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 Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2016 10:47 am
THREAD LOCATION
▶ SHOPS & RETAIL
Oliver's Bar & Grill
RESERVED FOR
▶ PM for permission to join.
Ian Cypress, Acacius Griffith, Ruven Trisleth.
SUMMARY
Ian takes Acacius and Ruven out for a meal.
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Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2016 7:27 pm
Nothing was sitting well with Ian. His insides felt all twisted up and he sort of felt conflicted in his head. This must be what it's like to be in an abusive relationship, huh? Then again, you didn't have to be dating someone for them to abuse you. Ian was always struggling between this small flame of hatred growing inside him and all the pain and feelings Odin was constantly causing. Ian just wanted his brother. Why did it have to be so hard? As he lead the two to the subway station he glanced around again staring at some graffiti. His eyes ran over the Ghost signs. Hell, next to it were some little packman-type ghosts. "Is there a gang problem in this area?" Ian asked turning his head to the two as though they'd know. Not like Ruven even had a cellphone yet to search it. Was Odin gonna buy him one? Ian puckered his lips out slightly. "Sorry stupid question. I'm sure Odin's not like..." A gang member.
But couldn't prison do that to people?
Quickly shaking his head, Ian knew he needed to try and clear his mind. Focus on Acacius and Ruven. The subway pulled up and Ian gently cringed at the screeching noise as the breaks slammed against the metal pieces. He didn't understand why all subway systems didn't use metal mages like in his neighborhood. They drove the trains and it saved massive amounts of resources. They were almost silent too. As Ian slipped through the doors he tilted his head towards the two elves. "Ruven, do you want to buy a phone before we stop off at a restaurant? You'll need one. I also just want to make sure I have your number. You know? If you ever need a break from him or help with anything I can try to help you."
It was then that something didn't sit right with Ian. He glanced over Acacius's shoulder to see two males who wrecked of weed near the other corner of the subway cart. They were murmuring to one another but he couldn't catch what they were saying. Saying they looked like hoodlums didn't really say much, being as everyone near Odin were those types of people. Ian knew it was bad to be judgmental but it was difficult because everyone's first impression in the area seemed to be to radiate as much toughness as they could. Ian placed his hands in his pockets and tried to lean against the pole near the subway doors. That would help the clearly well dressed male look tougher. He glanced down at the sweatshirt tied around his waist knowing that probably didn't help. At least he was a lycan and his large shoulders and strong build helped him feel a little better.
"Acacius, any chance you can hear?" Ian asked very quietly nodding over the elf's shoulder to see if he could eaves drop in on the conversation taking place on the other side of the train. The two were either doing something sketchy like trying to plan a drug deal or they were thinking about having a go at the three of them since there'd be no escape out of the moving subway car. Ian didn't know how Odin dealt with living in this neighborhood. Ian wouldn't last a week.
● LOCATION Subway. xxx ● COMPANY Acacius, Ruven. xxx ● FEELING Uneasy.
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Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2016 8:52 pm
Relief isn't exactly what Acacius feels as they leave Odin's apartment building. If anything, he might actually feel more on-edge as the trio silently exits the complex and traverse the streets to the subway. The elf can't shake the feeling that maybe they should have gone back inside to be with Odin. There's just too many loose ends, so much unfinished business, and he doesn't like any of it one bit. The blonde never thought of himself as impatient, but he does believe in the power of honesty and truth -- getting straight to the point without any of this ego bullshit. If only the two Cypress brothers could have a moment to sit down and talk out their feelings, maybe everything would finally be alright? A soft sigh escapes his lips.
In the subway, Ian expresses his concern at the obvious gang tags all over the walls and seems to look to Acacius and Ruven for answers. The blonde merely shrugs before glancing at the other elf quizzically. It may come off as presumptuous, but the dark-haired elf seems like the type to know about gang activity. At the mention of Odin, Acacius frowns and notices the distressed look on Ian's face. They couldn't get away from here -- from that ungrateful druggie brother -- quick enough. As they wait for the train to arrive, the slave instinctively stands right next to his master, their shoulders barely brushing. If a stranger didn't know any better, they would probably assume that the two had a much closer relationship. Of course, the pair would deny any such blasphemy, but definitely not without immense blushing.
The ear-splitting screech elicits an audible groan from Acacius as he covers his ears in pain for the second time tonight. He can't seem to catch a break today. They board the train, Ian leading the way and his slave glancing behind them to make sure Ruven is still following. The other elf doesn't seem like the type to try and run away, but one can never be too sure. On the train, Acacius takes a seat and listens as his master offers to buy a cellphone for Ruven. The blonde isn't quick enough to hide the disapproving frown that crosses his face. He knows that Ian just wants to use his brother's slave for information, yet he can't shake the uneasiness he feels at the thought of them growing close. Acacius looks away, an attempt to hide his expression. However, he ends up making awkward eye contact with two shady characters in the corner of the train. A shiver runs down the elf's spine as he quickly looks away, but not before catching a glimpse of a roguish smirk.
Before Ian even inquires about the conversation going on behind them, Acacius is steadying his breath and trying to eavesdrop. His earlier paranoia about being in this part of the city returns as his ears twitch and he focuses on their conversation. "...easy targets..." "...but...three of them..?" "...two elves...weakling...dumb ********> "...nice jacket...I want it..." Through the din of the train's wheels squealing and the whirling of wind in the tunnel, the elf finds it rather difficult to hear a full sentence. Nevertheless, he's able to get the gist of their slimy exchange. Acacius raises his head to meet his master's eyes after hearing his urgent whisper. "Yea, I can and...it's not good," the elf murmurs back. He slides his hands into his hoodie pockets to hide the quivering of his fingers. Two elves with a lycan against two unpredictable druggies on an enclosed train? Acacius doesn't like the odds of the situation. "D-don't do anything, though. I think our stop is close. Maybe we'll be fine?" He's trying to be optimistic, and even looks over to Ruven for some kind of reassurance. "They won't attack in a public place like this, right?" The expression on his face is a bit desperate, his hushed voice cracking with his anxiety. The elf just doesn't want Ian to get hurt, he doesn't want to have to helplessly watch some fight unfold because he's a weak crybaby. He looks back to his master, and the fear is obvious on his pale face.
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▷ＷＩＴＨ⇀ian & ruvenxxxx▷ＷＨＥＲＥ⇀subway near odin's apartmentxxxx▷ＷＥＡＲＩＮＧ⇀hand-me-downs
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Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2016 10:31 am
  Just like he thought, they ended up figuring out that his stomach was complaining about the lack of food. That's why they left his new owner to deal with his issues alone and was now headed to a safer neighborhood. At least that was what he was assuming they were doing. It didn't seem like either of them wanted to eat at a place that was in a shady part of town. As for the type of food, Ruven didn't really answer that question because he was up for anything at that point.
The walk to the train station was rather quiet; but he was fine with that because it gave him time to process everything that he learned so far. His owner was a werewolf named Odin that was prone to angry outbursts. The general cause was something he wasn't going to attempt to ponder right now though. Ruven had an idea why he got so upset this time considering that his brother stopped by to visit. Then there was the fact that his new owner was previously in prison--probably for drug use. Honestly, it irked him that Odin actually did something illegal without being put in the system. Of course he realized that the severity of the crimes were what caused that to happen; but the fact that he was completely innocent was what made it bothersome for him. That was just something he would have to ignore though.
