When: Anesus 1, After 1AM
Where: The basement
As soon as the clock had struck for half past the hour, Churat had been among those who'd shuffled back off to their rooms, or at least away from the main hall and the courtyard. There were going to be a lot of people in both places shortly, new people who didn't know him and his, er, oddities. He wasn't cruel enough-- or brave enough, for that matter, as one of the shadows had openly mocked-- to inflict himself on them just yet.
Where: The basement
As soon as the clock had struck for half past the hour, Churat had been among those who'd shuffled back off to their rooms, or at least away from the main hall and the courtyard. There were going to be a lot of people in both places shortly, new people who didn't know him and his, er, oddities. He wasn't cruel enough-- or brave enough, for that matter, as one of the shadows had openly mocked-- to inflict himself on them just yet.
So instead, he wandered around in the basement, from his room to the newly-empty rooms to the rooms for recreation, listening to a lively debate inside his head between Westling and Harlequin, the latter trying to convince the former that the walls were alive and talking, and the former mostly listening indulgently and trying to twist the latter's already-twisted logic to confuse him more. Harlequin was a little off-- oh, the irony of calling anyone that... -- and Westling put up with him because he was fun to mess with. Churat hated listening to it, he felt bad for Harlequin-- it wasn't his fault he was a little mad-- but there wasn't much he could do about it save going "back" and sorting them out "in person", which he never did if he could help it.
He would up hovering near the stairs down, in the end, half-hidden in shadows that felt both like safety and a little overly-clinging-- they really were clinging to him, like cobwebs-- but at least he wasn't in anyone's way. He watched people coming and going, or mostly coming really, with distracted interest.
He would up hovering near the stairs down, in the end, half-hidden in shadows that felt both like safety and a little overly-clinging-- they really were clinging to him, like cobwebs-- but at least he wasn't in anyone's way. He watched people coming and going, or mostly coming really, with distracted interest.
Walking through the open air with her belongings had been easy, but turning down the narrow stone staircase with a trunk in tow was not a chore Desdemona could perform gracefully. She bumped against the wall with a soft grunt, glad at least that most people were either ahead of her or still lingering behind. This was not a moment where she could be hurried along if she tried. One step and then another, and finally she was on solid ground, standing in the basement lounge.
It certainly wasn't a living space to brag about, but she supposed that was due to the cultural mix that occupied the space. It did look like she could make herself comfortable though, at least over time. First thing first, she needed to find a room and then she could explore, without carrying her belongings all along the way. It would have been easier if there'd been a welcoming committee with a map, or at least some way to tell which way to go and where to start. Desdemona had headed towards the basement, figuring that the lack of windows would prove useful in coordination with her sleeping routine.
She was trying to decide which way to turn, which hallway to try first, when she noticed a man standing fairly close to her. After spending her evening around the incoming Lykos and Humans, she'd forgotten just how quiet her own kind could be without a heartbeat to identify their presence. "Hello?" she said, her lips twisting up slightly in a smile.
It certainly wasn't a living space to brag about, but she supposed that was due to the cultural mix that occupied the space. It did look like she could make herself comfortable though, at least over time. First thing first, she needed to find a room and then she could explore, without carrying her belongings all along the way. It would have been easier if there'd been a welcoming committee with a map, or at least some way to tell which way to go and where to start. Desdemona had headed towards the basement, figuring that the lack of windows would prove useful in coordination with her sleeping routine.
She was trying to decide which way to turn, which hallway to try first, when she noticed a man standing fairly close to her. After spending her evening around the incoming Lykos and Humans, she'd forgotten just how quiet her own kind could be without a heartbeat to identify their presence. "Hello?" she said, her lips twisting up slightly in a smile.
Churat had been seriously considering helping the young lady with her trunk, but as usual, he got distracted as more shadows-- the inside-kind, not the outside-kind-- came up to pay attention to what he was seeing and had to add their commentary.
Who would be stupid enough to bring such an unwieldy thing on such a long journey?
It's just going to clutter up her room.
Pretty thing, though. Wonder what she tastes like.
Hush, you! You're getting none of that. Go away.
Managing to keep his rebuke for Garnet in his head rather than vocal, Churat smiled in an absent way at the young lady, teeth sharp, as always, but expression amiable rather than predatory. "Evening," he answered, and came the rest of the way out of his corner by the stairs, shaking his arm a little in an attempt to get the clinging darkness off it. It just followed him, stretching from the shadowy nook in sticky-looking strings. He made an attempt to ignore it and focus on the girl. "Do you need some help with that?" he offered, maybe a bit belatedly, nodding to the trunk.
Who would be stupid enough to bring such an unwieldy thing on such a long journey?
It's just going to clutter up her room.
Pretty thing, though. Wonder what she tastes like.
Hush, you! You're getting none of that. Go away.
Managing to keep his rebuke for Garnet in his head rather than vocal, Churat smiled in an absent way at the young lady, teeth sharp, as always, but expression amiable rather than predatory. "Evening," he answered, and came the rest of the way out of his corner by the stairs, shaking his arm a little in an attempt to get the clinging darkness off it. It just followed him, stretching from the shadowy nook in sticky-looking strings. He made an attempt to ignore it and focus on the girl. "Do you need some help with that?" he offered, maybe a bit belatedly, nodding to the trunk.
