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["Birdie" does something to him, causes something to twist strangely inside his chest in a way that he's uncertain if he likes or not. Normally it's not a nickname he'd tolerate. Normally whoever was stupid enough to call him something like that would be the recipient of a particularly acidic dressing-down.
Normally.]
why am I not surprised that it took this long for someone to tell me that we have hot springs here?
[Well maybe if you engaged in things like "gathering information" or "talking to people" or "taking initiative for once in your goddamn life" you lazy sack of shit...]
Normally.]
why am I not surprised that it took this long for someone to tell me that we have hot springs here?
[Well maybe if you engaged in things like "gathering information" or "talking to people" or "taking initiative for once in your goddamn life" you lazy sack of shit...]
People are mega prudes and the hot springs happen to also be a popular location for men to get it on with other men. It's not all over the springs, but I guess the idea of dudes possibly fucking in a hot spring over is enough to deter the local population from bothering at all.
Though I would bet my entire reproductive system that at a "normal" hot springs, dudes and chicks fuck all the time, but whatever.
The point is yes we have hot springs. They are dope and feel awesome.
(Dirk spitting FACTS here today. But also it's probably fair enough to give the guy a warning. Just don't hold eye contact with another dude for longer than five seconds and you'll be fine!
Anyway who even likes talking to people? Overrated hobby. 0/10. Sucks.)
Though I would bet my entire reproductive system that at a "normal" hot springs, dudes and chicks fuck all the time, but whatever.
The point is yes we have hot springs. They are dope and feel awesome.
(Dirk spitting FACTS here today. But also it's probably fair enough to give the guy a warning. Just don't hold eye contact with another dude for longer than five seconds and you'll be fine!
Anyway who even likes talking to people? Overrated hobby. 0/10. Sucks.)
I've definitely seen worse. as long as they don't bother me and make sure I'm out of the splash zone, I don't really care what people get up to in there.
a soak does sound good right about now, though.
a soak does sound good right about now, though.
[Honestly, Dito's been feeling mighty sick of the cold. It reminds him of the times he'd had to schlep to and from the Land of Mountains, up sharply inclining paths and with blistering winds taking bites out of his face. Couldn't even stave off the cold with a decent bath, either. The more he thinks about the intoxicating warmth of a hot spring soak, the more appealing it is.]
so where is this place? is there a procession of naked guys to show me where to go or what?
so where is this place? is there a procession of naked guys to show me where to go or what?
(Honestly? Dirk is sick of the cold too. He was a Texan through and through and he was fed up with the snow. It cramped his style too. No outfit looked good in this shit.)
It's out in Darcmouth. I can get naked and show you where to go if it puts you in the right mindset for it.
Or I can just show you where it is the normal way. With clothes on. No dick directionals are needed.
It's out in Darcmouth. I can get naked and show you where to go if it puts you in the right mindset for it.
Or I can just show you where it is the normal way. With clothes on. No dick directionals are needed.
probably a good idea. I don't find shrinkage particularly impressive.
[His mind harkens back to Zero suddenly, and not without a strange pang of wistfulness.]
where should I meet you?
[His mind harkens back to Zero suddenly, and not without a strange pang of wistfulness.]
where should I meet you?
[Ugh. Of course it's by a lighthouse. Things are never easy for old Dito, are they?]
fine. be there in a few.
[Some time later Dito finds himself once again near the crashing waves and maritime stink of the ocean. And unfortunately, where there's water there's sure to be wind, as is evidenced when a particularly chilly breeze whips across the stony cliff. Dito shivers violently, his body curling inward in a futile attempt to protect himself from the bitter cold.]
Hhhh-- This better be worth it or I'm gonna be f-fuh-cking pissed...
fine. be there in a few.
[Some time later Dito finds himself once again near the crashing waves and maritime stink of the ocean. And unfortunately, where there's water there's sure to be wind, as is evidenced when a particularly chilly breeze whips across the stony cliff. Dito shivers violently, his body curling inward in a futile attempt to protect himself from the bitter cold.]
Hhhh-- This better be worth it or I'm gonna be f-fuh-cking pissed...
Edited 2022-03-02 19:41 (UTC)
(Dirk's there not even a second later. He's dressed in a leather jacket and matching gloves. To his credit, he doesn't even shiver, instead smirking down at Dito. It took an enormous amount of effort not to shiver, but the desire to be insufferable made it worth it.)
Aww. Baby, do you want me to carry you there? I can fly. Make it real quick for both of us.
(He lifts the side of his jacket.)
