M || Alston Gerringer - Tumblr Posts

event: masquerade ball location: the chateau muse: alston gerringer

suffocating. the suit he was wearing, the mask that allowed him some anonimity, even the party itself. it was all suffocating. stubbornly refusing to move away from the wall in one of the main rooms downstairs, as people laughed and danced around him making him and his sourness stand out, alston pulled and fussed at the tightness of his suit much like a toddler might. he was acting like a big baby all because he had to get dressed up... and because he was uncomfortable around this many people.

most of them were supernatural of some kind, which did allow him some ease, but the were-bear could still smell their stench beneath the sweetness of the food in the air and the earthiness of magic. humans. of course they were here too.

glaring through his mask, still acting like a child throwing a tantrum in a corner, he snatched a tray of drinks from a passing waiter and kept it for himself; it took one look at him for the waiter to throw his hands up and resign to not argue. he wasn't trying to be rude, mind you, he just needed the liquid encouragement to relax before he clawed his way out of his suit and ran for the door.

"hey," his lips pulled back, revealing his teeth, as a low growl vibrated in his chest and throat as he caught the glimpse of a hand reach for a drink on his stolen tray out of his peripheral. "those are mine."

great job alston. really making yourself approachable. you definitely aren't going to struggle making any friends here.

@unveilstarters

the snarl hung to his lips as if it were threatening to become permanent as the man, even though he'd acknowledged alston saying the drinks were his, reached forward and wrapped his fingers around the stem of a flute and lifted it from the were's tray.

grunting under his breath, his nose wrinkling a bit with the huff, the bear glared at the man through his mask as he slid the tray closer to himself. "you don't smell like a human," no, there was actually something nice about the strangers scent; something enticing; enthralling even. "but you seem to have the entitlement of one."

at the tease of his size, his hand tightened around the flute he had been holding until the thin, glass stem snapped in his hand and the flute fell from his grip and shattered into hundreds of jagged pieces at his feet. thankfully he didn't blush or he would have been.

"i need as much help as i can get to distract me from how pretentious this all is. so, yes, i was planning to drink them all. i'm a big guy, i can handle myself."

as if he needed to add to his annoyance, he couldn't snuff out the voice growing in the back of his head commenting on how attractive the man antagonizing him was; how even though he was obscured by his mask, and alston didn't know many people around here, he was still finding himself drawn to him; part of him wanted to get to know the stranger.

gods was he really this easily riled up?

"you owe me a drink," alston grumbled as he picked up another flute for himself and threw it back as if it were a shot. "or a distraction. your choice."

Wolfram is not the one to say no to parties, let alone ones with free drinks and food. Including food that aren't necessarily served on the plate. The chateau seems to be quite accommodating on that matter... He is trying to keep a low profile and not cause any ripple in town so a masquerade seemed like a perfect opportunity. Behind the guise of the enchanted mask, he prowls unhurriedly and observes the guests. There just are too many options...

He then spots a waiter near the wall, and decides to worry about stuff after a drink. Only to be stopped. Well, the waiter(?) just said those are his, nothing like 'don't drink them' or 'hands off'. So Wolfram just grabs a flute and takes a sip. Pedantic? Him? Never.

"Sorry, pal. Thought you were a waiter." He flashes a grin. Sheepishly, a descriptor that doesn't really go with him. "You weren't planning on drinking all these on your own, were you? Seems an awful lot for one man..." He says before appraising the man up and down. He shrugs, "well, you are a big guy, I guess."

closed starter alston x carston

he hated them. humans.

they were destruction incarnate; simple creatures that had a cancerous touch; that had an unquenchable thirst and hunger for more; more; more. they killed because they could-- because they can. the live without respect for any natural order as if they think the world in it's entirety is theirs and theirs alone; they act as if they think they are gods. he spent his life chasing them out of his home, out of his forest, so that their ruinous hands wouldn't scar the lush abundance of trees; so that the ground wouldn't be littered with bones and blood left behind by their idea of sport. he would have killed them all if he could. none of them were worth consideration or redemption. until him.

alston hated humans. alston hated him.

when he was driven from his home by humans and their hubris-- he is still haunted by the roaring blaze that consumed his forest-- he sought refuge in a city all because he thought he would be there. he should have been mourning the loss of his home, of all the natural life he couldn't save, and yet he found himself consumed by cravings. he missed how he smelled; how he tasted; the sound of his voice when he spoke down to him; the feeling of his calloused fingers digging into his flesh.

alston actually thought he could find refuge with him but all he found, instead, was the reminder that humans couldn't be trusted; and that they only cared for themselves.

alexandria was supposed to be different. a haven for his kind, and other's like him... yet the first thing he noticed upon arriving was there, underneath the breeze, was the subtle scent of him.

he was here. of all the places he could be-- he was right fucking here.

trudging through the garage, picking up various tools and turning them in his hand with feigned interest just so he could drop them onto the floor with an annoying clatter, alston followed the scent of him in the air until he finally found him in a back office. for a moment the bear simply stood in the doorway, looking at carston as if he were a ghost, but any semblance of longing or caring for him quickly washed from his features with a swallow of his breath.

stepping into the man's office, the bear sauntered forward as if he owned the damn place himself and walked behind carston's desk; sitting on the edge of it, crowding the human's personal space. reaching behind himself, he pressed his index finger into the phone's receiver to hang up the phone call he was on before picking up a pen; obnoxiously, and purposefully, holding it close to carston's face as he incessantly clicked the end of it.

