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The damp foliage clings to him with needy brushes that only annoy rather than impede. Thick underbrush like this wasn’t a far cry from the forests of Earth but they were far less soaked than the Venusian woods that he found himself in for the week’s patrolling. The greenery was almost enough to suffocate his senses and HUD if not for the tinkering that he had done to cut down on natural interference. Better yet he wouldn’t trade this for the Maat Mons bulk that had flooded the work boards when he had gone searching for a change of pace. Regardless thankfully he had made the proper preparations so that he wouldn’t feel as though he was slogging his way through the place and creating more of a fuss than was necessary. The same couldn’t be said of the fireteam that had stopped him when he first transmatted in at the base of the forest.
The titan had been rather vocal on the effort that the forest could demand on any that dared to trek through its depths. However the hunter had been caught in his curiosity by a warlock that muttered of creatures within the living expanse. Warnings given to him of creatures that could change their shape and mess with a guardian’s mind if given the chance. Ones that could feed upon desires if not kept in check. That they could grow stronger if allowed to be fed upon and spell disaster no matter the brief bliss that could be offered in return.
Ahamkara, the warlock named them. Akin to the dragons of ages long past but infinitely more cunning and dangerous. Renders of reality.
Matthieu hardly expected to be graced with such a creature’s appearance what with them being nothing more than stories shared late at night by guardians far older than him. He wasn’t as interesting or rather appetizing in this case. Not compared to those that had been on dozens of strikes against the city’s enemies or lived through the dark ages. No he was mostly one that did recoveries and check ups within known territory. A hunter far more comfortable helping the city than seeking some far fetched glory.
His quarry for now was simply a skiff of House Winter Fallen that buried themselves deep within the rainforest. More than likely squirreling away dozens of Golden Age artifacts and armaments from intel gleaned from teams passing through. That means a lot of hiking to be undertaken without hopefully alerting the Fallen prematurely.
Besides if he sometimes gets lost in the wildness of the place, no one can blame him. One of the perks of running solo. He can take in all that surrounds him and appreciate the peacefulness of it.
At least until he finally has to get down to business sooner rather than later.
The titan had been rather vocal on the effort that the forest could demand on any that dared to trek through its depths. However the hunter had been caught in his curiosity by a warlock that muttered of creatures within the living expanse. Warnings given to him of creatures that could change their shape and mess with a guardian’s mind if given the chance. Ones that could feed upon desires if not kept in check. That they could grow stronger if allowed to be fed upon and spell disaster no matter the brief bliss that could be offered in return.
Ahamkara, the warlock named them. Akin to the dragons of ages long past but infinitely more cunning and dangerous. Renders of reality.
Matthieu hardly expected to be graced with such a creature’s appearance what with them being nothing more than stories shared late at night by guardians far older than him. He wasn’t as interesting or rather appetizing in this case. Not compared to those that had been on dozens of strikes against the city’s enemies or lived through the dark ages. No he was mostly one that did recoveries and check ups within known territory. A hunter far more comfortable helping the city than seeking some far fetched glory.
His quarry for now was simply a skiff of House Winter Fallen that buried themselves deep within the rainforest. More than likely squirreling away dozens of Golden Age artifacts and armaments from intel gleaned from teams passing through. That means a lot of hiking to be undertaken without hopefully alerting the Fallen prematurely.
Besides if he sometimes gets lost in the wildness of the place, no one can blame him. One of the perks of running solo. He can take in all that surrounds him and appreciate the peacefulness of it.
At least until he finally has to get down to business sooner rather than later.
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Date: 2019-12-11 05:47 am (UTC)From:His wings won't take him off of Venus, however. Mattheiu's ship will. It's an acceptable take, he decides, even as he curls up tighter against the Hunter's neck. His comfort, however, is apparently secondary, because he's soon moved. There's a noise of discontent, far softer than he'd ever be comfortable admitting to, as he's bundled up, and eventually he manages to work his head out of the folds of fabric and shoot an almost indignant glare over to the retreating man.
