exonym | don't you think there must be a reason--

don't you think there must be a reason--

i. the swamplands

[ here is the thing: Leviathan isn't used to to having the wool pulled over his eyes. he isn't used to being the one that isn't in control, isn't the one that has all the cards, all the power. so when he wakes up in a muggy, warm as all fucking hell swamp in southern Florida instead of his delightful icy palace in Dis, the creature is fucking furious. this has Lucifer written all over it and that means-- well that means that there is nothing that he can do actually except fucking deal with it.

which means that, if you happen to be outside, you are going to hear a lot of exceptionally vicious growling noises coming from the swamp area, as well as some noises of destruction (sorry about the trees, Hyunki, only not really). there are also fissions of ice that crackle across the surface of the swamp, steam coming off them and they are clearly not natural.

neither is the coiled sea serpent monster thing in the swamp but you can totally overlook that, right? right.

Leviathan's temper tantrum lasts for less than an hour though, if only because he refuses to give anyone that might be watching the satisfaction of that emotional outburst. so, if you happen to have edged towards the swamp at the noise and chaos, you will be surprised to see an immaculately dressed Creature of the Abyss wandering out of the darkness and making his way to the house.

clearly this is where he was supposed to be going. or something.]

ii. swamp house

[ he is stuck here.

or you are all stuck with him, maybe that is a better way to look at it.

someone (an asshole) has decided that Leviathan needs a fucking timeout because apparently plotting and carrying out the murder of a fellow Cardinal is something like treason and honestly, why is anyone even surprised at this point? he is a demon. the demon actually. he is composed of envy and pride and at what point was rule following in either of those?

they weren't.

but still, he is Pit-born and therefore easily bound to places and forms.

and this house (or this swamp at least) seems to be where he has been bound to, and he is not able to sink into his usual monstrous form of the Creature. that latter one-- well it doesn't bother him as much as he is sure that Luci thinks it does but whatever. he isn't gonna tell her that.

in the few days that Levi has been around, he has claimed himself a familiar looking couch (Rook's, the Creature can smell him on it), and has put far too many holes in the wall thanks to a combination of opalescent daggers and his claws.]

Ya might not wanna stand there, doll face. Yer right infant of my makeshift target.

[ which is, if you should turn around to look, an ancient looking piece of papyrus that contains the original transcript of the Book of Revelations.

don't give him that look.]

iii. wildcard it

[ stumble across the lanky bastard anywhere. ask him to taste your tea. share a book with him. stab him with a fork. taunt him about something. but be aware, he will go for the throat literally. ]

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[jiho's learned to be less aggressive towards the newcomers, or at least no longer stabs first and asks questions later. he's learned to trust that the magic woven around swamp house meets everyone at the door, and from there decides whether or not to let them step across the threshold.

it doesn't, however, keep assholes on the porch. jiho's the original proof of that. he didn't even mean to have anything to do with levi, he was just passing through when he noticed something that rubbed him the wrong way...he's sort of loathe to admit it, but it's there, and jiho finally makes it known.]

You're in someone's spot.

[that's rook's couch. and go ahead and throw another dagger, he'll just phase out and back after it passes through him.]

[ stabbing first might have been a better idea honestly. would have made a better impression actually. as it is, Leviathan isn't stabbed, and you aren't moving so--

with a shrug, the demon throws another blade without a care or worry about if you move or not. he warned you after all.]

Mmm, am I? [ oh look, you're not dead, or bleeding. how interesting. something amused curls at his lips.] Interestin'. Ya particularly fond of Rook, or just his weird taste in fabrics?

[ another dagger, not really aiming for you or the paper, just thrown for the sake of throwing it.]

Gotta say, yer not the type I figured would like 'im. Did I make him that compelling?

[oh, you know what jiho finds interesting? the fact that you're not moving.]

This doesn't have anything to do with him.

[maybe it does a little, but jiho doesn't feel compelled to share that bit of information. he vanishes again, taking a step closer when he re-manifests, little magical ninja that he is.]

A lot of us live in this house. You might as well learn about common courtesy and the rules from the get-go. Rule one [he holds up a finger] that's Rook's couch. There are plenty of other places where you can lie and put holes in the wall.

[ did you want him to move? because that means that he sure as fuck ain't gonna move. ]

Mmm, but I think it does, doll.