Desdemona had wondered why everyone didn't have a trunk of their own, though it seemed far more common with her kind than others. Some of the Lykos had brought nothing at all, which only confused her further, but they they seemed more and more like animals the more she observed. Dogs, she supposed, wouldn't need a trunk, six years or not.
"Yes, please," she said, grateful and fully willing to hand the job over to a man. "It's just so cumbersome, climbing down these stairs. Do you know what rooms are available?" Though he seemed a little unkempt, he was the first one kind enough to step up and help her, and for that he earned kindness in return. She wondered exactly why his fangs were extended, as she couldn't smell blood and biting her would have been rude, but then some people were known to be different. Perhaps Vrykolas in other areas left their fangs out... though she found it a nuisance. Too often would she end up cutting her own lip on her teeth. "I'm Desdemona," she said, smiling politely.
"Yes, please," she said, grateful and fully willing to hand the job over to a man. "It's just so cumbersome, climbing down these stairs. Do you know what rooms are available?" Though he seemed a little unkempt, he was the first one kind enough to step up and help her, and for that he earned kindness in return. She wondered exactly why his fangs were extended, as she couldn't smell blood and biting her would have been rude, but then some people were known to be different. Perhaps Vrykolas in other areas left their fangs out... though she found it a nuisance. Too often would she end up cutting her own lip on her teeth. "I'm Desdemona," she said, smiling politely.
Oh so sweet-and-kind, you are.
Perfect gentleman.
I still think she's pretty.
Don't pout, Garnet, it doesn't become you.
Yes, it does.
Kind of like how leering becomes you?
Trying to ignore the conversation-- you'd think, with all the practice he got over the years, he'd have gotten better at it by now-- Churat stooped to heave the chest up at one end and drag it along, himself. "Churat Vajhala," he answered. "And I know what rooms were empty, though I think some have probably been taken. Do you have a preference between front, back, or closer to anything in particular?"
Perfect gentleman.
I still think she's pretty.
Don't pout, Garnet, it doesn't become you.
Yes, it does.
Kind of like how leering becomes you?
Trying to ignore the conversation-- you'd think, with all the practice he got over the years, he'd have gotten better at it by now-- Churat stooped to heave the chest up at one end and drag it along, himself. "Churat Vajhala," he answered. "And I know what rooms were empty, though I think some have probably been taken. Do you have a preference between front, back, or closer to anything in particular?"
"Good to meet you, Churat," she said. His was the second new name for her to take on that evening and she hoped to remember them all. She was certain there would be many more to come.
The question was a hard question to answer for someone who really didn't know the full layout of the castle. All she really had to go off was what her brother had told her, and that had gotten her to the basement. "If there's anything close to here, that would be nice," she said, looking down the first long corridor as she bent to pick up the back handle of the trunk. It was much easier to carry with assistance. "Have you been here long?"
The question was a hard question to answer for someone who really didn't know the full layout of the castle. All she really had to go off was what her brother had told her, and that had gotten her to the basement. "If there's anything close to here, that would be nice," she said, looking down the first long corridor as she bent to pick up the back handle of the trunk. It was much easier to carry with assistance. "Have you been here long?"
Won't be "good to meet you" for long, one of the darker shadows muttered.
"Quiet," Churat breathed at him, unhappy at being sniped at while he was trying to be helpful. To Desdemona he added, quickly so she didn't think the first word was aimed at her--
Then who do you think she'll think it's aimed at? The walls?
Well, they are talking, you know.
Oh, shut up.
"A few years, now." He was blanking on exactly how long, now. Damn.
Three.
"Ah. Yes, three. And you can have a room closer to the front stairs, but be prepared to defend it. I think some people just try to take the 'good' rooms from whoever's in them just to see if the can, not because they really want them. But there was two in this block-- oh, no,they're taken." The doors were shut fast, so he assumed they were, anyway. The walls and doors both were too thick for him to hear anyone inside, from the hall. "Over here, then." He turned into another block, which still had a door open.
"Quiet," Churat breathed at him, unhappy at being sniped at while he was trying to be helpful. To Desdemona he added, quickly so she didn't think the first word was aimed at her--
Then who do you think she'll think it's aimed at? The walls?
Well, they are talking, you know.
Oh, shut up.
"A few years, now." He was blanking on exactly how long, now. Damn.
Three.
"Ah. Yes, three. And you can have a room closer to the front stairs, but be prepared to defend it. I think some people just try to take the 'good' rooms from whoever's in them just to see if the can, not because they really want them. But there was two in this block-- oh, no,they're taken." The doors were shut fast, so he assumed they were, anyway. The walls and doors both were too thick for him to hear anyone inside, from the hall. "Over here, then." He turned into another block, which still had a door open.
