Istredd (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
magicalarchaeologist) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
abraxaslogs2024-07-01 02:23 pm
magicalarchaeologist) wrote in abraxaslogs2024-07-01 02:23 pm
When I'm near the end and I just ain't got the time
WHO: Istredd and some people!
WHAT: Istredd is held with Kyle in the dungeons for a bit and questioned, and then let out.
WHERE: Imprisoned and then back out in Thorne
WHEN: July
WARNINGS: Nothing!
Closed and open starters below!
If you want a specific starter message waftingcurtains on plurk!
WHAT: Istredd is held with Kyle in the dungeons for a bit and questioned, and then let out.
WHERE: Imprisoned and then back out in Thorne
WHEN: July
WARNINGS: Nothing!
Kyle - let's say day 6ish
[ There is quite a lot of down time for the two of them, and while books have been procured and the Horizon is always an option (within reason), some of it truly is the two of them sitting in a room with not much to do. It's when Istredd decides to teach Kyle Cat's Cradle, a game he and Lucifer often play together when things are quiet or they want something to do with their hands while passing time. ]
I know it's very simple, but it's cathartic too.
[ Istredd doesn't know many games otherwise he might have suggested cards, and neither of them are truly the gaming type to start with. It is not easy to make Istredd bored. He is fully capable of staring off into space, making lists in his head or meditating, and that in particular is necessary given he is completely shut off from Chaos. It makes his skin want to crawl. Chaos has been his constant since childhood, since before he can remember, it is as natural a part of him as every cell in his body. As easy as breathing.
Being cut off from so much is going to start to get to him, eventually. It hasn't stopped him from answering the questions he got with no small amount of salt. Istredd no longer feels in active danger, but he does feel like he's going to be rude and make things worse
Better to play Cat's Cradle. ]
Have you spoken to anyone? [ This in their minds. ]
no subject
He seems genuinely interested, at least, when Istredd proposes his string game. It's not one he's played before, but it's simple enough to learn, and he understands the calming nature of repetitive action well enough from his own training. ]
Did you learn this when you were a boy? [ He asks his question as he loops his fingers on each side and pulls them from underneath the 'cradle' as instructed, taking the strings and stretching them into a new shape. He answers the same way: ]
no subject
No, Lucifer taught me. I don't know where he learned, but he does it when he's stressed. And now, when I'm stressed.
[ A little detail that Kyle may notice if he spots Lucifer with the strings, or if he even sees him making a pattern with his fingers from memory, as if imagining the strands there between his fingers. He won't mind Kyle being let in on that fact though. Istredd would say maybe he learned when he was trapped in the cage for so long, but he's fairly certain he had no access to anything that would have made that experience better.
Istredd appears as calm as ever, but it is a nod to the fact that internally, he's more conflicted. He doesn't like their situation, but it's good he's not alone. His mind would get ahead of him, imagining the worst. ]
An unexpectedly dramatic beginning to a cross-territory relationship. A coup, a biological attack, and then a detainment.
[ That is said dryly. Kyle has already indicated to him that things worked out with his conversation with Viktor, so he assumes it's fine for him to tease him a little about it. The Singularity is a slightly more sour topic for him, but he's still interested.]
Rhy said it does that with those it favors. Have you answered it?
no subject
That makes sense. I think. [ A beat. ] It's good that he's taking things so well.
[ And not, you know, attempting to kill every guard between him and Istredd. Kahlil is at the point where he doesn't believe they're in any true danger from the new regime, but he has time to do little else but think lately. Should it come down to either him or his friend, one of them is more integral to the stability of this little community. It's a rational assessment he can't speak aloud, not wanting to cause argument over a worst case scenario that likely won't come to pass.
He gives Istredd a rueful look. ]
[ Istredd is one of maybe only three people that know he's with Viktor to begin with, as well as the uncertainty leading up to the decision. ]
[ Wanda had urged caution. He can't disagree, knowing his own susceptibility to it's call in at least one possible future. But that doesn't change how soothing its presence has become, or his actual desire to seek it out when he has the time. Better to be kept busy with meetings while in Horizon. ]
no subject
[ And as much as Lucifer's instinct was to kill everyone standing between him and Istredd, his fear of causing them damage was higher. It's a different type of panicking but one nevertheless. He has mellowed a great deal over time but he's never lost his killer instinct, only learned to curb it. Istredd was grateful because he didn't want to be afraid of more than one direction being a problem. ]
And I couldn't have him be in here.
