ya nasty [portes things]

[strecido]

pronnie
if it's just that easy and luke can literally walk by them, he'll be knocking on that door now. after the initial panic calms down, though the irrationality is there

pronnie
though he's holding onto the key very tightly, ready to defend himself if need be. the lads at the door not reacting is a little weird

TC
Zero reaction. They don't even seem to look at him

pronnie
luke just looks at them back, eyebrow raised, before letting himself in. as far as he remembers, he doesn't think the lads guarding the door are the ones he's looking for. hopefully he can find them and get out of here quickly.

TC
The funny thing is one of hte ones he is looking for is dead.

TC
But he can find the other

pronnie
who took that revenge away from himmmmmm

pronnie
it takes a bit of searching (them being at attention is helping, if not weird), before he stops at one. it takes a moment before Luke's eyes narrow, both panic and anger flare at him as he grips the hilt of the key tightly. "you...!"

TC
No reaction, no responce.

pronnie
"you have nothing to say now? you've done all of that, made my life hell and all you can do is stand there?" luke's breathing heavily now, as he pulls up the key and presses the blade against the lad's neck. "answer me!"

TC
Nothing

pronnie
"why aren't you saying anything?!" looking at the other lads. "why aren't any of you saying or doing anything?!" thinking to himself, "I don't understand…”

TC
No responce, just still silence

pronnie
(is there anything g he could say it do that would get something out of them?)

pronnie
(because if not Luke will be channeling Asch's anger for like a hot minute)

TC
(NOPE)

TC
(SORROW SAYS "LET THIS BOY DO WHAT HE WANTS")

pronnie
"you have no idea... no idea how much it hurt... and all you can do is stand there and say nothing... of course you have no remorse..." pressing the blade more against his neck.

TC
Still nothing

pronnie
tears are forming in the corners of his eyes, but out of anger than anything. "you've caused so much pain... i can't let you do that to anyone else here." pulling the blade back, luke pauses for a moment, before plunging it into the lad's chest.

TC
The lad simply stands there, unmoving, unflinching

pronnie
which only irks luke more. this isn't the justice he was looking for, this feels unsatisfying. pulling the blade out, luke doesn't pause this time as he runs the lad through again. "why... why are you like this now..."

TC
It just keeps standing there, taking the blows. The only movements it makes are adjusting itself to stand p if it loses footing

pronnie
"why won't you die?" tears are starting to blur his vision now as he starts slashing at its chest. "i hate you... i hate you all... you're all monsters!" one more stab through the chest.

TC
It continues to stand there, resolute.

pronnie
luke has a moment of thinking he should use his hyperresonance, but decides against that. there are other people on this floor, he's sure, and he only wants this lad dead. but it's proving a little harder than he thought, which only fuels his anger more. "die... i want you to die! so this nightmare can end... so you can't hurt anyone again!" is he going to

pronnie
try again? yes he is, hoping that he can land an ending blow.

TC (Also Satan)4 days ago
(No luck, bleeding and healing)

pronnie
more frustrated sounds, more stabbing; Luke is starting to lose it a little

TC
"What, precisely, are you doing?" A voice asks from behind him.

pronnie
Luke jumps slightly, pulling the sword out of the lad, before slowly turning around. there is a sense of dread filling him, now worried that maybe one of the other lads finally snapped out of it and is about to apprehend him."i-i..."

TC
The Lord is leaning casually in the doorway, a fur drawn around his waist but otherwise nude. "You are an interesting one. You look like another, but different at the same time. Hm. What is your name?"

pronnie
it takes a bit for Luke to not grimace at the state the lord is in as he also pushes the panic in him down. he can't help but grip onto the hilt of the key a little more.

pronnie
but... it is a little peculiar that he isn't angry that he'd been hacking at one of his servants. the one thing he can't suppress, however, is the mention of the similarity between him and Asch. "I... Garnet." he isn't about to give out his name, after all.

TC
"Garnet. A gem." He chuckles, taking a step forward. "What a strange reaction they have to you."

pronnie
Luke takes a step back, glancing at the lad, and back at the lord. "...yeah. weird."

