element_wizard | (no subject)

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The other side of the portal lead to the end of everything. Or an everything. It was a surprisingly nice end of everything. A bar with plenty of tables, booths and comfortable chairs sitting by a fire with fish swimming within the flames. Rats wearing little suits scurried around carrying trays with food and drink on them to various patrons at various locations.

There's a scattering of people around with friends or by themselves. Doing everything from nothing, to eating to reading to making a mess on the table because they've pulled apart a machine. The rats are not happy about that.

And of course there's the Window where the end of the universe can be seen in all its glory. As it is the natural time of death for the universe, it won't do anything to Zack beyond looking beautiful. Repeating every few minutes or so as time is rewound. People pay to watch the universe end, not be there when it ends after all.

Alec stands on the other side of the portal, which also corresponds to a doorway, even though he was behind Zack a second ago.

"Welcome to Milliways. The restaurant at the end of the universe."

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Very true, amazing can be all kinds of awful. Zack might possibly go for something with more variety than what he is though. His own existence might qualify as 'amazing' but it's basically the same old rinse-and-repeat cycle.

However terrifying change might be, it feels long overdue.

"Huh. Said I wouldn't put it past him, didn't I?" Zack isn't shocked, or even all that surprised. Which is sad. It makes him sad. If he had a younger brother, by Gaia, he'd never pull a fraction of the shit Abe does. "You mean consequences in Abe getting mad? Good. Let him. Arsehole.”

It might incur a punishment, but not having a near-permanent headache trumps that risk.

"So you did." Alec has the feeling that he will be talking with Abe soon. Because mentally, he's realized that he's vaguely adopted Zack. Ah well. Consequences will be dealt with later. Consequences will always be dealt with later.

"If you're fine with it, as long as you realize what you're getting into... I can get rid of it."

Well, he doesn't really know what he's getting into, but at least Zack realises he's getting into something. Which is more warning than he ever got when Abe created him... a dim memory now, but Zack is certain of that fact.

And now too, he has the choice, where he didn't before.

"Free will, right? Comes with its own set of problems."

He'll start munching on his burger again, pondering the future.

It's like the book he gave to the cultists. It's got warnings all over it. Do this wrong and your world will be doomed. You have to do it, as Zack said, free will. You must choose. Alec will not choose. He will give you the options. But he will not decide.

Zack will have to open up on the book and start the summons himself.

"Free will, such as it is, does come up with its own problems," he agrees. And a tilt of the head as he notices something across the room. "Mm... I'm going to be right back."

And he slides out of his chair to leave Zack alone.

Right now Zack feels very small and very daunted, despite all the power he can wield, given the right (or wrong) circumstances. But he's no coward. He may not consider himself brave, as such, but something has to change.

And change can be painful. That much he's learned from all the foolish mortal organisations who put wealth before the welfare of their planet.

"Uh. Oh...kay." It's actually a little alarming when Alec leaves but Zack will continue to be brave. It's the first time he's been left alone outside of Antillioch since they met. Alone in a restaurant full of strangers. He'll just glower at a few of them, and finish his meal.

Edited 2021-08-02 15:47 (UTC)

Zack is a big boy and Millways is safe. He will be fine. Alec wouldn't bring him somewhere bad.

Right?

Where someone could hurt him.

He's a nice guy. Doesn't want Zack hurt. He wouldn't leave him around somewhere just to abandon him.

Sure Zack's known him for what? All of three? Four hours? But that's plenty of time to get the figure on someone. Even if he is some capricious entity. Telling him that everything he knew about his life before is ... well, not wrong... perhaps... but the people he trusted weren't doing him right? Sure. Alec would know that. He's got no ulterior motives going on. Why would he? He's not going to try and use Zack to destabilize his home and destroy it... what reason would he?

Besides it would cause chaos. And he is a chaos bringer. He is chaos.

It'll be fine.

Everything will be fine.

"Hello." The voice is warm, welcoming. Familiar. Somehow. A hint of home long forgotten. The arms of a forgotten parent holding tight during a nightmare, saying it will be okay. It belongs to a... cleanly dressed man... with a faintly amused smile on his face. Amused at what, it's hard to say. But he radiates friendliness.

"You're new here, aren't you?" he asks, curiosity in his black, rimmed with red, eyes.

