Friday, March 6, 2009
Who: Malakai and Nox When: Evening to next morning Where: Nox's office What: Mal is bored as hell and decides to invade the turf of a demon for sport. Note: Drunken hilarity ensues. We started this OOC, but decided to keep it, so please forgive bad formatting.
Nox strolled through the hall on his way to his office, hoping to get some time to himself.
Nox could want time alone all he wanted, but the moment he would come inside, he'd see a hellhound sitting at his desk with an old-fashioned wineskin in hand.
"Hello, Malakai." Nox raised an eyebrow and peeled off his suit jacket.
"Evening, Nox." Mal toasted the demon with the skin, having a drink while his eyes sparkled. "How're you?"
Nox came around the desk and looked down at the hound sitting in his seat. "I'm well, thank you. You seem intoxicated."
Mal shook his head, then grinned. "No. Working on it though. Ever had ambrosia?" He offered the nectar to Nox.
Nox eyed the beverage suspiciously. "I have."
"Want some?" He shook the skin, letting the liquid slosh around inside.
Good question, did Nox want to get drunk? It was Friday and Belle was out of town for the night visiting a friend. He took the skin and drank from it. "Thanks. So what brings you here?
Mal shrugged, taking his feet off Nox's desk and swirling around in his chair. "Bored. Decided to share a drink with someone who could handle it. Plus, you're like me. Uptight. Figured we could loosen up a bit." To prove his words, he spun in the chair.
Nox loosened his tie and leaned back against the edge of the desk as he took another sip. "There are other demons who would enjoy a drink with you.
"Ah, but not many I'd want to drink with." Mal kept an eye on the skin, not at all worried about it going empty. It was like a cornucopia, never ending. There would be plenty to share.
Nox had some booze of his own that he realized only Mal could enjoy without dying in the process. He rummaged through his drawer to fetch an old, dusty, dark glass bottle. "Something from home."
Mal took the bottle, turning it in his hands and wiping off the dust. When he saw the label he laughed in disbelief. "Oh you sly demon. How did you smuggle this out?" He very much wanted to open it, to smell the thick smoke inherent in the liquor, but it wasn't his bottle.
"Wedding present from my father. Belle took a sip and hated it." Nox grinned at that. "Go ahead."
Grinning back, Mal opened the bottle, pausing to savor the scent that flowed from the opening. "Cheers." Raising it, he took a sip, knowing just how potent it was. Smokey, rich, rough on the palate and burned like holy fire all the way down. "Damn."
Nox took the bottle from Mal and enjoyed a sip of his own. Human alcohol just couldn't compare. Demons and hounds were made of tougher stuff. This liquor burned and caused the mind to fog up almost immediately.
Mal leaned back in Nox's seat, letting the fire burn through him from head to toe. "That's just as potent as I remember."
"With any luck, my parents will visit more often and bring more. It's one of the few things I miss."
"Don't blame you for that." Mal reached for the bottle, taking another sip and letting it consume him. Added to the ambrosia he'd already had, Mal was definitely sitting pretty. He hiccuped softly. "I just miss it," he said quietly.
"Miss Hell?" Nox couldn't say the same. His parents and the booze was about it.
"Yeah." Mal knew Nox didn't have the same memories he did, couldn't understand why he wanted to go back.
Nox sat on the desk fully, his legs dangling as he reclaimed the bottle and sipped from it. "What do you miss most? I can't imagine you miss being ordered around by my kind."
"It's what I was made to do. Take orders." Mal seized the skin. If he was going to talk about this, he needed to be even more drunk. "I miss...Him."
Nox looked at Mal carefully. "Him?"
"Hades."
Nodding, Nox was quiet for a few moments. "I'm sorry."
Mal shrugged, trying to play it off. "Don't be. My fault." He took a healthy swig from the skin, licking his lips afterwards.
"I think you're in a better place now.. with better people."
Mal didn't have an answer for that. To say one thing was to dishonor what he had now. Who he had. To say another was to dishonor where he'd come from. Neither could he do.
Nox just nodded at the lack of response and put his hand on Mal's shoulder in support.
Mal drank again. Well this is not how he expected it to go. "You need to drink more."
"Probably." Nox took the bottle and drank long from it. He felt a little dizzy seconds later.
Shaking his head, Mal pushed Nox's arm back up. "Not done until you're drunker than I."
