Alonzo 'El' 'Zo' @alonzo-el-zo - Tumblr Blog

Open roleplay

Alonzo quietly plays the piano in a old bookstore, fingers easily gliding over the keys, enjoying the quiet and peace of the store. He sings softly along to it, not even noticing someone enter the shop.

"Lavender's blue, dilly, dilly, lavender's green, When I am king, dilly, dilly, you shall be queen. Who told you so, dilly, dilly, who told you so? 'Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly, that told me so." Alonzo sings quietly, voice soft as it floats around the store. His eyes slip closed as he stops singing, just playing the piano, letting the music fill the air.

Alonzo perks up at that, excitement flashing in his eyes. "Yeah? Maybe I'll try... the Clergy at the cathedral didn't mind my tinkering, but the drew the line at making a full suit." He laughs very softly before his eyes flick to the sandwich, filling with dread for a second.

"Well, now you work here," Tony tells him with a grin, finishing the sandwich and cutting it into four triangles. "And you can do whatever you want. Within reason." He slides the plate to Zo.

Zo smiles softly. "Thank you..." He stiffens up when Tony slides the plate over, tears instantly filling his eyes, he picks up one triangle and stares at it, turning it over in his hand.

Tony watches him for a moment, then cuts his own sandwich into pieces. "You know," he comments, tone carefully light. "I find the smaller you make the pieces the easier it is to eat em when you don't want to."

Zo looks up and watches carefully, tilting his head slightly like he's calculating what Tony said. "You too...?" He blinks and looks down at the food, taking an incredibly small bite, breathing becoming strained for a moment. He sets it back down and flexes his hands out, taking a deep shaky breath.

Tony nods a little, he's still not used to talking about this but he thinks it'll help Alonzo, so he does. "Sometimes," he concedes. "It worries my husband, some I'm working on it."

Alonzo pushes his food around on his plate, listening quietly, trying to hide the surprise he feels at finding that out. "Oh..." He blinks and looks down at his food. "You understand..." He very slowly takes another bite, forcing himself to swallow the food. "May I have water?"

Tony nods, taking a bite of his own sandwich like that'll make it easier for Alonzo. "I do," he tells him. "It's hard." Then, he nods and grabs a glass, filling it and handing it to him. "Help yourself to anything in this kitchen, all SI employees can access it."

"Thank you." Zo takes the water and sips it carefully, eyeing his food. He slowly takes a small bite, scrunching his nose up slightly. "Do you calculate your food...?" He looks up shakily, taking a large gulp of water.

"Anytime." He considers his own sandwich. He's not that hungry, but he eats it anyway. At the question, he pauses. "Not so much anymore, no. But there was a time."

Zo watches Tony eat, taking a bite after him. "Really?" He blinks and slowly sips his water, tucking his knees to his chest again, one triangle of the sandwich eaten. "Being alone all the time made me start calculating everything, I needed a distraction and that... that worked." His voice has dropped down to a whisper.

Tony doesn't comment on his eating, but he notes that a quarter is gone and he smiles internally, that's something at least. "Yeah, really," he reassures Zo gently. returning to his own sandwich. "It's easy," he tells him, "Easy habit to get into."

Zo reaches out and pushes the rest of his food around, his eyes flick to Tony continuing eating, he slowly picks up another peice and takes a bite. "It is... easy to get into, hard to break." He sets the sandwich down and watches Tony carefully, feeling a little nauseous.

"All the worst habits are," Tony tells him. "I'd know. I've had a lot in my life time." He's glad he's still eating, even if it's a small amount. He won't make him have it all.

Alonzo sets down his sandwich, looking like he feels a little sick. "I'm guessing you won't let me go to the bathroom...?" He fidgets with his fingers.

Tony sighs. "You going to throw up?" He asks, tilting his head to the side. Open, not judgemental.

Alonzo pauses, debating lying but finally deciding he doesn't actually want to lie to Tony. "Yes." He whispers incredibly soft, eyes flicking down.

Open roleplay

Alonzo quietly plays the piano in a old bookstore, fingers easily gliding over the keys, enjoying the quiet and peace of the store. He sings softly along to it, not even noticing someone enter the shop.

"Lavender's blue, dilly, dilly, lavender's green, When I am king, dilly, dilly, you shall be queen. Who told you so, dilly, dilly, who told you so? 'Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly, that told me so." Alonzo sings quietly, voice soft as it floats around the store. His eyes slip closed as he stops singing, just playing the piano, letting the music fill the air.

Alonzo perks up at that, excitement flashing in his eyes. "Yeah? Maybe I'll try... the Clergy at the cathedral didn't mind my tinkering, but the drew the line at making a full suit." He laughs very softly before his eyes flick to the sandwich, filling with dread for a second.

"Well, now you work here," Tony tells him with a grin, finishing the sandwich and cutting it into four triangles. "And you can do whatever you want. Within reason." He slides the plate to Zo.

Zo smiles softly. "Thank you..." He stiffens up when Tony slides the plate over, tears instantly filling his eyes, he picks up one triangle and stares at it, turning it over in his hand.

Tony watches him for a moment, then cuts his own sandwich into pieces. "You know," he comments, tone carefully light. "I find the smaller you make the pieces the easier it is to eat em when you don't want to."

Zo looks up and watches carefully, tilting his head slightly like he's calculating what Tony said. "You too...?" He blinks and looks down at the food, taking an incredibly small bite, breathing becoming strained for a moment. He sets it back down and flexes his hands out, taking a deep shaky breath.

Tony nods a little, he's still not used to talking about this but he thinks it'll help Alonzo, so he does. "Sometimes," he concedes. "It worries my husband, some I'm working on it."

Alonzo pushes his food around on his plate, listening quietly, trying to hide the surprise he feels at finding that out. "Oh..." He blinks and looks down at his food. "You understand..." He very slowly takes another bite, forcing himself to swallow the food. "May I have water?"

Tony nods, taking a bite of his own sandwich like that'll make it easier for Alonzo. "I do," he tells him. "It's hard." Then, he nods and grabs a glass, filling it and handing it to him. "Help yourself to anything in this kitchen, all SI employees can access it."

"Thank you." Zo takes the water and sips it carefully, eyeing his food. He slowly takes a small bite, scrunching his nose up slightly. "Do you calculate your food...?" He looks up shakily, taking a large gulp of water.

"Anytime." He considers his own sandwich. He's not that hungry, but he eats it anyway. At the question, he pauses. "Not so much anymore, no. But there was a time."

Zo watches Tony eat, taking a bite after him. "Really?" He blinks and slowly sips his water, tucking his knees to his chest again, one triangle of the sandwich eaten. "Being alone all the time made me start calculating everything, I needed a distraction and that... that worked." His voice has dropped down to a whisper.

