melodiesoflife | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Characters: Dylas & Ed Grayson
Where: Ed's alchemy shop
When: Afternoon of 06/14
Summary: An attempt at socializing
Warnings: Snarky comments errywhere

[Ed has been sequestering himself away in his shop, working around the clock on his concoctions, crystal upgrades, and getting the place livable for himself. This sort of workaholic attitude was normal for him, but he'd thrown himself into studying even more than normal these last few weeks, avoiding people unless the were shop customers. After the incident in the maze, and it was clear all his dirty laundry could be aired out to anyone here at any time, maybe getting chummy with these people was a bad idea. Back to his usual routine of being the spellcaster hermit. Customers were just that, not friends. The Hero label didn't really hold any meaning to Ed.

Speaking of customers, in comes one very tall one who almost doesn't fit inside the small shop very well. Dylas might catch the far-away look in the shopkeeper's eyes as he looked over a book from behind the counter, until he notices someone entering. The book is snapped closed, and an inviting smile is slapped onto Ed's face. He gestures towards the shelves that are lined with all manner of bottles, containing potions, salves, powders and a dozen other alchemical mixtures, both from Crystallis and his home world.

He's surprised that Dylas hasn't just turned around and left, considering how their first meeting went, but any customer is as good as the next.]

Welcome. Feel free to look around.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Got any recommendations?

[That's the first thing he asks after giving the place a good-look over from the entrance of the store. He's not very impressed, but this is nice. He's never seen so many bottles and potions like this outside of the doctor's office back in Selphia, but this looks like some sort of Apothecary's Wonderland.

When he speaks a second time, he can't even hide that, his normally stoic tone now carries a hint of awe.]

Your place looks a lot nicer than I thought it would.

[Well.

He tried.]

[Ed lets out a light sigh, as he figures he should have guessed Dylas would say something like that.]

I hope I'm supposed to take that as a compliment. But this isn't my first business, you know, so I know how to keep a nice shop.

And I'd recommend something if I had any idea what you might be looking for. Need some run-of-the-mill energy potions? Or maybe something to help in battle? Or if you're looking for something for fun, I've some something for temporary physical or status changes.

[That's what it was. A compliment. He offers an "mm" at that first part, but otherwise he doesn't feel the need to speak and flash his fangs any more than that. The list of things they can do is pretty impressive, he decides, and he starts trying to come up with a reason for why he might need one.]

You got anything that makes someone, er, less...awkward? I've got a friend who was talking to someone not annoying once, and I...er, he overreacted to something he said. Maybe. A little. Something like that.

[Ed raises an eyebrow and suppresses a smirk.]

Weeeell... I don't have any made yet, but courage potions do exist. But I feel like a couple of stiff drinks do about the same to your ego, really. From the sound of it, I think maybe what you're looking for is a gift, yes?

Sure. Yeah. A gift. But from the sound of it, you think I should be shopping at a tavern.

[Dylas doesn't smirk. Or smile. His expression never really fluctuates from 'neutral,' which on him is still kind of scary because his fangs don't quite fit in his mouth and he has an overbite. But it means he's comfortable.]

How'd you...get so interested in all this, anyways? It looks like a lot of hard work went into learning all of this.

It sure did. I've been studying a very long time. My grandfather was an alchemist, so I followed in his footsteps. He taught me chemistry and alchemy, and I attended his guild for even more training.

[It's too bad everything he made was almost a sham. Really good shams, but shams nonetheless. He seems pretty proud talking about all of this.]

It's just what I do, really. I'm glad Alchemist is a Job in this world, too.

Hm.

[He wonders what that's like, to have done something for a long time. Or to have a grandfather. Or to have opportunities like that. Dylas isn't bitter about it in the least, he's fine with his life prior to turning into a monster, but it makes it difficult to connect with people.

Should he try?

He's not sure.]

I never had a family.

[Why not try?

Unfortunately, he probably sounds a lot more like this.]

[Ed sighs a little, resting his chin on his hand and leaning on the counter. He just doesn't know what to do with this guy.]

Sorry to hear it. I don't have a family anymore, and not just because I was whisked away to this darling place. So you're not alone there.

[He shrugs.]

I don't have any potions to fix that, though. Unless you're trying to attract a significant other to start a family with, I guess I can help with some potions with that...

[He almost immediately wants to put his foot in his mouth. He's (half) joking, but he remembers that Dylas doesn't exactly have the greatest sense of humor. So, he waves a hand to dismiss the comment.]

It's a joke, a joke.

It's, uh...I'm sorry for bringing it up. I don't really...it's been a long time since I've talked with humans.

[Over a year, actually, and that means he identifies more as a monster than as what he was before. It's a slip of the tongue, too, he meant to say people.