I can even let you cozy in.
Aww. Baby, do you want me to carry you there? I can fly. Make it real quick for both of us.
(He lifts the side of his jacket.)
I can even let you cozy in.
[Dito scowls, feeling chagrin suffuse his face with heat. Fucking dickhead. He's already starting to regret letting this guy lead him anywhere.]
I'm not a baby, asshole. I'm 22.
[It doesn't sound as forceful and adult as he wanted it to, and he sulkily turns his coat lapels up and begins stalking off in what he hopes is the right direction.]
Let's just get moving, all right?
I'm not a baby, asshole. I'm 22.
[It doesn't sound as forceful and adult as he wanted it to, and he sulkily turns his coat lapels up and begins stalking off in what he hopes is the right direction.]
Let's just get moving, all right?
Oh shit, really? That's one year older than me. (Except he didn't really get the vibe that this guy had been younger than him either. It was all about the attitude. Even with the young face, there had just been no way in hell this dude was an actual teenager.)
Okay, all right.
(He follows after Dito. Thankfully it wasn't actually that far. It was a bit of an annoying hike, for sure, and even Dirk didn't bother with too much quipping. He actually did hate the cold too. It fucked with his hair.
When they get to the actual hot springs, he relaxes somewhat.)
Trust me, this will feel great. (Said more to himself than Dito, actually. As he had warned, there were mostly guys lurking around, some already glancing at them with interested looks. Dirk keeps it steady though, not looking back, which is enough that some of the looks start fading.)
You down with a private room with me or are you gonna get delicate about that too?
Okay, all right.
(He follows after Dito. Thankfully it wasn't actually that far. It was a bit of an annoying hike, for sure, and even Dirk didn't bother with too much quipping. He actually did hate the cold too. It fucked with his hair.
When they get to the actual hot springs, he relaxes somewhat.)
Trust me, this will feel great. (Said more to himself than Dito, actually. As he had warned, there were mostly guys lurking around, some already glancing at them with interested looks. Dirk keeps it steady though, not looking back, which is enough that some of the looks start fading.)
You down with a private room with me or are you gonna get delicate about that too?
[Sorry, Dirk. Dito's a little sensitive about anything that might be a dig on his age. Plus he comes from a time in which "baby" hasn't been used as a term of endearment yet. Dito for his part is surprisingly quiet as well, with only a few soft noises of pain and whispered curses when the wind kicked up.
It's a mercy when they finally reach the hot springs, and Dito can't help himself-- he lets out a soft moan of anticipation as he sees the steam rising lazily into the air. The sound causes a few men nearby to glance over at him, but Dito doesn't seem to notice at all. He turns to Dirk and fixes him a glare.]
I'm not delicate, either. Two-person room's fine. Better than randomly getting grouped up with some freak.
[...Okay, so maybe he has noticed the stares he's getting.]
It's a mercy when they finally reach the hot springs, and Dito can't help himself-- he lets out a soft moan of anticipation as he sees the steam rising lazily into the air. The sound causes a few men nearby to glance over at him, but Dito doesn't seem to notice at all. He turns to Dirk and fixes him a glare.]
I'm not delicate, either. Two-person room's fine. Better than randomly getting grouped up with some freak.
[...Okay, so maybe he has noticed the stares he's getting.]
(Fair enough, really. Dirk didn't even really know the full spectrum of what other people were used to yet. Dirk nods at the consent and gets them hooked up.
He gets a set of towels and robes and heads off. He wasn't thinking of much except hoping he got the one he usually did. It's a small spring tucked off to the side, away enough from bigger springs that it was quiet.)
Here.
(Passing Dito a towel and robe.
Dirk isn't really shy so he strips down quickly, setting his clothes aside and getting into his robe. Normally he took his shades off for this, but he can't just ruin the image with another guy around. So the shades stay on, even as he drops the robe and dips into the water.
Fuck. Okay.)
I'm a goddamn genius. (This felt amazing.)
He gets a set of towels and robes and heads off. He wasn't thinking of much except hoping he got the one he usually did. It's a small spring tucked off to the side, away enough from bigger springs that it was quiet.)
Here.
(Passing Dito a towel and robe.
Dirk isn't really shy so he strips down quickly, setting his clothes aside and getting into his robe. Normally he took his shades off for this, but he can't just ruin the image with another guy around. So the shades stay on, even as he drops the robe and dips into the water.
Fuck. Okay.)
I'm a goddamn genius. (This felt amazing.)
