Desire
- Masterful Virgin -
%\2\%
Posts: 43
|
Post by Desire on Nov 8, 2008 21:58:12 GMT -5
There was a figure leaning against the wall of one of the many long lines of buildings, a stone facade not very far from a sign proclaiming it to be a courthouse. It was not tall or striking in any particular way - slight, in fact, and with short, black hair, combed over one eye in a rather delicate fashion - but it drew the eye, and even though for almost every passers-by it was forgotten moments after, the feeling it provoked lingered. For the rare viewer who could recognize it a while longer, long enough to ponder it, it was hard to understand the allure, even if it could not be rationalized away. But it was forgotten a moment later.
Desire smirked, not unpleasantly, at the eyes that passed over it; it knew each and every one of them, and was aware of what they saw for the brief moment that they saw anything at all - a genderless figure, slim legs in trousers, something small and catlike in the small, booted feet, and a corset beneath the coat, attractive and persuasive and not altogether easily trusted, when all things were considered. The personification withdrew a heart-shaped cigarette case and a box of matches from its pocket, fingers deftly taking out a cigarette and then striking a match down its thigh. It took fire and Desire lit its cigarette, bringing it to its lips and smiling as it took the first drag.
Such little things they all were. And so very amusing.
((tag Mortimer))
|
|
|
Post by Mortimer on Nov 8, 2008 23:15:21 GMT -5
The little man hurried along the street, still getting over the illness that had struck him after his last trip to the Above, he sniffled a bit and stopped to catch his breath briefly. He was now sporting what a tailor had assured him was a more sensible coat--a rich, stormy gray with black velvet lining on the cuffs and lapels and a muted maroon vest under--to go with his black trousers and shining black boots (which he was particularly proud of and was careful not to scuff too much).
He still had a little of the money Erik had given him and wanted to use it to try some new foods, and so when he stopped to catch his breath he took a few moments to look around at the various vendors and storefronts, and his eyes landed on the figure--not much bigger than himself, and very pretty. He smiled a bit, but otherwise paid little attention as he was fixated elsewhere.
|
|
Desire
- Masterful Virgin -
%\2\%
Posts: 43
|
Post by Desire on Nov 9, 2008 15:50:00 GMT -5
Desire of the Endless was surprised when the next scurrying morsel was of a more unexpected fabric. Desire had not thought that a god would be out among the rest of them, particularly not one that carried itself as this one did. Gods - old or new - were usually proud, sometimes in a cool, dignified way, and sometimes in a manner that was very humorous, if they were smaller, lesser gods.
And this one was not only not that, but did not seem to recognize Desire. Surely it would not forfeit its heritage so quickly? It was one thing to forget, but to alter behavior based on that seemed...undesirable.
The Endless pursed its lips as it blew out smoke, and called, voice carrying as though impervious to wind, with a smile spreading over its mouth. "You seem to be in a hurry," Desire said. "What are you looking for?"
|
|
|
Post by Mortimer on Nov 9, 2008 19:04:47 GMT -5
As always happy to interact with people, the little man perked up and smiled again, padding across the street to see the person face-to-face, folding his arms behind his back when he came up on them.
"Not hurry. Like to try new foods, but can't decide. Hello!"
|
|
Desire
- Masterful Virgin -
%\2\%
Posts: 43
|
Post by Desire on Nov 9, 2008 22:20:42 GMT -5
And what did the little god want? Something vague, it seemed, nothing the Endless could put its fingertip on. Desire pursed its lips as though in thought, blowing out smoke rings in the shape of a heart. No one passing would notice long enough to remember. Gods were privileged in that sense. It wondered if this one could remember that much, if it would know.
"Hello," replied Desire, evenly, as though the word meant something else entirely. "Can't you choose a vendor?"
|
|
|
Post by Mortimer on Nov 11, 2008 0:53:48 GMT -5
Mortimer "ooh"ed at the smoke rings and examined the little smoking stick in the person's hand.
