knifemonopoly | IC inbox

[The tendrils are unexpected, but not unwelcome. Maybe it says something about Ryou's lack of creativity, but he's never really put much thought into the usage of tendrils in such a way. He's still mildly incapacitated by his own weakness right now, but it's okay.

It's alright because Atem's holding him so thoroughly, so completely that it's like he's been tied up in him. He likes having the extra limbs wound around his body, and maybe if he wasn't so tired, he would do more than kiss Atem with greater fervor than before. This is right. If anyone was going to tie him up so thoroughly, he'd rather it was Atem more than anyone else.

When the kiss breaks he's breathless, eyes half-closed and flushed to the tips of his ears. Oh...that wasn't...well, he didn't mean to get lost in it. And he does try to pull himself back, but the hand holding his chin, the thumb passing along his lip?

It's almost like Ryou had done something terribly right, and now Atem was messing with him a little.]

Mmm, never.

From now on, from this day forward, be yourself. Don't let me stand in the way of who you are, Atem. I'll stay by your side, and if you need me to do something, just ask...okay?

No pretending. And certainly no letting people think we don't like each other. Neither one of us want that.

[Though in the end, if that's what Atem needed, Ryou would do it. He'd do as he's asked if it helps, even if it hurts.]

[Atem's not thinking of it as tying up; to him, it's more like being able to have a hand at Ryou's chin, and a hand at Ryou's back, and to hold Ryou's hand, and to have a hand slide up his arm, and to have hands at his thighs, all at the same time.

Finally, it feels like he has enough hands.

He takes in Ryou's expression -- Ryou seems to approve, good, it's a little like wrapping Ryou up in naga-coils, Atem misses that -- and listens to what he has to say, to the promise of never, and to..."be yourself."

Who is he? He's still not quite managed to answer that question, beyond a strategist and someone who makes friends and supports them. No one's given him an answer he's satisfied with...

What's he like, when he's not trying to help all his friends win all the time?

He's going to find out.

To Ryou, Atem shakes his head in agreement.]

No pretending. This is going to be difficult enough...no need to make it harder by giving up something we both like.

[The tendril behind Ryou presses against his lower back, as if pulling him in. It's not independent, like the snakes...this is deliberate.]

Don't worry. Whatever happens, I'll lend you my power. I've been doing a pretty good job of growing, after all.

[Ohhh, he wants to show Atem his gift for leveling up under the Fog. He wants to! But...no energy. Hell, the fact that Atem has him firmly supported in the grip of his tendrils is honestly what's lending him strength.

...and you know, stopping him from flopping over.

For now, though, he's happy to be pulled closer. It encourages him to snake his tail more tightly around Atem's knee, the tip creeping further up to curl around his thigh slowly.

He suddenly lets out a soft laugh as he thinks of something.]

Do you think the Fog will be angry if I use Her power but give you my loyalty? H-heheh. If you go for priest...you'll probably need a formal supporter anyway.

[Though to be fair, priesthood in Ryslig isn't quite the same as actual priesthood. But Ryou can make jokes if he likes.]

...You'll be holier than me, I think. Very well done.

Heh heh!

[He chuckles, bringing their faces closer, brushing their noses together.]

No, I don't think she will. As long as you're effective for her, doing what she wants done in Ryslig...she'll reward you with power. There's one priest I could name who I doubt would have made it, if he had to be loyal to anyone but himself...

[That tail's sliding up his leg...something in Atem's expression turns more playful, now that he's noticed. It pulls his thoughts away from AM, and towards Ryou.]

Don't take it too personally. I hear it's difficult to be holier than me! At least, that's what they tell me...

[The tendril at Ryou's back is working its way under the hem of his shirt, though, in a way that's affectionate, but not particularly holy.]

[Ryou might just have commented on which priest Atem was referring to, AM or Aunamee, but then...he feels the tendril pushing up under his shirt and his attention is absolutely shot with regards to that conversational point.

...He feels pretty useless, given that his arms aren't gripping nearly as tightly around Atem as he'd like, but at least his tail's getting somewhere. And Atem is humoring him, despite how noodly his limbs are.

Ryou does miss being an active participant in physical flirtation. He hopes the start of the month will bring him strength...but for now, this is fine. For now...he leans in and presses a small kiss to Atem's lips, just a quick, affectionate peck before he speaks again. He murmurs the words teasingly close.]

