TEST DRIVE MEME #24

[penancemods]

Arrival

"Judgement has come upon you. God has deemed you worthy of Hell. But don't worry, it can still be undone," comes a soothing voice that echoes all around you. The voice promises comfort, hope even.

It may seem like a nightmare at first, despite all of that. Full of hellfire nipping at your skin and a sensation of being pulled down no matter how much you struggle or cry for help. Wretched, unseen hands pull at you, grip tight at your body, tighten on your throat, skeletal fingers grab at your face, slide in your mouth and jab at your eyes as they struggle for purchase. It feels like for a moment, they may snap your neck as they tug and pull. The more you resist, the more phantom hands are added to your struggling body.

It feels like they could tear you apart if you let them. The only thing to do is to let go and stop fighting.

And so you do.

Darkness consumes you for a second.

Initially, everyone opens their eyes to a long, dark corridor made of stone. They find themselves in what appears to be a long queue with other sinners, palm bloody with a contract clutched in their uninjured hand that they don't remember signing.

Characters find their bodies feel heavy and stiff, bruised with odd hand prints here and there that they received during their journey down below. A massive headache throbs behind their temples.

If they look at the list in their hand, they'll notice it's written on with their blood. That explains the wound then. It's an old piece of parchment that details every sin they've committed.

As they move along the queue, they'll find a demon waiting to pass them a communication device that looks almost like a very old Blackberry type phone.

"Welcome to Penance," the demon says gruffly before motioning them on without an ounce of courtesy. "Don't hold up the line. This trip is gonna take longer, but at least you get a vacation..."

Once characters have their device and their contracts, they're ushered further down the hall until they come to a set of stairs. They seem to go on and wind forever, but eventually, they come upon what appears to be a door that's alight with white energy. Stepping through, they find themselves on an island.

There's a demon with striking animal features waiting at the start of a long path where an old castle can be seen looming over a quaint, old village. There's music on the air, celebrations clearly taking place. It's explained that while Lucifer rests and recovers, Mammon will be taking his place. Hell is, for the moment, a pleasurable experience they will heartily insist.

Unfortunately, there is a bit of a trek ahead still. The demon urges them on.


Stand Your Ground

The weather is crisp and pleasant in Mammon's domain. It seems to always be a beautiful day and a beautiful night, no matter what. Sinners should rejoice since this isn't very often the case when it comes to the actual Penance community.

While the energy in the air is as pleasant as ever, it's becoming quite obvious that there are unusual creatures roaming the area. Large dragons circle the woods surrounding the village and lately and often attempt to add to their hoard, other oddities have been slithering out. Chimeras of multiple animals wander free in any horrifying combination one can think of. Deer mixed with creatures far more predatory, bears mixed with wolves, other animals are sewn together in grotesque ways. It seems that with Mammon's attention directed towards the battle, he lost a bit of control over his... projects.

Some are aggressive, others are not. They are all, however, a very alarming show of Mammon's greed and lust for more.

Not to worry! Mammon and his servants will assure everyone that the situation is perfectly under control and that the animals are suffering very little to not at all. He just needs a piece to the puzzle to make certain that these new beasts have a productive, happy life. He will also be offering rewards to those who catch these critters unharmed and return them to the castle for safe keeping.

Rewards may take the form of extra food at the taverns, special rooms at the brothels, or a makeover at the salon and fine clothing to match.

Aside from the projects running around, guests may be delighted to see miniature dragons gallivanting around, no larger than the standard chihuahua but most the size of a palm. Some puff little bits of flame, others carry a slightly poisonous bite, but they're all absolutely adorable... and absolutely escaped the pet shop. To prevent larger animals from eating these little guys up, the shop is encouraging everyone to catch one or two or three. They may either choose to keep the little guys or hand them back to the store for safekeeping and a reward of golden Lucifer tokens for the upcoming Dark Carnival.

That's right! It's almost that time of the year again, folks! It seems like the annual affair will be held at Mammon's domain rather than Penance proper. There are promises of no clowns or human zoos this time around, so... that's a positive, right? A section of the village has been roped off and citizens are busy at work setting up decorations, booths, and a few other attractions such as rides and what appears to be a haunted house in a decrepit old building in the village. Careful! Whatever objects are being moved into the establishment do seem to carry actual spirits attached to them.

Should guests be inclined, they may offer a helping hand, but they will not be forced to do so this time.




Everybody Needs a Holiday

While it may be a little disorienting to not only go to Hell, but to be on a sudden vacation, Mammon’s domain is actually very inviting!

