d&d scenes } { of homelessness and indoctrination

[iluvroadrunner6]

Ric: [is fifteen at the time, hiding his face behind an oversized hoodie as he wanders into the homeless shelter. It's been three days since he had a real meal, and the temperature had dropped below freezing that night. He doesn't want to be here--he knows what happens to boys like him in places like this--but he is too cold not to. So he pulls the straps of his backpack tighter as he goes to see if he can get a meal]

Lammel: [doesn't often make personal appearances, despite what his office may imply. He's mostly here to make sure that the sacrifices are still performed regularly and that their grotesque friend in the back is happy and well fed. he's addressing things with his assistant, scanning the room for points of interest, and occasionally tugging at his very expensive cufflinks]

Ric: [and he gets his tray and walks the line. He opts for a hot meal, but his hands are working while the cafeteria lady turns to grab a bunch of wrapped sandwiches and shoves them into his hoodie pocket. He doesn't worry about the stuffed shirt; those were the people who just kept walking by without even a glance.]

Lammel: [he catches that, the sneaking food, and his attention is held. Potential? Maybe? That remains to be seen.]

Ric: [and when he moves back to look at the room, he bites his lip and aims for the table with the old people. They are the least likely to come onto him. Once sitting, he eats with one hand while transferring the sandwiches into his backpack under the table. And two wallets he might have grabbed while in line]

Lammel: [definitely potential. he leans over and asks his assistant to have him deferred to his office]

Ric: [and when he is done eating, the assistant comes over and lead him over. He goes, curiosity winning over the urge to flee, his eyes cataloging everything around him so he can plan a way out if he needs to]

Lammel: [which is easier said than done - the place is a perpetual labyrinth. he might catch a few exits, but it's hard to say the exits are actually exits. but he's led into a fancy office, where Lammel is sitting behind the desk] Have a seat.

Ric: [crosses his arms, because nope] I don't know what you’re thinking, man, but I'm not into the whole daddy may I thing.

Lammel: No, it seems you're into stealing my food - or more specifically, taking more than your share.

Ric: I'm a growing boy. I eat a lot. [shrugs] I'm homeless, this place feeds homeless, no one else was taking the pb and Js anyway.

Lammel: Then why feel like you have to sneak them?

Ric: [shrugs again, because he doesn't know why.]

Lammel: See, that's the problem with this world. The logic is sound for why you were taking it, and yet, there's still shame. Perhaps there's something we can do to change that.

Ric: You're the one throwing the shade, man. And who says I'm ashamed of it?

Lammel: Who says I'm throwing shade? I was merely stating a fact.

Ric: I'm not ashamed of what I do. It's how someone like me survives on the street and maintain my sweet innocence. [and that is a very sarcastic smile tossed at Lammel]

Lammel: [he snorts] How well is that working out for you?

Ric: I'm not dead or locked in some kiddie porn brothel, so today's a good day.

Lammel: What if I said you could do better? [and that's not derision. for all intents and purposes it's a genuine offer]

Ric: [tilts his head, giving the man a real once over from the shadows of his hood. So here's the sales pitch. He should bail, because he was free and happy--at least when he wasn't starving or cold. It'd be nice not to be either. So he walks to the seat he was offered before and sits, not taking his backpack off. He's a tiny runt in the chair, dwarfed by his own clothes, but he doesn't relax, keeping himself on alert just in case] What's the catch?

Lammel: I have certain obligations I need to keep. Not everyone can handle them.

Ric: What kind of obligations?

Lammel: What do you know about the gods?

Ric: [oooooookay?] Powerful beings that people worship to get shit for themselves.

Lammel: Things are rather sanitized nowadays, but there are some gods who are willing to reward more ... definitive signs of devotion.

