mountain_sage | 054 [Voice/Action]

[It hadn’t been his intention at all to freeze at a mere glimpse of him; to stare long and blankly as if struck dumb, numb to the cold, his heartbeat echoing in the hollows of his body; to be lured nearer by a fierce tug of emotions. But the devil forgemaster is helpless to resist, the iron grip of Lord Dracula’s curse on his brain releasing as another powerful force takes possession of him.

His boots plunge through the snow, determinedly.

Isaac had once thought Hector be the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on - wretchedly, devastatingly beautiful - but Saleh… Saleh, to him, was nothing short of perfection in a male form. Someone a beast like him didn't deserve. Watching him longingly, achingingly, the air between them thickened with words left unsaid.]

...Talking to trees again, are you? [He teased, a smile spreading across his lips. Humour, always hiding behind humour.]

[Saleh was so lost in his communication with nature that he didn't hear Isaac's approach. But the words immediately struck him. He turns to face the forgemaster, recognizing him instantly. His heartbeat is accelerating rapidly....but is this fear? Or is it something else?]

You...you're that man I met...

Ah, so you remember. [The look of quiet satisfaction on his face strongly suggests that he had ~~hoped for~~ expected nothing less. He leaned back gently against a tree nearby, his arms folded across his chest.]

[Slowly, Saleh rises to his feet, never taking his eyes off the other man. He takes only a few steps closer before stopping. As much as he wants to get closer, the other man had seemed indignant about his personal space last time. Still, this may be an opportunity to learn more about him.]

How could I forget? I don't believe we have been introduced, however. I am called Saleh.

Saleh. [He repeats, as if testing the name on his tongue - and then a soft, indulgent murmur issues from his lips.] ...My name is Isaac. You would do well to remember it.

Isaac...

[He takes a few seconds to take the name into memory.]

I shall remember it, no worries. I trust you have settled in well by now?

Hah. [The hellion snorts faintly, the corners of his mouth quirking into the wryest of smirks. With every passing moment, he only feels more deeply drawn to the man standing before him as if they have known one another for years.]

As well as a wicked beast can be expected to, among men.

[He glances towards the village, his eyes hazy and unfocused for a moment.

A beast among men?

[As he feels something...inexplicable for the man, Saleh could not fathom why he would think of himself this way.]

Then...where are you staying?

I have a place. [He answers a touch coldly, and dismissively.] It still is in need of... finishing touches... but I possess all that I need.

Edited 2012-02-13 02:20 (UTC)

Ah...I'm glad to hear that.

[Regardless of his own feelings, he would still respect the personal space of others, and Isaac seemed particularly defensive about his, so Saleh begins to back away.]

I'm sorry. It is not my place to inquire about such matters.

[Isaac isn't much responsive to apologies and leaves it hanging. No snarling remark, however.]

You wish to see it, do you? [He asks, his voice tinged with the slightest hint of sly amusement.] I imagine you do. Why else would you have asked?

I'm...not even sure why I asked. I don't know what came over me...

[He looks away, seemingly ashamed.]

That won't be necessary. You needn't share it if you don't wish to...

[Tilting his head back, he lets loose a breathy laugh.]

...You seem nervous. [Uncrossing his arms, he straightens and takes a step towards Saleh.] Are you afraid that I will bite?

Nervous? ...I suppose you could say that I am...

[He faces Isaac again, his heart pounding in his chest.]

You...won't bite, will you?

Not very hard. [A serious remark, or one made in jest? It's impossible to determine.] Unless... [He adds in an afterthought, and breaks off just as soon with a soft chuckle, studying Saleh's expression. More than anything, it is an attempt to gauge how open the man is to... things relevant to his interests, without being more forward and potentially turning him away. The last thing Isaac wanted was for Saleh to have nothing to do with him, to abandon him, as Hector had.]

Unless...?

[Saleh watches the forgemaster, visibly anxious for the response.]

[Isaac purses his lips - the corners curling upwards softly - and the thought is left at that. He looks away towards the snow-blanketed trees for a while, his features pinching bitterly.]

I hate the cold. [He remarks with a sniff, half to himself.] I imagine the fiery bowels of Hell would be more hospitable a place.

