Heroes and gods (Open)

[thewinedude]

Who: Mr. D (grumpy wine god) and anyone who wants to pester him
When: daytime, current day.
Where: the Plaza but possibly anywhere else in the city, too.
Style: action brackets or prose. Whichever.
Status: Ongoing and open

The longer he was here, and he obviously hadn't been here long, the more Dionysus was convinced that this was his own little pocket of Tartarus. He couldn't remember off-hand how he could possibly have pissed off the Big Three enough to deserve this. Not recently anyway. And never all of them in conjunction. Even drunken gods have a sense of self-preservation.

And yet here he was. Alone. Separated from his wife, his wine, his son(s)... even his overbearing father. He was still somehow in charge of looking after ungrateful half-bloods, and this time there was no Pac-Man to distract him. Even a normal deck of cards eluded him. If this wasn't the eternal torment of the most grievous of sinner, Mr D didn't know what was. Give him a rock to push up a hill any day.

So the displaced wine god did whatever a normal person did in times of great strife... he sought religion. Or whatever passed for religion in this place. He'd heard talk of Lamufao, and it was really only proper for Dionysus to present himself.

(...He hoped Lamufao wouldn't think he was being inconsiderate for visiting while dressed in dark purple sweatpants, purple running shoes, and a leopard-print shirt. And for getting a little lost along the way.)


((ooc: Feel free to approach him in any stage of his "going to see Lamufao" excursion. Open to all!))

Comments

[thewinedude]

Mr. D had been too busy in his own thoughts and being a grump to give any significant attention to the person near him until he was tapped on the shoulder. The tap surprised him because the god wasn't used to being casually touched by anyone. He was used to being too respected (if not occasionally feared) for such an action. Then again, no one here knew who he was, and his divinity wasn't exactly something he was going around advertizing these days. Without his powers and his wine, he was a pretty sorry wine god. Not that anyone else was allowed to say that.

When he turned to look at who tapped him, Mr. D did not appear startled in any way by this boy's appearance. Dionysus spent much of his time around non-human, non-demigod creatures, so encountering something new was curious but no need for alarm. The sewn lips were an interesting touch.

"Yes? What is it?"

[zipperlips]

"Coral" is a very difficult concept to communicate, using just miming. At the same time, Kurloz doesn't like to break out the writing materials for a stranger, not if he can help it. So he doesn't bother trying to convey that along with "you're going the wrong way to get there."

Instead, he points to Mr. D, then makes a little walking figure with his hands, and has it wander around for a few moments, before tilting his head in indication of a question. Asking where this man is going is probably more likely to get results.

[thewinedude]

Mr. D, being a theatre god in addition to the better known abilities on his resume, was well versed in the skill of pantomime. If this person truly never talked, Dionysus might be curious to have a longer conversation just to see what he came up with. The good ones were always a riot. For now, the simple question seemed clear, if not a little bizarre to ask a stranger out of the blue. This person's appearance and lack of speech put Mr. D in a slightly less grumpy mood. For now, at least.

"Eventually, I'd hoped to see this coral everyone is so excited about. Weird underwater cities aren't easy to navigate," he admitted. As an afterthought, he offered a bit of sign language as he spoke, "Can you hear?" and then just said, "or is it just a miming act?" Perhaps a bit tactless, but Mr. D felt that so was being tapped and asked for his destination by a stranger.

[zipperlips]

Kurloz adopted a surprised face when Mr. D started signing to go along with his speaking. He'd run into plenty of people who know what sign language was, since coming to Vatheon, but he'd never encountered a person who actually knew how to sign. He'd resigned himself to teaching people, and being secretly pleased at his ability to say things to people that they wouldn't understand.

Yet he doesn't use signing to answer in return. He points to his ears and nods, then points towards Mr. D's hands, and nods again. He can understand both perfectly well. The only thing he can't (won't) do is talk, which he emphasizes by pretending to zip his mouth closed.

And now, for the point of approaching in the first place. He points in the direction that Mr. D was going, then shakes his head and makes a little "x" with his hands. The coral isn't that way.

[thewinedude]

Mr. D's sign language was a little bit antiquated (so to speak) because he hadn't really paid attention to the new vocabulary in the last 50 years or so, but it was language closely tied to pantomime (which was within his baliwick) so the god had paid attention to its creation. He didn't use it much. The demigods he worked with were usually annoying talkative and were only selectively hard of hearing.

This one could hear just fine, but not talk? Mr. D liked him more immediately. No talking meant no backtalking. Even if he were to try, sign language and miming were way easier to ignore than whiny heroes' voices.

He crossed his arms and considered the instruction he was being given. He wasn't in any hurry to get to the coral, but here was a silent guide who appeared to be helpful. Why not take advantage?

"Then would you show me the right way?"

[zipperlips]

And Kurloz's sign language is from a completely different world. There are sure to be some misunderstandings between them. But for now, it's more communication than he's had the chance to get with most people, for all that neither of them are taking advantage of it.

Kurloz gave a wide smile, the kind that made his stitches more obvious, and nodded. He could absolutely play as a guide, even if his kind of tours wouldn't be all that entertaining. He gestured in the right direction- a branching lane away from the road they were currently on- and waved Mr. D to follow him along it.

[thewinedude]

The stitches were interesting, and for as little tact as the wine god had, he wasn't going to ask about them. At least not yet, anyway. If this person turned out to be worthy of his attention, Mr. D might inquire at a later time. The option to communicate through sign language was there if they decided, for some reason, to hold a real conversation, but a silent guide through the streets of an unfamiliar city was fine enough for now.

"Whatever your name is," he motioned to lead on, "lead the way."