Compared to hell, this is a paradise, so if Alec does fail to return, it won't be the worst thing that has ever happened to Zack. And this new friend might well be a capricious creature of chaos, but it's the person Zack trusts. He can only take it that the personality inside the creature actually likes him enough not to do him harm. He can't do much else. He could have done, at first, could have just done the work, returned to Antillioch, and not have accepted an invitation to eat.

But he did. And that's free will in action. Of a sort.

When somebody speaks, Zack's gut reaction would be to turn and snarl. He's already told himself he won't though, but he does turn wary eyes to the newcomer. Zack isn't ready to make friends yet. He'd rather eat, drink, observe. Sitting in a corner somewhere and assessing people would be his main strategy, before actually speaking.

Being socially awkward too, it seems a good policy.

The warmth though... it calls to him. The odd disjointed memories of sitting on his pa's shoulders, or being cradled after waking in tears over some bogeyman or other - all resonate. It's still in Zack's nature not to be trusting though, even if his own beloved parents walked into the bar... Not that he'd recognise them.

"New. Yeah," he grunts, his hand tightening around the glass of water. "M'here with the Everstorm of Chaos," he adds, just in case. It's probably not cool to hide behind Alec, but fuck it. He'll apologise later.

It's all new and weird, and Zack is feral. He's been dealt enough blows to remain paranoid.

But how can he trust the person? Again, only three to four hours of knowing the man. He could be playing Zack around just for his own amusement. How much does the Everstorm of Chaos bleed into Alec and Alec into the Everstorm of Chaos?

Abe has to be afraid of him for a reason. He is afraid of him for a reason. Who knows what goes on in such a creature's mind. What he considers amusement...

It's a good thing that Zack doesn't trust him completely. He shouldn't.

Keep himself safe from any emotional hurt later.

Sitting down, the man continues his with his faint smile. Sure he shouldn't sit down, he hasn't been invited. But he seems like a nice enough person. Doesn't he?

"Ah. Yes. Him. He is quite the interesting creature," the man said. "He appears to have adopted you. Rare enough for him to do so."

It does pop into his head.. why did he initially trust Alec? At what point did he start trusting him?

Well, he didn't. Not really. At first. But if the Everstormn wanted to yank his chain, Zack always understood he was powerless to prevent it.

Abe's fucking terrified of him, and Abe is a lot of things, but not stupid.

Okay, so at first he wouldn't have been surprised or hurt at getting caught by a bigger more powerful predator. It's how the multiverse works.

But he'd be hurt if Alec turned against him now.

But Alec won't. So there.

And no, mister bloody overfamiliar... whatever-you-are, you weren't invited. Zack takes a few sips of his water, watching the man over the rim of his glass. He has no psychic ability, but he can tell who's mortal and who's not. This one is not and may be one of those bigger predators, despite seeming okay.

"He's just a mate, is all." The stranger seems to know Alec. Zack is not going to be the first one to betray a friendship. Alec's gonna have to do it to him first. Whatever this is he's feeling right now. "Who're you then?"

He wouldn't call himself a predator... he just... helps people see things... that's all. Nothing wrong with that. Okay. Sure sometimes people get hurt, but people get hurt all the time.

At least he's not eating Alec's food.

Yet.

But, the man isn't really mortal, no. "To you perhaps," he said. "You can call me Karan."

If he does touch Alec's food, Zack may well stab him with a fork. He'll forget the bar doesn't allow violence.

"Zack," he says, reluctantly. "To me perhaps what? Just a mate? or he's something else to other people?"

He's not going out of his way to be rude. Social conventions escape him, and he's naturally gruff and wary until he finds something to like in somebody else. With Alec - he realises now - it was when he slipped and fell on his arse back on that world they destroyed. It was funny, vulnerable even, something kinda cute and so very different from the demons of Antillioch, Zack had warmed to it. That and Alec was pleasant from the start.

This guy is pleasant, sure. But Zack is feeling slightly paranoid about Alec for some inexplicable reason, and it's making him want to sit in a corner and growl at everyone. Including the Perfectly Okay person who's just joined him.

Tsk. No need to be rude about it.

"Everyone is something else to other people. No two people see something the same way. It's all about experiences. Your past and with the thing you interact with changes how you see things," Karan said with a shrug. "But this case, I do mean that you might see him as a friend but as I said he appears to have mentally adopted you - accidentally, I'm sure - as he would a child. Not that he sees you as child like that."

