Steven 'Sharpteeth' Durante (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
fingersandteeth) wrote2022-02-21 05:11 pm
fingersandteeth) wrote2022-02-21 05:11 pm
"I know," Steven says, simply. He presses a kiss to Thace's forehead. "You needed it, like I needed to hear what you told me, all those months ago when we went to get squid noodles."
He breathes out slowly. "And... in the interest of us being completely honest, you know how I hurt them on our Keeper's orders? I never did explain what I did exactly at the time, but it was... well. Draining some of their... vitality, I guess? Energy? Life force? It wasn't pleasant and it left them feeling half dead and me feeling good because it went into me. At first he was doing something where I was a channel for it... and then I started being able to do it on my own.
"I've-- used that. Since I was sent home. As part of hunts. If someone's in good health, it'll just give them a bad time, but if they're near-dying... I've done that. Finished some of my hunts that way. I don't regret it. Turning his dubious gift, which hurt my friends, into something that helped me."
He breathes out slowly. "And... in the interest of us being completely honest, you know how I hurt them on our Keeper's orders? I never did explain what I did exactly at the time, but it was... well. Draining some of their... vitality, I guess? Energy? Life force? It wasn't pleasant and it left them feeling half dead and me feeling good because it went into me. At first he was doing something where I was a channel for it... and then I started being able to do it on my own.
"I've-- used that. Since I was sent home. As part of hunts. If someone's in good health, it'll just give them a bad time, but if they're near-dying... I've done that. Finished some of my hunts that way. I don't regret it. Turning his dubious gift, which hurt my friends, into something that helped me."
Thace lifts his head and kisses Steven softly. "I couldn't hold that against you when I've experienced similar benefits."
He sighs. "There are those with magic, called Druids. They can take the life energy, the quintessence, from just about anything. I've seen them render a planet and everything on it into lifeless dust. Thankfully that machine was a recent development and only ever used on one planet to my knowledge. But the quintessence they take, it's turned into fuel, used in medicine... Given as gifts for exemplary service. I've been given that... gift--"
Thace's expression twists with distaste, "twice. It's why my eyes are a solid gold glow without pupils. It doesn't happen to every Galra that receives quintessence, but to most."
He sighs. "There are those with magic, called Druids. They can take the life energy, the quintessence, from just about anything. I've seen them render a planet and everything on it into lifeless dust. Thankfully that machine was a recent development and only ever used on one planet to my knowledge. But the quintessence they take, it's turned into fuel, used in medicine... Given as gifts for exemplary service. I've been given that... gift--"
Thace's expression twists with distaste, "twice. It's why my eyes are a solid gold glow without pupils. It doesn't happen to every Galra that receives quintessence, but to most."
"Oh Jesus," Steven swears. "I mean, I had sort of wondered about that, but I'd figured it was maybe just a Galra thing. I mean, it is a Galra thing, I guess, but not... that kind of Galra thing? Jesus."
He shakes his head. "Well. Um. Anyway, I kinda get that too? I mean, you know how my fingers are so long in my normal body? It's because they're what I take your... quintessence with. And, um, I'm not ravenously hungry for it like my friends are for thinking meat, but... I sort of am hungry for it. Just... more of a softly gnawing hunger, that's all."
He shakes his head. "Well. Um. Anyway, I kinda get that too? I mean, you know how my fingers are so long in my normal body? It's because they're what I take your... quintessence with. And, um, I'm not ravenously hungry for it like my friends are for thinking meat, but... I sort of am hungry for it. Just... more of a softly gnawing hunger, that's all."
"Naturally, Galra have a yellow-gold sclera and irises that usually range from reddish-orange to blueish-violet. Red, very red-orange, and very red-violet are the most common. Rarely, irises can be golden, or blue. Mine were almost golden, as a child. Not too far off from the color I have right now, but maybe a touch more red."
Thace nods, expression almost grim. "Quintessence addiction has been frequently reported. Others can show signs of mental instability as soon as the second or third treatment. I'm not surprised that it would leave a little hunger in any species after exposure."
Thace nods, expression almost grim. "Quintessence addiction has been frequently reported. Others can show signs of mental instability as soon as the second or third treatment. I'm not surprised that it would leave a little hunger in any species after exposure."
