Duplicity Inbox

[rockandrollvampire]

[Looking for your resident 80s loving, Madonna worshiping, nerd of a vampire? You've got him. Leave a message for Tobias Matthews here!

@ madonna4ever
text / voice / video / action

Comments

action

[dancingknives]

[Continued from here.

[Some 22-odd minutes after Toby points him at the bathhouse, the rogue is standing at the edge of one of the larger high temperature baths, unpleasantly surprised. His surroundings are absolutely not what he expected when the words 'bathhouse' came through his device. Everything in here is polished stone, well-dressed staff, and so clean he can see his reflection in all of the surfaces. Not his preferred setting for a catharsis fuck at all, but he'll deal. After the awkwardness and tension of existing in (even) close(r than usual) quarters with Amelia after their argument, this is definitely the kind of break to bring himself back to an even keel that he feels he needs.

He busies himself with learning about the amenities available as he waits for 'Tobias Matthews' the potentially extra-powered human, to arrive.

If he's honest with himself, the sauna and steam rooms the place has don't sound half bad. Sensory tests of a sort, and less public, too. But he'll have to see what the other man makes of all of this before going ahead and making any kind of selection without him. In the end, it doesn't really matter all that much when the result is going to be the same regardless of where they go.]

[rockandrollvampire]

[Not wanting to give away too much of his secret to a random hookup, Toby has already been at the bathhouse for almost ten minutes by the Aloïs arrives. He's taken the time to bathe himself to get rid of the stench of camping and is now soaking patiently in the hottest bath he could find. Upon the rogue's entrance, he looks up and grins. Yeah, this will be good. He can already tell.

Rising from his more secluded bath, he shakes himself off a little and makes his way over to the rogue as he checks the place out. Clearly he's been missing out on all this place has to offer if he's looking around like it's his first time.]

You there, warrior. [Toby's grin widens as he swaggers his way over, all ease and confidence.] I don't suppose I could bother you for a few minutes of your time? Any man who throws himself into fights needs a good fuck from time to time to let loose.

text; @Gray | Backdated to July 18

[mayfairmonster]

[A text arrives at 2:35 AM]

If you're coming back anytime soon, [Say yes, please.] can you bring home more Scotch? I've just had a hell of an evening like you wouldn't believe and liquors without congeners aren't cutting it.


Better yet, come home soon and there's an evening of me and getting drunk in the bath.

text; @madonna4ever

[rockandrollvampire]

[That's a good invitation in his book. Toby detours from hitting another bar to instead make his way back to the elevator and into the Up toward their suite, with a quick stop for a couple bottles of scotch along the way.]

I'll be there soon
get the bath ready for us?
less you want me to wash off before we soak for the night.
Im not THAT bad but
well
You know how it goes.

Action | Backdated to August 17 | CW: Brief descriptions of artistic scarification and blood

[mayfairmonster]

[If there's one truth in life that Dorian feels more deeply than any other, it's that things end. Few endings are more satisfying than most others, and the conclusion of Grayson's party and the subsequent collapsing of the spiral of grotesqueries and extreme sexual experiences is a pleasant rarity. By the time Dorian's finally pushed his stamina to its limit and the beginnings of a morbid awareness of the extraordinary damage he's dealt his soul, the portrait, over the span of two and a half days starts to seep in, he's thoroughly sated in more ways than one, and ready to slip back into the much-desired constant of his life with Toby.

As with any high, there's a come down. This one's both physical and psychological. There's already a feeling that the satisfaction of the past two nights will linger for days, although not without consequence. When he finds a quiet moment, he will need to take the coverings off the portrait to visit it, and consider the newest brushstrokes patterning his revolting visage. To decide whether new heights and limits have been reached, or if he's as still as aligned with his darkest impulses as he's ever been. For now, he suspects the latter.

Dorian deliberately arrives home to his and Toby's suite at a time he knows the vampire will be asleep, to spare him the smell of anything he's tracking home on his body. The vampire hadn't wanted anything to do with the party, and there's no reason it needs to be rubbed in his face now. Standing in the clean expanse of their kitchen, Dorian's suddenly finds himself personally in agreement with the sentiment about bringing home anyone else's fluids, and more than ready to shuck the slick of the grime from his form. Blood-spattered and torn clothing is removed and bagged in the kitchen, and the bag casually discarded in the trash. A borderline orgasmic trip to the shower afterwards washes away everything else but the bruises, wounds, and artistic higanbana scarification still lingering on his skin.

