Equius Zahhak at the Crocker Institute

rp blog for Equius Zahhak in the closed Crocker Institute rp group

[springsriceharvest]

"Ah no." She stepped in front of him, eyes widening at how tall he was compared to her. Steeling her resolve, she gently took the egg carton into her hands and placed it in her cart.

"Since I was the one who wasn’t paying attention, I’ll pay for the mess." She pursed her lips as she noticed the mess in her hand and looked about. There was a price scanner nearby, and atop it a station where she figured the clerks kept all the cleaning supplies. But she was too small. Curse her tiny stature!

"Uhm, I don’t suppose you could help me reach the paper towels? I’m afraid I’m too short to reach that." She asked him, tilting her body slightly in what seems like a curtsy.

[horsesandrobots]

Wordlessly, Equius utilized his large body to gather the paper towels and spray from the cleaning supplies station and knelt again to the spilled eggs on the floor, cleaning it quickly and efficiently. Seeing that she had put the carton in her cart, Equius insisted that he take them.

"I will pay for those." He said with a nod towards the cart. "They are mine."

[springsriceharvest]

'It's a piece of cake to bake a pretty cake~' She sung in her mind as she looked at all the Betty Crocker cake mix lining the aisle. Glancing down at the cart, she debated on getting the famous mix or working on her own recipies. Shrugging, she tossed in one of the cream cheese frosting cans and continued on her way, her mind switching to Imagine Dragons.

She wasn’t paying attention and as such hit someone as she turned the corner.

"Oof!" She gasped and pulled her cart back, worried about hurting the other person. "I’m so sorry! Are you okay?"

[horsesandrobots]

Equius quickly stepped back as his grocery basket was knocked out of his hands and onto the floor. He was slightly irked as he knelt down to pick up the various food stuffs that he had been purchasing; eggs, muscle milk, his guilty pleasure of Sunkist Fruit Gummies, and a few other items. Rising back up, he acknowledged the girl who had hit him in the first place, easily accepting her apology. 

"It's fine." He said in a strong, short voice. He picked up the carton of eggs, yolks starting to drip out. "I suppose I will have to pay for these. Be more careful next time." His tone was commanding, but not angry. He was not too upset about the eggs.

[horsesandrobots]

Dead Red Roses | Closed Thread (iamthetruedarklord)

Equius was glad he had gotten his job back after being absent for so long. The manager was very understanding, even offered to let him have more time off, but Equius refused. The shop had an odd calming feeling to him, and the work, although sometimes menial, helped him keep his mind clear.

That day he had been the only employee in the front of the shop, his partner having gone in the back to restock and take inventory. It was a very slow day, though most days were in a small floral shop, and Equius was enjoying a small bouquet that he had arranged earlier that day, and slightly moved one flower here, another there, though always being careful to avoid damaging the flowers. He was able to be surprisingly gentle when he wished to be.

He had been so entranced that he was caught completely by surprised when the bell rang, signifying somebody had walked in through the front door. Quickly straightening up, he greeted the customer.

"Hello, good afternoon. May I help you?"

[horsesandrobots]

Back to School | Character Development / Open Thread

Equius pulled his duffel bag out from the trunk of the cab and lifted it effortlessly over his shoulder, and gave the driver a generous tip. He watched as the yellow car drove off and down the road, eventually turning out of sight, wishing that he had gotten back in and requested a ride back to the airport. The entire trip over he had felt guilty for leaving his sick father, but the importance of his education had been stressed to him, and Equius begrudgingly agreed to return. 

Now, he found himself again wandering the campus he had briefly called home prior to his father's diagnosis, regarding briefly several places he recognized or had spent any significant amount of time at. He felt a sort of empty nostalgia, feeling as though his father's cancer was also eating at his body as well. He was very tired.

He looked out upon the sea of students that were gathering. It must be lunchtime, Equius thought as the buildings emptied. He hoped to get his mind back into the game, and wished to get his mind off of his father's illness for the first time since he left. Despite his better judgement, he went up to the first person that he vaguely recognized, hoping it was an old acquaintance or friend.