"They sound like they were beautiful," Steven murmurs, laying a pair of kisses over Thace's brows. "They're beautiful now. And-- yeah, it's a thing. But I'm being good and only taking from my prey--from those who were already my prey," he corrects himself.
Thace blushes a little, but smiles at the praise. "You're a strong and principled man to be able to do that and succeed. I'm very proud of you."
"It's not easy," Steven says, "but I am very, very stubborn anyway."
Thace leans in for a slow kiss. "Yes, you are. And I adore that about you."
Sure. What is it?
(Is it Secret Santa related? Because I notice everyone seems to have just received their assignments.)
(Is it Secret Santa related? Because I notice everyone seems to have just received their assignments.)
Hey quick question, do you know a Lance?
I know it's kind of a long shot but you seem to know a lot of people
[... And then, just moments before Steven gets the chance to say anything:]
Actually TWO quick questions, are you the berry weed Steven?
I know it's kind of a long shot but you seem to know a lot of people
[... And then, just moments before Steven gets the chance to say anything:]
Actually TWO quick questions, are you the berry weed Steven?
I... don't know Lance personally, but I am *fairly sure* he's one of those people from Shiro and Thace's world, so I can quick ask Thace about it if you'll give me a second.
And yes. I am the berry weed Steven. Why, do you want to buy some?
And yes. I am the berry weed Steven. Why, do you want to buy some?
why yes, yes it is
id almost think u were psychic if it wasnt for me just bein hella predictable
aight so anyway if i uh wanted to put together a lil sumsum
like a gift basket or whatever of yknow ""merch""
how much overtime would i theoretically have to work to cover dat shit?
i mean unless u know somebody named runaan
ive literally never met him but i mean who doesnt like drugs
id almost think u were psychic if it wasnt for me just bein hella predictable
aight so anyway if i uh wanted to put together a lil sumsum
like a gift basket or whatever of yknow ""merch""
how much overtime would i theoretically have to work to cover dat shit?
i mean unless u know somebody named runaan
ive literally never met him but i mean who doesnt like drugs
[There's a long pause before Steven's reply, as he has to first stop laughing hysterically.]
I mean, if you really *want* to, I'll just put you on merchandise preparation duty the next two months. It's enough of an involved process for the stuff inside the baggies that you'll be earning back the cost of the gloom juice from Hythlo--and you'll learn the valuable skill of cooking persim herb.
Runaan... actually, I think he might be one of our regulars. I think he's Thace's friend? Or, well, they're *friendly*. You could ask him what Runaan likes, so you can put in a little personalized touch to the present? Or I can ask him for you.
I mean, if you really *want* to, I'll just put you on merchandise preparation duty the next two months. It's enough of an involved process for the stuff inside the baggies that you'll be earning back the cost of the gloom juice from Hythlo--and you'll learn the valuable skill of cooking persim herb.
Runaan... actually, I think he might be one of our regulars. I think he's Thace's friend? Or, well, they're *friendly*. You could ask him what Runaan likes, so you can put in a little personalized touch to the present? Or I can ask him for you.
[How dare you laugh at her, she's 100% serious here!! Geez. Geez.
Chloe is enough of a lazy bum that the idea of working two months for some rando she's never met almost sounds unappealing, but merch prep has her barreling over that obstacle pretty fast.]
hells yea dude just consider me prepmaster chloe reporting for duty
idk what a thace is but if you could get me some info about this dude id appreciate it
idw spoil the surprise by poking around, nah mean?
adding a lil authenticity to it might be a good idea
i mean if i personally just got a basket of drugs for chrimmy i wouldn't think twice but we gotta think of the average folk here
i assume they would probs be like oh my god its a drug and then call the jennies
i feel like i said the d word too many times
if i disappear its because the jennies foun
Chloe is enough of a lazy bum that the idea of working two months for some rando she's never met almost sounds unappealing, but merch prep has her barreling over that obstacle pretty fast.]
hells yea dude just consider me prepmaster chloe reporting for duty
idk what a thace is but if you could get me some info about this dude id appreciate it
idw spoil the surprise by poking around, nah mean?
adding a lil authenticity to it might be a good idea
i mean if i personally just got a basket of drugs for chrimmy i wouldn't think twice but we gotta think of the average folk here
i assume they would probs be like oh my god its a drug and then call the jennies
i feel like i said the d word too many times
if i disappear its because the jennies foun
Really?