[ does the Creature seem to get more comfortable on the couch, sprawling a little more and sinking into the cushions? maybe he does. honestly, it isn't the most comfortable thing for him, he is a bit, ah, longer than this couch is build for, but hey, it is pissing you off so he will stay here.

and smirk, a great deal when you try to tell him about rules.

cute.]

Mmhmmm, ya see, rules an' I get along famously [ in a terrible horrible no go way]. But Rook an' I get along even more famously, so I'm sure my little demon is gonna have no issues sharin' with me. He might even join me.

Don't.

[the 'doll' thing. jiho hates it, because he's small and his hair is the color of cotton candy, and that makes it easy for people to think him cute and soft and dismiss him entirely.

he uses it to his advantage sometimes, but he hates the drawl of it coming from this guy's lips.

maybe he won't think it too rude if jiho ignores him for a moment, back pressed against the brick of the fireplace as he fires off a few quick texts. or maybe jiho doesn't care. he glances up between them, sliding his phone back into his pocket right before the warning comes.

just when jiho thought you couldn't say anything worse than 'doll', you go and find something: my little demon.]

What if I joined you?

[ oh, well that is an interesting reaction indeed. it wasn't a term that Leviathan used with any kind of meaning, not because he thought Jiho was small or cute, but it was just what he said. but now that he had that reaction under his belt, there was a good chance that the Creature would be calling him that on a regular basis.

even when he was ignored. Leviathan doesn't care, just huffs a laugh and throws another dagger into the papyrus, calling it back with a curl of his wrist. sure, there are so many other things that he could be doing, could be getting to know the other beings in this house, could be looking for a way to get out of this fucking binding, but nah--

that's too much like admitting he was wrong.

so instead, he keeps throwing the daggers, huffing a little when Jiho offers to join him. he is a prideful shit, but he isn't stupid. Levi just points a dagger towards the assassin, not looking at him.]

Then I'd have t'tell you that ya aren't my type, doll. 'm not Wrath, I don't like those that are covered in blood, though it does make me wonder about what ya see in Rook. Boy is soft between his fuckin' ribs, shitty fucking demon too.

[there's that fucking word again, this bitc-

jiho lets the fantasy of kneeling on a cushion that's pressed over levi's face play for a little bit longer. and then decides to stick with what he knows - no pun intended.]

I told you, this doesn't have anything to do with him.

[because he doesn't want to draw attention to rook, doesn't want to paint a target on his back. he hates every time this guy says rook's name, every insult that leaves his lips. but it's better if he can get levi to think that someone covered in blood simply doesn't care about a little bit more - that's not exactly untrue.

neither is the next thing that jiho says, after he vanishes for a few seconds and reappears on the back of the couch, dagger of his own in hand. hissing the words before he brings it down.]

I just don't like you.

[ honestly, this is the kind of welcome that Leviathan expected. craved if anything. and maybe that is what has him laughing even as the assassin vanishes from in front of him to appear behind, knife in hand.

the Creature doesn't stop the blow, lets it strike true and even when he chokes a little on his opalescent blood, he is still laughing. sure it hurts, he isn't immune to pain, but he has dealt with so much that this? this is like a mosquito bite at worst. so, the Creature tips his head back, twists to drive the knife deeper, and smirks at him.]

Nice try, doll, but yer gonna have t'do better than that. Didn't Rook tell ya?

[ not that he cares, nope. Levi is reaching over his shoulders, claws sliding out of finger tips the same swirl of colours in white as his blood and digs them into Jiho's shoulder, hooking in to fling the assassin across the room without a care. or much effort for that matter.

it is clear with how Leviathan's smile gets wider at the sound of impact that this is something he revels in. he unfolds himself from the couch, pulling the knife from his skin with a hum before walking over to Jiho, he drops the knife next to him and couches down, licking blood from his fingertips.]

Ya tried, sweetheart, ya tried. Maybe ask yer precious Rook for some better ideas next time, huh?

[his control slipped. jiho wouldn't be able to explain why, might blame it on this being who and what he is, and he's been idle for so long. some kind of withdrawal for someone who's more comfortable with violence than real feelings.

real feelings like he feels when levi talks about rook the way that he does. the suggestions, the insults, the way that it gets under jiho's skin to know that there's more to the story between them without knowing exactly what it is, but sensing that it's not good. even if jiho doesn't like him, even if he was provoked, having this reaction so quickly-

he went too far.

he didn't know his enemy either. and he pays for it all with a sharp pain that lights up his entire body when he hits the wall. his shoulder burns where levi's claws pierced deep, and jiho can feel the stickiness of his own blood making his shirt stick to him. he pushes himself up on his good shoulder, eyes lifting to levi's.]