And he points to a random child in the room.

"More like someone he's decided to protect and help learn how the world works."

This - despite himself - actually gives Zack the warm fuzzies. If Alec cares that much... well nobody ever has, since Zack became what he is, and it's really nice.

Zack glances over at the child and feels a stab of... something. Something wistful and somehow cheated at the same time.

Yeah, he may be crushing on Alec some. Not in a romantic way, but it's been a bit like having a really nice brother. Zack doesn't like to admit this to himself and he wouldn't want to embarrass his friend with it.

"Didn't realise that. Thought he just saw me as a mate." Zack sits back a bit in his seat, still gripping his drink for some feeling of security. "How well d'you know him?"

Warm fuzzies. Yes. Good. TRuUuuUUussst him. Sure there might shifty things going on. But he cares about you. That's a good thing! At least someone cares about you. And doesn't hurt you. He says you're good and smart. He wants you to learn.

Make yourself better.

That's good.

You're a good boy.

Crush and all.

"Age thing, in a weird way. I'm sure he'd like to be a brother perhaps... but in any case, he's protective. I'm sure you've heard him threaten people who might hurt you. Or insinuate," he said, leaning back in his chair for a moment.

"How well do I know him... hmmm... better than some might think. Better than he'd like. Perhaps a like a parent...," he mused.

He does feel a little better and is putting it down to simple acclimatisation of the bar.

Looking back, he can't actually remember if Alec has insinuated any threats. It's clear he thinks Abe is abusive, and Zack is beginning to see that for himself. It's a difficult situation, because Abe is more powerful, he can kick Zack's arse from here to the Big Bang. It's only his fear of Alec that has prevented Zack from getting a punishment or three. "He's not fond of Abe's behaviour," he admits. "I c'n tell. But he's not threatened him."

On the other hand, Abe is Zack's brother, even if technically he's not. Adopted brother then. And Zack wants to love his brother as much as he wants to be loved. When Karan suggests he has some kind of parental relationship with Alec, it gives Zack pause. His own real parents were selfless and loving. Abe may be family, but he's not blood, and is abusive.

It follows that Karan might not be all he says he is to Alec. So Zack will retain a little scepticism. "He's not mentioned you." Although Alec has mentioned his da.

Zack's head begins to ache again. He puts down the water and with his right hand, pulls at his hair.

Edited 2021-08-03 13:03 (UTC)

And yet what was with that penguin... A nonverbal threat, wasn't it?

Abe certainly took it like one.

Fists and crackling powers with blood flying all over the place isn't the only way to make a threat.

"Mm... yes. That's good."

From out of a pocket in his very nice jacket he pulled out a ... knife... Zack has probably seen quite a few knives and weapons. Threatening and magical as well as dull and mundane. All that screamed violence. The one Karan is holding is simple. It's a dull black blade that looks like a flint napped stone with a bone handle. And it just feels like murder. This is a knife made just for murdering people. Not killing; murdering.

He starts cleaning his fingernails with it and then laughs. "No. I imagine not. He's not fond of me." The cleaning stops as the hair pulling starts.

With the knife he gestures. "Does the hair pulling help?"

Zack is just not that sophisticated. Abe did freak, and when he thinks more about it, Zack might understand it was ... well, at least a reminder, calling card, whatever. But his head is too thick with pain at the moment to mull anything over.

He does wonder what's good though, that Alec thinks Abe is abusive, or that Alec hasn't threatened Abe.

It doesn't matter. Once Zack sees the blade, Karan will get the whale-eyes. It is a disturbing blade, and nice people don't usually pull out something like that, even to only clean their nails.. especially not to just clean their nails. Zack may not have the first clue about what motivates nice people, but he knows enough about demon behaviour to know when something is wrong and creepy, and... sitting forward a little, Zack's left hand goes to the hilt of demon blade at his back, under his jacket. It sits in a sheath upside-down, so he can pull it with ease.

He's not about to attack the bloke, but Zack is quick and keen. He can defend himself, so he believes. And if Alec is not fond of Karan, there's got to be a reason.

"Some," he says, tight-lipped and even more tightly-wound now. "Moves the pain." Well, it gives him a different focus, but he's not really thought about it much. He just does it.