It was when he was in the middle of his thoughts that Ian mentioned something about gangs. That's when he saw the Ghost graffiti for the first time. He knew about the existence of that group because he did a little research on anyone that could have killed his parents and demolished their business in one fell swoop--and gangs were a good place to start. Of course he didn't have a ton of time to find anything useful since he was carted off to learn the ways of being a slave; but he knew enough for a starting point.
The screeching of the wheels hurt his ears as well; but he didn't cover them like the blonde elf did. After all, it was something he would have to get used to since he lived nearby now. As they got on Ian mentioned getting him a cellphone. It was a wonderful idea; but he ended up not responding. The main reason for that was because of the two shady guys that were staring at them. Ian did the right thing by changing his position in order to give off a tougher vibe; but he still wasn't really convincing. The other elf was giving away too much. It was obvious that he was scared and his optimism was just plan stupid. If he actually thought that ignoring and waiting for an escape while appearing so nervous was going to work--then he would never last on his own. Luckily he wasn't by himself.
"I'll handle it," he stated quietly after the other elf looked to him for reassurance. It might not have been what Acacius wanted though. Red eyes shifted from the blonde elf to look at Ian. "You need to look more intimidating...channel your brother if you have to." It might not have been the right thing to say at the moment; but that was the only way he could think of getting the guy to appear tougher without looking like he was trying too hard. The next bit was aimed at both of them. "Stay here and refrain from talking." The latter part was mainly said because he knew that Acacius might be able to make out at least part of what they were saying and he wasn't about to have the most quiet of conversations. He needed the two of them to trust him and stay out of his way. It was a lot to ask; but hopefully they were smart enough to know whether he was in real danger or not. If either of them attempted to protest he merely raised his hand as a way to tell them to drop it.
Then Ruven turned his attention to the two ruffians. Crimson orbs sending them an annoyed glare. He made his way over with confidence and had an air of importance about him. It wasn't hard to do since he used to be an important person not too long ago. "Is there a problem?" He asked before he even reached the two that seemed a bit taken aback that the elf was actually approaching them. "Because your stares are making my friend nervous and it is such a pain to calm him down." The dark-haired elf stopped just short of their reach so he would have a better chance to react if they tried something physical. Even so, he didn't give off any vibe that would show that he was being a bit cautious.
"Good." He replied rather aggressively while taking the time to give Acacius a nasty glare before continuing. "I like them scared. You would be to if you knew what I am about to do to you and your pathetic little bunch of weaklings." The man took a step forward mostly likely to help intimidate the dark-haired elf.
Ruven stood his ground: clearly not impressed. "I'd advise against any violence." The one that seemed more in charge growled and was about to spit out some more nonsense but the dark-haired elf cut him off rather quickly. "For your safety of course. You see, the other one is a werewolf. You know how they can be. Prone to angry outbursts and unfathomable violence." Of course he was just hyping up rumors and didn't even know what Ian was; but just by stating something as a fact in a tone that should elicit fear and doubt in others is what mattered. Ruven was extremely good with words and knew how to manipulate people by changing his tone--among other things. First he showed a bit of concern for their well-being while not seeming too soft. Then he switched to a tone that emphasized the danger of a werewolf when angered.
Of course the more aggressive one was not convinced; but he could tell he was close. One reasoning being that the quieter of the two was definitely concerned. It was written all over his face and he even called out the others name as if he was about to talk some sense into him. That didn't work in the slightest though. Instead, the man brushed him off with a wave of his hand while glaring at Ruven as hard as he could. "He doesn't have an ounce of fight in him. Just look at how..."
"Docile he is?" Ruven finished the others sentence. "I would hope so....because I trained him to be that way. It's amazing really--that I managed to get a werewolf under my complete control. He may look tame; but he will rage out in a heartbeat and I can't stop him until he rips his enemy limb from limb." He took the opportunity to emphasize and draw out certain words in order to get the desired impact. The quieter one was definitely broken and started suggesting that they just drop it; but the other was still being stubborn.
"Hah. You expect me to believe that you own that guy in the nice threads!? Just look at you!"
"Oh how simple-minded you are." The aggressive one was extremely offended by the choice of words and invaded Ruven's personal bubble to the point that he could smell his onion breath. Again he didn't move an inch and continued talking without skipping a beat. "Did it ever occur to you that I didn't want to look like a target? You just thought I was in the way. Easy to dispose off. And that he wasn't a big deal because he was dressed up so well. I'd say my plan worked don't you think?" Ruven paused just long enough to see if he would snap back like usual; but he didn't. The guy actually pulled away from his face instead. It was definitely a good sign. "So are you willing to chance it?" The dark-haired elf asked as he spread his hands out to his sides as if he was going to hug the guy. It was a show of how confident he was about the situation. Even if the one attacked him, the other was definitely broken. There was no way he would step in unless he absolutely had to. Even then he wouldn't fight confidently.
Currently the aggressive one was growling, in frustration probably more than anything else, while he appeared to be deciding what to do. "I'd prefer to settle this without any bloodshed and you two looked like you were in a good mood moments ago. I need something to get me relaxed as well. You wouldn't happen to know where I could get something that could help me out...would you?" Ruven was attempting to switch the topic and knew that the others smoked up recently. After all, the smell that saturated their clothes and the look in their eyes were a dead give away. Of course he lowered his voice a bit for this part of the conversation.
"Why would I help you!?" The aggressive one spat out angrily.
"You don't have to of course; but it would help me forget that this little incident ever happened." There was a moment of silence before the guy gave in rather reluctantly. It was good for everyone that he knew when he should back down--even if the whole thing was a bluff. The two walked over to the bags they placed on the seats behind them. The quiet one was definitely still nervous and was keeping an eye on everyone at that point. Ruven followed and a brief conversation ensued. It was spoken in a hush just in case.
It wasn't long before Ruven thanked the two and made his way back to the others. "Problem solved." He announced rather nonchalantly before he looked back at the ruffians and gave them a nod accompanied with a slight smile. Then he turned his attention back to the two he walked in with, more specifically Ian, before he turned his back toward them in order to look at the doors that would open when they reached their station. "A phone is probably a good idea," he uttered just loud enough for Ian and Acacius to hear.
LOCATION: On the train with Ian and Acacius.
What would you do if your freedom was unjustly striped away from you?
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Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2016 3:15 pm
No answer. Ian had never been around slaves who took anything but the butler or maid role in a home... Maybe Acacius, who acted as his best friend, if that counted. Ruven wasn't like them though. Ian had never been ignored by a slave before. He stood there trying to decide how he felt about it. Did Odin really want someone like this living with him? Maybe a slave that had a rough personality would be good for him. Sometimes Ian thought Odin did need some type of guidance. The werewolf couldn't run his life well. Ian glanced up at Acacius. Ultimately he guessed he knew he wasn't going to be telling Odin's slave how to act. That would be Odin's job. Ian didn't know what he'd do anyways if he told Ruven something and the elf didn't listen. Bringing the elf back to Odin and snitching on the dark haired male didn't seem like it would accomplish anything.