What follows gets his face to redden just slightly; that burning in his cheeks is so alien to him now that his body has pumping blood again, but he recognizes it immediately and lifts a clawed hand to his face.]

T-that's not what I meant! I was trying to...I don't need that, it's impossible...

[There's an explanation in there. He hears it. He shuts up.]

Gah. You're funny. [He sounds more exasperated than sincere.] I'm not so good at these kinds of things.

[He idly taps his claws on a shelf. He'll just not make eye contact for a moment. Getting used to a normal life is harder than he'd thought. He's not talking about monsters or flesh or horror. He still feels like he shouldn't be here, that he deserves worse.]

Maybe the significant other potion might not be a bad idea.

[Ed looks a little surprised at this reaction, but covers for it quickly. This is very interesting indeed.]

Well, if you're serious, you've come to the right place. After all, those sorts of remedies are always in demand, so I make sure to keep 'em in stock.

[He digs around under the counter, where the sound of something being unlocked could be heard. Ed sets out a small vial of dark green liquid, and also walks over to the shelf and picks a bottle from one of the middle shelves and sets it alongside the vial.

And now it's time for his favorite part: the sale pitch.]

You've got two options here, my friend. It all depends on what angle you want to take. One is more like what we first talked about - a confidence booster. [He holds up the bottle for a moment.] That's all it boils down to: confidence. We can all use a shot in the arm with that once in awhile, right? Drink this, and for the next few hours you won't hesitate to do whatever it is you set your mind to. And if that just happens to be talking with the cute girl on the other side of the bar, well, so be it. The world's your oyster.

[Now he picks up the small vial.] This is a little more... potent. Took me awhile to concoct here, and it's not tested yet, so I'm willing to cut a deal on it because of that. Using some choice ingredients and a certain sort of pheromone, anyone wearing this scent will be hopelessly attracted to one another. Just have to make sure you're wearing, and so are they. I recommend not spilling it or letting it get into the wrong hands.

[He sets the vial down and lets Dylas mull it over for a moment. The first is no guarantee, and the second has some obvious moral implications. But Ed smiles easily as he awaits Dylas's decision.]

And if you're concerned about privacy, my customer's business is their own. Any deals made in here don't leave these walls.

[Oh.

He's serious.]

Hey...

[But, no, Dylas has to listen to the sales pitch. Really, it goes in one ear and out the other. He's immune to that kind of talk. He's not a chump, he'd be suspicious of any sales pitch anywhere promising all sorts of neat miracles for a low price. His face does redden a bit at the mention of cute girls—back in Ryslig, the persons he'd been closest to were men, which...

No, he's not going to think about that awful place. His eye kind of twitches at the second one, who would buy something so absolutely shameful? It sounds almost more like it could be used as a weapon. Spray yourself with it, and then spray someone else with it. And both will be affected? It's like signing up to have your mind focused on shameless, romantic stuff.

His tail swishes a few more times.]

I was trying to make a joke back at you. [He almost feels like he should buy something out of embarrassment at this point.] You might be able to sell that second one to the military. It sounds dangerous.

[Ed pauses for a moment, looking mildly confused for a moment before laughing pleasantly.]

You were! I'm actually relieved to hear that. I was wondering if I'd ever be able to crack a joke in front of you.

[He jumps back behind the counter and locks the vial away.]

Nah, not really. It only lasts long enough for two people to make some bad decisions. Some people are that... in need. [Read: desperate.] But I don't let it go easily.

[Ed leans on the counter, one eyebrow raised.]

So maybe you'd just do well with an Elixir or two instead.

[Now that they've both utterly failed at joking, Dylas can chuckle, too. It's not true laughter, and it might sound a little distant, but it's there. He still isn't smiling, though.]

You might have to be careful with them, but I'll try to follow along.

[He's never going to forget that weapon of mass destruction back there, though.]

It sounds like it's really important to you. I'll try not to draw any conclusions from that.

[Jokes are hard, but snark comes a little more easily.]

I'll bite. What do elixirs do?

Alchemy is important to me. And whatever kind of potions or mixtures it might entail.

[And whatever will make him a profit, too.]

Oh, it's good for Heroes or anyone who uses up a lot of energy from their Job skills. They can be pretty exhausting. An Elixir will have you back on your feet in seconds. Something every Hero needs in his arsenal!

[He meant that the particular love potion he'd just shown off seemed extra important, so he'll just nod and accept that Ed is not above sexual deviancy. It seems like a small flaw. Maybe. Time will tell.]

I don't really use my Jobs. I'm not a hero. [Just putting that out there. He goes out and fights monsters to stay tough, but.] Just think of me as a fisherman.

[Hey, he never said he used those kinds of potions. He's smarter than that. But Dylas doesn't know that.]