"Hello." He said in a strong, clear voice. "I have returned." 

[horsesandrobots]

Like a Horse in a Flower Shop | Open Thread

[thesecretmagician-deactivated20]

Cronus was at his last wit trying to get ready for a date with Meehna that wasn’t wholly spontaneous, and it showed. He had been absolutely frazzled for the week leading up to the Christmas dance and everyone else suffered for it. He was… nippy, to say the very least. Large coffee in one hand and a wad of miscellaneous bills in the other, he leaned onto the vacated front desk. “Oi, gimme whatever fucking corsage you got with pink flowers a’ some sort. Wait… Ain’t you the idiot from English class?” He squinted at the kid, he didn’t exactly have 20/20 vision without his glasses, but they were thick as old coca cola bottles and really cramped his style, ‘yunno?

[horsesandrobots]

Equius quickly picked up the broken pieces of pottery, scowling all the while. He had been so sure that he had gotten this kid off his back after that incident with the English class, but here he was again. However, he was determined to be professional in his new job. "Are there any specific pink corsages that you like?" He asked in a monotone voice. Being professional was different than being kind.

[horsesandrobots]

Like a Horse in a Flower Shop | Open Thread

Equius stood alone in the floral shop, the smells of the bouquets surrounding him. He thought that it was a relaxing scent and mindset as he swept the floor, sweeping little flower petals into small piles and scooping them up with the dustpan. He tossed them out in the trashcan behind the counter and wiped his hands off on his work apron. 

He had been working at the floral shop for almost three weeks now, and it seemed to him that he was sweeping a lot. Dirt, flower petals, pieces of pottery, all were strewn across the floor all the time, and as a helpful employee Equius was required to constantly ensure that the shop looked nice. It was annoying, but he still enjoyed his work. It was a quaint little corner store and it smelled nice, and the pay was alright. He didn’t have much to complain about. 

He leaned over the counter, looking at the various floral arrangements around the room. The store was empty, the other student employee having left for lunch about half an hour ago. She might be back soon, he thought to himself as his shoulder slipped on the freshly cleaned counter, knocking over a small clay pot and causing it to fall to the floor. He looked over the edge of the counter to see a mess of porcelain and let out a deep sigh, grabbing the broom and dustpan again.

As he bent over to begin to clean up the mess, the door rang, meaning a somebody had come in. “Hello.” He said, not really looking up. “I’ll be with you in a moment.”

[catniparsenic-deactivated201312]

The colors were overwhelming in the most wonderful way. It had been a whim to jump in the shop, a bit bouncy off at the end of her coffee shift. Usually others would be tired after three hours of sweeping and cleaning and scrubbing, but considering the free coffee, Nepeta usually had the opposite problem. It took her a second to register the words.

"No purroblem," she said, turning around. When she saw the large man clumsily trying to pick up the pieces of porcelain. He seemed to be mostly breaking them into smaller pieces.

"Silly," she chastised, leaning down besides him. "You should be wearing gloves! And you don’t do it like that." She handed him the dustpan brush to scoop up the dirt and stood up to look for gloves.

[horsesandrobots]

"Oh." Equius said, taking the dustpan brush. "Thank you." He quickly cleaned up the mess, throwing away the pieces of pot in the trash can. "Thank you." He said again, this time from behind the counter. "Tell me if there is a way I can help." 

[horsesandrobots]

A Zahhak Christmas | closed starter (impeccable-fabricator)

[impeccable-fabricator-blog]

Horuss had been wearing his pajama’s. Considering it was decently early still and he had woken up not too long ago. He happened to be in the middle of eating a bowl of oats. He turned to his younger sibling, swallowing his  last bit of food before giving him a response. 

"Oh, oneigh. If you insist." He smiled at his brother. Holding out a hand to open the gift his brother had given him. Sure it was a little early, but he wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to open up a present! 

