driftfleet | (no subject)

Who: The burrito of death (aka Tek)
Broadcast: Audio, open to the fleet
Action: Bloodsport cargo hold
When: Broadcast day after the attack - Action open all month

[this one is sent in audio only, because goodness no one needs to see his current face--though, his voice isn't right either. it's too light, too delicate, and there is a little too much purr to it. especially without the aid of a video feed, it's hard to tell whether the speaker is male or female or monster at all.

and the tone is nothing but flat.]

Everyone is safe and accounted for? Nothing is entirely amiss? Wonderful.

[he isn't bitter about no one asking about his absence at all. nope. not one bit.]

So, I guess it's about time to start returning to our old routine, hmm? Everyone ready for things to go back to normal? Especially with such a good distraction from our recent little 'vacation home,' I know I sure am ready to forget about everything that just happened.

[this weapons-grade sarcasm could burn a hole through the floor.]

Especially with all of this new spending cash. ...Have you all checked your accounts today? The bonuses are already rolling in.

Isn't it wonderful.

[this sorry creature feels sickened and infuriated and doesn't have the strength to vent it any other way. so, a pissy broadcast it is!

and for anyone wandering the Red Fish any time soon, he can be found actually sitting up now. still wrapped in blankets and misery, but he's at least upright. it's a step.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[just one more detail in the whole tapestry of ways that the dragon neither looks or feels anything like he should right now.]

I had the grand misfortune of being aided by a necromancer, who had his own opinions on how the whole thing should go.

A necromancer. [He turns it over on his tongue, recalling a previous explanation and waiting for his opinion to hit. It doesn't. Not yet.]

How should it have gone? What did he do wrong?

He interrupted the natural cycle of things, as they are wont to do. So, now...

[he gestures at himself-- all of the subtly monstrous features and the halfway-feminine form he's apparently caught in.]

I'm not feeling quite myself at the moment.

[To him, the features Tek gestures to are nothing so monstrous. Rather, they're placeable. Different and terrifying and mystical and yet, appropriate. Beautiful in their abnormality. An improvement, perhaps, on his normal appearance.

He wants to tell him. To compliment. But it feels wrong and his tongue always did turn clumsy.]

Is there anything I can do to help?

[He splays his palms in silent offering.] I'll do whatever I can.

To be honest, knowing that not every mortal here would have joined in the mob is a help all on its own.

[which, though it's a little manipulative to say, he does mean it underneath everything else.

he hasn't needed allies for a very long time. so, it's nice to know that there would be a few of them out there, if it ever came down to it.]

[A bite of fire mixes with sympathy. He leans forward, placing a hand between them.]

Tek. Had I the power I would have destroyed any soul who came after you. If a friend is what you need, then consider me a loyal one.

[the thoughtful sound that rumbles in his chest is another one of those noises that is only a small part human. it's mostly a deep, animal sound as he takes in the feeling behind that statement and mulls it over.

and he isn't in a hurry to finally reply.]

...You're quick to pronounce heart-felt allegiances, aren't you?

[it doesn't actually sound as pointed of a question as the words might otherwise make it seem. it sounds more like genuine, guarded curiosity than anything.]

[Said any other way, the question would wound him. Cut him open raw. As it is, it merely stings. A reminder of his path of errors that, even still, he's unsure if he regrets. Glancing downwards, he smiles to himself, fingers curling into his palm.]

Only to those I believe in.

You have a lot of it, I suppose. [to clarify--] Belief.

[and it's a statement, not a question, while he continues to think.]

...Have you always pinned it so eagerly on multiple things, or has that trend formed only after losing Her?

[again, an honest question--with a shallow tilt of his head. he's figuring him out. following the roots of this back, seeing where they go, before he considers investing himself.]

[His smile thins to something polite, but hollow. Slowly, he raises his head.]

That sounds almost insulting. [His smile broadens, as if that would rid his tone of its colder edge.] I am a man of faith. That faith is not limited to my goddess. In a world full of doubt, belief is a precious commodity. I'm more than happy to be generous with it. It's a simple matter.

[he weighs the little wounds, measures the effect of the light insults, and he feels almost reassured. he feels like he can finally stop prodding, now.]

Such genuine faith is a rare thing. ...So, I hope you can understand the reasons behind my questions.

[He laughs, all hardness melting away.]

Do you doubt me? [He's used to scorn, disgust, ignorance—but suspicion? It's surprisingly rare.] I suppose that's fair. Yet I stand by my offer. If an ally is what you need, I will happily supply.

[He smiles and this time it's true.] We're friends, Tek. Is that not what you told me?

[despite his exhaustion, he has to laugh a little.]

I suppose it is. ...Perhaps I'm not used to it being taken to heart.

[It warms him to hear the laugh. Contagious, it makes him smile.]

First time for everything?