TC
The lord keeps walking forward, appearing lazy about it, but fairly confident. "So, Garnet, why were you hacking at my guard? And why was he allowing you to do so? Hm?"

pronnie
"personal business matter, sir." Luke says that a little too quickly. "as to why, I'm not sure."

TC
"Personal business, hm?" The lord finished the walk, lifting a hand to his face. The fur is barely clinging to his hips. "A pretty one."

pronnie
Luke doesn't step back again, rooted to the spot, but does lean back a little. he is very pointedly ignoring the fur and lack of clothes, and ignoring that last comment. "yeah. personal business."

TC
"Indeed. These are my quarters. I commit to many types of personal buisness here." He strokes the hand down his cheek. "Perhaps you would join me."

pronnie
how Luke is managing to keep the panic down is beyond him, but he can't help but feel a little disgusted. at the hand on his face or the proposition, he isn't sure, really. "...Am I allowed to refuse?"

TC
"There are consequences to every action, joining or refusing." The lord smiles, stroking his hand down his throat. "I am sure you would like a bath."

pronnie
the lord can probably feel Luke swallow hard. every part of him is telling him thAt this isn't okay, but Dammit if he could only move. "i-i'm fine without a bath..." Luke's voice is a little softer as it fails him.

TC
"What could it hurt to take a bath?"

pronnie
"I just don't feel like having one, right now." despite thebblack gunk all over his hands. but he's willing to ignore that until he can go. he glances at the door to the third floor, before back at the lord. "I'm fine, really..."

TC
The lord smirks, trailing his hand down his arm, to the sword. "A nice blade."

pronnie
"...thank you." Luke doesn't say anything about the power behind it, not wanting the lord to hold that over his head.

TC
He closes his hand around Luke's hand. "Your hands are dirty."

pronnie
Luke tries to yank his hand away, only holding onto the key tighter. "it's fine. I can deal with that, later."

TC
"Why wait? Their blood is quite toxic." He tightens his hand and makes a small pulling motion, tugging Luke closer.

pronnie
"I'm aware it is... but really, I'm fine." Luke tries to resist the tugging, breathing picking up a little. he could transform into an ash and run out, but that would mean leaving the key and he would rather not do that.

TC
"Come now, do not be stubborn. Resisting hospitality is rude."

pronnie
"but I..." the panic sets in as he starts shaking a little, not sure what else he can say to get out of this he glances at the door again, desperate to get out of here.

TC
"Shhh. Just a bath, I will not hurt you,"

pronnie
Luke makes a face, feeling very uncomfortable. "it's alright... r-really..."

TC
"I insist."

pronnie
there are so many words Luke could say to the lord, but none come out. "I shouldn't... impose..." maybe politely declining will work.

TC
He pulls him into the other room, passed a sleepy woman in the bed, and another redhead - also male - who has his head on her shoulder. "You two entertain yourself for a moment." The lord tells them as they pass.

TC
The red-head had sort of lifted his head, but crumples back to the woman's shoulder and closes his eyes at the order. It is clear the entertainment he seeks is sleep.

pronnie
Luke stammera as he's being dragges, before falling silent and looking at the floor as he's dragged in. he does look at the couple on the bed; to be fair, he's trying not to panic to the point of causing a hyperresonance.

TC
The lord pushes him into a large, echoy bathing chamber, stopping him infront of a large mirror and lifting a brush to his head.

pronnie
still not saying anything or lifting his head to look at anything, Luke stands there, almost statuesque. his grip on the key hasn't loosened any, either.

TC
The lord very calmly combs out his hair, using a pair of sheers to clip any ratty ends before pushing him in the vague direction of the tube. "Wash yourself."

pronnie
Luke jerks slightly at the sound of his hair being snipped, reaching up with his free hand. "why did you--?"

TC
"It was a mess. Now bathe, you stink of corruption." The lord makes a lazy guesutre to the tub.

pronnie
Luke doesn't move except to watch the lord. he's wary of being so vulnerable around him, and also still weirded out by the hair trim.

TC
The lord appears to be ignoring him, winding cord around a few red strands.

pronnie
"...what're you doing?" he can't help himself but ask.