Tony doesn't comment on his eating, but he notes that a quarter is gone and he smiles internally, that's something at least. "Yeah, really," he reassures Zo gently. returning to his own sandwich. "It's easy," he tells him, "Easy habit to get into."

Zo reaches out and pushes the rest of his food around, his eyes flick to Tony continuing eating, he slowly picks up another peice and takes a bite. "It is... easy to get into, hard to break." He sets the sandwich down and watches Tony carefully, feeling a little nauseous.

"All the worst habits are," Tony tells him. "I'd know. I've had a lot in my life time." He's glad he's still eating, even if it's a small amount. He won't make him have it all.

Alonzo sets down his sandwich, looking like he feels a little sick. "I'm guessing you won't let me go to the bathroom...?" He fidgets with his fingers.

OPEN STARTER - WHAT HAPPENED NEXT

This makes more sense following being taken back to Hydra by this starter but you are welcome to skip that and jump right in here.

He could have done this the easy way. Whiped them. Left the scientists to break his newest pet. Marcus prefered to do it himself. To watch as their confidence crumbled, as they begged him to stop before changing their tune and begged him to give them attention; To praise them.

This wasn't his first time either, so he took all the needed steps. Starved them, withheld water and sleep until they were shaking, and of course, locked them in a shock collar set to just the right voltage to knock them off their feet without killing them. He had them dragged into a large open gym and forced onto their knees before him.

He looks down at them, his expression unreadable.

"Let's hear you appologize."

Alonzo looks up shakily, bruised and bloody. He doesn't say a word and looks back down, still having a stubborn streak, he refuses to fully give in, it usually takes him a minute before he starts submitting again, gives back up to Marcus.

"No." Alonzo says boldly, eyes staring up at the ceiling. He shoots Marcus a glare before flinching back, taking a shaky breath. Zo was stubborn, whenever he's away from Marcus he starts getting defiant again. "I don't need to apologize for anything." Alonzo has also shown he has an incredibly high IQ. He bites his lip, terrified about what's going to happen.

Marcus's expression doesn't change. He raises one hand a slaps Alonzo hard enough to leave a red mark that would later fade into a bruise. He claps his hands behind his back again.

"Apologize."

Alonzo cries out and presses a hand to his face, tears pricking at his eyes. "Sorry." He mumbles under his breath, eyes locked on the ground, his wraps his arms around himself, trying to not to make eye contact. Alonzo whines and shakes his head, a few tears dripping down his face.

"There, see. It isn't hard." Marcus crouches down, taking Alonzo's jaw in his hand and turning the boy's face up toward himself. "Everytime you fight, you only hurt yourself. If you are obedient, you don't have to be in pain. Do you understand?"

Alonzo grimaces when Marcus turns him. He stares at him with wide terrified eyes, his arms wrap around himself, legs crossing as he tries to hide and protect his body. "But then you keep me forever." He whispers shakily, his voice a whisper. Without thinking he shifts and bites down on Marcus hand hard, trying to make him let go.

Instead of trying to pull his hand back, Marcus shoves it forward, pushing it against Alonzo's cheeks and making him gag. Yanking back, he uses his other hand to grab the boy's hair at the base of his skull. Yanking his head back, Marcus places one something cold and metal against his exposed throat.

"Oh. Naughty. Apologize." He gives him a pressed smile. "Then we can answer your question."

Alonzo gasps and coughs, tears gathering in his eyes and quickly falling, wincing at the pull at his hair. In a panic he raises his hand to his throat, uselessly grabbing at the metal. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry-" He sobs and tries to pull away from Marcus, once more hugging himself to shield his body. "Please..." He chokes out, swallowing thickly, hating the feeling of metal against his throat.

Marcus pulls back the knife, he'd been pressing the back of it but the teen didn't know that, and tucks it back into it's sheath. "Are you trying to hide yourself from me?" He moves the hand that had been holding the knife, and grabs Alonzo by the shirt, jerking him closer. "You belong to me now. Remember that."

Alonzo's eyes widen as he sees the knife, a choked panicked noise falling from him. He gasps and grabs at Marcus' hand. "No-" He sobs, legs scrambling out to try to push away, his free arm still trying to cover himself. "No..." He whispers brokenly, staring up at Marcus with wide tear filled eyes. Alonzo coughs and winces, just wanting to get away, but he doesn't think he can- "Don't touch me-"

Marcus smirks. Now that was an interesting reaction. He let's go of the boy's hair and drops the hand to his waist, sliding his hand under Alonzo's shirt and pulling him close, his callused hand pushing into the small of their back. "Beg. Beg me not to."

Alonzo lets out a full on shriek when Marcus touches him, absolutely hating the feeling. "Stop!" He sobs harshly and shoves at Marcus. He spits and hits at him, eyes frantic. "Please don't- don't touch me!" Alonzo's usually quiet voice has risen to a panic high pitched tone. He wants Marcus' hands off him! "Please let go!"

Marcus laughs and drops the teen. "Awe, are you scared? Is it not your first time?" He pulls back a foot and kicks Alonzo again, shoving him to the floor once more. "You struggle too much. We'll have to fix that."

Alonzo gasps in pain then whimpers and curls up into a ball, sobbing quietly, his arms wrap around his abdomen, eyes stuck on the floor, refusing to look at Marcus. "I'll stop, please... I'll stop-" He begs quietly, curling into himself even more, hair falling into his face.

"There. That's better. See how far obedence and a little begging gets you?" He steps back and points to the floor at his feet. "Kneel."

Alonzo slowly looks up, paling drastically, he reallt doesn't want to kneel but... he doesn't want to be hurt. He slowly gets up and shuffles over, getting down on his knees, looking like he feels sick.

Marcus smiles. A cruel and twisted smile. "Good boy." As promised, he keeps his hands off him- for now. "Now, apologize for fighting."

Alonzo flinches hard at the 'good boy'. He has to resist the urge to fight against Marcus, his hands clench at his side, his eyes staying locked on Marcus' shoes. "Sorry..." He mumbles quietly, tears dripping down.

He watches. He saw the clinched fists, pleased that the boy controlled himself, but disappointed he still needed to.

"Again."

Alonzo bites his lip and takes strained breaths, his chest feeling tight. "I'm sorry..." He flinches and lets out a small whine, feeling just... awful. He reaches up with one hand to press over his chest. "Please... please just leave me alone..."

OPEN STARTER - WHAT HAPPENED NEXT

This makes more sense following being taken back to Hydra by this starter but you are welcome to skip that and jump right in here.

He could have done this the easy way. Whiped them. Left the scientists to break his newest pet. Marcus prefered to do it himself. To watch as their confidence crumbled, as they begged him to stop before changing their tune and begged him to give them attention; To praise them.

