|
Post by indeath on Jan 11, 2023 5:12:47 GMT -6
August yelped as Sam’s hand came towards him ducking slightly. He braced himself for pain, the situation bringing him back to moments with his maker. He was dumbfounded when all he received was a hair tousle. There was still nothing where Sam’s head was meant to be. Did that mean he wasn’t even meant to have one? Had August just made a terrible assumption? Still Sam was laughing so it couldn’t have been that terrible. It took August a good moment to gather himself and he chuckled a little in return. He grinned in sheer relief then broke into an uneasy laugh. He still felt a little on edge. The helmet coming back on was disturbing but not the most disturbing thing he’d seen.
“Oh! OOOH! Riiight! Well butter me buns and call me a sanga! A hazing! Ya got me dead ta rights… heh. Ya did just fine… Maybe just a little too well.”
August had tried to keep it together but when Sam asked if he was okay tears sprang in his eyes once more. The rush of stress and fear had been immense. Before Sam had a chance to pick the weapon up, August wrapped him in a tight hug.
“Yeeah. She’ll be right. So ah, what are ya? Like a Sleepy Hollow man?”
|
|
|
Post by NightshadeVII on Jan 29, 2023 9:44:32 GMT -6
Casual as ever, Samael wiped the fake blood off his hand while August laughed nervously. Thankfully, the blood came off easily, leaving no permanent stain. The young man was still on edge, understandably enough, but now that he would begin working here, this was by far the strangest thing he’d see. Hopefully it would not become to much for him in the long run.
“Ah yes, one of my colleagues might have come up with something a bit more casual”, Samael shrugged, “but I didn’t want to bother the-“
A surprised, dissatisfied huff sounded from the dullahan when August hugged him, and he remained immobile unsure of what to do. Should he hug back? He had never been much of a hugger, disliked it honestly, and he didn’t know August this well at all. Still the man obviously needed the comfort, so eventually, Samael settled on a pat on the back. It was meant to be friendly and encouraging, instead it came off as stiff and awkward. Clearly out of practice.
“A… sleepy hollow man?”, Samael echoed, keeping his hand lightly on the vampire’s back in the best hug he might give, “I am a dullahan, of sorts, you might know them from Irish mythology.”
|
|
|
Post by indeath on Feb 5, 2023 18:23:32 GMT -6
August reluctantly released the man from the hug, sensing his unease. It was hard being a hugger in a world that seemed to be full of non-huggers. It was his goal to convert at least one of them to the ways of hugs. Now that he thought about it, the blood hadn’t smelt right at all. How embarrassing. Yet now that it was over, the adrenaline was kinda fun. He definitely felt closer to his new friend.
“Ya went all in! I appreciate ya Sammy! Ya not the type to half arse it. Ya got a lotta passion. Ever think of volunteering for a Halloween haunt? Ya’d kill it. Not literally though… heh.”
August looked at Sam, trying to wrack his brain for information on Dullahans but came up short. Well there would be no better source than the one in front of him.
“Ermmm I think that’s what it was… but German. So what’s a dullahan when it’s at home? Are ya Irish? Cause ya don’t got an accent or nothin’. Is the head thing ya only power?”
August gave a friendly smile. His eyes burning with interest.
|
|
|
Post by NightshadeVII on Feb 14, 2023 17:42:33 GMT -6
Once satisfied that August wouldn’t begin to cry again, or even worse, hug him a second time, Samael nodded to himself and began to clean up the evidence of his prank. Luckily, nothing important had been knocked over and the fake blood was easy enough to take care of.
Another hoarse, wheezing laughter came from Samael as the young man suggested he work in a Halloween haunt. The mental image was equal parts amusing and distressing, no doubt absurd. He might as well walk around in public headless in that case. It would have much the same effect.
“Yes, I’m Irish, I’ve just lived here a long time”, Samael explained calmly. Though he wasn’t much for conversation, answering simple questions like this was mostly fine. “Most of my kind carry their own rotting head around. Thankfully I’ve been spared that.” He couldn’t exactly say that he hadn’t had reason to talk before he came to America, it tended to bring up questions he’d rather not answer, in fact, he much preferred if his time in Ireland was never brought up. It was better to act like it didn’t exist.