Tell me what?

[ there's another soft hum, Leviathan licking the last of the blood form his fingers before he stands up, mostly ignoring the assassin on the ground.]

Tell ya who an' what I am, doll. Maybe ya wouldn't have been so stupid, mmm?

[ he looks down, smile sharp as he kicks the blade closer to Jiho.]

Not that I'm all that upset, you were almost amusin' there fer a minute.

[ a soft sigh, wistful almost, before Levi is gone, bloodstains and all.]

[ What look? You mean this expression of extreme innocence and profound curiosity? This look that seems to exude these things in excess? That look? ]

Oh, oops, did I get in your way? [ Ten quickly scoots off to the side, glancing over his shoulder at the document that seems to be the target of his companion's destructive impulses. He sort of instinctively gathers his arms and tentacles around himself like he's trying to keep his proverbial skirts out of the mud. ] Sorry!

What're you doing? Target practice?

[ That much seems obvious, but the target does seem kind of interesting. As does the projectile selection. And the person doing the throwing. ]

Is it fun?

[ More importantly, Ten, do you realize you just asked a ton of questions? ]

[ that look is not to be trusted. ever. Levi knows that nothing is actually innocent, n o t h i n g.

except it might take him a little by surprise. well that and the fact that you seem sincere as far as he can tell (he is the best of liars so he should know when one is lying). and you have multiple appendages. and you kinda smell like the sea and oh wow that is something he missed dearly, he was going to have to go find saltwater sometime soon yes--

after he blinks a few times and tries to parse why the fuck you are talking to him. he does not make a very welcoming sight, he knows this.]

Uh, more like tryin' to work out aggression in a way that doesn't end with me gettin' my ass kicked.

[ look, he knows his strengths, and he knows he would not win that fight.

the second (third? fourth? fuck thats a lot of questions) makes him pause though. is it fun?]

Honestly? Not really. But it's better than lightin' shit on fire at this point I think. Here, [ he holds out a dagger, hilt first.] Wanna give it a go?

[ Some people do anything to be rid of the smell of innocence and some people do anything to hang onto it. And some people don't seem to care too much, and when those people seem innocent, it's probably the strongest impression of all.

That might be Ten.

He smiles like a little sunbeam and gives the papyrus a look of appraisal. ] It seems like a good way!

Though if I were the wall, I might complain a little, [ he notes.

Scooting on over to Levi, he looks at the dagger, examining it from one angle and then another. ] I've never done this before. You hold the blade when you throw, right?

[ He takes hold of it.

Honestly, it looks really weird in his hands. He's a lover, not a fighter! ] If you'd asked me not that long ago, I would've said anything was better than lighting things on fire. [ He sticks out his tongue, briefly showing off some jewelry there. ] It doesn't bug me so much anymore.

Oh, are you from the ocean? [ His head cocks to the side. ] I feel like you are.

[ why are you--- so smiley. like what. the hell.

Leviathan is just a little baffled, even as he hands over one of the daggers and hums while Ten tries to figure out how to throw it. ]

Mmm yeah. With these that's how ya throw em. But there are others that are thrown differently.

[ sitting up a bit, Levi moves to fix the grip that Ten has on the blade, humming as he does eyes catching on the glint of silver. the Creature can taste the spells there, woven into the metal. much like a great deal of this house, it is an interesting mix of magics and Levi, while annoyed about being here, is a little bit intrigued.]

Not a fan of fire, huh? Fair comin' from the ocean I guess. [ is that a small smile on his face? maybe it is MAYBE IT IS. ] What are ya doing in a swamp huh?

[ Smiling is easier than frowning, Levi. ]

How many kinds of knives are there? I didn't even know you could throw them in multiple ways. Wow.

[ The more you know. He stands very still, obediently allowing his new companion to help him adjust his grip. ] Do I have it? [ he asks, holding it up when they're finished fiddling. ] And now I just let it fly, right?

