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[ The image is, technically, nothing Set hasn't seen before.
It's Matt in his hospital bed, bare-chested with the thin sheet pulled over his hips. Hanuman is still coiling over his right hip, the anahata still gleaming emerald on his heart, the square bandage still secured with tape to his left side.
But the vibes are a bit different. There's a pleasant languor in the way Matt stretches out, a relaxed and inviting smile on his face that no Set, in any reality, has yet received.
And the message is new: ]
they're letting me out today ... prognosis is a few weeks of no heavy activity
which I'm pretty sure means we're good to have sex if you're on top
<3
It's Matt in his hospital bed, bare-chested with the thin sheet pulled over his hips. Hanuman is still coiling over his right hip, the anahata still gleaming emerald on his heart, the square bandage still secured with tape to his left side.
But the vibes are a bit different. There's a pleasant languor in the way Matt stretches out, a relaxed and inviting smile on his face that no Set, in any reality, has yet received.
And the message is new: ]
they're letting me out today ... prognosis is a few weeks of no heavy activity
which I'm pretty sure means we're good to have sex if you're on top
<3
[ I would say "no Set, and not for lack of trying", but this is definitely the first time he might be able to get with Matt in ANY way, and that's delightful. Clobbers him.
He's not β unwilling to play along. It feels like something he can do, and some part of him thinks back, back, to Horus. To not feeling... ready, or versatile, "for" him. Not being ready to take on those determined affections. Why not give a few things a try here? Clobbers him twice, because his response is β unskilled, to say it kindly. It might not be as smooth or OVERTLY sexy, either. A bit too pragmatic, maybe. ]
You know if you do not put clothes on, I WILL throw you over my shoulders and carry you away as-is.
S sex aside, you would
You
I would break you in half, no matter how we arranged it.
He's not β unwilling to play along. It feels like something he can do, and some part of him thinks back, back, to Horus. To not feeling... ready, or versatile, "for" him. Not being ready to take on those determined affections. Why not give a few things a try here? Clobbers him twice, because his response is β unskilled, to say it kindly. It might not be as smooth or OVERTLY sexy, either. A bit too pragmatic, maybe. ]
You know if you do not put clothes on, I WILL throw you over my shoulders and carry you away as-is.
S sex aside, you would
You
I would break you in half, no matter how we arranged it.
[ He doesn't even know this guy beyond: Paul has a baby grudge, and if he were to kill someone, it'd be THOROUGH. ]
If they form a voting bloc against you, I cannot save you alone. We would need allies to tie a vote up and hinder them.
I want to win the competition, the Homelander. That means you may count on me.
If they form a voting bloc against you, I cannot save you alone. We would need allies to tie a vote up and hinder them.
I want to win the competition, the Homelander. That means you may count on me.
[ dani goes to set as soon as he can get away without being obviously followed. that rage is still in him, simmering just barely beneath the surface. he hates them, he hates them, and he's going to hate them more if lexi ends up behind bars for this.
before he knocks, he checks again that he's not followed. that woman implied she'd be sticking close. ]
Set, it's me.
before he knocks, he checks again that he's not followed. that woman implied she'd be sticking close. ]
Set, it's me.
[ While he doesn't REALLY care who dies, who gets blamed and whodunnit, the fact that there is a group working together that could threaten his victory? That could overtake the whole game, and lock down opposition?
They bring out the rebel in him, vying to thwart any authority they have. And Dani is both a useful pawn and someone he... feels for. Slightly. Sorry, Dani.
He greets the other man when he can get away, opening the door to his room to the first individual he has ever allowed into it. ]
Daniil. I am sure you are feeling wrathful, perhaps even betrayed.
[ Good. ]
I do not know if I can help your partner. But, I can help you avenge him.
They bring out the rebel in him, vying to thwart any authority they have. And Dani is both a useful pawn and someone he... feels for. Slightly. Sorry, Dani.
He greets the other man when he can get away, opening the door to his room to the first individual he has ever allowed into it. ]
Daniil. I am sure you are feeling wrathful, perhaps even betrayed.
[ Good. ]
I do not know if I can help your partner. But, I can help you avenge him.
( he assumes set has his hands full playing his side of this game, which is why he doesn't simply go back to their suite looking for him. set could be anywhere, really. so, when shanks has a moment β when he feels, at last, that he has a moment to spare after a truly awful morning β )
I'm not interrupting your busy schedule, am I?
( a wee jest, because he can't help it. and, maybe, because this strange dynamic of theirs is familiar in a way he needs right now. he does also have something important to ask, but he's getting there. )
I'm not interrupting your busy schedule, am I?