"What is?" he tilted his head, pointing a slim finger toward the thing and then answering the question, quickly replacing his four-fingered hand behind his back.
"Too many to choose from. Don't know what to eat."
|
|
Desire
- Masterful Virgin -
%\2\%
Posts: 43
|
Post by Desire on Nov 11, 2008 9:25:12 GMT -5
Desire ignored his response. It had not asked, after all, in order to hear the answer. Desire was an irrational emotion, after all, having only one intention, although it was not one that was consciously communicated. The words that ran above were not necessarily an expression of the actual feeling. Freud was very wrong about his ideas for the Id and Ego, for desire was devious, and not at all primitive, simply primary.
Instead it put the cigarette to its lips again, regarding the little god as though thinking. "Is..." Inhale. "A cigarette," Desire responded with elegance and a good deal of hidden motive, smoke escaping its mouth as it spoke. A smile curled over its lips, and Desire extended the hand holding it, turning its fingers out so that the part of the cigarette that it was holding was exposed, offered. "Would you like to try?"
|
|
|
Post by Mortimer on Nov 11, 2008 15:48:13 GMT -5
He idly scratched one shoulder and blinked his bright aqua eyes before taking the little stick in imitation of the person and giving a grin, all triangular teeth, before putting it between his lips and inhaling.
His nostrils flared a bit and he let out a harsh cough, the smoke escaping (and a bird sitting on a ledge of the building dropping dead).
"Ow..." he handed the cigarette back and pursed his pretty mouth. "Why use it? It hurts."
|
|
Desire
- Masterful Virgin -
%\2\%
Posts: 43
|
Post by Desire on Nov 11, 2008 15:57:47 GMT -5
Desire pursed its lips when the little thing coughed - not because he was coughing, but because of the resultant death of a bird. Which, admittedly, was not normally of any interest to it, but in this case it made it very clear that the lesser god governed a realm Desire had never had any interest in; its oldest sister was pain enough as it was, and she hardly cared to cooperate in any games.
But Desire put itself back in the present, where Desire was most comfortable, and smiled down at the little thing rather fondly - if fondness can be placed on a thing so manipulative, and as far as Desire believed, it could. With its other hand, it stretched out two fingers and curled a strand of its hair between them. "It only hurts at first," said Desire, with amusement at the double-meaning, although it was not readily apparent in its face, and could not be mistaken for maliciousness. "Soon, though, it becomes pleasant, and one never wants to be without one."
|
|
|
Post by Mortimer on Nov 11, 2008 16:12:32 GMT -5
"Oh." He replied, simply, as most things were simple to him once explained.
The little death god had not, it seemed, noticed the death of the bird, just as it had not noticed the deaths of the rats in Erik's home, or of the man in the cafe with Valmont. Mortimer simply carried on in his rather straight-forward and cheerful way, wanting not much more, presently, than to learn to become acceptable to human beings. And the motivation for that was not as apparent to himself, but stemmed from his long loneliness since Henry had died years before, and only recently brought to bare by the witnessing of acts of love between Erik and Julian.
But for the moment, he seemed content enough with human company, food, and clothing and smiled back at Desire, deciding that the cut of the clothing made this a Monsieur.
"I would like to eat first, Monsieur. Thing leaves a bad taste..."
|
|
Desire
- Masterful Virgin -
%\2\%
Posts: 43
|
Post by Desire on Nov 12, 2008 9:33:10 GMT -5
Desire was bemused by its minor inclusion in the little god's activities. Its interest in them was apparent, and it seemed easily excitable, if not at all neurotic in its excitement. In a different role, Desire might have been touched. Had it been a love god itself, it could have been. But the feeling was almost similar, save for Desire's having more or less taken that sort of reaction for granted.
Desire smoked musingly, then pointed the bright tip of the cigarette in the direction of a very small shop on the other side of the street, which hadn't a single English word on it and had grimy windows. Desire knew, however, that it was a very good Vietnamese shop that catered to the rather high population of Vietnamese in France at that time. "Do you see that restaurant?" said Desire. "Go there. Come, I'll show you." Desire strode forward casually, blowing smoke hearts, without a glance at the small thing.