Upon entry, there is lively music in the streets and, worth noting, the demons in this area of Hell seem far more hedonistic than those found in Penance proper. They wear fine clothing, silks and furs, and expensive jewelry. A lot of them have adopted animal characteristics or sport various types of body modifications. They're strangely beautiful creatures overall. Although with all of Mammon's 'projects' on the loose, it does make one wonder if they've adopted these characteristics naturally or if there's something more sinister going on...

Best to not wonder about that so much.

The village itself is quaint and old-fashioned, but everyone seems to be rather pleasant. There may be darker aspects to explore for those inclined, but they are nowhere near apparent on the surface. It's sure to be uncovered later, however...

The incubi and succubi in this area seem to be particularly breathtaking and enticing, but sinners will be urged back on track, should anyone seem to be drifting. There will be time to explore later!

For now, everyone will be encouraged to go to the castle and be shown to their rooms. While they will follow the usual housing assignments to avoid further upset to the sinners' routine, the floor plans will be a bit different. Bathing will be done in communal areas with walls separating the showers and large baths that always seem to run the perfect temperature. None of the rooms will have private bathrooms or kitchens attached. All rooms will have a common area attached to lounge in, however. It will have plenty of available seating for entertaining.

No one will have private kitchens, but room service is available at all hours with anything the sinners could desire available. Maybe even things they never thought they would...

TVs, computers, and other familiar electronics will be unavailable and non-existent in Mammon's realm, but there is a library contained within the castle with fiction and non-fiction from Earth (and beyond) all available for perusing. Devices will continue to function as normal.

Mammon's garden will be available for viewing. In every establishment and all around the castle, there's a cider available freely that seems to encourage a good mood and lower inhibitions. The effects aren't overwhelming, but the more one drinks, the stronger they may become as it builds up. Each night, there will also be an option to attend dinner in a rather grand hall, which Mammon frequently attends. There's always a large spread of food and spiced wines and ales available, as well as decadent desserts and other tempting treats. There's frequently live music or succubi dancing for entertainment.

Overall, the atmosphere in Mammon's realm seems to be focused on luxury, indulgence, greed, and sloth.

[It's recommended that everyone read thoroughly through the new location information as it contains helpful hints on what there is to do while on this vacation! It has a list of shops, animals, vendors, etc. Plus a little bit of information regarding Mammon's land itself.]


Reach Up High

For those who still desire to work on their contracts and remove sins from their list despite the fact this is a vacation, there will be opportunities available! They won't even require suffering... much. Rounding up creatures, saving dragons, or helping the carnival set up are all considered good enough deeds to remove one sin from a contract. This is one sin over all, not per deed.

At least it doesn't require any painful torture... though there may be opportunity abound for that as well, if someone wants to go that route...


Under the Surface

Of course this is still Hell. There has to be something going on once in a while, right? Walk down just the right street and sinners may see delectable tortures being carried out in seedy back alley establishments. Loving cuts with knives, harsh blows with whips while your sins are repeated for all to hear. Even the torture seems to have a hedonistic approach and debauchery about it.

Are the victims truly suffering or are they being redeemed in the best of ways? Those who decide to participate may soon realize that the cider everyone has been consuming seems to add a layer of euphoria to pain and punishments. While this isn't necessarily sexual in nature, it encourages a sense of good well-being after and sinners may become addicted to pain.

The crash may not be too fun though, watch out for that.

There are also other vendors in this area that are offering drugs of all varieties, as well as questionable photos of other sinners engaging in true acts of misdeed, unlike the comic shop that seems to be more embarrassing than not. Perfect chance to get that blackmail of your enemy killing that guy...

There seems to be a new vendor in town too. The figure's table seems to be set up like a fortune teller's booth, complete with a crystal ball and the pungent smell of cheap incense. He beckons those who dare look near, urges them to take a seat in front of the booth. The figure remains in dark robes, hood drawn to obscure their face. The only visible part of them seem to be their hands. Unlike the animal-like demons of Mammon's domain, this one seems to have human hands with sharp, yellowed nails. They offer knowledge in exchange for something you will not miss in return, they assure. What is it? Well, they refuse to say. Nothing important, nothing important.

Ask anything! It can be about a specific occurrence back home, the answer to life, the universe, and everything, or something as simple as what does Lucifer truly want. Keep in mind that a price will be taken down the line and it may not be something the sinner actually wanted to lose. Ah, well...

