Even the minimal amount of engagement Evan was willing to offer regarding the goddess had already made Idel pleased. Sometimes, it was difficult to read Evan's moods, so the fact that he was playing nice was appreciated. Idel was grateful he had taken a more playful approach to the situation.
But, to hear Evan say that most of the stories were true... or at least similar... finally shook any remaining doubts Idel might have had that they were actually working with a goddess. Evan had no reason to lie about that, not that Idel had known him to be a liar at all, really.
So, okay. A literal goddess. Idel briefly wondered if he should get on his knees for her right then and there. That would probably be awkward.
But, it at least seemed like Evan was amicable to answering questions that were relevant to what was happening right now. So... what did he want to ask?
He had picked up a few things about the overall situation--that they were helping her escape her realm, that she was angry at the king who trapped her there, that she wanted a man, Evan, to go to the Underworld for her--but it was still all so... fractured. None of it felt real. What did he want to ask?
"So, it's a good time, then?" Idel asked somewhat rhetorically. "Since she's responsible for the night attacks, I wasn't sure it would be pleasant. Why does she do that, anyway?
Part 1 (Start Reading Here)
Moderator: On Dreams And Desire
Re: Part 1
Evan's grin widened in amusement at Idel's initial question, which he might have answered playfully, but Idel continued quickly on to something less rhetorical.
"As I understand it, she was trying to possess someone in an attempt to get free." Evan knew that wasn't really a complete answer, but he found himself hesitant to say 'Underworld' aloud to other soldiers if he could help it; even after everything, it still sounded crazy. He did however want to elaborate a bit somehow.
"She does get something else out of it, though," kind of obviously, but he needed to make the statement to help himself solidify the direction he wanted to head. "When I go to her, the men she's attacked are there--she's in this whole other realm, like this forest in another land, but--" Hm, Evan was realizing he was not explaining things well. He shook his head and looked a bit apologetic.
"Er, sorry, there's a lot." Plus, he was also realizing, he was getting hungry, which was honestly notable for him. "Uh... do you wanna talk more at the mess tent?" He decided that getting food before checking back in with Mizu was reasonable, and plus that answering another captain's questions was also honestly valuable right now. He nodded in the direction of the mess tent, and was happy to start walking that way if it seemed like Idel was interested.
"As I understand it, she was trying to possess someone in an attempt to get free." Evan knew that wasn't really a complete answer, but he found himself hesitant to say 'Underworld' aloud to other soldiers if he could help it; even after everything, it still sounded crazy. He did however want to elaborate a bit somehow.
"She does get something else out of it, though," kind of obviously, but he needed to make the statement to help himself solidify the direction he wanted to head. "When I go to her, the men she's attacked are there--she's in this whole other realm, like this forest in another land, but--" Hm, Evan was realizing he was not explaining things well. He shook his head and looked a bit apologetic.
"Er, sorry, there's a lot." Plus, he was also realizing, he was getting hungry, which was honestly notable for him. "Uh... do you wanna talk more at the mess tent?" He decided that getting food before checking back in with Mizu was reasonable, and plus that answering another captain's questions was also honestly valuable right now. He nodded in the direction of the mess tent, and was happy to start walking that way if it seemed like Idel was interested.
Re: Part 1
Mm. Food. Yes. Always food.
Idel wondered vaguely about what Evan meant regarding "getting something out of it," but the idea of Evan rambling over lunch sounded really appealing. The stories this man could tell, especially if they were talking about a whole realm. What were the rules for reality there, Idel wondered.
"Food. Yes. Always food," Idel said, grinning. "What other kinds of creatures are there? Idel asked as they started walking, thinking about the possibilities. He kept returning to something between a bear and a porcupine in his mind. Black with red at the edges.
Idel wondered vaguely about what Evan meant regarding "getting something out of it," but the idea of Evan rambling over lunch sounded really appealing. The stories this man could tell, especially if they were talking about a whole realm. What were the rules for reality there, Idel wondered.
"Food. Yes. Always food," Idel said, grinning. "What other kinds of creatures are there? Idel asked as they started walking, thinking about the possibilities. He kept returning to something between a bear and a porcupine in his mind. Black with red at the edges.
Re: Part 1
"Ah, heh," Evan chuckled a little nervously as they got started walking and Idel hit him with the next question; he hadn't exactly felt prepared to talk about the literal godsdamned demons he'd run across
The captain searched his memory for what else he had seen, if maybe something else would be better to talk about. There was the goddess as a dragon, but that was kind of a whole rabbit hole unto itself. Other than that, there was that fox thing that had shown up the first night, he supposed. And, y'know, the other god he had met... honestly, fuck, the demons might be the least-complicated thing to get into.