Oh but tell them not to tell Lance I asked or anything
I've been trying to make a post for like 15 minutes but this Delibird keeps glaring at me and this was the first thing that worked.
Uh wait no, I'm just curious
Is berry weed what it sounds like?
I mean...
Does it get you high?
Are you selling it or something?
Oh but tell them not to tell Lance I asked or anything
I've been trying to make a post for like 15 minutes but this Delibird keeps glaring at me and this was the first thing that worked.
Uh wait no, I'm just curious
Is berry weed what it sounds like?
I mean...
Does it get you high?
Are you selling it or something?
[He can laugh if he wants to. And may still be laughing now, because you keep saying things that crack him the fuck up.
So yeah, it'll be a few more minutes before he starts typing back, not the least because Steven has to ask Thace about Runaan.]
Merch prep isn't an everyday thing, thank God. We aren't selling out so fast as all that. It's a couple of hours a week right now--cooking the herb is a multi-day process--and it's mostly just tedious, to be honest. I'd listen to podcasts while I did it. But I think you may have noticed that our secret menu is all *hella expensive* compared to the public one. Sure, gloom juice is the worst, because we have to pay Hythlo and then mark it up to make a profit, but the other two are marked up because cooking persim herb is a *pain*.
But I *do* like you, so I will turn a blind eye if not all of the finished product makes it below the counter, as long as a reasonable amount is still there. That is to say, don't skim off more than 5-10% of any given batch? And come February we can talk about if you want to keep on doing merch prep while being paid for it.
As for Thace... Chloe. Mija. You know that seven-foot-tall guy who's always hanging around? The one with the great hair and the gold eyes, who doesn't cover up his hickeys? The one that keeps helping us open? *That's* Thace. I mean, I get it. You usually just hear me calling him 'bebe.' But he *does* have a name.
That said, I'm asking him about Runaan and he suggests something practical, like food for him and his pokemon or insulated blankets or a waterproof tarp. And also that whatever you send, you probably should add a note where you imply but don't actually state that you're not human.
According to Thace, and I quote, Runaan "has an at least partially justified suspicion of humans from his own world that's grown into an unjustified hatred of the whole species." Thace is working on it with him? But it's slow going. (He's okay with Thace, because Thace is a space alien back home.)
So yeah, it'll be a few more minutes before he starts typing back, not the least because Steven has to ask Thace about Runaan.]
Merch prep isn't an everyday thing, thank God. We aren't selling out so fast as all that. It's a couple of hours a week right now--cooking the herb is a multi-day process--and it's mostly just tedious, to be honest. I'd listen to podcasts while I did it. But I think you may have noticed that our secret menu is all *hella expensive* compared to the public one. Sure, gloom juice is the worst, because we have to pay Hythlo and then mark it up to make a profit, but the other two are marked up because cooking persim herb is a *pain*.
But I *do* like you, so I will turn a blind eye if not all of the finished product makes it below the counter, as long as a reasonable amount is still there. That is to say, don't skim off more than 5-10% of any given batch? And come February we can talk about if you want to keep on doing merch prep while being paid for it.
As for Thace... Chloe. Mija. You know that seven-foot-tall guy who's always hanging around? The one with the great hair and the gold eyes, who doesn't cover up his hickeys? The one that keeps helping us open? *That's* Thace. I mean, I get it. You usually just hear me calling him 'bebe.' But he *does* have a name.
That said, I'm asking him about Runaan and he suggests something practical, like food for him and his pokemon or insulated blankets or a waterproof tarp. And also that whatever you send, you probably should add a note where you imply but don't actually state that you're not human.
According to Thace, and I quote, Runaan "has an at least partially justified suspicion of humans from his own world that's grown into an unjustified hatred of the whole species." Thace is working on it with him? But it's slow going. (He's okay with Thace, because Thace is a space alien back home.)
