~ Tнє Pαяα∂σχ Hσυѕє ~ now back to regularly scheduled chaos

Vincent just flat out disappearing was slightly infuriating for the vampire. It meant he had to chase Vincent down and that there had to be a bookmark placed in the teasing. That was by far too much work than he wanted to do. And all to press Vincent.
Hum. 
There had to be something that Myrnin could do to press more about Vincent.
Vincent the person.
What were his weaknesses?
He seemed so confident in himself. Not least to mention that his opinions on faceted creatures called people. He seemed to view them so clinically. Like pieces to move around.
Huh.
Did he think of himself that way too?
Of course he knew where Vincent had gone both by sight and by thought, so the vampire raced after him. It was a slower process than Vincent's disappearing act, but Myrnin still leaped up to the railing as soon as he could (he had to jump to the third floor railing and then awkwardly jump up from there, however). Then he was looking around for Vincent.

Kelsier | Truth Room | strider

Kelsier blinked in, laying flat on his back and flipping a dagger over and over in his hand. He didn’t immediately move as he noticed his blink - it was impossible not to notice, his bed had been replaced by a hard, cold stone floor - instead continuing to turn the dagger. Point down. Point up. Point down. Point up.
He sighed after a long moment, giving up his attempt to ignore the House and sitting up, lowering the dagger but not putting it away just yet. He looked around, pushing his light blond hair out of his face as he took in his surroundings,
Simple, not small but not huge. High ceilings (he made it a point to always look up since no one else ever did. Mistborn tended to think vertically) and stone walls. No windows, no signs of life, not even a chair.
In the center of the room was a simple stone table, the only thing in the room. On it we’re two tiny glasses of a clear liquid, nothing else.
Kelsier stood up, then stepped towards the table to take a closer look. He of all people knew better than to assume it was merely water, whatever it looked and smelled like...and it really didn’t smell like anything. He narrowed his eyes at the two of them. Someone else would soon be joining him, it seemed.

Kelsier | Truth Room | strider

A smile lifted Kelsier’s expression even before he turned around as Nico’s voice filled the room. It hadn’t been long since the room where they’d had their talk, but still. He’d been eager to see him again now that they’d actually discussed what had happened. It had gone far better than he’d expected it to. As in, Nico hadn’t told him to back off.
The smile wavered the moment he turned, just in time to catch a bit of the anger in Nico’s gaze, the tension he held himself with, the way he clenched his fists.
“Underage drinking…?” He repeated, bemused by the term. He searched Nico’s expression as he spoke, but he let the comment stop him from immediately asking what was wrong. “I’m no expert on the matter, but underage drinking seems a difficult rule to enforce. Underage eating makes more sense, but I’m pretty sure even babies need to drink.”
He was being perfectly genuine. He had no idea what Nico was talking about. Probably because there were no such laws on Scadrial.
He narrowed his eyes, opening his mouth to ask what was wrong, but stopping as Nico spoke first. He glanced at the cups and burned iron for a moment, then shook his head. “Nope,” he said cheerfully instead, looking back at Nico. “Doesn’t smell like anything, either. Not that that means much.”

Kelsier | Truth Room | strider

Kelsier looked at the cups again, frowning a little. “Alright, I can see the resemblance,” he admitted a moment later. “If only because it’s clear, and I’m almost certain it’s not water, or at least, not only water. Looks a little like one of my vials, without the metals in it.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Interesting rule,” he commented. “I’m sure plenty of young Mistborn would like to defy it.”
He looked at the cups again, shaking his head. Whatever it was, they were clearly meant to drink it. Which made Kel want to do the opposite, actually. He looked around the room again, trying to see if he could find a way out.
This meant he wasn’t facing Nico when he lifted the cup. He was studying the ceiling, trying to figure out if he could make it up there, when Nico spoke.
“Your ambrosia?” He frowned, shooting Nico a sharp glance. “Why would you -“
He cut himself of as Nico drained the glass, his eyes widening and his mouth slipping open just a little. He stared, alarm written all over his face as he waited for something to happen, for Nico to fall or scream or...well, anything,
“Well...okay then, I’d ask if you’re insane, but that’s usually your line,” he managed after a moment, his attempt at humor somewhat ruined by the strangled sound of his voice. He scanned Nico’s face, looking for any sign that it was affecting him at all. “How do you feel? See any doors?”