This wasn't his first time either, so he took all the needed steps. Starved them, withheld water and sleep until they were shaking, and of course, locked them in a shock collar set to just the right voltage to knock them off their feet without killing them. He had them dragged into a large open gym and forced onto their knees before him.

He looks down at them, his expression unreadable.

"Let's hear you appologize."

Alonzo looks up shakily, bruised and bloody. He doesn't say a word and looks back down, still having a stubborn streak, he refuses to fully give in, it usually takes him a minute before he starts submitting again, gives back up to Marcus.

"No." Alonzo says boldly, eyes staring up at the ceiling. He shoots Marcus a glare before flinching back, taking a shaky breath. Zo was stubborn, whenever he's away from Marcus he starts getting defiant again. "I don't need to apologize for anything." Alonzo has also shown he has an incredibly high IQ. He bites his lip, terrified about what's going to happen.

Marcus's expression doesn't change. He raises one hand a slaps Alonzo hard enough to leave a red mark that would later fade into a bruise. He claps his hands behind his back again.

"Apologize."

Alonzo cries out and presses a hand to his face, tears pricking at his eyes. "Sorry." He mumbles under his breath, eyes locked on the ground, his wraps his arms around himself, trying to not to make eye contact. Alonzo whines and shakes his head, a few tears dripping down his face.

"There, see. It isn't hard." Marcus crouches down, taking Alonzo's jaw in his hand and turning the boy's face up toward himself. "Everytime you fight, you only hurt yourself. If you are obedient, you don't have to be in pain. Do you understand?"

Alonzo grimaces when Marcus turns him. He stares at him with wide terrified eyes, his arms wrap around himself, legs crossing as he tries to hide and protect his body. "But then you keep me forever." He whispers shakily, his voice a whisper. Without thinking he shifts and bites down on Marcus hand hard, trying to make him let go.

Instead of trying to pull his hand back, Marcus shoves it forward, pushing it against Alonzo's cheeks and making him gag. Yanking back, he uses his other hand to grab the boy's hair at the base of his skull. Yanking his head back, Marcus places one something cold and metal against his exposed throat.

"Oh. Naughty. Apologize." He gives him a pressed smile. "Then we can answer your question."

Alonzo gasps and coughs, tears gathering in his eyes and quickly falling, wincing at the pull at his hair. In a panic he raises his hand to his throat, uselessly grabbing at the metal. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry-" He sobs and tries to pull away from Marcus, once more hugging himself to shield his body. "Please..." He chokes out, swallowing thickly, hating the feeling of metal against his throat.

Marcus pulls back the knife, he'd been pressing the back of it but the teen didn't know that, and tucks it back into it's sheath. "Are you trying to hide yourself from me?" He moves the hand that had been holding the knife, and grabs Alonzo by the shirt, jerking him closer. "You belong to me now. Remember that."

Alonzo's eyes widen as he sees the knife, a choked panicked noise falling from him. He gasps and grabs at Marcus' hand. "No-" He sobs, legs scrambling out to try to push away, his free arm still trying to cover himself. "No..." He whispers brokenly, staring up at Marcus with wide tear filled eyes. Alonzo coughs and winces, just wanting to get away, but he doesn't think he can- "Don't touch me-"

Marcus smirks. Now that was an interesting reaction. He let's go of the boy's hair and drops the hand to his waist, sliding his hand under Alonzo's shirt and pulling him close, his callused hand pushing into the small of their back. "Beg. Beg me not to."

Alonzo lets out a full on shriek when Marcus touches him, absolutely hating the feeling. "Stop!" He sobs harshly and shoves at Marcus. He spits and hits at him, eyes frantic. "Please don't- don't touch me!" Alonzo's usually quiet voice has risen to a panic high pitched tone. He wants Marcus' hands off him! "Please let go!"

Marcus laughs and drops the teen. "Awe, are you scared? Is it not your first time?" He pulls back a foot and kicks Alonzo again, shoving him to the floor once more. "You struggle too much. We'll have to fix that."

Alonzo gasps in pain then whimpers and curls up into a ball, sobbing quietly, his arms wrap around his abdomen, eyes stuck on the floor, refusing to look at Marcus. "I'll stop, please... I'll stop-" He begs quietly, curling into himself even more, hair falling into his face.

"There. That's better. See how far obedence and a little begging gets you?" He steps back and points to the floor at his feet. "Kneel."

Alonzo slowly looks up, paling drastically, he reallt doesn't want to kneel but... he doesn't want to be hurt. He slowly gets up and shuffles over, getting down on his knees, looking like he feels sick.

Marcus smiles. A cruel and twisted smile. "Good boy." As promised, he keeps his hands off him- for now. "Now, apologize for fighting."

Alonzo flinches hard at the 'good boy'. He has to resist the urge to fight against Marcus, his hands clench at his side, his eyes staying locked on Marcus' shoes. "Sorry..." He mumbles quietly, tears dripping down.

OPEN STARTER - WHAT HAPPENED NEXT

This makes more sense following being taken back to Hydra by this starter but you are welcome to skip that and jump right in here.

He could have done this the easy way. Whiped them. Left the scientists to break his newest pet. Marcus prefered to do it himself. To watch as their confidence crumbled, as they begged him to stop before changing their tune and begged him to give them attention; To praise them.

This wasn't his first time either, so he took all the needed steps. Starved them, withheld water and sleep until they were shaking, and of course, locked them in a shock collar set to just the right voltage to knock them off their feet without killing them. He had them dragged into a large open gym and forced onto their knees before him.

He looks down at them, his expression unreadable.

"Let's hear you appologize."

Alonzo looks up shakily, bruised and bloody. He doesn't say a word and looks back down, still having a stubborn streak, he refuses to fully give in, it usually takes him a minute before he starts submitting again, gives back up to Marcus.

"No." Alonzo says boldly, eyes staring up at the ceiling. He shoots Marcus a glare before flinching back, taking a shaky breath. Zo was stubborn, whenever he's away from Marcus he starts getting defiant again. "I don't need to apologize for anything." Alonzo has also shown he has an incredibly high IQ. He bites his lip, terrified about what's going to happen.

Marcus's expression doesn't change. He raises one hand a slaps Alonzo hard enough to leave a red mark that would later fade into a bruise. He claps his hands behind his back again.

"Apologize."

Alonzo cries out and presses a hand to his face, tears pricking at his eyes. "Sorry." He mumbles under his breath, eyes locked on the ground, his wraps his arms around himself, trying to not to make eye contact. Alonzo whines and shakes his head, a few tears dripping down his face.

"There, see. It isn't hard." Marcus crouches down, taking Alonzo's jaw in his hand and turning the boy's face up toward himself. "Everytime you fight, you only hurt yourself. If you are obedient, you don't have to be in pain. Do you understand?"

