paper thin walls (closed)

[semblant]

Who: Solomon Goldsmith (semblant) & various.
What: Catch all for September + October where I'm posting this halfway through the month just about.
When: Mid-sept onwards.
Where: Wherever.
Warning(s): Will be edited as needed.


closed prompts below! please message me at gilboat or shoot me a PM through here if you'd like one. 👍

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RAPPING AT MY CABIN DOOR @ law

[semblant]

[During a storm, mild or otherwise, it's often advised against answering the door -- like, in the context of Edgar Allan Poe or H.P. Lovecraft. On the other end of the spectrum, someone could be stranded, lost or hurt.

Solomon isn't so charitable. He answers the knocking only to put an end to it. The door's drawn back, open enough to speak to whomever it may be. It lacks the span to be misconstrued as an invitation. He's donning his usual attire -- white pants, a pastel colored button down. He lacks a jacket for the time being, and his footware consists of sheepskin scuffs that look a bit like moccasins. Overall, he appears as if he's been interrupted in the midst of a conference call.

In reality, he's probably been disturbed only from wiping lint from the windowsill.

Law, however, immediately appears to him as a Wyverian cartel member. He's quick to assume this has something to do with Takasugi. Immediate distaste won't be found on his features.]

Good evening...

[For OMINOUS MAX.]

[kikoku]

[Law hadn't planned to get caught in the downpour, but it'd started when he was already on his way to his destination, and he's far too stubborn to turn back when he spent the better part of a week tracking this guy down. In the course of his search he'd acquired a vague description of what Solomon looked like, from those who had seen him with Diva, so he isn't exactly surprised when the man answers the door so much as wholly unimpressed.]

Are you Solomon?
[Definitely what you wanted to hear from this sopping wet, 6'3" goth, right. Please let him inside so he can dry off his weird furry hat, it'll get moldy otherwise.]

[semblant]

[Solomon's left staring upward at the query for a moment of awkwardness. He isn't intimidated as much has he's perplexed. If anything, he'd like for a higher entity to deliver a deathblow to his front door. Alas, this appears to be another hassle.]

Indeed.

[He appears not to be holding paraphernalia, which is nice. He isn't in the mood to be swayed into joining a cult.

Alternatively: maybe he's here to deliver bad news. It's all so hard to gauge, but whatever he's here for must be important. He's getting soaked through and through.

Mentally noted, though an invitation is still MIA.]

I don't believe that we've met.

[kikoku]

[He isn't holding paraphenalia, no, but he does have what appears to be an almost comically large sword resting on his shoulder. Presumably it's being carried because it's far too long to sit sheathed on his hip like a normal, god fearing sword.

He doesn't seem irritated by the lack of invitation to come inside, but that might just be due to the fact that his resting expression is within the realm of irritated already. His facial expression is as unassailable as it is surly.]

We haven't. Back in Nadril I spoke with Diva and she directed me to you, regarding questions I had that she couldn't answer.
[Or just didn't feel like answering. Either or, he wasn't keen on pushing it because her peppy attitude didn't suit him so much either way. If pressed, he couldn't exactly give a reason as to why he's pursued this curiosity as far as he has, though probably it's because he doesn't have anything better to do, now that all the injured have been dealt with one way or another.]

[semblant]

[For what it's worth, the sword bothers his judgmental ass least of all. It's definitely a concern, just not a very high one on his mental totem pole. He's unmoving, unchanged until he mentions Diva--

Only slightly better of a codeword for him to provide. Diva hangs out with questionable folk just as often, usually without knowing. Beyond that, he isn't so eager to have this man at his doorstep; questions are things he hates just as much as door-to-door preaching. Alas:]

I see, you're a friend of Diva's. [Politely, he'll step to the side, offer enough room for passage. He'd be lectured otherwise.] Please, come in. Hopefully I'll be able to address any issues she may have brought up.

[This is some bullshit.]

[kikoku]

[Law steps inside before he says anything else, removing his hat to reveal an equally sopping head of messy black hair, because shockingly, furry hats aren't the least bit waterproof. Settling his sword down to lean against the wall by the door, he makes a gesture with the freed up hand, and a hazy, almost imperceptible barrier expands out from it, extending past the room into the rainy outdoors. With another flourish, his hat and hair are completely dry, his hair looking even more unkempt now that it isn't weighed down with water. Not that it matters, since he's then immediately putting his hat back on. The rest of him is still dripping water all over the floor, though.]

I'm not her friend.
[He probably waited until he was inside to make this clarification for good reason, since it gives him a much shakier justification for being here, doesn't it.]

