011 ♐ it's easy living in the house of your dreams ♐ ᴏᴘᴇɴ

[geometry]

Characters: Equius Zahhak (AU) and YOU
Setting: Floor 70, the machine.
Format: Starting in action, but I'll do whatever.
Summary: Equius gets his geek on in the worst conceivable way.
Warnings: Possible crushing, burning, or acid corrosion. YAY SCIENCE!


[...Wow.]

[There was no telling how big this floor was. The walls and ceiling were nowhere in sight, because they were completely covered by a massive breathing machine. There was a faint tinge of rust in the air here, and the outer reaches were further obscured by smoke of various colours. Metal parts clunked and ground against one another, making extremely unattractive noises as they did so. A truly staggering amount of the mechanisms here were burned or dented (or maybe they were supposed to be that way, since they were unfamiliar), but they all seemed to be working together towards... something that wasn't immediately clear. There had to be a million different platforms all around the place, but most of them were conveyor belts, carrying scraps of some kind of metal into a huge boiling vat of liquid that sizzled when something dropped in.]

[It was beautiful.]

[Not much to see here, Tower; just a troll, standing next to the staircase, gawking in amazement at the monstrosity in front of him. Judging from the oil streaks that have long since dried on this particular pair of pants, he could feel perfectly at home here... if he got an opportunity to look around. Right now, it's all unfamiliar. And way too big. All Equius can do for quite a long time is stand there and gawk. What could this thing be for?]

[He seems to want to find out, as shortly afterward he's examining the closer and less dangerous metallic innards. And then the slightly further metallic innards. And eventually he's crawling and jumping all over the place, still in view of the staircase, but observing mechanisms that could crush a hand and balancing on things that really ought not to be balanced on, all in the interest of getting just a little closer to that peculiar piece of machinery. It's just so interesting. He seems to be doing pretty well now; one of Equius' few talents is coordination and nimble movement. But who knows how long that'll last if someone startles him...]

Comments

[iron_infidel]

[Again he sensed the uneasiness that just seemed to radiate off of this troll. For a moment he thought of what would be the best course of action, in order to make the situation more comfortable for the timid alien. It doesn't take the older troll long to come to an idea. Slowly he drops to his knees, so that he is less intimidating to the other troll. While Signless wasn't very tall he could see why an adult troll, no matter the height, might be threatening to the other. Situating his posture, he came to about the height of the other, maybe just below or equal to his eye level. ]

I am sorry if my words might have been a bit invasive. Mmm, all that aside, you seemed to be having some enjoyment. It would not surprise me. Being a Zahhak, your name holds true. Quite the tinkerer you are.

[geometry]

[Signless, we all know you meant well, we do. And we appreciate it a lot. But unfortunately, there are just a lot of things that make Equius uncomfortable... and "someone else bowing to him" is high up on that list. Even lower-blooded trolls bowing to him makes him squirm, and adults? Adults complimenting him? Well, that's just a one-way train to crazyville. Equius immediately starts moving again, backing way far away from Signless and waving his arms in a way that sorta kinda implies he should get up, like, NOW. Because if he stays down for too long Equius might just bolt. ...This should go without saying by now, but if the Signless is basing his ideas of how to treat Equius on Darkleer, then he's going to be regarded with intense unsure-faces for a very, very long time.]

I-I...

["Words, boy. Use your words."]

Really, uh, it's. Okay. It's really okay.

[iron_infidel]

[His reaction is confusing, but Signless doesn't let the idea plague his thoughts for long. He eyes the other's gesture and taking the implications correctly, he comes to rise to his feet. His expression is that of mild shock. Mouth hangs slightly a gape as he stares at the other, now a considerable distance away from him. Had he said something wrong perhaps? Or maybe this troll really was that skittish? While he comes to speak, even though okay tumbles from his lips, Signless is not convinced.

This time he decides to try a different approach, perhaps if he just takes a few steps towards the other. It is possible that then the troll will calm himself. However doubt plagues his thoughts and after the first step comes to pass. Signless remains stable where he stands. A soft sigh escapes him and he finds his gaze coming to the floor.]

Why are you nervous?

[geometry]

[As soon as he saw the expression on Signless' face, the confusion and little bit of shock, Equius somehow got even worse. He stopped jumping all over the place in the middle of a freakout, sure, but instead he just... stood there, kind of, watching Signless get back up. Eventually he decided that even looking at the nullblood was a bad idea, and turned his attention to the floor instead. At least on the floor he couldn't mess anything up. Yeah, the floor was pretty much his best friend by now; you always knew where you were standing with floors, y'know?]