[ He's about to do just that when his brows rise instead. ] How'd you know? You're right! Fire's sort of a tough one for me. [ He wrinkles up his nose. ] Why couldn't I have been a heat-resistant squid? I could've lived near steam vents or something.

[ Would've made a few things easier. A little. ] Myung brought me here! I wasn't doing too good out of water one day, so he brought me a tub and I came here! How about you? You're also far from the ocean!

[ you say that but his smiles always look menacing so---]

Hn, dunno. A lot. It's one of those things where people just keep makin' 'em. Not that I'm gonna say shit about it. Rather fond of em after all.

[ there are few things in the universe that Levi likes more than knives, and you have to get to level five before you unlock that secret.

in the mean time he will watch as Ten grips the knife and there is almost a fond looking smile on his face as the other tries to hold the knife. it is clear that he hasn't had any practical experience at all fighting. which is-- weird as fuck for Levi to comprehend but hey, whatever.]

Mmm, ya smell like the ocean, which is water duh. So, I mean 'm not too bad with fire myself but-- [ a shrug. he isn't your average ocean dweller. for one, when he is is in his sea serpent form, he takes up pretty much the entire Atlantic Ocean with his size so--] Mmm, the spell ya got there should be good, I can taste it from here so it's strong.

[ wait did you just-- ask him about himself and why he is here? what? Levi blinks a few times, clearly confused.] Uh... yeah. Bound here fer a while it seems. Pissed off the boss.

[ Menacing intentionally or menacing accidentally though. ]

You like knives? [ Well. Thinking about it, that seems pretty obvious. Silly question, Ten. ] Mostly for throwing or...

[ How does one begin this level up process? Does it involve throwing knives? Because Ten's about to do that, watch him. He has pretty good form and he's definitely not puny, so even if the knife doesn't go where he wants it to, it does still embed in the wall pretty firmly.

He wrinkles his nose and gives it a look. ] I feel like I just hurt the house. I'm sorry, house! [ he calls, hands cupped around his mouth. ]

Oh, yeah. That makes sense. [ Ten laughs, the kind of laugh that is clearly not laughing with you, but rather laughing at you, except he's laughing at himself. ] Duh! You're right though, my family's all better with water than fire. My godparents are okay with it though! Lava and stuff. [ "And stuff." ] Sage made it! It's good magic.

[ He hums, rocking back on his heels. ]

So you're on forced sabbatical, is that it? This isn't a bad place to do that! Though you might have more fun doing things besides putting holes in the walls.

[ and he isn't about to answer that, just gives Ten a look like 'well duh' because, does he like knives... he does shrug though at what he does with them.]

Throwing, carving, looking at. They are interestin' ya know? I like collecting em too. [ a hum when Ten throws the dagger, clearly impressed in some capacity because, well, it isn't easy to throw a knife despite what people seem to think. the Creature gives him a quirk of a smile.] Don't think the house can feel much, it's full of magic yeah but-- no life. Not in its bones at least.

[ death, yes. there are spectres and ghosts and things tied in this house that Leviathan can only begin go understand, but then again, it makes sense that he wasn't sent to just any old place. this place... this place is enough magic to hold the binding on him firm, even if he was to find a way to undo it himself.]

Mmm, yeah somethin' like that. Not sure what else 'm suppose t'do though, not like I have many other abilities than killin'.

[ Shrugging is not the most encouraging answer, but Ten does not push it. ]

You must know a lot about them. I don't think I know much more than which ones you use to butter bread and which ones you use to cut meat. [ He's widely versed in the art of knives, as we all can see. ] You don't think it's alive? [ he asks, brows rising. ] Maybe not in the sense that you can communicate with it, but I think anything that holds as much life as all the people here bring to it has to have absorbed some of it for itself.

[ He takes a deep breath in, like he's demonstrating something. ] It just feels that way to me.

[ Humming, Ten taps his chin with his forefinger. ] Maybe it's a good time to cultivate some new skills. Maybe a hobby!

One that isn't sharp and pointy.

[ look, he is really good at one thing (well two if you include pissing beings of all kinds off) and that is killing. but he still doesn't feel like just saying that. for all he knows there is a fucking angel in this house and-- yeah, no thanks.]

