[ OPEN ] ; Network: Chainsawd; Video; Story Time;

[fiachdubh]

[ The video opens to Ronan, sitting in a high-backed chair. He makes a motion towards the camera, and the shot changes to an aerial view of what looks very much like a library, books to the rafters, vines and tree branches gently curling around shelf upon shelf. The light is dusty, but natural. Chainsawd swoops back down, settling once more in front of Ronan, filming him.

It's obvious he's not alone - there's a shoulder against his, and he's leaning against whoever is sitting next to him in what seems like obvious habit of sharing space. On his lap, Ronan has a large volume open, the pages yellowed and crinkly with age. He doesn't smile as he looks at the camera, but he looks sort of relaxed.

Without much introduction, Ronan looks down, and starts reading, his voice nuanced; he has the tone and rhythm of someone used to telling stories. ]

Now when Sarpedon saw his comrades, men who wore ungirdled tunics, being overcome by Patroclus, son of Menoetius, he rebuked the Lycians, saying, "Shame on you, where are you flying to? Show your mettle;
I will myself meet this man in fight and learn who it is that is so masterful; he has done us much hurt, and has stretched many a brave man upon the ground."

He sprang from his chariot as he spoke, and Patroclus, when he saw this, leaped on to the ground also. The two then rushed at one another with loud cries like eagle-beaked crook-taloned vultures that scream and tear at one another in some high mountain fastness.

The son of scheming Saturn looked down upon them in pity and said to Juno who was his wife and sister, "Alas, that it should be the lot of Sarpedon whom I love so dearly to perish by the hand of Patroclus. I am in two minds whether to catch him up out of the fight and set him down safe and sound in the fertile land of Lycia, or to let him now fall by the hand of the son of Menoetius."

[ He took his time, reading. It was a book he loved, after all - and he always wanted to give it the recognition it deserved. On screen, Adam's face was visible, now, as he leaned closer to read, too, his chin almost hooked on Ronan's shoulder. Sometimes, you could see him glance fondly at Ronan. ]

And Juno answered, "Most dread son of Saturn, what is this that you are saying? Would you snatch a mortal man, whose doom has long been fated, out of the jaws of death? Do as you will, but we shall not all of us be of your mind. I say further, and lay my saying to your heart, that if you send Sarpedon safely to his own home, some other of the gods will be also wanting to escort his son out of battle, for there are many sons of gods fighting round the city of Troy, and you will make every one jealous. If, however, you are fond of him and pity him, let him indeed fall by the hand of Patroclus, but as soon as the life is gone out of him, send Death and sweet Sleep to bear him off the field and take him to the broad lands of Lycia, where his brothers and his kinsmen will bury him with mound and pillar, in due honor to the dead."

The sire of gods and men assented, but he shed a rain of blood upon the earth in honor of his son whom Patroclus was about to kill on the rich plain of Troy far from his home.

[ Ronan finally looked up, an eyebrow raised at the camera. ]

Now, children, I know my dulcet tones have probably lulled you to sleep with this epic tale of heroism, but who can tell me - what's this book I'm reading from?

Comments

action |

[aberth]

[ The library is a strange place. Adam has had that thought about many of the buildings in the city, but this one takes it to another level. Because there's still something orderly about the dusty shelves filled with books, a familiarity that makes him want to bow his head in hushed acquiescence to the rules he knows. He half expects to be shushed by a spectre or to lose hours just trying to keep afloat in the sea of knowledge. This isn't Aglionby though, he has no classes to claw his way to the top. And there is wildness here too, trees and vines spilling everywhere as if they're trying to pull the pages back to where they came from. He thinks he likes it, the smell of paper and pine, the way it feels warm and real and earthy around them.

His shoulder is still pressed to Ronan's once he finishes reading, and Adam hums a little in thought, watching the way the other boy's eyelashes flutter as he breathes. ]

You know, you liking the Iliad makes total sense.

[ There's a lot about it that could be about him too. ]

[fiachdubh]

[ Ronan raises his eyes from the book on his lap, checking that the video is over before throwing a glance at Adam. ]

Does it, now.