Sorry.

[Equius realized too late that Signless had actually asked him a question, and therefore necessitated an answer. Oh god. Equius felt something in his stomach lurch; he would have apologized again, but that would just be stone-cold retarded. The best thing to do is just answer the question, right? Right. That is the thing to do.]

I... [Uhhh.] ...sorry. I'm not used to people... kneeling for me.

[iron_infidel]

[Well at least by this point he has come to a resting point, even if it is still a distance away. Oh...heh is that what this is about. Just because he kneeled, he managed to over step his bounds a tad. His expression turns to nothing short of subtle embarrassment. His head hangs downward and his hood slumps to echo his posture. It can not be seen from his distance but a faint red blush rises to his cheeks.

Quickly in order not to make the situation more awkward then it was becoming. He laughs, allowing himself to smile.]

Ah well...I wasn't perhaps kneeling to honor you, if that accounts for anything. Only to show you that I am not a threat.

[geometry]

...Oh. [Well, that makes him feel kind of like an idiot, so... okay.] Sorry. [And he's just really addicted to apologizing for things apparently! Though really, with how many times he's asked forgiveness over the course of their conversation, this isn't exactly a surprise. However, Signless does seem to do the right thing; the laughter at least moves his expression to something a bit more neutral.]

I... misunderstood. [Though really, he wasn't used to adults marking themselves as a non-threat either, so it still ended up more or less the same.]

[iron_infidel]

[He shakes his hand and gestures with a wave of his hand. A symbol to dismiss the issue at hand.]

No, sorry is not needed here. Would it help if I cleared the air by saying that I will not harm you. While I may be an adult troll, violence I will not engage in unless it is to defend. Since I do not believe you will be attacking me. It goes without saying that I will not be of any threat to you.

[geometry]

I... alright. [He shrugs a bit, still looking guilty even though Signless has dismissed his apologies several times by now. There's only so long one can forgive him for not forgiving himself.] It's just a bit hard to assume, you know, with the... the disposition that most adults have. [Such as the Grand Highblood who slept a few feet away from him every night for several months. That was a real eye-opening experience.]

[iron_infidel]

[Disposition? Sure most adults, yeah he could see that. Though such a trait would be more consistent with high bloods then those of a lower caste.]

I assure you again I am not one of those trolls.

[geometry]

Yes.

[He shifts around a bit awkwardly, though fortunately, he seems to be a bit calmer already. It's actually working! Equius is flailing all over the place, granted, but it's working! (And besides, he flails all over the place anyway.) Eventually, his posture assumes a less nervous position, sliding somewhere closer to normal. Still not smiling, but he almost never smiles, so.]

Uh... I'm sorry for running into you. [Did he apologize for that yet? He doesn't think he did.]

[iron_infidel]

[Still remains at a stance, relaxed and calm. The change in his attitude makes the troll smile. ]

There is no need to apologize. I am glad that you manage to find yourself some entertainment in this tower.

[geometry]

It's not really for... entertainment. [He shrugs.] I mean, I guess I... got a bit carried away. But it's not like I was using this place like a jungle gym or anything!

[iron_infidel]

[He comes to nod in agreement.]

That is true, your carelessness nearly caused trouble and danger to your well being. Though considering your talents and hobbies, I am only coming to assume of course given your background, that you are well versed in what you are doing.

[geometry]

...What?

[Signless, you're weird. Stop complimenting him. And that didn't even make sense.]

Why do you keep doing that?

Omg this is late, sorry T^T

[iron_infidel]

Pardon, what is it that you mean? I am simply admiring your skills and talents and complimenting you on them.

[Was there anyway to get through to this troll?]

it's ok! <3

[geometry]

Yeah... why?

[iron_infidel]

Are you not deserving of compliments?

[geometry]

Not really.

[iron_infidel]

Then perhaps you should re-evaluate how you see yourself. From where I stand, you are deserving of compliments.

[geometry]

And from where I stand, I have no idea why you would think that.

[iron_infidel]

I see a worth in others. You may call it a gift if you will, but I will not ignore or deny a talent or find something unworthy of a comment.

[geometry]

[WELL EQUIUS WOULD. And you need to start hating him more, Signless, it's weird what you're doing right now and he's not sure he likes it.]

...That's a very... unusual state of mind, for a troll.