inframundc

[inframundc]

"Huh... Should I? I dunno. She's a bother, but it's never really gotten so bad. Sounds like too much of a bother." Not to mention that their course was close to ending, and he'd make sure not to take the same class as her for the next semester.

Owen came close then, just as Agus was adding the last bit of spices to the vegetables so everything would be ready to be served. The smell, indeed, was delicious. Even without tasting it he could tell it was going to be mildly good, at least.

He was so focused that he didn't notice Owen coming up behind him until his chin was perched on his shoulder. And yet, Agustín didn't pull away at all.

"You are pretty. I'm sure you already knew that," he mused, not truly meaning to compliment the other. Or more like, assuming the other was already aware of his obvious beauty.

He had to stop for a second to realize that he, probably, should worry about the compliments. It wasn't a problem, just not his first instinct. Words of affirmation were hardly his love language. But since he wasn't the shy type, it wouldn't hurt to try, right?

"I mean, you don't need me to tell you that you're pretty. I don't invite ugly people over."

Yes. Yes it would hurt to try.

Owen offers a sympathetic look at that. "I stand corrected, mea culpa." Probably a bad case of stereotypes? Some women just expected camp and performance from their homosexually inclined brethren. He'd say something about double standards, but straight people were already fighting their own self-inflicted demons left and right. 

Oh, if he were privy to Agustin's thoughts? He might very well encourage him to complain. Harassment wasn't cute, regardless of gender or nonconformity. Whatever. "Have you told your instructor to move you to another table or something?" There's a furrow in his brow—a barest hint of worry. 

"It smells promising," the brunet chimes in amicably, his fingertips drumming gently in his jacket pockets. It's not that he's shy, so much as recalibrating the game plan and maybe willing the small trove of items he'd stuffed in them not to tumble out. 

"Thank you." A flash of a dimpled grin, all pearly whites and slightly prominent canines (the bane of his existence as a child.) Owen sidles up beside Agustin without further prompting, gray eyes fixed on the pot of ingredients as it's stirred. "Not like chemistry..." Like art? It takes him a moment to register the fact that he's been complimented. "My face and delicious aren't mutually exclusive; you're right." He inches a little closer to perch his chin on the scruffy man's available shoulder. "Unless I'm mistaken, you called me pretty, hmn?" count on him to err on the side of modesty.

[inframundc]

By the time they finally made it to Ulysses' hideout, Agustín had recovered his breath and his energy, although his skin had started to bruise a little from the fight he had gotten into earlier against his will. He didn't make a single comment about it, especially as he was starting to realize just how complex this new job was going to be.

So much for keeping a low profile, he thought at the sight of the other's several maps and research boards. But he had never been the kind to back down from a challenge either, so he took a deep breath and made himself comfortable on his seat.

"Kai Manu? Why does that name sound familiar?" he asked, not really waiting for an answer. He was under the impression that his father had mentioned such name before, during the days where Inframundo was up and running. "Are we preparing for a last stand here or is the plan to gather intel precisely so we can go in the offensive?"

@inframundc || At the Safe House [Ulysses/Agustin]

The safehouse was the most familiar and comforting place now, which was a sad thought for the Warlock who was once in his prime. The interior was dimly lit, with a spacious living area adorned with worn yet comfortable furniture. Walls were adorned with maps, photographs, and various notes, all connected by strings and pins, forming a web of information. It was evident that this place had been meticulously organized and served as Ulysses' command center.

A long, wooden table stood in the center of the room, covered in scattered papers and open books. There were countless hours Ulysses had spent poring over research and strategizing. Nearby, a small kitchenette offered the bare essentials for sustenance. To the side, there was a study area with shelves lined with dusty tomes and ancient artifacts, and overall an ancient energy in the air-indicating that Ulysses had not completely abandoned his warlock heritage. It seemed he had adapted his skills to fit his current circumstances.

Ulysses gestured for Agustin to take a seat at the table. "Make yourself comfortable, Agustin. We have a lot of work ahead of us." He moved to a nearby cabinet and pulled out a bottle of whiskey, pouring two glasses and sliding one across the table to his bodyguard.

As they settled into their seats, Ulysses picked up a map, his eyes tracing the lines and markings. "Kai Manu operates from the shadows, but he has a network of loyal followers, informants, and enforcers. We need to gather as much information as we can, find his weaknesses, and exploit them."

[inframundc]

"Yep. He said you'd definitely threaten me," he thought aloud as Galeb turned around to face him at last. Of course he didn't took offense to it considering he was also the kind to threaten everyone who dared cross him... Or look at him the wrong way. Alas, since this was important to his friend, he had promised himself to keep his cool.