Ric: Like what? [honest question, actual curiosity and hardly any sass for once]

Lammel: Probably better if I show you. [and he'll rise to his feet and gesture for Ric to follow him]

Ric: [in for a penny...] Okay. [and he'll follow, keeping distance though so he can run if he has to]

Lammel: [and they're back in a labyrinth of hallways, one after the other, until they enter one of the back warehouses to the sound of chanting. The room is sparse, aside from the giant glyphs in the center of the room. In the center is what looks like a pair of clerics with one of the homeless residents tied in place. Just beyond them is a grotesque looking creature, waiting to be fed]

Ric: [and he will skid to a stop when they enter the room, eyes wide. To say he wasn't expecting this would be an understatement. But he doesn't run. Instead he takes everything in, then looks up at Lammel waiting for an explanation]

Lammel: The goddess Shar demands real acts of devotion from her believers. She is powered by despair, so we must inflict despair on others. [and he will go to make his way closer rolling up his sleeves as one of the other acolytes hands him a robe]

Ric: [and he will inch closer, wanting to see what the man meant by that. He hesitates, though, at crossing the glyph, and instead just stands there, almost entranced]

Lammel: [and what follows is fairly gruesome, in a ritualistic sense. There's stabbing, there's magic and then the creature eats but there is a sense of power as the ritual is completed. Even Ric can feel it]

Ric: [he does feel it. The gruesome-- he's been living in the streets and dark alleys for awhile now. He's seen worse. Doesn't even flinch anymore at the sound of flesh being stabbed. Somewhere along the way, he had pulled his hood back, revealing a face looking younger than even fifteen, blue eyes soaking it all in.]

Lammel: [and when it's all finished, the creature retreats and he cleans off his hands before turning back to Ric.] It takes a certain amount of character, to do what will be asked of you.

Ric: And what's that?

Lammel: Find people who would be suitable. People no one would miss, no connections, no family. And as you work your way up, prove you can be trusted, you'll get to enjoy some of the perks.

Ric: And until then? What's in it for me?

Lammel: Comfort. Stability. There are tiers of course, but I'm sure you'd enjoy having a permanent bed here for starters. More to come of you prove how devoted you are to the cause.

Ric: And let me guess, if I say no, I'm next on the table.

Lammel: Most of the world does frown on this sort of thing, you understand.

Ric: Yeah. [he licks his lips, looking back at the altar.] I just bring you people to sacrifice. I can do that. [looks back up at Lammel] There's enough people in crime alley who'd get a better death this way anyway. [instead of dying from starvation, injuries, drugs...]

Lammel: Good. Good. [he nods, moving closer and resting a hand on his shoulder] We're doing them a service.

Ric: Yeah. [nods, not shrugging the man's touch away. He's pretty sure that the guy isn't going to abuse him like so many others have. He misses safe touches.] Something like that.

Lammel: Good. Now, let's get you settled in your room. We'll start tomorrow.

Ric: [he'll take one look at the room, staring at the glyph in particular, then lets Lammel lead him away. When he's alone in his room, he's going to pull out his notebook and try to sketch the symbol from memory to look up later.]

Lammel: [and this room is much more lavish than the usual bunks the rest of the shelter goers get. His own bed, his own bathroom, a tv, a computer ... The works]

Ric: [he's never really had a room like this. Maybe he did back in the foster homes, but that was a long time ago. Before the circus, where his bed was either on top of the ringmaster's trailer or in one of the covered cars of the Ferris wheel. But this was more than he ever had, and he hadn't been expecting to ever have it]

Lammel: [and he'll just hang back, letting him explore the space on his own]

Ric: [and when he sees it all, he'll turn back and look at Lammel. The harsh attitude was gone from his face, leaving only a confused teenager in its place] You sure? [he's scared for a moment that this man is taunting him, and a minute later he was going to end up back on the streets]

Lammel: You keep your end of the bargain, you can stay here as long as you want. [and he's as genuine as he's capable of being]

Ric: [he nods and puts his bag down next to the bed] Thank you.

Lammel: Of course. [he smiles, before reaching forward to close the door] Get some sleep.

Ric: [he nods, waiting for the door to close before sitting on the floor and opening his bag. He draws that symbol down, then stashes his notebook again. He's tired, but he doesn't want to get the bed too dirty, so he strips down to his underwear and crawls into the bed, burrowing himself in the blanket. A moment later, he reached back into his bag and pulled out the small piece of pipe he kept and pulled it under the blanket with him too. Just in case.]