Alright then. Good thing Nox had nowhere to be tonight. He was likely to pass out on his desk at this rate. After a few more hefty swigs, he gave the bottle back. "Do you plan to return?"
"Return where?" That was the important question at the moment. Only so many places he can go.
"Hell." Was Mal that drunk? Nox thought the where was implied.
"I can't. If I do, I die."
"Then enjoy what you have here." Nox stole the bottle back. He craved more as he loosened up.
Mal frowned when the bottle was taken away. Ambrosia it is then. "I do. But I also miss what I had. What I gave up for this."
"And what's that? What exactly do you miss about Hades?"
"I told you." Mal spun lazily in the chair again.
"You said you miss him, not what you miss about him."
"Is that really what you want to hear when getting drunk?"
"I'm just trying to listen. What would you care to discuss?"
"Anything but that."
"The weather," he joked.
Mal chuckled. "Yeah. Absolutely beautiful this time of year, huh?" Gods, he hated being cold.
"It's horrible, but I've grown used to it. I don't mind the cold all that much. Shadow demons require less heat."
Mal nodded his agreement. "I'm lucky I can generate my own heat."
"I'm aware. But would you like me to start a fire?" He motioned to the small fireplace in his office..
"I won't stop you if you want to. Or I can start it." Mal waved absently. "Just need logs or something to burn."
Nox held out his hand toward the fireplace. "Logs are in there, be my guest."
Mal swivelled in the chair, surprised to see the wood already stacked. Imagine that. He stared at the pile for a moment, trying to get the room to stay still so he could focus. Eventually, he muttered under his breath and the flames erupted merrily in the hearth.
Nox grinned as the fireplace sprung to life with bright flames. "Something else I miss from Hell.. talented hounds."
Mal turned back, a ridiculous grin on his face from the praise. "Ah, but not many are as talented as me," he said cheekily, reaching for the bottle of booze Nox still held.
Nox gave Mal the bottle, smiling. "You're probably right. You're by far the most conversational hound I've met. Most just stand there waiting for instructions.
Mal frowned, taking the glass. "I'm not sure if I should take that as a compliment. To a well-trained hound, a wagging tongue is liable to be cut off."
"Lucky for you I'm not a fan of well-trained hounds. I'd rather they all be like you."
"Why in hades would you want that?" Mal took a swig from the bottle, more than drunk at this point.
"Because I like doing things for myself. I don't want a servant." He felt like obedience out of obligation said very little about the man being served. He hadn't earned respect, the servant was acting out of requirement.
It wasn't out of a sense of duty that they served. They were made to serve. It was in the basic programming, an instinct. Mal had broken the habit through will, but even he had to fight it. "Revolutionary idea for hell."
"It wouldn't surprise me if hounds one day take over." Despite their programming. If they wanted to rule, they could, and it would only take a few to revolt.
If hounds were going to take over, wouldn't they have done it centuries ago? "Demons keep us in line. That simple."
"I have no interest in barking orders, if you'll excuse the expression."
"You might not. Others do."
"I'm the only one here right now." Nox pointed out. "Though I doubt you'd have any problem saying no to a demon."
Mal grumbled under his breath. "You'd be surprised." He distinctly remembered an outing with Lloyd not too long ago that did not end pleasantly.
Nox raised an eyebrow as his only response.
Mal didn't offer any more information, because it wasn't asked.
Nox motioned toward his chair. "You're in my seat. That's defiant of you."
The moment Nox mentioned it, Mal stood and stepped away from the chair for the demon. "You're right. My apologies."
As soon as Mal stood, Nox felt guilty for saying anything. He really didn't think Mal would get up. Perhaps the hound's instinct was stronger than either of them realized. "No, sit. It's fine."
At the order, whether or not Nox realized it, Mal sat back down in the seat, albeit more gingerly than before. Wiggling suddenly seemed like less of a good idea given his drunken state.
No, it hadn't been intended as an order, nor did Nox realize that was why Mal took his seat once more. Talking to hounds was always difficult, because phrasing was key. He'd learned that through his interactions with June, but never thought about it much when he was around Malakai, because the older hound seemed more capable of defiance. "You can say no, right?"
Mal nodded slowly. "With a great deal of effort. It's not usually worth it to do so." He remembered what happened when he defied Lloyd a few months back. The situation turned out for the better, but that didn't mean it was easy.
"Try," Nox said in an encouraging tone. Mal could trust Nox, so why not use him for practice? "Try saying no to me."