[horsesandrobots]

Equius froze as his brother opened the present. Before, he had been so sure that his brother would love it, but now he wasn't so sure. Does his brother even wears sweaters? He couldn't recall. He decided that the gift had been terrible after all and he dreaded watching Horuss open it, though it never showed on his face.

[horsesandrobots]

Like a Horse in a Flower Shop | Open Thread

Equius stood alone in the floral shop, the smells of the bouquets surrounding him. He thought that it was a relaxing scent and mindset as he swept the floor, sweeping little flower petals into small piles and scooping them up with the dustpan. He tossed them out in the trashcan behind the counter and wiped his hands off on his work apron. 

He had been working at the floral shop for almost three weeks now, and it seemed to him that he was sweeping a lot. Dirt, flower petals, pieces of pottery, all were strewn across the floor all the time, and as a helpful employee Equius was required to constantly ensure that the shop looked nice. It was annoying, but he still enjoyed his work. It was a quaint little corner store and it smelled nice, and the pay was alright. He didn't have much to complain about. 

He leaned over the counter, looking at the various floral arrangements around the room. The store was empty, the other student employee having left for lunch about half an hour ago. She might be back soon, he thought to himself as his shoulder slipped on the freshly cleaned counter, knocking over a small clay pot and causing it to fall to the floor. He looked over the edge of the counter to see a mess of porcelain and let out a deep sigh, grabbing the broom and dustpan again.

As he bent over to begin to clean up the mess, the door rang, meaning a somebody had come in. "Hello." He said, not really looking up. "I'll be with you in a moment."

[horsesandrobots]

A Zahhak Christmas | closed starter (impeccable-fabricator)

He slowly crept down the stairs, the sun not yet over the horizon, and basked in the lights of the Christmas tree. He knew that he would not be opening gifts until later that day, but his childish mind couldn't help but to come and take a look. With no lights but from the tree, the room was darker and cast many shadows, but Equius wasn't afraid of the dark. He looked at the pile of gifts under the tree, and heard horses from outside as they turned and snorted in their sleep. Looking back, he always thought that if there was a true definition of what Christmas felt like, he would say it was that. The lights on the tree, the smell of the farm, the candles lit around the house, and four stockings over the tree, one of which had been empty for every Christmas he had ever known.

Now that he was older and more intelligent, he knew what it meant. He would often find his father or brother giving sidelong glances, and for a moment losing their holiday smiles. Equius had never known his mother. She had died when he was born, and he never blamed himself but he felt guilty for his brother and father's sake. Today, the 25th of December, both he and Horuss were gone for the holidays, and he was glad to be back home after a long semester. Life had seemed to move on, with the three men of the house exchanging stories and horse jokes. 

They had sat down in the living room, with the tree set up as it had been every year, yet this Christmas felt different. Something was wrong, as though the years had effected his perception on things to the point as to change this special day with his family. Ignoring the feeling, Equius picked a bag from under the tree, being careful not to crush it. He caught his father taking a look at the stocking, but he was determined to pay no mind. 

 "This is for you, Horuss. Open it." Equius had searched for a gift he thought his brother would like, but he was hard pressed to find something. Equius never was a great gift giver, but he was certain that his brother would love the sweater with the horse depictions on it with a wonderful ironic appreciation.

[amythestsandoutlines-blog]

Open post {ish}!

[amythestsandoutlines-blog]

He scrunches his face up and shifts away from the table. “Fuck no, not after you tried to force me to eat some shitty granola bar.” He shifts his scarf on his shoulders and internally cringes at the mentioning of what was shoved into his mouth.

[horsesandrobots]

Equius did not respond. In fact, he was already walking away, making a path with his large build as he made his way out of the restaurant, leaving the pile of food in front of Eridan.

[amythestsandoutlines-blog]

Open post {ish}!

[amythestsandoutlines-blog]

He scrunches his nose up and spits the Clif bar out of his mouth once Equius lets go of his head, shivering a small bit and rubbing at his mouth with his sleeve. “First of all, ew-w. Second of all, w-what the fuck.” He swallows and shifts to push his coffee away, that shit is past room temperature by now and is cold, ewww.

