[suchsweetreverie]

How fascinating... Atlus || Desriat

[heliatlus-archive-blog-deactiva]

If Atlus knew just how acutely Desriat could sense the emotions floating in the air around him, he would be more than a little embarrassed— he’d spent the past five minutes writing about the “handsome stranger” sitting near him on the curb. But he felt a little more at ease, when his reply came. 

Oh, he’s friendly, too… and so polite… Atlus smiled softly, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. “It’s good to meet you, Desriat.” I’ve never heard a name like that, before… it’s so pretty. Everything about him is… it’s almost… ‘impossible’. It feels that way…

"H-Have you really?" Atlus laughed a little, looking the other way. He wants to talk to me? First? He felt a little flutter in his chest. Was he flattered? Maybe… “Well, ah… I’m sorry I didn’t speak up sooner, then… I don’t really do so well with that sort of thing.” Why did I just tell him that…? 

""I don’t think I’ve seen you around… did you just arrive here recently?" He knew all too well how much of a shock it was, to end up here in this city. He knew he had best be extra nice, offer him all the help he needed… "Oh, but… you’re, ah, welcome to sit here. If you’d like." Atlus cleared his throat a little, smiling sheepishly. I’m so rude, talking at him while he’s standing like that… 

[suchsweetreverie]

This young man was a golddmine!. Why, every movement of his was gorge with emotion, and Desriat barely had to lift a finger to provoke those sweet, succulent waves of energy. 

"But of course!" There was a slight ruffle of his sleeve as he lifted an arm to gesture about the area. "Would you think it not natural to be curious? Of all the wandering souls who've crossed my path, I've encountered only one.." The outstretched hand settled in the direction of the man that sat before him, "...with the decency of mind to keep logs of his time here." 

"I find that fascinating."

He gave the other a wide grin before lowering his hand with just a hint of practiced flourish. "And... yes. I have only just arrived." Desriat accepted the man's offer, finding a seat right next to him- far enough as to not cause much discomfort, but close enough to take a good look into Altus' eyes as he spoke. "So sudden, ah... But I suppose I do always welcome a change of pace." A pause, that warm smile ever present. "And yourself? It sounds as if you've been here some time?"

[gooseology]

"Hah, hardly. Though thank you for your genuine concern, really.” You could almost hear the man roll his eyes. As if the man was really invested in his well being after just meeting, he highly doubted it. Even if he was, Desriat had little business being so, and Jean was going to try and keep it that way.

"You are correct again. This ‘trip’ here, while unexpected, had little effect on any of my anxieties. It’s a mere bump in the road." Descole half lied, to both the newcomer and himself. Having his butler missing and no Targent to go after was disconcerting, but he stubbornly refused to sit and mope about it. He’d make his mark here while he could, roommate or not. Which, consequentially led to his next action.

Silently he removed the mask, with little fanfare. Honestly it was for the best that he got it over with and downplayed it as much as possible. So this man would see his face without the use of any disguise; it hardly mattered here if one person saw it regularly. There was no identity besides ‘Descole’ here, and therefore the mask was more for decorative and street purposes. He smirked, wondering if he’d caught the other off guard on how easily he let this ‘mystery’ slip.

"Welcome to the Waterfront, Desriat. As long as you follow those guidelines, we’ll get along fine."

[suchsweetreverie]

The remainder of his smirk broadened into a full, self-satisfied grin. Best for the man to be casual with him, no?  While it seemed the man showed little interest in letting down any sort of mental guard in the near future, they lived together, did they not?

"But of course, Master Descole!" A small bow, the curl of contained amusement lining his tone. He could feel it. The man was nearly giving him a challenge. Ah, and he loved it.

"I'm awfully certain we will~"

[suchsweetreverie]

How fascinating... Sean || Desriat

[heyjuddrefrain]

His lips parted as if to offer a rebuttal, but they pressed together as quickly as they had separated, as if his mouth were magnetized. The stranger’s lilting voice echoed of your typical seducer. “W-well, that’s…” Sean thought himself too callous to mesh well with such gentleness, no matter how practiced it may have been.

