synflux | ( closed ) life like the unplumbed sea;

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( closed ) life like the unplumbed sea;

WHO: Elysium & friends(?)
WHAT: This is now just a catch-all for everything
WHERE: Everywhere
WHEN: 2024
WARNINGS: Blanket warning for possible explorations of dark themes in general, please tread at your own risk. I will, however, endeavour to include specifics in headers if applicable.

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[ wanting to swat callisto's hand away so bad but ultimately being unable to without compromising their position

so, he simply grips callisto's arm tighter, almost as if he intends to crush bone. it's easy enough to pretend that it's out of mortification. which, isn't exactly pretend when a part of him is mortified this is happening in the first place, but his smile locks into place nonetheless.

me. i'm also mortified. ]

You aren't forgetting that this was your way of making it up to me, are you? [ a giggle into callisto's arm as he bats another hand against it. ] Unless, this is your way of giving yourself an excuse to spoil me rotten… [ … drawing a circle… with his finger now… ] Not in front of others.

[ …

at least, the display is disgusting enough (and convincing enough??) that they're let through. inside, is just as affluent a showcase as one would expect from a place holding an underground auction, and Elysium will continue leading them the way through. ]

[ the grip is tight enough to cause discomfort, and yet callisto takes it as a challenge. putting on a front like it doesn't bother him, not just for the sakes of their mutual covers, but for the idea of showing elysium just how unaffected by it he was, and by extension how powerless his efforts were.

not this secret power play .... but, he also tightens his hold, pressing his thumb more firmly against his hip. callisto himself doesn't know how convincing they actually were, or if the guard was evading two obviously unhinged individuals here, but he's slightly relieved when they're let through. he doesn't release his hold over elysium even as they enter, aware of the eyes that would be on them. he follows elysium in step, which is made easier by the fact is arm is still encircling his waist. ]

The point was for it to be for others eyes. [ a belated follow-up made, but thankfully he just sounds... jealous? ]

Your memory is quite impressive. [ he tilts his head as if to ask how much further, but then he sees a pathway leading to what he presumes would be the auction. the dimmer lights, the grand double door within the venue itself. ]

[ Callisto's touch isn't any more pleasant than it had been minutes or a month ago. There's still the strong urge to shove, if not at least detach, but the tightening of Callisto's grip is anchoring in its own way, forcing Elysium to swallow the notion. ]

Comes with the job.

[ Short, clipped, a distinct far cry from the tones he'd used earlier. He pays Callisto's first words no mind, expression merry despite the steel he wields with his voice.

As for the venue, they enter the area to… debauchery. Quite literally. In a large semi-circle surrounding the main stage, couples—or, attendees with their escorts, sit on plush couches capable of seating minimum five per. Some are more conservative, fully clothed while committing to their acts. Others are entirely out there for the entire world to see.

… They have a solid half hour before the actual auction starts. Callisto better do something about his "date" that's frozen in place, because their guide is trying to direct them to their seat based on their invitation. ]

[ he can tell elysium is cutting his own responses short, but callisto finds no use in finding offense out of it. it feels far too belated between all the words they've already exchanged, and for all he's learned about elysium's body under that dress (this is less questionable than it actually is). in that sense, he wonders if they've both touched on aspects of one another, they haven't readily shared. a thought he dismisses as soon as they enter past the doors.

...

in normal circumstances, people would hardly behave in this manner in front of the crown prince of the empire. their illicit acts are on full display, and there's no hint of reservation to be seen. he feels like he can almost smell the depravity in the air, and feels an instinctual sort of disgust. for now, when he sees the guide, he does his best to brush them off. at least so they have some freedom to roam.

how? by acting the part of the unhinged date, of course. ] I would appreciate a bit of privacy as we get to our seats. My partner hardly needs your help, or your gritty hands on them. [ he places himself between the guide and elysium, effectively lifting a hand and pushing at their shoulder.

this person is clearly... just trying to do their job, but the prospect of rubbing a guest the wrong way seems to get him stuck between a rock and a hard place. ... he does wonder if he's just caused them to be the center of attention, though.

he got you, but doesn't got you. ]

[ forces ecats onto you

… It really isn't his imagination, the smell of depravity is in the air, intermixed with heavy perfume and cologne. Unfortunately, it isn't something Elysium hasn't seen before, although not in the role of someone who's supposed to be a participant. Ducking his head against Callisto's arm nonetheless, he cedes to 'bashfulness,' nose wrinkling and eyes narrowing from an angle that can't be seen from others as he regains his motor control.

So, he owes Callisto one. Great.

What isn't so great is that they've indeed caught the eyes of others. Not only are they flashy, they're causing a scene. Hello, sir? Think of the vibes. There's only so much they can 'walk' around—what are they not settling down for?