He could keep his cool, right?

"I have no intention of giving Seb trouble. I'm taking the secret to my grave," he replied bluntly, his hazel eyes meeting the vampire's with the same kind of defiance he was being shown. "And I have no intention of fighting you either, so let's not go there."

Peaceful. Keep it peaceful, Agustín.

"I merely wanted to see what kind of man you were."

Eyeing him closely, the elder's gaze scouring him from head to toe over and over again as if searching for something, anything that might tell him what he really thought. He could try and use his abilities, but that would likely be seen as hostile and if this -- - Augustin really was Sebastian's right hand, as he said, it probably wasn't a good idea to attack him. Regardless of means.

"And I don't care." It wasn't a physical attack, so that was something, right? He moved off to leave, stepping by the mage as if ignoring him completely, yet he found himself stopping a few mere steps away, his brow tensing in the middle as he looked back at Agustin.

"Boyfriend?" Why did that word make him wince and suddenly feel his age like a heavy weight in his stomach? "Neonates..." The Kindred uttered with a roll of those cold eyes, finally turning back to properly face him. "Speak a word of this to anyone other than Sebastian and I will tear out your throat." And yes, that was definitely a threat. "Are we clear?"

[inframundc]

"... I'm not a wreck. Do you insult everyone you're trying to help?" he asked, eyes sharp as knives as he studied the other with an inherent paranoia. One didn't make it too far in the underworld without the right amount of distrust.

Alas, the older man had a point. He couldn't exactly give himself stitches, and he still very much had an open wound that would need some treatment. But since the newcomer wasn't a target, he could at least ease up a little bit.

"I'll spare you the threats of what will happen to you if you try something fun," he added, allowing his body to rest on a stool nearby, just out of reach of the bodies of the defeated enemies. "Patch me up, then. I mean, please."

Continuing from here: [ ☾ ] @inframundc

Agustín didn't mean to discard the other's good intentions. He really didn't. He, in fact, appreciated the sentiment very deeply... But he couldn't really take the offer seriously at all.

For Alec to come to him, an assassin who had been trained in combat since he was a child, and offer protection as if it was needed...

"Do I look like I need to be protected?" he asked plainly, gaze lifting the blade he was sharpening.

Unable to contain the small laughter, from the sight of a poor, injured man, it was a rough reminder of how Alec treated other humans. Distant, rough, and prideful. "Can't tell you how many times I've heard that line before."

Leaning against a door. Arms crossed over the chest with a grin on his lips. "Next: You'll probably say you can patch yourself up, when clearly..."

Gesturing to the appearance of the hitman. "You're a wreak." Eyeing a small first aid kit in the next room. How convenient for them. As if this was going to happen. "Swallow your pride and let me help."

[inframundc]

Oh, Agustín could see it alright. His eyes could see the lines of her death on her body, but they were so thin and scarce. That alone was indication to him that this woman was very powerful... But that didn't really give him more information on her powers whatsoever. Perhaps, as she said, he lacked the proper training for it.

After all, he was raised by humans. Professional assassins, sure, but humans nonetheless. Was he truly much more than that himself?

"... So you're serious about the whole demigod thing? Tryphon kept saying crazy shit like that but I didn't believe him," he said, his eyes focusing on her as if he could actually see more to her.

But he couldn't.

"Alright, I'll bite. Besides my eyes, what are these abilities you speak of? What do you suggest I should be able to do, Elysia?"

Elysia merely looked at him for a long time. How fortunate he was to escape the clutches of Death, whereas she had been part of an elaborate plan, used as a pawn for revenge in the games the gods liked to play.

She only visited Olympus when she had to, for that reason.

"Those who have the same abilities are often able to recognize it in others. Nothing more," Elysia reassured him. "You could sense it in me too...if you focused and opened your channels to it. However, they appear to be heavily blocked. You haven't...indulged in the abilities granted to you. Though granted, no one has ever taught you how, right?"

[inframundc]

He was a mage, indeed. Although very different from Sebastián to begin with. They had very different understanding and application of magic, but that didn't really change the fact that they were close. Perhaps because Agustín wasn't a 'stuck up pretentios asshole from the Order of Hermes', as he would've put it.

"At ease, vampire," he uttered bluntly, thinking it was best to cut to the chase before things escalated way out of proportion.

"My name's Agustín. I'm Sebastián's right hand." That was it, right? Simple. Just like he practiced. State his business, come to an understanding, leave. He couldn't be so socially inept like to mess that up, could he?

"I... wanted to meet you. Guess I'm the paranoid friend who has to make sure the new boyfriend isn't a total dickhead, you know?"

