It was already late in the evening but the merchant seemed unfazed by the passing of time. He sat, poised and elegant, watching the world around him. He didn’t seem bored, even as he leaned forward and laced his fingers atop the table; below it, he kept his toe tapping to some silent tune in his head. He was tall, by human standards, though while sitting down he didn’t seem particularly threatening. If you didn’t look at his face.
He had graceful features--sharp and refined. His chin and nose tapered to a point, giving him an air of sophistication, but that, combined with his slitted eyes and pointed teeth, there was something undeniably predatory about him. He watched with a hungry gaze and a mischievous, nearly sinister smile. His ears were pointed and were prominent despite being tucked behind his vibrant, multi-colored hair. The most intrusive feature that indicated there was something not human about him were the curling horns protruding from his temples and the oil-slick black scales that brushed his cheeks and forehead. He was well dressed, in a fashion obviously otherworldly, and seemed to enjoy dressing himself up in glistening gemstones.
His table was somehow both simple and overwhelming; it was draped in a dark purple tablecloth, with extravagant embroidery in different designs. Scattered neatly atop the table was an array of items that seemed to carry some magical weight to them.
He did not seem intimidated in the slightest and, upon noticing that the barrier surrounding him rippled when his visitor entered, he smiled.
He did not rise to meet them nor adjust his position in the slightest. He followed them with his fierce eyes and greeted, in a silky voice, “Welcome.”
The sun was still out. It hadn't yet set, which meant Faustite could have remained in bed, dozing, for the next hour or more. But Albite, who was ever excitable, woke him up with some nonsense about finding Almond Joy? While Faustite wasn't terribly fond of the coconut snacks, he thought they were in fair abundance at nearly ever supermarket he dared to rob.
Then they were out, in the sun, and Faustite was squinting miserably through a mess of sunlight and tree canopies as Albite marched them in the direction of… Somewhere, he guessed. He was too tired and disgruntled to care to ask where, or why, or how many brain cells he lost to think that this was the proper direction to the supermarket. Or to ask why they needed to walk when they were both perfectly capable of teleporting (though, perhaps not perfectly on Albite's end, who seemed as wild about it as he was about his magic use).
The trek felt like an eternity, though it was no more than ten minutes. Albite's excitement grew until it may burst, or Faustite thought it should burst, especially for the insolence of waking him up early.
Before them, the trees gave way to a clearing. But it wasn't a natural clearing, for they first crossed the threshold of a nearly imperceptible barrier, noticed only by the way it rippled when Albite entered it. Then there was Almad—
Oh. That Almond Joy.
Faustite's face flushed ruddy, and he hissed an acerbic you're an idiot in Albite's direction. He tried his level best to stave his attention off of the ever patient Almadel, to whom he had yet to figure out how to respond. Was there some graceful way to say thanks for saving me, and sorry about bleeding all over your clothes? If there was, it was far beyond the social prowess of a half-youma who saw roaches for snacks.
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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2022 4:28 am
Albite’d learned a fun elementary fact, that mouthing the words ‘Olive Juice’ - *just so* - made it look like he was saying ‘I love you’. So if he mouthed ‘Olive Juice’ right back at his bramble-burning boy; poured vibes made of grenadine n honey out to mix with the bitters therin he’d received. ********, decided to make it a whole damn *thing*, until Faustite caught him out or ironed his lips shut?
*Worth it*
Always it was worth it, and no amount of complaint or dire glare would dissuade his glowingly good mood. Tramping all the ******** over every weed choked hill with a half drowsy halo of fire at his back.
*Worth it!*
To catch the telling rise of color in Faustites cheeks (embarrassment, attraction, joy?!!), the way he shifted back; as if he could’ve ever been anything less than the centerpiece hearth in every room. Even this one; full of gaudy gauntlets and the most dashing of Devils. Especially since Waru considered this little meetup a necessary thing. Had all sorts of asks for the being that’d given him his sweetheart wisps-reborn-borb n sea-scented sash.
He also owed some genuine ******** ‘Thanks’, for how Alamdel’d given him the one thing that held greater value to him than every single ounce of magical treasure on display there. Even if it panged him to admit Almadel deserved it.
It was all that eerie perfection, maybe? That so often set him on edge with this one. The ways he wanted to prod at Almadel; while looking for the hair out of place, the elusive chip in that thousand watt grin that’d give the game away — the tell for the obvious lie.
Because there had to be a lie.