( a wee jest, because he can't help it. and, maybe, because this strange dynamic of theirs is familiar in a way he needs right now. he does also have something important to ask, but he's getting there. )
[ Shanks is correct! Set lost Two individuals from green last round, and only one was confirmed a werewolf! Naturally, he's furiously working right now β and if his plans have tipped sideways a little, that's
well,
SHANKS'S FAULT. Which is why he doesn't even answer that silly question, he slips right into the things he has to consider. The core facts at the forefront of his mind. ]
They'll kill you next. Then have free shots at your crew, because you exposed yourself on round two.
well,
SHANKS'S FAULT. Which is why he doesn't even answer that silly question, he slips right into the things he has to consider. The core facts at the forefront of his mind. ]
They'll kill you next. Then have free shots at your crew, because you exposed yourself on round two.
Edited 2024-10-13 10:17 (UTC)
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[ Tit for tat. ]
( the only problem with this little plan of theirs is that the interim, the biding of time, the waiting for the right moment to reveal everything ... is incredibly, extremely boring. there's very little to keep his mind distracted from what he knows the straw hats must be feeling β and for the first time since the game started, he's strangely relieved to have his senses dampened. could he simply reach out and feel that grief, that horror, the brewing anger, he imagines his resolve would quickly crumble under the weight of needing to look luffy and the others in the eye and tell them it's all okay, it was just a ruse.
instead, he has set and the too-familiar tug of something in his gut, something vaguely reminiscent of conspiring with buggy to prank captain roger, the thrill of a successfully executed scheme. leaning against a mound of pillows in a bedouin tent somewhere in a desert he isn't sure exists anywhere in this realm: )
How are things looking out there?
instead, he has set and the too-familiar tug of something in his gut, something vaguely reminiscent of conspiring with buggy to prank captain roger, the thrill of a successfully executed scheme. leaning against a mound of pillows in a bedouin tent somewhere in a desert he isn't sure exists anywhere in this realm: )
How are things looking out there?
[ he gives this maybe an hour or two since set stalked off, because he seemed like he needed cooling off time.
but then: ]
Hey, it's me.
Look, I'm sorry. I really didn't think it would be a problem, or I wouldn't have...
But you're right. I should've talked to you first, I'm sorry. I won't vote yet.
but then: ]
Hey, it's me.
Look, I'm sorry. I really didn't think it would be a problem, or I wouldn't have...
But you're right. I should've talked to you first, I'm sorry. I won't vote yet.
Would it please you, Lord Set, if I named one of my team for the dungeons?
[ damn, it's not like he can name a member of the pink team and sock his votes on them instead of cha hyunsu now
except maybe?? ]
I had hoped to name Alina Starkov, to save her from one more round of potential attacks. Poor thing has suffered much. Would you feel comfortable voting to ensure her survival?
except maybe?? ]
I had hoped to name Alina Starkov, to save her from one more round of potential attacks. Poor thing has suffered much. Would you feel comfortable voting to ensure her survival?
Edited 2024-10-22 15:56 (UTC)
Well, yeah.
There have been gatherings made to elicit shock and awe and theatrics from us. Think of the feast from before. And then in this last vote, Jonty said: "The house loves parties." It seems to have preferences, thus I feel it wants to be entertained.
I made myself into a spectacle!
There have been gatherings made to elicit shock and awe and theatrics from us. Think of the feast from before. And then in this last vote, Jonty said: "The house loves parties." It seems to have preferences, thus I feel it wants to be entertained.
I made myself into a spectacle!
want anything from the land of the free?
Honestly? I was going to ask for the Narmer Palette.
Congratulations, by the way. You and your teammates fought a fine battle.
Congratulations, by the way. You and your teammates fought a fine battle.
[ It's very nice and convenient that Set's username is simply his name. It makes it nice and easy to look up! Because perhaps a day or so after fun times (?) at the Ren Faire, he's getting a text from someone who did not do that. ]
You. Are you the one who announced himself as the god of war at that pointless festival?
[ It seems a bit silly to ask, but... Considering some of the usernames he's seen, he might as well confirm. ]
You. Are you the one who announced himself as the god of war at that pointless festival?