The corner of Mal's mouth turned down in a slight frown, all the indication he could give of his position. Nox had just put him between a rock and a hard place. To agree to the proposition would mean to say no to Nox. To say no would be to give the demon precisely what he wanted, but it went against Mal's nature. The whimper caught in his throat just before it escaped.
Nox took the booze away from Mal and set it out of reach on the other side of the desk. He looked at the hound carefully. "Get out of my chair." He hoped Mal would keep his seat.
Nox could hope all he wanted but it wasn't worth arguing over to Mal. So he let the bottle go and stood once more, willing to go up and down as much as the demon wanted to prove his point.
"Really? You aren't even going to try and defy me? I thought you were stronger than this, Malakai." Nox knew better than to say he was disappointed. Nothing hurt a hound more than that. They'd rather you hit them than tell them you were disappointed in them. Their main thrill in life was to serve and be appreciated for it.
Nox may not have said it outright, but the implication was there. Thankfully, Mal had practice enough to not let the rejection show outwardly. "I'm strong enough when it counts." He wondered if Nox would ask about the last time he defied a demon, and how he would answer if the question came.
"Meaning you could say no if I asked you to do something terrible?" Nox hoped that was the case, and if it wasn't, then he hoped no other demons played that card. Having hounds topside was dangerous. It was fortunate that few of the demons living here had actually been born in Hell. Even fewer knew that hellhounds were real. And those who did, well, they hadn't been raised around them like Nox had.
"Depends on what I'm asked to do." It was doubtful that anything Nox would order Mal would have to refuse.
"I'm afraid to ask for extremes as a test, because the consequences would be horrible if you failed." Nox thought starting off small would be easier, but Malakai didn't seem to find it worth the effort to refuse Nox on trivial matters. It seemed like asking for something extreme would be the only way to force Malakai to say no.
Mal remained standing, as he'd not been given permission to sit, just as he had not reached for either bottle or skin of alcohol once they were removed from him. "It seems quite a few people here haven't forgotten what I am is far from human, and certainly not a Master. Ask what you will."
"No. I don't think I will." Nox wasn't comfortable ordering around a hound. It was probably for the best that he'd left Hell and failed to follow in his father's footsteps. He just wasn't that sort of demon. "You may sit if you choose."
Mal frowned, trying to figure out if Nox was playing some sort of game. No, he wasn't the type. So Mal dropped to the floor, deliberately staying out of Nox's chair and putting the demon in the more dominant position. Good thing too since the world was wanting to spin a bit.
Nox dropped down to his knees when Mal moved to sit on the floor. He's seen such a move before. Hounds sometimes lay flat on their bellies or backs to show their subservience. "I'm no one's master. You don't serve me," he said softly.
"According to some, I'm not worth serving anyone," Mal came back just as softly. He paused, releasing a strangled breath that told more about the pain of his plight than he would admit. "So now I serve the school. You're part of that."
"I don't care what he has to say. Neither should you. You're a good man. I'd rather that than an obedient hound." Nox put his hand on Malakai's shoulder and squeezed it.
Mal appreciated the sentiment, but after three thousand years of service, to be dismissed as though he never existed was a blow he wasn't sure how to recover from. So he hadn't tried. Just buried all the pain, anger and humiliation.
Nox got up to retrieve the alcohol, then he returned to the floor and handed them over. "Drink with me. As equals."
Mal eyed the booze. Equals? With a demon? That was a foreign concept. "One of those free thinkers, aren't you?" He accepted the ambrosia, still waiting for Nox to join him before taking a sip.
Nox took a sip of the Hell liquor but kept his eyes on Malakai. "My sister prefers to think of me as damaged. I'm not a proper demon."
"You're more like the human's hippies. Except not as free with the love."
Nox chuckled with a nod and sat back to lean on one palm. "Yeah, I suppose I am. I also have a gun collection, and I think that goes against hippie protocol."
Mal nodded, turning up the corner of his mouth in a half-smirk. "Exactly why I called you a free thinker. You don't really fit a stereotype. Not demon, not human, hippie or redneck."
"What about you? You may have trouble saying no to demons, but you're not at all like the hounds I grew up with."
Mal shrugged, taking another drink from the flask. "I'm an early model. There's been a lot of upgrades and de-bugging since I was conceived."
"I've been told I'm old school, so maybe that's why I prefer you over the newer versions. June is… difficult. I can't have a conversation with her." Come to think of it, Nox had never had much of a conversation with Malakai before, and talking to the hounds at length was discouraged back home. Nox's father believed in keeping things as professional and respectful as possible.