...Not sure if that's very holy. But then again...if we're "married" then it's not unholy at all.

[Ryou no.]

[He teases right back:]

At least that's one thing the thief Bakura can't say anything about!

[There's plenty else Atem's going to be judged for, fairly or not...

...but the marriage misconception means sleeping with Ryou isn't one of them.

So many people came in this month who have complicated relationships with Atem...there's the thief, there's Daniel, there's Komaeda...

His fingers grip Ryou's hand a little tighter, and all his tendrils mirror the gesture. There's a new storm coming, and Atem's uncertain of how much more he can weather. He's already been blown around, there are holes in his hull, and in the face of that, he clings a little tighter to the person who has always, always been a source of shelter he can count on. Sorry about the shift in mood, Ryou, he cracks the joke but then goes quiet.]

[Ryou notices, of course. Even if he hadn't been around Atem long enough to notice that kind of thing, he'd still have caught the odd silence.

...It would be worth the trouble of doing what he's about to do. So, he draws in a long, steeling breath and curls his arms and tail as securely around Atem as he can. He lets out a soft sound of distress and his eyes squeeze shut as he levitates them both. It's...very difficult, but ultimately he gets them both on the couch and with a groan, lays back. Oh, but he drags Atem down with him, even though this time, his grip is weaker than before.

Today's a day of pushing his boundaries, unfortunately. But Ryou had just gotten done professing how much he intended to give Atem. He has to prove it now.]

Th...there, now it's better, right? We don't...have to be on the floor. H-haha.

[His tail tip flicks weakly.]

This is your time...to do whatever you like. Don't think about anything out there for a few hours. I know, easier said than done...but maybe we can play a word game. Anything you want.

Ulp--!

[Atem blinks!! This sensation is very weird! He's never been telekinetically lifted before, and he's not certain he likes it -- the tentacles and hands grip Ryou a little tighter, until he's set down--

...though, it's a pretty impressive use of power, drained as Ryou is. The precision, even though he's exhausted, is especially notable. It shows on his face, as he takes a moment to re-settle, relax again.

Atem settles in on top of Ryou, all his limbs getting comfortable, tucking his face into Ryou's hair, beside his neck. Ryou really is a good boyfriend...]

You know, if anyone was going to be frequently mistaken for being married to me...

...I'm glad it's you.

[Ryou smiles softly, then tilts his head to the side a bit, just to press their faces closer briefly.]

I'd say it's an odd compliment, but...everything's odd here. I'm happy to be by your side, even if it means there's a misconception to it. It is only a few people who think it, I'm sure we'll be alright.

[Ryou softly trails a hand from Atem's shoulders to the small of his back, though on the way down he paths towards one of the tendrils. Are they completely solid, he wonders, or will his fingers pass right through?]

...Sorry if I took you by surprise, by the way. Levitating you, I mean. I should have asked.

[The new limbs are solid. They're smooth, the same consistency as a shade made solid, and, like Atem himself, the same temperature as what's around them.

The one that had been around Ryou's back retracts a little, brushing over his side instead.]

That's all right. It was surprising -- but you didn't drop me, even though you were tired. That's very good!

[Tendrils wind slowly down Ryou's legs, their ends hanging out around his knees. The one on his arm stays firmly in place, as Atem chats idly, comfortably. He's relaxed fully again, his skin warming up where it's against Ryou's.]

Have you been working on it...? It seems like you're getting stronger.

[ The way her double worded the request lead to this. If she'd had her way, she probably would've done something more...destructive. Or maybe it's what the real Riley needed and that's why it was granted—she doesn't know. Doesn't care to examine it. Not about the Fog. ]

Mmhmmm. Yeah, it really is similar. [ Though it isn't vampire that she draws specific connections to, when she thinks about it. If she were being completely honest, she knows what monster this is. The fear it inspires in her. Poetic, to use something you're afraid of as your own. ]

I could get away in a hurry. Whatever he tried...I could slip out of it.

[ She raises her leg out from its position inside the roof. ]

[The shade Atem's closest to has fought tooth and nail to hold onto as much solid-time as he can, so it's, regrettably, not his first thought.

Still...he considers her position. She doesn't get along with the Fog, doesn't want the strings attached, but does want this one particular power.]

You don't have to keep it forever. Just until he makes whatever move he's going to make...or until the situation changes. You're not planning to advance, are you?