"Not to make her sound even scarier, but there are these... I mean, I'm pretty sure they're demons. They look kind of human, but like their skin is burnt--or, maybe even burning... there's some kind of smoke that wafts off 'em--constantly, as far as I can tell." He felt his blush darkening again, his mind unable not to revisit the memory of those kind-of-human burnt-or-burning hands holding him down on the goddess' bed before she entered him.
The urge to reconsider talking with Idel bubbled up quickly. Was there really anything he could tell the guy that wouldn't feel deeply personal? His yearning for the goddess was also swelling right back up again. Gods, this was going to be a torturous day. If he was going to be recruiting volunteers, he was probably going to have to talk about this shit a lot. The goddess and her realm couldn't just be Evan's little secret--it already wasn't, obviously, but telling new people about it was... well, strange, to say the least. But, ugh, yeah, this was probably necessary, when Evan was really honest with himself about the situation.
The captain sighed and shook his head, and tried to just pick up his thought where he'd left off.
"They seem to mind their own business, for the most part, but, uh..." blush darkened even further as Evan reached up to rub at his hair again. "Well, they definitely seem interested in the shit the goddess does with me." Evan was realizing for the first time, now, that that left open a lot of questions. Did the demons watch the goddess with her thralls the way they watched her with Evan the first night? Did they interact with the goddess when he wasn't there? The other thralls? Images of a huge, extra-smoky demon ramming Philip into the ground stole their way into Evan's imagination, which simultaneously made his cock swell and his stomach turn. Ugh, he hadn't really wanted to think about Philip just then, even if the image was hot, in a fucked-up way. A flash of nausea managed to tug at Evan's expression before he regathered himself and shook his head again.
"The first night I was there with her, they watched us from a ways away." He, uh... yeah, he didn't need to mention how they participated in the second night just then, or that he and the goddess were going to hunt one tonight, especially since he and Idel were finally coming up on the mess tent. Evan quickened his pace to force entering the tent sooner, he supposed hoping that proximity of other soldiers and the process of getting food might somehow reset conversation back to something that--magically--wouldn't have Evan feeling quite so raw.
The captain searched his memory for what else he had seen, if maybe something else would be better to talk about. There was the goddess as a dragon, but that was kind of a whole rabbit hole unto itself. Other than that, there was that fox thing that had shown up the first night, he supposed. And, y'know, the other god he had met... honestly, fuck, the demons might be the least-complicated thing to get into.
"Not to make her sound even scarier, but there are these... I mean, I'm pretty sure they're demons. They look kind of human, but like their skin is burnt--or, maybe even burning... there's some kind of smoke that wafts off 'em--constantly, as far as I can tell." He felt his blush darkening again, his mind unable not to revisit the memory of those kind-of-human burnt-or-burning hands holding him down on the goddess' bed before she entered him.
The urge to reconsider talking with Idel bubbled up quickly. Was there really anything he could tell the guy that wouldn't feel deeply personal? His yearning for the goddess was also swelling right back up again. Gods, this was going to be a torturous day. If he was going to be recruiting volunteers, he was probably going to have to talk about this shit a lot. The goddess and her realm couldn't just be Evan's little secret--it already wasn't, obviously, but telling new people about it was... well, strange, to say the least. But, ugh, yeah, this was probably necessary, when Evan was really honest with himself about the situation.
The captain sighed and shook his head, and tried to just pick up his thought where he'd left off.
"They seem to mind their own business, for the most part, but, uh..." blush darkened even further as Evan reached up to rub at his hair again. "Well, they definitely seem interested in the shit the goddess does with me." Evan was realizing for the first time, now, that that left open a lot of questions. Did the demons watch the goddess with her thralls the way they watched her with Evan the first night? Did they interact with the goddess when he wasn't there? The other thralls? Images of a huge, extra-smoky demon ramming Philip into the ground stole their way into Evan's imagination, which simultaneously made his cock swell and his stomach turn. Ugh, he hadn't really wanted to think about Philip just then, even if the image was hot, in a fucked-up way. A flash of nausea managed to tug at Evan's expression before he regathered himself and shook his head again.