Though her ears picked up the soft word, the follow-up led her mind to mis-hear him, much to his luck, though she did briefly wonder why for the whispering. There didn't seem to be anyone else around at the moment, even if half the castle's inhabitants had exceptional hearing, but when he continued on at normal volume, she quickly forgot the thought to listen.
When they saw that the close doors in the first hallways all seemed to be shut, she followed him back to the next. It was a bit farther from the stairs, but it wasn't a long walk either, so she didn't feel like she was stuffed back in a basement corner. "Probably better not to get the first choice, then," Desdemona said. "I don't want to be fighting others to keep my room. Is your room down here?" Having yet to see an actual room, she didn't know what to expect. It wouldn't be long till she found out.
When they saw that the close doors in the first hallways all seemed to be shut, she followed him back to the next. It was a bit farther from the stairs, but it wasn't a long walk either, so she didn't feel like she was stuffed back in a basement corner. "Probably better not to get the first choice, then," Desdemona said. "I don't want to be fighting others to keep my room. Is your room down here?" Having yet to see an actual room, she didn't know what to expect. It wouldn't be long till she found out.
"I'm at the very end of the hall, in the back," Churat answered, leading her over to the slightly-ajar door. "I don't get bothered much, there."
Ha, that's a laugh.
"Is this one all right, then?" he asked, pushing the door open farther to show it to her. "Really, they're all about the same. The first and fourth are more square, and the second and third have that little nook behind the door, kind of, but otherwise everything's the same." He liked his corner room, but he didn't know what Desdemona preferred, or was used to. She certainly dressed well.
Better than we do, anyway. Or did.
That's not really a good measure, I think.
Why is no one noticing the walls??
Ha, that's a laugh.
"Is this one all right, then?" he asked, pushing the door open farther to show it to her. "Really, they're all about the same. The first and fourth are more square, and the second and third have that little nook behind the door, kind of, but otherwise everything's the same." He liked his corner room, but he didn't know what Desdemona preferred, or was used to. She certainly dressed well.
Better than we do, anyway. Or did.
That's not really a good measure, I think.
Why is no one noticing the walls??
If they were really all the same, then it probably didn't matter what she thought of it. The only difference between these and the upstairs room might be windows. It was hard to tell, but she'd settle for what she could get and work with it from there. "This is fine," she said, following him in with the trunk. It was nothing to be excited about, but it had a bed and a wardrobe and... well, she'd do her best to make it feel homey in the days to come. If she could turn her cave-like home into something like a house, then she could do it here as well.
"Maybe put the trunk by the bed?" she said. "Then I can start unpacking." It was still early, so she had plenty of time before she was ready to go to sleep.
"Maybe put the trunk by the bed?" she said. "Then I can start unpacking." It was still early, so she had plenty of time before she was ready to go to sleep.
"Certainly," Churat said politely, and navigated them over to it and letting her put her end down first before he put the bulk of the weight down, himself. Even if he was insane, Churat did at least try to be a gentleman.
Making friends already.
Maybe you can pretend you're normal!
Oh, that'll be fun to watch.
Or to mess up.
By now, Churat had gotten used to not keeping friends once they figured him out. It was no surprise anymore when they started backing off. Or just disappearing. His shadows found it only appropriate, if not funny. But that didn't stop him from trying one more time, two more times, ten more times. So here he was, trying again.
"Is there anything you have questions about?" he offered.
Making friends already.
Maybe you can pretend you're normal!
Oh, that'll be fun to watch.
Or to mess up.
By now, Churat had gotten used to not keeping friends once they figured him out. It was no surprise anymore when they started backing off. Or just disappearing. His shadows found it only appropriate, if not funny. But that didn't stop him from trying one more time, two more times, ten more times. So here he was, trying again.
"Is there anything you have questions about?" he offered.
"Thank you," she said as they set her trunk down. It felt odd to have a man in her room, even if it had just become that. Her father would have spoken to her about the social rules, but those seemed so out of whack in the compound that she hardly thought it mattered. Already she'd seen that her lifestyle was going to be altered, even if she had no idea how much.
"I have more questions than I know what to do with," Desdemona smiled, taking out a silken pillow case. She began putting it on the pillow as she spoke, hoping the room would feel a bit more her own once she'd unpacked. "How are things run? Is it just a... a free for all? I'd think there would be complete chaos all the time. I suppose... Well... How have you found feeding to be?" she asked. It was a question that worried her and embarrassed her at once. She'd learned to feed at a young age, so that wasn't the problem, yet she hadn't had to live with those she intended to drink from. This made the situation far more awkward than she'd ever had to deal with.
"I have more questions than I know what to do with," Desdemona smiled, taking out a silken pillow case. She began putting it on the pillow as she spoke, hoping the room would feel a bit more her own once she'd unpacked. "How are things run? Is it just a... a free for all? I'd think there would be complete chaos all the time. I suppose... Well... How have you found feeding to be?" she asked. It was a question that worried her and embarrassed her at once. She'd learned to feed at a young age, so that wasn't the problem, yet she hadn't had to live with those she intended to drink from. This made the situation far more awkward than she'd ever had to deal with.