When everyone put their attention onto the two thugs Acacius didn't want Ian to get involved. If they came over, Ian knew he'd have to defend the two. He couldn't let anything happen to them when they were in his care. Plus, Ian had razor sharp claws and a row of thick teeth when he was in wolf form. Changing and letting out a vicious growl would probably make anyone think twice before they took his jaws into their flesh. Fighting with strangers was scary though. He wasn't close enough to smell what race they were and half the time he still got that s**t wrong. Mages, alchemists, and humans smelled the same to him. Vampires and ghouls were hard to tell apart. The scent of weed overpowered everything anyways. Hell, he wasn't sure if his wolf form would help against something like a gun. He just wanted to avoid it all. Acacius was right. "We'll be fine. Don't worry." Ian reassured the blond.
"I'll handle it," Ian's eyes went wide as he turned his head to see Ruven trying to take charge. He told Ian to put up a better front and the lycan felt his lip quiver for a second. Did this guy... Was he for real? Ian was so dumbfounded he just had no ******** clue what to do with himself. As Ruven walked off Ian just looked over at Acacius again. He inched a bit closer to Ruven knowing there was a 50/50 chance a fight was about to break up and he'd still need to try to defend the dark haired elf. He placed his hand behind his back and tightened his fingers, getting ready to snap his bones out of place and have his long claws tear through his fingertips. Ian really didn't want to have to change here. Acacius had already seen Ian naked too make times after he changed back to his humanoid form. He didn't wanna have to go through that humiliating situation in public. Let along in front of Odin's slave.
"I would hope so... Because I trained him to be that way." Ian couldn't help his mouth from opening. What the hell was Ruven thinking? Everything just passed in a blur as Ruven continued to challenge the two brutes, threatening them to attack to see if the bluff was real or not. Acting like Ian was the slave of the group. He didn't need to lie or put together complex stories! If they wanted to mess with them he would've simply defended himself. Ian couldn't get a sound out until Ruven moved back over stating: "Problem solved." And then there was an awkward silence. "A phone is probably a good idea." Ian slowly brought a hand up gently rubbing it along his jawline. He couldn't keep his mouth shut anymore. He knew he told himself he'd just return Ruven and let Odin do as he wished with his slave but Ian couldn't help it.
"Ruven you can't..." He stated sharply. "You can't act like that. Are you new to slavery or something? Most are like..." He bit down on his bottom lip knowing that many slaves were encouraged to have their own personalities, even if he hadn't met many. "Most would never do something like that. You can't be acting like that around Odin he'll..." Ian had no idea what Odin would do. Then again, if Odin were with them he probably would've snapped at the two in the corner before batting an eye at anyone else. He was the type to confront any physical conflicts the moment they rose. He didn't like to think things through. "You need to behave. You gotta trust the people you're with to take care of you. You're supposed to just be there to back them up if they need it. Especially as an elf. s**t." Odin might never let Ian visit again if Ruven had been returned all hurt or something.
The subway stopped before Ian could get out a proper well thought out sentence. He nodded towards Acacius. "We can just get off here." It would help avoid any problems. Ian sort of wanted an excuse to stop lecturing Ruven anyways. He was no good with that stuff. Acacius would never do something so ballsy. He could always trust his elf to stay calm no matter the situation. It was one of the reasons Ian liked him to much. It was hard to be angry and stressed when he had someone always there to keep him grounded. Ian walked up the subway steps and out onto the street. "Lemme check what's around just now." He didn't get off on the stop he meant to since it would've added another 15 minutes onto their awkward trip. He quietly looked down at his phone and nodded his head. "Oliver's. That place sounds good. Has five star reviews too." Ian was a sucker for internet reviews. He always trusted them.
● LOCATION Subway. City streets. xxx ● COMPANY Acacius, Ruven. xxx ● FEELING Uneasy.
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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2016 10:14 am
If they just sit tight and mind their own business, surely the three of them will be fine. Acacius holds firm to his naive belief, a small smile even forming on his lips at Ian's comforting words. But, his optimism quickly crumbles as he turns and sees the fire burning in Ruven's crimson hues. The blonde stares in horror when the other elf begins giving orders and putting on an almost arrogant air. Acacius knows right away what Ruven is planning, and he doesn't like it one bit. "H-hey, don't--" His words fall on deaf ears, wide eyes helplessly watching the other slave silence him with a raised hand. The dark-haired elf turns away and heads towards the sketchy characters, radiating importance. This can't be happening.
As soon as Ruven begins speaking to the hoodlums, Acacius turns his back to them and closes his eyes. If any sort of conflict were to break out, he doesn't want to see it. Besides, it's not like a skinny elf such as himself would be able to do anything anyway. With his eyes squeezed shut, the blonde is able to hear their conversation better; he's not sure if he really wants to be eavesdropping on them. At first, Acacius is a bit impressed with Ruven's smooth-talking. The other elf's act is quite convincing, almost too much so. When Ruven begins insinuating that Ian is his enslaved bodyguard, Acacius feels anger bubble up inside of him. He wants to turn around and snap at the other male for being so pompous. Even in a situation like this, a slave never denounces his position or mocks his master. There isn't necessarily a rule for it, but it's just not something a slave does.
The conversation between Ruven and the thugs seems to become a bit heated, and Acacius can feel his heart pound against his chest relentlessly. This is it. Those two shady guys will whip out knives or pistols or something and Ian will have to defend them and get hurt and it will all be Ruven's fault. The blonde is so scared and angry and he isn't sure which emotion is more prominent. He just knows that he wants to stand up and pull Ruven away from the situation before he can make things any worse. How could he put them all in danger like this? With a bated breath, Acacius tries to muster the courage to interrupt the trio. However, he suddenly hears the voice of the other elf right beside him and jumps at the unexpected sound. The blue-eyed slave hadn't realised just how tense he was, and the sight of Ruven with a smug look on his face causes his shoulders to relax slightly. Did this elf really just diffuse the situation? Acacius chances a glance at the two ruffians, now appearing annoyed but defeated. Holy s**t...
"What the ********, Ruven!" Acacius hisses. Despite the relief he feels at not having two assholes looking him over, he can't shake his frustration at the sight of the other slave acting so recklessly. Narrowed blue eyes glare up at the dark-haired elf, but he doesn't utter another word while Ian reprimands Ruven. Everything his master tells the other elf are facts that are widely known and accepted. Even the tiniest children understand the place of slaves and masters, so Ruven can't excuse his actions with the newbie card. Acacius runs a hand through his hair and takes a deep breath to steady himself. Feeling angry and scared and aggravated all in such a short period of time is quite exhausting. He looks over to Ian to try to gauge how he is faring through all of this, but can't quite interpret his expression. The lycan appears just as weary as himself.