I thought your type could just change their clothes whenever they wanted to, with a wave of a hand.
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Date: 2019-12-13 12:21 am (UTC)From:"There's nothing wrong with doing things the old fashion way. Besides it keeps me fresh on how to do it in case I can't clap on clap off all of it," he points out. "Same goes for my weapons and everything else. I need to know how to care of all this and use it in case the worst happens."
"Besides." He heads back over to the chair. His hand searching through the folds to pick up Lucifer and place him back around his shoulders. "I'm not the one fussing over being put down."
He walks back to his quarters with him en tow now. "Besides you don't have to worry about that kind of stuff. You have it easier. You can change what you look like with a thought."
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Date: 2019-12-22 12:24 am (UTC)From:Is this some sort of humanism that he's not aware of? Honestly, if anything Lucifer is more confused than he was before. He understands the concept of manually removing armor, but it would seem like it would be far more of a pain than to just rely on the Light to phase it away.
He's not sure he likes the way Mattheiu mentions 'the worst.'
It's a peculiar feeling, and then he's gone and confused himself even more. Why should he care? Ahamkara shouldn't worry about those beneath them, after all. At least...that was supposed to be how it went, wasn't it? But after spending some time with this Hunter, Lucifer isn't entirely sure that that's correct. He thinks that perhaps he would be cross if something were to happen to the man.
There's a chill in the air though, and he buries himself back in the cloak in order to hoard his remaining warmth. There's residual body heat from Mattheiu, and he luxuriates in it, even if it's not quite as good as being curledup against the man's neck. But then the world shifts, Mattheiu has a hand around him, and Lucifer can't help the squeak that escapes from his maw as he's lifted out of his comfortable nest.
Oh. Wait. He's back around Matthieu's shoulders. Alright, this is much better. He wriggles his way about, nuzzling into the man's neck and drinking in his heat.
Sometimes it can be hard to think of what things should be, though.
Certainly he's found himself in situations where he hasn't gotten things quite right before.
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Date: 2019-12-26 11:07 pm (UTC)From:The squeak hadn't gone unnoticed but he assumes it was more opinionated than what some would call cute. The nuzzle though does garner a pause.
Very gently he lifts his hand to rub along the underside of the small ahamkara's jaw. The soft touches moving to smooth along the frills that adorned the cheeks and down his back. Whether or not Lucifer was vocal about it, he comes across as a very tactile creature. One that certainly would be keen for more.
"Oh? What else have you tried to turn into," he asks.
no subject
Date: 2020-01-10 03:59 am (UTC)From:Clever fingers....
He doesn't quite realize that he's been asked a question at first, but when it finally penetrates the pleasant haze that's overtaken his mind he huffs slightly. He'd much rather busy himself with leaning into the touches than try to think back and remember.
Eliksni, your type, some of the local animals. Unfortunately there's not a lot to choose from, out in the wilds.
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Date: 2020-01-11 04:44 pm (UTC)From:Curiosity gets the better of him. “Your type as in humans? Huh. Heard about you all shapeshifting but figured there were limitations.”
“It’d be something to see if you ever would allow the chance,” he admits. His palm cupping Lucifer’s jaw so his thumb can better rub the cheek ridge before going behind a frill.
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Date: 2020-01-20 04:40 am (UTC)From:Or Guardians, really. To be quite honest, Lucifer has never had any real contact with unarmored individuals. It's always been safer to stay hidden, observe from the shadows, because usually if he ever found himself face-to-face with any new individuals they ended up...not lasting terribly long. Mattheiu is certainly a first in that regard.
With a small, wide yawn he stretches into the Hunter's fingers, letting him catch on a little bit of stuck shed that he's had trouble with. It feels amazing, and he's absolutely going to take advantage of this so long as he's stuck in this smaller form. Maybe Mattheiu would be kind enough to continue once Lucifer returned to normal.
How strange that he's even thinking something like that.
But two eyes open and fix the man lazily with a questioning look. There's certainly something behind what Mattheiu is saying, but Lucifer can't quite work it out. There's a little bit of...challenge there? It feels like it.
