#tezzin

[timberline-falls]

Whumpril day 6:

Sunset crept in through the windows of the passageway Tezzin walked. In Rata Sum's lowest hab district, the light was direct this time of evening. He had just finished giving a lecture in the guildhouse with great anxiety, but his nerves had eventually found calm in the quiet walk home. Now he was more tired than anything, and felt forever grateful that his dwelling was just around the corner.

"Vinn."

The voice halted him. He tried not to startle at the measured footsteps approaching from behind.

He knew that voice.

"Y-Yes?" Tezzin stammered, as calmly as he could manage. The footsteps reached him as he turned, and faced Gerik.

The Disaggregator himself.

Tezzin gulped involuntarily. Gerik simply stared like a cat evaluating prey. The larger asura's golden eyes seemed to glow as the dying sunlight caught them, and held Tezzin frozen in place.

It was an unsettling moment just before Gerik broke the silence, "I thought we might have a little talk."

"A-a-ah! Y-Yes, o-o-of co-course!" Panic swelled in his chest as Gerik took another step closer, and Tezzin stumbled backward into the shaded corner of the passageway. Gerik approached again.

"There is something I need you to realize." Gerik shifted his gaze to his polished black claws as he met Tezzin in the shadows, checking them for imperfections that did not exist.

There was a second then that Tezzin thought he saw escape. In that moment, he thought he could dart away back down the passageway the way he came, and if he ran as hard as he could then maybe--

All thoughts shattered when the Disaggregator suddenly lunged, and Tezzin found his face propped up by a single black claw. His eyes widened with fear as those deadly gold eyes pierced into his, just inches away. He felt himself being examined, inspected like an insect on the tip of that claw. His heart pounded in his chest, begging him to flee, but his body was frozen in place. And still Gerik stared, as though he might pull that one horrible truth from him with his gaze alone..

Then the Disaggregator spoke, firmly, and darkly. "I don't believe you."

Tezzin's breath caught in his throat. He thought he heard his voice squeak, but the pounding pulse in his ears was deafening. Still Gerik stared, until the sharpness in his gaze dulled. The black claw dragged itself from his chin, and released, Tezzin stood back against the wall to reclaim what distance he could.

"Wh-wh-what-t d-d-d-do yo-you m-mean?" He tried to smile, but knew his nerves were as plain as the dying day to the Disaggregator.

Gerik eyed him without amusement. He was silent.

He was letting him sweat.

"I-I-I d-d-d-don't kn-know what yo-you're t-talking about," He tried to offer a laugh, but it came as a wheezing squeak. "I-I sh-should r-r-really be g-going."

Gerik continued to keep him in his sights as Tezzin cautiously begun to move past him, slowly at first, and then in a panicked jolt, the pale asura made a break for it.

Gerik made no move to stop him, and Tezzin fled the scene with a deep-seated dread he couldn't outpace.

[timberline-falls]

Whumpril Day 2: Lies

Holding hands, the pair kissed before sitting down together at the signing table. Tezzin glanced around the crowded room before releasing Kezza's hand, turning to her to receive an encouraging smile. It was never easy going to the department of patents and licensing, but her presence made it tolerable.

"I've been so excited for today," Kezza scooped up a stylus and clapped her hands together, looking to her partner again. "It's difficult to believe it's been so many years since our first partnership contract."

He nodded, "A-Agreed! I c-can st-still recall our f-f-first signing." Tezzin's gaze softened on her, and Kezza's followed suit.

"I have something special waiting for us at home," her smile rested somewhere between sweet and mischevious. "Only a small surprise. I promise you'll enjoy it."

Even at the best of times, surprises were something Tezzin preferred the absence of. Yet somehow, Kezza's involvement alone was enough to neutralize that anxiety, and transform it into something enticing. His smile belied an excited intrigue, "Th-The sooner we fin-finish here, th-the better th-then!"

Kezza leaned over to plant a kiss on his cheek, leaving him already warm and giddy.

The pair activated their sessions at the table, and two identical forms were projected to them. It was their old contract and declaration of partnership, due for renewal. Over the years, the only change to their vows had been an amendment regarding thier progeny. It would only take a few signatures and a studious ten minutes or so to verify and submit the documents.

The two asura made quick work of the task, cross-referencing between each other until there was one page left. It was the same set of information and disclaimers as any other year, and requested a final set of signatures. Glancing at Kezza, Tezzin saw her diligently reading through her copy, so he continued with his.

By signing below I hereby confirm that I, Vinn, regardless of occupational designation, am the individual submitting this document.

The grim reminder soured him. It was agony to know he would never be able to sign with his name. That no matter his most heartfelt intention and steadfast feeling, he could never legally bind his name to Kezza's. There was only this falsity, a lie, that could be penned down for all of history to known him by.

But he was more Vinn now than anyone. Tezzin was dead. He had died in that accident, along with the missing members of the LAZARUS krewe. Alchemy knew if any of them still survived somewhere out there in Tyria, living out their lives.

It pained him to hope not. For thier sake, and for his. The only one of them to have ever surfaced was swiftly found by the Inquest-- By Kezza.

Tezzin swallowed, and penned his signature before he could think another thought.

"Vinn?"

"H-Huh?"

"Are you feeling well? You're prespiring.."

"O-oh! Y-Yes, apologies, K-Kez. I was ju-just wr-wrapping up." Tezzin nodded, earning a smile from Kezza that warmed away the cold truth.

[inquestmagistracy]

Under New Management - A Visit

[raivaryn]

ysrnty replied to your post:Kezza/Gerrik/Farra Triple Ship.

Dammit. Now I’m shipping Kezza and Farra because that sounds cute as heck.

Aaahh yeah the more I think about it, it could be. I can also see Farra gaining confidence and trying to like, reciprocate all the protective stuff Kezza would be doing for her, trying to get stronger so it isn't necessary, being worried she's burdening Kezza when it's really no burden for her at all, etc. kuduslut would have to weigh in on that though, I'm just speculating based off what I've seen.

I think it's terribly unlikely in canon, but cute. Except the part where they look close enough to be twins.. >.>

(On the other hand, I totally ship Tezzin and Farra)

[raivaryn]

"Help me!" - Tezzin/Kezza

Kezza presses her hands against the cell’s force field, jagged fractures radiating from the epicenters of her claws. Her wet eyes shut tight against the image of the male, and a stifled sob conceals itself under the adornments of her uniform.

"I.. I can’t.. Now that I know who you are.. I… I can’t trust you…"

Her eyes crack open, bright and wide with stricken sorrow as the tears are freed down her cheeks.

"I don’t even know you.."

[raivaryn]

The Magician, The Devil

((I just posted Magician, so here’s Devil!))

Kezza clears her throat, some of her previous bluster escaping with the sound. “I suppose that role falls to the Disaggregator, as he’s the only one qualified by regulation and clearance.” She pauses, shifting in her seat a bit. “Vinn offers acceptable counsel, but I can’t ask him to understand what I can’t divulge..”

[raivaryn]

♪

From her drug-induced stupor, Kezza smiles up at Tezzin and sings in a tired whisper,

"The hours grow shorter as the days go by,And from above everything’s stinking, they’re not around you. My ankles bear these lover’s scars.You will never see it..Fire..”

She stops, and drowsily stares at the ceiling. She brings a hand to her face and snerks, “Wh-What?”