Mal also broke quite a few of the rules himself. Part of it was because of just how long he'd been topside, the position he used to hold among the pack and, of course, him being a less-desirable model. "June is one of the newest. Well-trained and well programmed. Hounds aren't supposed to have conversations. To do so means you have the ability to think beyond orders."
"It makes you more interesting. If demons want robots, why don't they just build them? Breeding hounds is a waste of time." Nox couldn't trust someone who followed orders so blindly.
"Robots are preprogrammed and allow for no split second decisions. Abilities are limited, slow and what would be built in hell would likely not pass up here. Hounds, especially shifter-hounds, are a lot more versatile." Mal spoke matter-of-factly. As if this was information Nox already knew and understood.
Nox sighed. Malakai was missing the point. "I know all of these things. I just don't agree with the level of obedience bred into your species. It's slavery. Plain and simple."
Mal frowned. Now there was a new concept in relation to his breed. "It's service. We serve." Granted, part of him agreed with Nox and even respected him more for saying his thoughts aloud.
Shaking his head, Nox had to voice his disagreement. "No, it's not. I know you enjoy the feeling of serving a master well, so that may make it seem like it's not slavery, but that's been bred into you as well. That sort of loyalty should be earned and reciprocated."
Mal frowned, not wanting to get into an argument with Nox about this. He was happy enough with booze in hand, sprawled on the floor.
"I wish I had the power to change things, but I don't. That's a big part of why I left. I can make a difference here."
Mal sipped more of the liquor. "And what changes would you make?"
"Make it so hounds and demons are equal. At least as a place to start. I'd also try to throw out the hierarchy system there. I was born into my status and lucky. Not all demons get that chance." Nox took the Hell liquor and downed a good portion. He was starting to feel a bit drunk.
If Nox was starting to feel a bit drunk, then he was finally catching up to where the hound was. "There's a hierarchy no matter where you go."
"I suppose. I used to be in charge of this place. Now look at me." Nox rested his back against the wall and stretched his legs out in front of him.
"And what exactly do you think I should see?" Mal kept his body folded, subconsciously letting Nox dominate the space and be comfortable as he sipped his own drink.
Nox shrugged, "I don't know." He really didn't. He wasn't making much sense right now. The liquor was getting to him.
Mal wisely kept his mouth shut, knowing that if he were to be honest and tell Nox what he saw that there was every likelihood of him having to deal with an unhappy demon. Mal knew from experience that an unhappy demon was not a person to be around on the best of days.
Slouching a little further on the wall, Nox began to feel somewhat tired. When was the last time he got drunk and passed out? He couldn't recall. He was too responsible for that!
Mal nudged Nox's foot with his own. "Don't tell me you're passing out already. I came here for a drinking buddy."
Nox chuckled. "Is that so? You probably should have found someone who drinks more than I do."
"Only other person likely to tolerate this would be Lloyd." Mal didn't mention how being around Lloyd actually made him nervous. He wondered if the demon ever found out how the human fared after being attacked.
"I can't say I know Mister Harris all that well. But he's Welsh, and I understand they're able to hold their drink."
Mal just shrugged. It wasn't his place to say anything and he wasn't feeling particularly like volunteering the information. "And yet here I am."
"Prefer my company?" Nox asked, somewhat amused.
"I'm sure it's been known to happen."
"Belle seems to find me charming, though I honestly don't see it. I'm bland." He knew a lot of people found him to be terribly boring.
"Only when you want to be." Mal didn't know Nox well enough to really say, but it sounded good.
"Bland or charming?" Nox wasn't sure which Mal was talking about.
Mal didn't answer, just smiled and sipping from the glass flask Nox left alone.
"Oh no, you don't get out of answering me that easily. It's okay. You can tell me I'm bland. I'm used to it."
"I didn't say you were one way or the other, if I recall."
"And now?" he asked, curious as to how Malakai saw him.
Mal sipped, trying to determine if Nox was trying to get a specific answer out of him. Finally, he said, "You're not as boring as you think you are, but you haven't proved fascinating yet."
"What would make me more interesting?" Nox was feeling more spirited with all the alcohol in his system.
"Still drinking with me would be a good start," Mal teased.
Nox laughed and raised his bottle. "I agree. It's a good start. We should do this more often."