Alonzo grimaces when Marcus turns him. He stares at him with wide terrified eyes, his arms wrap around himself, legs crossing as he tries to hide and protect his body. "But then you keep me forever." He whispers shakily, his voice a whisper. Without thinking he shifts and bites down on Marcus hand hard, trying to make him let go.

Instead of trying to pull his hand back, Marcus shoves it forward, pushing it against Alonzo's cheeks and making him gag. Yanking back, he uses his other hand to grab the boy's hair at the base of his skull. Yanking his head back, Marcus places one something cold and metal against his exposed throat.

"Oh. Naughty. Apologize." He gives him a pressed smile. "Then we can answer your question."

Alonzo gasps and coughs, tears gathering in his eyes and quickly falling, wincing at the pull at his hair. In a panic he raises his hand to his throat, uselessly grabbing at the metal. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry-" He sobs and tries to pull away from Marcus, once more hugging himself to shield his body. "Please..." He chokes out, swallowing thickly, hating the feeling of metal against his throat.

Marcus pulls back the knife, he'd been pressing the back of it but the teen didn't know that, and tucks it back into it's sheath. "Are you trying to hide yourself from me?" He moves the hand that had been holding the knife, and grabs Alonzo by the shirt, jerking him closer. "You belong to me now. Remember that."

Alonzo's eyes widen as he sees the knife, a choked panicked noise falling from him. He gasps and grabs at Marcus' hand. "No-" He sobs, legs scrambling out to try to push away, his free arm still trying to cover himself. "No..." He whispers brokenly, staring up at Marcus with wide tear filled eyes. Alonzo coughs and winces, just wanting to get away, but he doesn't think he can- "Don't touch me-"

Marcus smirks. Now that was an interesting reaction. He let's go of the boy's hair and drops the hand to his waist, sliding his hand under Alonzo's shirt and pulling him close, his callused hand pushing into the small of their back. "Beg. Beg me not to."

Alonzo lets out a full on shriek when Marcus touches him, absolutely hating the feeling. "Stop!" He sobs harshly and shoves at Marcus. He spits and hits at him, eyes frantic. "Please don't- don't touch me!" Alonzo's usually quiet voice has risen to a panic high pitched tone. He wants Marcus' hands off him! "Please let go!"

Marcus laughs and drops the teen. "Awe, are you scared? Is it not your first time?" He pulls back a foot and kicks Alonzo again, shoving him to the floor once more. "You struggle too much. We'll have to fix that."

Alonzo gasps in pain then whimpers and curls up into a ball, sobbing quietly, his arms wrap around his abdomen, eyes stuck on the floor, refusing to look at Marcus. "I'll stop, please... I'll stop-" He begs quietly, curling into himself even more, hair falling into his face.

"There. That's better. See how far obedence and a little begging gets you?" He steps back and points to the floor at his feet. "Kneel."

Alonzo slowly looks up, paling drastically, he reallt doesn't want to kneel but... he doesn't want to be hurt. He slowly gets up and shuffles over, getting down on his knees, looking like he feels sick.

OPEN STARTER - WHAT HAPPENED NEXT

This makes more sense following being taken back to Hydra by this starter but you are welcome to skip that and jump right in here.

He could have done this the easy way. Whiped them. Left the scientists to break his newest pet. Marcus prefered to do it himself. To watch as their confidence crumbled, as they begged him to stop before changing their tune and begged him to give them attention; To praise them.

This wasn't his first time either, so he took all the needed steps. Starved them, withheld water and sleep until they were shaking, and of course, locked them in a shock collar set to just the right voltage to knock them off their feet without killing them. He had them dragged into a large open gym and forced onto their knees before him.

He looks down at them, his expression unreadable.

"Let's hear you appologize."

Alonzo looks up shakily, bruised and bloody. He doesn't say a word and looks back down, still having a stubborn streak, he refuses to fully give in, it usually takes him a minute before he starts submitting again, gives back up to Marcus.

"No." Alonzo says boldly, eyes staring up at the ceiling. He shoots Marcus a glare before flinching back, taking a shaky breath. Zo was stubborn, whenever he's away from Marcus he starts getting defiant again. "I don't need to apologize for anything." Alonzo has also shown he has an incredibly high IQ. He bites his lip, terrified about what's going to happen.

Marcus's expression doesn't change. He raises one hand a slaps Alonzo hard enough to leave a red mark that would later fade into a bruise. He claps his hands behind his back again.

"Apologize."

Alonzo cries out and presses a hand to his face, tears pricking at his eyes. "Sorry." He mumbles under his breath, eyes locked on the ground, his wraps his arms around himself, trying to not to make eye contact. Alonzo whines and shakes his head, a few tears dripping down his face.

"There, see. It isn't hard." Marcus crouches down, taking Alonzo's jaw in his hand and turning the boy's face up toward himself. "Everytime you fight, you only hurt yourself. If you are obedient, you don't have to be in pain. Do you understand?"

Alonzo grimaces when Marcus turns him. He stares at him with wide terrified eyes, his arms wrap around himself, legs crossing as he tries to hide and protect his body. "But then you keep me forever." He whispers shakily, his voice a whisper. Without thinking he shifts and bites down on Marcus hand hard, trying to make him let go.

Instead of trying to pull his hand back, Marcus shoves it forward, pushing it against Alonzo's cheeks and making him gag. Yanking back, he uses his other hand to grab the boy's hair at the base of his skull. Yanking his head back, Marcus places one something cold and metal against his exposed throat.

"Oh. Naughty. Apologize." He gives him a pressed smile. "Then we can answer your question."

Alonzo gasps and coughs, tears gathering in his eyes and quickly falling, wincing at the pull at his hair. In a panic he raises his hand to his throat, uselessly grabbing at the metal. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry-" He sobs and tries to pull away from Marcus, once more hugging himself to shield his body. "Please..." He chokes out, swallowing thickly, hating the feeling of metal against his throat.

Marcus pulls back the knife, he'd been pressing the back of it but the teen didn't know that, and tucks it back into it's sheath. "Are you trying to hide yourself from me?" He moves the hand that had been holding the knife, and grabs Alonzo by the shirt, jerking him closer. "You belong to me now. Remember that."

Alonzo's eyes widen as he sees the knife, a choked panicked noise falling from him. He gasps and grabs at Marcus' hand. "No-" He sobs, legs scrambling out to try to push away, his free arm still trying to cover himself. "No..." He whispers brokenly, staring up at Marcus with wide tear filled eyes. Alonzo coughs and winces, just wanting to get away, but he doesn't think he can- "Don't touch me-"

Marcus smirks. Now that was an interesting reaction. He let's go of the boy's hair and drops the hand to his waist, sliding his hand under Alonzo's shirt and pulling him close, his callused hand pushing into the small of their back. "Beg. Beg me not to."