His eyes fluttered down to the man’s lap with all the grace of a white elephant. Gaze snapping up, he ran a supposedly flustered hand through his hair and forced out a laugh to ease whatever tension he may have caused. Or experienced.

The tone the man took pressed all of his shallow buttons and not in a good way; Sean retracted his outstretched arm and tucked both hands into his pockets where they would not fidget and flail. Though he appeared as embarrassed as ever, the gears in his head spun.

"I don’t have to know your name to know that you’re… quite handsome." It was a bold statement, one that would undoubtedly evoke more laughter. But that was the point. The more the man talked, the more Sean would learn.

[suchsweetreverie]

Ah, and so it began! While it was obvious that his response caught the large man off guard, it seemed to have also caused a visible ripple in the energies that surrounded him, and Desriat watched those tasty little wisps swirl about his head. Oh how tempting they were! But no no... now was not the time to be snacking. Besides, talking with one's mouth full was terribly discourteous.

"Flattery!" If it was a laugh Sean wanted, it was a laugh he got. "How curious you are, Master Sean! Ah, tell me." A coy grin sparked a glint behind those glasses. "How do you wish for me to react to that statement?"

[sventilator]

neurobazaar [ᴄʟᴏsᴇᴅ: ᴅᴇsɪʀᴀᴛ]

Alvin knew a sojourner when he saw one, people who carried a foreignness that not even text could hide. This text, in particular, was an ad in the newspaper, something about sessions and dreams. Now, while he was most definitely a big bag of issues, he never did trust therapists… but there was something about this Desirat’s service that caught him as odd.

No payment.

This meant little risk (other than his life’s, he supposed, but he was confident that he could deal with that), which also meant this acted as an opportunity. These sorts of people knew things, so it would be good to know them. All part of work.

His gloved knuckles rapped against the door to suite H-7.

[suchsweetreverie]

Oh how he hated not having servants! Yes yes, the simple act of walking to the door was not an issue- the exertion of effort was the least of the troubles. But ah, Desriat had things to do, notes to finish, thoughts to gather. Answering the door and facing a client (which was who he'd assumed was at the door) jarred the flow of his routine, as he couldn't have someone waiting for that time outside of his door.

But alas, things were as they were. So, closing his books and notes, Desriat made his way to the entrance of the suite.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance..." The soft words came with a gentle smile as he greeted the somewhat gruff looking fellow at his door, and he nodded into a small, controlled bow.

"Please, do come in. How may I be of service?

[suchsweetreverie]

How fascinating... Atlus || Desriat

[heliatlus-archive-blog-deactiva]

It certainly wasn’t often that Atlus met someone else who had their face in a diary the way he tended to, letting the world pass by. But it seemed Desriat was more… observant. Atlus could feel his gaze as he looked around, and eventually, the sensation drew him out of the pages he was scribbling in.

… he’s so beautiful… Atlus blinked, clearing his throat quietly and looking back down as the tiniest bit of red settled in his expression. Thalassia was just full of the most attractive people on the planet. It was like someone had reached down, picked up a handful of them and said “ah yes, let’s put them right here, where they can stare at each other and feel terrible for it”. Or, well, at least that was what Atlus would do. This wouldn’t be the first time, since his arrival. Full-on barreling into a mocha-haired mercenary on his first day, having a certain lavender-eyed man get so close…

Why am I thinking like that? I don’t even know his name. I haven’t even seen him before… should I say hi? No… well, yes, but… okay. Let’s see…

"Uhm…" Uh-oh. Now he’d spoken. Too late to go back. "Hello!" Atlus smiled awkwardly, waving. They’d been sitting sort-of close to each other, Atlus perched a little ways farther down the same curb Desriat had been sitting on. "I, ah… I noticed you’ve been writing here for a while. So have I…" Excellent… good job. What a fool I am… "It’s a nice day, isn’t it?"