[For knowledge based transactions, please respond here. If a character asks a question of their homeworld or something in their future, players may assume they are told a bit of information on the topic without waiting for mod approval. If a character asks something related to Hell, please wait for a response. Regardless of answer type, please respond to the thread linked here so that you can later receive a decision on what your character has given up for this knowledge. It may be a memory, a temporary loss of a sense, a year or so off their lives (when they return home), lack of resilience to sin, etc. Please be aware that signing up does mean consequences at a later date... and these may not come from Mammon or Lucifer.]


Follow Me Down

WARNINGS: sexual themes, animal-like behavior, dub/non-con potentials, implied bathroom play, mating.

It seems there's a trickster somewhere, somehow who spiked the cider. Naughty little devil! Those who are unfortunate enough to drink the tainted cider may find themselves developing animal-like traits, such as enhanced senses, animalistic urges, and a general need to be territorial or possessive. They may find the urge to keep to their pack or to branch out and find a new one. This may also result in features, such as fangs or claw-like nails that may or may not retract. Sinners will find themselves reverting back to a primal nature that they may not be able to resist.

How utterly embarrassing!

Don't worry, these effects only last a couple days at most before they will fade completely! Unfortunately, 'animal-like traits' may also extend to mating rituals. Sinners may find themselves going into heat. While knotting or other traits will not be apparent, sinners will find themselves desperate for intimate contact. This may mean a poor sinner in heat will be mated by several lovers in a row as their scent inevitably draws them in, there may also be possessive behavior displayed that results in biting and marking, and others wanting to mark their territory in ways that would make even the most seasoned succubus blush.

It may also mean those inflicted with the heat-like state, will present themselves to those they find attractive as mates or find other ways to entice them to get what they want.


Wildcard/Misc.

Don't see something you love but still want to get a feel for the game? Check out our extensive list of LOCATIONS and write up your very own prompt however you'd like to! You can also add a "NETWORK" post option to your TL for quick, easy, and fun interactions.



And without further ado: Welcome to our new TDM for the June 1st app round! As always, potential appers and characters already in game are welcomed to jump right in! This TDM counts as an additional game event as well as game canon for those coming into the game. If you app and are accepted, TDM tags become game canon and can be used for AC! Please have fun and don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have down below.

If you have questions, comments, suggestions, etc., go here.


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[minuteofangle]

[ One moment Gabe's squaring up against a fucker a full head taller than him, getting up in the man's face to snarl at him and spit venom, and in the next -

In the next, someone's there like the wrath of god and the fucker's sprawling across the ground. And then the new guy barks.

What.

Gabe twitches, too surprised to be rightly pissed about it. ]

The fuck was that, huh?

[dadyl]

[ Daryl can see the look of surprise on the guy’s face but can’t seem to process it cleanly. The scent of him is far stronger, more urgent and more important, and seems to fill Daryl’s perception far more. He steps closer to him, tense and flexed, and breathes in deeply. ]

You know him?

[ He forces himself to look back over his shoulder at the other fanged asshole disappearing down the alleyway, apparently not looking for a fight if it was going to be 2-on-1. ]

[minuteofangle]

Never met him before. I had it handled.

[ Gabe frowns, listening carefully. Daryl seems off somehow. And then Gabe wonders if there's some visual clue he's missing, some detail his nanotech isn't sensitive enough to pick up. He doesn't like it. ]

The fuck is up with you?

[dadyl]

So did I.

[ He doesn't doubt the guy but something fierce is overriding that knowledge. The instinct that just keeps pounding in him and telling him it's your job, you look out for the pack insists there was no other option than Fight.

But he can still understand spoken words, too, and what Gabe asks him unsettles the animalistic track he's on. ]

I'm... I don't know.

[ He doesn't feel like himself when he's made to think about it, but it's like his mind has far less space for those considerations right now. Everything is sound and smell and heat and he dips his head to get a better sniff of him. ]

He hurt you?

[minuteofangle]

[ Shit. Sounds like more Hell magic at work. Gabe hums to himself, thinking.

Which is, of course, the moment his nanotech decides to give up the ghost. Gabe hisses out a curse. Of all the goddamn moments -

Focus. Get it done, sniper. ]

Think you’ve been dosed. Good news, it passes.

[ His jaw works. Then he motions with his hand. ]

Let’s go somewhere quiet, yeah? But I need you to do something for me. Okay?

[dadyl]

[ Dosed? Fuck. The meaning of that does slip through the fog of noise and smells that Daryl's focused on and he tries to think back to what he was doing, what could have...