@inframundc asked: " i know who you are. i know what you’ve done. " ( From one of Sebastián's mage friends )

「   RP MEME :  RANDOM DIALOGUE 2.0   」

The utterance was enough to bring the Kindred to a stop, his upper lip curling momentarily before he simply turned around and gave the stranger his usual unamused and uninterested expression. "Then I would tread very carefully if I were you." Galeb's low voice seemed to boom through the cool night air, the nocturnal creature taking a few silent steps closer to the man, a mage, it seemed, by the aura that surrounded him like an incessant blaze that only the Ventrue could see.

"Don't mess with me... it won't end well for you, mage." He cared deeply for Sebastian, he'd tear off the head of anyone who got in their way, though there was some decorum within him. If this was someone the mage cared for, a peer, a friend, he'd be less inclined to kill him without thought and surely push Sebastian away along with it. This was one of many reasons that getting involved with anyone was never a good idea.

It made things difficult.

"And who are you, exactly?"

[inframundc]

"I'm not sure if I'd call that an ego boost," he offered with an amused smile, remembering the comical situation that followed. "... Especially not when I have to remind her that I'm gay every class."

Not ideal. Some people wouldn't take no for an answer, he figured. But she was a decent cook and had given him some pointers so he really couldn't complain. Or so he thought, since dealing with social interactions so often was not something he was too used to yet. Came with the whole assassin territory.

"Well, if it all goes accordinly to plan, this gulash won't suck so don't place your bets yet," he mused, allowing himself to enjoy the feeling of cooking for someone else for a change. And for someone else whom he did find attractive too.

"Huh- Yeah, yeah. You can just watch," Agustín added, pacing through the kitchen to stir the pot with the meat for a moment. "I-- No. Cooking's not like chemistry, it's like-- like art. Like painting, I think. And sometimes when you get it right you get something beautiful like your face. Or delicious, I think, since we're talking about food."

Oh yeah, they'd been flirting. The oblivious idiot to idiot kind of flirting, but it still counted. Granted? With enough prompting, Owen could coax sexual tension from a wet piece of cardboard if need be. This was just... new levels of strange. No big; roll with the punches, big boy.

God, at least one of them could cook. If anything good came out of it, Let it be that. The brunet now had two whole places to drum up food at the drop of a hat. Platonic lifemate Jude dude, and Agustin. Baller shit. 

"Yeah? I bet that was a little bit of an ego boost when she explained it." He's a little bit amused at the notion and not at all ignorant of the fragrant coaxing from the kitchen. 

"I don't think anyone ever complained when someone was going out of their way to do something confusingly cute. Yes, chef right away chef." A hint of a tease, because there he is cooking and doing that little stuttering thing when he's slightly overwhelmed, and a tad fluster---Wait, why flustered? 

"Can I just watch? I'm not much of a cook, but it looks interesting. Like chemistry in the kitchen, right?"

[inframundc]

"I could keep you safe. They're all afraid of me." - From Alec.

Agustín didn't mean to discard the other's good intentions. He really didn't. He, in fact, appreciated the sentiment very deeply... But he couldn't really take the offer seriously at all.

For Alec to come to him, an assassin who had been trained in combat since he was a child, and offer protection as if it was needed...

"Do I look like I need to be protected?" he asked plainly, gaze lifting the blade he was sharpening.

[inframundc]

So, after Agus had shown just how capable he was in a fight, suddenly Ulysses' attitude changed. It was only proof that picking up a fight earlier had been nothing but a test, but it was hardly important anymore. Now that he had 'passed', things would be smoother and easier to deal with, he figured.

"Of course I'm committed. I was hired to look after you, and that I will do," he sighed in defeat, his breathing a little more composed now that it seemed they had reached an understanding. He was even glad that he didn't need to participate in any more bar brawls before they could see eye to eye.

"I'm ready to follow," he nodded, picking up his black jacket and putting it on with swift, calculated motions. "Why do you need a bodyguard anyway? You don't exactly look like you need it. Is someone after you, sir?"

Ulysses arched an eyebrow at Agustin's stern tone, his amusement replaced by a hint of surprise. He hadn't expected such a strong reaction from his newly appointed bodyguard, and it intrigued him further. It was even amusing, but he didn't feel like irking the man who was going to guard him. It was a quick realization that Agustin was, indeed, a professional who took his job seriously.

The warlock straightened his posture, adopting a more composed demeanor. He wasn't as powerful as before, and was prone to more attacks. "I may have underestimated your dedication to your role. You're right, and I appreciate your commitment."