I was speaking with her about what the exact properties of her body are that make her different from humans. She said you would know more.
[You know, like the sorts of things normal people wonder about.]

[semblant]

[He'll close the door in Law's wake, then proceed to stare awkwardly as he somehow dries himself??? That hat was a concern for all of thirty seconds. Not to suggest "Nysans" -- and other refugees alike, are completely normal. More often than not, it's quite the opposite.]

Alright...

[Unphased for the most part; Diva tends to deem everyone as a friend, though she hadn't mentioned anything about a tattooed cartel guy giving her problems. Still, he's noted on the metaphorical pie chart as More Enemy Than Friend Question Mark.

Overall, he doesn't seem hostile. Curious. Annoyingly so right off the bat. An audible sigh acts as a precursor to his distaste over the matter.]

We're Chiropteran. [Said as if it's a term he ought to be familiar with.] What more could you be curious of?

[There's. So much. He's doing a bit of downplaying here. The query finds a voice as his eyes settle low, focused on the drippage from his jacket...etc...]

[kikoku]

[Law fixes a level stare at the man, trying to determine if he's dodging or genuinely thinks being a vampire, whatever you call it, isn't unusual.]

You're apparently incredibly long lived and sturdy, yet as far as I can tell, very closely related to humans. I'm curious as to what makes human blood better at sustaining you, and whether there are any properties about your own bodies that could be applied to a wider medical context.
[That is plenty more, isn't it. Maybe the things Diva had told him were meant to be secret, but he's been sent off now, he's not going to be easily deterred, even by just a foolish amount of water, apparently.]

Vampires, or "chiropterans" as you call them, don't really exist in my world, so it's all new information for me.

[semblant]

So what, you want to take me apart? Look inside?

[Or perhaps...draw blood, study that? He'd never asked to be physical in any way; Solomon's drawing extremes like the extra bitch that he is.]

It's all supernatural, any explanation I provide won't satiate your curiosity.

[Which just fuels reason for his former offer, which is something he'd brought up all-too readily. He barely knows this man, but for someone who's survived far too much, being near-complicit about such a thing feels natural.]

Now, if you plan on staying, would you mind hanging your coat by the doorway?

[kikoku]

[Law loathes the suggestion that he might plan to stay in a strangers home longer than strictly necessary, but he might be onto something here so you know what, he will hang his coat up. The shirt underneath is maybe half-buttoned, black tattoos peeking out across his chest as well as being plainly visible on his arms. Of course, none of them are as sinister as the ones that have been visible across his fingers this entire time.]

I could do that, easily.
[Flatly, as he looks back at Solomon. Is the man being sarcastic or would his vampire constitution allow him to survive being vivisected? Not that Law would do it in a violent way, thanks to his ability, but there's no need to mention that now.]

But I was thinking more along the lines of drawing blood to start, if you aren't interested in offering any explanations of your own.
[He isn't thrown off by "supernatural," vampires aren't so much strange on their face to him as they are just specifically not something he's seen before.]

[semblant]

[Stupid sexy Law with his weird shirt and exposed tattoos. Who even let this hunk in to begin with???

He seems unperturbed at that response. Easily, huh. He'll take it as a threat, considering that weapon he's brought along with him, but there's no need to do anything preemptive about it. His presence is strangely calm, in spite of those implications.]

It isn't like that. I think you'll be able to draw your own conclusions if you were to pursue your former idea. You've heard all there is to know, from the sounds of it.

But I hope you intend on replenishing what you take.

[kikoku]

[The through-line of Law's stay in El Nysa is starting to become "he's so weird but I would hit that" and frankly it's what he deserves.

Anyway, Law is giving Solomon a long hard look as he considers what the man just said.]
So you're saying you'll only give me your blood if I let you drink mine?
[A pause, but then;] I'm open to it as long as I understand all the potential side effects beforehand.

[Like, if it's going to turn him into some weird thrall or whatever. That's not something he'd be game for.]

[semblant]

That's right.

[An easier agreement than he would've guessed, but then again: this guy did blaze through the rainstorm just to take a sample -- garner information, whatever.]

As far as side effects, let's see. [Thoughtfully looking upward, as if seeking advice from a cheat sheet.] Dizziness, bruising...you may even faint. I won't send you off until you've had some snacks.

[With a grin. He's not even joking. Turning someone into a vampire without the proper clearance would be rude.]

Now, how do you intend on doing this?

breakfast @ tiffanys @ diva

[semblant]

[Solomons talents lie in a variety of things. Some, unfairly obtained. Others, he's a natural at. One of these talents: passive aggression.