[Dito is by no means a prude. After so much time spent being Five's toy, his approach to sex was almost perfunctory in its nonchalance-- it felt good, it passed the time, and both parties generally got something out of it. He was no more squeamish at the sight of nudity than he was at the sight of blood and gore, considering how many men and women Five chose to take to her bed... and how often she made him watch. But he was still expecting a separate changing room or something, and so it comes as a bit of a surprise when Dirk just... disrobes. Right in front of him. And looking at the man as he slips off the robe and sinks into the water, Dito curses himself for agreeing to share a room with this guy.
He's not as thick as Decadus was, or as muscular as Cent. His body has a sleek, wiry look to it, like the bodies of the wolves Dito sometimes encountered in the Land of Mountains. Like the athletic figures of the dancers Five occasionally called to entertain her. He moves like he's confident in his own skin, like he knows exactly how to manipulate his body in order to immediately catch people's eye.
Jackass. Asshole. Fucking attention whore.
Were it not for the inviting heat rising off of the water, Dito would probably make an excuse to leave, to come back at another time when he can be all alone and away from Dirk's discerning eyes. But the thought of trekking back through the blistering cold is even more distasteful than undressing in front of this guy. Dito removes his coat first, tossing it on a chair in the corner of the room. The shirt follows suit, as do the pants and undergarments. His body is slender and lithe, not nearly as defined as Dirk's is, and if Dirk is even the slightest bit perceptive it's obvious he's self-conscious about it.
Quickly, with the air of someone trying a little too hard to come across as uncaring, Dito strides over and finds a spot across from Dirk. The blissful warmth of the water overtakes him as soon as he sits down, and another moan escapes his lips before he can stop himself.]
Ohhh fuck me--
He's not as thick as Decadus was, or as muscular as Cent. His body has a sleek, wiry look to it, like the bodies of the wolves Dito sometimes encountered in the Land of Mountains. Like the athletic figures of the dancers Five occasionally called to entertain her. He moves like he's confident in his own skin, like he knows exactly how to manipulate his body in order to immediately catch people's eye.
Jackass. Asshole. Fucking attention whore.
Were it not for the inviting heat rising off of the water, Dito would probably make an excuse to leave, to come back at another time when he can be all alone and away from Dirk's discerning eyes. But the thought of trekking back through the blistering cold is even more distasteful than undressing in front of this guy. Dito removes his coat first, tossing it on a chair in the corner of the room. The shirt follows suit, as do the pants and undergarments. His body is slender and lithe, not nearly as defined as Dirk's is, and if Dirk is even the slightest bit perceptive it's obvious he's self-conscious about it.
Quickly, with the air of someone trying a little too hard to come across as uncaring, Dito strides over and finds a spot across from Dirk. The blissful warmth of the water overtakes him as soon as he sits down, and another moan escapes his lips before he can stop himself.]
Ohhh fuck me--
(Dirk is, unsurprisingly, oblivious to what the hell is going on. His body is tightly chorded with muscle, with pronounced scars over his biceps, chest, and back, but one in particular sticks out around his neck. The scars are raised, pale white against his skin, disturbing an otherwise consistent pattern of freckles. He is effortless in the way he lounges back, arms resting on the edge and head tipped to stretch the muscles in his neck.
He doesn't watch Dito change. Mostly out of respect. Ironically, if Dito were a woman, he probably would have been less concerned with avoiding looking, mostly because of his natural indifference towards their bodies. But Dito's a guy and...Well. You know. Dirk's into that and he feels a bit like a perv looking at some guy's body without their permission. So his eyes are actually shut behind his shades when Dito disrobes, as interested as he kind of honestly was, but he's behaving.
He finally does look though when there's the sound of water and then Dito's relief. Dirk looks over at him, instantly grinning.)
Maybe later, sweetheart. I'm trying to relax right now. (God he really is insufferable, isn't he. He is glad that Dito likes it though. Well worth the trip and the sort of bitching along the way. His eyes glance quickly over what he can see of Dito, but he's just as quick to look away. Look at Dito's face. Man, he's so good at this.)
Absolutely worth it, right?
He doesn't watch Dito change. Mostly out of respect. Ironically, if Dito were a woman, he probably would have been less concerned with avoiding looking, mostly because of his natural indifference towards their bodies. But Dito's a guy and...Well. You know. Dirk's into that and he feels a bit like a perv looking at some guy's body without their permission. So his eyes are actually shut behind his shades when Dito disrobes, as interested as he kind of honestly was, but he's behaving.