Alonzo lets out a full on shriek when Marcus touches him, absolutely hating the feeling. "Stop!" He sobs harshly and shoves at Marcus. He spits and hits at him, eyes frantic. "Please don't- don't touch me!" Alonzo's usually quiet voice has risen to a panic high pitched tone. He wants Marcus' hands off him! "Please let go!"

Marcus laughs and drops the teen. "Awe, are you scared? Is it not your first time?" He pulls back a foot and kicks Alonzo again, shoving him to the floor once more. "You struggle too much. We'll have to fix that."

Alonzo gasps in pain then whimpers and curls up into a ball, sobbing quietly, his arms wrap around his abdomen, eyes stuck on the floor, refusing to look at Marcus. "I'll stop, please... I'll stop-" He begs quietly, curling into himself even more, hair falling into his face.

OPEN STARTER - WHAT HAPPENED NEXT

This makes more sense following being taken back to Hydra by this starter but you are welcome to skip that and jump right in here.

He could have done this the easy way. Whiped them. Left the scientists to break his newest pet. Marcus prefered to do it himself. To watch as their confidence crumbled, as they begged him to stop before changing their tune and begged him to give them attention; To praise them.

This wasn't his first time either, so he took all the needed steps. Starved them, withheld water and sleep until they were shaking, and of course, locked them in a shock collar set to just the right voltage to knock them off their feet without killing them. He had them dragged into a large open gym and forced onto their knees before him.

He looks down at them, his expression unreadable.

"Let's hear you appologize."

Alonzo looks up shakily, bruised and bloody. He doesn't say a word and looks back down, still having a stubborn streak, he refuses to fully give in, it usually takes him a minute before he starts submitting again, gives back up to Marcus.

"No." Alonzo says boldly, eyes staring up at the ceiling. He shoots Marcus a glare before flinching back, taking a shaky breath. Zo was stubborn, whenever he's away from Marcus he starts getting defiant again. "I don't need to apologize for anything." Alonzo has also shown he has an incredibly high IQ. He bites his lip, terrified about what's going to happen.

Marcus's expression doesn't change. He raises one hand a slaps Alonzo hard enough to leave a red mark that would later fade into a bruise. He claps his hands behind his back again.

"Apologize."

Alonzo cries out and presses a hand to his face, tears pricking at his eyes. "Sorry." He mumbles under his breath, eyes locked on the ground, his wraps his arms around himself, trying to not to make eye contact. Alonzo whines and shakes his head, a few tears dripping down his face.

"There, see. It isn't hard." Marcus crouches down, taking Alonzo's jaw in his hand and turning the boy's face up toward himself. "Everytime you fight, you only hurt yourself. If you are obedient, you don't have to be in pain. Do you understand?"

Alonzo grimaces when Marcus turns him. He stares at him with wide terrified eyes, his arms wrap around himself, legs crossing as he tries to hide and protect his body. "But then you keep me forever." He whispers shakily, his voice a whisper. Without thinking he shifts and bites down on Marcus hand hard, trying to make him let go.

Instead of trying to pull his hand back, Marcus shoves it forward, pushing it against Alonzo's cheeks and making him gag. Yanking back, he uses his other hand to grab the boy's hair at the base of his skull. Yanking his head back, Marcus places one something cold and metal against his exposed throat.

"Oh. Naughty. Apologize." He gives him a pressed smile. "Then we can answer your question."

Alonzo gasps and coughs, tears gathering in his eyes and quickly falling, wincing at the pull at his hair. In a panic he raises his hand to his throat, uselessly grabbing at the metal. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry-" He sobs and tries to pull away from Marcus, once more hugging himself to shield his body. "Please..." He chokes out, swallowing thickly, hating the feeling of metal against his throat.

Marcus pulls back the knife, he'd been pressing the back of it but the teen didn't know that, and tucks it back into it's sheath. "Are you trying to hide yourself from me?" He moves the hand that had been holding the knife, and grabs Alonzo by the shirt, jerking him closer. "You belong to me now. Remember that."

Alonzo's eyes widen as he sees the knife, a choked panicked noise falling from him. He gasps and grabs at Marcus' hand. "No-" He sobs, legs scrambling out to try to push away, his free arm still trying to cover himself. "No..." He whispers brokenly, staring up at Marcus with wide tear filled eyes. Alonzo coughs and winces, just wanting to get away, but he doesn't think he can- "Don't touch me-"

Marcus smirks. Now that was an interesting reaction. He let's go of the boy's hair and drops the hand to his waist, sliding his hand under Alonzo's shirt and pulling him close, his callused hand pushing into the small of their back. "Beg. Beg me not to."

Alonzo lets out a full on shriek when Marcus touches him, absolutely hating the feeling. "Stop!" He sobs harshly and shoves at Marcus. He spits and hits at him, eyes frantic. "Please don't- don't touch me!" Alonzo's usually quiet voice has risen to a panic high pitched tone. He wants Marcus' hands off him! "Please let go!"

OPEN STARTER - WHAT HAPPENED NEXT

This makes more sense following being taken back to Hydra by this starter but you are welcome to skip that and jump right in here.

He could have done this the easy way. Whiped them. Left the scientists to break his newest pet. Marcus prefered to do it himself. To watch as their confidence crumbled, as they begged him to stop before changing their tune and begged him to give them attention; To praise them.

This wasn't his first time either, so he took all the needed steps. Starved them, withheld water and sleep until they were shaking, and of course, locked them in a shock collar set to just the right voltage to knock them off their feet without killing them. He had them dragged into a large open gym and forced onto their knees before him.

He looks down at them, his expression unreadable.

"Let's hear you appologize."

Alonzo looks up shakily, bruised and bloody. He doesn't say a word and looks back down, still having a stubborn streak, he refuses to fully give in, it usually takes him a minute before he starts submitting again, gives back up to Marcus.

"No." Alonzo says boldly, eyes staring up at the ceiling. He shoots Marcus a glare before flinching back, taking a shaky breath. Zo was stubborn, whenever he's away from Marcus he starts getting defiant again. "I don't need to apologize for anything." Alonzo has also shown he has an incredibly high IQ. He bites his lip, terrified about what's going to happen.

Marcus's expression doesn't change. He raises one hand a slaps Alonzo hard enough to leave a red mark that would later fade into a bruise. He claps his hands behind his back again.

"Apologize."

Alonzo cries out and presses a hand to his face, tears pricking at his eyes. "Sorry." He mumbles under his breath, eyes locked on the ground, his wraps his arms around himself, trying to not to make eye contact. Alonzo whines and shakes his head, a few tears dripping down his face.

