![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
( in the wee hours of the morning on christmas day, wally leaves a medium-sized package wrapped neatly in hieroglyphic paper outside of set's room. inside, set will find a handmade personalized team green ugly christmas sweater ornament and a view-master with several accompanying reels, along with a card that reads: )
( of course, unbeknownst to wally, who cannot read hieroglyphs: the wrapping paper actually contains the entirety of a hymn to hathor which expresses wishes of peace, beauty, and joy. oops! )
Set
Lord Set β
Not sure if the card is in poor taste or not but I thought it was funny, considering. Really hoping you have a sense of humor.
Anyway, you've probably never seen a View-Master before so let me explain: put one of the reels in the slot (V arrow facing up), look through the lenses, and you'll see a 3D photo. Pull the lever to change the image. They're all pictures of Egypt, I'm assuming from way after your time β but I thought you might like to see into the future, so to speak.
See, I can give you "visions," too.
Merry Christmas!
βWally
( of course, unbeknownst to wally, who cannot read hieroglyphs: the wrapping paper actually contains the entirety of a hymn to hathor which expresses wishes of peace, beauty, and joy. oops! )
Edited 2024-12-12 00:03 (UTC)
[The gift comes wrapped meticulously in paper that, while not strictly holiday-themed is nevertheless very appropriate, considering who itβs from. The gift is inside, nestled in pale blue tissue paper: An assortment of candied fruit, nuts and chocolates from the faire, for those of his friends who actually eat. For those who donβt, this portion of the gift is replaced with a simple calendar.
A jar of tea courtesy of Sol & Scroll, because everyone needs more relaxing sleep around here.
For Set, a set of white candles, carved with two carefully researched symbols. Thank you, library.
The note, on thick, cream-colored card stock, is in a somewhat wobbly, but earnest hand:]
The note, on thick, cream-colored card stock, is in a somewhat wobbly, but earnest hand:]
Set -
In case you miss home. I don't know how much of what I read was real for you, but these two seemed to be.
Tell me if I'm wrong, I'll get you something else.
Merry Christmas
-Koby
p.s. Thank you for being nice at the party. It was nice to have you there.
[ With absolutely no warning, thanks to Eunhyuk: ]
ATTENTION!
This Is The Curse Of Bloody Mary! You Must Forward This Message To Ten People, Or She Will Come And Find You And Kill You! She Knows Where You Live. She Will Hang Your Corpse For Everyone To See And Laugh At You. She Will Find You!
THIS IS NOT A JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!
ATTENTION!
This Is The Curse Of Bloody Mary! You Must Forward This Message To Ten People, Or She Will Come And Find You And Kill You! She Knows Where You Live. She Will Hang Your Corpse For Everyone To See And Laugh At You. She Will Find You!
THIS IS NOT A JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!
[ Without any warning at all, Nandor arrives in Set's room, having fluttered through an open window in bat form -- intrusive, but a necessity, since it's clearly an emergency. He coalesces into vampire form beside the bed, not caring about whoever happens to be sharing it with his newfound deity and warmongering friend, and falls to his knees, holding out his phone to shove into Set's face as soon as he's awake.
(Don't ask how he was carrying the phone as a bat, nobody will enjoy the answer.)
He lets out a desperate wail. ]
Oh great and powerful War Leader! Oh terrible defiler of mortal armies! We have a problem!
(Don't ask how he was carrying the phone as a bat, nobody will enjoy the answer.)
He lets out a desperate wail. ]
Oh great and powerful War Leader! Oh terrible defiler of mortal armies! We have a problem!
[ help he's such a sucker for praise and grand titles
Said wargod doesn't exactly sleep, to say the least. There are periods of restful comfort, though; wrapped up around his slumbering, equally red-haired companion, he's alert enough to be ready for the offense, territorial and sharp over Shanks's sleeping form. He's also painfully shy, and that manifests in the sudden squawk he lets out when Nandor bursts into the bedro and catches him in any state of gentleness and calm.
Immediately, he rips the pillow out from under his own head and flings it into the vampire's face, hissing like an irritated serpent before he realizes this isn't just an invasion of his little den. It's an update on their prey!!
Immediately following his pillow assault, he lunges for both the phone and Nandor, to lift him over his shoulder and carry him to the bathroom. For scheming. Also, so that Shanks isn't kept awake. ]
She has returned with vengeance it seems. What did you do to attract such attention!