Edited 2021-08-03 14:31 (UTC)

The movement to the hidden blade earns Zack a smile. It's perfectly pleasant and at the time it makes sharks look toothless. Nothing in his body language changes suggesting that he thinks that he's threatened Zack with the knife. In fact he goes back to cleaning his fingernails with it.

"I suppose there are worse habits to have," he says, though he does sound like it's one that should be broken. "Has he mentioned anything about what you really are?"

Karan will just get a glare in return. Even if he is hellspawn, Zack tends not to go around being creepy to everyone. Or does he? Okay, maybe he does a bit of snarling, but that's at least honest, in his eyes.

He now realises he doesn't just have to sit here and feel uncomfortable. He's animalistic still, in so many ways, and the fight or flight response does carry two options. He can always just walk away.

He does extract his fingers from his hair though; having more than just a headache to concern himself with.

Zack is about to leave the table, but Karan manages to keep him in his seat with that perceptive remark. "How the hells d'you know that?" This time it is a snarl... but one of confusion. If Karan knows about that, could he know what Zack is meant to be? Pure curiosity keeps him in his seat - for now.

What's wrong with the smile? It's just a smile. Not at all creepy. (Sure it's the smile of someone who is looking forward to the chance to kill you later, but it is just a smile.)

"I told you, I know him. Better than he thinks. He likes trying to do the whole mystery thing, but he's not very good at it." Is he having a good time? Yes, yes he is.

He knows that Zack isn't what he thinks he is from what he gathered with his shadow. He knows what Zack is supposed to be because he is betraying his nature as he is and Karan knows all about betrayal.

Creepy is in the eye of the beholder, in this case, at least. Zack is positively bristling in the presence of this ... person, who is decidedly not mortal. As Zack has no way of divining what powers Karan might have, he's not enjoying the encounter at all.

This, however, does make him snort, remembering Alec slipping and falling on his butt. "Tell me stuff I don't know," he grunts, adding, "or I'm walking."

Blah, blah, blah. Zack is just overly sensitive.

On the other hand he did get Zack to "smile" so there is that.

"You should try eating the dust of a world you've not destroyed," he suggests. "Your nature has been, as he said, changed. You are connected to worlds, but not in their destruction, but their life. By eating the dust of the dead you betray the life you should have."

Edited 2021-08-04 13:59 (UTC)

Well, that wipes the snarl off Zack's face.

Give him a minute to let that sink in and maybe wonder if Karan is pulling his plonker.

"I don't eat it," he protests, somewhat feebly and just to be contrary. That's not how it works...

But it's also completely beside the point.

"That's against the rules." Not strictly true. Abe has pounded it into him to replenish after a task is fulfilled. Must be done. Rule number one. Prime Directive. And all that. But Abe has never once forbidden him to replenish from a living world. He's never even mentioned it. Which might be suspicious in itself. "Might poison me."

His arguments are getting weaker and weaker. Zack chases Karan's words like he's trying to herd cats. It's hard to take it in, and it makes his head... hurt. Not the usual throbbing pain, but a sharp stabbing at the nape of his neck, rising up through his skull.

"Ugh Even talking about it's ...toxic."

Edited 2021-08-04 14:10 (UTC)

Take all the time you'd like, there Zack. Please do. Think about it.

"Eat, absorb, take into your essence, put it in a bag and hide it under your bed. The point stands, you still take some of it with you." He then gave a bark of laughter. "Poison you? Did you just hear what you just said? Something like you get poisoned?"

Leaning forward, knife still in his hands, he asked, "Is it toxic or is it something keeping you from thinking? Your brother did this to you; why? And why does it hurt to think about why? What do you have that he's afraid of?"

There are ways to poison creatures like himself, he's pretty sure. Zack isn't impervious to magic, or the powers of godlike beings. Or maybe he's got it all wrong, because at present, it's agony and he can't even see straight.

In a haze of pain, Zack stands, tipping back his chair so it falls noisily to the ground. He catches the table too, which doesn't get flipped, but it does get knocked, disturbing all the plates and cutlery. The near-empty glass of water falls over, as does Alec's cider.

"I don't know, okay? I don't know!... Stop!"

People are turning to look at the disturbance, but Zack can't see them. His bead feels like the bumping and grinding of two tectonic plates, of a supervolcano straining below the surface, just before it erupts. "I don't want to hurt anyone!"

Edited 2021-08-04 15:31 (UTC)