[ stalking and shadowing is busywork, and it keeps Alex busy. Splendor is a big place, and it keeps being big and not completely explored
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Alex didn't even hear footfalls after him. so absorbed in what he was seeing, he physically flinches; the move continues with him spinning on his heel to face the source, eyes big and wild, arms out and dangling at the elbow like a mannequin at rest.]
Alex's head tilts slightly while turning over thoughts about this, still wired. the sound of the incoming tide causes a shudder, stretching his mouth into some kind of grimacing smile. his whole body snakes forward, following the bend of his back into a straightened position, arms dropping to dangle. his shoulders stay up, still tingling.
he gives a grimacing smile, flapping his arms in place of the shrug that would go there.]
[Jast likes to spend time at the ocean, talking to the fish and seagulls and watching others play in the water. He glances over his shoulder, however, as he feels someone come running towards the beach.
Not lookin' too happy there, bro. Jast blinks at him curiously for a moment before turning, ambling a little closer.
He gives an inquisitive little whistle, tilting his head.]
[Alex pants like an animal, jaw dangling as he gawks out at the ocean, blinking profusely and beginning to hunch as if to somehow separate his sweaty skin from the clothes stuck to it. his breath hitches each time the tide rolls close.
it takes a while for his peripherals to catch the humanshape and process it, and he does a triple-take between the tide and trying to lock onto the new thing without being completely caught unawares by one or the other.
Alex stares at him with some in-between expression of bewilderment and outrage, frozen in place and posture for a great deal of time before beginning to straighten, finding a bit of sense.
waves roll in and his gaze flickers, shoulders drawn up with his last breath.]
[Alex counters the move by stomping a food hard - the impact is hardly what he wants (sand), but his straight-backed posture gives no show of disappointment. his nostrils flare with his inhale, sucking in a breath so loudly it causes his saliva to gurgle with his hiss. all through a joyless smile, baring teeth.
it's a wonder his drumming heartbeat isn't rocking the crust of the earth.]
[the rushed movement bristles him, freezes him in place, and shoots a harsh, almost accusatory stare in Firo's direction. he's like a cornered cat - even his lip is twitching for want to curl into a snarl.
spat:] 'Pal'. [a panted laugh with no smile.] What?
[whoa man what's your hurry, the sea isn't going anywhere...that raki's ever noticed. although admittedly he's not really the expert on this kind of thing.
it's been a while since he's seen that kind of expression on somebody's face and wonders what the sea's done to deserve it.]
[since the question came in tandem with the waves, it's unclear which causes Alex's posture to shudder, but it does, and he almost seems to melt, legs bending and body rocking back until his heel catches him and begins the process of straightening out. it's slow, and is only done when he inhales to straighten his shoulders and lift his head, washing the expression off his face from wild to neutral.
[the reaction's different but there are some similarities, and raki thinks he understands. he smiles, gesturing at the steady drag of waves against the shore.]
[ If there was anyone Edel did not want to meet out on the streets right now it was Alexander Darkov.
Even as neighbors in the same castle, the two young men kept to themselves after their fateful talk only a few days ago. It was an awkward position, really. Although Edel tried not to think about it much, perhaps it was dangerous for the magician to speak to him. Or see him. Or breathe the same air as he.
Edel had many a sleepless night, too. Just what did this man mean? What was his motivation and intention? The cold sweat that trickled down his neck in the middle of the night made him realize what his greatest fear was.
That skill Alexander had was used for something. To erradicate. To destroy.
Something.
...Or someoneTo the point, Edel would not imagine fighting this man. There was no point, could he even defend himself if the situation arose? No, it wasalmost futile. He saw how quick he worked, how clean and how focused Darkov was
( ... )
[there's enough distance to keep even familiar strangers out of his mind, especially since there's something so much bigger overwhelming him. utterly, completely. Alex is standing in the presence of something that was only a faraway story and only comparable to the landscapes he's actually seen before.
this is absolutely horrifying and more unsettling than, really, anything that Splendor's thrown at him thusfar, magical anti-violence hijinks and all.
he's frozen, save for the labored panting rocking him, eyes locked on the water, teeth bared and gritted without ferocity or jest. just...an animal caught off-guard and unable to process the situation.]
What could Edel do? He stepped closer, perhaps into a dangerous territory for himself, but he was agitated. Annoyed. There was no explanation, no rationalizing, nor reason for what occurred between them.