He finally does look though when there's the sound of water and then Dito's relief. Dirk looks over at him, instantly grinning.)
Maybe later, sweetheart. I'm trying to relax right now. (God he really is insufferable, isn't he. He is glad that Dito likes it though. Well worth the trip and the sort of bitching along the way. His eyes glance quickly over what he can see of Dito, but he's just as quick to look away. Look at Dito's face. Man, he's so good at this.)
Absolutely worth it, right?
[Fortunately, all of Dito's discomfort and insecurities had immediately scurried back into the recesses of his mind the second he stuck one foot into the glorious hot spring. He is loose, looser than he's been in a while, and it shows in the blissful relaxation of his face. Dito sinks further into that intoxicating heat up to his shoulders, his long bangs hanging in his face as he tilts his head back and closes his eyes.
A soft, pleasurable sound that might have started out as words pulses in his throat. His second try is more articulate, though the slightly slurred speech and the dopey drunken smile on his face might tell Dirk more than anything Dito could possibly say.]
Gonna have to trek back to Trench on your own, pal. I don't care if I turn into a boiled prune-- I am never leaving this place.
A soft, pleasurable sound that might have started out as words pulses in his throat. His second try is more articulate, though the slightly slurred speech and the dopey drunken smile on his face might tell Dirk more than anything Dito could possibly say.]
Gonna have to trek back to Trench on your own, pal. I don't care if I turn into a boiled prune-- I am never leaving this place.
hey dude
something you asked me the other day had me thinking
you don't know what movies are right?
i don't think i explained it well enough
[ Maybe very briefly. His mind wasn't in the right headspace at the time. Hell, it's still not altogether there this month. But sitting alone with his own thoughts isn't helping any. ]
i meant stuff like this
[ And then he will send a link to a trailer of the movie The Things. Dito strikes him as the kind of guy who might appreciate the practical effects and horrendous gore. Whatever gave him that impression one will never know. ]
something you asked me the other day had me thinking
you don't know what movies are right?
i don't think i explained it well enough
[ Maybe very briefly. His mind wasn't in the right headspace at the time. Hell, it's still not altogether there this month. But sitting alone with his own thoughts isn't helping any. ]
i meant stuff like this
[ And then he will send a link to a trailer of the movie The Things. Dito strikes him as the kind of guy who might appreciate the practical effects and horrendous gore. Whatever gave him that impression one will never know. ]
[A few minutes pass, long enough to assume that Dito has just watched the trailer. Unfortunately that assumption is quickly proven wrong with Dito's message.]
so am I supposed to understand this gobbledygook you just sent me or are you just fucking with me right now?
[Go easy on him, Sal. There's a considerable lack of internet in the year 1000 AD.]
so am I supposed to understand this gobbledygook you just sent me or are you just fucking with me right now?
[Go easy on him, Sal. There's a considerable lack of internet in the year 1000 AD.]
[A few days after an unusual network post, a gift basket that could be cupped in two hands appears on Dito's front doorstep while he's out, covered in neatly tucked wax paper and topped with a green ribbon bow that secures a note written in a delicate, looping hand.]
Dear Neighbor,
My name is Sophie, and I'm new in the neighborhood! I wanted to say hello to everyone and let you all know that I've moved into the house with blue shutters up the street. I'm a chocolatier, so I thought, what better way to make a good impression than giving out some samples?
I hope you like them, and if you ever want any more, please come knock on my door. If I'm not home, leave a note, and I'll talk to you soon!
Your (hopeful!!) new friend,
Sophie Tantalos
[As promised, the basket contains a selection of individually foil wrapped chocolates, each sealed with a drop of black wax. Almost all of them are perfectly mundane chocolates - except one gooey, enticing caramel.]
Dear Neighbor,
My name is Sophie, and I'm new in the neighborhood! I wanted to say hello to everyone and let you all know that I've moved into the house with blue shutters up the street. I'm a chocolatier, so I thought, what better way to make a good impression than giving out some samples?
I hope you like them, and if you ever want any more, please come knock on my door. If I'm not home, leave a note, and I'll talk to you soon!
Your (hopeful!!) new friend,
Sophie Tantalos
[As promised, the basket contains a selection of individually foil wrapped chocolates, each sealed with a drop of black wax. Almost all of them are perfectly mundane chocolates - except one gooey, enticing caramel.]
[Most people would have been delighted by the surprise gift; the chance to meet a potential new friend. Most people would have accepted the basket of chocolates with a smile, pleased that a total stranger had shown them such a kindness.