[ wow this victim blaming ]
Said wargod doesn't exactly sleep, to say the least. There are periods of restful comfort, though; wrapped up around his slumbering, equally red-haired companion, he's alert enough to be ready for the offense, territorial and sharp over Shanks's sleeping form. He's also painfully shy, and that manifests in the sudden squawk he lets out when Nandor bursts into the bedro and catches him in any state of gentleness and calm.
Immediately, he rips the pillow out from under his own head and flings it into the vampire's face, hissing like an irritated serpent before he realizes this isn't just an invasion of his little den. It's an update on their prey!!
Immediately following his pillow assault, he lunges for both the phone and Nandor, to lift him over his shoulder and carry him to the bathroom. For scheming. Also, so that Shanks isn't kept awake. ]
She has returned with vengeance it seems. What did you do to attract such attention!
[ wow this victim blaming ]
( it's a well-guarded secret that isn't entirely a secret at all that the newlywed redheaded couple intend to celebrate the end of summer at saltburnt with an extravagant ceremony and reception they forewent when they decided to elope rather than seek anyone's approval first. they never would have gotten it, which is all the better they didn't ask for it.
the preparations are, of course, well underway behind the scenes of filming and parties and the stretch of long days spent luxuriating in their suite. the staff have already begun arranging a seating chart, the kitchen is creating a menu β and, today, there's a special surprise out in the gardens that arrived two months too early.
he expects set is still busy with the tailors or the designers or one of the other meticulous things shanks simply can't be trusted with β but he can handle the chaos of a flock of stubborn birds and their overworked handler. probably. )
I meant to surprise you the day of, but...
( attached: img2564.jpg + img2565.jpg )
Surprise?
the preparations are, of course, well underway behind the scenes of filming and parties and the stretch of long days spent luxuriating in their suite. the staff have already begun arranging a seating chart, the kitchen is creating a menu β and, today, there's a special surprise out in the gardens that arrived two months too early.
he expects set is still busy with the tailors or the designers or one of the other meticulous things shanks simply can't be trusted with β but he can handle the chaos of a flock of stubborn birds and their overworked handler. probably. )
I meant to surprise you the day of, but...
( attached: img2564.jpg + img2565.jpg )
Surprise?
[ Usually, he's glued to his phone β awaiting some message or other from his husband. The attentiveness of a domesticated animal possesses him, eager for acknowledgement and praise and attention after a long day apart ( they're never far apart in Saltburnt, using the estate as an extension of their honeymooning ).
Shanks texts, Set reviews it, and he doesn't even bother responding through the phone. He simply goes to locate the man, budgie shrilling in annoyance upon his shoulder as he sweeps into their shared bedroom and all but dives into Shanks's chest, hands smoothing up his body to cradle his jaw. ]
I hope they attack on command. It would bring me the utmost joy to sic a peafowl or two upon someone who was befouling your name.
[ He drapes over Shanks, all red hair and loose day robe, stroking the man's face with easy, loose adoration. ]
β are you happy, my darling?
Shanks texts, Set reviews it, and he doesn't even bother responding through the phone. He simply goes to locate the man, budgie shrilling in annoyance upon his shoulder as he sweeps into their shared bedroom and all but dives into Shanks's chest, hands smoothing up his body to cradle his jaw. ]
I hope they attack on command. It would bring me the utmost joy to sic a peafowl or two upon someone who was befouling your name.
[ He drapes over Shanks, all red hair and loose day robe, stroking the man's face with easy, loose adoration. ]
β are you happy, my darling?
[ he hates that alia was captured before, that her beautiful reign of carnage was stopped long before she could show the true length of her teeth. now... he knows the benefit of deals made in the dark. ]
Lady of Frogs, and distant kin of mine.
My ear is yours to have. How might I assist you, in these dark, familiar hours?
Lady of Frogs, and distant kin of mine.
My ear is yours to have. How might I assist you, in these dark, familiar hours?