Lammel: [and Lammel will leave him alone for the most part, though he will find, in the morning, some clean clothes in the drawers and an adjacent bathroom that he can use to clean up]

Ric: [it took him a moment to realize where he was when he woke up. Some of it still felt like a really weird dream. But the clothing was unexpected, and they were actually in his size. He took his first hot shower in almost a decade, then got dressed in an electric blue t-shirt and clean jeans. He poked his head outside the door, curious on if he was supposed to stay in the room or if he could wander]

Lammel: [no one seems to stop him. In fact, he seems free to wander, though there are security cameras in the halls]

Ric: [and wandering he will go. If no one stops him, that's probably what he will spend the day doing. After figuring out where the food is]

Lammel: [there is a kitchen, where someone will cook for him if he's hungry]

Ric: [then he's getting bacon and waffles]

Lammel: [and he'll be told that Lammel will be busy for the day but they could have dinner if Ric isn't otherwise engaged]

Ric: [which leaves Ric free to explore. He's trying to retrace his steps to find that room with the symbol again]

Lammel: [... make a navigation check?]

Ric: [11]

Lammel: [unfortunately, these hallways are too much of a maze to navigate well. He tries to make it back to the warehouse, but he keeps making wrong turns, and in a lot of ways that's intentional]

Ric: [and eventually it'll become night and Ric will be in his room, munching on a sandwich and not thinking about doing anything else]

Lammel: [and he will poke his head in once he's free of his days of meetings] Just wanted to see how you were settling in.

Ric: [looks up and grins] Doing good. The hallways are a bit confusing, but I'll get them figured out.

Lammel: Good. I like someone willing to rise to a challenge.

Ric: [and he continues to grin. Be careful, Lammel, you might get the boy's affection if you're not careful]

Lammel: [well that tends to be his favorite thing to use] Is there anything you need, that you haven't been able to get?

Ric: [shakes his head] This is more than I've ever had. I think I'm good.

Lammel: Good. Now, I tend to be quite busy, so I'm not around much during the day, but my assistants know now to reach me if you run into any trouble.

Ric: Is there anything I'm supposed to be doing during the day?

Lammel: Well, we do have our arrangement. So however you think that will best be served. But beyond that, you're free to spend it however you wish.

Ric: How often do you need me to bring you someone? [trying not to sound hesitant at all]

Lammel: Once a month or so. Not too frequent.

Ric: Okay. I'm sure I'll know how to get out of the building by then. [he has the jokes]

Lammel: I'm sure someone could point you to the door. [but perhaps not the door you were originally poking at]

Ric: [sighs and makes note that Lammel doesn't do jokes.] Yeah ok.

Lammel: [nope, he doesn't unfortunately] I know the building is a bit of a maze, but some secrets you have to work up to.

Ric: [nods] Looking forward to it.

Lammel: Good. I'm about to turn in, but if you need anything, just let one of us know. [and there'll be plenty of time to stop him if he wants to talk more, but otherwise, he's not letting the kid too close quite yet]

Ric: [nope, he will let Lammel go. He'll go outside and walk around, heading to the gymnasium that he knows how to sneak into so he can exercise on the parallel bars and the hanging rings]

Lammel: [and things will continue on the same routine for a bit, slowly warming up to each other and getting comfortable being in each other's space]

Ric: [and he's getting more relaxed, risking a bit of his caution to feel a bit of stability.]

Lammel: [and checking on after dinner turns into maybe having dinner together?]

Ric: [totally. Though he has no table manners. Whoops.]

Lammel: [it's forgiven. those things can be taught later]

Ric: [but he'll be down for it, hoping that Lammel's choice of foods is not weird]

Lammel: [it's not. maybe a little fancier than Ric's used to, but it's all things he can name and would normally eat. he knows his audience]

Ric: [and he's actually not late. Being on time was a circus habit ingrained in him.]

Lammel: [punctuality is something he appreciates!]