TC
"Cleaning." The lord answers, glancing at him, then smiles. "Do you need help with the bath?"

pronnie
"no... but I'd prefer you weren't here while..." Luke really is amazed at the fact that he hasn't just shut down yet.

TC
"Shy?" The lord watches him for a moment, the smirks and walks out of the room. A moment later he will hear a soft groan, and the sound of wet flesh being used.

pronnie
just hearing those sounds gets a shudder out of luke, as he tries to drown them out by busying himself with the bath. suddenly he feels dirtier being here than when he was hacking at the lad, but it seems like he won't get out of this until he has bath.
keeping the key near him, Luke quickly undressed and slips into the water, still ignoring the sounds in the other room.

TC
After a little while, the woman comes into the room to check on him. She at least is wearing a robe, and mostly just seems to make sure he's in the bath before going through to a closet and returning with an infant in her arms, making little shushing noises to the baby even if he doesn't make any noise. She politely keeps her back to him all the while.

pronnie
Luke jumps as he hears her come in; when she comes back, Luke's sunk into the tub up to his chin to hide himself. "um... c-could you please leave..."

TC
"I will." She tells him softly, nursing her son. "I apologize. He wanted me to come look in on you, and Jayden needs to be nursed, so I came. If I return too quickly, he will come himself."

pronnie
"'k-kay..." Luke falls silent at that, looking away from the woman and child. he doesn't even want to think about what happened in the other room.

TC
"Have heart, we win ourselves in tiny victories." She tells him, keeping her back to him, rocking her baby in her arms.

pronnie
"...what's that supposed to mean?"

TC
She tilts her head a bit, so he can see her smile but she is not looking at him. "He left you to bathe on your own. That is a victory, even if it does not seem like much. Have heart, you are not lost.”

pronnie
"doesn't seem like a victory." Luke murmurs that to himself.

TC
"Then you are not looking at the board. I do not have much. I wish I had more to offer, but I can offer you that. You are not lost, and that is a treassure."

pronnie
Luke glances at the woman, sighing. he's so over these cryptic messages. "has it been long enough? I don't mean to be rude, but..."

TC
"He is hopeful that I might entice you to bed play, the longer we linger, the more satisfied he will be that I tried. Do you want me to hurry?" She responds easily.

pronnie
Luke just looks at her, horrified, as the panic sets in again. "n-no... no, no. I don't... I don't want..."

TC
"I know." She tells him, voice gentle. "I remember your first time here, even if you do not remember me. So I will sit here, and we will talk a little, and I will return to him without you."

pronnie
luke reaches up to grasp at his arms, as the memories of that night set in. "...that's why i was here. that lad... i wanted it to die... i wanted it gone. then maybe... maybe it'll stop the hurt..." he isn't sure why he's saying all of this to her, but maybe it's because she helped him before.

TC
"I wish it were as easy as that." She tells him, sympathetic. "Have you spoken to anyone? Talked about how you feel?"

pronnie
"the other one who was with me that night. we've talked quite a bit... but it still hurts."

TC
"Good. Hold onto that. With Jean, I am free of these walls." She tells him fondly. "We are only prisioners if we allow ourselves to be."

pronnie
"I just... I only want to forget it all. I don't want to hold on to anything from that experience." except for his friendship with sync that had formed.

TC
She shakes her head a little bit. "Forgetting is not something that works, the pain lingers, even if the memories do not. A hurt stays in the body, only you will not know the reason for the hurt. Let it go in inches, move on. Live a life, love someone. The pain will heal."

pronnie
Luke sits in silence as the words settle on him, before glancing up at the woman. "...who are you?"

TC
"My name was Ilanna, when it mattered that I had one." She tells him quietly, shifting her son in her arms. "I am his lover, I suppose. That has been the place I lingered the longest."

pronnie
Luke makes a face at that. "you're his lover?" just seeing the lord near nude was enough to induce vomiting, but the idea of actually being in bed with him on a regular basis is disgusting. "...sorry. that was a little rude of me."

TC
She smiles, again turning her head slightly so that he can see it but not looking at him. "I have born him three children, if you can believe it. But only this one has lived." She sounds sad.

pronnie
now he really feels bad, though he can't help but be a little curious. "...what happened to the other two?"