"I don't eat much," Churat admitted, drifting over to the doorway and out of her way. He didn't really have a lot of experience with proper social rules, though he knew them. Still, as Desdemona thought, they didn't much apply here, so he just settled for being polite as much as he could.
You didn't exactly answer her question, Mexecal pointed out snidely, to which Churat sighed a little and made to remedy that.
"But I've found that asking works well. Or grabbing one of the horses, if you can't get anyone to say yes. A couple of the others of our people are willing to share if I ask nicely or do their chores for them, but I'm sure you won't have any trouble getting people to agree. That's another thing, we have chores. Ways to help keep things running around here. That'll all be explained probably morning next, they'll put something up about it around half-past tomorrow night." That's how it'd happened the past couple years, anyway.
Along with another of those damn tests....
Half of the present inner company shuddered, Churat included. He dreaded the tests, even if a lot of the time he didn't have to do much with them. There was always the chance that he would.
You didn't exactly answer her question, Mexecal pointed out snidely, to which Churat sighed a little and made to remedy that.
"But I've found that asking works well. Or grabbing one of the horses, if you can't get anyone to say yes. A couple of the others of our people are willing to share if I ask nicely or do their chores for them, but I'm sure you won't have any trouble getting people to agree. That's another thing, we have chores. Ways to help keep things running around here. That'll all be explained probably morning next, they'll put something up about it around half-past tomorrow night." That's how it'd happened the past couple years, anyway.
Along with another of those damn tests....
Half of the present inner company shuddered, Churat included. He dreaded the tests, even if a lot of the time he didn't have to do much with them. There was always the chance that he would.
Desdemona shivered, though not for the same reason Churat had. The thought of feeding off horses was horrendous, forcing them down to an animal-like behavior that she could hardly fathom. She'd not fed from animals since she was little, when taking on a human would have hardly been practical. But asking? She'd never asked to feed from someone. She couldn't decide if that was worse, being reduced to beg for her food.
"When you ask, do they actually... let you?" Desdemona asked, having trouble picturing the moment in her mind. "I can't believe we've been reduced to trading chores for meals. We do their laundry and they give us blood?" She sighed, taking a seat on the bed. "What about this situation is supposed to foster unity?" She still didn't see how this was supposed to work out. The compound felt like six years of torture, rather than a life lesson to be learned.
"When you ask, do they actually... let you?" Desdemona asked, having trouble picturing the moment in her mind. "I can't believe we've been reduced to trading chores for meals. We do their laundry and they give us blood?" She sighed, taking a seat on the bed. "What about this situation is supposed to foster unity?" She still didn't see how this was supposed to work out. The compound felt like six years of torture, rather than a life lesson to be learned.
What is she, too proud to ask favors and play nice with her food?
Hey, I'm with her, I'd much rather pounce things.
Yeah, except you suck at it.
... Bet I'd get better with practice.
"Well, it hardly fosters unity to be attacking people all the time," Churat pointed out. "Asking nicely is something I bet humans and Lykos would prefer we do all the time. And I don't really trade chores with the humans so much," he admitted. "Sometimes, sure, but more often I trade chores with others of us and they share whatever they find. You know, eat a little extra for me. I'm, uh, not so good at convincing people they should feed me, really...."
Understatement of the century, there, kid.
Well, considering he didn't actually ask much, and mostly just had regular Vrykola he shared with, that wasn't terribly surprising. He mostly figured that humans didn't want to feed a crazy Vrykola any more than his parents had, so he stuck with people he knew could be bribed with work, or the rare one who took pity on him.
Hey, I'm with her, I'd much rather pounce things.
Yeah, except you suck at it.
... Bet I'd get better with practice.
"Well, it hardly fosters unity to be attacking people all the time," Churat pointed out. "Asking nicely is something I bet humans and Lykos would prefer we do all the time. And I don't really trade chores with the humans so much," he admitted. "Sometimes, sure, but more often I trade chores with others of us and they share whatever they find. You know, eat a little extra for me. I'm, uh, not so good at convincing people they should feed me, really...."
Understatement of the century, there, kid.
Well, considering he didn't actually ask much, and mostly just had regular Vrykola he shared with, that wasn't terribly surprising. He mostly figured that humans didn't want to feed a crazy Vrykola any more than his parents had, so he stuck with people he knew could be bribed with work, or the rare one who took pity on him.
What was proper etiquette in asking to bite someone, she wondered. It seemed far more personal, more intimate, when she had to make such a request. Though she never tried to rip the skin, she'd have to be particularly gentle, seeing as how they'd be granting her a favor. A favor. The word tasted bitter in her mouth.
Desdemona wanted to know what was wrong with him, but couldn't find a polite way to ask. Of all the male Vrykolas she'd known, she'd never known one to feed on other Vrykolas, even if she understood the reasoning. It was a technique her line usually saved for the ill or young children. Then again, her knowledge of men was severely limited. Maybe this was something Vrykolas in other lines did. "Why... Why aren't you good at it?" she asked, lips turning up a bit. If she'd known him better, she might pick or tease, but mostly she was just curious.