Edited 2025-10-04 23:11 (UTC)
( despite having his senses stolen from him before, shanks, unfortunately, greatly underestimated how much that would disadvantage him in a serious fight. when your perception of the world exists in four dimensions and suddenly becomes flat β it's disorienting, to say the least. like being blindfolded and deafened at the same time. that, combined with the fact that the sword he'd stolen wasn't nearly the same caliber as gryphon, or fit at all to counterbalance the shortcomings of his inaccessible haki β all led to a rather disastrous opening against an opponent who was not similarly weakened. if it hadn't been for sanji, shanks probably would have sustained more than just a few broken ribs.
so, of course, he'd looked an absolute mess when quentin dropped him off at their little house, covered in blood and mud and grass and completely soaked in dirty laundry water, bruises darkening like scattered grapes from head to toe, his left sleeve torn from his shirt, one eye puffy and swelling.
valiantly, shanks had tried to walk on his own to the bathroom to clean up, and had immediately swayed into set's shoulder, which left being accompanied non-negotiable.
in fact, most everything since he stepped foot across their threshold has been non-negotiable, considering the state of him. shanks is fine with that. it almost feels like home, in a way, being barked at and fussed over and having someone else tend to his injuries. not that he's been seriously injured like this since β well, the east blue.
(dying, he thinks, isn't quite the same. set tended to him in death, too, but shanks was already gone then.)
he doesn't say much for quite a while. even breathing hurts, so he's kept his responses to a minimum, letting set have free reign over the conversation and following his orders with apologetic, sometimes amused little smiles until he sinks slowly into warm bathwater, the tension in his muscles finally beginning to release. tipping his head back to rest against the tub, he cranes his neck to watch set for a moment, his face softening with a comfortable fondness. he laughs softly at something set does, wincing as his ribs send shooting pain through his torso. )
Set. ( reaching out for set's wrist, intent on dragging him over the edge of the wooden tub, to tend to him from the bath. even an arm's length away feels too far. ) It's warmer in here.
so, of course, he'd looked an absolute mess when quentin dropped him off at their little house, covered in blood and mud and grass and completely soaked in dirty laundry water, bruises darkening like scattered grapes from head to toe, his left sleeve torn from his shirt, one eye puffy and swelling.
valiantly, shanks had tried to walk on his own to the bathroom to clean up, and had immediately swayed into set's shoulder, which left being accompanied non-negotiable.
in fact, most everything since he stepped foot across their threshold has been non-negotiable, considering the state of him. shanks is fine with that. it almost feels like home, in a way, being barked at and fussed over and having someone else tend to his injuries. not that he's been seriously injured like this since β well, the east blue.
(dying, he thinks, isn't quite the same. set tended to him in death, too, but shanks was already gone then.)
he doesn't say much for quite a while. even breathing hurts, so he's kept his responses to a minimum, letting set have free reign over the conversation and following his orders with apologetic, sometimes amused little smiles until he sinks slowly into warm bathwater, the tension in his muscles finally beginning to release. tipping his head back to rest against the tub, he cranes his neck to watch set for a moment, his face softening with a comfortable fondness. he laughs softly at something set does, wincing as his ribs send shooting pain through his torso. )
Set. ( reaching out for set's wrist, intent on dragging him over the edge of the wooden tub, to tend to him from the bath. even an arm's length away feels too far. ) It's warmer in here.
You know I hate the water.
[ Bristling, he grinds out the words. ( A testy cat, being told to come bathe. )
Tension writ upon his shoulders and the line of his jaw, his teeth grinding hard within his mouth as he furiously wrings out the cloth soaked in β some kind of herb soup, desperately assembled from the loose memories of observing his sister create her tonics and medicines for her people. Green things, needle things. Some sap. He remembers the acrid scents, and while the warm, soupy mixture doesn't precisely resemble what he knows, there's enough in there that something has to work to soothe Shanks's scrapes and bruises. A cloth nearby is already soaking with a green substance, thick as tar and smelling vaguely of pine.
He doesn't know what he's doing, only that the water is the last place he wants to be. The closest he'll come to it is the edge of the wooden tub, knees tucked along the warmed, damp slats and the dark iron banding keeping it all together; his hands trailing in the steaming waters from time to time, fussing faintly over another injury he's got to catalogue. ]
Sit there and behave, I am almost done with this [ nonsense, this nonsense of a healing tonic and poltice ] thing. Did you at least give as good as you got?