[ He knows it does, at least to an extent. It was the kind of story Ronan had grown up on; exceptional heroes braving the world and its Gods for justice, whether it was selfish or not. Ronan likes to pretend he isn't, but he is, truly, a great romantic, looking for stories to sweep him off of his feet. ]

Why is that?

... tamw when you haven't read the iliad?

[aberth]

[ Adam only smiles, shifts back against his seat a little to let his gaze skim across the expanse of the library. One of the vines flutters slightly, leaves trembling to an invisible wind. ]

It's just the kind of thing that feels like you. Destinies, champions, Gods, love. I don't know.

[ He's trying very hard not to be an awkward and sappy bastard but really, he can't help himself sometimes. ]

It's fanciful, but still feels real.

[fiachdubh]

Fanciful? [ Ronan's tone is undoubtedly mocking, but in a slightly fond way. He grins, his eyes on Adam - they're very close, right now, pressed together in the high-backed chair that reminds Ronan of the one back at the Barns. ]

Are you saying an epic poem of 600 pages is fanciful? I can't believe you, Parrish.

[aberth]

[ His grin widens a little more. ]

Isn't it? [ Feigning innocence now he has Ronan's attention. ] I've only seen the passages we had to study. Maybe you should keep reading, convince me.

[ It's not at all because he like the way this has made Ronan's frame a little looser. That would be ridiculous. ]

video; HEXD

[vexy]

[ A video of the dark-haired fae sprawled out on his stomach, quietly asleep. The voice speaks obviously doesn't come from him, it's likely his daemon. ] Your story allowed him to sleep for the first time in days.

[ Then the paw of a black cat swiped out to bat Vex on the head, startling him awake with a sudden curse. ] E-Eh?! What?! What's on fire?!

You were asked a question: What was the book?

[ Vex groaned as he flopped back against the cushion, his eyes closed while mumbling. ] Twilight.

[ Ronan wouldn't be able to see the daemon rolling its eyes, but it was. ]

[fiachdubh]

[ Thing is - Ronan's not even mad. He knows, all too well, how devastating insomnia can be. He doesn't know the guy, so his level of concern is obviously low, but. Good for him.

That is, if daemons weren't assholes. Ronan raises an eyebrow at the sassiness of the cat - Chainsawd's personality is very close to the real deal; shitty and protective, but usually not an asshole towards Ronan. This is different. ]

Twilight the only book you've ever read?

[ He replies with sharpness to his tone, very obviously judging. ]

[vexy]

[ He chuckled tiredly at the question and managed to peek one of his eyes open to look at the screen. ] Nah, I've read fifty shades too. [ He could see that judgey look on the handsome fellow's face, so he may as well play it up stupid despite the fact that was very well read. ]

Y'know, only the classic masterpieces for me.

[fiachdubh]

[ It seemed obvious to Ronan that this guy was full of shit, but if he wanted to play dumb, Ronan wasn't going to stop him. ]

Oh, you must be an absolute delight at parties. [ He doesn't sound aggressive as he speaks, keeping his tone sort of neutral to mildly amused, an eyebrow raised.

Next to him, there's a part of Adam showing on the video. He's reading a book, himself, using Ronan's shoulder as something to lean against. ]

Sorry that 50 shades even exists where you're from, thought it was exclusive to my shitty homeworld.

text; un: moonshined

[pillz]

hwats up homo

[fiachdubh]

that's an enlightened form of insult

also learn to spell, dickweed

[ He has no idea who this is, but it's heartfelt nonetheless. ]

[pillz]

i bring my a gmae wit u always
did u bring 3 dick gansey & the rest of the spice girlz
i knew the multiverss couldnt kill u fuckers
u like roaches
always comin back no matter where i fuckin go
congratlations
still a motherfuckn nerd

[fiachdubh]

[ This... is sounding way too familiar. It's also impossible, because Kavinsky is dead.

But then again, Blue is here, from some point in Ronan and Adam's past.

Jesus fucking Christ. And he dares calling them the roaches.

Helplessly, Ronan elbows Adam, pointing at the screen. ]

and you're still useless
some things don't fucking change

video; bellamid

[rekt]

[ uh.

things john murphy is not: educated, or well read.

what the shit is all of this. ]

Is there a plain English translation for that? With something like 300 less words in it?