Desdemona wanted to know what was wrong with him, but couldn't find a polite way to ask. Of all the male Vrykolas she'd known, she'd never known one to feed on other Vrykolas, even if she understood the reasoning. It was a technique her line usually saved for the ill or young children. Then again, her knowledge of men was severely limited. Maybe this was something Vrykolas in other lines did. "Why... Why aren't you good at it?" she asked, lips turning up a bit. If she'd known him better, she might pick or tease, but mostly she was just curious.
Churat looked a bit uncomfortable. "I'm just... not. You'll probably either hear about me or figure it out on your own, soon enough...." He hated this part, he really did. At least maybe she could take it as a warning, at this point, a reason to be understanding rather than a reason to stay away. Running a hand over his tangled hair, he explained haltingly, "I'm a bit... well... crazy, is what people call me. What I am. People don't want to feed a crazy person."
You really never know until you ask, you know.
Ha, you really expect someone to be happy to get bitten by this?
By someone who's likely to get distracted mid-swallow and wander off?
Churat wanted badly to say he wouldn't get distracted if they'd just leave him alone while he fed, but he was trying to be on good behavior for the new girl. So he let it pass, and let them bicker while he didn't defend himself.
You really never know until you ask, you know.
Ha, you really expect someone to be happy to get bitten by this?
By someone who's likely to get distracted mid-swallow and wander off?
Churat wanted badly to say he wouldn't get distracted if they'd just leave him alone while he fed, but he was trying to be on good behavior for the new girl. So he let it pass, and let them bicker while he didn't defend himself.
"Why do they call you crazy?" she asked, taking a seat on the bed. Until she got her room in order, there was nowhere else to sit. "Do you... rip skin? Or fall into bloodlust while feeding?" In her experience, these things could be controlled, so long as someone was careful and practiced. At his age, he should know what he was doing, but maybe that wasn't the case. Still, she wasn't entirely sure that qualified as crazy. More likely, it would be someone that went on a rampage. From what she'd seen of Churat, he didn't seem the type.
"I talk to myself. Hear things. Get distracted." Churat waved a hand a little, smiling a little sheepishly. "There are people in my head, you see. Rather a lot of them. And they talk a lot, and sometimes get out."
You haven't let any of us out in days....
We keep having to take it.
Come on, it's our body, too.
"It makes people uncomfortable," Churat finished, half to them and half to her. "I have a bit of a reputation. None of them-- or, well, bits of me, I guess; nobody knows what they are-- none of them are really dangerous, but it bothers people sometimes. And it's not fun for people when I wind up distracted or switching over mid-bite." Which happened. Frequently, actually. They seemed to enjoy it-- an odd thing, since he was pretty sure two were pure human and at least one was a Lykos. How that happened, he had no idea.
You haven't let any of us out in days....
We keep having to take it.
Come on, it's our body, too.
"It makes people uncomfortable," Churat finished, half to them and half to her. "I have a bit of a reputation. None of them-- or, well, bits of me, I guess; nobody knows what they are-- none of them are really dangerous, but it bothers people sometimes. And it's not fun for people when I wind up distracted or switching over mid-bite." Which happened. Frequently, actually. They seemed to enjoy it-- an odd thing, since he was pretty sure two were pure human and at least one was a Lykos. How that happened, he had no idea.
Occasionally Desdemona would talk to herself, or sing to herself. She might have arguments with herself. All of this was only done when she was alone though, and it was more a practice in verbalizing her thoughts than having an actual conversation. From what Churat had to say, she got the impression that they were distinctly different in nature. And she never heard things. Ever.
"They get out?" she asked. She imagined some creature crawling out of his body via his mouth, peeling it back like a second skin. "I'd imagine that could be dangerous, if they-- you suddenly-- what does happen if they come out mid-bite?" Did he keep drinking? Were the other people in his head hungry too? As new concepts to her, these were things she didn't understand. They were also topics she probably shouldn't be discussing, but right now there was no one around to tell her not to.
"They get out?" she asked. She imagined some creature crawling out of his body via his mouth, peeling it back like a second skin. "I'd imagine that could be dangerous, if they-- you suddenly-- what does happen if they come out mid-bite?" Did he keep drinking? Were the other people in his head hungry too? As new concepts to her, these were things she didn't understand. They were also topics she probably shouldn't be discussing, but right now there was no one around to tell her not to.
"Get out," Churat repeated with a nod. "It's kind of--"
He stopped mid-sentence, as Westling tossed him back-- inwardly protesting the whole time-- and put a grin on his face, turning his simple hovering in the doorway to slouching comfortably against the frame. "Kinda like this. It's our body, too, he just kinda forgets that sometimes, so we hafta 'get out'. To remind him and get our fair share." His speech was much lazier, just like his posture, and he seemed quite a bit more confident just from that and his expression alone. Nothing else really changed, but it was still relatively obvious that something had happened.
Westling, give it back! I was in the middle of a conversation here!