It's daylight by the time he climbs into bed, fresh, clean, and brilliantly depleted. Reminiscing and reliving will have to come tomorrow. For now, the encroaching of sleep is irresistible. He shifts over enough to press himself into the relaxing familiarity of Toby's cool form, breathes in the vampire's scent and soaks in the peaceful silence of his still body, and then gives into exhaustion shortly after.]

[rockandrollvampire]

[It's been several days of bar hopping, chain smoking, and karaoke for the vampire while his soulmate was away, eager as he was to keep his mind occupied and away from... everything this particular party made catch in his throat. He's always glad to let Dorian indulge in his whims - dark, depraved, or otherwise - without him, and this kind of opportunity was the perfect thing for that. He just... doesn't want to know about it. Any of it. Ever.

Well, scarification excepted. Dorian Gray covered in any marks that last more than a few minutes is an experience he needs. The high from getting to do exactly as his dark heart desired for a few days is also a huge bonus where Dorian is concerned. Toby's ready to reap the benefits without any of the mess, thank you very much.

He's out cold when Dorian climbs into bed with him, passed out from his own night of drunken debauchery. His arms come out to wrap around the other man at some point in the late afternoon, but it's not until well after sunset that he notices the light trembling against him and his mind shakes itself from sleep. He vaguely recognizes this as mild shivering that comes from anyone resting against his body for long enough, and sure enough, he finds his boyfriend held against him when he finally pries his eyes open. The sight of the man's mussed curls earns an immediate smirk, followed by a kiss to his forehead before he gently shifts the sleeping man and stretches him out at his side.

This is usually when he'd tuck Dorian in beneath the duvet and lie beside him until he comes to, but those marks are impossible to resist. Dorian had assured him that they would be artistic and beautiful, but that doesn't begin to touch how incredible it is to see his ever young and unblemished soulmate covered in various imprints. Bruises of many colors, cuts of varying depths, and those scarring marks... God, he's going to ravage this man senseless as soon as he's awake.

To that end, he allows himself a few minutes to simply enjoy the view before temptation takes hold. Resting next to the other man, he puts a hand on his jaw and draws him in to press their lips together in a passionate kiss. Yes, Dorian is still very much asleep, but Toby's sure this particular move is going to help fix that problem. If it doesn't, he's got a few more to try while he - somehow - manages to keep his hands to himself.]

Post Event 10/8

[vintsparkler]

[ Dorian sends Toby a large bottle of expensive bourbon and a handwritten note. And because he's not big on letting gifts just sit on doorsteps, he'll follow up with a text containing a picture of what he's delivered. ]

Thank you for your rescue efforts. One more day in that pit and I would have been unrecognizable.

If you need help with that bottle, do let me know.

[rockandrollvampire]

[The text is a good call, because Toby's exhausted enough to sleep well into the evening after they all make it back to Duplicity. He stumbles out of bed long enough to grab the note and the bottle before faceplanting back into bed because ugh.]

gimme a few days
Ill gladly share a bit
good to have you out of that hellhole of a place
was real shittttttttklerj

[...well, falling asleep on his phone wasn't the plan, but here he is. Dorian will have to forgive him for it; he was up for the better part of a week for all this rescue shit.

It's about a week later that Toby follows up again, at which point he should no longer be drinking, but drinking alone while his soulmate continues to sleep is... not the best of choices either. Company for a short while seems the way to go, if only to "get out of the house" for a while.

