble about. "Not a lot of things are "fun" in this place."

[Dabi might have meant that as an insult, or even just a dismissive offhanded comment, but he's gotten closer to Dito's own frame of mind than he probably realizes. Purity and virginity weren't things that appealed to Dito-- in fact, he hated it in others as much as he hated putting on his own pretense. Anyone who claimed to be virtuous or righteous were only fooling themselves. Everyone was damaged goods, in one way or another. People like Dito were the only ones brave enough to admit it.

At Dabi's query a sudden change comes over the smaller man. His posture grows more loose and fluid-- the meager amount of light in the room shows a flush suffusing his face.]

Yes. [The word is a dreamy sigh, as if he were just now thinking of a romantic, passionate encounter and not a violent and fatal one.] Yes, I killed her. I killed the hell out of her. No asking for details now, or I'm sure to embarrass myself.

[He flashes a cheeky grin, the impish and coy sort of grin of someone who's never been embarrassed about anything in his entire life.]

Let's save the dirty talk for someplace a little more comfortable, yeah?

[wow. dito really would've hated the heroes in his world if he doesn't like people claiming virtuous or righteous in themselves. granted, a lot of the heroes aren't going around claiming to be saints and perfect people, but there's certainly a general sense of heroes being "better" than others they fight against. refusing to admit the mistakes they've made or the weakness that show up if you opt to scratch the surface. not that there's much talk about virginity and such going on though...

finishing with the inspection, dabi leaves the pots and remaining furniture alone as he heads for the far wall, where wolf has found another pathway leading out of the room and further into the cave system.]

Good. [no asking for details from this one. considering the reaction dito has to that simple revelation, dabi's not about to invite the man to orgasm all over the floor while they're walking. weirdo... already embarrassed himself.]

Ain't the kind to carry on a conversation while fuckin. [bit of a heads up for later. he's had the random chatterbox for a partner and it's annoying. dirty talk, real dirty talk, is fine. regaling you with how i murdered my master, is not.]

How long ya been in Trench? [with that, dabi slips through the hole and starts following wolf through the passageway.]

Yeah, well, I guess I just have shit luck.

[ for a second he just eyes the canister, kind of like he thinks it might not be real. but when he finally reaches out to pick it up, he can confirm that it's definitely real—and definitely not just an empty container, either.

not that he really suspected it might be, of course. no trust issues here. nnnope. ]

Oh, I won't be wasting any of them. I'm not looking for an excuse to be lazy.

How cavalier...

[more of a sarcastic, but noted drone than anything complimentary. dabi tucks the cloak away under the table; he'll be making good use of that in the future, so no complaints at all about the trade. hopefully levi's gonna be able to find or acquire another blood-proof robe or he's gonna get fucked up bad out there. if he ever goes hunting that is.

as for the disinfecting wipes, they're very much real. with that same intense "clean and zesty" scent if he cares to pop the top and take an aromatic sampling gander. it's pretty hefty too, no skimping on the wipes inside. dabi has no issue with levi checking the traded item out; he'd have done the exact same thing.]

If ya were lookin to be lazy, ya wouldn't be askin for cleanin products.

"Oh, you must have not been able to partake in the other games , no?"

The demon smiles with a wicked gleam. He cuddles with his centipede companion.

"I met this little guy after going through the board game."

His statement is intentionally vague, as though to spark some curiosity.

"What kinda "games" do ya mean?" Dabi notes the gleam in the man's smile. Never did care to treat this guy as anything less than a potential threat ready to go off... Not someone to trust. Cuddling a bug like that doesn't help his image much either.

"That was months ago. Have you been stuck in there all this time?" The vagueness of his comment is wary, but Dabi's keen to talk in the same just to gather some more information. Strange this guy sought him out... or was it happenstance?

The old man pauses for a moment. He shakes his head 'no.'

"Not quite," he replies. "I was referring to how I came across this guy. I was in the jungle for about a week before falling into the Catacombs."

He places Xiao Wu down to scuttle about. The centipede looks at the teen and tilts its head in curiosity.

"Have you been through similar trials?"

Chin Yisou asks with a doubt whether or not he will respond honestly. He seems...guarded. The demon thinks with a frown.

Dabi regards him with the same distance, though isn't making to get up and leave. "The jungle? Hard to believe you were stuck in there." Suggesting he figures the man would easily be able to get out of such a thing. "Ya mean the caves under Trench?"

With those cave ins and everything that was found beneath the city... Interesting times. Dabi eyes the creature peering at him like that, but doesn't summon his own omen or make a threat. Strange to see someone physically interacting with their omen like it was a living pet. "Been through a few events, but wouldn't call any of them a trial."

"Hmmm I've been through those too," Chin Yisou laughs. "Seems like I tend to run into poor luck."

He glances at the sky. A lot has happened, but despite the challenges, the demon feels more free. He tilts his head to the side.

"So, you've been through some events," he begins. "Yet, found them too easy? If that's the case, I'm sure you've found many treasures haven't you?"

The talk of treasure leads Chin Yisou's mind into another tangent. Perhaps I can ask...but would it be of use?

"Find anythin interestin?" Mostly people found books about lore, tools for crafting your own bloodstones, lunar orbs, and then random shit from other worlds. Dabi found interest in all of those save for the first one. Didn't give a shit about lore.

"A few." As to whether they were "easy" or not, the villain lifts his shoulders in a casual shrug. "If ya know what to look for, you can avoid some of the worse parts." Or simply get really lucky and dodge them by not leaving your residence... Mentions of treasure earn a small hum. "A few things I've kept for myself, yeah."

I'll try my best to temper my crushing disappointment. [Sarcasm, of course-- it's not like Dito cares what sort of vocalizations people let out in bed. As long as they weren't the ear-piercing shrieks his former mistress used to burst out with mid-coitus. But Dabi didn't seem like a shrieker. He didn't seem anything at all-- Dito still can't quite see the man in all this darkness, and he's starting to suspect it was entirely deliberate on Dabi's part.

He follows the taller man at a short distance, ducking his head to avoid the opening to the tunnel (which wasn't necessary-- short as he was he would've cleared the entrance standing on tiptoe).]

I dunno. Five months, maybe? Six? Time just kinda blurs together in this place after a while. How 'bout you?

Think you'll manage. [it's entirely deliberate on dabi's part, sticking to skulking around in the shadows and staying on the periphery of the flame-lit glow produced by his omen's fire. while he's certainly not some silent prick in bed, he's not really one for chattering through the pleasure. dirty talk being an exception, since that's usually broken up pretty well.

carrying through the tunnel after his omen, he stays turned to his side, sidling between the rocks and narrow openings. tsk, as long as he doesn't get stuck in this place. so far they haven't reached any area they have to squeeze through, so that's a plus. finally exiting into another chamber, dabi lights up the place with another burst of flames. a few things actually scurry off in the distance across the river, but nothing else bothers them on this side.]

Four or five. Not long. [dito's right about this place blurring everything together after a bit.]

[Open] 🚬 June Flames

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(cw: past sexual abuse)

no subject

Re: Prompt Two

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

omg he would NEVER

Good man!

no subject

sorry for the delay - family weekend.

Re: Hope you had a great time!

good for the most part! thx~

Re: You're welcome!

no subject

no subject

no subject