"Oh, shut up, Churat," Westling told him, rolling his eyes like a bored teenager. "I'll handle your 'conversation'. What was the question? What happens when we interrupt supper? Whatever we feel like, kiddo. Sometimes we keep at it, sometimes we leave-- Harlequin can get a bit messy sometimes, we try not letting him out about then."
He stopped mid-sentence, as Westling tossed him back-- inwardly protesting the whole time-- and put a grin on his face, turning his simple hovering in the doorway to slouching comfortably against the frame. "Kinda like this. It's our body, too, he just kinda forgets that sometimes, so we hafta 'get out'. To remind him and get our fair share." His speech was much lazier, just like his posture, and he seemed quite a bit more confident just from that and his expression alone. Nothing else really changed, but it was still relatively obvious that something had happened.
Westling, give it back! I was in the middle of a conversation here!
"Oh, shut up, Churat," Westling told him, rolling his eyes like a bored teenager. "I'll handle your 'conversation'. What was the question? What happens when we interrupt supper? Whatever we feel like, kiddo. Sometimes we keep at it, sometimes we leave-- Harlequin can get a bit messy sometimes, we try not letting him out about then."
Her first reaction was that of confusion, her mouth slightly open as she stared back at him, attempting to comprehend. She noticed the change in stature, the alteration of voice pitch, but she'd never witnessed such a conversion and wasn't entirely sure how she felt about it.
But when Churat scolded himself with an attitude the previous personality could not have displayed, her eyes widened and she watched him wearily. "I'd like to speak with Churat," she said politely, but sternly, all the while thinking-- I don't like you. Whomever was 'out' now was nowhere near as pleasant as Churat had been. Mentally, she made a note that this was not Harlequin, but that she didn't want to meet him either.
But when Churat scolded himself with an attitude the previous personality could not have displayed, her eyes widened and she watched him wearily. "I'd like to speak with Churat," she said politely, but sternly, all the while thinking-- I don't like you. Whomever was 'out' now was nowhere near as pleasant as Churat had been. Mentally, she made a note that this was not Harlequin, but that she didn't want to meet him either.
Westling laughed at her attempt at ordering him around-- polite, sure, and well-disguised, but that was an order if he ever heard one. "As if I'd let anybody tell me what to do," he told her with a wide, fanged grin that wasn't so much malicious as amused and even a bit paternal, in a superior sort of fashion. "Much less you, kiddo."
Inside, Churat just groaned a little and put his ephemeral head in his hands. Westling, are you trying to make her hate us? Harlequin, he begged of the nearest, nicest one present, a little help, maybe?
The mad shadow giggled at him and gave Westling a good yoink, giving Churat the chance to dive back in his place. He pushed hard off the door frame, a little surprised to find himself there and in such an awkward, poor-postured position, bounced a little off the door itself in the process, and rubbed his banged shoulder with an apologetic look to Desdemona. "Sorry... that's kind of why people don't like me much. Things like that."
And thank you, he added to Harlequin. He got the sense that the shadow giggled again and bowed before disappearing to someplace else.
I was having fun, Westling prodded, but he didn't try to get back out, either. He didn't honestly sound that put out.
Inside, Churat just groaned a little and put his ephemeral head in his hands. Westling, are you trying to make her hate us? Harlequin, he begged of the nearest, nicest one present, a little help, maybe?
The mad shadow giggled at him and gave Westling a good yoink, giving Churat the chance to dive back in his place. He pushed hard off the door frame, a little surprised to find himself there and in such an awkward, poor-postured position, bounced a little off the door itself in the process, and rubbed his banged shoulder with an apologetic look to Desdemona. "Sorry... that's kind of why people don't like me much. Things like that."
And thank you, he added to Harlequin. He got the sense that the shadow giggled again and bowed before disappearing to someplace else.
I was having fun, Westling prodded, but he didn't try to get back out, either. He didn't honestly sound that put out.
It was nothing like she'd ever seen, the splitting of his personality. She wasn't afraid, per say, but it left her struggling to decide on a proper response. She wanted to yell at the one who was gone, while console Churat himself, and yet they were all the same person on the outside.
"I think that would be frustrating," she said, deciding it was a good response for everyone in his head, including himself. But the hard part was figuring out which one was the real him. Was Churat the main personality, or was it one of the others? "Do you ever get time alone? Or are they always there?" Desdemona asked, glad she didn't have several other people knocking around inside her head. "What happens if you want to sleep while the others are awake? Can they take over while you're sleeping and move your body without you knowing?" It seemed like something to worry about, especially with the sunlight issue. Then again, it might be fine, so long as none of them were suicidal.
"I think that would be frustrating," she said, deciding it was a good response for everyone in his head, including himself. But the hard part was figuring out which one was the real him. Was Churat the main personality, or was it one of the others? "Do you ever get time alone? Or are they always there?" Desdemona asked, glad she didn't have several other people knocking around inside her head. "What happens if you want to sleep while the others are awake? Can they take over while you're sleeping and move your body without you knowing?" It seemed like something to worry about, especially with the sunlight issue. Then again, it might be fine, so long as none of them were suicidal.