Midnight's not too late to send a message, right?]

you up?
need more drink and company for a bit.
got to get out for a while
I can
bring some kindof bottle
think yours is gone
Can't remember
Had a lot the past
uhh days. some days. I dunno how many

[God he sounds as much a mess as he is, and he's only had one slightly too large drink tonight!]

text; un: unstillbare

[nachtvogel]

I feel as though we got off on the wrong foot.
I would like to rectify that, if possible.

text; @madonna4ever

[rockandrollvampire]

[He's about a half second from shooting "and who are you?" back at this message when a very drunk (on his side) conversation comes back to him. Right. He did that. To himself.]

and how would you suggest that?
i promise its all our kind I dont like
myself included :D

Delivery ~ Christmas Eve

[winstre]

[Two packages arrive in the post, both wrapped in elegant embossed silver paper with dusk blue bows. The larger of the two is addressed to Toby, the writing on the card elegant and looping.]

Best wishes for the holiday.

Grayson

[Inside is a squat bottle of what many claim is the best scotch in Duplicity. He'll have to let a more discerning palate decide.]

delivery!

[legellely]

A bright red box with a silver ribbon is delivered to Toby. Inside are pink snowflake sugar cookies and a fun selfie. The back of the picture reads:

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Thank you for being amazing! Coffee again soon? 💗 Elle

text; un: hq

[mahem]

[ A digital invite arrives! It's a photo of a very nice looking butt wearing lacy red lingerie, pulled up to show off a tattoo of a red heart with devil horns and a spade-tipped tail. Some might recognise said butt and tattoo as belonging to Harley Quinn.

Underneath, in flowy font, is written: ]

PLEASE COME TO OUR
TOTALLY ROMANTIC VALENTINE'S ORGY!

FRIENDS AND COMPANIONS AND +1'S WELCOME
BYOT (BRING YOUR OWN TOYS)
AT THE WAREHOUSE, VALENTINE'S WEEKEND (ALL WEEKEND!!)

~ LOVE AND KISSES,
HARLEY & HELLBOY ~
XOXOXOXOX

text | un: sweetsuesbass

[ahigherpitch]

Toby
You've gotta help me
Shit what do I do

text; @madonna4ever

[rockandrollvampire]

with what????

voice; @makeitpink

[legellely]

[ It hasn't been too long since the end of the Creator's broadcast but Elle already sounds exhausted. Because she is. The lack of sleep, the continued nightmares, and the end of everything, and now this?

Regardless, if they only have two days, she needs to make the time count and she needs to make her messages, even if brief, count as well.

She suspects Toby will be just as busy. It's understandable. Even if they haven't known each other that long, Elle feels a connection to him. A best friend. A partner in their own means of crime. Someone she can tell deep secrets to without regret or worry. She already misses him. ]

Don't worry about getting back to me. You are going to be -- [ There's a pause and Elle laughs. A poor attempt at hiding the hitch in her voice. ] -- I just really needed to say thank you and remind you of how amazing you are even if you already know it. God, I don't even know that much about you but I feel like I've known you forever and I refuse to just ignore that.

I don't want to say anything too stupid or anything that I might regret if this is all just the city being the city, but I am so fortunate to call you my friend and to have known you. If there was a way not to forget you, I'd do it in a second.

I just hope that you and Dorian have the happy ending that you both deserve.

text; @madonna4ever

[rockandrollvampire]

[Oof. This one hurts. Toby's got to message a few people around clinging to his soulmate, but Elle's on top of it before he is. It fucking hurts, too, because when he and Dorian go...

Well, he's not ready to think on it, so he's not going to. He's also not about to put his voice on anywhere, so she's getting a text in return.]

darling youve been a wonderful friend
I cant imagine ever befriending someone like you elsewhere and i wouldnt want to
you or bust
theres no replacement for you

we stick around this shithole
we're going shopping
I need shoes anyway
and I want YOU to help me find them
deal?

[He's dismissing so much of her heartfelt message, and it's rude but he can't face the reality yet. Losing his soulmate and all of his new friends, his happy gaggle of best girlfriends, is too fucking much. He'd rather focus on what they do if this turns out to be a sham and keep his breakdowns to his house.]

text; @Gray

[mayfairmonster]

Here's your reminder to clean out the music room so the contractor can get at the walls tomorrow.

Toby.

text; @madonna4ever

[rockandrollvampire]

?????
to do WHAT

darling

text; @blades | Backdated to the day after the tentaclefest, for something a little different

[dancingknives]

ho Tobias.

this is late but did you manage to stumble home after that fucking madness in the sewer?