Mal smiled, stealing the bottle from Nox and taking a drink before passing it back. He licked his lips. "Yup. Definitely like this idea. Garret won't, but I do."
"Garret doesn't need to know. We're going to need more liquor though. That will involve calling my sister, unfortunately."
"Still got plenty of ambrosia." Mal wagged the full skin, letting the liquid slosh around. "Would definitely need more of that though."
"I'll give her a call tomorrow. Her price will be steep, but she can get just about anything." Hesper was a wicked demon. She was Nox's complete opposite.
Mal nodded. "I'll pay the price," he offered. Even if Hesper was one of those demons to want his head. Granted, that would defeat the purpose of the drinking buddy, but Mal wouldn't rescind his offer.
"She doesn't want money," Nox warned. "Hesper demands favors in return, and they're usually of the illegal variety."
Mal locked a steady gaze on Nox. If he were a hound, his tail would be lowered, ears laid back and waiting directions. "I'll pay the price."
"No, I can't ask that of you." Nox noticed the change in Mal, even though he wasn't in his hound form.
"You didn't ask, I offered."
"Yes, you did. But why?"
Mal shrugged. "Does it matter?"
"It does. Are you offering as a hound or as a friend?"
Mal hesitated for a brief moment. "Both." He wasn't comfortable admitting to the friend, but knew Nox wouldn't accept the offer otherwise.
You need to drink more. You're not being honest. More alcohol should help with that."
"On the contrary," Mal argued. "I've had too much if I'm able to go against what you say."
"Well, it's about time!" Nox said triumphantly. "Now I can order you around and not worry about you actually doing any of it."
Mal arched a brow, silently daring Nox to try something. They both knew the hound would still be compelled to obey.
Nox had had too much to drink, because he was thinking of stupid, immature things. "Prank call Godric."
Mal sputtered his drink. "Are you expecting me to say no or to agree to it?" Part of Mal wanted to, because it'd be absolutely hysterical, but if he was supposed to say no then what was he to do?
"I'm hoping you'll do it, just because it will amuse me to no end. But you're supposed to prove that you can say no."
"Catch twenty two," Mal mused.
"It is. But you haven't picked up the phone yet, so I'm thinking you won't, and that's a good thing."
Mal reached for his cell phone in his pocket all the while muttering under his breath. "Demon through and through." It wasn't an insult, more a twisted compliment. He frowned at the phone and then shook it as if that would somehow make it work.
Nox suddenly reached forward and stole Mal's phone from him. "Nope."
"Nope what?" Mal frowned confused. He was pretty sure the battery was dead. Shaking it would fix it right?
Nox wobbled a little as he got to his feet. He opened the window a crack and threw the phone out it. "No calls. We're drunk. Someone's likely to show up and stare at us disapprovingly."
"You said to call Godric..." Mal's voice held just the right about of confusion and worry about failure.
"Sides. Disapproval is your job. You're here."
It was a dare, not an order. And you acted as though you'd be able to defy it." Nox really was close to being trashed. He wobbled even while seated. Plus, it was getting hot. He pulled off his tie and started to take off his shirt. It was faaaar too hot. The fireplace didn't help.
"The challenge wasn't whether or not I could but whether or not I would. And I was gonna call him." Mal twisted to look at the window, nearly toppling over backwards. "But my phone is missing. It's probably cold."
"Very cold. Snowing. I should dare you to go out streaking through it." This was NOT the Nox most people knew and loathed.
Mal was definitely drunk. His words were slurring. "Now that's cruel and unusual punishment."
"Demon," Nox pointed out while pointing to himself. Apparently being drunk made him a more proper demon.
Mal sighed, using the desk to stumble to his feet. "Yessir." He leaned against the wall for support, starting to strip off his shirt to go streaking.
"Malakai.. you can't seriously be considering going streaking. It's snowing, and you're a hellhound. You'll die from that sort of exposure. Or, at the very least, get sick.. and I'll be to blame."
Mal paused, the shirt still in his hands though it'd been stripped from his body. "You told me to."
Nox rolled his eyes. "Say no to me."
"There's another one of those catch-22s."
"I'm not ordering you to say no, I just wish you could. It's hard to be friends with someone who doesn't challenge you." Nox balled up his own shirt and then tossed it aside. He kicked off his shoes as well.
Mal left his own shirt off as he was perfectly comfortable. "Give me something worth challenging."
