Damianos of Akielos (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
barbarus) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
maskormenace2016-09-05 07:58 pm
barbarus) wrote in maskormenace2016-09-05 07:58 pm
1 cuff | video | joint post
[ The video turns on to reveal a large man, who is providing it with a close-up shot of about half of his face, and one strong, muscular shoulder. Most of his skin is bare, aside from a white tunic-like garment pinned at that shoulder. It's evident that someone is in the room with him, since he's focused on them and not on what he's doing. ]
Is it working? I cannot tell if --
[ Another voice interrupts, directing his attention back to the camera, and then Damen adjusts it so that his whole face is on screen. He is dark-haired and dark-eyed, and his olive-toned skin is well bronzed by sunlight.
He could not look less comfortable with a camera in his hand. His smile is a somewhat awkward attempt at friendliness, but it's obvious this is new to him. ]
Hello. My name is Damen. [ His eyes flick away from the camera at that, looking again at his companion. 'Damen', and not 'Damianos'. A pet name given to a network of strangers. He sees no reason to hide their true names - but he’ll do it, even so.
While he is introducing himself, the person who had his attention earlier decides to make an appearance. Or better yet, he decides to slide into the space by ending half on Damen’s lap, one hand lazily lifting to sweep a little of his hair back from his forehead. Where the original man is large and olive skinned, Laurent looks fair and slight in comparison. He isn’t actually in miniature, a fact he will press upon people at some point, when perspective is brought up. And where there is bare skin on show behind him, his is all covered up by the kind of clothing that looks restricting even by modern standards. ]
And mine is Laurent. [ He somehow manages to look like he’s smiling without following through, which is a power he possessed before the Porter ever decided to bless him with new ones. ] As you might have guessed, we’ve only recently arrived to this wonderful place.
[ Damen has rearranged himself to give Laurent space, and slide an accommodating arm around his waist. At that comment, though, he rolls his eyes up at his lover. Be nice, Laurent.
Laurent catches that look out of the corner of his eye, mouth twitching slightly like that smile he’s been curbing is threatening to break free. ]
We would like any advice you can give about acclimatising while here. This world is unlike our own, your buildings, modes of transport, ways of communication - [ Lifting his brows upward as if to indicate the device . ] - they’re all unfamiliar. We would not like to remain ignorant.
[ Then Damen leans in, tagging onto the end: ]
And I have need of a place to train. I prefer the sword. If any of you would test your skill against mine, I’d welcome it.
[ The glance they share then seems to be one of mutual agreement. Laurent shifts slightly, reaches out to turn off the feed. His sleeve obscures the view, but to those with extremely good hearing they might catch the as if anyone could best you before Damen interrupts his own smile to reach forward.]
Wait - there was something else. [ There’s a brief scramble for something beside him, and then Damen lifts his file into view. With his eyebrows lifting and expression dubious, he reads from the page. ] Can someone tell me what-- ‘Sunday School’ is? I am supposed to teach it.
[ He glances up at Laurent, nodding. ] That’s it.
[ It’s settled then, Laurent angles the camera once, so that his sincere ( no, really! ) expression can be caught. ] We appreciate the aid.
[ ooc: Damen is red and Laurent is blue. ]
Is it working? I cannot tell if --
[ Another voice interrupts, directing his attention back to the camera, and then Damen adjusts it so that his whole face is on screen. He is dark-haired and dark-eyed, and his olive-toned skin is well bronzed by sunlight.
He could not look less comfortable with a camera in his hand. His smile is a somewhat awkward attempt at friendliness, but it's obvious this is new to him. ]
Hello. My name is Damen. [ His eyes flick away from the camera at that, looking again at his companion. 'Damen', and not 'Damianos'. A pet name given to a network of strangers. He sees no reason to hide their true names - but he’ll do it, even so.
While he is introducing himself, the person who had his attention earlier decides to make an appearance. Or better yet, he decides to slide into the space by ending half on Damen’s lap, one hand lazily lifting to sweep a little of his hair back from his forehead. Where the original man is large and olive skinned, Laurent looks fair and slight in comparison. He isn’t actually in miniature, a fact he will press upon people at some point, when perspective is brought up. And where there is bare skin on show behind him, his is all covered up by the kind of clothing that looks restricting even by modern standards. ]
And mine is Laurent. [ He somehow manages to look like he’s smiling without following through, which is a power he possessed before the Porter ever decided to bless him with new ones. ] As you might have guessed, we’ve only recently arrived to this wonderful place.