[ It seems a bit silly to ask, but... Considering some of the usernames he's seen, he might as well confirm. ]
[ are you having a peaceful evening? are you enjoying the sights and sounds of saltburnt? well, congratulations on finding a new companion tonight: this dog, with glowing hell eyes and fire collar and a stinky sulfuric perfume wafting along with her. if you step away from her, she will follow. if you move towards her, she will step back. just a little dance-y dance for about a few minutes before she decides she's had enough and leaves.
she knows you now. time to report back to her human. ]
she knows you now. time to report back to her human. ]
[ hey uh
who the fuck do you think you are doggie?? how dare you just dance around and a) not allow him to pet you and b) think you can just spy on him and leave without paying your/your master's dues
so yeah set's going to try to chase her down, relying on his speed and bloodhound-sharp nose to pursue
]
who the fuck do you think you are doggie?? how dare you just dance around and a) not allow him to pet you and b) think you can just spy on him and leave without paying your/your master's dues
so yeah set's going to try to chase her down, relying on his speed and bloodhound-sharp nose to pursue
][ A knock at Setβs door alerts him to the presence of one Jonty Balfour, who offers him a very proper head nod in greeting once he answers.]
Set, my boy! Jolly good show in November, such an β¦ an exciting time! For all those involved. You certainly kept the old birds on their toes! This is for you.
[ He hands off a small box, with an expensive watch inside. Surprise β itβs actually a plot coin! Enjoy! ]
Set, my boy! Jolly good show in November, such an β¦ an exciting time! For all those involved. You certainly kept the old birds on their toes! This is for you.
[ He hands off a small box, with an expensive watch inside. Surprise β itβs actually a plot coin! Enjoy! ]
[ sometime after christmas, wrapped in red and gold paper, tidily and well done as grace enlisted some of the staff to help her, a gift is delivered to set's door. inside the box is a leather case that unfolds into a backgammon set. ]
Set,
My late husband's terrible family owned a board game empire so I got you a board game from another company. Enjoy!
Thanks.
Happy Honda Days,
Grace
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Set,
My late husband's terrible family owned a board game empire so I got you a board game from another company. Enjoy!
Thanks.
Happy Honda Days,
Grace
( it's difficult to hide gifts from someone you share a suite with, especially when both of them frequently come and go from each others' rooms as they please β so shanks doesn't try, instead simply leaves the items he'd procured unwrapped on one of set's dressers or tables along with a letter in his wobbly cursive that only seems to get worse rather than better as set reads down the page. the vase, at least, shanks attached a bow to, and the earrings are cushioned in a red jewelry box, but the carnelian hippo figurine stands on its own without any decoration at all. most of his effort, it seems, went into writing the letter. )
[an attempted rendering of π©]
As I understand it, offerings of gifts are a customary way of honoring the gods of your land, though I admit I've little knowledge or interest in venerating any of them but you. Of course, I can't help but wonder: is this an act of worship or simply an expression of goodwill during this season they call Christmastime?
The vase, remarkably, resembles the construction of my ship, the Red Force. The water it holds, I'm told, is blessed from the Nile itself β I thought you might be missing home, as I am. I only wish I could give you more of it. (And if I've been hoodwinked by a sly merchant, I expect I'll never hear the end of it.)
Additionally, several of the books I've read mentioned the hippopotamus being sacred to you β it's only a small token, but one I hope you'll appreciate nonetheless. The earrings, likewise, reminded me of you β your hair, your eyes, the color of you in my mind's eye, even as I write this letter. Of us, truthfully: you, the vast Red Lands; and I, the product of a life at sea. Some might think it strange, this union of ours β and yet does the desert not eventually meet the waves? Does the kiss of seafoam not trail the furthest reach of your sands?
You told me before you don't want for much β still, I found myself in the market scarcely thinking of anyone but you. Perhaps it's silly to be writing this down, when I could just as easily tell you, but I imagine you'll be finding me soon enough.
Happy Christmas, as they say.
With love,
[a poor rendering of Shanks' jolly roger]
Edited (now with the correct letter) 2024-12-10 05:51 (UTC)
[ Two boxes are delivered β by Homelander himself β to Set's door on Christmas Eve. Both are wrapped in shiny red paper and tied with blue ribbon, though one box is noticeably larger β and heavier β than the other. It seems both silly and natural to get gifts for a god β on the one hand, what would a god possibly need, but on the other, worship is the way of things, isn't it?
When Set tears away the wrapping paper, he'll find:
When Set tears away the wrapping paper, he'll find:
β In the larger box, a sand table, made of white stone.There's also a card, in which has been written: ]
β In the smaller box, a vintage-style baseball and glove.
Set,
I know the table's a bit clunky, but I thought it might remind you of home. The ball and glove, they're for you and your son, whenever we end up making it back home. It's a bit of a tradition, where I'm from, for dads to play catch with their boys.
There are a lot of things I hate about this place, but meeting you isn't one of them. Friends are a rare thing. I think we both know that.
You know, maybe you do still exist in my world. Maybe we just haven't met yet. Wouldn't that be nice?
Happy holidays,
Homelander
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