"I'm not going to order you to kill someone." Although Nox was confident Malakai would defy him on that.
If Nox thought Mal would defy that order, he needed to think twice about who he was talking to. "So find something else.”
Pulling his own cell phone out of his pocket, he set it on the hard floor and slid it over to Malakai. "Call Garret and tell him you're running away with me."
Mal's jaw dropped for half a second before he snapped it closed. Touche. And now he was torn. Wanting to please the demon (even though following the order would ultimately displease him) or prove the point. But which was which? Nox wanted to be proven wrong, so Mal defying him would bring him pleasure, but that meant not following orders which he was bred to do. Unable to help himself, brought to this shaking dilemma, he whimpered softly, dropping to crouch on the floor.
Nox immediately felt bad. He scooted over to Malakai, picking up the phone and putting it away. "You're a good hound, Malakai." And, much like he'd done as a child around the hounds in their possession, he ran his hand over the man's back, as though it was covered in fur.
Mal leaned back against the touch, though the broken look on his face remained. After long moments, he finally said quietly, "I chose Garret once before, in front of everyone. I lost everything. I would do it again, but please don't make me." It was one of the few times he begged.
"I won't make you do anything," Nox promised. He ran his fingers through Malakai's hair then, trying to soothe the hound. Mal couldn't help his breeding. It was in his DNA to try and please Nox.
The need to please was one of the most fundamental instincts, right next to feeding and sleeping. Hounds would rather starve themselves than defy orders. And Mal had done more than his share of defiance. It took awhile, but he slowly calmed down, the booze making him feel sleepy.
The alcohol was taking its toll on Nox as well. In his relaxed state, now focused more on Mal than himself, his wings were set free. It took self control to keep them hidden, and he didn't have a lot of that right now.
Mal finally glanced back, looking at Nox and the wings. Now that felt more like home. "You shouldn't hide them," he murmured.
Nox hadn't even realized they were showing until Mal said something. He looked to the side to see the tip of one wing. Folding them, but not hiding them again, Nox shrugged. "They're upsetting to some people."
"Around here? Who?" They were beautiful to Mal. A reminder and sign of home.
"Most of the demons here.. they're.. they're not like us. They aren't from Hell. It's like the difference between the suburbs and the ghetto. Other supernaturals are more accustomed to the suburban version of demons."
"Just because they're used to Wal*Mart brands doesn't mean they should be denied Armani."
"I'm flattered, Malakai." And he was. Nox was a lover of designer brands, though he preferred Dolce and Tom Ford.
Mal definitely liked his Dolce, but there was something to be said about the clean, classic lines of Armani. Nox was nothing if not clean and classic.
"We have enough students here who are new to the supernatural world, particularly demon kind, that I think it's best I keep my wings hidden. I don't want to scare anyone."
"You're not doing them any favors by teaching them to hide what they are."
Nox nodded. "You're not the first to tell me that."
Mal smirked. "Sounds like you might want to start listening to advice."
"I could say the same about you," Nox teased, deflecting slightly.
"What advice would that be?" Mal finally flopped to the floor, his balance no longer stable.
"Your form. It's not natural." Malakai walked around as a man, and it had to be exhausting and uncomfortable.
"But I do make the children scream." Mal chuckled softly. "It's fun."
Nox just grinned, though he tried to resist it. He didn't want to encourage Mal's behavior. "You shouldn't be so giddy about scaring children."
"Why not?"
"Because they're children."
"So?"
Nox just sighed and took another drink.
Mal shrugged. Nox couldn't give a valid reason, so there was no point in stopping.
The bottle was starting to run low. It hadn't been full to begin with, and he and Mal had both taken quite a few swigs from it. Tipping it back, he nearly finished it off before handing what was left, about two shots worth, over to Malakai. "Bottoms up."
Mal took the bottle and frowned at just how light it was. "Need Hesper to bring back several bottles at this rate." No wonder Mal was drunk. Shrugging one shoulder -and lucky he didn't topple over from the movement- he upended the bottle, downing the liquor with one swallow.
"Like I said, she can get just about anything, but the price is always steep. Hard saying what she'll ask for." The last time Nox needed a favor, she asked him to make some records disappear.
"I already said I'd cover it."
"She's my sister. I will."
"Nox. I said I'd pay her price. Do I have to ask her myself?"
"I wouldn't advise it. As soon as she knows she's dealing with a hound, she'll take ownership of you."
"Then tell her what you want and I'll take care of the bill."