Kelsier | Truth Room | strider

Kelsier narrowed his eyes a little, studying the demigod closely. He had no idea what had possessed Nico to drink it without even trying anything else first...that was unlike him. In that first room, it had been Kelsier who had fallen purposefully into the lava, Kelsier who had insisted on taking the risks. Their relationship had changed since then, of course, but he didn’t think he was that bad of an influence. Maybe he was reckless and insane and he acted impulsively but...no, Nico wouldn’t have done this just because of that. Nico didn’t copy him, Nico rolled his eyes and did things his own way. So why…?
“Well, I suppose it’s no good letting you have all of the fun,” he said finally, and raised his own tiny glass. “To finding a door.”
And with that, he tipped it into his own mouth and swallowed.
It tasted like...absolutely nothing. Even water had a taste, this was just liquid air. He frowned at the cup, then set it down on the table.
“And….yeah, still no door. Wonderful.” He shook his head, annoyed that that hadn’t immediately worked. Ah well. He looked back at Nico, expression shifting to a bit more serious now that the matter of the strange and mysterious liquid was out of the way. “Are you alright?” He asked quietly, searching his face. “All things considered, you’re not usually even more reckless than I am.”

Kelsier | Truth Room | strider

Nico protected himself. Kelsier knew that. Nico was careful and he saw danger where Kelsier saw opportunity, and this wasn’t like him at all. Normally, he’d probably have been warning Kelsier that if he even thought about drinking it, he’d be down a head before he could get it to his lips. That if he got himself killed, Nico would kill him. A slightly redundant but very effective threat, really.
For once in his life, Kelsier found himself on the other side of it. Worried about the danger someone else had put themself in without apparent regard for self preservation. Wishing they had showed a little sense. He didn’t like it. He almost felt like he should apologize to Dockson, maybe even Marsh.
“So you did,” he confirmed, watching Nico closely. “But it might have wanted us both to drink.” He detected the annoyance in Nico’s tone, though he didn’t have any idea where it was coming from. Concern continued to build inside of him...he had a feeling he was missing something very important. And that it was actively hurting Nico that longer he missed it.
No. I’m not alright.
Whatever else he had been thinking about stopped right there. Keliser turned, fixing Nico with a piercing stare, his hazel eyes narrowed and extremely intense. If Nico was admitting he wasn’t alright, without even trying to slip around it or avoid the question...it had to be very very serious.
He wasn’t smiling now.
“Talk to me,” he said quietly, searching Nico’s eyes, his expression, anything that might tell the Mistborn what the hell was wrong. “What’s going on?”
And then, the moment the words were out of his mouth...he understood.
Nico wasn’t answering because he wanted to. Nico was answering because he had to.
He swore, eyes darkening with anger as he looked at the ceiling. “I retract my question. Leave him alone,” he hissed at the House, fists clenching at his sides. “I don’t want to hear it without his consent. Let. Him. Go.”