“Other powers?”, Samael stopped what he was doing and considered the words, briefly flexing a gloved hand, “I know when people are meant to die, like my kin, I collect their souls when need be. I can commune with the dead, if they wish to talk. And I… well…” He flexed his hand again, bending his wrist, the movement quick and practiced. There was a wet, tearing sound as a jagged, chipped plate of metal pushed out of the cold skin of the dullahan’s wrist. The cloth around his elbow and shoulder shifted, as if similar plates were about to push through there as well. This amour, stored beneath the skin, was a strange augmentation to a dead body, and he was never quite sure how to explain how it worked, so visual proof would have to do. “This. It’s practical.”
|
|
|
Post by indeath on Feb 17, 2023 22:22:56 GMT -6
August listened with wrapt attention, Sam was so cool. His eyes almost fell out of his head when the armor pushed through Sam’s skin. He resisted the urge to touch it, that was probably a bit weird. There was so much out there in the supernatural world to discover.
“Bombaroo! Ya like a real life power ranger! Maybe ya should wear more green ta show ya Irish pride. A little clover pin or somethin? Hey so do ya have a head at all? Is your brain in ya guts somewhere or do ya got like a spirit brain?”
It was hard to keep all the questions from popping out of his mouth. Hopefully he wasn’t annoying the guy too much but he couldn’t help wondering.
“It must be hard knowing when others will die. Like do ya tell em or just let it be. That’s a lotta pressure right there. If ya know me death date… Don’t tell me.”
He looked at the shelves wondering if he was still expected to sort them out. He wasn’t really qualified to do it now that he thought about it.
|
|
|
Post by NightshadeVII on Apr 14, 2023 1:45:53 GMT -6
Having August’s undivided attention was unusual, to say the least. The dullahan mostly kept to himself during work hours and had only ever really managed to scare of new hires. He couldn’t quite decide if this was the better alternative.
Samael tilted his head. “A… power ranger?”, he questioned in his echoing voice, his confusion made all the more comical by his lack of face. The bombardment of questions from the vampire made it hard to keep track of everything he wanted to know, and the dullahan would surely forget what a power ranger was by the end of the day. But then again, clearly the young vampire still found the supernatural world interesting and exciting. That was not something the dullahan wanted to shut down, so for now, he was going to try and answer the questions he could. “I have no organs of any kind, mister Hayze, and I like to think it’s an advantage.”
The next question however, took a moment for Samael to consider. Instinctively, he knew the answer, but framing it right was the hard part. He already unnerved people enough as it was, giving overly detailed or vague answers in regards to the nature of his duties wouldn’t help that. “I don’t tell people when they die, that’s not my place. Besides, people tend to live less genuine lives when they know the date of their death”, the Dullahan explained calmly, “Death is not so unkind as people make it out to be. But that’s easy for me to say.” Again, his words were accompanied by that quiet, wheezing laughter.
At least August seemed like the type to speak his mind, Samael could appreciate that. It nearly made up for his proclivity towards hugs. Nearly.
“The storage spaces are always this messy, if that’s what you’re thinking about” Samael said, noticing how the young man’s gaze drifted towards the shelves, “we could tidy it up, but it would look exactly like this again tomorrow.”
“On a more serious note. Is there anything you’re unsure of in regards to the job?”, Samael asked, “if there’s anything I can clarify for you, I’d be happy to do so.”
|
|
|
Post by indeath on May 8, 2023 18:00:21 GMT -6
No organs… August had a particularly inappropriate thought but didn’t voice it. That kinda stuff was nobody’s business except their own. He smiled warmly at his new friend.
“A power ranger is like a cool hero and they look kinda like you. They fight giant monster an’ have fun catch phrases..”
August nodded when Sam spoke about his death knowledge. It definitely wasn’t a power that he wanted, he didn’t think he’d have the strength not to tell people.
“You’re a good m..Dullahan. That’s very kind of you to consider the lives of others an’ with a great burden. Like knowin’ the endin’ to millions of stories.”