Mmm not alive but-- yeah I guess it has a whole hell of a lot of memories. This place is-- well I've been around a great deal an' this house is made up of a lot more than most people would think. Might be the swamp it's on too though, not sure yet. [ he hasn't looked into it really. but he does look at Ten, more than a little impressed because-- well that sure as fuck isn't something that many would be able to feel. he is -- intrigued. to say the least.]

Hobby, huh? Never had one of those. So, what d'ya think a good one would be?

[ Well, there's a god who might take issue. But that's not because it's his godly duty, he just doesn't like violence of any kind. And Ten doesn't seem a huge fan either.

But he's also not looking too fussed. ] I always wondered. I feel a lot of things from the swamp, like I feel from the ocean, but different. They're both really old, you can tell that just from being here for a little while. But they're also old in different ways, I think. And they get angry in different ways, too.

[ One day, Ten's going to figure out how his magic sense works. As of now, it's just vague impressions. ] Now that you're here, it'll have more memories! That's how it works.

[ He grins. ] There's lots of good ones! I started making a board game, but let's see. You like knives, maybe you could carve things! You can carve lots of stuff. Wood, that'd be one. And soap! People carve soap, apparently.

You didn't have to do that!

[ Because Hyunki'd been around, doing his usual thing, and he witnessed a couple of trees being felled for no reason, and now he's fuming.

So, Levi, find yourself faced with a tiny man, looking extremely cross with you as he walks to one of the trees, placing his hands on it and bowing his head, murmuring a few words - a prayer of peace. Then, he turns back to the man. ]

Did that make you feel better? Did they do anything to you? Hurt you in any way? Gods, so many of you take Nature for granted!

[ the Creature is already tuning around and rolling his eyes because, yeah he didn't have to, but he also didn't have to be bound to fucking Earth like this, and you didn't have to care about any of this, and-- well a lot of things. but then he is looking down and squinting because--]

Ya smell like Adder. The fuck.

[ that is not that what he expected. fuck. just when he thought that this couldn't get any worse, he is faced with he possibility of seeing that fucking god and wow, things that Levi does not want to deal with ever, right next to having a conversation with Mika.

with a small growl, Levi moves to step by the small angry Adder smelling guy and head towards the house.]

Actually, it did make me feel fuckin' great, thanks. Better those trees than the whole of this fuckin' country, yeah? I was bein' nice.

[ The words take Hyunki by surprise, and he reels back. ]

You know Adder?

[ This should not surprise him, but hey-oh. It doesn't diminish his anger, though, especially at the next few words. ]

Nice? Nice?

[ Hyunki rushes after the guy, pushing him to the side, showing more strength than to be expected considering his diminutive form. ]

These trees, that you give so little shit about, are extremely important to this place! So you'll be planting new saplings, to replace what you've killed. You'll make up for your destruction.

[ does he know Adder, fuck everyone in Hell and the underworld knows Adder, just like they know him. and how much the two of them do not get a long at all. so of course the first person he has to run into here smells like the god. of fucking course, nothing could be easy about this at all.

fuck, he hates Luci.

the Creature snorts, looking down as he is pushed and leans down, eyebrow raised.]

Yeah, I was bein' fucking nice, the last time I took a tantrum, yer fucking planet lost Atlantis. So, trust me when I say it was nicer that it was a few fuckin' trees and not the damn country. [ ha ha ha. plant saplings, oh that's cute. he will do no such thing, and even Adder won't make him. so nice try, greenie.]

I get that the green shit is yer thing, flower boy, but it ain't mine and I'm sure as fuck not gonna plant shit, not unless you want fucking hellbore springin' up all over this place and ruining even more.

[ That's when it strikes Hyunki. One second, he considers turning himself into a tree, and grabbing this guy by the collar, and the next, he's struck silent, by one word. One simple, tiny word, that explains it all.

Tantrum.

Hyunki grows instantly calmer, although his voice is just like ice. ]

Ah, so you know. You know you're being childish. That's something, at least, maybe one day you'll grow out of it. You know Adder, so I'll wager you're from the Underworld, and so I'll also wager that you're very old, and very powerful, and I stand no chance, here, trying to make you do anything.

[ Hyunki holds his hands up, but his eyes never waver. ] But you're also obviously a child, and there's often no point in arguing with children when they don't want to listen. I don't have time for someone like you.

[ Sure, he'll have to replant himself, but. Fuck that. Fuck arguing with a guy like that. Hyunki's already turning around. ]

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don't you think there must be a reason--

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