Well, drinking, of course. Like he usually is here. ]

Fuck.

[ He rumbles it out, but the wolf in him right now can't hang onto that fact enough to make the rest of him care. Concepts aren't immediate right now. Sounds and smells and things he can touch, are. ]

Do what?

[ Helping the pack had been exactly what drove Daryl after him in the first place and when he's beckoned, Daryl steps close enough to rub up against him, chest to Gabe's arm. It feels right to get closer to the smell of him, to try and supplant it with his own. ]

[minuteofangle]

[ Okay. This is happening. Gabe feels his shoulders creeping up closer to his ears and forces himself to breathe, to let the tension to. He's close enough that he can find Daryl's arm, curling his hand against it. Normally he's not big on touching people unless it's under terms he can dictate, but needs must and all that. And he knows Daryl, sort of. The dude hasn't stabbed him yet, anyway. They've got something like an understanding. They can work with that, even if Daryl's currently rubbing against him like an overly large cat.

Breathe. Get it done. ]

Focus. Hey, focus.

[ His voice is calm. Steady. ]

Need you to guide me. Put my hand on your elbow and walk a little ahead of me. Can you do that?

[dadyl]

[ Even though he can see that the other guy is tense just as easily as he'd have noticed it the day before, he can also somehow smell it now, too. It's distressing in a primal way, in the way a feeling ripples between pack animals. ]

Yeah.

[ Yeah, he can do that. He knows why as well, since no upgrade in his senses could make him forget what it'd felt like to guide this guy's hand to his own eye and let him cut it out by touch alone. ]

Like this?

[ He draws the arm Gabe has a grip on up closer to his front as he starts off in the direction of the gardens, just so Gabe is pulled closer. The ground isn't uneven enough to warrant the proximity but whatever's driving Daryl is satisfied by it. ]

[minuteofangle]

Like this.

[ His tech's been glitching a lot these days. Whether it's a hardware issue or something fucked in the source code, Gabe has no way of knowing. Eventually he knows he's going to have to sit down with someone to deal with it or start carrying a cane around, but he's not real fond of either idea. Thus, the stalling. And thus, this moment.

Still. Daryl's not bad at it. Doesn't jerk him around, telegraphs in the expected ways.

Breathe. It's fine. ]

How long you been feeling off?

[dadyl]

[ Doing a job, looking after someone, being paid attention to; it's all working on Daryl in a way he doesn't understand but can't feel confused about. For maybe the first time since arriving, whether from a drug or not, he feels complete like he had at home. He feels needed.

But he doesn't like being asked to think about other things and he rumbles out a growl of an answer, unaware he's scowling. ]

...This mornin'. I woke up, and... I can smell everythin'. Hear everythin'. All at once. [ It's been far from pleasant or easy to control, but it's been a sick thrill all the same. ] I can smell what you ate this mornin'.

[ He slows so Gabe knocks into him, then turns and leans in obviously to smell him like a dog. ]

I can smell what you're feelin'. It's fuckin' wild.

[minuteofangle]

[ Gabe goes very still in a way that’s probably telling. The human eye’s attracted to movement to a point the conscious brain isn’t even aware of. It’s instinctive, something hardwired deep into the DNA. Stillness is a threat, a prelude to something, and so Gabe takes care to make small distractions when he’s around other people. Shrug, flash his hands, fold origami. Small motions to catch the eye and draw attention away from his face.

Here, he goes completely - perfectly - still when he knocks into Daryl. And when he speaks, his voice is very even. ]

Cool. Don’t do that.

[ He hates this, he thinks. The vulnerability of it. The fact that he cannot prevent Daryl from knowing things about him. Can Daryl smell the tech in him? Dude can probably pick up on the tension just fine.

Breathe. You’re fine. ]

C’mon. We’ll go someplace quiet and it’ll pass.

[dadyl]

[ Daryl doesn't have to ask what he's done since all his senses pick up Gabe's displeasure anyway, but something tied intrinsically to those senses prevents him from feeling anything akin to guilt for having asserted his dominance when he stopped them. He's in charge of this little journey and he knows that.

He likes it.

He also doesn't move immediately, just lifts his head to listen at the corner of the street they've stopped at. Not deserted, but not busy. ]

Quieter than here?

[ He doesn't feel the need to hide. He'd much rather follow the whims of his nose. ]

[minuteofangle]

Unless you want people to stare.