TC
She rocks the baby son in her arms. "I tried to get them away from here."

pronnie
"...he didn't kill them, did he?"

TC
"No, sometimes babies just die." She shakes her head. "He caught the person I had sent them with."

pronnie
Luke sinks a little more into the bath, hands still grasping at his arms. "what happened to them?"

TC
"I do not know." She looks down, sad. "To the children, I simply do not know."

pronnie
"And the person you sent the children with?"

TC
"He caught him, brought him back, stripped his memories away, debaced him and twisted him until he was no longer human." She bows her head a little.

pronnie
"how..." Luke isn't sure he wants to know how, really.

TC
"He has his ways. They are none of them kind."

pronnie
luke shivers a little, ducking his head. "how can you stand being near him..."

TC
"Because I must." She answers. "There is no choice."

pronnie
"...doing what you have to, instead of what you want..." he hates the idea of it. that's all he did back home, after all.

TC
"If I did not, who would look after this little one?" She coos to the baby, lifting him to her shoulder and rocking him.

pronnie
"i guess so... i just wish this situation was better for you..."

TC
"It isn't." She shrugs, as though that answers that. "But it can be for you." She turns a bit to look at him. "There is no vengance for what has been done to you. Let go of that, it will hurt. But the hurt will fade."

pronnie
"but..." luke falls silent, before nodding.

TC
"I know. When we are hurt, we want to heal the hurt. But this is not the way, it is only the way to more hurt."

pronnie
"...all i've known here is hurt. i just want it to stop..."

TC
She stands up and walks carefully over to the tub. "Sit up."

pronnie
luke looks at her warily, before slowly sitting up. he's still nervous about people seeing him in more vulnerable states, no matter how kind they are.

TC
She shifts her baby and places him in Luke's arm. He is mostly asleep, but squints a bit as he's handed over.

pronnie
whyyyyy do people keep giving luke babies to hold it only makes him more nervous he reaches up with his other arm to properly cradle the child, still wary, but for a different reason, now. he's too worried he'll hurt him by accident somehow.

TC
She adjusts his arms, smoothing his hands very gently. She has nice hands, craftperson hands. "The only thing he has known in his life is the two of us." Her voice is very soft, as though she is imparting some secret. "So the only world he knows is between us. No hurt, no fear, no hunger, no pain. Because you have known hurt, you can keep others from being hurt in turn. Like my son."

pronnie
"but what if i fail in doing that? what if i try to stop people from getting hurt, and they still do?"

TC
"Then you still tried, and they will know that you did." She cups his cheek very gently. "But what if you succeed?"

pronnie
"i'll be happy if i did, of course..." luke sounds a little unsure at that however.

TC
"So why are you so sure you will fail? Jayden doesn't think you will. Neither do I."

pronnie
"it's not that... my successes back home were bittersweet ones. forgive me if i'm not optimistic about better outcomes."

TC
She sighs at him. "Pessimism doesn't help anyone, least of all yourself." She pinches the bridge of her noise, closing her eye until a a single golden tear materializes, rolling down her nose. She catches it before it can plop in the water.

pronnie
luke notices the gold tear, and before he can stop himself, curiosity gets the better of him. "what..."

TC
"My gift." She explains softly, holding it in her palm and blowing on it softly until it cools. "The reason he took notice of me." She smiles, though it is wistful. "That and others." She shows him the tear, now solid in her palm. "Every victory is bittersweet, every one. But if we hold only to the bitterness, we die."

pronnie
he glances at the now solid gold tear, before looking away. "i guess so..."

TC
She winds a braid into his hair, around the piece of gold, then brushes a kiss over his brow and takes back her son, carrying him through the door she took him from.

pronnie
luke blushes at the kiss, before reaching up to gently touch the braid and gold piece, watching ilanna as she takes her son and moves him again.

TC
She vanishes into the other room, and returns without him. "I would finish and dress, were I you. He may come to try to convince you himself."

pronnie
luke shudders and makes a face at that. nooo thanks. but he nods, "um... thanks for the talk. and it does matter that you have a name... don't let him take that away from you..."