Kelsier | Truth Room | strider

It was too late, it seemed, to take his question back. Too late not to hear what the House was forcing him to say, to tell Kelsier whether he wanted to or not. He looked at Nico again, and nearly decided to cover his ears so he wouldn’t hear anything, but by then it was too late and Nico’s words turned over and over in his brain.
He wanted to ask. He wanted to push, he even wanted to let the serum give him a straight answer, but he refused. He would not take advantage of this, this invasion of privacy on the House’s part.
“A promise.” He said carefully, trying not to let it sound like a question. It was just a comment, nothing Nico had to answer. He stood quietly, trying to think of something he could say without asking a question, something he could use to let Nico know he could talk but he didn’t have to. He didn’t have long to wait before Nico continued, in spite of the lack of a direct question. Hopefully that meant it was Nico who had chosen to reply, but then...he could still be answering the last question. Keliser had no idea how specific the answers were required to be.
“You say you don’t want me to worry,” he said carefully, choosing each word as though his life depended on it. “But you haven’t told me why I might be. A promise, stupid or not, could mean anything.”
There. Not a question, just an observation. That shouldn’t prompt anything unwanted.
He hesitated, then dipped his head without looking away. “I don’t suppose I’ve ever told you…” he mused, a half smile curling his mouth. “I don’t even know if I’ve ever mentioned being half noble...father’s side. You think being Skaa is bad, at least they get to live.”
If there was bitterness, it wasn’t for himself. He shook his head a little. “The point is...I’m not sure how to do this, either. When I said I didn’t know I wanted to be a father, I meant I never thought I’d be any good at it. But, all that being said...if you think for one second being worried is going to stop me from being here for you, you’re wrong.”

Kelsier | Truth Room | strider

It was the look in Nico’s eyes that made Kelsier want to tell him that whatever he was doing, whatever he had gotten himself into, it stopped right here. That anything that put that much pressure on him, that weighed on him that heavily...no. He wanted to just say no and let that be that. If he’d been in Nico’s world, he could have done something, would have done something. If he’d been in Nico’s world, he’d have fought like hell to carry the weight for him. Even if he didn’t yet know what that weight was.
What he was doing here, it wasn’t any more than how Nico deserved to be treated. If the House expected him to take advantage of this, if needed to pay better attention. There was no way he was going to ask any questions until Nico was free to tell him to mind his own business if he chose to. That was a promise, though he didn’t see the need to make it out loud.
Then Nico spoke, and Kelsier felt the effects of his own serum for the first time as answers bubbled up inside him before he could think. “No, I’m not supposed to be alive,” he said simply, then coughed a little, blinking at the way he’d had absolutely no control over that reply. Okay then...even more reason not to push Nico. That was not a pleasant feeling.
Don’t worry, I’d have said that anyway.
He opened his mouth to say it, but nothing came out. Which was just unfair, because it wasn’t really a lie...okay, maybe he’d have phrased it differently, but he’d have answered and that was the point. “I’d have answered anyway,” he tried, then smiled in satisfaction as it worked.
He was serious again a moment later, his own words forgotten. He listened quietly, not interrupting even when he finally understood what Nico was saying. A war. Dammit...dammit, Nico didn’t need a war, that was the last thing he needed. He could tell how serious this was from his tone, his expression, the way he was watching Kelsier for a reaction...something burned inside of the Mistborn, something that felt as intense as anger but the wrong color entirely. He didn’t have a name for it, but it was strong enough that he began to pace to try and work it off.
“Shadow travel,” he stated. Not a question. He didn’t need answer anyway. “You’re going shadow travel halfway around the world with two people and a statue, in less than two weeks.”
He stopped walking, turning to face Nico. If he was trying to hide the worry and, yes, even fear in his gaze, he was failing. He hesitated, trying to figure out how to phrase the next bit without asking a direct question.
He was right. He wanted to go to Nico’s world and put a stop to this, right now. With enough pewter...could he do it himself? He shook his head. It didn’t matter. He was trapped here, unable to help, unable to do more than try and think of something to say.
But for once...Kelsier didn’t have the words.
“I assume you’ve given this quite a bit of thought,” he managed finally, his voice a bit higher than it normally was. It didn’t shake, but...it did have a suggestion of shakiness that his usual firm tone lacked.