"There, see. It isn't hard." Marcus crouches down, taking Alonzo's jaw in his hand and turning the boy's face up toward himself. "Everytime you fight, you only hurt yourself. If you are obedient, you don't have to be in pain. Do you understand?"

Alonzo grimaces when Marcus turns him. He stares at him with wide terrified eyes, his arms wrap around himself, legs crossing as he tries to hide and protect his body. "But then you keep me forever." He whispers shakily, his voice a whisper. Without thinking he shifts and bites down on Marcus hand hard, trying to make him let go.

Instead of trying to pull his hand back, Marcus shoves it forward, pushing it against Alonzo's cheeks and making him gag. Yanking back, he uses his other hand to grab the boy's hair at the base of his skull. Yanking his head back, Marcus places one something cold and metal against his exposed throat.

"Oh. Naughty. Apologize." He gives him a pressed smile. "Then we can answer your question."

Alonzo gasps and coughs, tears gathering in his eyes and quickly falling, wincing at the pull at his hair. In a panic he raises his hand to his throat, uselessly grabbing at the metal. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry-" He sobs and tries to pull away from Marcus, once more hugging himself to shield his body. "Please..." He chokes out, swallowing thickly, hating the feeling of metal against his throat.

Marcus pulls back the knife, he'd been pressing the back of it but the teen didn't know that, and tucks it back into it's sheath. "Are you trying to hide yourself from me?" He moves the hand that had been holding the knife, and grabs Alonzo by the shirt, jerking him closer. "You belong to me now. Remember that."

Alonzo's eyes widen as he sees the knife, a choked panicked noise falling from him. He gasps and grabs at Marcus' hand. "No-" He sobs, legs scrambling out to try to push away, his free arm still trying to cover himself. "No..." He whispers brokenly, staring up at Marcus with wide tear filled eyes. Alonzo coughs and winces, just wanting to get away, but he doesn't think he can- "Don't touch me-"

OPEN STARTER - WHAT HAPPENED NEXT

This makes more sense following being taken back to Hydra by this starter but you are welcome to skip that and jump right in here.

He could have done this the easy way. Whiped them. Left the scientists to break his newest pet. Marcus prefered to do it himself. To watch as their confidence crumbled, as they begged him to stop before changing their tune and begged him to give them attention; To praise them.

This wasn't his first time either, so he took all the needed steps. Starved them, withheld water and sleep until they were shaking, and of course, locked them in a shock collar set to just the right voltage to knock them off their feet without killing them. He had them dragged into a large open gym and forced onto their knees before him.

He looks down at them, his expression unreadable.

"Let's hear you appologize."

Alonzo looks up shakily, bruised and bloody. He doesn't say a word and looks back down, still having a stubborn streak, he refuses to fully give in, it usually takes him a minute before he starts submitting again, gives back up to Marcus.

"No." Alonzo says boldly, eyes staring up at the ceiling. He shoots Marcus a glare before flinching back, taking a shaky breath. Zo was stubborn, whenever he's away from Marcus he starts getting defiant again. "I don't need to apologize for anything." Alonzo has also shown he has an incredibly high IQ. He bites his lip, terrified about what's going to happen.

Marcus's expression doesn't change. He raises one hand a slaps Alonzo hard enough to leave a red mark that would later fade into a bruise. He claps his hands behind his back again.

"Apologize."

Alonzo cries out and presses a hand to his face, tears pricking at his eyes. "Sorry." He mumbles under his breath, eyes locked on the ground, his wraps his arms around himself, trying to not to make eye contact. Alonzo whines and shakes his head, a few tears dripping down his face.

"There, see. It isn't hard." Marcus crouches down, taking Alonzo's jaw in his hand and turning the boy's face up toward himself. "Everytime you fight, you only hurt yourself. If you are obedient, you don't have to be in pain. Do you understand?"

Alonzo grimaces when Marcus turns him. He stares at him with wide terrified eyes, his arms wrap around himself, legs crossing as he tries to hide and protect his body. "But then you keep me forever." He whispers shakily, his voice a whisper. Without thinking he shifts and bites down on Marcus hand hard, trying to make him let go.

Instead of trying to pull his hand back, Marcus shoves it forward, pushing it against Alonzo's cheeks and making him gag. Yanking back, he uses his other hand to grab the boy's hair at the base of his skull. Yanking his head back, Marcus places one something cold and metal against his exposed throat.

"Oh. Naughty. Apologize." He gives him a pressed smile. "Then we can answer your question."

Alonzo gasps and coughs, tears gathering in his eyes and quickly falling, wincing at the pull at his hair. In a panic he raises his hand to his throat, uselessly grabbing at the metal. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry-" He sobs and tries to pull away from Marcus, once more hugging himself to shield his body. "Please..." He chokes out, swallowing thickly, hating the feeling of metal against his throat.

OPEN STARTER - WHAT HAPPENED NEXT

This makes more sense following being taken back to Hydra by this starter but you are welcome to skip that and jump right in here.

He could have done this the easy way. Whiped them. Left the scientists to break his newest pet. Marcus prefered to do it himself. To watch as their confidence crumbled, as they begged him to stop before changing their tune and begged him to give them attention; To praise them.

This wasn't his first time either, so he took all the needed steps. Starved them, withheld water and sleep until they were shaking, and of course, locked them in a shock collar set to just the right voltage to knock them off their feet without killing them. He had them dragged into a large open gym and forced onto their knees before him.

He looks down at them, his expression unreadable.

"Let's hear you appologize."

Alonzo looks up shakily, bruised and bloody. He doesn't say a word and looks back down, still having a stubborn streak, he refuses to fully give in, it usually takes him a minute before he starts submitting again, gives back up to Marcus.

"No." Alonzo says boldly, eyes staring up at the ceiling. He shoots Marcus a glare before flinching back, taking a shaky breath. Zo was stubborn, whenever he's away from Marcus he starts getting defiant again. "I don't need to apologize for anything." Alonzo has also shown he has an incredibly high IQ. He bites his lip, terrified about what's going to happen.

Marcus's expression doesn't change. He raises one hand a slaps Alonzo hard enough to leave a red mark that would later fade into a bruise. He claps his hands behind his back again.

"Apologize."

Alonzo cries out and presses a hand to his face, tears pricking at his eyes. "Sorry." He mumbles under his breath, eyes locked on the ground, his wraps his arms around himself, trying to not to make eye contact. Alonzo whines and shakes his head, a few tears dripping down his face.

"There, see. It isn't hard." Marcus crouches down, taking Alonzo's jaw in his hand and turning the boy's face up toward himself. "Everytime you fight, you only hurt yourself. If you are obedient, you don't have to be in pain. Do you understand?"