"We'll negotiate when we're both sober. Right now, I'm in no shape to make decisions about anything." Nox couldn't sit upright without swaying. His wings were even lopsided.
Mal was slouched against the wall, leaning on the floor for support even though he would swear he was standing still. It was just the room that was spinning. "Yeah. Sure."
"I'm surprised you're able to stay in human form while intoxicated." "Well, that bottle is empty," Nox pointed out, and then he motioned to the skin, "And that's probably getting close. If you want to shift, I don't mind."
Mal shook his head and then lifted the skin, capping it and tossing it to Nox. "It's enchanted. Won't ever empty even if you turn it on its end." Of course, Nox's suggestion to shift went right over his head, though the thought crossed his own mind.
Nox examined the skin carefully, intrigued by the enchanted object. He was distracted for a few seconds, but regained focus and looked back to Malakai. "You sure you don't want to change?"
Mal stared at Nox, impressed. "How did you know I was thinking about that?" Not wanting to risk standing, he unbuckled his pants while on the floor, toppling over for a moment.
"I just assumed you'd be more comfortable." Nox took a few swigs from the skin before he wobbled and fell on his side. He chuckled and managed to cap the container, even though Mal had assured him it would stay full.
"Prolly right," Mal muttered, squirming out of his pants and bicycling his feet to get them off.
Nox managed to crawl over closer to Malakai to help by grabbing the ankle of his pants and giving them a tug. "I'm much more comfortable when not hiding my wings."
Mal let Nox help him strip. Finally kicking everything free and laying gloriously naked on the floor. Closing his eyes, he relaxed, letting the bones break and shift until he was once more himself, still sprawled on the floor.
Nox watched the transformation as best he could, though his eyes were a bit clouded from all the alcohol he'd consumed. It was a fascinating process, and the end result was spectacular. Hounds were incredible creatures. When Malakai was his true self again, Nox scooted even closer and pet the beast along the side of his neck. "Feel better?"
Mal closed his eyes, feeling the strokes throughout his entire body. His chest rumbled in the canine version of a cat's purr. "Mmhmm."
Nox's eyelids felt heavy. Hound fur was different from any other, and it brought back fond memories of his childhood. He'd grown up around the beasts. They were his first babysitters. How many times had he fell asleep curled up with a hound? He had no idea, but it seemed so appealing right now. He rested his head upon Malakai's back, continuing to stroke the hound's fur.
Mal was laying on his side, showing his belly to Nox, even if it wasn't completely obvious. "Fallin' sleep?"
"I remember this. When I was young. My father would leave Hesper and I with his most trusted hound. I often slept just like this." Nox's breathing had slowed, but he kept petting Malakai.
"Who was the hound? The line?"
Nox sighed and felt himself losing the battle with sleep. "Phaedrus."
Mal yawned, his body rumbling. "Good stock."
Nox nodded and smiled at the sound that came from within Malakai's chest.
Mal's breathing slowed, his body warming slightly as he started to drift to sleep.
It was no good. Nox couldn't fight sleep any longer. He was far too comfortable and drunk to resist. He passed out with the upper half of his body draped over the warm, comfortable beast.
Mal flipped his tail up, resting it over Nox's body protectively, as a good hound should do. When Nox's breathing evened out, Mal finally let himself drift to sleep.
Nox slept for at least nine hours. He really couldn't be sure, because when he woke, still nuzzled up against Malakai, the clock was not visible from his location. He groaned from the throbbing in his head. With human alcohol, hangovers were impossible. That was not the case with Hell liquor.
Mal also groaned, the sound making him whimper the moment he heard it. "Ow..."
Nox put a hand to his exposed temple, rubbing it gently. But the little rumble from Malakai, hitting the ear that was pressed against the hound's body, protested. "Very.."
"I forgot that part," he whined. Still, Mal did not move, knowing it would hurt to do so.
"Me too," Nox groaned. He felt like he'd been hit by a truck. A big one.
A truck was an understatment. The sunlight streaming through the window was murder.
Nox buried his face into Malakai's fur. The light bothered him as well. He mumbled, "We need water.. and pain killers."
"Skip the water. Pain killers, yes."
"I'll wait here.. you get them," Nox suggested, though he didn't really want Mal to move, because then Nox's head would be rattled.
"Think about that once. I get them, I move." Mal would do it, but they would both be less comfortable.