Kelsier | Truth Room | strider

He wasn’t going to yell at Nico. He wasn’t going to blame him for this, it wasn’t his fault. His world was messed up, just like Kelsier’s was. Nico was just trying his hardest to save it. Kelsier looked away. Even if he were inclined to be angry (which he wasn’t) he had to admit that he’d be a hypocrite if he did. The Kandra deal burned white hot in his chest. For all his brave words, for all his assurances that he was indestructible...he had made a deal in the event of his death. It made it harder to convince himself that he couldn’t be killed.
He didn’t want to think about that now. He needed to be here for Nico, his own problems could wait their damn turn.
“Maybe not,” he admitted, giving a small smile and looking at Nico again. “I don’t mind it. So I’m not supposed to be alive. I excel at doing what I’m not supposed to do. If the noblemen want me dead, I’m doing something right.”
He shook his head firmly. This wasn’t about him, this was about Nico and this stupid mission and the fact that Kelsier knew it was dangerous, deadly even, Kelsier knew this might be the last tI’ve he ever saw Nico, and...that was always true of the House. But this time, Kel would be forced to assume the worst if Nico never came back. This time, he would have reason to think he knew what had happened, even if he never got any closure. He looked down again. He couldn’t...he wouldn’t accept that. He didn’t care about the odds, he didn’t care, he just...dammit. He didn’t want to think about closure before anything had happened. Nico was right in front of him, and that was all Kelsier needed right now. Nico was here and he deserved support, he didn’t need Kelsier to get upset or angry or even scared.
He listened quietly, not interrupting as Nico tried to explain. As he explained in no uncertain terms that he didn’t have a choice, that he was the only one who could do this, that he was needed. The Survivor’s eyes darkened a little. Needed him as a means to an end, not a person. Needed to use him.
He paced again. Clasping his hands behind his back for a moment before letting them go again and stopping to lean back against the wall, pretending as best he could that he was doing it because he wanted to, not because his balance felt off. He studied Nico’s face, no smile touching his expression now, no humor dancing in his eyes.
And then Nico spoke and he melted.
“I see,” he said quietly, given a tiny nod. He did his best to shove the emotions back, the way he felt wasn’t relevant here, not now. He could deal with that when he blinked back, for now he would be whatever Nico needed him to be. Even if he felt lost and unsure of what that was.
“Well...I don’t want you to go,” he said finally, and he offered a tiny smile. As usual, it was the best he had to offer. “It seems neither of us are going to get what we want today. Of course I’m worried, Nico. You don’t need truth serum to tell you that. But I’m glad you told me, even if you weren’t going to.”
He didn’t look away, didn’t move away from the wall. “You are worth worrying about,” he said quietly. “And I hate that I can’t do it for you, I hate the House for keeping me from your world. I don’t know if I could do a pewter drag that far in that time, but I’d damn well try. And maybe I could get you close, I don’t know. It doesn’t matter, I suppose.”
He nodded a little to himself. Not accepting this. Ignoring the sharp pain stabbing into his chest. His eyes burned as he met Nico’s. “I’m going to ask you not to, but not because I expect you to agree. I know you won’t, and I’m not angry. But I’m going to ask you not to anyway, because I’m willing to bet no one else has, and you deserve to hear those words. Nico...please don’t do this.”