[suchsweetreverie]

"It's a beautiful day."

A gentle smile warmed his tone as he looked up to the sky. Ah, Desriat had felt the flittering of the other's scattered nerves far before he'd been approached. What with all of the blinking, tensing and blushing, the man made little effort to hide his uneasiness. But as was to be expected, no? To this young fellow Desriat was only another man minding his own business.

The words that filled his journal surrounded the channels and currents of the energy here. Every mental emission has it's own attributes; shape, viscosity, taste... But more importantly, each had a purpose, a cause and effect. These were the tiny mysteries that Desriat had become addicted to, and quite well trained at solving at every moment.

"Please! Don't be shy." He chuckled softly, turning to his curb-companion. In one fluid motion Desriat rose to his feet and gave a practiced bow, one hand beneath the hem of his vest at his back, the other clasping beloved journal and pen to his chest. "You may call me Desriat." He continued, peeking at the other through tussled white bangs before straightening himself.

"I must admit I have been terribly curious just as to who I've had the pleasure of sharing this side of the road with."

[suchsweetreverie]

[been a while since I properly drew Desriat so here's a sketch??]

[gooseology]

"Tsk." This man was going to be a noisy one wasn’t he? His tone and attitude seemed to point toward it. Wonderful. "You’ll find yourself disappointed then or at least moderately so. Lower your expectations while you can."

"Aptly observed. Likewise I will leave you and your quarters in peace. I have little interest in nosing about." Descole replied, ignoring the chuckle. Being inconspicuous was hardly in his nature, and he felt no real need to be here. This was his residence, regardless of other tenants. He didn’t care how interesting he seemed as long no one deeply investigated it.

"I have had it for a few weeks, no more, and obviously you’re a new arrival. Hopefully you paid attention to anything they told you because I will only be willing to spout out so much information before insisting you go find out yourself."

[suchsweetreverie]

"A few weeks, mn?" Clasping his hands behind the sheen of his vest, Desriat pushed himself into a leisurely stroll towards the window. "I pray that your adjustment hasn't been too stressful, has it?"

Oh yes, the white-haired wisp of a man was most certainly going to talk.  It was in his nature! One wouldn't quite call it noisy, however, he was a therapist after all. Desriat had a voice that could soothe one into sweet slumber. His plush, melodic tone would lull his patients into a splendid sense of comfort, all while he twisted and teased at their emotions, coaxing forth what needed to be.

...Or, what he wanted to be. Certain waves of emotion were much, much more satisfying than others, and like anyone else would one day crave a light puff pastry and spoil for the richness of chocolate the next, Desriat had his tastes.

Ah, but either way... living together made Mister Descole his most reliable host, didn't it?

He came to a pause, lips once again beginning to curl into a tiny grin. "But... you seem the type not easily stressed, hm?" 

[suchsweetreverie]

How fascinating... Sean || Desriat

[heyjuddrefrain]

The further one distanced themselves from the desert, the more uniform the buildings became. The faces of the people, too, became rosier as life was breathed into them. Thalassia was a beautiful city, to be sure. The streets glimmered a pristine white that instilled the image of angels in one’s mind. A sort of virtue blanketed the roads on the finer side of town. By the same token, one could hear inner demons festering by the wall. Sean observed this divide from beyond the confines of his little shack, refusing to be boxed in with all the other ailing misfits and jaded beggars. He did so not out of pride, but out of a misguided urge to survive. Knowledge was power.

While he ambled down the road, eyeing the perfect cut of each stone tile, his body halted at a peculiar presence. Were those eyes upon him? Without looking to check, he reached into his pockets and produced a self-drawn map. This action was but a mere cloak for his perturbed state of mind.