TC
"He has no desire for my name. It is his already." She smiles at him, and it seems warm and true before she goes into the other room. He can easily hear the sound of a brief, intense scolding that she failed in her task, and then more flesh noises.

pronnie
luke's brow furrows a little at the scolding before a wave of nausea washes over him from the sounds, before he finishes up his bath, dries off and quickly gets dressed. his clothes have a few splatters of black gunk; he tries to wipe it off, only to smear it in a little. sighing, he goes to clean the blade of the key instead. now he has to figure out how to get out of here...

TC
The baby makes a quiet noise in the other room. The one away from the room he has to go through.

TC
Ilanna has made a little baby bed out of a fur cloak and some softer blankets near the stool, and the baby is in that.

pronnie
luke glances at the door ilanna disappeared into, then the door where he can hear the baby, before heading through there to see if he's okay.

TC
He's kinda kicking his feet, trying to put one of them in his mouth.

pronnie
"don't do that..." luke's gently going to tug his foot away from his mouth. he sighs. "i wish things could be better for you and your mother..."

TC
The baby looks up at him quizzically, and puts his hand in his mouth.

pronnie
he doesn't try to move the hand, but gently brushes the top of his head. "i should really find a way out of here..." he spots the door, before glancing at jayden. "i hate to leave you alone, though..."

TC
The baby burbles softly in responce.

pronnie
luke hums softly, before sighing. "sorry, jayden... i should get back out there. but i promise i'll help you and your mother, okay?"

TC
The baby coos around his hand, waving the other hand at him.

pronnie
luke smiles sadly at the baby, before pulling his hand back and moving to slip out the door in the corner of the room.

TC
(Not much of a door, clearly leads to a small cell. Can't get out that way)

pronnie
frowning, luke turns back to walk into the room, and to the bath room. he stares at the only other door, too the bedroom, before opening the door a crack.

TC
The Lord is lazing on the bed, completely naked, legs spread. The red-head from earlier is on his knees on the floor, lapping water out of a bowl, his hands chained behind his back. Ilanna is rubbing the Lord's back, gaze distant.

pronnie
well that's a sickening sight, and luke is surprised that he's keeping it together. the key is in his hand tight, as he tries to sneak away quietly, trying to ignore the sight in front of him.

TC
"Did you enjoy your bath?" The lord asks without looking away from his ....pet. The red-head stops lapping for half a second, but clearly is thirsty and doesn't turn his head.

pronnie
dammit. "...yeah, it was fine."

TC
"Come here." The lord motions to him.

pronnie
i'd rather not is what luke wants to say, but not wanting to anger the lord, he does so silently. his grip on his sword doesn't loosen any, however.

TC
The lord reaches out, cupping his face for a moment, studying him. "I think the dog has had enough, take his bowl away."

pronnie
luke nearly flinches away from the touch, before glancing at the man on the floor. it's a moment before luke walks over to him and takes the bowl, but not before whispering a soft apology.

TC
The man flashes him a weak smile, head down.

TC
"Now return." The lord orders him.

pronnie
frowning softly, luke brings the bowl back to the lord, looking at it. "...what should i do with this?"

TC
Ilanna stands, taking it from him and pouring it out into a planter near the window. The lord catches his face, studying him again. "Such a pretty thing. I think a kiss will be your payment for my hospitality."

pronnie
luke gives him a nervous look, gently trying to pull away. "s-sir...?"

TC
"A kiss." The lord repeats, and kisses him. It is not a bad kiss, he knows what he is doing, clearly.

pronnie
sure, he may, but luke is most certainly not kissing him back.

TC
The lord pulls away, giving his face a fond pat. "You may go."

ɢᴅɪ ʟᴜᴋᴇ11 hours ago
not saying a word, luke turns on his heel as he brings a hand up to wipe at his mouth. the nausea is back, and he needs to get out of there before he vomits everywhere. he's quick as he leaves the bedroom, and glances up at the lads to see if they're still in the same state as before.

TC (Also Satan)10 hours ago
They are.

ɢᴅɪ ʟᴜᴋᴇ10 hours ago
oh good, it's a quick escape then, save for the brief pause at the lad he was hacking at earlier, and out the door he goes