(no subject)

[samahl]

Who: Cyril Lavellan
Broadcast: OPEN
Action: The Space Bar
When: After he wakes up.

[Network]

[Cyril has been asleep for the last few weeks and when he finally comes to he feels an odd sense of resignment over this whole thing. He really should be angrier, he thinks, but all he can really do is sigh, shake his head, and get really drunk.]

Well, I'm in a mood for a drink. If anyone wants to join me, I'll be at the Space Bar.

[Action]

[And that is exactly where he is after he makes this announcement. He seems pretty relaxed as he orders something strong and works to finish it off. He really doesn't want to seem contemplative or mopey, but he can't quite shake the realization that Atroma could literally do anything to him and he'd be powerless to stop them.

He hates not being able to control every little thing about his own body.

That's why he looks especially well tonight. His make up is even more on point than normal, his hair is perfectly placed, his clothes chosen to complement his form the best way he can, and everything about his body language is so tightly performative - purposely portraying the image of someone without a care in the world.

These are the things he does control. He controls how much alcohol he puts in his system and allows the fuzz to take away the edge of the sharp fear in his chest. He controls how much he smiles and jokes with those around him. He needs to believe that he maintains some level of control, because being reminded that the chip in his head means Atroma can play with him like a little toy makes an uneasiness settle over him he would very much like to ignore for now.]

Comments

action - space bar

[theirondragon]

[Never let it be said that Bull would ever turn down an invitation to booze, so he doesn't mind if he does take Cyril up on that invitation, heading to Space Bar presently. He'd had some work that needed to be done, but that could happen later. What that results in is his arriving in one of the jumpsuits the Fleet had provided upon his arrival.

When he arrives, he tells the barkeep he'd like his usual, a strong and dark ale from some place he couldn't pronounce, and slides onto the chair across from Cyril.]

Long time, no see.

[And he watches the man for a moment. He was perfectly relaxed, impeccably groomed. He looked like he was looking to meet someone here, though it also looked like that someone might be bringing a poison-soaked dagger rather than a drink.

He didn't say anything about it, though. Yet.]

Meeting somebody special?

[Fuck it, yes he is.]

[samahl]

You? [Cyril replies without skipping a beat, and smiles up at Bull with sincere happiness there, even if the angle of his body and face were carefully calculated to show off the best of his features. He can't quite stop mentally maintaining everything about what someone might see when they look at him.]

[theirondragon]

[That gets a chuckle out of him at least.]

Yeah, okay. I'm happy to see you too, Cyril.

[Not or the same reason, obviously, but it sounds genuine at least.] So, where have you been?

[samahl]

Asleep, apparently.

I suppose those in charge thought the viewership was too overstimulated by my beauty, they needed to give everyone a break from it.

[Becuase his fake vanity is always easier to play up than admit any anxiety over the situation.]

[theirondragon]

Asleep, huh? Learn anything?

[He chuckles again, shaking his head.] You've been spending too much time with Dorian.

[And we all know Dorian struts around to hide how he's feeling, too.]

[samahl]

Sadly, no. I didn't return home the way that some say they do when Atroma does that to them. I was blissfully free of dreams as well.

As for Dorian, we just both happen to know we're aesthetically pleasing. He might be one of the few who could best me in that.

[theirondragon]

Right.

[He takes a sip from his ale before arching an eyebrow at the guy.]

No dreams, huh? No weird, future crap, you know, more than you've already got?

[samahl]

Nothing at all.

[He takes a drink from his own cup and then shrugs.]

I would have at least requested some images of beautiful men to keep me company, if they had thought to ask.

[theirondragon]

Well, if you didn't dream then at least time passed pretty quickly, right?

[And another drink, before leaning back in his chair.]

So, what's scared the shit out of you, then?

[samahl]

[Cyril raises his brow and then considers trying to continue to pretend. After a moment, he chuckles and takes a deeper drink.]

More than I'd like to say.

[He sighs softly and though he doesn't totally drop the act he does relax it a little.]

It's more the idea of being put into what was basically a coma for a few weeks with no say the matter. This thing they put in my head means they can make my body do what they like...

How is it any different than, say, a demon possession?

network

[veilstrike]

[ There's definitely some relief on her face as she leans into the camera, fond and gentle. ]

Welcome back, lethallin. I missed you.

[samahl]

[He his happy to see she's still here, and that he can bring her some relief by being awake once more.]

I apologize if my disappearance caused you to worry.

[theirondragon]

[How is it any different from demon possession? He'd been here for a few months and never thought of it that way.

Now? Now he couldn't avoid it.

Shit.]

Uh...[It tells you how to do things you shouldn't know how to do, sometimes it turns you into weird shit...] ...I don't know.

[veilstrike]

I’m just glad to see you’ve returned to us.

[ She does stare at him a little, though. ]

How are you feeling?

[samahl]

[Cyril knows how much demons freak Bull out, and now he feels like an ass for even bringing it up.

If this was the Bull who knew him, he would reach out and touch his arm but for now both his real and artificial hands stay on the bar.]

And that's why the drinking. And possibly looking for someone who will be willing to spend time with me to force all of these unwelcome thoughts out of my head.

private

[samahl]

[He switches over to private to talk about this.]

Admittedly, I don't like the idea that they can turn off my consciousness at a whim.

Nor that they can do the same to you or any of our fellow Thedosians.

private

[veilstrike]

No. It’s not something to be comfortable with.

[ She’d been worried about him, worried about the others... It isn’t right. She knows that. Breathing a sigh, she shakes her head. ]

When will you be done at the bar?

private forever

[samahl]

I not sure.

I am hoping that I won't go home alone.

Are you asking because you'd like to see me? [Becuase he might delay going to the bar to see her now if she'd like. Or plan something with her for the next day.]

[veilstrike]

I don’t think that’s something I can help with.

[ Even if she thought she was his type, she’s very in love with someone else. ]

I can visit tomorrow. It’s no trouble.

[samahl]

Well, perhaps when I'm looking for a purely platonic type of company?

Do you think that tomorrow we could visit the gardens again? I'd think that would help clear my head.

[veilstrike]

That I think I can do. [ She smiles, nodding. ] I can meet you there in the morning, if you like?

[theirondragon]

[Don't feel like too much of an ass, Cyril. Bull asked. He did smirk at the reply, though.]

Looking for a stick, huh?

[samahl]

Well, I am always up for a beating.

[theirondragon]

[He chuckles at that, taking a sip from his cup.]

Yeah, I bet you are, Cyril.

[samahl]

So, if you happen to see a man who seems as if he'd be willing to give me one, you let me know.

[He says it jovially, almost as if he means it as a joke, but honestly that kind of distraction would be good right about now.]