[That doesn't seem like a very hospitable place, but it doesn't seem like Isaac's place either.]

Perhaps you should head somewhere warmer if the cold bothers you so much.

I am about to. [Swiveling around, he takes a few deliberate steps in the opposite direction, lazily spreading his arms.] You are welcome to join me... that is, if... I do not offend. [There is an edge of resentment in his voice, and yet it is not directed towards Saleh.] Of course... there is always the option of freezing half to death, if it pleases you.

...No, I'm...I'm not offended.

[Still, curiosity gets the better of him as he slowly begins to follow.]

Very well. Thank you.

[He forges onwards - no pun intended - managing to keep silent for all of ten seconds before he flicks a glance over his shoulder at the other and lets fly some irresistible, sharp-tongued remark.]

What are you doing? ...Are you coming, or do you intend only to trail me from afar like some sickly stray?

[Saleh only gets confused and pauses.]

I'm coming... Does that bother you?

[Though Isaac had invited him...so he's not quite sure what is being implied here.]

[With some measure of annoyance, he answers:] I have seen rotting corpses crawl faster than you walk. [A very charming, roundabout way of asking, 'why are you not walking by my side?]]

[Saleh seems to get that message, as he moves up to follow more closely. He still stays behind the other man, since Isaac is supposed to be leading the way, after all.]

Sorry...

[Satisfied, he pushes on ahead, eventually arriving at the broad mouth of a cave and a short set of stairs carved into rock that plunge downwards. All this and more are the product of his devils' focused, tireless efforts under his direction over the course of several weeks. At the base of the staircase is an arched wooden door with two unlit torches on either side. The door groans softly as he shows himself in, the tunnel-like interior dimly lit by glowing candles ensconced in the walls.

The place is meant to resemble a castle - namely the inside of Dracula's Castle - but it is still rough and unpolished in appearance; in need of a few more rugs and paintings, he muses. He can fill it with all the pretty things he likes, but ultimately, it will still feel cold and empty.

Abel - a horned demon with a humanoid body and feathery black wings - appears swiftly, arms folded and glowering at the visitor. Isaac gazes upon him with muted pride and fondness.]

Ah, yes, I do not believe the two of you have been introduced. This is Abel. Had you not entered with me, I fear he would have torn you limb from limb.

[Saleh slows once more as he descended down the steps. It was amazing to him, despite his almost two years in Luceti and his frequent treks through the woods, he had not noticed this cave or its structure. He glances at Abel nervously as he moves to Isaac's side once again.]

This is...fascinating. Did you construct this cave yourself?

[A look of serene contentment settles over his features.]

Hnph. Think you that another man would know better than I the home that I envisioned?

[He gestures to a few rooms with a broad sweep of his hand; one is entirely bare.] What you see before you is the work of my devils. They carved into the earth and have assisted me arranging items... to my taste.

...Please...there's no need to assume what I am thinking.

[He studies the place once more as Isaac offers his explanation. It actually made sense that he had used his creature companions to build the place, as it would be impossible for one man to shape a cave like this on his own.]

So your devils did this. I see. You have many other devils aside from Abel?

[Abel keeps a watchful eye on them as they pass.]

Two. There were others, in Valachia. This world acts as a barrier, dampening the effects of sorcery. Without it, I could forge an army of devils. If... there were need.

[Another one of the rooms is unfurnished and empty but for a set of shackles.]

Ah, yes...all of our abilities are dampened here. They believe the barrier surrounding this village is the cause.

[He glances into the empty rooms, but nothing to see there.]

I highly doubt there would be a need to create an army of devils, though.

Not yet. [He offers with a cool smirk before motioning to a few other places - a small wine cellar that was not yet well stocked, and a bathroom with an elegant, shapely tub. After all, he had learned very quickly that Lord Dracula, with his keen sense of smell, would not suffer the company of a reeking servant he frequently came into contact with. The brief tour ends with Isaac's bedroom.]

And here... well. [A chuckle.] Mnhmn.

[As one might expect, his bed is curtained, has several throw pillows, and larger than for one man alone (which offers him much room to languorously roll around, if nothing else). The sheets are a rich red in colour, a thick blanket draped with some care over the lower half of the mattress.

