IC Inbox

[gotinmyway]

"It's a shame you couldn't tell me this in person! Be quick."

Comments

audio; un: sandjackals

[shadowstrikes]

Hey. [There's a little pause, not super tense or heavy or long, but a moment of consideration certainly before--] There was a fuck-off earthquake about half a year or more before you showed up. Totalled our place in the Up so we had to do a bunch of reno on the whole site.

... Wanna come to the housewarming now it's done, or is that kinda shit too pedestrian for your tastes?

audio; un:venison

[gotinmyway]

[Well this is unexpected!]

I'm more impressed that you would invite me to be around other people you know. How can I say no to that?

[shadowstrikes]

I'm inviting you around people I know can take out your back molars if you decide to unhinge your jaw over them.

But there's a barbecue so I figure you'd be set either way.

ATTN: ALASTOR

[duplicitymods]

❝

DUPLICITY CITATION No. 19631 Violation: Sexual Deviancy (Dominant/Dominant) Fine: 1 week realignment Payments must be received within 30 calendar days, or debts will be handed over to the Remittance Facility.

❞

@voxtek; voice

[newstatusquo]

[ When he speaks his tones are flat, and hollow, but Alastor might realize that he's hiding a laugh. ]

So this is me doing my best to convince you that your errant ways are very very bad and your dietary choices might be upsetting to some.

There. Feel chastised for your bad choices?

[ And then back to his normal tones. ]

Also are you aware that there's a city off this place called Insincerity apparently where it's unsafe to go, and part of that is that they have a cannibal restaurant called Canteen and Eatery?

Wonder if that's what happens to the people that vanish from here.

@venison; voice

[gotinmyway]

That was the most lacklustre attempt at convincing I've ever heard.

[Which he knows was the point.]

But no, I wasn't aware. Interesting... I wonder how far the ride from Duplicity is to this other city?

And that's a theory, at the very least.

[newstatusquo]

Oh good. Then I've done my job.

You know, never stop being you, Alastor. I've been here less than six weeks and in that time you've been arrested AND incited the people against you. I'm honestly impressed.

[ Amused as well and his tones don't hide that either. ]

Something to look into, I would think. In general if nothing else. Funny how so many seem to act as if it doesn't exist.

More logical than this Kumbaya story that we all just happily go back to our lives just as we left them.

un: voxtek; text

[newstatusquo]

[ That he's sending this in text probably says a lot. ]

I am in need of some help, and you qualify for the help I need.

[ Yep, that's a way to get help. He hasn't wanted to bring this up but he isn't interested in the punishments they're talking about but he isn't close to many dominants either.

Normally he knows that would be an excuse to get close to Alastor but this isn't as likely to get him what he wants, but he's not sure where else to turn. ]

[gotinmyway]

[He's actually not in a place to reply with voice right now, being at work. At his other work that he mostly does on the weekends. That's the only reason why he replies in text.]

Not ominous at all, old pal. Are you going to ask me to kill someone for you? I'm afraid I'm a bit busy at the moment.

[newstatusquo]

You would only be the choice if I needed them devoured.
I'm also capable of killing, thank you.

Don't worry about it. I'll figure something out. It's fucking stupid anyway.

[ It's stupid. Just fucking deal with extra quota. He could also talk to Diego about that and screw the fucking collar. ]

forward dated 2 days; @voxtek

[newstatusquo]

Where's Diego? Not getting any answer to my texts and calls.

If you have him tied up or something, at least let him answer me.

un: venison; voice

[gotinmyway]

He’s sleeping.

He’s been asleep for a few days now. I have him in his room, but so far trying to wake him hasn’t amounted to anything.

fine, whatever old man. voice it is.

[newstatusquo]

... He's been sleeping for days? Is he waking up to get a drink? Eat something?

How much of the network have you gone through?

[ Nope, he doesn't like this shit. Not at all and he's not hiding that. ]

voice; @voxtek

[newstatusquo]

So I was recently invited to a party and that invite reminded me of what time of year it is here and while the party isn't our style...

[ He would never, ever take Alastor an orgy. Not unless he was going to just let him loose on the populace in violence somehow or for some reason. ]

But I was thinking that we should maybe have a night out celebrating. Both our recent talks and agreements, as well as the season.

;voice

[gotinmyway]

Are you asking me on a date this time around?

[newstatusquo]

[ There's actually no hesitation. ]

I am. I think I deserve one... and you too.

Under the tree... kind of

[newstatusquo]

[ Hiding it at work, Vox had worked on the radio for several weeks. Rebuilding it from the inside out, even taking care of the wood of a piece he'd found in the back of a thrift store, dusty and forgotten.

It still looked on the outside like it had when it was made, but the inside was new and modern and for a reason. There is a holiday card in an envelope on top of the radio. ]

I know many of the stations here are not your style. This is now tuned into all of the music in my databanks. Much of it is from your shows.

Don't think too much of that.