And yet, now his worry shifted. It was a strange sitaution to be in. Something didn't seem right. Certainly, Alexander wasn't himself.
What was he really like? ]
D-Darkov.
[ He stood a distance, but Edel looked out at the water. What was going on here? ]
back to work? Alex suddenly looks dazed, posture melting, blinking fast and looking around very quickly until he finds a human shape to lock on. by the time he does that, it's a little late to catch his balance, so he just goes on sinking, landing hard on his rump in the sand, eyes still fixed.
Comments 119
What got into you?
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followed?
Alex didn't even hear footfalls after him. so absorbed in what he was seeing, he physically flinches; the move continues with him spinning on his heel to face the source, eyes big and wild, arms out and dangling at the elbow like a mannequin at rest.]
Reply
I asked you a question.
Reply
this one.
Alex's head tilts slightly while turning over thoughts about this, still wired. the sound of the incoming tide causes a shudder, stretching his mouth into some kind of grimacing smile. his whole body snakes forward, following the bend of his back into a straightened position, arms dropping to dangle. his shoulders stay up, still tingling.
he gives a grimacing smile, flapping his arms in place of the shrug that would go there.]
Reply
Not lookin' too happy there, bro. Jast blinks at him curiously for a moment before turning, ambling a little closer.
He gives an inquisitive little whistle, tilting his head.]
Reply
it takes a while for his peripherals to catch the humanshape and process it, and he does a triple-take between the tide and trying to lock onto the new thing without being completely caught unawares by one or the other.
Alex stares at him with some in-between expression of bewilderment and outrage, frozen in place and posture for a great deal of time before beginning to straighten, finding a bit of sense.
waves roll in and his gaze flickers, shoulders drawn up with his last breath.]
Reply
Are you all right?
[He decides not to make this more difficult with his awkward English.]
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it's a wonder his drumming heartbeat isn't rocking the crust of the earth.]
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Hey, pal, you alright?
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spat:] 'Pal'. [a panted laugh with no smile.] What?
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You don't look so good. I was wonerin' if you were okay.
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there's a very slight tilt of his head to go with it.]
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it's been a while since he's seen that kind of expression on somebody's face and wonders what the sea's done to deserve it.]
...Looking for someone?
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he turns his head enough to see with both eyes.]
...Looking...Yes?
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[the reaction's different but there are some similarities, and raki thinks he understands. he smiles, gesturing at the steady drag of waves against the shore.]
Not used to it either, huh?
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his tone is still slow and cautious, but he's starting to snap out of it.]
Huh...Yes. New, this thing here...Such a stench...and a living sound. I was...deceived.
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Even as neighbors in the same castle, the two young men kept to themselves after their fateful talk only a few days ago. It was an awkward position, really. Although Edel tried not to think about it much, perhaps it was dangerous for the magician to speak to him. Or see him. Or breathe the same air as he.
Edel had many a sleepless night, too. Just what did this man mean? What was his motivation and intention? The cold sweat that trickled down his neck in the middle of the night made him realize what his greatest fear was.
That skill Alexander had was used for something. To erradicate. To destroy.
Something.
...Or someoneTo the point, Edel would not imagine fighting this man. There was no point, could he even defend himself if the situation arose? No, it wasalmost futile. He saw how quick he worked, how clean and how focused Darkov was ( ... )
Reply
this is absolutely horrifying and more unsettling than, really, anything that Splendor's thrown at him thusfar, magical anti-violence hijinks and all.
he's frozen, save for the labored panting rocking him, eyes locked on the water, teeth bared and gritted without ferocity or jest. just...an animal caught off-guard and unable to process the situation.]
Reply
What could Edel do? He stepped closer, perhaps into a dangerous territory for himself, but he was agitated. Annoyed. There was no explanation, no rationalizing, nor reason for what occurred between them.
And yet, now his worry shifted. It was a strange sitaution to be in. Something didn't seem right. Certainly, Alexander wasn't himself.
What was he really like? ]
D-Darkov.
[ He stood a distance, but Edel looked out at the water. What was going on here? ]
...Darkov, what are you doing?
Reply
back to work? Alex suddenly looks dazed, posture melting, blinking fast and looking around very quickly until he finds a human shape to lock on. by the time he does that, it's a little late to catch his balance, so he just goes on sinking, landing hard on his rump in the sand, eyes still fixed.
the recognition is very slow.]
That...is Edel.
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