When they reach the next stop, Acacius nods at Ian's order and stands. They file out of the train, the blond elf taking up his position right next to his master. After their encounter, he doesn't want to find even a three-foot distance between himself and Ian. If Acacius could, he would just hold the lycan's hand to prevent them getting separated. Yet, the elf knows better. Ian wouldn't appreciate the unsolicited contact, and an action like that would definitely draw more attention to them. The last thing Acacius wants is to upset his master. The three of them make it out of the subway and onto the street with no more issues, and Ian is quick to find a restaurant for them to eat at.
"Oliver's it is then," Acacius approves with a small smile and nod. He glances over to Ruven, almost expecting some kind of snarky remark. After the other slave's display of dominance, it's hard not to be wary of him now.
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▷ＷＩＴＨ⇀ian & ruvenxxxx▷ＷＨＥＲＥ⇀city streetxxxx▷ＷＥＡＲＩＮＧ⇀hand-me-downs
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Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 8:05 am
Although the problem was solved without any physical violence his company was definitely not pleased. Both reactions were something he wasn't particularly used to; but seeing the blonde elf get so riled up was quite funny. Of course he didn't reveal that thought to them. He did listen as Ian pointed out the errors of his way. The only indication he gave to show that he was taking in what was being said was the fact that he looked back at the one that was talking to him. Ruven didn't want the ruffians to start doubting his bluff; so he couldn't do anything that might reveal the truth. That's why he didn't reply while they were on the train. He even took time to reflect while Ian was figuring out where to go to get a bite to eat.
There were two particular things that were brought up that bothered him in different ways. The one that irked him was the fact that his race was dragged into the equation. Sure it is a known fact that elves are physically weaker in general; but they have other traits that give them advantages and to just ignore those things was plain insulting. It's not like conflict had to be solved with brute force and physical fights all of the time after all. There are smarter ways to handle things. At the same time, the comment did make him realize that he needed to work on some of those natural talents that he spent most of his life not really caring about. The part about trust just reminded him of how nearly everyone he thought would stand by his side betrayed him in the end. How could he possible be trusting after something so life-changing happened? After all, those people helped put him in the position he was in now. Ruven had no one at this point and he wasn't about to get close to anyone else just to have them stab him in the back.
Regardless, it was obvious that he made a mistake. The main reason was probably because it never occurred to him that Ian was considered an extension of his new owner; but it only made sense since they were brothers. He probably would have thought differently if Odin handed him off to his brother for a while instead of kicking them all out. Ruven just took what he thought was the best course of action based on what little he knew so far. If his new owner was there things would have been totally different. Still, he was glad it turned out that way because he got some unexpected information so early on.
"Since you asked..." he started his reply some point after they started walking to their destination. "Odin is my first owner; but what I did was inexcusable and I apologize for my actions." Ruven was walking a bit behind the other two by the time he started talking; but he still focused his attention on Ian. "You're right. I need to speak when spoken to. Do what I am told. And not cause unnecessary stress and anxiety for the people around me. I will be careful not to step out of line like I did moments ago. Please forgive my incompetence." Whether Ian was looking at him at that point or not, he still gave the man a slight bow in order to help show how he was sorry for making such a huge mistake. His tone was genuine even if he wasn't actually remorseful. After all, he was never one to regret his choices because they were in the past. Dwelling on such things wouldn't help him. All that was left was to learn from what happened and move on.
By the time he finished what he felt like he had to say they appeared to be coming up on their destination. Ruven could see the sign for the restaurant that they were headed to. Hopefully there wouldn't be anymore incidents so he could finally get something to satisfy his angry stomach.
LOCATION: On the streets with with Ian and Acacius.
What would you do if your freedom was unjustly striped away from you?
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 6:16 pm
"What the ********, Ruven!" Ian had to fight to keep a straight face. Hearing Acacius speak like that was so... It seemed so out of place for the blond elf. Acacius was always so gentle and calm most of the time. Ian supposed it felt good always having someone there who had his back. That awkward tension just clawed up Ian's spine until they finally got off the goddamn train. Ian was quick to get onto the street since he wanted to put as much distance between himself and those subway creeps as he could. It was then that Ruven decided to respond when he was lectured by Acacius and Ian before. "Since you asked..." And he went on to explain Odin was his first master.
"Oh. I see." Ian scratched his arm knowing Odin would be a difficult one. When Ruven began to say he wasn't even allowed to have a personality anymore Ian frowned. He wasn't sure if Ruven was being sarcastic and mocking slaves or not. That's the type of talk slaves had when they were being abused usually. Most Ian knew growing up had healthy relationships with their masters. It was a lot of laughing and singing to and cooking and cleaning. It was always encouraged for slaves to be themselves. Hearing Ruven say something like that was scary. "No it's fine just... If s**t hits the fan you should just let your master handle it, you know? Don't do something so dangerous like that without asking first. That was almost a shitty situation. If your owner messes up that's on them but if you mess up like... I dunno. It's just worse when you make mistakes you shouldn't take responsibility like that." Ian knew it wasn't fair. He always felt a bit of sympathy for slaves but he slept well at night knowing majority of them were treated well. Ruven though... Ian had no idea how Odin would treat the other male. He couldn't picture his brother with a slave.
By the time Ian collected his thoughts, he was standing in front of Oliver's. He turned his head and flashed a smile at Acacius. "This place has the best wings." He opened the door and held it open for the two elves and quietly waited for their chance to get seated. Upon request, they got one of the booths that were up for grabs. Ian slipped inside and grabbed the menu that was placed in front of him. "Can I order a few appetizers before you leave while we decide on dinner?"
"Yes of course." The waitress said pulling out her little pad. Ian pointed towards the list.
"Can I get an order of wings. Medium. An order of mozzarella sticks. Fried pickles. And some fries." That covered all the basics, yeah? There would have to be something Ruven liked out of all the options. Ian placed his menu down and gently sighed. Now was the time for Acacius and Ian to get to know Ruven. After the waitress left to put the order in Ian tilted his head glancing at the menu. He already knew what he wanted. Meat. Steak, to be exact.
"So, Ruven," Ian paused and slowly rubbed his finger along the edge of the menu. "You should tell us a bit about yourself. You know? I'll probably be seeing you a lot." He placed the menu down and looked over at Acacius. Ian and the blond would have a chance to talk more about their lives after Ruven introduced himself properly. "Your family or... Where you've come from. If it's too personal we don't have to jump into any of that stuff. If you wanna have a light conversation I can just play the questions game. It's fun. You just ask fun questions back and forth to get to know the person. Favorite colors and favorite music and all." Ian said scratching the back of his neck. It was probably lame calling it a game. Ian was a bit too old for games like that at this point, wasn't he?
● LOCATION Oliver's Bar and Grill. xxx ● COMPANY Acacius, Ruven. xxx ● FEELING Hungry.
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Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 12:13 am
Okay, maybe Acacius should have been a bit more careful with his words on the subway. As he has time to relax after that stressful situation, he realises the uncharacteristic phrase he uttered and wants to literally facepalm. The elf ducks his head to hide the ruddiness of his cheeks and tugs anxiously on the hair hanging in his face. He peeks at Ian, kind of expecting to be scolded for his outburst. Instead, it seems as if his master doesn't even care. Well, the other male is rather understanding and gentle. Ian probably assumed that Acacius just blurted out the words due to an adrenaline rush or something. Still, it is quite embarrassing.