[While Atem is room temperature as usual...Ryou's face is heating up, and his ears twitch just a bit, enough to notice for certain. He's happy at the compliment, though now that he, personally, isn't a vampire, it's not as liable to make him bend over backwards.

It's just nice to be noticed, that's all.

And being held so closely helps too.]

I've always been able to levitate things, but...I usually kept it to small objects, like the dish towels, or a paint brush. If it wasn't myself, it was always more difficult unless I was angry.

[His tail tip flicks back and forth lazily, brushing against Atem's leg.]

It's much harder...like this. I feel so terribly exhausted these days.

[He probably should rest, instead of walking around, especially when he's still got wounds healing just about everywhere on his body.]

[A gentle kiss is pressed to the underside of Ryou's jaw.]

It should only last until the fog comes in.

[He has no reason to believe this won't follow the usual pattern.]

It's just going to take a little more time. But I'll help, until you're recovered...like I know you'd do for me.

[That's how their relationship is. If Atem's blind and shedding, Ryou helps him...if Ryou's recovering from a flower-removing science procedure, Atem helps him.]

Hmm.

[The kiss is definitely appreciated. His tail flickers light blue in contentment as he hums appreciatively.]

...It's nice to be cared for. I'll be sure to make it up to you on the fourth.

[~~Little does he know...~~]

We could hunt together then, since...well, we share a feeding type now. A-and maybe you can show me how to, um. Save some for later. Or however it is that you acquire supplies, since I've been so greedy as of late.

[Atem's been taking very good care of him, and Ryou feels bad...almost as bad as he feels for having read something he shouldn't have. It had turned out alright though.]

...Thank you. For everything. For helping me and...for trusting me.

There's no one I trust more.

[Atem's messages...he stands by his words, whether they're said in public or private. Just because there are some things he doesn't want the whole world to see doesn't mean he's ashamed of them. He doesn't want attention, he's keeping strategic secrets now...but neither factor is a problem when it's Ryou.]

I'll show you how to draw blood. The bags with anticoagulant are pretty expensive, but worth it...

[Atem's gotten comfortable, and he sounds almost sleepy. They could nap here, if they decided to. Atem's tired -- he's been out on a flight, and his heart was weary even before that...]

...there's also a butcher shop that'll dehydrate blood for you, so that it keeps for months, and can be made into a kind of tea. Mr. Joestar -- that demon we met in December? He showed me how to do it. It doesn't taste as bad as preserved bag-blood...there's no chemical taste.

[He’s beginning to get used to Atem’s responses to things. There is a level of maturity in him that is nonetheless sometimes surprising, and at times it makes Giorno feel well and truly like a child. It’s hard to understand how Atem stays serene about these things. Giorno is very good at acting unaffected, but what he sees before him is different. It’s not that Atem is unaffected, it’s that he absorbs the information, sees it for what it is, and acknowledges the pain without his own strong emotional reaction coloring the moment of confession.]

[Rarely if ever is he jealous of others, because he has clawed his way out of the dead earth all on his own, and he deserves everything he’s gotten. But he is jealous of Atem right now.]

[And then he’s looking down at his hands, spread flat and wide palms-up on his lap. It might seem as though he’s hesitating until one notices that he’s not so much looking as watching. Waiting for a tremor. But there isn’t one. His emotions haven’t reached his hands, and they won’t. They very rarely do.]

[He lifts his head, and he nods.]

I can do it. I’d rather this not be both of our first times.

[This is a joke? Probably?]

No.

[ Her voice betrays how strongly she feels about that. Insistent, disgusted at the possibility. ]

I don't... Never. She's probably not even paying attention...but I don't want her to think she's won.

[He nods.]

Hm. I've heard mixed reports...some people say the Fog's never asked them for anything they wouldn't do themselves, and others who've been here longer say she'll call in favors, ask us to attack her enemies.

Personally, I think she's getting more active lately. Both of the gods...Haftesal's got weapons that are effective against the fog itself, and every time it comes in, it's the same bloodthirsty broken record in my brain! As a first tier, she probably won't expect much service, but I can't discount the possibility completely that one day she'll ask you to fight for her.

But, until that happens...you can hold onto it. Wait to get rid of it until you have to.