Now, he isn't outright mad about anything. Diva's been active in the past -- he's aware, with people (a people) he hardly knows. Only by face. He isn't her keeper, not beyond a specific code. He has no reason to reprimand her, isn't angry -- maybe a little disappointed.

And, only in her taste if anything. More or less, he wants her to be aware of what she'd done for the sake of it. Like a life lesson. She does pine about fitting in with the normies.

On a similar note, he's in the midst of preparing her typical breakfast request ever since the mini-Armageddon. The smell should rouse her, as he usually doesn't.]

[colorature]

<sub>[If there's one thing Diva is a natural at it's sleeping through pretty much anything. Unless her body decides it's time to get up once her eyes shut she's dead to the world. It's her stomach this time that decides eating is more important than sleeping, the smells of fresh breakfast wafting its way up the stairs and into her bedroom.

Cracking open her eyes with a yawn, Diva more or less rolls her way out of bed. Bare feet hit the floor firmly as she stretches and rubs at her eyes. She's got a bad case of bedhead but that's par for the course.

Dressed in her simple white nighty, she makes her way down the stairs into her and Solomon's little kitchen, wasting no time in taking a seat.]</sub>

Morning Solomon.

[semblant]

[As predicted...

He's in the middle of turning some sausages over in their pan when Diva makes an appearance. No later than usual -- on the earlier side, actually. He'll greet her with his usual countenance -- pleased to see her, happy he didn't have to barge in.]

Good morning, Diva. Did you sleep well?

[He'll abandon his post only to provide her with a glass of ORANGE JUICE.]

[colorature]

_{[She seems to be in a cheery enough mood herself, legs dangling over the edge of her chair as she swings them absentmindedly. She can already feel herself salivating.]}

Mm, I did. It was a nice sleep. Did you?

_{[She'll just reach for that OJ and take a sip. It's sweet and fresh and I bet Solomon is extra enough he squeezed it himself.]}

[semblant]

[Maybe he did binch...enjoy it.]

I did, thank you for asking.

[Back to the eggs; they're about ready to hit the pan with some ham and toast. The ham was not collected with his own hands...nor were the eggs. Just for reference.]

I was beginning to fret. You've made so many allies, I wonder how you're able to get any rest.

[Shade. Eggs over Shady.]

[colorature]

<sub>[She is enjoying it, ty.

Solomon's shade however flies right over her head as she sips at her juice. Sorry, she's sunny side up and oblivious to what he's implying.]</sub>

Why would I have trouble sleeping? I've never had a problem with it before.

[semblant]

[Not surprising...]

Haven't you?

[Busily making a mosaic of food. The sausages will find a place last of all, they require more heat, not that she'd mind it raw.]

I'm glad you had a sound sleep, at any rate.

[colorature]

_{[Considering the amount of questionable things Diva consumes, she really wouldn't mind them raw. Thank god genetically she's got an iron stomach or something to that degree.]}

Well...I mean sometimes I have trouble.

_{[But that's always due to being too excited to calm down enough to rest. Being frustrated too can also be an issue. Or upset. The act of falling asleep though is usually not too tasking however, when the right conditions are met.]}

[semblant]

I can imagine.

[Though he doesn't have to. Sausages are eventually set between her toast and eggs, the stove's turned off and he'll bring her plate over complete with utensils and a napkin, though she often neglects the finer (civil) details of dining.]

Enjoy. [Sincerely, with the softest of grins. He'll tend to the mess of pans he'd used up in the process of producing her European breakfast.]

Though, [Returning to a previous conversation...] you may sleep easier if you kept mongrels from your bed.

[colorature]

Thank you!

_{[There's a delighted sound once the food is set before her and she wastes no time picking up her fork to have a go at her eggs. They're not finger food, at least, but she will definitely get crumbs all over her fingers come toast time.]}

Mongrels? _{[She's only just jabbed a sausage on her fork when she finds herself questioning him, brow raised.]}

But I haven't brought any animals home, I swear.

[semblant]

[He'll wipe her clean with a rag eventual...normal protocol. A rag separate from the one he's drying pants with, obviously.]

Perhaps not. Takasugi's free to let himself in, though I wonder if that was a mistake.

[It's a good thing he's not looking at her because that's kinda endearing?? Yikes.]

[colorature]

_{[Yikes indeed.]}

Shinsuke...oh. He's the mongrel you're talking about.

_{[Wasn't that kind of mean...aren't you friends Solomon??? She takes a bite of sausage, actually swallowing for once before speaking again.]}

Are you upset because we had sex? He climbed into my bed, you know, I didn't ask him to.