[He realizes belatedly that ‘fucking’ madness may unintentionally be a bit on the nose, but… whatever. The text’s already sent.]

text; @madonna4ever

[rockandrollvampire]

[Well this is unexpected, given how they both walked out of those sewers.]

uh yeah
still trying to soak out all that slime

[Yes, he's texting from the bath, but he's got whiskey in hand for a reason.]

dont think ive ever gotten a more confused look from my boyfriend than I did walking in after that
any better from yours?

Text; un: ag.dutton

[haver]

Don't read into this or anything,
but my birthday is on the 12th of
this month.

I'll be doing a drinks and cake
thing starting at Jolene's in the
Up around 9 and then heading down
to the Pony around 11:30 until.

If you want to come, show up. I'm
not doing an RSVP thing.

text; @madonna4ever

[rockandrollvampire]

ha! now this i gotta see
i'll come buy you a drink asshole
dont be too far gone whenever i show up

text & audio; un: DaphneonBass

[ahigherpitch]

Toby
Toby I'm doing something wrong here
oh hell hold on

[ Then, a voice message, somewhat panicked: ]

Look, I keep trying to do that thing you did with pushing my marbles up into my body and maybe I've got the angle all wrong? I can't believe you talked me into it. I can't wear pants! I can't do it.

audio

[rockandrollvampire]

[Well he'd wanted to type, because it's way too early in the day to be up, but that requires coordination a sleep deprived vampire does not have.]

Hm? Darling? [He yawns, holding onto it extra long because it's so early.] If it doesn't work at first, let them down and try again. You can do this.

And for God's sake, stop it. Those pants are too cute on your ass to take back.

text; dated to basically 10 minutes after curfew is announced

[unwillingdevil]

When was the last time you ate properly?

[NO PRELUDE, ALL BUSINESS]

text

[rockandrollvampire]

[Oh good, we're starting early. Don't let him grump about this for even a full quarter hour before hounding him, Lestat.]

two days ago
Ive already called Kyle
so stop being a hovering fishwife

[You cut off his solo grumpiness, so have it all directed at you, sir. >( ]

text; un: DonutDevourer

[goldenglasses]

[Vash is pretty sure this isn't real, but it seems fun so he's joining in.]

YOU'VE BEEN BLASTED BY THE

 (          )           )    *          
 )\ )    ( /(     (  ( /(  (  `     (   
(()/((   )\())  ( )\ )\()) )\))(  ( )\  
 /(_))\ ((_)\   )((_|(_)\ ((_)()\ )((_) 
(_))((_)__((_) ((_)_  ((_)(_()((_|(_)_  
/ __| __\ \/ /  | _ )/ _ \|  \/  || _ ) 
\__ \ _| >  <   | _ \ (_) | |\/| || _ \ 
|___/___/_/\_\  |___/\___/|_|  |_||___/ 
                                        

ONCE YOU'VE BEEN BOMBED, YOU HAVE TO BOMB 8 OTHER PEOPLE! IF YOU GET BOMBED AGAIN YOULL KNOW YOUR REALLY SEXY!!1 IF YOU DIFFUSE THE SEX BOMB CHAIN, YOULL SUFFER A VERY UNSEXY BRAIN INJURY! BOMB WHOEVER YOU THINK IS SEXY!!

text

[rockandrollvampire]

[Oh Hell no. He's not touching this shit with a ten yard pole.]

no dammit
no its NEVER like this
ITS ALWAYS A LIE

and theres a chance it fucks up your computer
or phone in this case
but still
its VERY BAD

[Somewhere far away, Dorian Gray is proud of his boyfriend has no idea why.]