"Not a lot of alone-time, no, there's usually at least one or two chattering around where I can hear them," Churat admitted, but he didn't mind that too much. He thought, after his whole life with them, that it might be lonely with just himself in there. All he really wished for was for them all to get along. "And they can, and sometimes do, come out while I'm asleep, yes. It doesn't necessarily wake me up." It was hard to describe the "places" in his head that they could go to, to be by themselves or have privacy. None of them, though, could do that while "up front" and Churat didn't trust any of them well enough to really go to any of those places by himself, leaving things in their "hands". "We've learned, though, that if my body isn't sleeping, we're tired no matter how many of us were actually asleep. So they tend not to unless there's something they really want to do."
It was so strange, having someone not looking at him funny yet. She looked more curious than anything. Maybe this year's batch would be more forgiving than the past few? Or maybe she was just one of those few people who found him interesting instead of freakish; he had a couple of those around the compound, they could usually be counted on for dinner, in fact.
Maybe she just hasn't had time to get sick of you, yet.
Well, that was possible, too.
It was so strange, having someone not looking at him funny yet. She looked more curious than anything. Maybe this year's batch would be more forgiving than the past few? Or maybe she was just one of those few people who found him interesting instead of freakish; he had a couple of those around the compound, they could usually be counted on for dinner, in fact.
Maybe she just hasn't had time to get sick of you, yet.
Well, that was possible, too.
This really was such a foreign concept to Desdemona that she didn't know how she was supposed to feel about it. On one hand, she was glad that it wasn't her, that she didn't have to deal with something like that, but on the other, she wasn't sure it made him a threat. Eccentric, yes, but she didn't fear him. He was more a curiosity than anything else, though she knew she needed to remain polite in her questions and make sure he knew it was because she was interested, not because she thought he was a freak.
"So... I'm never talking to just you, am I?" she asked. "They're always listening in. Or, if I was talking to them, you'd always be there as well, in the background." There were lots of things to consider if that were the case. She might be able to trust Churat, but what about the other personalities? Could they be trusted? She was certain the one who'd just shown his face couldn't be. And that was the hard part-- how did she knew when she had Churat and when she had someone else? Would they all alter his physical form and tone of voice?
"So... I'm never talking to just you, am I?" she asked. "They're always listening in. Or, if I was talking to them, you'd always be there as well, in the background." There were lots of things to consider if that were the case. She might be able to trust Churat, but what about the other personalities? Could they be trusted? She was certain the one who'd just shown his face couldn't be. And that was the hard part-- how did she knew when she had Churat and when she had someone else? Would they all alter his physical form and tone of voice?
"Pretty much," Churat nodded apologetically, with a bit of a sinking feeling. That sort of question never had a terribly reassuring answer. "I don't like to leave them alone with the body, if I can help it. I'm a little more attached to it than they are. But I'm not likely to be alone, and I'll be hearing all sorts of commentary or bickering in the background or... whatever." Churat did consider himself the "main", and the rest shadows, but they didn't always agree.
Hell, no, we don't agree.
We've got as much right to be here as you do.
"You weren't--" Catching himself before actually arguing with people Desdemona couldn't hear, Churat tugged a little on his hair and finished, "It's distracting. Sorry."
Hell, no, we don't agree.
We've got as much right to be here as you do.
"You weren't--" Catching himself before actually arguing with people Desdemona couldn't hear, Churat tugged a little on his hair and finished, "It's distracting. Sorry."
"It's okay," Desdemona said with a little smile. She felt bad for him, as one who valued her time alone on occasion. That was something he probably had a hard time getting, so long as there were always others in his head that he couldn't escape. She wondered if they were real, spirits or something, or if his brain had made them up. Either way, they seemed to be real enough to him and, so long as no one else could see them, that was all that really mattered.
Rising from the bed, Desdemona fluffed the sheet out, attempting to spread it over the mattress. "So, should I worry about others breaking into my room mid-day tomorrow, or will I be able to sleep?" she asked, aware that it was a change of topic, but not entirely sure where to go from where they were. Now that she was aware of his problem, she could attempt to respond to it accordingly. She'd try her best, but this was certainly something new, talking to people that weren't really there. At least Churat was, and she could expect a reply from him, if no one else.
Rising from the bed, Desdemona fluffed the sheet out, attempting to spread it over the mattress. "So, should I worry about others breaking into my room mid-day tomorrow, or will I be able to sleep?" she asked, aware that it was a change of topic, but not entirely sure where to go from where they were. Now that she was aware of his problem, she could attempt to respond to it accordingly. She'd try her best, but this was certainly something new, talking to people that weren't really there. At least Churat was, and she could expect a reply from him, if no one else.
"Actually, ah...." Churat paused, looking around. "There should be a key in here. Check under the pillow, or on a shelf in the wardrobe. You can lock your door, so the worst you'll get is someone knocking on it."
Or pounding.
"Usually if the door is closed, though, people are polite enough to leave you alone."
Or smart enough. Aaah, I remember when we scared off that Lykos pup....