Edited 2022-03-05 15:16 (UTC)

[Atem's been told some horrible things. His own father, as Atem understands it, gave an order for mass human sacrifice. 99 people. He's a little bit used to large numbers of the dead, by now.

If he told someone about what his family had done, he wouldn't want them to recoil from him, or to hear sorry. He'd want the difficulty of the situation recognized, but not pity, or anything else that wouldn't change matters. He'd want to be understood...but not in a way where someone else told their comparable story, pulling the focus onto them instead of him. So he gives Giorno that same understanding, and respect.

....at least until Giorno cracks the joke -- it has to be? Put like that? At least, it makes the tension crack for Atem, whose mouth pulls up in a grin, and whose spike-lined shoulders twitch in a light laugh.]

Heh! All right, then...I'm in your hands!

[He kids back as he lays the hollow needle and its tube out on a tray-table and settles into a low, comfortable chair beside it. Leaving the needle and its attached tube to Giorno, Atem rolls up his sweater-sleeve, takes a strip of elastic, and, using his prehensile tail-tip to hold it in place like a second hand, ties it tight above his elbow. He rests his hand wrist-up on the arm of the chair, clenching and flexing his fingers, making the veins easier to spot. Giorno may or may not need the guidance, with a vampire's sense for blood...but it's a very normal bit of phlebotomy preparation, and not very vampire-y at all.

If Giorno starts to seem less controlled about the blood-draw, though, Atem hasn't forgotten his promise. He's got no intention of giving up a life, or even getting seriously injured, today...he'll keep an eye out for cracks in that composure, for anything that seems off. He's relaxed, but watchful.]

[ Riley breaths out quickly. ]

I won't. And...I won't let her try to make me. I'm not gonna listen to her.

[ It's not what she's been ordered or not ordered to do, for Riley. It's the lack of anything. The lack of care...except when she needs something. The circumstances, the way she acts. It's not even necessarily the acts, anymore. ]

But... She thinks one day I'll just fall in line. One day, it'll make sense. [ There's a dark look on Riley's face. Last she had it... Last Atem saw it was in her dreamworld, where she tortured her own parents to death. ] She can't think that was true. I...have to show her otherwise.

H-haha...blood tea, hm? I wonder...if we could steep actual tea in it once it's mixed. I might experiment.

[Ryou turns his head to the side suddenly, just so that he can let out a long, but soft, yawn. He doesn't want to yawn in Atem's face, that's rude. Though shortly after that point, he snuggles into the couch to get a little more comfortable and wraps his arms more securely around Atem, as if he's a body pillow.

He's...pretty tired himself.]

Sorry...I know I sleep all the time now...but I'm...

[He trails off, suppressing another yawn as best he can.]

[He shifts so his arm is under Ryou's head, pillowing it.]

That's okay. Get some rest! I'll stay with you...I'm pretty tired, too...

[A couch nap sounds really good. He might leave the tendrils out, because holding Ryou in them feels nice the same way having him in snake coils did....and, it's not like he has circulating blood. His limbs don't fall asleep anymore!]

When you wake up, you'll be that much closer to feeling better. And trying out blood tea variations...I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

I'll do my best...

[Atem is way too good to him. Ryou's tail remains a pleasantly soft blue as Atem supports his head. Supports his...everything, honestly. He likes these tendrils, and he's sure that they weren't made specifically to attend to his comfort, but for right now, that's what Atem's using them for.

Ryou dozes off pretty quickly, his grip slackening but his tail staying loosely wound around Atem's leg as he naps.]

[He knows that look.

And, he understands...this is different from how Atem feels about the Fog, where he just doesn't want to be used to inflict harm he didn't choose himself.

This is about Riley interacting with a being that has power over her, who expects her to just be the perfect doll she expects Riley to be, without listening to Riley in return, without treating her as someone who has the right to be heard, to be treated as a person, not a pet.

He nods again, firmer.]

Is there a way to get both? To keep this power, and to stick it to her? I guess there's no guarantee that a level-one pledge to Elias would give the same ability...

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cw not entirely safe for work metatext, bondage??

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boys gettin saucy

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it has been 2 days but it feels like a week

what is time, anyway

a miserable pile of secrets

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WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, PLAYER1. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 10.11.0.0.01 * PLAYER1 has joined 10.11.0.0.01 <PLAYER1>** If you're looking for someone you knew as Yugi before June, you've found him! It's Atem, leave a message.