[zipperlips]

Kurloz gives a little playful bow, then starts on his way through the streets toward the coral. He doesn't do any pointing out landmarks, but he does walk slowly enough that Mr. D can look around if he wants to, and learn the way for himself, rather than relying on Kurloz. See? This troll can be polite.

[thewinedude]

No pointing out of things and the slow stroll is just perfect for Mr. D at the moment. The silence was blessed enough that he again takes notice. It's, perhaps, a bit suspicious, but until something came up that is caused the god himself discomfort, he was simply glad to not have to listen to idle nervous chatter. The politeness was appreciated.

Eh. The city wasn't nearly as bad-looking as it was at first glance, but the fishy motif was certainly searing the path they were taking into his mind. He wouldn't be turned around again, that's for sure.

[zipperlips]

Perhaps not so suspicious, considering the lengths Kurloz has obviously gone through to keep himself from talking. Besides, signing while walking is kind of difficult to do while also leading, and he doesn't exactly want to walk backwards here.

Still, even with the slow pace, it doesn't take too long to finally get to the Plaza, and when they do, Kurloz points it out with a flourishing gesture and even a little bow.]

[thewinedude]

"And there it is. How about that." Mr. D's voice sounded bored, but to be honest, this whole 'local deity' thing gave him an actual sense of skeptical anticipation. One god meeting another and all that... but no need to advertize his intentions. "It's bigger than I thought it would be."

He nods in recognition of the bow. "You got a name?"

[zipperlips]

Kurloz shrugs, but nods. The coral is pretty big, not to mention it manages to be all over the Plaza. It's impressive in a decorative way, mostly.

At the question about his name, Kurloz takes a moment to fish out his SFC. Rather than typing something out, he goes to the list of foreigners in the bubble, and scrolls through it, until he reaches his name. Then, he holds it out to Mr. D and points at it: Kurloz Makara.

[thewinedude]

"Kurloz, huh? That's one I haven't heard before."

A whole list of the foreigners in the bubble right at one's fingertips? That might be the most useful tip yet. Using that list to point out his how name seemed a bit inefficient to Mr. D, but it was ultimately very helpful. He took his own SFC from his pocket and gave it more than just a passing glance this time before putting it away.

"If you find yourself needing to address me, you may call me Mr. D," and since they were facing each other again, he emphasized his name with sign language. But the sign he made when he said 'D' was not the letter but rather the sign for 'wine.'

[zipperlips]

It may be the more time-consuming way, but Kurloz has never been particularly fond of convenient ways, not when he can use methods like this to keep little secrets for himself. If he makes it hard for people to ask questions, they can't learn too much about him, after all!

He nods and signs the more literal version of "Mr. D" to assure that he heard it right, but then he signed out "wine" and tilted his head curiously.

[thewinedude]

It occurred to him only then that the god had inadvertently given himself the same nickname that he so despised the demigods using. That Hades' son had said it first ...the wine dude... and it had made him furiously angry. Better explain what he'd meant by the sign before this Kurloz came up with any bright ideas.

He repeated the literal sign. "Mister D. Yes, that's correct. Wine is something of a specialty of mine,and back home my name was synonymous with the best." He bitterly repeated 'was' in his mind. Not while he was on restriction. For now it was strawberries, which (in his not so humble opinion) weren't too shabby either.

[zipperlips]

Technically, it's mister wine, but Kurloz shrugs, and repeats the literal version again with a nod. No stuff about wine. He's not a fan of it, anyway- Faygo and other such ridiculous sodas are more his thing, though they're imbibed in the same spirit of festivity that Mr. D is probably so fond of.

Either way, he should do what he came for, which is come to touch the coral. It's a regular occurrence for him, since getting energy from it regularly means he has an easier time with food and doesn't have to drink through his sewn-shut mouth nearly as often.

[thewinedude]

Mr. D isn't into Faygo, but he sorta has a son that's really into red Kool-aid with a pretty particular ferocity. Mr. D appreciates things such as ridiculous consumption, even if it isn't as mind-freeing as wine and other alcoholic beverages.

Touching the coral was a good idea. That's what Mr. D was coming here for as well (before he got lost). He needed to experience the local deity for himself so he knew what he was up against. The wine god didn't care much for competition, even if he was the visiting divine being himself, and needed to establish some kind of relationship with this place that might work for both of them.

"The tour was very helpful, Kurloz," and that's as close as a 'thank you' as he's going to get. It's better than what more people get. "I won't be too disappointed if we happen to run into each other again."

[zipperlips]

Kurloz nods, and gives another little bow. It was his pleasure, and he certainly hopes that they'll run into each other again. He might even make it happen himself. He'll always take advantage of a chance to get in someone's good graces, particularly if they're a person who won't mind the very weird things he does. Mr. D seems like one of those people, as far as he can tell.

He tilts his head, then gestures to himself, then off into the distance. It sounds like here's where Mr. D would like to part ways. Hopefully he won't get lost again.

[thewinedude]

Mr. D does enjoy the eccentricities in others so long as it doesn't inconvenience himself in the slightest way. There was something about Kurloz that he liked upon his first impression. There was always still time to ruin that opinion.

Nodding, Mr. D looked off toward the coral. "I think I can handle it from here. You've been most useful. I won't be getting turn around in this gods forsaken neighborhood again, that's for sure."

[zipperlips]

That's one thing Kurloz doesn't intend to do for a while, if he can help it. Once Mr. D answers, he nods, holds up his SFC and taps it (Mr. D can contact him via it, if he'd like to talk more) then wanders off, going to do whatever it is mimes do when they're not being helpful.

[thewinedude]

Taking out the SFC again to look at it, he gives Kurloz a nod as the mime leaves. He knows how to reach him now, and vice versa if ever necessary. Mr. D watched Kurloz leave, and he wonders idly if the silent one knows how to play Pinochle. Or if he can be taught. He needs three more to play. The god will be looking out.