He paused so he could consider Agustin's question. "As for our next destination, I have a safehouse nearby. We can regroup there and discuss our plans. It's a place where we can gather information and strategize without attracting unwanted attention. You ready for me to lead the way?"

@inframundc

[inframundc]

&. 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬.

( this is basically just a very self indulgent list of various fluff, angst, and suggestive themed dialogue sentence starters. )

❛ i could keep you safe. they’re all afraid of me. ❜

❛ i’m trying to fix your hair, so hold still. ❜

❛ your heart is beating so fast right now. ❜

❛ promise me you’ll still be here when i wake up. ❜

❛ you’re not as bad as everyone says you are. ❜

❛ i thought you’d like some company. ❜ 

❛ clean yourself up. you're getting blood all over the place. ❜

❛ here, give this a try and tell me what you think. ❜

❛ you can kiss me, you know. ❜

❛ come back to bed. ❜

❛ you look good like this. ❜

❛ working together again, it’s just like old times. ❜

❛ how is it you always know what i need, huh? ❜

❛ you’re lucky you got away with only a scratch. ❜ 

❛ i can’t imagine losing someone like that. i’m sorry. ❜

❛ you know you can always talk to me. ❜

❛ the only one who gets to kill you, is me. ❜

❛ so, what do i owe this pleasure? ❜

❛ ah, so you aren’t heartless after all. ❜

❛ may i have this dance? ❜ 

❛ it’s okay, you can touch me. i won't break. ❜

❛ enemies make the best lovers, you know. ❜

❛ hold still. this might sting a little. ❜

❛ we can't keep doing this. ❜ 

❛ you look like you've got something to say. ❜

❛ just relax and let me take care of you. ❜

❛ thought you’d be lighter without all that blood. ❜

❛ i had it under control. you didn’t need to do that. ❜

❛ everything looks so beautiful from up here. ❜

❛ you treat all your ladies like this? ❜

❛ well? how do i look? ❜

❛ can’t sleep? ❜

❛ do you mind if i smoke? ❜

❛ i’m scared of ending up alone. ❜

❛ i don’t think i’ve ever seen you smile. ❜

❛ how long has it been since you've slept? ❜

❛ you are losing my interest, and that’s very dangerous. ❜

❛ i’d suffer hell if you’d tell me what you’d do to me tonight. ❜

❛ you look really pretty right now. ❜

❛ i’ve never cared for anyone the way i care for you. ❜

❛ i’m not wearing any underwear. thought you’d like to know. ❜

❛ just a few more stitches and you’ll be as good as new. ❜

❛ i’d say we make a pretty good team. ❜

❛ i want you to forget this ever happened. ❜

❛ i'm here for business — not pleasure. ❜

❛ if i didn't know any better, i'd say you were jealous. ❜

❛ you'd look better down on your knees. ❜

❛ fine, keep acting like you hate me. ❜

❛ kiss me again. ❜

❛ are you asking me out on a date? ❜

❛ just sit there and look pretty and let me handle this. ❜

❛ you okay? caught you staring off into space again. ❜

❛ well, i do feel better now that you're here. ❜

❛ i'm not drunk enough for this. ❜ 

❛ why is it whenever we see each other, you’re covered in blood? ❜

❛ i was wrong about you. ❜ 

❛ the first time i met you, i had no idea you'd mean this much. ❜

❛ you gonna be a good girl / boy for me? ❜

❛ i’m not afraid of you. ❜

❛ books mean more to me than people anyway. ❜

❛ i just wanted to say thank you for protecting me. ❜

❛ how about a kiss goodnight? ❜

❛ i don’t have time for distractions right now. ❜

❛ you shouldn’t be out here by yourself. ❜ 

❛ if i have to think about one more thing today, my head will explode. ❜

[inframundc]

[inframundc]

Both were seeing their own kind of visions, it seemed. While Ezra was focused in the veil and the spirit world, and the consequences of such a savage attack, Agustín was also using his own power to gather intel.

When he first learned the Time sphere, he was only thinking about accelerating himself in combat. Being able to see the past of places was just an added perk, but it helped him to look around the room to see a ghastly recreation of the massacre that had unfold in that place. By the time Ezra was describing what a Crinos form was, Agustín was seeing it first hand, studying its size and the way it moved.

Even he had to admit that it was a remarkable beast.

"I just saw the crinos," he muttered simply as he followed Ezra outside of the house. "I'm confident I can take one of them. Two would be too much, unless I get the sneak attack. But I'm guessing sneaking on something with enhanced senses is near impossible."

He meant every word, but his confidence was not born out of pride. Agus wasn't a prideful man at all, but he was a mage who had trained relentlessly to be a weapon. He knew exactly what he was capable of. As an agent of the Euthanatoi, he had to right the wrongs of the beasts killing who they shouldn't... Whatever consequence came of it would just be the karmic wheel set back in motion. And thus, it would no longer be his problem.