Kelsier | Truth Room | strider

Nico wasn't the only one betting on Kelsier being as indestructible as he claimed to be. Yeden, his entire army of rebel Skaa, his crew...everyone was counting on Kel. He had successfully convinced them all he was an unstoppable force, as relentless as the ash and as powerful as Allomancy itself. Even his friends stood in awe of him, sometimes...and he used that. He knew where his strength lay, and it was only partly his status as Mistborn. There was that...and then there was his determination, his way with words, his effortless ability to convince anyone he was to be trusted and believed.
Was Kelsier a hero? He thought he was, at times. But was he a good person? Really, actually a good person?
“We’re both very good at spiting certain people, it seems,” he said lightly, shaking his head a little. He couldn’t lie here, couldn’t even stretch the truth a little, it seemed, but that did have the advantage of giving his words the utmost credibility. And since they weren’t asking any questions...well. It wasn’t like he was exactly hiding anything from Nico. But the last thing the kid needed was to find out Kelsier wasn’t as sure he couldn’t be defeated as he claimed to be. He hoped he didn’t need to brag in this room...it might be a little hard to explain why he couldn’t force the words I can’t be killed from his lips.
Neither of them were perfect. Far from it. Kelsier had made plenty of mistakes in his life, bad ones...not least his decision to kill Nico within seconds of meeting him. But they were both doing their best to do the right thing, both trying to save their worlds, and whether Nico knew it or not, both willing to die for their cause. Yes, they were similar in a lot of ways...maybe that was what had drawn then together. Or maybe it was fate, or maybe it was chance. In all honestly, Kel didn’t care about the reason. They cared for each other and that was enough for him.
If he’d heard Nico’s thoughts...he’d have told him that he was not expendable, then pointed out that he wasn’t able to lie. The very concept of Nico being expendable was absurd. He was needed. He was wanted. He deserved to live.
He didn’t move away from the wall as Nico spoke, and he didn’t look away, his expression serious as he studied him. He didn’t bother saying he could take Nico to the ocean and let that be the one jump Nico was allowed to do. He didn’t say he would find a way. He didn’t say anything, because lies were forbidden here and he wouldn’t have offered false hope even if he could have.
He gave a tiny nod, not looking away. Emotions warred inside of him, but he tried not to let them through, because the last thing Nico needed was to deal with that. He could handle his own reaction later, in his world, where no one would much question it if he disappeared for a while.
“Thank you for telling me,” he said quietly. “I can’t pretend to be okay with it...and I wouldn’t even if I could. At least you know what I say here is the truth.”
He glanced at the ground, uncharacteristically unsure of himself, though he tried not to let it show. He was supposed to be the one in trouble. Why did everyone he ended up loving have to be so damn selfless all the time, anyway?
“I’m proud of you. Whatever that’s worth.” He said it very softly, his voice hesitant, like he wasn’t sure he was actually allowed to say it at all. He gave a tiny, pained laugh. “Lord Ruler...I hate it and I want to ask you not to do it. Beg you, even. But I’m proud of you.”

Kelsier | Truth Room | strider

Kelsier paused, giving Nico a searching look. Not that he planned on thanking Hades for anything, but..that wasn’t what the’d been expecting. He was spiteful himself, but...no, Nico wasn’t. That was another difference between them...and a similarity between Kel and Hades, it seemed. He frowned a little, not much liking the thought.
Then again, was it spite that kept Kelsier alive? Or rage?
“No, I suppose you wouldn’t be,” he said quietly, dipping his head. “Spite doesn’t really seem to be your style. Still...if you’re ever desperate…” he shrugged, staying where he was against the wall. “It can get you out of a tight spot, now and then. Before I had anger, I had spite.”
Always another secret. That was what he said. He believed it, too, he knew that he would always have another secret and so would everyone else, Nico included. He just wished they could be secrets that wouldn’t get anyone killed. He was still glad this wasn’t a secret anymore, though. He was glad he knew, glad Nico had decided to tell him even if he could have only told the bare minimum and then refused to talk about it.
His own secret was one he wasn’t planning on telling. He didn’t think he had to worry...it would be hard for Nico to ask a question that direct without having context, and Nico wasn’t even planning on asking any questions until they were free. He wasn’t exactly hiding it...or maybe he was and he was just trying to make himself feel better about it, maune he didn’t want to talk about it. Maybe it felt a lot less real if he didn’t talk about it.
But he knew he might die. He knew he was reckless and stupid and impulsive...and a liar too, it seemed. Oh, he would try, he would do his best to bring the Lord Ruler down...and to see Mare’s dream become a reality. He was just insane enough to believe he could pull it off, too.
If Kelsier had known what Nico was thinking, he would have challenged him. He would have asked why he was needed and Nico wasn’t, would have pointed out that this was a job no one else could do, which was the definition of being needed. So maybe Nico was selfish. So what? So was Kelsier. He was doing this for himself as much as he was for anyone else. He was doing this for revenge as much as he was for justice.
So Nico had made mistakes. Kel had too. He’d never have lost Mare in the first place if he hadn’t been an overconfident fool and tried to rob the Lord Ruler himself. A job gone wrong...he’d been greedy and selfish, and it had cost him the woman he loved.
He watched Nico. Waited for a response, to th words he hadn’t planned to say. They’d escaped without him thinking it through, but he didn’t regret them, and he wouldn’t take them back. They were true, or he wouldn’t have been able to say them
“Nothing to be…?” He raised an eyebrow, startled. The his voice lowered into something gentler. “You might have the wrong idea of what I mean, then. And I’m not saying your right that you’ve done nothing to be proud of, because that’s not true.” He spread his arms, revealing the countless scars that stretched across his skin. “For one thing, you survived. And I’m damn proud of you for that. But...whether you succeed, or…” he wouldn’t say it. Wouldn’t give it words, wouldn’t make the possibility real. “Either way, you’re trying. That’s what I’m proud of, not some arbitrary scale of success.”