"The first night I was there with her, they watched us from a ways away." He, uh... yeah, he didn't need to mention how they participated in the second night just then, or that he and the goddess were going to hunt one tonight, especially since he and Idel were finally coming up on the mess tent. Evan quickened his pace to force entering the tent sooner, he supposed hoping that proximity of other soldiers and the process of getting food might somehow reset conversation back to something that--magically--wouldn't have Evan feeling quite so raw.
Re: Part 1
As Evan spoke, the image of the porcupine-bear in Idel's mind grew even more formidable with the addition of more human features, burnt or burning skin, and wafting smoke. Yes, that did sound rather demon-like. Idel wasn't sure he liked the creature in his mind and decided to let that imagination go. This was mostly an effort to learn more about what was going on, after all.
Interesting that they watch, though. Idel couldn't help his curiosity from piquing about the "shit" the goddess did with Evan. Boy oh boy did he ever want to know. But, baby steps.
"At least she doesn't seem intent on harming you..." Idel glanced over Evan as they got food as though to verify the accuracy of his statement and did finally register the bites and scratches and broken skin across Evan's shoulders. "...badly," he added. "I'm glad to see you in one piece." Did he get in a fight with a demon? Did the goddess do that to him? Idel found that difficult to believe. He wanted divinity to be benign. That's how it should be, right?
Interesting that they watch, though. Idel couldn't help his curiosity from piquing about the "shit" the goddess did with Evan. Boy oh boy did he ever want to know. But, baby steps.
"At least she doesn't seem intent on harming you..." Idel glanced over Evan as they got food as though to verify the accuracy of his statement and did finally register the bites and scratches and broken skin across Evan's shoulders. "...badly," he added. "I'm glad to see you in one piece." Did he get in a fight with a demon? Did the goddess do that to him? Idel found that difficult to believe. He wanted divinity to be benign. That's how it should be, right?
Re: Part 1
Amusement tugged at Evan's expression again at Idel's comment. He tossed a sidelong glance to Idel, his eyebrow raised as though to acknowledge an inside joke between them.
"Just barely," he practically chuckled before turning his gaze back to his food and then through the area for a good place to sit and chat. Ideally, he supposed, at least a little bit away from other soldiers, though he could feel some interested gazes on him already. He was deeply torn between hoping they'd all be too chickenshit to approach, and actually kind of looking forward to a crowd gathering. Gods, it had been a while since he'd had a chance to carouse with the troops, and some part of him was actually jonesing for it.
He'd start a little more private, though; at least force people to approach if they were interested enough.
"But, yeah, I don't think she's interested in killing anyone. Other than the king." Evan flashed Idel another in-joke raised eyebrow and a proud-looking smirk as he settled down at an empty table. Though, a fearful lurch turned over his stomach as he recalled the moments last night and the night before when the goddess might in fact have been seriously considering ending Evan's life, for poking the wound Uranel had left and for backing out of their deal. The captain swallowed, and his smirk certainly faded, but he did his best to play it off as just setting joking a little more aside, at least for the moment. He took the opportunity to dive into his food, figuring that'd probably help re-settle his stomach and cover up his falter pretty well. They were after all there because he was hungry.
And y'know what? Eating was a much more pleasurable experience when he was in fact this fucking hungry, so there was that, at least.
"Just barely," he practically chuckled before turning his gaze back to his food and then through the area for a good place to sit and chat. Ideally, he supposed, at least a little bit away from other soldiers, though he could feel some interested gazes on him already. He was deeply torn between hoping they'd all be too chickenshit to approach, and actually kind of looking forward to a crowd gathering. Gods, it had been a while since he'd had a chance to carouse with the troops, and some part of him was actually jonesing for it.
He'd start a little more private, though; at least force people to approach if they were interested enough.
"But, yeah, I don't think she's interested in killing anyone. Other than the king." Evan flashed Idel another in-joke raised eyebrow and a proud-looking smirk as he settled down at an empty table. Though, a fearful lurch turned over his stomach as he recalled the moments last night and the night before when the goddess might in fact have been seriously considering ending Evan's life, for poking the wound Uranel had left and for backing out of their deal. The captain swallowed, and his smirk certainly faded, but he did his best to play it off as just setting joking a little more aside, at least for the moment. He took the opportunity to dive into his food, figuring that'd probably help re-settle his stomach and cover up his falter pretty well. They were after all there because he was hungry.
And y'know what? Eating was a much more pleasurable experience when he was in fact this fucking hungry, so there was that, at least.