August looked back at the storage sadly. It was a shame. So many cool things lost in chaos. You’d think they’d have a charm or something for it. Still at least he didn’t have to be the one to sort it all out.
“Ermmm…”
His mind blanked completely at the last question and he began wracking his brain for questions to ask about the job.
“Do.. we get a end of year party? Is there some kinda birthday system? I dunno… What do you reckon I should know?”
|
|
|
Post by NightshadeVII on Jun 18, 2023 3:13:56 GMT -6
When August began describing the concept of power rangers, Samael only tilted his head, saying nothing. The sentiment was half-understood, but the dullahan’s pragmatic nature shut down any idea of following through with the vampire’s suggestion.
Then as August commented on the knowledge Samael held, the dullahan made a wheezing sound in place of a chuckle, hoarse and raw but maybe also warm? “By now, I’ve come to realize that the ends of the stories usually aren’t the important parts. It’s everything that comes before.”
The young vampire’s question surprised Samael, and he quickly realized he was in no position to answer it, preferring to avoid such social gatherings for a myriad of different reasons. “End of year party? I suppose we would. I…”, the dullahan huffed, crossing his arms, “I’m not much for parties, so I honestly can’t say. Same with birthday parties. I’m sure most of my colleagues would love to enlighten you in that regard though.” He could have made a joke about killing lively atmospheres, but decided that perhaps that would be pushing it. Now that the hazing was over, there was not much need for more ill-timed jokes.
“You work in the magical creatures department, yes?”, Samael inclined his head as he spoke, the thin line separating flesh from glass becoming uncomfortably clear with the movement, “I’d say even if you won’t work with humanoids, you should very seriously consider signing up for various different self-defense classes, magical and non. Also, never wear your favorite shoes to work.”
|
|
|
Post by indeath on Jun 28, 2023 6:22:03 GMT -6
August beamed at Sam wishing there was some way to express his friendship to the dullahan. He had such a warm heart that August knew they had to be friends. Lifelong if August had his way. They would laugh about it in the future.
August’s smile faltered slightly at the mention of self-defense, he didn’t exactly have a great history with self-defense classes though this one hopefully wouldn’t be run by sadistic elder vampires.
He nodded. He was pretty excited to meet all the mysterious creatures Wathais had to offer.
“Ya have favorite shoes? Are ya a shoe guy? I’ll certainly give em a burl. Unfortunately I’m skint as a salamander after bugspray. I’ll definitely buy meself a pair of work boots. Ya wouldn’t know ta look at me but I got skills in defense an’ I’m pretty good with a rifle. So uh what part of WDSA do ya work in? HR? Customer service?”
He grinned hoping his joke would land.
|
|
|
Post by NightshadeVII on Jul 2, 2023 16:37:29 GMT -6
A conversation with August was like falling into a rushing stream, forgetting which was was up and which was down. Or it was like those teacup rides at carnevals that one of his colleagues had told him about. The man was sociable, friendly to a fault, but for someone like Samael, who preferred to keep to himself, he was impossible to keep up with. Had he needed to breathe, he’d probably be winded by now. Though there was plenty of people here he was certain the young vampire would get along with. It was probably best he introduced them to him as quickly as possible.
The joke flew effortlessly over the dullahan’s non-existent head, falling flat. Instead, August got a series of matter-of-fact answers, all delivered in an echo-y voice that made it sound much important than it actually was.
“A… shoe guy?”, Samael echoed, “I’ve never thought about it. Anyway, it’s good you have some experience with self defense, keep those skills honed. You might need them some day. I know some of my colleagues sometimes host classes, should you ever be interested.”
Then, as the subject turned to himself, the dullahan shifted slightly, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I work the field mostly. Occult and spirit work- for obvious reasons. As well as crimes and other incidents with a supernatural component”, then, in a comparatively humorous tone, “credit to those who do work customer service here though, I could never.”
|
|
|
Post by indeath on Jul 10, 2023 3:23:25 GMT -6
August sadly accepted defeat, he’d have to work on Sam’s sense of humor. He was pretty sure it could be taught and he would certainly die trying. At least Sam had a ass to laugh off, it was a start.