I get that. I'm not much of a hero either. I don't think whoever brought us here discriminated too much, but that's their problem, not mine.

[He shrugged like it was nothing, but Ed did have an interest in saving this world, at least. He planned on staying even if a way back home somehow came up.]

A fisherman, huh? How about some strength potions then? A temporary boost when you have to reel in those really big swordfish or something.

[Nope. He's definitely the kind of person who thinks of love potions before anything else.]

It's not your problem, huh. So you must like it here a lot more than I thought.

[A strength potion sounds pretty good. His ears even do a little flick up at the idea! He finds it intriguing. But then they droop back down. He doesn't need to be stronger, and, besides.]

If I don't catch 'em with my own strength, it's not a real catch. But since I'm being a pain in the ass customer, let me try and narrow it down again. Got anything that helps someone sleep? I'm nocturnal. Everyone else is noisy. Sometimes, it's rough.

If you say so. But, you could think of it more of a way to do more business faster.

[He shrugs. Why try to prove some nonexistent standard when you could be making more money?

Sleep potions are a breeze. He grabs a new bottle from the shelf and takes it behind the counter with him. He digs around underneath a different part of the counter, bringing out some other small bottles and a notebook. He flips through it until he finds the right recipe.]

That I can do, my friend. Mostly what I keep in stock is for battle - knock something out cold for a few minutes, give or take. But, with a few additives, I can make it work through your system slower, and dilute it so you're not in a coma.

[He does so while talking, measuring out some ingredients and adding them all to a new bottle, while mixing in the previous potion. It doesn't take very long, and when it's done he corks it and slides it across the counter.]

Try this. You'll never be so refreshed in your life.

Hey. If it works out for you, I'm not gonna knock it. I know a thing or two about...wanting things.

[He has an innate wendigo greed to deal with now, but luckily it hasn't really been strong since arriving. Sooner or later, though, he worries he's going to be sitting on a hoard of people's things. Maybe he'll need a potion for that when the time comes.]

A coma doesn't sound that bad. [He's probably joking, right? Except the way Dylas never emotes unless he's sad or flustered must make that really maddening for people. Who knows, maybe he wants to be in one.] But refreshed isn't bad, either. How much is it?

[But in his ongoing effort not to be rude to just one human being in this world, he uncorks it and takes a drink. He doesn't use medicine often, but even he knows he shouldn't be doing this. He's just distracted enough to forget.]

[Ed puts out a hand to stop him, but it's too late. He grimaces overdramatically.]

Oooh boy. I didn't mean try it right this second. Um. Well, first up, that'll be 500 gil. Secondly, you've got about ten minutes until that kicks in. I can send you an invoice so I suggest you start getting home, rrrrright now.

Otherwise, you, um, might be camping out on a city street.

[He sets the bottle back down.]

What do you mean? You said 'try this,' so...

[He's already fishing for his wallet, not quite sure of what Ed is implying. It takes a second to kick in.]

Wait, what the hell? I was just doing what you told me to! There's no way I can make it to the inn in that much time.

Is there anywhere else you can stay closer by? Otherwise...

[He sighs. The upstairs isn't completely converted over to an apartment yet but there's enough floor space and a working bathroom. He locks the shop door and flags Dylas to follow up through a doorway and staircase.]

I guess we're having a sleepover upstairs. C'mon, I'll show you where you can stay.

Uh...

[He could stay at Akane's, but he kind of insulted her just so she wouldn't expect much of him.]

Nope.

[This isn't what he'd planned on doing. He came over to embarrass himself less, not more, and now he's just going to lean against the counter while Ed locks up the shop. Whoo, boy. It feels like Ed remembered to account for the fact that he's way too tall to exist, so he's already feeling it.]

Dammit. I didn't...I wasn't thinking. I don't want to be a pain in the ass here.

Too late for that. [He waves it off, though, not being serious.]

Look, you drank it, and there's no time for me to whip up something to counteract that before you're unconscious. And besides, you wanted a good night's sleep, right? Now you're going to get one. C'mon, you're already looking sleepy.

[Dylas is going to have to so some serious stooping to get up the stairs to the apartment above, which is slightly too small to accommodate his height. It's a cozy place, but not quite done yet. There's no bed, but even if there was Dylas would be too long for it anyway. There's a couch, and Ed grabs a couch pillow and hands it over to him.]

Here. I can't do much beyond that I'm afraid. I hope you don't snore.

Yeah. It is. I'm...sorry.

[He sounds really pissed at himself. When everyone is accusing him of multiple murders in the future, please remember that he's so careless he'd misunderstand a simple order and pass out in an alchemy shop.