Alonzo grimaces when Marcus turns him. He stares at him with wide terrified eyes, his arms wrap around himself, legs crossing as he tries to hide and protect his body. "But then you keep me forever." He whispers shakily, his voice a whisper. Without thinking he shifts and bites down on Marcus hand hard, trying to make him let go.

Open roleplay

Alonzo quietly plays the piano in a old bookstore, fingers easily gliding over the keys, enjoying the quiet and peace of the store. He sings softly along to it, not even noticing someone enter the shop.

"Lavender's blue, dilly, dilly, lavender's green, When I am king, dilly, dilly, you shall be queen. Who told you so, dilly, dilly, who told you so? 'Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly, that told me so." Alonzo sings quietly, voice soft as it floats around the store. His eyes slip closed as he stops singing, just playing the piano, letting the music fill the air.

Alonzo perks up at that, excitement flashing in his eyes. "Yeah? Maybe I'll try... the Clergy at the cathedral didn't mind my tinkering, but the drew the line at making a full suit." He laughs very softly before his eyes flick to the sandwich, filling with dread for a second.

"Well, now you work here," Tony tells him with a grin, finishing the sandwich and cutting it into four triangles. "And you can do whatever you want. Within reason." He slides the plate to Zo.

Zo smiles softly. "Thank you..." He stiffens up when Tony slides the plate over, tears instantly filling his eyes, he picks up one triangle and stares at it, turning it over in his hand.

Tony watches him for a moment, then cuts his own sandwich into pieces. "You know," he comments, tone carefully light. "I find the smaller you make the pieces the easier it is to eat em when you don't want to."

Zo looks up and watches carefully, tilting his head slightly like he's calculating what Tony said. "You too...?" He blinks and looks down at the food, taking an incredibly small bite, breathing becoming strained for a moment. He sets it back down and flexes his hands out, taking a deep shaky breath.

Tony nods a little, he's still not used to talking about this but he thinks it'll help Alonzo, so he does. "Sometimes," he concedes. "It worries my husband, some I'm working on it."

Alonzo pushes his food around on his plate, listening quietly, trying to hide the surprise he feels at finding that out. "Oh..." He blinks and looks down at his food. "You understand..." He very slowly takes another bite, forcing himself to swallow the food. "May I have water?"

Tony nods, taking a bite of his own sandwich like that'll make it easier for Alonzo. "I do," he tells him. "It's hard." Then, he nods and grabs a glass, filling it and handing it to him. "Help yourself to anything in this kitchen, all SI employees can access it."

"Thank you." Zo takes the water and sips it carefully, eyeing his food. He slowly takes a small bite, scrunching his nose up slightly. "Do you calculate your food...?" He looks up shakily, taking a large gulp of water.

"Anytime." He considers his own sandwich. He's not that hungry, but he eats it anyway. At the question, he pauses. "Not so much anymore, no. But there was a time."

Zo watches Tony eat, taking a bite after him. "Really?" He blinks and slowly sips his water, tucking his knees to his chest again, one triangle of the sandwich eaten. "Being alone all the time made me start calculating everything, I needed a distraction and that... that worked." His voice has dropped down to a whisper.

Tony doesn't comment on his eating, but he notes that a quarter is gone and he smiles internally, that's something at least. "Yeah, really," he reassures Zo gently. returning to his own sandwich. "It's easy," he tells him, "Easy habit to get into."

Zo reaches out and pushes the rest of his food around, his eyes flick to Tony continuing eating, he slowly picks up another peice and takes a bite. "It is... easy to get into, hard to break." He sets the sandwich down and watches Tony carefully, feeling a little nauseous.

Open roleplay

Alonzo quietly plays the piano in a old bookstore, fingers easily gliding over the keys, enjoying the quiet and peace of the store. He sings softly along to it, not even noticing someone enter the shop.

"Lavender's blue, dilly, dilly, lavender's green, When I am king, dilly, dilly, you shall be queen. Who told you so, dilly, dilly, who told you so? 'Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly, that told me so." Alonzo sings quietly, voice soft as it floats around the store. His eyes slip closed as he stops singing, just playing the piano, letting the music fill the air.

Alonzo perks up at that, excitement flashing in his eyes. "Yeah? Maybe I'll try... the Clergy at the cathedral didn't mind my tinkering, but the drew the line at making a full suit." He laughs very softly before his eyes flick to the sandwich, filling with dread for a second.

"Well, now you work here," Tony tells him with a grin, finishing the sandwich and cutting it into four triangles. "And you can do whatever you want. Within reason." He slides the plate to Zo.

Zo smiles softly. "Thank you..." He stiffens up when Tony slides the plate over, tears instantly filling his eyes, he picks up one triangle and stares at it, turning it over in his hand.

Tony watches him for a moment, then cuts his own sandwich into pieces. "You know," he comments, tone carefully light. "I find the smaller you make the pieces the easier it is to eat em when you don't want to."

Zo looks up and watches carefully, tilting his head slightly like he's calculating what Tony said. "You too...?" He blinks and looks down at the food, taking an incredibly small bite, breathing becoming strained for a moment. He sets it back down and flexes his hands out, taking a deep shaky breath.

Tony nods a little, he's still not used to talking about this but he thinks it'll help Alonzo, so he does. "Sometimes," he concedes. "It worries my husband, some I'm working on it."

Alonzo pushes his food around on his plate, listening quietly, trying to hide the surprise he feels at finding that out. "Oh..." He blinks and looks down at his food. "You understand..." He very slowly takes another bite, forcing himself to swallow the food. "May I have water?"

Tony nods, taking a bite of his own sandwich like that'll make it easier for Alonzo. "I do," he tells him. "It's hard." Then, he nods and grabs a glass, filling it and handing it to him. "Help yourself to anything in this kitchen, all SI employees can access it."

"Thank you." Zo takes the water and sips it carefully, eyeing his food. He slowly takes a small bite, scrunching his nose up slightly. "Do you calculate your food...?" He looks up shakily, taking a large gulp of water.

"Anytime." He considers his own sandwich. He's not that hungry, but he eats it anyway. At the question, he pauses. "Not so much anymore, no. But there was a time."

Zo watches Tony eat, taking a bite after him. "Really?" He blinks and slowly sips his water, tucking his knees to his chest again, one triangle of the sandwich eaten. "Being alone all the time made me start calculating everything, I needed a distraction and that... that worked." His voice has dropped down to a whisper.

Open roleplay

Alonzo quietly plays the piano in a old bookstore, fingers easily gliding over the keys, enjoying the quiet and peace of the store. He sings softly along to it, not even noticing someone enter the shop.

"Lavender's blue, dilly, dilly, lavender's green, When I am king, dilly, dilly, you shall be queen. Who told you so, dilly, dilly, who told you so? 'Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly, that told me so." Alonzo sings quietly, voice soft as it floats around the store. His eyes slip closed as he stops singing, just playing the piano, letting the music fill the air.