Had to be something more to him than ‘pretty merchant’; if he couldn’t pin down ‘what’ that more should’ve been. All the ways Almadel was alien to him - in ways that Praxidike or Fae-Fae or Faustite could’ve never been.
But! But - but - but —
Prodding wasn’t, ultimately, the agenda for that evening.
“Sup, Alm’s-for-the-poor. How’s business treating you?” loud as a semi hauling down a highway, Albite was happy to play vibrant go-between, all while shifting to toss Faustite a bold as brass wink tethered onto a smile that would guarantee he’d spend some of his next life sitting in purgatory.
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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2022 11:42 am
They were quite the pair, and Almadel seemed to find amusement in their arrival. His eyes lit up, maybe out of familiarity, or just because they were such a sight to see together.
“Business has been woefully underwhelming, but the evening is yet upon us. I’m optimistic, of course. It’s been a while, I’m glad to see you both in one piece. I was worried about you for a little while there.” He nodded to Faustite and gave him a quick once over. There was no blood today, so things were already off to a good enough start for him.
“Come closer, let’s catch up. I’ll let you peruse my wares, maybe we can strike a deal.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2022 7:06 am
Out of witty responses in his grogginess, Faustite pushed the boy. Dumb b*****d was beaming brighter than Faustite's fires after a starseed, and it was endearing, though it was better not to admit to that in front of others. Especially Almadel, while his uncaffeinated brain tried to ascertain a proper response and recognition of what happened Before.
"Maybe he has a muzzle," Faustite postulated pointedly. "Or I could trade you off for something useful. Or trade myself off —"
Oh, but Almadel was talking. And — he was worried? Faustite quietly stepped behind Albite, where he quickly dissolved into a hot mess. He hated that he could feel strongly for anyone, especially for both an unconscionably stupid senshi with no sense of self-preservation and a mysterious extraterrestrial who nearly ended the city with a conglomeration of glowing wisps (that said idiot now owned a part of, to his endless chagrin. Faustite kept his locked carefully in the bookshelf, but Albite was reckless enough to keep letting his out, and look where they were now).
He wasn't ******** ready for this. Albite knew he wasn't ready for this. That's why the b*****d dragged him out here, right after getting him up, without the barest hint of tea in his system. He wanted to watch Faustite suffer under the enduring gaze of A Boy.
p***k. Fine, he'd marry Celadonite first, then. Or maybe he'd trade Almadel a ring in exchange for a week away from this hellhole city.
When he was certain his face didn't feel as red as his core anymore, he stepped out to Albite's other side. He still felt a margin shy, however; he poked at one of the baubles on display as he spoke. "Thanks for… Getting me off that rock. Wouldn't be here otherwise." Which would have spared him the embarrassment of getting marched in here with Albite beaming like a ******** fool —
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Albite indulged the idea, wondered how much he'd be worth if Alamdel was the type who would trade wares for good times? For a trip off planet -- just to see the stars without risking death, even for a minute, for a day.
"Think you might fetch a higher price n me firebrand, only slightly used, a rare commodity." tease on tease as he wound up circled by fire. His smile tilted then; the idea that a muzzle would keep him down longer than it took him to chew through. He flashed that look like it was something sharp for him to wield, tracked the warmth that wound round him in Faustites form - such a rarity - his boy vulnerable and on display. Albite gave himself the space to stare; looking with genuine interest between one purple glitzed devil and the man who resembled hells favorite oven.
"Seriously though, Almadel. Thank you," tone softer with severity, however brief, difficult as it was for him to hang onto serious with tongue and fingertips before offering something lighter. "Maybe we can make your business a little more 'interesting', yeh? Specially since it feels like I owe you one." he wasn't sure he'd been 'nice', the last time they'd met. Learning Almadel had been the solution and not the cause of Faustite's problems had eased the urge he had to see some messy end to the dragon quite a bit.
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Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2022 10:51 pm
Oh, Faustite was as endearing as anyone could be, and the fire and metal in him didn’t seem to be any sort of deterrent to Almadel, who looked on fondly. Charmed, obviously.
“Oh, please,” he all but purred. “You flatter me. What are friends for, after all?”
Spoken like someone who had something to gain from a friendship, but still. Almadel was straight forward in some regards, but he seemed just as keen to keep some secrets close to his heart.
“It’s not every day I have such handsome young men throwing themselves at me. Careful, it’ll go straight to my head. I’m glad to see you doing well, Faustite. And you as well,” he said, nodding to Albite briefly. There was something almost like mischief in his smile but he seemed well intentioned enough. “I received payment for services rendered, you’ve no reason to tempt me with more. I have poor self control and very little modesty, if you insist on owing me I’m more than happy to agree.”