Re: Part 1
As Evan answered casually, Idel did let out a hearty but momentary laugh. He was bubbling with curiosity, and that smirk on Evan's face was priceless. Idel's worry immediately dissipated as he recognized that Evan was enjoying his time with the goddess. Though Idel had played with the idea of volunteering for the old woman--after Mizu gave permission, of course--he was grateful he didn't need to feel guilty about not having acted sooner. Evan had it under control.
Evan's next comment hit a red flag again, though. Seeing Evan start eating did remind Idel about the ever-important food, however, and he dug in, appreciating the excuse to get down to it.
Before Idel could swallow and think what sort of question to ask Evan next, a high-pitched voice sounded from behind him. Since Idel and Raccoon were both in the mess hall more than any other place, Idel recognized them instantly.
"...Not killing, never killing. Just playing," Raccoon said, giggling at the end of their statement. They had turned over their shoulder from a table a short distance away, standing and walking over to butt further into the conversation. "Please tell us, Evan. How does she play?" Raccoon tilted their head at a 45-degree angle and smiled brightly, their stomach full of the fun kind of butterflies.
((OOC: If this pisses Evan off, Raccoon will probably back out of the conversation quickly (which is fine), and I guess I have assumed here that Evan and Raccoon haven't had cause to interact before now.))
Evan's next comment hit a red flag again, though. Seeing Evan start eating did remind Idel about the ever-important food, however, and he dug in, appreciating the excuse to get down to it.
Before Idel could swallow and think what sort of question to ask Evan next, a high-pitched voice sounded from behind him. Since Idel and Raccoon were both in the mess hall more than any other place, Idel recognized them instantly.
"...Not killing, never killing. Just playing," Raccoon said, giggling at the end of their statement. They had turned over their shoulder from a table a short distance away, standing and walking over to butt further into the conversation. "Please tell us, Evan. How does she play?" Raccoon tilted their head at a 45-degree angle and smiled brightly, their stomach full of the fun kind of butterflies.
((OOC: If this pisses Evan off, Raccoon will probably back out of the conversation quickly (which is fine), and I guess I have assumed here that Evan and Raccoon haven't had cause to interact before now.))
Re: Part 1
Evan was surprised by someone else entering the conversation so soon, and apparently a little annoyed, though he tried to swallow it down along with his food. He forced a smirk that was a little harsher than the ones he'd flashed Idel before, though it smoothed out as he settled on what to say.
"Rough," he nearly purred as he tugged his sleeve aside to draw attention towards the goddess' bite mark and ensure that it was plenty visible. He watched this new soldier's expression with raised eyebrows, curious to see whether they'd be deterred or intrigued
"Rough," he nearly purred as he tugged his sleeve aside to draw attention towards the goddess' bite mark and ensure that it was plenty visible. He watched this new soldier's expression with raised eyebrows, curious to see whether they'd be deterred or intrigued
Re: Part 1
Idel was impressed at Racoon's brazen behavior, but perhaps he shouldn't have been. Kid wasn't one for social graces. Still, Idel was grateful he wasn't the only one trying to egg Evan on. The guy needed a break.
"That can't be all," Raccoon said with an even bigger smile as Idel visually inspected the bite mark that was now more visible on Evan's upper shoulder. Yep, she had definitely broken skin, but the wound looked clean. Maybe you didn't have to worry about disease with a goddess.
"That can't be all," Raccoon said with an even bigger smile as Idel visually inspected the bite mark that was now more visible on Evan's upper shoulder. Yep, she had definitely broken skin, but the wound looked clean. Maybe you didn't have to worry about disease with a goddess.
Re: Part 1
One of Evan's eyebrows arched, detecting something of a challenge from the soldier's follow-up comment, and the glint of excitement in Evan's expression might've broadcast that he intended to meet it, but he reeled himself in to look at the reality of the situation. If it was just him and this random soldier, sure, showing off sounded thrilling, but there was everyone who was here for their lunch, and he was a captain. On some level, he supposed he did feel like he owed his station--or maybe Mizu, or maybe both--some dignity, at least to whatever extent the situation allowed.
"Well, night before last she literally burned half my torso." He said with a shrug, somewhat purposefully dulling his tone as though this was no big deal. "But apparently she can also heal wounds--or, at least burns that she caused, anyway." At that he decided it was high time to take another bite of his food, casually see how the soldier and Idel reacted to that information.
"Well, night before last she literally burned half my torso." He said with a shrug, somewhat purposefully dulling his tone as though this was no big deal. "But apparently she can also heal wounds--or, at least burns that she caused, anyway." At that he decided it was high time to take another bite of his food, casually see how the soldier and Idel reacted to that information.