In my defense, there has been little need to take such a form in the confines of my lair. But I suppose...if we are to go somewhere where there are more of your kind...
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Date: 2020-01-20 04:55 am (UTC)From:Whelp he can check that off from the whole learning what Ahamkara are actually like versus what all of the warlocks toot their horns over. He turns his hand so Lucifer can rest his head against the palm. This is easier to see what the currently small creature wanted to have tended.
He’s an over glorified scratching post apparently. Not the worst job he’s ever had he supposes.
Wandering over to the bed in the back, he sits with his back against the wall. That look is certainly one that has him questioning what he’s said and letting his curiosity get the better of him again. Matthieu reaches over with his free hand to fuss over scrapes on his bodysuit. Anything to get the nerves out no matter how minor they were currently.
“No, it’s fine. You’re rather good at staying out of sight. Honestly beyond good. Amazing. I was only meaning if you ever wanted to. Not that I would want to force you into that position,” he fumbles out.
“Sorry.”
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Date: 2020-02-04 05:46 am (UTC)From:The words ring with a tinge of smug amusement, and Lucifer yawns again, flicking his tongue out against Mattheiu's fingers, before stretching and rising to his feet. It isn't easy to make his way down the Hunter's body, but soon enough he's resting contentedly on the man's chest and watching him with a peculiar look.
It really is a challenge, Lucifer decides.
With a brush of power, something ancient and deeper than the Guardian's own light, he picks at his own form, moulding it as easily as if he's simply shedding his skin. While he hasn't had too many encounters with humans (because that's what he should be, correct? Mattheiu is a human being, after all), he at least knows enough to try and formulate his own, personal look instead of just copying.
In a handful of moments it isn't a petite reptilian form that's sprawled across the Hunter's chest, but instead a (if Lucifer could sing his own praises just a bit) rather attractive human being, dark haired and dark eyed and grinning in a slow, easy way that hinted at the predetory nature lurking just under his skin.
"And I may not wish to stay out of sight, if I am to see these new places, oh Guardian mine."
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Date: 2020-02-06 12:42 am (UTC)From:He looks out towards the cockpit, not giving much regard to the moving about. The ahamkara did as he pleased so it wouldn’t be surprising that finding a more comfortable position atop him was done. However the sudden feeling of extra weight resting on him raised some alarm bells. Matthieu sure as hell wasn't expecting to find a person in the stead of the small reptile.
A person. A very naked person. On top of him. “Uggggh...”
Heat builds in his cheeks as he gapes and struggles for words. Eventually his brain manages a reboot. He reaches over to snatch his cloak from where it rests before draping it over Lucifer’s new rather attractive form. “Yea sure. Might need to ugh put on appropriate clothes. Or just any really.”
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Date: 2020-02-11 03:50 am (UTC)From:"Mm, you're right, I don't think your types go walking about in the buff too often, now do they?" At least no Guardian that Lucifer has ever come across, that's for sure. He can understand why, however, now that he's taken one's form; everything makes him feel so squishy and vulnerable. If it weren't for their inherent cleverness and penchant for devestating weaponry, it would be hard to see why these creatures had managed to populate the stars
"I suppose that you're going to have to assist me further, oh Guardian mine. You're the one with the proper knowledge of all this."
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Date: 2020-02-29 08:07 am (UTC)From:Can ahamkara catch a cold? What about frostbite? Maybe he shouldn't be the one to figure this out. Ever.
So Matthieu winds an arm around Lucifer's waist and rolls onto his side, tucking the man in close with the cloak wrapped around him. He tugs a blanket out from storage to wrap them both up in. There's no qualms with being a walking talking heater for him. Not when he's seemingly gotten attached to the strange and rather prideful creature. Especially when he's rather avid about the closeness over time.
"I'm sure I've got something tucked away that could work." His free hand comes up to bury in Lucifer's dark hair. "If not, we'll figure something out."