Text | un: lushmage

[vintsparkler]

YOU'VE BEEN BLASTED BY THE

( ) ) *
)\ ) ( /( ( ( /( ( ` (
(()/(( )\()) ( )\ )\()) )\))( ( )\
/(_))\ ((_)\ )((_|(_)\ ((_)()\ )((_)
(_))((_)__((_) ((_)_ ((_)(_()((_|(_)_
/ __| __\ \/ / | _ )/ _ \| \/ || _ )
\__ \ _| > < | _ \ (_) | |\/| || _ \
|___/___/_/\_\ |___/\___/|_| |_||___/



ONCE YOU'VE BEEN BOMBED, YOU HAVE TO BOMB 8 OTHER PEOPLE! IF YOU GET BOMBED AGAIN YOULL KNOW YOUR REALLY SEXY!!1 IF YOU DIFFUSE THE SEX BOMB CHAIN, YOULL SUFFER A VERY UNSEXY BRAIN INJURY! BOMB WHOEVER YOU THINK IS SEXY!!

text

[rockandrollvampire]

im going to assume this is the weird ""sex bomb"" thing
thats going around
And not you sending me gibberish
but also.
if you want to say Im sexy
just tell me
you know I like to hear it from you ;)

[vintsparkler]

text; @madonna4ever

[rockandrollvampire]

oh my god
I am so there
darling what am i wearing???
please tell me you'll have a spot for me to strip
i really need to show off if I'm coming
to the party
Theres more coming later ;)

Satinalia gift delivery!

[wolfehawke]

[ Delivered in with the mail today is a small box wrapped in brown paper. Inside, Toby will find an anatatomically correct dark chocolate heart with a cheery cordial center and a little note to go with it. ]

Not still beating but I figure it would do. Definitely tastes better at least, I'm sure.

Happy Satinalia,

Hawke

text; @madonna4ever

[rockandrollvampire]

[Huh. This is unexpected. Guess they really did bury the hatchet? At least enough if there's very carefully chosen gifts happening now.]

i'll let you know once I give it a try
thanks for this.
and happy Satinalia
whatever that happens to be :)

package delivery

[needsabreak]

[A package arrives a day or two before Christmas.

It's one of those multipacks of tiny cereal boxes, various flavors, all dick-shaped somehow, and a neatly written note.

'Happy Holidays. Enjoy some delicious dicks. -Leon']

text

[rockandrollvampire]

well arent you a kind one
i'll save a box to share
for when you inevitably come over to see me~

delivery

[rockypath]

[On Christmas Eve a gift will arrive at this door. 'A package for your package. ;) -Faith']

text

[rockandrollvampire]

its like you know me so well
next time you want to have fun
Ill make sure i'm wearing it
just for you ;)

Christmas Delivery!

[legellely]

[ Christmas morning, afternoon, and evening, there are deliveries being made, and Elle has plenty to give. Toby's is left at Gray House and it's quite the collection of boxes and bags.

All items are wrapped in a delightful shade of blue with a plaid ribbon reminiscent of one of his flannels. Don't worry, Toby. Elle would never dice up your wonderful flannels!

Inside the variety of packages, he'll find a delicious bottle of whiskey, warming body oil, a deck of suggestive playing cards, two new flannels, a charcoal leather vest, a collection of her very best cookies, and a rather handsome leather collar with "DIVA" in rhinestones along with a picture of her matching bracelet reading "QUEEN" on it.

There is, of course, a card with the following picture and note inside: ]

Merry Christmas to my wonderful, amazing, dearest Toby whom no one could ever top in any sense of the word. Mostly. ;)

Love and Kisses, Elle

text

[rockandrollvampire]

[A few hours after tearing open his presents.]

darling you spoil me
and youve absolutely saved christmas
thank you
Ill wear the new collar later so we match when you come over
and leave it on until you want to take it off ;)

un:firecracker | text

[rockypath]

Hey Toby. You free sometime this week? Maybe Thursday evening?

text

[rockandrollvampire]

yeah I can do thursday
whats up
you want away from the back door for a nightly rendezvous???

voice

[unwillingdevil]

[hey hey toby hey have you ever heard a voicemail that's entirely French expletives because guess what's landing in your inbox]

[rockandrollvampire]

[...uhhhhhhh.]

Are you going to slow down at any point to let me catch any of these?

text; @Gray

[mayfairmonster]

Why did you tell Lestat about Lucifer and the Brigadoon?

[This question, not unlike like the follow-up ones he has, is mostly an expression of exasperation and confusion.]

[rockandrollvampire]

[...shit.]

drunk
suffering right after they threatened to send us home last year
was a finder conversation
he asked if i knew how i died
so.........
I told him
because i was pissed off and drunk