The silence among the trio on their way to Oliver's doesn't last long; Ruven speaks up and says the first sensible thing since they left Odin's apartment. Acacius turns and gives the other elf a sharp look as if telling him to choose his words carefully. The blonde is typically docile and kind, but seeing this jerk put himself and his master in danger is infuriating. Not to mention how disrespectful Ruven has been towards Ian. It's funny to think that not too long ago Acacius had felt sympathy for the other slave. Now, he wishes that they had just left Ruven to sit outside Odin's apartment like a piece of garbage. Still, Acacius can't deny that the other elf did diffuse the situation on the subway. He avoids eye contact as the dark-haired male speaks, trying to decide whether his words are sincere or not. Odin's slave is proving to be quite the enigma.
When Ian responds, Acacius merely nods out of habit. He meets Ruven's crimson hues and almost begs the other elf to just be nice, just obey and stop being so reckless. The blonde doesn't want to dislike the other slave, yet he's finding it difficult not to. Even with the excuse of being a newbie, it's common sense that a slave is be obedient and respectful. As the group finally arrives at their destination, Acacius lets out a soft sigh of relief. Finally, some food. The elf hadn't realised just how hungry he was until he could smell the delicious aroma of greasy fried food from outside the restaurant. His mouth begins salivating as he takes in a big whiff and smiles contently.
The grin that Ian flashes Acacius could end wars, stop world hunger, cure cancer, create a utopia. After his heart begins beating again, the elf mutters a quick thanks to his master for holding the door and slips inside Oliver's. He's thankful for the dim lighting of the restaurant that easily hides his pink cheeks. As the trio is seated, Acacius takes up his rightful spot next to Ian leaving Ruven to sit across from them. This way they could easily converse with the dark-haired elf. While Ian orders appetizers, Acacius flips to the tiny section in the back of the menu containing salads. His smile falters slightly at the depressing lack of variety in greens and is quick to make a decision on his meal before closing the menu.
Acacius's attention is drawn to Ian as he begins interrogating Ruven. His master's lack of subtly causes the slave to bring a hand up to cover his amused grin and quiet snort. Seeing the lycan flounder to make friends with his brother's slave is cute, but also mildly awkward. The blonde just smiles and gives a small shake of his head. "'The Questions Game'? Ian, we're not teenagers," Acacius teases with a light chuckle before Ruven can speak up. Cerulean hues glance over to those fiery orbs again, a bit wary of how the other elf will respond. "You don't have to tell us anything you don't want to. We didn't bring you here to hassle you with questions. It would just be nice to get to know the unfortu--I mean, lucky slave that gets to live with Odin now." Ah, smooth. Acacius runs a hand through his hair nervously after his blunder. "If-if you have any questions for us, don't hesitate to ask."
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Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2016 9:27 am
It made sense not to make mistakes as a slave while the owner could do whatever he wanted. He would just have to resist the urge to put people who obviously have lower intelligence in their place when they think about causing trouble. After all, his family, title and money were stripped away from him. Ruven was nothing but Odin's slave. That's it--nothing more. At least that was the role he had to play for now. "I understand." It was the only thing he said in response before they entered the establishment.
Ruven merely nodded in thanks while the door was held open for them. Even though he went in after Acacius, he did notice the blush on his cheeks. That was probably because he could see better than some when there wasn't much light. It wasn't anything to brag about though. Just like how he couldn't see that much farther than humans. Elves had similar natural abilities; but there were variations to them just like with any other race. The dark-haired elf didn't bother to point out what he saw because it wasn't all that important. By now it seemed rather obvious that Acacius either idolized or loved his master; so the blush didn't take him by surprise in the slightest.
The dark-haired elf took a seat across from the others. Honestly, he preferred to have the other side to himself even if their eyes would be on him most of the time. The starting order was not very appetizing in his opinion; after all, everything was fried. Of course he would still eat some since Ian was treating him. It was when he opened up the menu that Ian started to ask him all sorts of bothersome questions. Ruven didn't want to get to know each other more than necessary; but he answered anyway. Although not before Acacius let it slip about Odin. Of course he already knew that his new owner was going to be a hard to deal with; so the mess up wasn't a big deal.
"My family was murdered," he stated rather bluntly after he rested his menu back on the table. Then he continued without skipping a beat. "I fancy the color green. Enjoy classical and types of alternative music." Ruven had a tendency to use the word alternative as a way to lump genres together without explaining what he meant. It was just too troublesome to go into detail about specifics. He would prefer to just show people by having them listen to certain songs he liked.
The dark-haired elf turned his gaze back to the menu as if to make it clear that they were not to ask for any details. Then he followed up with a question in order to help them focus on themselves instead of him. "What about you two?" Whether they answered or not, he was listening while he looked at the options. There wasn't a lot to choose from as far as he was concerned; although he was surprised to find ahi tuna. At first he decided on that; but then he realized that it probably wouldn't taste the same as what he was used to. It's not like this establishment was a high-class seafood type of place after all.
It wasn't long until their appetizers were brought to the table. Ruven waited for the others to see if they were ready before he gave his order. After all, he didn't want to make anymore mistakes--no matter how slight. "May I please have the BLT with a caesar salad instead of the fries?" The dark-haired elf placed his order when it was his turn. One of the reasons he chose the sandwich was because it was a slight upgrade from the normal BLT: it had avocado and a lemon-garlic aioli on sourdough.
With that done, he gave the server his menu and took a look at the options that were laid out on the table. There was no way he was going to touch the fried pickles. The dark-haired elf would have tried a wing first since it was supposed to be the best according to Ian; but it looked so messy and he didn't know if he wanted to deal with that. Since he took his time to choose the others probably grabbed something by the time he picked up a fried cheese stick with his fork and put it on his small plate. Then he gathered a few fries as well. For the fries he carefully used his fingers to pick them up without touching any of the other ones on the big plate. First he put a single fry in his mouth. It wasn't anything special; but it wasn't bad either. Then he picked up the mozzarella stick with his fingers and took a bite. Unfortunately, the cheese wanted to stretch forever so he had to nibble at it a bit---kind of like someone might try to get the whole string of pasta in their mouth before they resort to just making it smaller by biting down. Of course it was nothing to rave about. Then again, Ruven wasn't a huge fan of cheese in the first place; although he did like a good slice of cheesecake.
LOCATION: At a Bar & Grill with Ian and Acacius.
What would you do if your freedom was unjustly striped away from you?
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Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2016 7:58 pm
Ian was used to being hated. That just happened. He wasn't cursed with ugly genes (especially not when his mother was a trophy wife). He was rich. His family owned a business that would eventually be handed down to him since Odin wasn't really fit to be running anything. He was used to people thinking that he didn't have any problems and assuming he had some type of complex where he thought he was better than everyone since he was dealt with a good card of hands in the game of life. Growing up a lot of people felt the need to knock him down and let him know he wasn't the center of the planet. It still hurt when people hated him right off the bat, though. He'd just have to try twice as hard to get on Ruven's good side.