- Vox

[gotinmyway]

[To say he's delighted by the present is an understatement, though he attempts to tamp it down as he reads the card that comes with it. Before, he would have suspected that it had some sort of built-in camera or microphone meant to spy on him, and that's still where his mind immediately jumps. But after a moment or two of consideration, Alastor decides that it isn't as likely as it might have been a few months ago.

He closes the card and neatly places it back into its envelope, tucking it away inside of his suit before he turns the radio on and listens as it immediately begins to play one of his favourite songs.

He spends the rest of the evening listening and humming along, having a couple of glasses of rye and just relaxing with a gentle smile on his face.]

CHRISTMAS GIFT

[trainwreckage]

[Rather than under the tree, Alastor will be able to find his gift on the kitchen counter so Mabel won't be able to get at it.

In a bag decorated with reindeer and full of crimson tissue paper, the Radio Demon will find a cellophane bag cog full of pecan pralines, neatly tied up with a teal ribbon. Alongside the goodies is a note from Diego that reads:]

"I thought these might be a nice reminder of home. Your first one, I mean. It took a lot of practice and attempts on my end, but this is the batch that ended up turning out the best.

Happy holidays! May we spend many more together.

- Diego"

early morning | action

[trainwreckage]

[Diego doesn't go to Alastor right after he finishes his conversation with Vox, and instead opts to wait until just before the crack of dawn.

Dressed in his pyjamas, the blonde walks downstairs with Mabel dutifully following behind him. He goes into the kitchen and prepares breakfast; plates of raw pork liver, beef bone marrow, a few slices of toast, and a bowl of freshly cut fruit all set up on a tray.

He finishes by pouring two large cups of coffee, one for Alastor and one for himself, before he decides to bring the whole pot up with him.

Once he's back upstairs and outside the master bedroom, Dio informs Alastor of his presence lightly rapping on the door with his tail, then uses it to open the door enough for their beloved pet to scamper inside and greet her favourite person.]

Someone missed you. [He says as he steps inside, and closes the door behind him, tray still in hand.] Anyway, I brought you breakfast.

[gotinmyway]

[Alastor had slept fitfully through the night after finally passing out, an empty bottle of whiskey and a glass sitting on the nightstand beside the bed and evidenced by its rumpled bottom sheet and splay of pillows. The deer is currently curled up in a heap and wrapped tightly in the duvet, his head facing the foot of the bed rather than at its top. Only his ears, antlers, and some mussed strands of hair stick out from the opening, and when the knock at the door comes, he only groans painfully, but otherwise doesn't move.

Not until Mabel hops up onto the bed with a chirp and sticks her head into the opening, nuzzling against his forehead. That prompts him to pull the coverings down a bit, revealing bleary red eyes and more red hair in absolute disarray at this point.

Slowly, he sits up and the little dinosaur takes the opportunity to climb into his lap atop the duvet, leaning against him and demanding to be petted.]

I feel like death.

[Which is his own fault, he knows. Extracting one arm from its prison of down and cotton, he focuses on giving Mabel a little attention first with a few strokes to the cooing mini-raptor. Then he blinks, focusing on Diego and the tray in his hands.]

What time is it?

[trainwreckage]

Of course, you do. [He says, unfolding the legs of the tray before he sets it down on the bed in front of Alastor.] And it's half past five.

Do you remember anything from last night? [Diego stops to look over at Mabel, who's staring longingly at the plates of food as Alastor pets her.] Don't take his food or beg, I'll get you a bowl of ground meat and eggs in a minute.

[ action ]

[trainwreckage]

[After checking the calendar app on his device and seeing that an important date he had marked down is coming up, rather than sending a text or calling Alastor, he's decided to walk to the demon's bedroom so they can discuss it face to face. Dio lightly knocks at the door before he speaks up.] Alastor? Are you available to talk right now?

[gotinmyway]

[There's the faint sound of a radio playing jazz from behind the door, and it takes a moment or two before it opens to reveal Alastor. Who is definitely not wearing his usual attire, but is instead dressed down in just an undershirt and... oddly, a pair of shorts. His hair is also tied back, and in one hand he grips a wet sponge that has been wrung out just enough to keep water from dripping onto the floors.]

Just doing a bit of spring cleaning! Nothing that can't wait.

[And with a flick of his hand, the sponge disappears and he clasps his fingers together behind his back.]

How may I help you, my dear?

[trainwreckage]

In a few days, I'll have been here for a year, and soon after that it will have been a year since we first signed our contract. [He smiles. In the past, he may have been unsure about bringing this up, felt foolish for having such a sentimental attachment to someone. However since their talk a few months ago, when they discussed what they are to one another, and he more or less admitted to loving Alastor without actually saying those words... Dio is more confident in his relationship with the demon, and doesn't feel any uncertainty or discomfort with how dear he is to him.] I was wondering if you'd like to do something to celebrate the occasion?