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"Slightly used? What's that supposed to mean?" If he were paying more attention, he might've caught Albite's drift, but the boy so often spoke bullshit that he learned to tune him out long ago. Perhaps if there wasn't one terribly obvious distraction in the vicinity, it would've been twice as easy to talk Albite down from his smug self-satisfaction. Instead, Faustite felt incensed — mostly at himself, for getting so flustered so easily.
He supposed his love for boys didn't stop at human. Or terrestrial. Or —
Wait, was he —
Faustite had doubted it was possible, but he turned even redder in the face when he heard Albite talk about making Almadel's business more interesting. Then he smacked a boy upside the back of the head for such an insinuation, and only realized afterward that ot was supposed to be a segue into doing business. Which was its own embarrassment.
Heaving a defeated sigh, he buried his face in his hands and leaned against Albite's back. And Almadel was making it worse. "Hate both of you," he muttered miserably.
(He wasn't miserable. How could he be? There were Boys.)
He hoped, for his own sake, that they were talking about making a simple deal. If it were anything but, he was certain he'd finish bursting into flames. And if Albite started crawling under that table, he was sure he wouldn't be able to think about anything else for the next month.
He drew a breath between clenched teeth, and it sizzled on his tongue. "Albite, please. Getting hot." And he started to fan himself, as if that would do anything.
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Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2022 10:34 am
Okay, he'd ******** earned that smack, thoroughly. Regretted none of the sting that he tried to absently rub free his thick skull; it was ******** worth it! Every fresh reaction that came with the freedom of playing like this, in public, even if he couldn't say out loud how Faustites 'use' lay firmly in being well loved, thoroughly adored, desacralized in the most filthily joyous of terms. Albite smugly kept the heat of those words pressed against the backs of the bright n sharp enamel lines that made up his less than polite grin.
Especially as he felt Faustites oven-esq heat build at his back. Knowing full well the emotion that filled the air with that particular crackle n spark; how easy it'd been in the past to mistake that sizzle for anger, instead of frustration.
The best kind, overwhelmed, passionate, hungry!
"Love you too, firebrand." softly hissed round mirth, Albite wanted, just for a moment, to be crueler than he was kind. Liked Faustite hot. He let that idea flutter loose as he leant more of his weight to the thin metal and flesh frame pressing up the length of his spine. "Alright, alright, we can play nice. Don't want this place burning down -- at least, not without a little fire proofing on my end? M'hpretty sure Almadel would survive the heat just fine."
There was an idea! He wondered if the demon in disguise had something for that lying atop his table overflowing with wares...Maybe underneath? What with how the place seemed to drip with goods while still managing to look maintained. ********, magical bullshit that was well beyond his ability to understand.
"N I'd say the flattery's well deserved. Sides! What's a good friendship without a little temptation thrown in, yeh?" He found found it hard to believe the guy didn't get all sorts of offers, thrown, lobbed, offered with grasping hands and eager smiles. "S'like, good seasoning on a craw-broil, though I made sure to bring more n just a good looking bonfire and my own 'I.O.U' along....don't have a bloody 'call me' card to offer up, but?"
If he had, he might've just done it. Figured Almadel deserved one, a life for a life for the life of wares merchant that set him on a razors edge but'd saved the one thing he valued most. Made adding a little extra incentive right on top easy as breathing.
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Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2022 9:17 am
“Aw,” Almadel cooed, as if endeared by their exchange. He looked Albite over and then flicked his wrist. “You two are quite a pair, aren't you?” He reached for a gilded hand fan, studded with brilliant red gems, and began to fan at Faustite from across the table as if to cool him off.
“No fires, please. I’ve got too many treasures to need that sort of trouble. Although, if we’re being completely honest, I’m surprised you can stand so close to him and not look a little toasted, yourself. No offense, Faustite. I think your fire is very cute. But I’d warrant I’m a bit more fireproof than your companion. I might have something, actually. Oh, from such a time ago.”
He fanned with his left hand while he fished around with his right.
“Once upon a time, when I was a young man–a boy, really–I was quite a bit less durable. I used to doll myself up with all these little trinkets and protections. I don’t need most of them now, but this is from my personal collection. Ah, here we are.”