Unfortunately Dito is a suspicious and cynical little shit, and not one to take a random gift at face value.
Leaving the basket of chocolates on his kitchen table, Dito heads out the door in the direction of this Sophie's house, the taste of the caramel chocolate still lingering in his mouth. He couldn't say why he'd decided to indulge just this once-- after all, he didn't even like sweets all that much. But there was something about the way the milk chocolate glistened in the light that he just couldn't resist.
Whatever. Back to the task at hand.
Dito spies the house with blue shutters that the letter had described, and with large purposeful strides, marches up to the door and pounds on it with his fist. Something is rotten here, and damn if he's not going to figure out what it is.]
Unfortunately Dito is a suspicious and cynical little shit, and not one to take a random gift at face value.
Leaving the basket of chocolates on his kitchen table, Dito heads out the door in the direction of this Sophie's house, the taste of the caramel chocolate still lingering in his mouth. He couldn't say why he'd decided to indulge just this once-- after all, he didn't even like sweets all that much. But there was something about the way the milk chocolate glistened in the light that he just couldn't resist.
Whatever. Back to the task at hand.
Dito spies the house with blue shutters that the letter had described, and with large purposeful strides, marches up to the door and pounds on it with his fist. Something is rotten here, and damn if he's not going to figure out what it is.]
[The house was chosen only because it was empty. Paul hadn't anticipated this being the site of what he will euphemise as a conversation only because it scratches at some cloying, unhappy itch (like the edge of a blister) of dark humor.
But Paul didn't plan for anywhere specific, either. He doesn't know the neighborhood beyond his brief scouting, or what Dito is capable of, or even what he truly looks like outside of the veiled revelation of futuresight. Plans in Trench never survive contact with the unknown. There's no purpose to them, and he is sick of being meticulous and restrained when everyone else does whatever seems to please them, moment to moment.
So here will serve. Any place with a door would. This one opens into a dark hallway, where Paul stands, smiling slightly.]
May I help you?
[His tone is low and pleasant, if touched lightly by consternation at the intensity of the knock. He's an excellent actor. There's not a twitch of microexpression out of place.]
But Paul didn't plan for anywhere specific, either. He doesn't know the neighborhood beyond his brief scouting, or what Dito is capable of, or even what he truly looks like outside of the veiled revelation of futuresight. Plans in Trench never survive contact with the unknown. There's no purpose to them, and he is sick of being meticulous and restrained when everyone else does whatever seems to please them, moment to moment.
So here will serve. Any place with a door would. This one opens into a dark hallway, where Paul stands, smiling slightly.]
May I help you?
[His tone is low and pleasant, if touched lightly by consternation at the intensity of the knock. He's an excellent actor. There's not a twitch of microexpression out of place.]
[Later on, Dito would be hard-pressed to explain exactly what came over him when his eyes first met Paul's. An overwhelming aura of authority seems to permeate out from the man, causing Dito to immediately drop his gaze as if staring into a bright light. His heart clenches-- anxiety stirs in his stomach.
He's positive he'd never met this man before in his life, but something in him feels certain that he owed him for something-- perhaps in exchange for a favor or to correct some great wrong.
When Dito speaks his voice is quiet, lacking none of the cocksure exuberance he was known for.]
I... I'm Dito. Do I have the wrong house?
He's positive he'd never met this man before in his life, but something in him feels certain that he owed him for something-- perhaps in exchange for a favor or to correct some great wrong.
When Dito speaks his voice is quiet, lacking none of the cocksure exuberance he was known for.]
I... I'm Dito. Do I have the wrong house?
[The shift in Dito's demeanour throws Paul. He blinks more than once in rapid succession, a residue of bewilderment around the edges of his eyes as he looks Dito over. The man on the network had been a spitting firebrand, not whatever demure echo stands in front of Paul now.]
No.
[Something is wrong. Paul's first instinct is towards a trap, but when he turns his attention to the idea it doesn't fit. There's nothing false about Dito's presentation, and Paul is very good at detecting deception, by and large. So, after a slight hesitation, he steps aside, a crease between his brows as he keeps examining Dito.]
Come inside.
No.
[Something is wrong. Paul's first instinct is towards a trap, but when he turns his attention to the idea it doesn't fit. There's nothing false about Dito's presentation, and Paul is very good at detecting deception, by and large. So, after a slight hesitation, he steps aside, a crease between his brows as he keeps examining Dito.]
Come inside.
Edited 2022-07-18 05:23 (UTC)
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