"'The Questions Game'? Ian, we're not teenagers," Ian laughed too, quickly shaking his head.
"I'm trying, okay? I'm not good at people-talk." Ian said, butchering the end of his sentence on purpose to try and make himself the butt of the joke. Maybe Ruven would appreciate that he didn't take himself so seriously or think he was better than everyone else.
"My family was murdered," Right out the gates. Ruven started with that. Ian's smile immediately disappeared and he ran his tongue along his bottom row of teeth. It was in that moment Ian thought maybe he didn't have any problems compared to other people. His drug addict brother was still alive. Odin wasn't dead. That in itself made his life a thousand times better than Ruven's. Ian was a selfish p***k wasn't he? He sat there in an awkward puddle of silence completely at a loss for words as the elf causally carried on answering about his favorite color and favorite music. Ian slowly stared at the menu to break eye contact and kept panicking over what he was supposed to say next. Ruven asked them to answer as well and Ian suddenly didn't know how.
How could he just go about answering casual questions like that when someone just admitted their whole family was gone? Was Ian supposed to say Ruven was not a part of the Cypress family? Was that even okay? It took months before Acacius was officially accepted and his trial period was over where Ian's parents said he was permanent. It would be awkward saying that to a complete stranger. Let alone a slave that technically wasn't even owned by you. The server came back, saving Ian's arse before he had to come up with something to tell the other male. Hopefully Acacius would see him struggling and help him rope together some half-assed apology letting the other male know they felt bad. "Um... Just the steak." Ian gestured towards the menu pointing at his selection before lightly handing it over to the woman standing before them. She continued getting the last two orders and swiftly left. She probably had a response for Ruven. Once the woman was gone Ian fidgeted slightly.
"Ruven..." He stated lightly, his words gently rolling from his lips. "I had no idea. That's awful." Hell, hopefully the elf could even put together what Ian was talking about since it had been so long since that bit of the conversation was spoken about. "Was it... Recent?" Ian didn't have anymore questions to add to his game. It wasn't a game. They were adults. Life was serious when you became an adult and had to deal with shitty situations like your family dying. "I couldn't imagine losing my dad." He mused over the thought but couldn't. He couldn't imagine waking up and not having the man to shadow underneath while he learned the family business during his breaks from school. He couldn't picture having someone who no longer took him and Acacius out to dinner and got him presents for his birthday.
"Are you okay?" Ian finally asked probably the most important question he could. And he meant it. He wasn't looking for 'I'm fine' like majority of people answered half-heartedly. Hell, it was almost making Ian lose his appetite just thinking about having his family vanish one night. He wanted to ask so many things. Was the person who did it found? Was he coping alright with it? Were they buried nearby? How did it happen? Did they suffer? Was he almost killed too? He knew it was improper manners to be shooting off questions at such a fast speed though.
● LOCATION Oliver's Bar and Grill. xxx ● COMPANY Acacius, Ruven. xxx ● FEELING Hungry.
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Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2016 5:21 pm
Why did Ruven have to be like this. It's not like Acacius or Ian ever did anything malicious to him. Hell, the damn cretin could have at least thanked the two of them for taking him out for food. They could have left the dark-haired elf to waste away in the hallway while Odin got high and forgot any obligations he had to take care of his new slave. Instead, Ian offered to get food for Ruven out of the kindness of his heart (and maybe a bit out of personal selfish reasons, but that's besides the point). And how does the b*****d repay him? By acting out of place, by being insufferably rude and aloof -- even for a normal citizen -- and worst of all, by being so vehemently cold that it sours everyone's appetite. Acacius can feel his ears droop slightly, and his hands twitch as he balls them into tight fists. For the millionth time today, he feels disgustingly annoyed. Since when was he such an angry person?
"Oh, we seem to have a lot in common," Acacius comments cheerily, his voice dripping with sweet passive-aggressiveness. There's a polite smile curling his lips as he stares -- no, glares -- at Ruven. "Except, I quite enjoy pop music as opposed to alternative anything." In any other context, the elf may actually come off as warm and genial. But in the current situation, Acacius's demeanour is all hostile and cool, like a threateningly poised knife. He really shouldn't be so cross. Really, the blonde should be mimicking his master's obvious unease as he scrambles for a sympathetic response. Yet, he just can't muster any kindness for Ruven anymore.
Acacius allows the impending silence to engulf them while they wait for the waitress to return. She's all forced smiles and lifeless eyes as she gracefully places their appetizers on the table. The aroma of the food and just her presence relaxes the tense air suffocating the trio. After Ian places his order, Acacius gives the waitress a sincerely friendly smile and asks for the oriental salad without meat. Once she leaves the men alone, that stagnant air returns. Acacius wants to speak up to try to change the atmosphere from the melancholy one that Ruven had set, but is pleasantly surprised when Ian opens his mouth instead. There's a sort of pang in the elf's chest as he hears the sadness in his master's tone. The smile that was still on his face fades into a solemn line, his head drooping to look at where his hands lay in his lap. Why did Ruven have to make Ian feel like s**t? Ian didn't do anything wrong. Ian doesn't deserve this.
"Are you okay?" Damnit if those three words didn't make Acacius feel all sorts of jealous. The elf actually lifts a hand to clutch at the fabric of his shirt over his heart. There's a peculiar clenching in his chest, like his lungs have shriveled up and his heart is suffocating. It's been a while since he felt such ineffable pain. By now, Acacius has determined that this is what envy feels like since he's felt it numerous times before. He's known since the first time Ian smiled at him all those years ago that he has devoted himself to his master, his body, mind, and soul. However, the elf knows that his level of commitment will never be reciprocated, and that sucks. Besides, Ian is just too kind of a person to save all of his warmth for just one soul. The lycan seated next to him wouldn't be able to live without trying to help others and fretting over their well-being.
Still, that rationale doesn't stop Acacius from hurting. He peeks up through his hair, trying to determine if his odd behaviour has attracted any unwanted attention. The blonde tries not to linger on the sight of Ruven across the table appearing so detached and...is that repulsion? Abruptly, Acacius turns away and begins scooting out of the booth. Not even the alluring scent of mozzarella sticks or fried pickles can sooth his sudden need to just get away from here. Once he stands, the elf realises how his actions might distress Ian and freezes. Over his shoulder, he flashes his master a small smile. "I'm gonna go wash up before eating."
Without waiting for a response, Acacius begins walking away. He's not sure where the bathroom even is. He just...can't be there anymore. Not with that ungrateful a*****e taking Ian's generosity for granted. The elf wants to stick up for his master and demand that Ruven be kinder, but that seems so childish. After all, the other slave hasn't necessarily done anything wrong, aside from causing that scene on the subway. All of Acacius's disdain is subjective, almost unwarranted. He should be trying harder to be nice to Ruven because clearly he's been through a lot. Yet, he just can't muster the desire to do such a thing.