Churat didn't, but he could imagine, and he winced a bit. "Some people make a point of being rude or frightening if they're disturbed midday, but most of us are polite about it, too. Usually people just don't know any better, and aren't actually trying to be vicious."
Or pounding.
"Usually if the door is closed, though, people are polite enough to leave you alone."
Or smart enough. Aaah, I remember when we scared off that Lykos pup....
Churat didn't, but he could imagine, and he winced a bit. "Some people make a point of being rude or frightening if they're disturbed midday, but most of us are polite about it, too. Usually people just don't know any better, and aren't actually trying to be vicious."
Having a lock on the door made Desdemona feel worlds better. With so many unfamiliar people living around her, and not just other Vrykolas, but Lykos and Humans, she wasn't sure she could have slept soundly if she'd wanted to, at least if the door was unlocked. Bolting it closed might not keep everyone out, but she'd at least have some warning if someone was determined to break in while she was in there. Opening the wardrobe, she found the key on the shelf, just as he'd mentioned. Her fingers closed around it, gripping it at she faced him.
"I'm guessing the mix of people results in a rather crazy sleep schedule combined. If I can remember when they're sleeping, hopefully they can do the same," she said. It would take some getting used to, just like everything else. At home, she'd lived with just her people, meaning everyone stayed out of the sun. It would be different there. Hopefully that would make life more interesting, rather than just added stress. She had yet to decide on that matter. "Is there anyone in particular that I should stay away from?" she asked.
"I'm guessing the mix of people results in a rather crazy sleep schedule combined. If I can remember when they're sleeping, hopefully they can do the same," she said. It would take some getting used to, just like everything else. At home, she'd lived with just her people, meaning everyone stayed out of the sun. It would be different there. Hopefully that would make life more interesting, rather than just added stress. She had yet to decide on that matter. "Is there anyone in particular that I should stay away from?" she asked.
"Besides me?" Churat said with wry humor.
Har, har.
Very funny.
"Well, there's a fairly large pack of older Lykos who tend to make trouble for new Vrykolas-- you'll probably find them soon enough, they have a whole block here in the basement to themselves-- and there's a couple older Vrykolas who are pretty unfriendly, even with our own kind...." He thought on that a moment. He couldn't think of any more to really warn her about, but he did have some other advice. "Keep on the lookout for Tayne Peregrine, Joliane Oraline, and Gochin Nuzar, though in a good way. Those're the three picks for the next head of compound, in the last year bunch. They'll probably be the most helpful, and the most fair if there's a problem."
Har, har.
Very funny.
"Well, there's a fairly large pack of older Lykos who tend to make trouble for new Vrykolas-- you'll probably find them soon enough, they have a whole block here in the basement to themselves-- and there's a couple older Vrykolas who are pretty unfriendly, even with our own kind...." He thought on that a moment. He couldn't think of any more to really warn her about, but he did have some other advice. "Keep on the lookout for Tayne Peregrine, Joliane Oraline, and Gochin Nuzar, though in a good way. Those're the three picks for the next head of compound, in the last year bunch. They'll probably be the most helpful, and the most fair if there's a problem."
"I've no reason to stay away from you," she told him with a little laugh. It was true that the other personalities were creepy, but he hadn't proved dangerous yet. Besides, he was a Vrykola, and she was beginning to sense she needed all the friends she could get in a place like this. Not everyone would be so easy to befriend.
Churat gave good advise and Desdemona did her best to keep the names in mind, planning to be on the lookout for anyone that could be helpful in a time of need. It was also good to know who to stay away from, though any large pack of Lykos would have been an obvious choice, at least for her. Just one was enough to make her back off, as she had with Tabrika. A pack? There was no room for question on her part. "Thank you," she told him, smiling gently. "I'm going to finish unpacking now. Shall I see you later?"
Churat gave good advise and Desdemona did her best to keep the names in mind, planning to be on the lookout for anyone that could be helpful in a time of need. It was also good to know who to stay away from, though any large pack of Lykos would have been an obvious choice, at least for her. Just one was enough to make her back off, as she had with Tabrika. A pack? There was no room for question on her part. "Thank you," she told him, smiling gently. "I'm going to finish unpacking now. Shall I see you later?"
Doesn't scare easily, this one.
A challenge.
Oh, please. You couldn't scare a flea.
Could so!
Churat flinched a little at the ensuing argument in his head, but did manage a smile for Desdemona. "Sure. I'm in the last block on the left, in the other hall, third room. Stop by any time, or I'm sure I'll see you around."
A challenge.
Oh, please. You couldn't scare a flea.
Could so!
Churat flinched a little at the ensuing argument in his head, but did manage a smile for Desdemona. "Sure. I'm in the last block on the left, in the other hall, third room. Stop by any time, or I'm sure I'll see you around."
"Bye," she said, giving him a little wave. Once she got unpacked, then she could do a little exploring and see what was around the castle before the sun came up. She'd lock her door when she was out, since it didn't sound like it was beyond people to break into each other's rooms. Hopefully she'd be safe with the door locked. It was too early to tell, as she'd only just arrived.