"Let's check the other houses. After the massacre, one of the wolves broke that window and ran in that direction," he added, pointing towards the final two houses at the end of the street. "How do you know so much about werewolves, though? I thought the Order of Hermes forbid us all from being too friendly with monsters."

"You should say that to the face of one of the Black Spiral Dancers."

Ezra's fingers traced the gouges in the wall once more as he explained, "When a Garou shifts into Crinos form, they become a towering nightmare - nine, maybe ten feet of raw muscle, razor claws, and slavering jaws. They'd happily rip your head off and use it as a chew toy before you could finish the joke."

For a moment, Ezra's gaze lingered on Agustin, silently appraising the assassin's steely resolve. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, appreciating the man's unflinching calm.

Then, something caught Ezra's eye—a shimmering distortion in the air, like heat rippling off pavement on a scorching day. He squinted, focusing his sight as he tapped into the Spirit Sphere. Suddenly, and only in his vision, the world around him seemed to shift, the colors dulling as the veil between realms thinned. The room took on an ethereal, ghostly quality, and Ezra's breath caught in his throat.

There, reaching out towards him with pleading, insubstantial fingers, was the spirit of one of the homeowners—a wisp of energy, desperate and afraid. Before Ezra could react, a massive, spider-like spirit materialized, pinning the human soul with one of its elongated legs. Terror etched itself across the phantasmal face as the umbral creature dragged the helpless spirit away.

Ezra blinked, and the spirit realm faded from his vision, the world snapping back into sharp focus. His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he fought down the surge of anger and disgust that roiled within him. Bane Spirits preying on the souls of the innocent—

"We need to move," he growled, his voice low and laced with urgency. "Before any more of those twisted bastards show up." Ezra cast one last glance around the ravaged room, his jaw set in a tense line. Then, without another word, he started towards the door, his steps heavy with grim determination.

[inframundc]

Dominic Sherwood & Matthew Daddario

[inframundc]

Matthew Daddario in Why Women Kill

[inframundc]

Had they been flirting for a while now? Probably. Was Agustín aware that they were flirting? Most definitely not. In his mind, this had been nothing but a nice friendship, even when he was also clearly attracted to Owen. It only served as proof of how socially inept the assassin was.

But he was working on it, one cooking class at a time.

"Green flag? It's not the first time I've heard that. Amanda from my cooking class said the same thing because I was the only guy there," he thought aloud, adding more pepper to the vegetables that were starting to smell really damn good.

"I'm sorry, this is taking longer than I anticipated. B-but take your coat off and sit nearby, please? It'll be just 10 more minutes and then you get your feast."

"What do you mean?" He counters back, with emphasis on you. 

It's been a painstaking process, and he's not so keen on losing all the progress they've made. For one? Agustin isn't under the impression he's an entitled nepo-baby, and two? They work well together. It's a symbiotic relationship. So it stands to reason that he currently feels...dumb. Recovery is imminent; his ego will survive. Besides, Agustin looks so pleased with himself and his culinary feats that it's kind of cute. 

"Green flag." Owen clears his throat and sinks further into his seat. "Ah, I don't cook." Meaning he'll eat what's around or available rather than mindfully sourcing. 

[inframundc]

She leaned in for a kiss and he couldn't do anything other than induge her. Perhaps it was a hint on how shallow their fights really were, if they could be dispelled this easily. While the frustration was still in him, now the sudden realization that someone wanted him to be a husband seemed to eclipse anything else.

"Counseling?" he repeated in confusion as he still held her close in his arms. It wasn't rejection over the idea, especially not when he had been to therapy for a while himself, but surprise over how serious she was about this. How could he not find it startling when he was all sharp edges and she was all that was good in the world?

"I... I guess we could go, yeah. I mean, if you're sure about making me your husband, how can I- I mean. Okay. We go to counseling. And I also have to get you a ring-"

Evelyn and Agustin. Evie and Gus. She wasn’t going to lie and act like she hadn’t combined her first name with his on more than one occasion. Never let him see that, of course. Why, though? What would this fix? All they did was argue. Neither of them are happy… at least not right now. Maybe she is being naive about it.

Then the words flew from his mouth.

“You better mean that,” she said, voice breathy as the space between them rapidly closed. Before she can even say anything else, her lips were on his. Okay so she’s on her tiptoes but every dude she had ever been with was taller than her. “You and I need to get into counseling. This is going to be a very busy year.”

[inframundc]

You wanna volunteer?