Nearby is a hearth, unlit; and against the wall opposite the bed is a shelf and a small table with all manners of things on them. Most notable would be Julian Bell's tie, a sword-sharpening rock, a knife, empty goblets, his journal, a few wooden carvings of little creatures, and a wine bottle.

While it is a glamorously sensual space, candles and all, it does not come off as garish or overindulgent... at least, not to him. He seats himself upon a mahogany throne chair and leans back deeply, eying Saleh expectantly.]

[Saleh studies the bedroom and all of its features. Wow, this one was taken care of pretty well. He watches Isaac as he takes the seat and watches him in turn, but now he has no clue what to do next. Sitting down anywhere without invitation would be rude, after all.]

This is...a lovely bedroom. Thank you for the tour.

[He is quietly pleased at the compliment.]

I respect a man who shares good taste.

[Saleh strikes him as being slightly uneasy, but for the time being he pretends to be oblivious to it.]

[Isaac seems to be done with the tour, and nothing seems to be happening. Saleh is finding it more and more difficult to keep his feelings bottled up inside. But he can't just blurt it out, can he?]

Isaac...

[Some visible signs of his attraction may be blushing and slight trembling.]

[Very little escapes his keen eyes - and this... this was an interesting development, one he would have thought somewhat amusing were it not so surprising. Just when he had supposed Saleh to be entirely unreceptive to his advances, a promising sign...

After pausing a beat longer than he means to, he prompts him with all possible sweetness.]

Mn~? [It is difficult to pass himself off as ignorant when his pulse is suddenly quickening in anticipation, but who is Isaac without his masks and airs?]

[There's another long pause as Saleh struggles to get his words together, and then to get them out.]

I'm...not sure if I should be saying this...but there's just...something about you...

...Oh?

[He cocks his head, slanting him a knowing look while urging him to press on. For all his casual behaviour, he is hanging on every word almost desperately, more than half-expecting this to be none other than a tease, a viciously cruel trick.]

[Well, he's already started, so he might as well keep going.]

I...don't even know what it is that I'm feeling. It's just...watching you...it makes my heart race...

Is that so? ...You say it as if it is something terrible. [He manages a lilting voice, a smile.]

[He looks away, deep in thought.]

It's not...terrible. I just...don't know what to do...or if I should be feeling this way at all...

[Oh.

The devil forgemaster similarly glances away, attempting indifference as he waves away the answer.]

Feelings. [He repeats, an old bitterness tainting his words.] Only a fool would place value in such things.

Ah...that's not...

[That...kind of stung. He would have said that wasn't true, but maybe it is true? It doesn't help that Saleh is so clueless on the subject of love...]

Oh...I'm sorry...I shouldn't have said anything...

[Before he can stop himself, a single, telling word slides off his tongue.]

...Indeed.

[Gently closing his eyes for a moment, he becomes aware of a dull, deepening ache behind his breastbone. It is nothing short of aggravating, the kind of pain he can't derive the slightest pleasure from.]

If you are finished standing before me like a useless servant, then you are welcome to leave.

Ah...as you wish...

[Now Saleh feels like a horrible person and he should feel horrible. And so he begins to leave in a rather hasty manner.]

[Isaac does not follow.

Had love not overtaken the dark influence of his curse, he may have attempted to impose himself on Saleh and indulge some of his baser emotions. But not now. He can't - - he won't. Aside from his sister, Abel, and Lord Dracula, this man he knew for so short a time was one of the few good, unspoilt, meaningful things he knew in his life, and God forbid if he let impulsiveness and carnal greed ruin it.

The cold anger he projected towards Saleh was that he felt for himself, for having for an instant entertained the hope that the man he admired and adored with every fibre of his being ever since they first met would feel the same. A foolish thought. Foolish.

He would have a teasing smile ready for when next he met Saleh, and would be able to masterfully pretend he felt nothing all while sitting in this chair in his home hollowed into the earth. For now, however... he wishes to be left alone.]

Edited 2012-02-15 16:47 (UTC)

054 [Voice/Action]

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

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

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject