deercountry | [open] bad doggie!

Entry tags:

[open] bad doggie!

Who: Nehan + OPEN (one thread closed to specific people)
What: Someone (Nehan) died before someone's (Nehan's...) birthday, and not of fun. Featuring the aftermath of said death, an angry squid, and a doctor who's bad at taking care of himself.
When: forward-dated to Jan. 19 and later
Where: Primarily in Nehan's house, but the death thread is set in the wilderness.

Content Warnings: Violence, beasthood, death, paleblood powers, traumatic memories of near-death experiences, some nudity, Nehan-typical self-loathing, mentions of sex, Jan. TDM-style body horror. More TBA as they come up.

a: squid time

[nehan's tub is modest by human standards. large for a man of his (usual) size, but massive for a little squid, almost transparent save for its rainbow-colored insides, the most prominent of which is sunshine-yellow. the squid is absolutely tiny, no bigger than an adult human's hand.

there's a grab bar attached to the wall next to the tub, and the edge of the tub opposite it, clearly for nehan's use when he's an erune, because what will a squid do with those? he cant even reach them. though he's definitely trying, swimming back and forth, and occasionally reaching out with a little tentacle in an attempt to reach it.

but of course, he cant reach it, and that frustrates the squid enough that he jets out a little bit of dark ink. literally farting in anger, this one is.]

b: cant sleep (cw: really morbid jokes)

[the evening after nehan's squid was retrieved from the water and returned to his house, he returns to normal. annoyed as he rises from inky water and having to clean himself, but still, he's a skinny, scarred erune again, without the additions he gained over the past months. an erune that needs a long, long nap, and will head straight to his bed to have said long nap without even drying his hair.

if anyone chooses to stay longer and keep vigil over the once-squid... well, no one is stopping you, not even the omen, who is guarding the door to the basement underneath the stairs, and will not move away.

nehan might not be too much of a host however, when he's bedridden, having gone through a traumatic death and unable to control his limbs well. every time his left arm or leg has a spasm, his expression twists into one of chagrin and irritation, and he clutches at the limb until it stops. he tries to lay under his bedding just to lessen it... but well. that doesn't work as well as he hoped, and it's not proper medical procedure, but when it comes to himself, nehan has never cared a goddamn bit. still...]

... Stay a little longer. Without anything to do, I'll have another death soon, and this time of boredom. [that was a joke. but it's bad and he knows it's bad.]

c: winter mourning's last hurrah (nehan's memories/cw: eventual near-death experience)

[there is a winter mourning in nehan's house, a wreath laying in the seat of an armchair in the living room, and despite looking innocent, it is still active. and if it's touched, instead of dragging some poor unsuspecting bastard into a dream, it drags them into a memory.

the nehan in this memory is an adult, just like the one in bed, recovering from his violent bout with death-- but he's also different. seemingly younger, more filled-out, less scraggly hair, and lacking in the eyepatch and crutch that has become nehan's signature. but his ears have much less fur on them and are tattered at the ends, the shadows under his eyes are darker, and he's sporting fresh bruises on his face, like he's just been in a brawl. or more than just a brawl-- he looks like he's been beaten within an inch of his life.

still, he's walking amongst a crowd that doesn't seem to notice him, in a crowded marketplace in a bustling town with airships flying high above them. he looks like he knows where he's going, and behind him... behind him is another nehan, walking much slower, bearing a crutch and an eyepatch-- the nehan most people know, by now.

he pauses when he notes he's not alone, turning around and ears twitching, then tilts his head towards his younger self as if to say come along.]

d: the days after: achelliac (cw: nudity, self-loathing)

[achelliac's usual clientele may be sailors, but at least they don't turn nehan away. and, as he finds out, some of his fellow customers are fascinated enough with him that he just decides to indulge them with what they want. even if he's here just to deal with the aches of his body that still linger after his rebirth. at least he's no longer suffering from muscle spasms.

the hot springs will deal with what other aches he gets in this place, in any case, that's why he's here-- get himself up to snuff so he can get back to work without problems.

making his way to the pool from the showers is always an adventure in going slow to accommodate his too-thin, too-scarred body and not slipping, just because he leaves his cane with his clothes (he needs a new crutch, a cane just isn't the same...). though he's right at the edge of the pool, he pauses when he sees another man there already.]

May I, or do you prefer privacy? [perhaps he should have asked that before he got naked...]

wildcard
[[ hit me with your best shot-- everything is a-ok and will match prose or action, but the actual boss battle is restricted to certain characters. nehan dies on the 19th, revives as a squid on the 22nd and is returned to his house on the same day, while his headcanon birthday is on the 20th. thanks to #justpalebloodthings, nehan can admit that his birthday is coming up to any palebloods. he is also a paleblood, so people can speak to him more freely as well.

people are free to come and go as they like. snooping is encouraged, but the basement is guarded by nehan's omen. i'm also open to changing the memory in prompt c. if we haven't threaded yet, we can just handwave the first meeting and nehan giving out his address. if you're unsure, just ask! ]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[nehan hunches slightly in the pool, anticipating some kind of activity, which brings him low enough that the surface of the water comes to his chin. the sudden loud noise has just gotten him on edge, and he's not calming down from it for a while.

so much for a good soak in the springs.]

I don't accept. It's weighed heavily in your favor.

I already have a lot of work ahead of me being your healer, and if you must make me learn your own language on top of my magical studies, in exchange of... what, my own health? No, that's mostly for your benefit.

[Oof. He'd have to be more careful with the enthusiasm.

He moderates it down a notch, but--]

Is it? [Almost innocently.] Then suggest something that tips the benefit toward you. I am not unreasonable.

[the erune doesn't come out of his little crouch-- in fact, he brings his right leg up to his chest, ready to run if he has to. or lunge and fight.]

What are you willing to do for me, that is to my benefit, and not just to assuage whatever feelings you have over my condition?

[As if in response to Nehan's change in posture, the shrike relaxes his own--leaning back, resting his arms on the edge of the pool behind him again so his hands are visible.

Gently,] I have offered supplies, protection, and my good word with the Pthumerians. To it I might add blood and knowledge, and all my other skills of hand and tongue. The only thing I cannot offer is my body, [with an apologetic little shrug,] for sooner or late I will again be a thing dead, and no one would bed that.

Though if you wish to dissect it instead, that might be arranged.

What is it you need? Ask.

[at the second-to-last comment, nehan's eye sparkles, and he leans forward, ears perked forward.]

I'm not picky about who I bed, as you'll find... [he may or may not find, but the erune has perked up already, and pointing one thin, calloused finger at him.] But the chance to study someone dead and not a mindless revenant is ideal.

[An expression both fleeting and sad crosses Illarion's face at something Nehan says, there and gone again in an instant before it's replaced by ebullient good humor.]

It would not be much of an experience, I am fearing, when I am dead. Nothing stirs me. [Depressingly, and it is a very good reason he should make good on a few opportunities while he's got the chance--but!] The dissection is the better choice. You will have that.

Now. Do the other terms remain as stands?

[it's an easy negotiation now-- one that nehan easily agrees to with something excellent to look forward to. perhaps two, but still. the dissection is something.]

Yes, you have a deal. [he uncurls from his striking pose, now more comfortable than he was since the beginning of this entire affair.] I'll keep to my end of the agreement, and so will you.

Then the contract is sealed. May Generation and all stars witness; may the black gods and Pthumerians enforce.

[That went splendidly, in Illarion's estimation--though he expects that including neglect clause to need exercise in the future.

They'll see what happens.

He settles back further against the wall of the pool, head tilted and eyes narrowed as he watches Nehan thoughtfully.]

[the erune is quiet for a moment, before realizing that something else is not coming, and then he sighs, rising from his seat in the hot spring and making his way to the man, the water helping him raise his left leg more easily.]

Your people don't shake to seal the deal, do you? Many cultures do, where I come from. [then he holds out his right hand.] There are many ways to do it, but this is the most common, and most accepted.

[There it is.

Illarion sits forward to take Nehan's hand in his own, promptly and firmly.]

We do not. Blood or sacrifice is more common for those agreements requiring more than the gods' witness alone.

But with outsiders, we abide by their expectations. [So a handshake it is. He has a good one.]

Sacrifice. As if there's something to sacrifice when we're both bare-- or anything to sacrifice it with. [once again, he thinks of morbid thoughts, of removing limbs and hurting oneself just to seal an agreement.] Physical reminders are better, for all parties, but we make do with what we have here.

Bleeding isn't sanitary, in any case.

[the erune shakes once, grip firm, before letting go.]

Now, what shall you do? Poke and prod and ask what I need? Or will you find a better way to spend your time?

[He gives a low laugh at that.] I would go find a rabbit, did we need a sacrifice. Or something more suited to Doorway's tastes, that theirs be another set of teeth to our promise.

[That seemed like an unnecessary level of supernatural enforcement, though.

The shrike frankly grins at the question, settling back down in the water.

He's still watching Nehan, though. More thoughtfully than anything.]

Truthfully? I am minded to soak myself soft; it has been years since I am last warm. Is this agreeable to you?

[nehan makes a face at the mention of his patron-- truly, if he broke this agreement, they would rip him from limb to limb-- that's how they operate, right? ugh.]

That's fine, soak yourself into a prune if that's what you want. [then, with a burst of inspiration mixed with perhaps lingering karm insanity and a hint of curiosity, the erune leans down to look the man properly in the eye.]

Before you revert, I want to take advantage of this form.

[To look a shrike directly in the eyes, even through his veil, is a powerfully compelling gesture. Illarion lifts both eyebrows at the proposition, clearly pleased without being surprised.]

How much advantage do you propose to take, wolfling?

[He knows, but part of the fun is asking. Part of the fun's being pursued.

And having Nehan make the first move quiets the part of him concerned this would be taking advantage, and not metaphorically.]

[to that, the erune shrugs. he's not picky after all.]

As much as you'll allow. But I have no problem with taking everything.

"As much as I'll allow." [A noise between a laugh and a pleased growl bubbles up from him.]

At very least you are owed a look at my anatomy in its proper working order, hm? [He beckons the erune over with a hand.] Come. We will want a room, sooner than late, but we may at least enjoy the water a little while longer.

Oh, yes, frame it as the oldest trick in the book, asking your physician to examine you. [he has to roll his eyes-- nehan has heard that one too many times in his lifetime.

almost every time, really.

still, he sits down on the man's lap, adjusting himself to be comfortable.]

If you want an examination, you should get out of the pool-- but I refuse to, until I've had my fill of the water.

It is the oldest trick because it works, not so? Besides, you are not like to have another opportunity at a living one of my kind. We must make best use of our time.

[He shifts beneath Nehan, resettling himself to accommodate the erune. His eyes are bright and eager as he studies the other man.]

Though I am much too comfortable to get up for that.

Now, [he wraps an arm loosely around Nehan's shoulders, cups the right side of the man's face with his other palm,] how much license am I permitted with you?

[this time, nehan really does roll his eyes, even if only one is visible. it doesn't work on nehan, and he's determined not to humor that kind of drivel when they're supposed to be... well, fucking.]

As much as I will allow, which is likely going to be the same as much as you will allow. [meaning, he will only give as much as he gets.]

I prefer to lead, unless you make a good case for wanting to do it yourself.

[Too bad for Nehan that's going to keep happening.

Though--Illarion cants his head a little to the side, the gesture still abrupt and birdlike, though he's not nearly so still at the end of it as when he's dead.

He studies Nehan like that for a long moment.]

Truly, [he murmurs, once he's made whatever judgment it is he's making.

This is far more than a simple opportunity for sex.]

Lead on, wolfling. I am yours to command.

[one of nehan's ears flutters at the comment, the way he's given permission, and he finally relaxes into the bird-man's palm. though he doesn't close his eyes, not yet. he just keeps a watch on the little bird.]

Do you take people, or do you prefer to be taken? [because it does have to be asked, when he's well aware that taking the lead doesn't immediately mean one or the other.]

[That's better. Illarion runs a thumb over Nehan's cheekbone in fond reflex.

The consideration to ask his preferences gets a slow smile out of him.]

I take women. With men, mm, I prefer other ways to bring us both release. [And because that often leads to other concerns with humans, or human-shaped people,] I am very careful with both fang and talon.

This is acceptable?

[oral, nehan assumes. or merely the use of hands. one will require them to leave the warmth of the pool, but the other can be done right here, in this position.]

Hmn. I always preferred penetration, and everything else foreplay.

Tell me exactly what you have in mind.

I have heard much made of it among humans. My people are not shaped as such; it is as little pleasure to the one who receives as to have his lover between his thighs, and requires more patience and delicacy. [So why bother, when intercrural was perfectly good?] Though foreplay is another matter entirely.

[He gives Nehan another thoughtful look at the command.] To do as I most enjoy would require somewhere to lie, if we are head to tail. But as it is much warmer here... [He takes his arm from Nehan's shoulders, traces a hand down the bony architecture of the erune's ribs to rest below water on his hip.] ...I will have no trouble, taking us both in hand together.

Though I would like to handle much more of you, before all is done. You are a knot. [And he does love unsnarling things.]

[he supposes that their anatomy is just that different that only his own kind can handle each other. so nehan merely nods, he definitely understands.]

And I have a knot-- not something to spring on everyone. [a concession, and riffing off of what the man says at the very end. then he takes hold of his bird's hand, tugging at the fingers, comparing the sizes of their palms, an innocent-seeming gesture, but nehan doesn't do that for just anyone, scarred and calloused as he is.

then he laces their fingers together.] Very well, let's leave the pool. I have a room, and if we don't hurry, they may give me a roommate that I don't approve of.

Edited 2022-01-27 16:52 (UTC)

[open] bad doggie!

i anticipated this and am pleased. he isn't tho, but fuck him

no subject

no subject

cw: just casual offers to be vivisected, i g

it's fine, nehan is a weirdo

he's in good company LOL

they can just be weirdos together, it's Fine

just two dudes being Strange with surgical equipment

it's the best kind of friday night

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

all right with an ftb soon?

np!

be cute like that will you nehan... lmk if you want to pick up after!

we can wrap up the thread right here and move on to another thread if you want

down for it! i'll shoot you a PM