[fiachdubh]

Plain English translation: Patroclus is fucking shit up all over the place and beheading a lot of dudes wearing loincloths.

[ Which is not inaccurate, so. Here. ]

If you think that's the whole story, though, you'd be surprised. [ And with that, he holds up the large hardback book he's been reading from. ]

[rekt]

Is that like a kink of his or something?

[ specifically in loincloths... ]

I, uh. Don't read. Much. [ at all. he's really bad at it and he doesn't like doing things he's bad at. ] Thanks anyway.

[fiachdubh]

[ Ronan has to frown, somewhat confused by the question. ]

I mean, I'm sure he's popped an adrenaline boner or two in the thick of it, but it's just. A battle in ancient times, wearing loincloths and killing each other was all they did.

[ Not actually all that surprised. This guy seems to have had... a lot on his plate, wherever he's from. ]

What do you do, for fun?

text | un: littlestranger | spoilers for the iliad btw 8D;

[tangleofgarlands]

"As he was thus pondering, the son of Nestor came up to him and told his sad tale, weeping bitterly the while. “Alas,” he cried, “son of noble Peleus, I bring you bad tidings, would indeed that they were untrue. Patroclus has fallen, and a fight is raging about his naked body—for Hector holds his armour.”

A dark cloud of grief fell upon Achilles as he listened. He filled both hands with dust from off the ground, and poured it over his head, disfiguring his comely face, and letting the refuse settle over his shirt so fair and new. He flung himself down all huge and hugely at full length, and tore his hair with his hands."

I liked the iliad better than the odyssey.

[fiachdubh]

the iliad is superior, the odyssey is almost too easy

also achilles is a drama queen

[ Don't ask Ronan what he'd do if he was to lose his lover in battle. Just don't. ]

[tangleofgarlands]

I agree. The iliad isn't as slow and I like the characters better.

Achilles is a bit stroppy but that's sort of his calling card, isn't it?

I liked Patroclus.

[When he'd first read the book, he'd immediately pictured Achilles as Curt, and Patroclus as Brian Slade; these days, there's a small, shy part of him that wishes he could play that role, but his sense wins out, and he doesn't mention it.]

[fiachdubh]

i thought his calling card was being nigh-invincible and a super warrior, not a whiny baby that likes to roll around in dirt when things don't go his way

but you know, to each their own

Patroclus' death was a true shame

Video; un: kyd

[mordacita]

[ You have no idea how long Rafa spent trying to change the username to his own name, instead of the halfway insulting name he'd given his daemon. Either that can't be done or the daemon won't play ball; in any case, this is where we are. ]

The Iliad. It has been a long time since I read that.

[ His expression intimates that this was perhaps not the happy experience for him that it had been for Ronan. He's les interested in that particular book than where it came from. ]

Is it yours, or did you find it somewhere? I prefer the Latin classics, but I will take Greek if that is all they have.

[fiachdubh]

[ Ronan lifts an eyebrow, leaning forward a little. The move nudges Adam, who grunts but doesn't say anything, just leans harder against Ronan, apparently. ]

It's not mine. Chainsawd, show the man again. [ Maybe Rafa missed the beginning of the video. Chainsawd takes off once more, to take an aerial shot of the library before coming down, taking her time with lazy, swooping circles. ]

We found it at the edge of the city. South-West. It's filled to the brink with books so I'm sure you can find some Virgil around.

[mordacita]

[ That building. Rafa's gaze shifts to the unicorn, whose bright little voice can briefly be heard saying: ]

Acknowledged. I will take you there, Rafaello.

[ Rafa's has tenses. He'll take that, though. If that entire building is a library, he's bound to find something suitable. ]

That is good. That is better, in fact, these days have been too long already. What is it about Patroclus that appeals? There are stronger heroes. Most would look to Achilles in that particular tale.

[fiachdubh]

Achilles is a drama queen. Not that I don't like him, but Patroclus just. Got shit done when he was told to. Achilles only did shit when it could further his manpain.

[ Ronan shrugs. ]

I like this battle. But I generally prefer Hector. He was more human.