Alonzo perks up at that, excitement flashing in his eyes. "Yeah? Maybe I'll try... the Clergy at the cathedral didn't mind my tinkering, but the drew the line at making a full suit." He laughs very softly before his eyes flick to the sandwich, filling with dread for a second.

"Well, now you work here," Tony tells him with a grin, finishing the sandwich and cutting it into four triangles. "And you can do whatever you want. Within reason." He slides the plate to Zo.

Zo smiles softly. "Thank you..." He stiffens up when Tony slides the plate over, tears instantly filling his eyes, he picks up one triangle and stares at it, turning it over in his hand.

Tony watches him for a moment, then cuts his own sandwich into pieces. "You know," he comments, tone carefully light. "I find the smaller you make the pieces the easier it is to eat em when you don't want to."

Zo looks up and watches carefully, tilting his head slightly like he's calculating what Tony said. "You too...?" He blinks and looks down at the food, taking an incredibly small bite, breathing becoming strained for a moment. He sets it back down and flexes his hands out, taking a deep shaky breath.

Tony nods a little, he's still not used to talking about this but he thinks it'll help Alonzo, so he does. "Sometimes," he concedes. "It worries my husband, some I'm working on it."

Alonzo pushes his food around on his plate, listening quietly, trying to hide the surprise he feels at finding that out. "Oh..." He blinks and looks down at his food. "You understand..." He very slowly takes another bite, forcing himself to swallow the food. "May I have water?"

Tony nods, taking a bite of his own sandwich like that'll make it easier for Alonzo. "I do," he tells him. "It's hard." Then, he nods and grabs a glass, filling it and handing it to him. "Help yourself to anything in this kitchen, all SI employees can access it."

"Thank you." Zo takes the water and sips it carefully, eyeing his food. He slowly takes a small bite, scrunching his nose up slightly. "Do you calculate your food...?" He looks up shakily, taking a large gulp of water.

Open roleplay

Alonzo quietly plays the piano in a old bookstore, fingers easily gliding over the keys, enjoying the quiet and peace of the store. He sings softly along to it, not even noticing someone enter the shop.

"Lavender's blue, dilly, dilly, lavender's green, When I am king, dilly, dilly, you shall be queen. Who told you so, dilly, dilly, who told you so? 'Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly, that told me so." Alonzo sings quietly, voice soft as it floats around the store. His eyes slip closed as he stops singing, just playing the piano, letting the music fill the air.

Alonzo perks up at that, excitement flashing in his eyes. "Yeah? Maybe I'll try... the Clergy at the cathedral didn't mind my tinkering, but the drew the line at making a full suit." He laughs very softly before his eyes flick to the sandwich, filling with dread for a second.

"Well, now you work here," Tony tells him with a grin, finishing the sandwich and cutting it into four triangles. "And you can do whatever you want. Within reason." He slides the plate to Zo.

Zo smiles softly. "Thank you..." He stiffens up when Tony slides the plate over, tears instantly filling his eyes, he picks up one triangle and stares at it, turning it over in his hand.

Tony watches him for a moment, then cuts his own sandwich into pieces. "You know," he comments, tone carefully light. "I find the smaller you make the pieces the easier it is to eat em when you don't want to."

Zo looks up and watches carefully, tilting his head slightly like he's calculating what Tony said. "You too...?" He blinks and looks down at the food, taking an incredibly small bite, breathing becoming strained for a moment. He sets it back down and flexes his hands out, taking a deep shaky breath.

Tony nods a little, he's still not used to talking about this but he thinks it'll help Alonzo, so he does. "Sometimes," he concedes. "It worries my husband, some I'm working on it."

Alonzo pushes his food around on his plate, listening quietly, trying to hide the surprise he feels at finding that out. "Oh..." He blinks and looks down at his food. "You understand..." He very slowly takes another bite, forcing himself to swallow the food. "May I have water?"

Open roleplay

Alonzo quietly plays the piano in a old bookstore, fingers easily gliding over the keys, enjoying the quiet and peace of the store. He sings softly along to it, not even noticing someone enter the shop.

"Lavender's blue, dilly, dilly, lavender's green, When I am king, dilly, dilly, you shall be queen. Who told you so, dilly, dilly, who told you so? 'Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly, that told me so." Alonzo sings quietly, voice soft as it floats around the store. His eyes slip closed as he stops singing, just playing the piano, letting the music fill the air.

Alonzo perks up at that, excitement flashing in his eyes. "Yeah? Maybe I'll try... the Clergy at the cathedral didn't mind my tinkering, but the drew the line at making a full suit." He laughs very softly before his eyes flick to the sandwich, filling with dread for a second.

"Well, now you work here," Tony tells him with a grin, finishing the sandwich and cutting it into four triangles. "And you can do whatever you want. Within reason." He slides the plate to Zo.

Zo smiles softly. "Thank you..." He stiffens up when Tony slides the plate over, tears instantly filling his eyes, he picks up one triangle and stares at it, turning it over in his hand.

Tony watches him for a moment, then cuts his own sandwich into pieces. "You know," he comments, tone carefully light. "I find the smaller you make the pieces the easier it is to eat em when you don't want to."

Zo looks up and watches carefully, tilting his head slightly like he's calculating what Tony said. "You too...?" He blinks and looks down at the food, taking an incredibly small bite, breathing becoming strained for a moment. He sets it back down and flexes his hands out, taking a deep shaky breath.

Open roleplay

Alonzo quietly plays the piano in a old bookstore, fingers easily gliding over the keys, enjoying the quiet and peace of the store. He sings softly along to it, not even noticing someone enter the shop.

"Lavender's blue, dilly, dilly, lavender's green, When I am king, dilly, dilly, you shall be queen. Who told you so, dilly, dilly, who told you so? 'Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly, that told me so." Alonzo sings quietly, voice soft as it floats around the store. His eyes slip closed as he stops singing, just playing the piano, letting the music fill the air.

Alonzo perks up at that, excitement flashing in his eyes. "Yeah? Maybe I'll try... the Clergy at the cathedral didn't mind my tinkering, but the drew the line at making a full suit." He laughs very softly before his eyes flick to the sandwich, filling with dread for a second.

"Well, now you work here," Tony tells him with a grin, finishing the sandwich and cutting it into four triangles. "And you can do whatever you want. Within reason." He slides the plate to Zo.

Zo smiles softly. "Thank you..." He stiffens up when Tony slides the plate over, tears instantly filling his eyes, he picks up one triangle and stares at it, turning it over in his hand.

Tony watches him for a moment, then cuts his own sandwich into pieces. "You know," he comments, tone carefully light. "I find the smaller you make the pieces the easier it is to eat em when you don't want to."