Kelsier | Truth Room | strider

Kelsier didn’t want to think he and Hades were at all similar. He didn’t want to even be comparable, really. He hated Hades, hated most of the gods actually, but Hades and Zeus especially. It was personal against them, personal because they’d hurt his son, and that was unforgivable.
The fact was that caring sometimes hurt more than it helped. Kel knew that, but...not caring, that hurt more by far. Too many people in his world had stopped caring, too many people had given up. He couldn’t...he wouldn’t give up. Not ever.
The world had hurt him. It had hurt others even more. But he was still determined to save it, still determined to fight as hard as he could no matter the consequences.
He looked at Nico, quietly, considering him. No lies in this room. Whatever he said here, it had to be the truth to the best of his knowledge. At least Nico would have to believe him.
“I don’t know if it’s about making up for them, exactly,” he said quietly, choosing his words with care. “But I think if it’s possible to make up for things you’ve done...then I don’t think that’s something you need to worry about anymore. Maybe you made bad choices. Maybe even very bad ones. But you’ve also given so much back.”
He sighed, leaning his head back against the wall. “Neither of us can take back the things we’ve done. I know that. But if you’re willing to believe in me...the give yourself the same courtesy.”
Was Kelsier a liar? He wasn’t entirely forthcoming, that was for sure. But...he wasn’t actually sure if he counted as a liar. He knew Nico wouldn’t have liked the idea...Nico hated lies. But the truth was that Kel would do whatever he had to in order to save his world, and if that meant lying and cheating his way to victory, well...deception was nothing he was unfamiliar with. He was a thief, after all. His main job was deceiving the people he stole from, and he was damn good at it.
Not Nico, though. This wasn’t a deception. This wasn’t Kelsier trying to calculate how to bring down the Lord Ruler by whatever means necessary. This was the truth, as honest as Kelsier was capable of being, and he would never take it back, no matter what happened. He was proud of Nico. Not even he could have bested the House enough to lie about that, even if he’d wanted to.
“That’s all anyone is doing. Trying,” he said quietly, meeting Nico’s eyes, his own gaze steady. He hesitated...there was something he could say here, but he wouldn’t be able to take it back. Not ever.
“Hell...it’s all I’m doing,” he murmured finally, looking away. It was the best he could offer.

L | FISH FISH FISH | strider mostly

L blinked in, crouching on the floor...or he had been. He blinked, startled to find himself suddenly floating instead, and turned to try and see where he was (and also to make sure no one was behind him).
Then he turned again, trying to see what he’d seen the first time. Which happened to be himself.
“Oh, I’m a fish,” he stated in surprise, turning again to see his scales. He caught sight of another fish as he did, and froze, drifting slightly to the right as he studied it. Blinker or actual House created fish…?
“Hello,” he said uncertainly, not yet coming closer. He couldn’t tell from appearance who it was, and that made him wary.

FiL | Just Keep Swimming | strider

L, too, was having trouble staying in one place. The current kept tugging him to one side, and he had to struggle not to drift away entirely...he felt weightless, like a cloud or a hot air balloon.
He tensed a little (can fish tense? He tried to anyway) as the other fish came closer, and he poised himself to swim away until he heard his voice and let relief wash over him. “Orpheus….yes, it’s me. Fish me,” he confirmed, trying to swim a little closer in spite of the current. “I’m...bendy. And also my voice isn’t coming from me, it’s almost as though we’re telepathically connected, except I can’t hear your thoughts so I assume you can’t hear mine, either. I’ve never been a fish before…”