[horsesandrobots]

Equius did not respond, instead opting to empty his bag of the other foods he had. Another Clif bar and two packs of mixed nuts were laid down in front or Eridan. Equius stood up, shouldering his bad. "You will eat, Eridan." 

[amythestsandoutlines-blog]

Open post {ish}!

[amythestsandoutlines-blog]

Eridan tries to keep his jaw closed, opting to scratch at the hand{s?} shoosh forcing his mouth to open with his filed nails. He hisses lightly and grunts, trying to get him to let let go, oh my god.

[horsesandrobots]

Equius finally stuck the bar in Eridan's mouth, no longer caring if Eridan ate it. The scene continued to grow as did the attention it caused. Several people had gotten out of their seats and looked to make their way over. Equius went back to his chair, leaving the Clif bar in his mouth. Looking over at the various patrons in the cafe, he held up his hands as though to show he had finished, all the while looking harshly at Eridan.

[amythestsandoutlines-blog]

Open post {ish}!

[amythestsandoutlines-blog]

He shifted to grab his wrist and maybe move his hand and the bar away from his face but oh yeah, this guy is freakishly strong. He groans lightly and shifts, trying to squirm out of his grip instead. God, they are causing such a fucking scene.

[horsesandrobots]

Equius' hands were quickly growing sweaty as he slowly forced open Eridan's mouth, the Clif bar ready to go in.

[amythestsandoutlines-blog]

Open post {ish}!

[amythestsandoutlines-blog]

He was pretty fucking sure he’d won until there was a Clif bar in his face {shit was half eaten, fucking disgusting} and a hand around the back of his head, making it impossible for him to actually move. Fuck. His eyes widen a bit and he purses his lips, trying to stay stubborn as all hell.

[horsesandrobots]

"Eridan, please." Equius grunted, aware of the scene they were causing. The embarrassment at the situation made him uneasy, and when he was uneasy, he began to sweat. Yet, he still held the Clif bar to Eridan's face, determined to have him eat it.

[amythestsandoutlines-blog]

Open post {ish}!

[amythestsandoutlines-blog]

He shakes his head and sighs lightly, scrunching his nose up a bit. “No, I’m not better for either a those thin’s. I’m simply statin’ I don’t to eat an’ don’t feel like I need to.” He curls his lip back and crosses his arms. “No." He is beyond negotiation at this point, internally insisting that he won’t eat for days at this rate.

[horsesandrobots]

Equius stared Eridan in the eyes, his blood growing hot. Why wouldn't he eat? He was running out of options. The kid in front of him was just that, a stubborn kid. Equius snapped, taking the opened Clif bar he had taken a bite of and bring it forward to Eridan's face, his other hand coming around to hold his head in place.

[amythestsandoutlines-blog]

Open post {ish}!

[amythestsandoutlines-blog]

"No, I quite like bein’ stubborn an’ not eatin’." He gives a smug expression and sips from his coffee, oh god he could do this all fucking day long.

[horsesandrobots]

"You are not better for not eating?" Equius looked across the table at Eridan accusingly. That smug look had gotten to him. He quickly snatched one of the Clif bars from the table and unwrapped it, taking a large bite. "Do you think you are better than me because I'm eating, Eridan?" He swallowed. "Or do you think you're better than me because I like horses and smell like them too?" Equius glared at Eridan across the table, his eyes dark shadows beneath his shades. "Eat." He was frustrated that Eridan could not see that he was only trying to help him.

[amythestsandoutlines-blog]

Open post {ish}!

[amythestsandoutlines-blog]

He pauses and sniffs at the air. “No.” He really should have clarified, that would have given Eridan a potential sobfest. But then again, who the fuck cries in public? Certainly not this Ampora, hell fucking no.

[horsesandrobots]

"Eridan, you're being a little bitch, eat the god damn food Eridan, you have to eat. Stop being stubborn." Equius ran his hand through his hair and stretched, getting himself comfortable in his seat. He could do this all day.