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Date: 2020-05-21 05:13 am (UTC)From:But for all the dramatics playing about in his head, Lucifer is quick to realize that no, he hasn't been abandoned to freeze to death in this new flesh-form. Instead, Mattheiu is pulling him in, wrapping something around the both of them that helps to keep that delicious warmth trapped. It's almost luxurious, the way that the heat radiating from the man's body seems to wash over Lucifer, and he makes a pleased noise in return. It's decidedly different in this form, human throats weren't meant to replicate the rolling purrs of an Ahamkara's deep rumble, but its a sound that's unmistakenably both satisfied and smug all in one.
Fingers dance across his scalp, winding in- no it's not his frills, it's hair now, but it feels wonderful all the same. With a slight stretch and pop of his neck, he leans into the touch almost lazily, all but radiating his approval.
"Or," comes the distracted reply, "this is a place that we can stay."
The allure of visiting other worlds, of seeing other things, of not being alone, had drawn him aboard the ship initially. Now? Now, in this smaller human suit, Lucifer finds that he's quite content to laze about and soak in Mattheiu's comfort.
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Date: 2020-06-09 07:59 am (UTC)From:Intriguing as much as lonely. He can't shake that feeling no matter how much the ahamkara balks at it. Lucifer is more touch starved than he is which says leaps and bounds really.
He doesn't dwell on that. For now. Instead he gently strokes his fingers through Lucifer's hair with a soft sigh. "We can stay here for awhile if that's what you want. I'm ok with more of this."
What is this ahamkara doing to him...
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Date: 2020-07-14 01:51 am (UTC)From:It's strange, though, to hear the particular way Mattheiu phrases things. "If that's what you want". The concept is honestly...honestly foreign, if Lucifer thinks about it too hard. While yes, he's an entirely self-serving creature and will never apologize for that, he's always been the one in the giving position, the one to ask wayward travelers for their deepest desires.
It feels particularly odd to have that turned back at him.
"Is that what you wish, oh guardian mine?" He's b been thrown off his game just the tiniest bit, unsure of how to react to the care. Certainly, he doesn't want to move; Mattheiu is warm and comfortable and the fingers in his hair are divine.
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Date: 2020-09-14 08:25 am (UTC)From:Though there’s this wave of befuddlement that comes from the ahamkara pressed so close to him. He cracks open an eye to glance down. The strange purring having gone away with Lucifer seemingly off in thought.
Did he not say something right? He wasn’t lying. The ahamkara had as much choice matters as he did.
Matthieu raises a brow at the question. “Thought my feelings on this was plenty obvious. That’s why I had asked you. But if that’s how you want to go about this then sure.”
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Date: 2020-12-03 05:29 am (UTC)From:Because really, if it's up to him he's going to choose to leech off of Mattheiu's warmth and keep Mattheiu's fingers carding through his hair because both of those feel nothing short of divine.
"You're a strange one," he murmurs, leaning into a particularly nice pass of Mattheiu's hand, "asking questions and caring for an answer. I don't believe I've ever had one of your kind ask me what I desire."
There's a low, rumbling purr deep in his chest that he doesn't bother to try and hide. He's content, there's no reason to hide that. "A little lower, if you don't mind. Had a nasty itch near my horn that I just couldn't quite reach- but you, you have such a way with your hands."
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Date: 2021-04-04 04:22 am (UTC)From:Though the purr was giving him some hope. He can't be screwing this up too badly. "You can still have wants and desires. Regardless of who you choose to be."
"You don't exactly have horns right now. Save for. Ugh. Nevermind," he winds up dismissing. His hand moves to accommodate the request.
no subject
Date: 2021-06-13 05:39 pm (UTC)From:Because I assure you: I am 'a person'."
He's a bit cross, this sounds more like the Guardians that he'd encountered before, but it's desperately hard to be too upset when clever fingers are finally, finally taking care of the nuscience behind where one of his horns would normally be. The request had been entirely genuine: something had been caught there, perhaps a bit of stubborn shed, and the relief that comes with each pass of Mattheiu's fingers is heavenly.