[ And remember this once you sober up, Gabe thinks. He has a feeling it’s probably going around, but people ought to have their privacy. Their secrets. Eventually, Daryl will remember to care about that.

Probably not for a while, though. Gabe works his jaw, then exhales. ]

I don’t want anyone watching me, okay?

[dadyl]

[ Daryl hardly has the mind to care about himself right now, and although something about the word stare breaks through to him, it really isn't until Gabe brings it around to himself that Daryl finally hears him. Of course, the guy doesn't want to be out in the open. Not without his eyes. Not when he'd just been attacked.

When Daryl dips his head to nod his understanding, he fairly nuzzles him due to their close proximity that Daryl won't let up on. ]

Okay.

[ He tilts his head up, sniffing for the gardens before rumbling a low sound that's meant to be something like 'c'mon, let's go. ]

You ain't gotta worry.

[minuteofangle]

[ Yeah, this is a weird one. Gabe feels his shoulders creeping up toward his ears again as Daryl nuzzles him, but he breathes through it. Forces himself to settle.

This happening. Only way out is through. And it hasn’t turned violent just yet, so Gabe figures they’re kosher for now. That might change later. And if it does, then he’ll field that. ]

Buy me a drink first, [ he murmurs. But he doesn’t jerk away. ]

You’re doing fine, okay? Just need you to focus for next

[dadyl]

[ When he smells the discomfort on him, Daryl doesn't do it a second time, refraining the way a dog might circle another nervous dog cautiously instead of lunging in for a sniff. The joke hits well enough to make him laugh once, rather breathlessly, because he knows, at least on some level, that he isn't supposed to be invading his space like this. He just can't care.

And focusing, it turns out, is hard. It helps that he's being touched since the warmth gives him something constant to pay attention to, though the praise just makes him want to nuzzle against the source again with more purpose. ]

Okay. [ Another low rumble next to his ear. ] We'll go slow.

[ Better to avoid tripping or stumbling. It also leaves Daryl more time to sniff around every alleyway mouth that they pass, though it's hard to give any scent that floats by more attention than the person holding his elbow. ]

[minuteofangle]

[ Yeah, this is real fucking weird. Even by Hell standards. But Gabe figures he can roll with this, since he's rolled with everything else so far. Not so long ago he got dosed himself and turned into the worst kind of masochist, the kind who laughed and wanted his friends to hurt him. Or - even worse - Henry. Sobering up wasn't fun in the aftermath. The least he can do right now is remain steady.

And Daryl's true to his word, at least. He keeps it steady, telegraphs when he moves.

Breathe out. The body is nothing.

Gabe exhales. ]

That's better. Thank you.

[dadyl]

[ Praise, acknowledgment - it all runs straight down Daryl's spine and pools there as a dangerous feeling of anticipation. The physical closeness that Daryl would otherwise never allow himself to indulge in is working on his instinct to bond like a match to tinder and maybe that's why when they reach the gates of the gardens and the rich, green smells take over, Daryl heads straight to what can only be called a nest.

It's the place he's been sleeping since they arrived here, the closest he's been to feeling like he's home since getting to Hell. It's set into a thick crop of bushes and once Daryl stops in front of it, bending to lift away the branches that obscure the entrance, he rises again right up into Gabe's space and nudges his ear with his nose. ]

The tunnel ain't long. You'll have to use your hands to feel your way.

[ At least the vegetation he's found to lay down as bedding and to cushion the way in is fragrant and soft. This isn't the first time he's built something like this. ]

[minuteofangle]

[ They're in the gardens, with familiar smells and sounds, but Gabe doesn't recognize the place that Daryl takes them. He shivers a little at the closeness, Daryl's breath tickling his ear, but doesn't flinch away. He nods just once. He's committed now. He'll get it done. ]

What is this?

[ But he presses forward, one hand outstretched to feel it out. Hopefully this shit isn't going to smack him right in the face. ]

[dadyl]

S'where I sleep. [ He's impressed and quietly pleased that this guy trusts him enough to get down and feel his way forward without being able to see a thing. ] You said you wanted to go somewhere quiet.

[ He's still wondering why this guy sees so in charge of himself one minute and so lacking the next, but formulating the question is too hard at the moment. Once Gabe has started in, Daryl gets in after him and lets the branches he's positioned fall back into place.

It's muffled and shady inside, mostly just a natural little grotto in the vegetation, but it's made for one person to sleep. There's hardly sitting room, let alone standing room. It's a close fit, but when Daryl settles against him it's clear he doesn't mind. ]

You lose 'em a lot?