((I would imagine Desire would be, canonically, kind of omnipotent about basic details, but I think instead I shall be kind of vague about what it knows and doesn't because I'd rather not godmod anyone...))
|
|
|
Post by Mortimer on Nov 12, 2008 16:32:24 GMT -5
Mortimer gave a chirp and followed, catching up to the...man and walking beside him. He smiled at the hearts and flared his nostrils when they drew closer. The smells coming from the place reminded him quite strongly of Nippon and he paused for a moment in the street, head tilted, before continuing again, cautiously, sticking closely to the stranger's side.
|
|
Desire
- Masterful Virgin -
%\2\%
Posts: 43
|
Post by Desire on Nov 12, 2008 16:57:07 GMT -5
((I know you say he's not supposed to be cute, but you can get as technical as you want. He's freaking cute.))
Desire was only possessive to the degree that Desire could throw things away like bent paper dolls when things became less intriguing, but that was a rather great deal of possessiveness. One had to own the dolls to bend them and to toss them, and Desire very much behaved in that fashion, however if pleased - unless, of course, some terribly stuffy older sibling came in, and then it was sigh, take off the cat ears, and gently ease the noose (or if a younger sibling began to grow ridiculously distressed, as the youngest in the family was extremely prone to such things).
Still, this possessiveness was enough to bring a smile to Desire's lips at the little god's thoughtless affiliation. He would likely behave this way with anyone. For a moment before they entered the restaurant, Desire gave pause to consider this - a passing stranger, compelled by some force to speak coaxingly to the little fellow, who would smile as he did and follow very easily... A great tragedy, wouldn't it be? And it would not be difficult to arrange. The little god had a very winsome manner, and did not seem thoughtful enough to reserve his attention for those he trusted, for he did seem to trust anyone. But, alas - this did not seem, in retrospect, like a very good idea, for it would really be serving the oldest sister in the end, and Desire had no intention of such a thing.
It entered the restaurant very calmly, the door held open for the little god carelessly, and swept in as though it were the most imposing personage there, which it was, if it did not look it. Desire sat at a small corner table, which had three chairs, although only two were needed. Unbeknownst to the god, Desire would be viewed as Oriental in features by the Vietnamese who worked there. It flicked cigarette ash as though onto the floor, but none ever seemed to land, as though it vanished beforehand.
|
|
|
Post by Mortimer on Nov 12, 2008 17:06:26 GMT -5
((I never said he wasn't supposed to be cute. He's just not a child, or an innocent)) Mortimer followed, having a good look around with a smile curling his lips before he sat, remembering Valmont's lessons in propriety, he chose the chair across from the man rather than the one next to him, and didn't notice things like cigarette ash or falling prey to the whims of dangerous strangers. His nostrils flared again and he looked toward the smell coming from the kitchen, as pleased as a dog sniffing something delicious in an afternoon breeze, not minding the way other patrons and staff stared at his tattooed face and ruined hands. They were not, he decided, Japanese, and food was quite different in smell after all. When he finally turned his attention back to Desire, he had a slight anxiety written on his features. "Monsieur will choose what to eat?"
|
|
Desire
- Masterful Virgin -
%\2\%
Posts: 43
|
Post by Desire on Nov 13, 2008 17:53:04 GMT -5
Desire smiled broadly. It might have been described as a smirk by someone rather bitter towards the whole constitution of wanting, but Desire rather doubted the little god was included in that crowd. He did not appear as someone who was bitter about much. And Desire had met few bitter gods in general; frustrated, perhaps, but they were not quite the same thing.
"No," said Desire, very pleasantly, flicking ash again. "You will. Whatever you want." The personification tilted its head, seemingly amused, but with fondess rather than cruelty, although the two were next to inseparable for it. "Don't worry. I'll pay."
|
|