[ Damen has rearranged himself to give Laurent space, and slide an accommodating arm around his waist. At that comment, though, he rolls his eyes up at his lover. Be nice, Laurent.
Laurent catches that look out of the corner of his eye, mouth twitching slightly like that smile he’s been curbing is threatening to break free. ]
We would like any advice you can give about acclimatising while here. This world is unlike our own, your buildings, modes of transport, ways of communication - [ Lifting his brows upward as if to indicate the device . ] - they’re all unfamiliar. We would not like to remain ignorant.
[ Then Damen leans in, tagging onto the end: ]
And I have need of a place to train. I prefer the sword. If any of you would test your skill against mine, I’d welcome it.
[ The glance they share then seems to be one of mutual agreement. Laurent shifts slightly, reaches out to turn off the feed. His sleeve obscures the view, but to those with extremely good hearing they might catch the as if anyone could best you before Damen interrupts his own smile to reach forward.]
Wait - there was something else. [ There’s a brief scramble for something beside him, and then Damen lifts his file into view. With his eyebrows lifting and expression dubious, he reads from the page. ] Can someone tell me what-- ‘Sunday School’ is? I am supposed to teach it.
[ He glances up at Laurent, nodding. ] That’s it.
[ It’s settled then, Laurent angles the camera once, so that his sincere ( no, really! ) expression can be caught. ] We appreciate the aid.
[ ooc: Damen is red and Laurent is blue. ]
just quietly interjects omg
He pushes the camera away. ]
Animals can speak here? Or is it only her?
no subject
[ It sounds like a question. It also sounds like he's not sure he's entirely sane anymore.
Passing a hand over his eyes. ] You're seeing this too?
no subject
I am. I'm struggling to believe it.
What power? A cat with the power to speak or a girl with the power to become a cat? It's like a story told to children, Laurent.
no subject
[ He's ... kidding. There might be an edge of hysteria to the twist of his lips but he won't let this send him over the edge. ]
Stories have their basis. I think we'll have to just suspend what we think we know, otherwise we'll spend our time mad. [ He doesn't relish not understanding these things, but there's no other way around it. ]
no subject
Perhaps we are already. None of this feels real, except for you.
[ That might explain why Damen's arm holds him so securely. Or perhaps that's because of the day they just spent apart, thinking they wouldn't see each other again. Damen is in no mood to let Laurent go. ]
no subject
Don't.
[ Don't make him laugh, don't make him emotional, don't make him want to kiss you. ]
We have people to talk to.
no subject
[ But he says it quietly, softly, and his attention is all on Laurent and nowhere near the camera. ]
We're talking to a cat. This world is mad already.
no subject
She is not always a cat.
no subject
Sometimes she is a bird. And sometimes a woman.
It seems to please her.
no subject
[ Than a woman. ]
It seems freeing. Despite its strangeness.
no subject
[ He lifts his eyebrows, the corners of his mouth curling up. He thinks that Laurent may, but these people have already given him other means to achieve that. ]
There may be a way. More than one, even.
no subject
[ To take to the sky seems quite fanciful. But he used to be just that. ] Don't tell me you have another power. Can you turn into a giant eagle? Am I to sit between your wings while you plummet us off a rampart? That might be thrilling. Before we were splattered across the cobblestones.
no subject
[ He says, amused, and then he leans back. His hand has slid onto Laurent's thigh. ]
I'm speaking of the cars. And one man told me of a motorcycle. He recommended it. Those can fly. We needn't wear a bird's disguise at all.
no subject
Of course. You want this world's equivalent of a mighty steed. [ As if he had not also seen them and wondered ... ] A new way for you to charge about gallantly.
[ It's actually a pretty picture. ]
no subject
Does that mean you approve?
[ He looks up, smiling. ]
Part of me feels wrong to think on it. As though I should not think about what is here, and concentrate on going home.
no subject
[ Says the former keeper. But his smile is a real thing so it means there is nothing unkind in his words. ] Willful. I am beginning to think it would be easier to just go along with whatever new scheme you have come up with.
[ Pot. Kettle.
He looks serious again. ]
I know. And perhaps between the two of us we will figure it out. But I am not too concerned. I think we deserve a rest.
no subject
He feels himself smiling. ]
It's only that I hoped we could do so at the Summer Palace, like we talked about. I did not think we would be further detained from our homes.