[ Bristling, he grinds out the words. ( A testy cat, being told to come bathe. )
Tension writ upon his shoulders and the line of his jaw, his teeth grinding hard within his mouth as he furiously wrings out the cloth soaked in β some kind of herb soup, desperately assembled from the loose memories of observing his sister create her tonics and medicines for her people. Green things, needle things. Some sap. He remembers the acrid scents, and while the warm, soupy mixture doesn't precisely resemble what he knows, there's enough in there that something has to work to soothe Shanks's scrapes and bruises. A cloth nearby is already soaking with a green substance, thick as tar and smelling vaguely of pine.
He doesn't know what he's doing, only that the water is the last place he wants to be. The closest he'll come to it is the edge of the wooden tub, knees tucked along the warmed, damp slats and the dark iron banding keeping it all together; his hands trailing in the steaming waters from time to time, fussing faintly over another injury he's got to catalogue. ]
Sit there and behave, I am almost done with this [ nonsense, this nonsense of a healing tonic and poltice ] thing. Did you at least give as good as you got?
How is he doing?
How are you doing?
How are you doing?
[ it's been a while since he's spoken with q, caught out against the brief gasp of mournfulness he'd felt over the exits of maxine, of diarmuid β gentler souls who had treated him with the patience needed to address a feral animal. he's seen q and koby together ( felt envy, the same as he'd felt when observing the way koby's expression illuminated when he'd seen shanks walk into the room ), and felt such easy, old anger rise within him. anger, when he should be content. ]
He is sleeping. I left Koby with him, for now.
I am [ lost ] finding my footing.
He is sleeping. I left Koby with him, for now.
I am [ lost ] finding my footing.
Hello. My name is Roza. I wanted to check in with you
Last time there were some side effects from the resurrecting, but I don't know if that happened to you, too. I left marks on his palm when I wrote some words in my other language, and they stayed.
Have yours gone?
Are you OK otherwise? Your sparkles seemed positive.
Thank you.
Last time there were some side effects from the resurrecting, but I don't know if that happened to you, too. I left marks on his palm when I wrote some words in my other language, and they stayed.
Have yours gone?
Are you OK otherwise? Your sparkles seemed positive.
Thank you.
Roza. Then, it was by your grace that I was able to return.
I have not been able to catalog my body well. There are scars, I know. And some lingering difficulties seeing, as I have heard my eyes were removed from my head β how cute of my killer, do you not agree? Not the worst that has happened, though. A bit uninspiring, and cowardly. The wolves have been hiding themselves, without pride in their menace. Tch!
You have my permission to examine me, should you wish. I do not know if any information remains upon my body, but if you would like to ensure your work is perfect, I have no mind.
[ "why me", he wants to ask, but won't. it does nobody good, to whittle away at what has been done for the sake of one's ego. set was chosen for a reason, and he will be the grandest he has ever been to live up to that decision. ]
Thank you, by the way. I appreciate the second chance.
I have not been able to catalog my body well. There are scars, I know. And some lingering difficulties seeing, as I have heard my eyes were removed from my head β how cute of my killer, do you not agree? Not the worst that has happened, though. A bit uninspiring, and cowardly. The wolves have been hiding themselves, without pride in their menace. Tch!
You have my permission to examine me, should you wish. I do not know if any information remains upon my body, but if you would like to ensure your work is perfect, I have no mind.
[ "why me", he wants to ask, but won't. it does nobody good, to whittle away at what has been done for the sake of one's ego. set was chosen for a reason, and he will be the grandest he has ever been to live up to that decision. ]
Thank you, by the way. I appreciate the second chance.
[true to her word, as the impulsive and reckless shout one another down in the streets, alia slips away and makes her way, letter in hand, to set and shanks's home -- known primarily because she had witnessed the transfer of bodies to it.
it is one body she seeks now, rapping lightly upon the door with her knuckles.]
It is Alia -- may I enter?
it is one body she seeks now, rapping lightly upon the door with her knuckles.]
It is Alia -- may I enter?
You may.
[ The interior of the cabin is strongly lit, every candle burning high and the windows thrown open to admit as much of the grey skies into its confines; Set has taken to a distant corner of the room, intermittently pressing fingers to one eye and squinting with the other β then switching eyes, and repeating the motion. Testing to see how quickly he is recovering, if he is at all. ]
Blood of mine, I greet you. See? I look fantastic do I not?