[ Istredd doesn't know if Kyle's aware of Lucifer's deep trauma and past time in a cage, alone for so long that it would drive anyone mad. He barely handled being in that safe room, being trapped. Istredd would much rather the two of them be here alone, with no one else making enough trouble to end up here with them. It only makes things more destructive.
Istredd also thinks they are likely safe, that this is more symbolic or information gathering than anything else, which is why he probably won't hold his tongue as much as he should have. But he is, down deep, afraid. It reminds him too much of Vilgefortz and what is ahead of him there. This entire experience has led him to relive Thanedd, an unpleasant reminder. ]
You have the Horizon at least for now.
[ Istredd is too clingy so he probably would struggle with a relationship mostly in the Horizon, but since he does not believe they are here forever, an occasional Nocwich trip will again be an option. He couldn't bear the thought of even going to Nott without Lucifer, that level of clingy. ]
Why? I would, but I am also desperate to create that anchor with it, if possible.
[ Istredd can admit that his desperation is very real, he's not thinking as logically about it as he should, but he needs that security of hooking people who want to stay in. ]
no subject
And though he doesn't know the extent of Lucifer's fears, he understands Istredd's desire to keep his loved one insulated from these consequences, and far from the dungeon - even these relatively nicer accommodations. As much as any of the others might argue, it's better this way. ][ While forcing more distance on them. It was his choice not to run, but it still feels deeply unfair that all this happened so quickly after they'd barely settled in. ]
It's your turn.
[ He holds out his hands with the string, a rueful edge to his voice. ][ That he'll mix up his connection to the Rifter with the Singularity. There are ways that that line is already blurred for him, when it comes to the divine nature of the monolith and how he's had to reorient his own beliefs around it. But what he began to believe in that vision went too far, and it caused him to lose pieces of his history that belong only to him, replaced with a version of Ravishan's life. After fighting so hard to keep both separate, it scares him. ]
thank you for your patience
[ If he did, he could have seen Viktor in Nocwich, no doubt. Still not the easiest of situations, but he'd be looking at far more freedom than he'll have staying here. Istredd selfishly was glad for Kyle staying, he has few people he can rely on as steadily as his friend, but he would have understood if he left to. And never complained about it, never said otherwise, because he knows it's selfish. He would rather Kyle be happy than responsible.
For Istredd there was no other choice. There is no option where leaving Lucifer happens. And even if he could bring Lucifer with him, they would have had to worry about Wilhelm and River, so it's why he instantly knew the answer. No real consideration was needed. But Kyle, Kyle had reasons he could go, with Istredd and Lucifer here to look after Jack and the others. ]
You are alarmingly good at picking up skills like this.
[ It's good for them to have some kind of out-loud conversation so as not to confuse the guards. It would be fine if they did do this silently, and the two of them can comfortably exist without talking, but it's a cover all the same. He is skilled enough at this to smoothly transition to the next.
Istredd understands better now than he did before, the variety of things that plague his friend. So he nods. It's not as if he wants him to end up like that again, or even worse like Cassian did, with no sense of when or where he is. ]
I understand. You need to keep a hold of yourself. An entity of power like that, it's overwhelming to anyone.
no worries! we might be able to wrap for event stuff
An eyebrow arches, and his grins. ]
I've always been quick with my hands.
[ With his knives, with the Gray Space.
He watches Istredd twist the string into the next form, thoughtful. ]
Yes let's wrap and do something in the event :)
I'll have to tell Lucifer that he can start getting good games out of someone else now.
[ Kyle is very careful. That is one time Istredd might not have been, if he could speak to the Singularity, and maybe that is one of the good reasons that he doesn't have that connection. He'd go too deeply into it, prioritize it too much. ]
Put your sanity first ... but if you do make a connection, let me know.