He pulled out an expertly crafted collar, with a material that felt ageless and durable. The construction was impeccable, no doubt crafted by a skilled professional, but even that expertise paled in comparison to the blazing opal set dead center. “Would you like to try it on? Protects against the hottest fires I ever got myself into. Might be useful. If you’ve got something good to trade for, at least.”
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Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 12:56 pm
So the boy didn't want to burn to death. Acceptable, but was there a problem with Faustite's cincher? Was the cincher not good enough? Did he forget to use it appropriately too often? Or was it something less implicit of Faustite's myriad flaws, like Albite wanted to watch the flames and not catch fire himself? He could only listen on as he balanced his metal heels against Albite's increasing weight.
And Almadel thought his fire was c—
Burying his face in his hands, Faustite let out a plume of smoke in his sigh. This was too much. Truly, those two were out for blood. Black, boiling blood.
Yet Albite was the one getting some treasure from Almadel's personal collection — was that horned boy trying to play them against each other? Because it was working. Faustite received a one-time-use business card paid for in blood, but Albite was getting into Almadel's ******** closet, the smarmy b*****d. "Don't be stupid," he warned Albite. Not that he thought trying on the item would somehow entrap him in a deal he couldn't refuse, but he expected that Albite would explore these newfound freedoms fuller than Faustite cared to humor when in public like this.
And what fires was Almadel getting into, anyway? They certainly weren't his fires.
"So you don't burn now?" He asked over Albite's shoulder. "How is that?" Did he grow into this imperviousness, or train it into himself somehow?
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The smile in his eyes said 'thank-you', even as his mouth ran on about every manner of 'else', "You get used to him. Helps that he's a dry heat. Makes it less like cooking alive, n more like standing in front of an open oven set just shy of four-hundred. Well, unless he gets like this---" and Albite was trying the thing on before his hair could catch with the rest of him. His own green and black collar foregon into subspace in favor of the one that'd keep him from peeling with a fresh new sunburn that hadn't come from the sun.
"The amount of product I go through in order to keep my skin nice Alms, you wouldn't believe it," the story of the trinket as enrapturing as the item itself. It was the colors though that got him, had him reaching to touch in order to trace the burning fires reflective of his beloveds brightest shades. Reds deeper than a suns center, a sturdiness that wouldn't fall apart, ten thousand times better than the cowry-shell sash he'd asked for less than a year prior. Almadel was too good to them sometimes, "probably no more than I can believe in you ever being less durable than this?"
"Though, yanno, if you ever need anyone to double check your current state of prowess?" every offer a fresh new tease meant to ignite even more fun. It wasn't like Albite lacked for real questions of their cosmic companion. Like how old was he, how invulnerable was he? Every single hint of Almadel bred curiosities like bunnies in a burrow. Albite wanted more, got less, figured that some of those answers weren't worth his soul in its entirety.
And Faustites flickered warning had his attention, holding up a gentle hand of pause to Almondjoy as he turned to the boy burning over his shoulder. The trinket was already firmly clasped, settled neatly over his throat like some glittering thing; Faustite was right though -- he should check that it worked before forking over payment.
"M'not being---but fine, you're right. Leme see---" twisting to face the flames billowing smoke across his back, he reached for those hands, that bright-searing-face hidden beneath them. Reached for a kiss -- if it'd feel fever pitched, or like kissing carolina reapers? If he'd haphazardly melt his own face off entirely? There was only the one way he knew to find out. Believed less in mathing out the science of the thing, and more in real world trials, crash test dummy style. Faustite the perfectly burning wall, and himself the high speed body aiming to run through it.
He hoped the thing worked, because Faustite shouldn'tve had to bear all the brunt and burden of responsibility that went into their shared time. Here he was; human born, foolish as they came, chasing fires when he was all flesh, and expecting his better half to always be prepared for every fresh new whim that blew across his brain.
That wasn't fair to Faustite at all.
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2022 10:31 pm
Almadel laughed richly, easily. If this was a game to him, he was enjoying it. And yet, for all his teasing, he still didn’t seem malicious. He even seemed fond of the two, and leaned back a bit in his seat.
“You’re quite striking like that, yes. It suits you well. You have a lovely smile. Both of you could light up a room without much effort, I think.”
He smiled again, to each of them. “I’m glad to help you find something you like. I hope it’ll be good for the two of you. I’ve worked very hard to cultivate a happy, healthy status. Scouring the universe has its perks. Magic is ripe for the taking in the great beyond. If only you know how to look for it. Also, I was rather soft when I was young. If we’re being honest. But, youth, you know, and all the tenderness that comes with it. My horns had hardly even grown in!”