Ric: Dinner looks good.

Lammel: Good. I can't take all the credit as I didn't cook it, but I'm glad it seems like something you'd enjoy.

Ric: Do you know how to cook? [and he'll take his seat]

Lammel: I know the basics, but I haven't in a long time.

Ric: Perks of being rich, huh?

Lammel: That it is.

Ric: [nods] I think the most money I've ever had was a twenty dollar bill.

Lammel: Well, hopefully we can change that.

Ric: [chuckles] I don't think I'd know what to do with that much money.

Lammel: That's kind of the point.

Ric: To have so much money you don't know what to do with it?

Lammel: Precisely.

Ric: [he thinks on that a moment, then grins] I can get behind that.

Lammel: Good.

Ric: [and he's going to just eat because he has a high metabolism]

Lammel: [and so will he, occasionally delving into harmless small talk to try and get more info out of the kid]

Ric: [He'll get the first layer stuff: orphaned at birth, no idea who his parents are, bounced around foster care until he ran away to the circus. He was an aerial performer, acrobat, and assisted the knife thrower. Circus closed, refused to go back into the system so he ended up in Gattling city fending for himself]

Lammel: Do you still enjoy acrobatics?

Ric: Yeah. I, uh, I sneak into this gym on the other side of town every other day and just go through my exercises. There's not trapeze so I can't really practice that though.

Lammel: Perhaps we can have that arranged.

Ric: [now you have his full attention] Really?

Lammel: I do have connections, you know.

Ric: I mean, I know... but... [he's still not used to having people do nice things for him]

Lammel: [he knows. It's why he's doing it] If all goes according to plan, we'll be a team, you and I. Teams do things for each other.

Ric: [nods, because he's trying to focus on NOT CRYING.]

Lammel: [smiles softly] Let me make some calls and see what I can find.

Ric: Thank you. I mean, really. thank you.

Lammel: Of course. I'm happy to do so.

Ric: [and he's so excited, he doesn't know if he can keep eating. He wants to jump all around the room, but he can do that later]

Lammel: [and after dinner Lammel will follow through on his word and make some calls and a couple days later, before leaving for whatever he does during the day he leaves the kid an address where he can go and all the info he needs]

Ric: [and he will go, clutching the note as he walks]

Lammel: [and he will find a full scale gymnastics facility that has everything he could want to jump, flip and throw himself from]

Ric: [and pretty sure except for breakfast and dinner, this is where he will be. He loved flying through the air, and he had no fear of falling.]

Lammel: [as long as he kept up his end of the bargain, there won't be a problem with that]

Ric: [which he has been doing. There's a drug addict woman in the alley he goes to visit after dinner to bring her a sandwich and talk to. She's told him about how she was disowned, became a prostitute and got addicted to heroine, and when she was too far gone her pimp beat her and left her broken in the alley. Ric stopped her from committing suicide, and he sat and told her that if she wanted, he knew people who could make the pain end.]

Lammel: [and he would have left instructions - to bring her through the shelter so they could get all her information, introduce her to one of the assistants, who would make sure she got where she needed to go]

Ric: [which he will do, bringing her in himself and finding her a seat and letting the people at the shelter take it from there while he hovered. He didn't know how far he was supposed to go along the path with her and the assisstants.]

Lammel: [will make sure he comes along. This whole thing is about commitment - he won't make him kill her, but he needs to see it through, from beginning to end]

Ric: [which he will. He's already seen one sacrifice, so he knows what happens.]

Lammel: [yes, but it's different when it's someone he knows. And when the sacrifice ends, he'll feel the power, like before, but this time it's stronger. It flows through him and makes him feel like he's invincible]

Ric: [and he'll close his eyes, gasping as he feels it. He smiles to himself, telling himself that he did a good thing and this was his reward. It is an addicting feeling]

Lammel: [that it is. And when he's finished cleaning up, he turns back to him with a smile] So? What do you think?

Ric: [still smiling] I like it.

Lammel: Good. Then I think this is the beginning of a beautiful partnership.