[ The low rumble is referring to Gabe's eyes, but that might not be clear. Thinking in full sentences is exceedingly difficult when most of Daryl's brain is being bombarded by signals insisting that he pin the guy to the earth, while the rest narrowly staves the instinct off. ]

[minuteofangle]

[ Despite some truly extensive survival training, Gabe's a city kid at heart. Given the option, he'd rather take his chances with four solid walls and a roof. There are threats in civilization - oh, there are always threats to field there - but they swing towards danger he understands and knows how to deal with.

Still. There's something about sitting in the garden and soaking up the sun like a lizard. Something like peace.

Gabe settles, tipping his head back in. Feels like a small place. Shielded from sight, at least. And then Daryl's pressing in close next to him, shoulder to shoulder, and Gabe just exhales. This is happening. And eventually Daryl will sober up and they'll field the aftermath. At least Hell is predictable that way. ]

Don't like the castle?

[ Though Gabe supposes he can understand that, too. Out here, you have better sight lines. More room to bolt if something goes wrong. And the space here is warm and dry, something like cozy.

Unfortunately, the close quarters mean that there's no way to hide the way he stiffens at the question.

Breathe, sniper. You're fine.

Gabe exhales through his teeth. ]

I don't have eyes.

[ What he has are very realistic-looking prosthetics. ]

But I've got some tech in my skull that helps me navigate. Sometimes it glitches out.

[dadyl]

[ Daryl just shakes his head tersely at the question about the castle before remembering he has to actually answer. ]

Nah. Ain't for me.

[ He's never felt at home anywhere that feels even the least bit extravagant, since the more expensive it feels, the more he's aware of his own worthlessness in that narrow field of comparison. Far better to lie down where he's naturally most comfortable and ready to sense an enemy - under an open sky.

Gabe, on the other hand, tenses right up against him and Daryl knows that he's just asked a sensitive question. Connie and Kelly had never had a problem discussing their deafness with him and others, Connie in particular always demanding what she needed from him - looking at her while he talked to her, for one - but if this guy is sensitive about it, Daryl doesn't want to test him.

He leans in to nuzzle behind his ear once in apology, his instinct being to sooth the tense flinch he caused, but he's unable to resist the urge to sniff once, close up, to see if he can smell it. Maybe he can, some not-quite-human presence under all the appealing smells, but it hardly matters. He'll forget it within a day. ]

Like when you had to cut out my eye, right?

[minuteofangle]

[ Again with the sniffing. Gabe closes his eyes and breathes out, counting on the exhale. Animals do this, he knows. Wolves do this when they have the space to roam around and aren't driven insane by captivity. And he was trained to be a Wolf. Not literally, no, but the drills always emphasized their status as pack hunters. You can live on your own, but you cannot thrive without a pack. Not in the field. Not in life. More than anything, he misses his team.

But they aren't here. He is. Most days, Gabe thinks he deserves that.

Breathe. This time, he doesn't flinch. Daryl hasn't hurt him yet. They've got an understanding. This too shall pass. ]

Sort of. It's got limitations.

[ He's learned to navigate around them. Gabe exhales again, letting some of the tension go. ]

People use it against me if they know. So I don't let them.

[dadyl]

Hmm.

[ The rumble barely leaves Daryl's chest but he sounds angry about it - that someone would use Gabe's problems with his eyes to their advantage. The truth is that he would too, if he ever had to or someone he cared for was threatened by Gabe or someone like him, but right now, it feels unacceptable - like another wolf targeting the smallest member of his pack.

An overwhelming urge to mark the guy with his scent comes over Daryl the more he thinks about wanting to protect him in that specific way, from that sort of specific threat, and his nose moves from Gabe's ear to his shoulder where he leaves a lingering, possessive kiss. It's more teeth and tongue than lips and his fangs scrape against the skin before he lets him go.

But he doesn't pull back far. ]

They're assholes, then.

[minuteofangle]

[ Gabe shivers at the touch, the way the teeth drag against his skin. He's expecting it to draw blood and steels himself, holding still so Daryl won't take a chunk of flesh along for the ride when he pulls away. But it doesn't draw blood in the end. It feels -

Wet. Almost protective.

Funny, that.

Gabe exhales, tipping his head back. He's got no idea what Daryl looks like, only the man's general height, the fact that his hair is long enough that Gabe can hear when the air moves through it. He supposes it doesn't matter much. ]

That why you brought me here?