𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 . ／ 𝓮𝓪𝓼𝔂

𝖉𝖒𝖎𝖙𝖗𝖎 𝖎𝖘𝖆𝖐 𝖇𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖆𝖑𝖉, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘺𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘵, 𝔫𝔢𝔲𝔱𝔯𝔞𝔩 𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖑. ᴘᴇɴɴᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴋɪᴛ ғᴏʀ sᴏᴍɴɪᴀʜǫ.

[dmiitris]

                to say that they are out of their depths would be an understatement.   dmitri is starting to grow convinced that hira—    and possibly adriella,   one can never trust her—   laid some sort of curse upon marli.   a curse that would propel her into agreeing with every plan they make,   because there is no other reasonable way to explain why marli would willingly be walking into no man’s land.

well,    there is also no reasonable explanation about why dmitri is following...   but he knows,   at least more than anyone,   that his personal objectives often go beyond reason.

even more annoying was learning about marli and archer.   archer.   what could marli possibly see in a man like that,   besides poor style and heinous manners ?   dmitri saw the situation in the ballroom for what it was:    marli having some sort of feelings towards archer.

which is why dmitri decides that he better talk marli out of them before they have the proper opportunity to grow.   it’s clear that archer prefers someone else,   anyway.   he’ll be saving her from more heartache. 

   “   i will not judge you for how you feel,   ”    dmitri speaks up when both of them are far apart from the rest of the company to not be heard,   “  or who you feel towards.   i only wish to ask you to open your eyes,   ”   dmitri makes a point of looking at azrael,   who is walking further in front of them,    “   to avoid any more heartbreak like the kind you experienced back there.   ”   @marlixblacklore​

[dmiitris]

              it was all too easy to connect the dots.   the nature of mankind cannot hide away for too long,   and dmitri wonders if arkham’s valiant efforts to keep the company safe will outgrow the betrayal grayson must feel for nearly being killed because of the man.   

it’s all very dramatic,   and dmitri supposes that it helps both of them that he was the one in the room with them and lady dubois.   

maybe,   maybe not.

the safety of anything in dmitri’s hands is always uncertain.   dmitri knows that everyone is capable of truly ugly things.   he doesn’t hide from it.   he is acquainted with that darkness,   and pretending to be shocked by it like the rest of society is human hypocrisy at its best display. 

that darkness comes as much from within him as it was absorbed from outside sources when he was a child.   some would say he had no choice,   but dmitri knows that he has a choice now.   if he didn’t,   he’d still be frothing at the mouth for that kind of control.   

still,    “  are you going be brooding behind for the rest of the trip ?  ”   dmitri’s best trait is also his worst trait:   his opinion of arkham has barely changed,   so he’ll still find it within himself to provide some level of normalcy.   in dmitri’s case—   which is unfortunate for arkham—   all he knows is how to be a prick.    @arkhamryder​

[dmiitris]

             dmitri has made the conscious choice to not acknowledge the potential danger they’re marching into.   it’s very likely that he’ll wind up turning the other way and leaving if he gets too in his head about it,   so he has taken to walking the streets of river run’s colorful market.   it serves as a good distraction,   looking at what the merchants have to offer and wondering what exactly it is that he needs for the sort of trip they’re going on. 

weapons, special attire, food ?   dmitri supposes that they’re all necessary.   it’s his first time taking on this sort of...   venture.   he has operated within the walls of the capitol for his whole life.   a silver tongue and a calculating mind are the weapons he’s used to wielding,   but a rapier and rapier wit are not the same thing.    he trusts in his own abilities to survive against the odds,   though,   even when he doesn’t have much to count on out here.   it helps that his idea of counting on other people is using them,   because that’s what counting on someone truly is.   whether they trust him or not is a trivial detail,   as most people don’t.   

and dmitri has never been the kind to blame others for their mistrust.   he believes it’s the logical approach to any sort of relationship.   he doesn’t actively try to make himself appear as a suspicious figure,   but he's aware of the rumors that surround him in the capitol.   arkham,   then,   is a strange exception to the rest.   there doesn’t appear to be any judgment behind his eyes when he looks at dmitri.   there’s something else,   something that he can’t really pin down.   he can’t tell if it’s better or worse.  

“  a pair of daggers isn’t much in the face of a crazed bear,  ”   dmitri shrugs lifelessly,   holding the weapons he just purchased.   they’re in boxes,   which he’s quick to slip into his cloak.   “  i guessed that they’re better than nothing.  ”    @arkhamryder​

[dmiitris]

              perhaps it’s no surprise to anyone that dmitri is sitting at an inn table and pouring himself gin so early in the afternoon.   the business he meant to attend to in river run was taken care of before the bear attack,   and now that marli was swayed by the words of a drunken seaman,   dmitri finds himself in an odd position.   the truth is that he would’ve left for the capitol already if it wasn’t for the fact that marli was staying,   but it seems that the primary suspects in getting rid of the bear have all decided to investigate the river phenomenon.   dmitri is joining them,   which is perhaps the strangest part of it all. 

it’s not a plan without a trick,   of course,   but dmitri admits that this is going rather far in terms of what he’s regularly willing to do.   still,   he already promised what he promised.   after visiting the sprawling market of the town and spending coin on supplies,   all that’s left to do is have a drink and wait for departure.

the gin itself is bought locally,   and as dmitri pours himself another,   he spots a pair walking in.   if his memory serves him well,   the man’s name is grayson,   but he has no idea about the fox that follows him around.   maybe it’s what distracts him and causes him to knock his glass off the table when he reaches for it.   and maybe it’s because he’s a little drunk too,   but when it lands it nearly hits the two.   

dmitri is quick to lean over to retrieve it,   cursing under his breath.   “  my apologies,   it slipped my hand.  ”   @graysonlangley​

[somniahq]

STATS

name: dmitri isak balstad age: 39 gender: cis male pronouns: he/him fc: joel kinnaman availability: taken by kit

ABOUT

you grew up wearing the mask of a noble house that was not your own blood. a servant boy with little use compared to the androids working alongside you, your position was a favor to your deceased grandfather and little more. still, you kept your head down and dreamed only one climbing the ladder — and you did. at any and all costs, you clawed your way into a position of wealth and prosperity, but you want more.

you know the company is not overly fond of you, but you bring status and resources to the team that they desperately need. still, most of them are avoidant or even verging on hostile. you wonder how long it will take before you end up with a knife in your back — or worse, between your eyes.

PERSONALITY

[ + ] tenacious, resourceful, levelheaded 

[ - ] sniveling, cowardly, manipulative

CONNECTIONS

THE HEIRESS — your golden ticket. your families have been in business together for decades. they are teeming with life and riches beyond compare and you know if you can cozy up to them you’ll be set for life — or at least what little may be left of it. you try to squash the guilt that grows alongside your fondness for them.

THE FOOL — they are an unlikely ally in all of this. they keep to themselves but they’re one of the only members of the company that hasn’t thrown you any sideways glances or rolled eyes. you’re grateful for their friendship, even if it is out of pity.

THE DIPLOMAT — and old friend from a life long past, you see the way they turn their nose up at you and it infuriates you. their hypocrisy churns your gut. who are they to look down upon you when you know they’ve been playing the grand game just as much as anyone else? just because they’re afraid to get their hands dirty doesn’t mean they’re any better than you.