After a moment of pretending to assess his location, his eyes drifted up from the map as if on a whim. That, then, was when he discovered a curious character. Putting on a smile that could be mistaken for that of a smitten schoolboy, he tucked his map away and strode up to the stranger. He chuckled with the aim to look nervous and he really did seem bashful about how his shadow towered over the other man. Six-feet-four-inches could do that.

Sean offered a gloved hand. The cool touch of leather would no doubt be a welcome reprieve from this weather. “H-hi,” he stammered, act perfected. “Name’s… I’m Sean. It’s nice to— to meet you, that is. Yeah! Hah hah… hah…” A nervous wreck caught most people off-guard.

Time to see how observant this fellow was.

[suchsweetreverie]

"It's awfully bold to simply walk up to a stranger and offer an introduction," Desriat started, with a slight angle of his head. "...Don't you think?" His tone was soft- inviting even, its subtle melody built from ages of soothing others with his words.

He took his time; tucking his pen into the safety of leather bindings as he closed his journal, uncrossing his legs before he stood with a small, practiced bow.

"I'm very curious, Sean..." A pause as an undeniable flicker of amusement pressed his lips into a smile. "..as to just what you found so interesting about me to do so." He gave another bow of his head, noting the outstretched hand.. but choosing to ignore it, before peeking upward to meet the incredibly tall man's gaze. "Either your display is some sort of play, or I'm terribly unaware of my own fame in this area!" He chuckled lightly, bouncing a bit on his toes. "Do tell me, Sean! Surely I couldn't be famous. You don't even know my name, do you?"

[gooseology]

"Then don’t… and your presumption is correct. I am he.” Jean crossed his arms, not showing any signs that he was impressed or unimpressed. Now this would be a problem, he couldn’t wear his mask at all times. Unfortunately this man would have to be the exception to his normally strict rule.

"I’m sure you’re hoping for that, aren’t you?" he almost scoffed, but being on bad terms with his housemate would prove ineffective in his overall plan. "We’ll just have to see. You’re free to do as you like as long as it doesn’t interfere with my room or work."

[suchsweetreverie]

"I am." He grinned further, not perturbed in the slightest by the man's somewhat icy greeting. In fact, the abrasive ones were by far the most interesting, were they not? "And we will~" Desriat continued, the wisp of a hum that caught the very edge of his tone betraying a bit of his excitement.

"Your room is to do with as you wish." A chuckle. "It isn't any business of mine." Ah, you hide so many secrets, don't you? The man did a terrible job of making himself inconspicuous. But that was fine. It was only natural that all would come to surface with time.

"Do tell, Mister Descole! How long have you made this lovely apartment your residence?"

[suchsweetreverie]

How fascinating... [OPEN]

Desriat caught the last bit of tart from the tip of his thumb, eyes following the lines of ink as he wrote.

The two things he required were knowledge, and sweets... and perhaps just a bit of human interaction. A smile pressed against his features. This seemed to be the right place, did it not? In just his short time here, his journal had begun to become dense with the scratchings and jottings of notes. Even the tides of energy flowed differently here, and ah, how it fascinated him!

But it was only a matter of time before he was approached, of course. He was indeed a new face, and sitting so outside with an old notebook across his lap had met him with many a conversation in times before.

All the more interesting, no?

[gooseology]

"It appears I no longer have the pleasure of keeping my housing to myself."

"Charming."

[suchsweetreverie]

"I hope not to make my self a bother," The scurrying of his pen came to a pinpoint of a stop before the therapist turned in his seat ever so slightly to meet the man whose home he was forced to invade. 

"Jean Descole, I presume." In one fluid motion, Desriat closed his notebook, pushed up from his chair and pulled himself into a bow with practiced grace.

"You may call me Desriat," he said simply, the curve of a smile pressing warmly against his features.

"I'm certain we will get to know each other very, very well."

[suchsweetreverie]

Why don't you rest...