[If Steven is somewhere in Fight Club, she can probably hear him laughing from wherever he is- not that she would make the connection here, he's probably just looking at pokemon memes.]
oh just u wait bossdude, when i find that sweet sweet combo that blows the panties off every karen and chad that walks thru our doors we will be ROLLING in fat stacks of cash money
[there's a long, long pause as she processes all that and then immediately goes to text Thace offscreen.]
i totally knew that and thats all we gotta say on that ever again
so what youre saying is i can pretend to be something uber cool
im gonna be a fucking dragon
NO
dragon GODDESS gracing him with divine kush from the firey heavens this holiday season
oh just u wait bossdude, when i find that sweet sweet combo that blows the panties off every karen and chad that walks thru our doors we will be ROLLING in fat stacks of cash money
[there's a long, long pause as she processes all that and then immediately goes to text Thace offscreen.]
i totally knew that and thats all we gotta say on that ever again
so what youre saying is i can pretend to be something uber cool
im gonna be a fucking dragon
NO
dragon GODDESS gracing him with divine kush from the firey heavens this holiday season
[He is, if not in actual Fight Club, at the apartment directly above, getting his mad cuddles on with the person that Chloe is now texting. So it goes.]
My God. Yes, sure, whatever you want. Just whatever it is, make sure it's something you can sustain long term? We don't want to break the poor elf's heart.
My God. Yes, sure, whatever you want. Just whatever it is, make sure it's something you can sustain long term? We don't want to break the poor elf's heart.
Unfortunately, Thace says he doesn't know him very well, but Shiro does. Also that Lance is the 'paladin of the blue lion?' (There's all this stuff going on with lion robots back in his world.)
You can text Shiro here to ask him. He's really cool about strangers texting him out of the blue. Just say that you got Lance and you want to give him something he'd like.
As for the berry weed... yes. It does. It's fairly similar to marijuana in use and effect, although the preparation process is a pain and a half. And yes, actually I am selling it, although not cheaply.
[Oh. Oh. Suddenly a lot of shoes are dropping at once, especially since after going home, Steven finally knows who Doppio's boss is.]
Are you thinking of going into the drug trade? I have to warn you, there's not really anything in the way of *hard drugs* in this world. About the hardest you can get is Gloom Juice and even *that* is a non-addictive hallucinogenic with few side effects. *And* the process of how to make it is literally Hythlodaeus' trade secret, so you have to get all Gloom Juice through him.
(Well, or through me, but I mark it up to make a profit.)
That said, don't deal in Goldenrod (or whatever city I may set up in at some future date) and I'll show you how to cook berry weed.
You can text Shiro here to ask him. He's really cool about strangers texting him out of the blue. Just say that you got Lance and you want to give him something he'd like.
As for the berry weed... yes. It does. It's fairly similar to marijuana in use and effect, although the preparation process is a pain and a half. And yes, actually I am selling it, although not cheaply.
[Oh. Oh. Suddenly a lot of shoes are dropping at once, especially since after going home, Steven finally knows who Doppio's boss is.]
Are you thinking of going into the drug trade? I have to warn you, there's not really anything in the way of *hard drugs* in this world. About the hardest you can get is Gloom Juice and even *that* is a non-addictive hallucinogenic with few side effects. *And* the process of how to make it is literally Hythlodaeus' trade secret, so you have to get all Gloom Juice through him.
(Well, or through me, but I mark it up to make a profit.)
That said, don't deal in Goldenrod (or whatever city I may set up in at some future date) and I'll show you how to cook berry weed.
Hey, hey. It's okay, Doppio. Really. I just wondered, that's all. There'd be nothing wrong if you were.
[Chloe can never know that they've shared a laugh over this, life would officially be over for at least 10 minutes.]
sure thing bossdude
ill legally change my name to chloe the dragon goddess
he can check my license and everything
would a dragon goddess need a license? idk probably not
sure thing bossdude
ill legally change my name to chloe the dragon goddess
he can check my license and everything
would a dragon goddess need a license? idk probably not
I mean, find someone to help you fake it during the weird weekend and you should be good.
(And don't feel bad about that little name mix-up there. Honestly, as I told Thace when he first noticed about the whole 'Bebe' thing a couple days ago, if I hadn't introduced myself to you properly, there's every chance in the world you'd be under the impression that I'm called 'Mai Hunter' by now.)
(And don't feel bad about that little name mix-up there. Honestly, as I told Thace when he first noticed about the whole 'Bebe' thing a couple days ago, if I hadn't introduced myself to you properly, there's every chance in the world you'd be under the impression that I'm called 'Mai Hunter' by now.)
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