“What kinda stuff do you like? Apart from work. Also I happen ta find ya rather charmin’, so you’re more sociable than ya think! Oh yeah I’ve signed up for lessons with a guy. A vampire so I can hone me skills.”
Sam was definitely a tricky customer but August was glad to have met him. He’d be in the field too so maybe they’d run into each other now and again. Hopefully. He could hear a little bit of strain in Sam’s voice.
“So ah anyone ya think I should avoid? I can uh be more quiet next time we hang out, if ya like.”
He smiled hopefully.
|
|
|
Post by NightshadeVII on Jul 14, 2023 8:02:48 GMT -6
The steady stream of questions relating to Samael himself was clearly unusual for the dullahan, he shuffled slightly, as if restless and rolled his shoulders. Surely there couldn’t be that much to say about a corpse such as himself, reanimated or not.
“Me? I suppose I like…”, the dullahan hesitated, searching for an answer but nothing came to mind. He had never been a hobbies person. “Reading?”
He almost felt bad, he supposed, that August somehow considered him sociable. Truly, nothing could be further from the truth- he avoided work parties when possible, and rarely went out with colleagues after work, aside from when they managed to trick him into it. The dullahan was content to just do his job quietly, though that seemed to be unnacceptable to most people. Samael truly had no idea what he had done to catch people’s interest.
“Anyone you should avoid?”, Samael echoed, a multitude of names quickly coming to mind. Though most were people the dullahan had accidentally scared, personally found annoying or just didn’t work well with, so none of them probably counted, he decided. And a part of him also suspected that if he mentioned any particular names, the young vampire might purposefully seek them out. “None come to mind at the moment, though many people here do tend to be to the eccentric side, comes with the job. Take everyone with a grain of salt, I suppose. And I don’t mind you talking, I’m just not talkative myself.”
|
|
|
Post by indeath on Jul 16, 2023 5:52:08 GMT -6
August was a little disappointed with Sam’s answer but maybe he just hadn’t met the right hobby yet. August had all sorts of hobbies in mind he could introduce Sam to. Some he’d even enjoy or at least August hoped so. At the very least he had to get the guy into movies.
“I’m glad ya don’t mind me talkin… I could talk the end off a donkey sometimes. Hey umm so ya like movies, right? If we’re gonna be mates ya gonna have ta watch a few.”
He was on bated breath to hear Sam’s answer. What if he hated movies. It would cut out so many fun conversations.
“Umm two more questions. I’ll try an’ slow down. One can I have ya number and uh apart from me, who’s ya favorite person here?”
|
|
|
Post by NightshadeVII on Aug 10, 2023 15:25:13 GMT -6
There was a quick flash of disappointment in the young man’s eyes, but quickly, it seemed to be by some kind of determination, like he had just set himself a goal. Hopefully it was not one that required the dullahan to socialize more than he already did.
“I’ve never watched that many movies, so I don’t really have an opinion on them”, Samael replied bluntly. A wall would make better conversation than he and he knew it, but he also saw no reason to give Hayze any false expectations. The dullahan was not human and never had been, only recently had humanity been required on him. In this regard, he was a slow learner.
At the young vampire’s question, Samael made that wheezing sound again, his laugh. “Yes, I’ll write my number down for you”, he answered the first question calmly, professionally, and then, “I enjoy working with Agent Lucidus. Though he is an… acquired taste. Agent Telmore is very reasonable as well.”
|
|
|
Post by indeath on Aug 11, 2023 21:23:14 GMT -6
August got his phone out and took Sam’s number, sending a message just to make sure it was the right one. When it made a small chime, his face split into a large smile. He checked his watch as he realized he was feeling hungry. Time to go find a bag.
“Well expect to acquire my taste, Sammy! In the friendful way not anythin’ weird. Don’t need ta bite me. Heh ya can’t… Can ya? Thanks for the warmest darn welcome a guy could ask for! I should probs leave ya to brood some more.”
|
|