He shifted a bit, maybe to show them off a bit more. “But, I suppose we should talk about the matter of payment before we get into reminiscing too much.”
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If that mule-headed b*****d thought he would get rewards for being a jerk —
Faustite felt his hands being pulled away from his face and became flame in response. As an archon of fire, he reclaimed his bodily autonomy and became whole but a moment later, with enough time that he plastered a hand over Albite's mouth, denying him that kiss. Out of curiosity, he kept his hand trained on Albite's face and counted a number of seconds. Having been described as an oven only moments prior, he expected that Albite's skin would scorch in a count of three at most.
In case the choker only worked on horned boys from out of space, he let go before too long (though he ensured to dance out of range of any unearned kisses).
He still felt hot under the collar about all their teasing, however. Where did that boy get all these brazen impulses? Was it the good mood? Did Albite start day drinking before they went out to find Almadel? He'd woken Faustite for this, so he'd have no way of knowing what shenanigans Albite had gotten into beforehand —
"Just — take him with you. For a week. Save me the headache. Or, take me with you. He's in rare ******** form lately. Incorrigible thing." Faustite sighed heavily.
For all his gripes about Albite, he had been listening to Almadel's choice of words. Sounded like he might've grown into a certain hardiness, like that was endemic to whatever species to which Almadel belonged. Or — maybe it was endemic to the world?
While Albite finished his barter, Faustite took up a space next to the table. "Where are you from, anyway?" For all the alien was from beyond the stars, he never explained quite where that would have been.
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Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2022 11:00 pm
“Mmph!!” He’d forgotten about that particular trick; the wash of fiery blaze that became intangible heat anyone could pass through. Felt the warm whip the air around him vortexual; sucking all that scorch back in, only to press it over his face.
Prettiest thing.
Claw tips and thin fingers there for seconds. And he expected more of anything — held his breath for the tingle of creeping sear, except there was none. Like playing with the sun through a barrier, all the warmth existed there — just behind it — lacked penetration and intensity, left his face whole and unbaked even as he pawed at it just to be sure.
Seemed like he still had lips and nose and!! He’d ask for a mirror next time. Especially if his beflamed beau was going to be such a cheeky brat — here he was offering up kisses for free, or, well, taking kisses for free? But it was all tomato’s potato’s kind of same, right?
“Love you too firebrand, oh, could be a good wedding gift from Alms? A trip through the stars for three,” offhand rambling muffled by a careful hand and warty gaze that tracked those dodging moves. Clever of Faustite to think himself entirely out of reach — if he wanted to he could’ve….
Caught Eion up in a bind and wound him straight back into the kind of hug he clearly deserved right then! But he could be nice…bide his time…earn those kisses in a way that wouldn’t piss almandel straight off and dissolve into the prettiest bonfire brawl.
Patience was key. <********, fine, he was sitting; planted his a** flat on the floor — rummaged through subspace like a furtive rat-like being. Seemingly searching for something important, payment maybe? While also touching his own stupidly bemused grin intermittently.
Almadels collar was so cool! Maybe he could swallow fire now? Or walk on the sun - orrrr - He wanted to test those limits immediately— find out where the line between soft fire he could hold and roasting on a spot began.
Later though. Albite tuned back in to catch Faustites beautifully frustrated sigh and his next ask.
“Same! What he said, same. Where you and your pretty horns hail from, s’lovelier shade then some of the other aliens we’ve seen…” ahhh, and there his payment was. A wadded packet half-full of dried elk jerky. He shook it roughly — and out of thin air appeared a whole a** bird fulla sentience n glares.
“S’up Cerbs, shhh —- the boys’re talking.”
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Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2022 8:11 am
Almadel watched with obvious curiosity and amusement; he eyed the bird with visible interest, but there was something knowing in his eyes. He planted his elbow on the table and propped his chin into his palm as he watched the two.
“I don’t know if you’d like space as much as you think you would. I was born to the stars, between worlds. I claim no world, and all worlds. They’re all ripe for the taking. Well.”
His eyes flicked up to the sky. “Most of them. Now that I know all the senshi are awakening down here, I suppose the universe is a little smaller. Marginally so. It’s not like you can really find life so easily up there.”
He returned his attention to the two in front of him.
“I’ve got my own little rock. Maybe one day I’ll take you up there. I suppose I could use some help organizing it. Maybe I can hire some of you strong, handsome young men to be my bodyguards on my next expedition, if you’re so desperate to see something off of Earth, sometime.”