After a few moments of aimlessly walking through the restaurant, Acacius finally stumbles upon the restrooms. He enters and praises whatever higher being there is for gifting him with an empty bathroom. The elf isn't used to being without Ian in public, especially not in unfamiliar places. Back home, the slave will go out and do some shopping on his own, but he will always take a familiar route. Whenever they would go out to eat or something in another part of the city, Acacius would wait to go the restroom until Ian declared that he was going. It's not that the blonde is necessarily scared of being alone, he's just unfamiliar with the daunting responsibility of his own safety. In the bathroom, Acacius takes a second to redo his messy ponytail, recollecting the hair before tying it up again for a cleaner appearance. He washes his hands afterwards, holding true to his supposed purpose for being in here. Still, the elf takes his time at the sink. He stares at himself and mentally prepares to return to the table and endure Ruven's aloof aura and general disrespect to Ian.
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▷ＷＩＴＨ⇀alonexxxx▷ＷＨＥＲＥ⇀oliver's (bathroom)xxxx▷ＷＥＡＲＩＮＧ⇀hand-me-downs
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Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2016 9:18 pm
If the only thing Acacius didn't have in common with him was the alternative genre that would imply that everything else was the same. Despite the obvious venomous tone the other was using, Ruven was not about to disregard his words completely. It was possible that they both liked the color green and classical music. The thing that was harder to believe was the fact that both of their parents were murdered; after all, that would be quite strange. Them both being dead would not however. Even if their families were murdered the circumstances would most definitely be different. Regardless of all that, the blonde elf was not upset because he brought up an unsavory topic. No, it mainly stemmed around how Ian was taking in everything. That just became more apparent as the seconds ticked by--it was almost laughable. In the end Ruven didn't return the glare and merely ignored the hostile vibe that oozed off the other elf. Now was not the time for them to go at it like little kids.
The dark-haired elf glanced up at Ian when he finally spoke up; but he continued to eat. It wasn't until a question was asked that he replied after swallowing his bite. "About a year ago." This time his tone was more relaxed since he realized that he couldn't escape the questions and not answering would be even worse. The reason he was blunt before was to help point out that he didn't want to talk about it while giving them what they wanted. The questions were asked so they could get to know him better. Of course they couldn't possible know about his parents; so he knew they weren't trying to bring up bad memories. Ruven just wanted to focus more on the pointless things like colors. Too bad normal people wouldn't follow his lead and he knew that; but it was worth a try.
Then Ian asked if he was okay and that seemed to be the last straw for the blonde elf. It was quite pathetic. Whether his master wanted to follow or not didn't matter because he went ahead and answered the question. "Of course not," he said as if it was an obvious answer to a stupid question. The elf spoke in a quieter tone than before; but there was no doubt that Ian could hear his response. Then there was a long enough pause that would make someone assume that he was done talking; but this time he continued. "Because that is not all that happened." Now that they were alone, Ruven leaned back against his seat and crossed his arms as he continued. "If I recall correctly...you are a Cypress. RIght? Does that mean you're an heir to your fathers protection business?" His tone changed yet again. This time it was a polite business type of speak despite the fact that his arms were crossed. The fact that he knew about the family business could have been a hint at who he used to be; but he wasn't sure if slaves would know that kind of thing based on a last name or not. Even though his last name wasn't obviously attached to his parents dead company, he didn't give it just in case they could figure it out. Of course Odin probably had that information; but he wasn't really worried about it at the moment.
Regardless of how Ian responded, he took in the information and possibly asked another question before he decided that it was time to catch up with Acacius in the restroom. "Would you please excuse me? I'll only be a moment." With that said Ruven got out of his seat, gave the master a reassuring nod with a small smile and made his way toward the restroom. It didn't take him long to get there since he took the logical route.
Ruven pushed open the door to find the blonde elf by the sink. A small smile that was dangerously on the verge of a smirk appeared on his face as he walked closer. His brief smile vanished almost as quickly as it came since he started to speak before the door closed behind him. "I was hoping to catch you before you left," he stated simply. Ruven ended up stopping far enough away so that he wouldn't disturb the others personal bubble. The dark-haired elf crossed his arms before he spoke again. "I understand your devotion and admiration for your master," he started with something positive in order to ease into it. Even his tone was lighter and had a warmth to it. All this was done to show that he was being sincere with his words. Too bad he had to get on with the unpleasant part. "But that doesn't mean that he can do no wrong. Did it ever occur to you that someone wouldn't want to talk about their past with strangers? I would think you would understand how that might feel." Ruven pointed out the reason he might have come across as ungratefully rude while tugging at the blonde's heartstrings by using his own past. Of course he didn't actually know anything about Acacius; but he was banking on the fact that there was at least one actual tragic moment that he had or still has to deal with. Then he continued by focusing on his own feelings instead of attacking the other. "Your hostility makes me feel like I am not wanted...and...it pains me--since I have no one else." He struggled to reveal how he felt hurt just to make it more believable. Whether he was actually hurt could be up for debate. It was possible that he was subconsciously feeling that way though. At the very least he was being quite honest for the most part. After all, you couldn't fake certain feelings by lying your a** off. That's not how things worked.
"I regret that our first meeting has turned out this way and would love to brush it under the rug. Would it be too much to ask for us to start with a clean slate?" There was the final blow--the old 'let's try to get along because we kind of have to' thing. Ruven really did want to start anew since it would make things easier in general. After all, he was going to have a hard time with his owner and he didn't need to be on the bad side of anyone the guy knows or cares about. It definitely would have been better if the night had started off on the right foot instead of spiraling out of control--and there was no one in particular to blame. It's not like he was a perfect angel in this situation; although the train incident was in the past as far as he was concerned. "Ah, I meant to say this earlier but I apologize if I brought up old wounds." He meant more than one thing when he used the word 'wounds' because he wanted to see how Acacius would take it. Of course he didn't really expect to find out easily; but why not word it that way while apologizing? It's not like he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt why the blonde was so upset.
Ruven held out his hand so that they could shake on it. "Shall we begin again?" The dark-haired elf gave the other a genuine smile--even his features were softer in general.
LOCATION: In the restroom with Acacius.
What would you do if your freedom was unjustly striped away from you?
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Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2016 4:37 am
Acacius saved Ian's a**. He kept the conversation going while Ian was sitting there in shock trying to find the right words. He'd always been awful at this sort of thing. It was pathetic how Ian was acting. The two elves seemed to have a silent conversation that either went way over the lycan's head, or Ian was too wrapped up in his own emotions to notice. Acacius, sitting there with that obsessive compulsive need to treat Ian like the king he was destined to be, and Ruven, silently trying to cope with his new slave status when he was probably used to sitting where Ian was. The lycan didn’t have a clue his slave felt as though he was at war with the moody newcomer.
It didn’t take long into the conversation Ian finally felt ready to have that Acacius was standing up and excusing himself to the restroom. Ian gently ran his fingers through his hair before nodding his head. ”Yes. Of-” Acacius walked away before Ian could finish the sentence. ”- Course.” He muttered quietly dropping his hand to the table’s surface and gently tapping his fingers down. Honestly, all three of them should be cleaning up before digging in since the city streets could be filthy at times. Especially near Odin’s apartment. God knows how disgusting the werewolf’s doorknob alone was.