The tension grows by the minute. ]

[ the fact that elysium is being dead silent in a moment like this does get him wondering what was on his mind. either way, considering all their gazes, he supposed they should likely to take to their seat, even if entirely for show.

standing beside their supposed "designated" booth, he crosses his arms across his chest. caring little about how this stance may be seen from the outside looking in. ] What seems to be the problem? [ but, what couple doesn't get into a disagreement or two in public?

he's this close to not shoving elysium down in his seat. ]

[ why must callisto make this more difficult than it has to be

Which is to say, Elysium has quickly learned that the best way to get along with Callisto is to say as little as possible. If Callisto likes the sound of his voice so much, he can continue yapping all he wants. But, he doesn't, so Elysium's almost lead to believe that they're in alignment—until Callisto decides to stall them right at the finish line, that is, with Elysium's brows raising in question.

Damn. No being a pillow princess in peace around these parts, huh. ]

Nothing. [ demurely. he casts a quick sidelong glance to the attendant who's pretending to give them their breadth of space, but is keeping watch on them nonetheless. security detail. ready to remove them or call for backup the moment their suspicions are proven. ] Just… did you have to parade me around like that…?

[ Quiet, with an unspoken edge. Loud enough for the person behind them to hear. As Elysium's hand rests on the waistband of Callisto's pants, his fingers skim almost teasingly under it, blunt nails ghosting along bare skin. With another hand splayed on Callisto's chest, above where his arms might be—Elysium shoves. Roughly.

His tone sharpens to match, low enough that anyone else would probably struggle to hear. ]

Is riling me up that fun for you?

[ well. if callisto won't, elysium will, ig. ]

[ what is his existence if it isn't meant to make elysium's harder...

which he especially seems to double down for the second he speaks. "nothing." yet, nothing could only be used to describe the abnormal way the other man has been behaving. when he actually speaks and asks that inquiry, his own brow is raised, initially uncertain of how much was connected to his actual qualm, vs. how much of it was an act. it seems no matter where they are, whether in a virtual reality dungeon, dating show, or seedy auction— the fact that they both appear to be playing some sort of "role" never seems to escape them.

then again, how much of elysium's behavior could be chalked up to that. if there was one thing he fronts at, it's in the crystals near his waist, which callisto's own fingers seem to trace the outline of. is it a warning, or a reminder that he knows some intimate part of him and can expose it at any moment? ]

How else did you expect others to know who you answer to?

[ since the ecats is long gone much like any semblance of regaining a cordial relationship...

callisto attempts to step back from the firm push, only the back of his feet end up hitting the legs of seat. he stumbles backwards onto its plush seat. so he does what any normal and well-adjusted person would do in this position and makes sure not to release elysium's waist as he falls over. even pulling him tight against his own body.

if he's going down, so is elychan... ]

[ There's a lot to be said about how Elysium expects Callisto's resistance, already bracing himself for an inevitable fall when he shoves a leg between Callisto's legs. They tumble, the dress splays, and his knee presses up further between them, akin to a predator that intends to corner its prey. How much is this them, respectively? It could easily be said that it's still entirely them—selves they keep tucked away for various reasons, exposed only when deemed absolutely necessary.

The fingers at his crystals again. Elysium bares his teeth, revealing a flash of white. ]

… Is that what you want? For me to be a part of your collection of caged birds, at your beck and call?

[ With "privacy" and our ecats gone, so goes the thin veneer of Elysium's geniality. What dialogue they exchange matters much less now, so long as they continue putting up a show of their self-involvement. Which, to others, is probably looking like some messed up power play. But is that really so far off…?

Bodies pressed close, Elysium leans forward. Both hair and feather accessories framing their faces, they act much like a veil to hide their animosity from the world. ]

That's too bad. I'm not going to answer to you. Never. Not in a million years. Now——

[ eyes narrowing, with the hand on his chest sliding to press down on Callisto's shoulder, and the other moving to squeeze the hand on his waist, ]

——shut up.

[ A press of their mouths. It'd be more bite than kiss if he weren't mindful of drawing blood. How good is Callisto at holding his breath? If he doesn't shake Elysium off, it'll certainly be a test of it. ]

[ cursive what???

the concept he speaks of is so ridiculous a notion that he can only let out an almost airy sort of laugh. almost completely genuine in the idea that elysium clearly seems to see him as scum with a particularly perverse desire (says he who has 100% sparked these allegations). placing aside the fact that callisto was capable of such vicious possessiveness aside, in the moment, he couldn't think of anything less appealing. as much as he would appreciate showing elysium back in his place— ]

Are you not misunderstandi—

[ he then feels the touch of his hands. there's nothing remotely intimate about it. sharing warmth in the dead of winter as one hinges on life and death would have been more romantic. but, he knows neither of them are here for this.

when elysium presses their lips together, one of his hand trail from his waist to his face. but, it's not the gesture it appears from the outside as it draws lower to his neck, then with his palm against his throat and fingers on his pulse, he gives it a tight squeeze. two can play this game of asphyxiation.

at this moment, elysium feels less like a fake lover than he does a practiced assassin... ]

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( closed ) life like the unplumbed sea;

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