He yawns. Already, he can feel his eyelids getting heavy. Sleeping does sound like a fantastic idea, and he's going to start following after Ed slowly, hooves making no sound against the floor. It's a Vampire job thing, don't let it get to him.

There's just one problem. Tackling the steps is a little difficult for him, so by the time he's done crouching to get into the loft, he just sort of...decides his body has had enough. He'd be a lot angrier if he hadn't drugged himself, but laying half on the floor and half down the stairs seems like a good idea to him.]

I'll get up in just a second. Dammit, this stuff is too powerful.

[Don't let him sleep on the floor, he probably doesn't deserve that. Then again, he's eying that couch...why are couches so tiny.]

[Ed looked at him with an "are you even kidding me" expression for a moment, knowing that Dylas was far too big for him to move himself.]

I recommend doing it now before I have to haul you by your antlers. That won't be fun for either of us.

[In the meanwhile, he pulls the cloth off the couch that's been protecting it from the paint and dust of renovation.]

This is the best I can do. I know it's at least a foot short for you, but one night won't kill you. C'mon. Ten more feet. You can do it.

D...don't look at me like that, asshole. I've never been drugged before.

[He yawns again. Somehow, he manages to look both really annoyed and really sleepy at the same time. He manages to pull himself off the stairs, but it's still clear he'd have been pretty content there. It's not like he has a choice, sleep is just...so, so enticing.]

This...this'll help with the nightmares, right? [Did he mention that before? It might be best not to engage, he's clearly only bringing it up because he's exhausted.] Just hold on...

[He'll get to his hooves. He's not very steady on them, but he quickly proves he only has to make it about halfway to the couch. After that, he just has to fall onto it and pull the rest of himself over, hoping his antlers and claws don't tear it.]

You should be so asleep that even an A-Bomb wouldn't wake you up. But it's a little bit of give-or-take considering never tried this exact formula on a, um, non-human such as yourself.

[He winces a bit as Dylas collapses on to the couch. Please don't destroy that, he just bought it!]

Well, if you need it, the bathroom's back there... [Is he even still conscious? A thought hits Ed as he ponders that.]

Ah, you can't lock up after yourself so I guess I'm staying here tonight too. On the floor.

[Well, he's been through much worse. He'll live.]

I dunno what kind of bomb that is. And I'm a Wendigo. That's what...

[And then Dylas yawns. He's already his head on the armrest and just letting the rest of his body fall where it may. It's okay, Ed, he'll roll onto the floor at some point and lifting him back onto the couch probably isn't worth the effort.

Was he saying something? He just nods, eyes closed.]

Bathroom.

[And then he's out.]

[Ed shakes his head, then tosses a sheet over him. He doesn't have much else.

He'll just have to make himself a place to sleep later. Like on the couch once Dylas falls off of it. Sorry man, that's your loss.

Dylas will wake up feeling a little groggy at first, but otherwise totally refreshed. The formula doesn't even make him sleep for any ridiculous amount of time either, just a good seven or eight hours. At least Ed seems to know what he's doing with this stuff.]

[He never wakes up...the potion killed him...

Except not. He does wake up, though it's in the middle of the night. A good eight hours of sleep only takes him until about 3AM...which is good, he can't completely reverse his sleeping schedule. He's a vampire, being awake at night is easier for him, but instead he'd conked out right after waking up and heading over to Ed's shop in the evening.

How annoying.

As if to spite Ed, Dylas never quite falls off the couch because he manages to jam one of his hooved feet into the space between some cushion, so instead he sleeps half-on and half-off. Ed is welcome to have tried moving him, of course.

Now that he is awake (and thanks to his job, he wakes up without making a sound), his first goal is to scan the room and see if he's alone or if Ed stayed with him. Pulling his foot free or just standing up, he's going to feel awkward—this whole thing is a mess, and if Ed is asleep, he's going to have to sneak out somehow.]

[Ed is indeed there, curled up on the floor on the other side of the room, with nothing but a pillow. But he's slept in much worse conditions before, so he looks fine and peaceful there.

There's two ways to get out: down through the shop, but that would mean leaving the shop without the deadbolt lock. The keys don't seem to be sitting out anywhere. The other is one of the windows in the apartment. It's only one floor up, so the jump shouldn't be too bad, right?

There is also a door out of the lab attached to the shop downstairs, but Dylas hasn't been back there yet. It'll be locked like crazy.]

[This is so awkward.

Dylas is definitely going to take the window. Thanks to his job, at least he's going to be completely quiet about leaving. That still doesn't feel right, though, so he has to think fast.

He sets some gil down on the couch, right on the pillow if there is one. There. That should be a universal sign of "thank you for letting me stay," right?

And then he's out.

How did this get so weird, he'll never know, but at least he feels well-rested and thankful.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only