Nox whined a little, which was not at all like him. Belle would take true delight in seeing him like this. She would have helped him, yes, but only after laughing at his expense. "Then we're stuck here.. suffering."
Mal whined once more. "It's not quite as bad as heaven, but it's close."
"Drinking. The Ambrosia. Sometimes consuming more alcohol helps with a hangover. That's what Hesper tells me." As much as it hurt, Nox pulled himself off Malakai and reached over to grab the skin, drinking from it.
"Does it help?" Mal wasn't quite sure how he'd get his chops around the skin, but he'd figure something out. Even if it meant lapping it off the floor.
Nox couldn't feel any difference yet. "I don't know. It might take time. Here," he offered, holding out the skin for Mal, willing to pour some into his mouth.
Mal raised his head so he wasn't quite laying down anymore. Opening his mouth, he curled his tongue, giving a place for the booze to flow.
Nox helped Mal to a good portion of the beverage. His own head was still throbbing, but he had himself convinced that this would work.
Mal drank what Nox gave him, noticing it took care of the cotton-mouthed feeling. "Thanks," he said when it was done.
Nox chugged a bit more until he felt like he couldn't breathe. Only then did he set the skin down and rest against Malakai's side once more. "If we get more liquor from my sister, we need to be more careful about how much we drink the next time."
Mal shook his head. "Takes all the fun out if it to be sensible."
"Are you having fun right now?" Nox asked, figuring he'd made his point.
"I was last night."
Nox started to nod in agreement, but stopped when his brain felt like it might explode. "The drinking was fun, this is not. Moderation next time."
“Spoilsport.”
"You know I'm right." Nox ran his hand over Malakai's neck, giving it a scratch. "I wish more than anything that these windows had thick drapes right now.
Mal sighed. "Where's the pain killers?" He surged to his feet, wobbling and feeling generally gross.
Nox protested as he nearly fell over when Malakai got up. "I think I have some in the bottom right drawer of my desk." It was hard saying, because Nox didn't normally need them.
Mal grumbled, fumbling for the drawers and generally trying to avoid the sunlight. Finally, he managed to get it open, pulling out a couple different bottles that rattled and made his already sore head ache.
"Curtains, get the damn curtains," Nox swore, which was very unlike him, but he was sick of the light!
Mal mumbled a spell under his breath, waving at the curtains. A stack of books tumbled to the floor from the fourth shelf, making a hell of a racket. Groaning, Mal focused and waved at the curtains. This time, they mercifully closed, leaving a thin strip of sunlight in the center of the room.
Under normal circumstances, Nox would have been upset about any harm coming to the books, but right now, he was more upset over the horrible sound they made when landing. His palms came to his ears as he curled up. He was never going to drink like this again.
Nox wasn't the only one curled up. Mal was a pathetic, whimpering ball of fur, his ears curled over and trying desperately to block out the sound. He couldn't open the bottles since he had no thumbs. Damned child-proof lids.
"No more Hell liquor," Nox groaned. He had zero desire to drink ever again at this point. The little bit of ambrosia wasn't helping to make the hangover go away.
"Duntalk," Mal mumbled. Just the sound grated on his ears. Maybe they needed more ambrosia. He grabbed the skin with his tail, tipping it into his mouth.
Nox managed to grab the painkillers. He poured out the whole damn container after opening it, dividing the stash in half. This stuff was for humans. Nox didn't even know if it would work. He kept it for students and other staff members, much like a few other random supplies in his office. But if it was going to have any impact, they'd each have to take a large dose. "Here," he told Malakai, holding out his hand for the hound to eat the pills.
Mal lowered the wineskin, skillfully putting the top back on with his tail. Seeing the little white pills, Mal flicked out his tongue, catching what Nox offered and swallowing them down. They tasted bitter after the booze, but he hoped they would help.
Nox took what was left of the pills, swallowing them down without the assistance of anything to drink, which scratched his throat terribly.
Dropping his head back to the floor, Mal covered his eyes with his paws. He'd whimper if only the sound didn't hurt.
Nox felt the need to take care of Mal, even though he felt horrible himself. He crawled over to the hound and shielded his sight and hearing from all the stuff that hurt.
"Sleep again?" Mal muttered, not wanting to talk louder than was necessary. Sleep sounded amazing if it got them past this.
Nox kept his voice as quiet as possible too. "Sleep, yes, definitely." He closed his eyes and curled into the hound, needing some comfort right now, because he felt HORRIBLE.