Ian was too scared to even make eye contact with Ruven. The elf’s family was killed a year ago. Ian didn’t know if that was enough time or not to get over a death. He heard once that it took six months to get over a breakup on average. He’d never known anyone who died though… Unless his grandfather counted, but Ian wasn’t close with the man. He just showed up to the funeral where he watched his mother give a eulogy and he had to give a lot of strangers hugs and tell them he was sorry. That was the only experience he had with death. Ian had no clue if Ruven received a lifetime worth of hugs at his family’s funeral or not. That probably wasn’t the right question to ask next.
Because that is not all that happened." Ian reached out and took a wing trying to keep himself occupied. At least with something to eat he could have a reason to be at a loss for words.
”Yeah. You know us?” Ian asked, unsure if his family business was popular enough for the average slave to know about. ”I mean… Like… Hier makes it sound a lot more important than it really is. Odin’s supposed to be anyways. Just he’s not really fit for it just now. They might still give it to him maybe.” He would’ve scratched the back of his neck but the wings made his fingers filthy. ”I’ve just been doing little jobs around the company the past few years. I’ve had to give a few presentations to potential clients and all but… Well, apparently I’m not the most confident sounding guy in the world. Pa says I gotta work on it.” He gave a sheepish expression as he slowly reached over to grab a napkin and clean his hands off. Odin was always the confident one between the two sons. Ian sort of wished Odin was in a point of his life where he could run a business like that. Then Ian wouldn’t have to stress so much about his father having to put someone in charge who wasn’t in the family. He hated having all the responsibility thrown on his shoulders.
"Would you please excuse me?” Ian stared up at the second slave before slowly nodding. Technically, he knew you weren’t supposed to let new slaves out of your sight until you were comfortable that they wouldn’t try to run away. It happened on occasion. Someone would buy a slave, they’d book it, then you’d have to pay someone to track them down with the Slaver Division chip inserted into them or you’d have to pay for a brand new one. It was hard for Ian to accuse Ruven of being someone who would do something like that though. How offensive and embarrassing would that be for the both of them? He nodded his head and pretended to focus back in on the wings that sat in front of him.
All Ian could do was sit there eating to occupy himself as he quietly waited alone.
● LOCATION Oliver's Bar and Grill. xxx ● COMPANY Acacius, Ruven. xxx ● FEELING Awkward.
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Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2016 12:38 am
Acacius stares down at his phone in his hands, a new text opened with Ian as its recipient. He wants to apologise for acting so childish, he wants to reassure his master that he's not a terrible person, he wants to just vent about how much he cares. Lanky fingers tap relentlessly away at the screen and a few jumbled words turn into a full-on paragraph of 'sorry's and 'you're a good person', 'you don't deserve this'. Only a few moments pass before the soft raps of his digits on the cool screen of his phone cease and silence falls over the room once more. The elf slowly reads over his text and the only thing that comes to his mind is how ******** pathetic. He's always so open about everything, practically wears his heart on his sleeve. Yet, here he stands hiding in a public bathroom whining like a little baby through text message. He sucks his lip in and worries it between his teeth as he scrambles to delete the evidence of his lack of balls. Pathetic.
When the door to the bathroom gently creaks ajar, Acacius jumps as if it had been slammed open. He hastily turns away from the door and slips his phone back into his pocket, a feeble attempt to act casual. However, the anxiety is clear on the elf's face in his wide eyes, stiff posture, lips pressed tightly together. When he dares to glance at the newcomer through the reflection in the mirror, the blonde can actually feel his stomach fall to his feet at the sight of Ruven. Great, ********, absolutely amazing. Of course, the first thought that runs through Acacius's mind is that the other slave is here to rustle him up, or at least threaten him somehow. It might be a bit prejudice to think something so wild, but the skinny elf isn't exactly thinking straight today. And that glimpse of a slimy smile on the other male's face isn't helping anything.
"I-I was actually just leaving," Acacius mumbles and he tries to beeline it for the door. This is why he doesn't like going places alone. Even against another elf, he's a fish in a barrel. Unfortunately, Ruven steps just close enough to almost corner Acacius between the sinks and the stalls. He bites his lip again, finally looking up to meet those shady crimson eyes. When the dark-haired elf speaks again, Acacius immediately dreads where this conversation is going. He furrows his brow, and his mouth turns into a displeased scowl. How dare this a*****e speak to him like this. Yet, he does have a point. Looking back, Acacius hasn't really been all that sympathetic to Ruven. He didn't stop to consider the other slave's past. For all he knows, maybe this jerk had a happy family and a secure place in this world before something happened and forced him into this position.
As Ruven speaks, Acacius remains quiet. His glare softens as regret begins to wash over him once he realises just how inconsiderate he's been. The other elf is right -- he really does hold Ian on some kind of perfect pedestal. The blonde looks away for a moment, his ears drooping slightly in shame. When Ruven mentions his own feelings, Acacius whips his head back to face the other slave with wide eyes. Is he being serious? Or is this just some trick? Whatever the true motive is for Ruven's confession, the blue-eyed elf can't help the empathetic ache he feels in his chest. "You have us," he blurts out earnestly. An apology is on the tip of his tongue, but he can't quite push it out. Something that tastes like pride glues his lips together as the other elf finishes his spiel.
"Yea, we can start over. I--" Acacius falters for a moment. "I would like that," he quickly finishes. It's obvious what he was trying to say; he's just too stubborn to voice his regret right now. At the end of the day, Ruven was still a p***k to Ian, and Acacius isn't about to just let that slide. When the other elf utters an apology, the blonde tenses. This is definitely some kind of bait. But, he's too dense to realise what Ruven is actually egging him about. "It's fine. My parents were executed for ripping out their tracking chips when i was a toddler. I don't remember much of anything from them."
Acacius takes Ruven's hand into his own for a gentleman's shake, a warm smile spreading across his lips. As he looks up to see the soft expression on the other male's face, the blonde can't help his lips parting into a toothy grin. He chuckles a bit to himself. "You look much more...approachable when you're not scowling," Acacius teases as he pulls back his hand. The sound of his grumbling stomach breaks the silence, and he snorts. "Okay, I'm actually leaving now. Before my body eats itself." The elf walks past Ruven and exits with a final smile. On his way back to their table, Acacius feels slightly lighter. He didn't actually apologise, but that doesn't matter. They cleared up the air and there's a possibility that the two slaves can become friends yet.
Back at the table, Acacius gives Ian an apologetic smile. "Sorry I took so long," the elf apologises. He opens his mouth to give some half-assed excuse, but anything he could say would be a lie. And how could he tell his master that he just had a heart-to-heart with Ruven in the restroom? So, he closes his mouth and opts for just sliding back into his seat. Acacius remains silent as he reaches out to pluck some mozzarella sticks and fried pickles to place on his plate. He finally sates the growling monster in his abdomen by munching on a mozzarella stick, and a small sigh of happiness reverberates in his throat. "Hmmm, this is pretty good." Chewing and swallowing the food in his mouth, Acacius glances over to Ian with his messy face and hands. The elf grins and stifles a giggle of amusement. "It looks like the wings are good as well," he states in a playful tone.
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