[ Despite the obvious scars, and the exhaustion, he does maintain his ethereal beauty β the confident curl of his mouth, the narrow slyness of his gaze. ]
[ The interior of the cabin is strongly lit, every candle burning high and the windows thrown open to admit as much of the grey skies into its confines; Set has taken to a distant corner of the room, intermittently pressing fingers to one eye and squinting with the other β then switching eyes, and repeating the motion. Testing to see how quickly he is recovering, if he is at all. ]
Blood of mine, I greet you. See? I look fantastic do I not?
[ Despite the obvious scars, and the exhaustion, he does maintain his ethereal beauty β the confident curl of his mouth, the narrow slyness of his gaze. ]
( there's something troubling shanks, etched into the crease of his brow, buried in the dark circles under his eyes. he's barely slept, even with set beside him, plagued with too many thoughts, too many nightmares of his own failure. too many questions that finally seem to have an answer, whether he likes it or not. come morning, he knows he can't put it off any longer. )
Set. ( rousing his wife with a touch, a kiss, coaxing him out of sleep with a wandering hand, as if to soften the blow of his next words. ) We need to talk about Armand.
Set. ( rousing his wife with a touch, a kiss, coaxing him out of sleep with a wandering hand, as if to soften the blow of his next words. ) We need to talk about Armand.
No, we do not.
[ They'll fight again, he thinks. Stiffening as he is roused from restless slumber, he looks hazily at Shanks and frowns. The reaction is immediate, the follow up β slower. The way he uncoils with resignation, and sits up attentively. He will always do what he does not want, in the end. ]
Fine, we will. I have something to share with you anyways. You first.
[ They'll fight again, he thinks. Stiffening as he is roused from restless slumber, he looks hazily at Shanks and frowns. The reaction is immediate, the follow up β slower. The way he uncoils with resignation, and sits up attentively. He will always do what he does not want, in the end. ]
Fine, we will. I have something to share with you anyways. You first.
Tell me more about this arsenal.
Kate's post.
Kate's post.
Sorry I missed your nuptials. Not a big wedding guy. PTSD from when my brother was forced into one. Hope you won? your duel? Unless you wanted to lose?
( is this a top/bottom thing? don't answer! )
( is this a top/bottom thing? don't answer! )
Do not fear! I will hold it against you forever, Dean Winchester. β‘
[ WILL HE?? he might just. ]
I won, though he made me work for it, and we are put to rights again.
I have always wanted to duel Shanks. But, I use combat the way others use conversation β words alone sometimes cannot suffice to adequately express. Do you have anyone you have wanted to fight to the death?
[ WILL HE?? he might just. ]
I won, though he made me work for it, and we are put to rights again.
I have always wanted to duel Shanks. But, I use combat the way others use conversation β words alone sometimes cannot suffice to adequately express. Do you have anyone you have wanted to fight to the death?
[ Saran-wrapped on a little red plate outside Setβs door, with an accompanying mini-jug of milk and a hand-written note: a gingerbread approximation of this image. Itβs mostly recognizable, even if Gwen wonβt be winning any baking contests with it. ]
Dear Set,
I wanted to thank you for the extremely thoughtful Secret Santa gifts. The socks were a godsend during that blizzard! (Maybe literally?)
Sincerely,
Gwen
Dear Set,
I wanted to thank you for the extremely thoughtful Secret Santa gifts. The socks were a godsend during that blizzard! (Maybe literally?)
Sincerely,
Gwen
[he almost doesn't send the message, caught in a frozen state of helplessness, but -- he'd left the suite without a word, hiding at tim's to make it a little less real.
it's not working, and eventually he'll be missed (maybe), so:]
Quentin's gone. I'm with Tim.
Just
In case you were wondering
I guess.
it's not working, and eventually he'll be missed (maybe), so:]
Quentin's gone. I'm with Tim.
Just
In case you were wondering
I guess.
[ In case you were wondering / I guess, as if what has passed between them is still so insignificant and unweighted that Koby still feels he has to justify contact with Set. It stings, especially in the wake of Quentin's dwindling, lingering scent. The shape of him, missing. He feels resentful of the text and what it insinuates, and types out as mild a response as he can. ]
I was. Wondering.
If Timothy Laughlin is not generous with you or fails to meet your need in this time, inform me.
I was. Wondering.
If Timothy Laughlin is not generous with you or fails to meet your need in this time, inform me.
Page 2 of 2