"you look like shit." alston grumbled, his eyes lingering on carston and threatening to betray the disdain he was trying to portray as he sat there. clicking. "then again you always did so, hey, at least your consistent."

@enshrcuded

he didn't necessarily mean it as a compliment-- in his eyes smelling like a human would have been an insult, but alston was simply stating that despite how the man was acting he could smell that he wasn't human. he did smell nice though. his cologne and his more natural scent paired well together but now was not the time for him to pay attention to that. "take it how you see fit." the were grumbled. "--humans have a tendency to take what they want, do what they want, say what they want, act how they want-- you get it-- simply because they are human and they assume they are in charge; on top."

there was the slightest hint of a blush, mostly hidden behind the edge of alston's mask, at the other's pout and teasing mention of the mess he made. "you did that, not me." the larger man argued under his breath much like a sullen. stubborn child would. "it's your mess."

walk away. take your drinks and just walk away. he isn't worth the frustration. alston's internal thoughts were yelling for him to leave, there was literally nothing keeping him here with this stranger, but he didn't move.

"yeah?" he questioned with mild interest, "what ideas, other than taking my drinks, do you have in mind? playful banter?" oddly, rather than questioning it or rolling his eyes, alston agreed that he needed to relax a bit more so he obediently did as he was told and unbuttoned some of his shirt, revealing more of his chest as the fabric of his shirt loosened while he took a deep breath. "bill?" the bear questioned with narrowed eyes, not sure if he should believe the other or not. "alston."

The sudden comment on his smell, not his cologne, and the mention of a human smell throw him off a little bit. Wolfram is still getting used to living in a town full of supernatural creatures like him. "I'll take that as a compliment?" He laughs, "don't know what the human entitlement is supposed to be. We talkin' about how they act like they're on top of the food chain?"

Wolf sees the glass taking a fall, but doesn't bother to catch it or make a fuss about it when it shatters. He just gives a playful pout and a frown, "aw, you made a mess." Waving off the actual waiter rushing over, he kneels down in front of the man and starts picking up the pieces, placing them on a napkin. Contrary to his sigh, he is actually enjoying this. Teasing and getting a big, burly man like this worked up? That's his favorite passtime. He is an incubus, after all, and the big guy looks like a whole damn meal.

At the demand, he looks up from where he kneels with a crooked smile. "Do I now?" He hands the waiter the shattered pieces, and stands back up. Licking his thumb which had some of the drink on it, Wolf tilts his head to the side. "I can think of a few ways to distract you. But first, how about you unbutton your shirts a little more? You seem uncomfortable, like you could use some relaxation." He suggests before going, "I'm Bill, by the way." Of course, a fake name. Thank you, magic mask.

closed starter alston x casey

people made alston uncomfortable. he was able to relax, moreso, around other supernaturals because they had the tendency to understand and respect the natural world a bit more but even then-- the were-bear often looked, and felt, awkward when interacting with other people. he was better with animals... but maybe that's why his friendship with casey worked so well.

casey was the same; better with animals.

usually when alston showed up on the other's doorstep he had an injured friend from the forest, one that had learned the cruelty of humanity and was too far past alston's ability to heal or help them. this time was different. all he had in his hand was a case of beer and a bottle of whiskey.

knocking on the other's door, he took a step back and looked around; his eyes narrowing as the brightness of the sun bore down on him.

"howdy neighbor," he practiced as he waited for the other to answer their door. no. that's stupid. you haven't told him you've made the move to alexandria yet so you can't just call him neighbor. "it's been awhile friend..." that was even worse. that made him sound like a vampire, or one of those other poor bastards that lives for eternity popping up out of the blue to haunt someone they hadn't seen in centuries.

"for fuck's sake alston, just say hello..." he grumbled to himself. "it's not that hard."

@beyonddeveil

"i'm here because i was weak and acted on impulse." as much as alston hated humans and their destructive ways even he knew they couldn't be touched. killing one would bring hundreds more breathing down your neck, seeking what they blindly called justice even if that death was well deserved... and yet that's exactly what he did. he had a moment of lapsed judgement, he let his anger and frustration get the best of him, and because of the blood on his hands he didn't have a choice but to leave. he had to come here.

the were-bear tried not to pay him any attention, but the way he was looking up at alston and teasing him as he kneeled before him was having an affect on him. his clothes were starting to feel even tighter; it was starting to feel annoyingly hot. normally carston was the only one that made him react this quickly. rather than replying to the man's teasing, alston let out a heavy huff of his breath and purposefully looked off to the side-- refusing to look at the man again until he stood back up.

"you mean my drinks aren't enough?" he challenged with the slightest hint of playfulness in his tone at the mention of finding something to fill the other's pie hole with. tensing as the man crowded his personal space even more, alston's chest heaved as he took a deep breath in and held it as he felt the other's fingers fidgeting with the rest of the buttons on his shirt. "hey," he whispered, his voice a hushed growl, as two more were popped free and more of his chest was exposed as his shirt quickly opened more; his blush dipping past the safety of the edge of his mask to sit low enough on his cheeks that it would be noticeable now. "watch it."

his lips pulled back in another silent snarl at the mention of dancing. there wasn't enough alcohol in the world to make the bear want to dance with someone. especially not a stranger.

"you wish i'd ask you for a massage," he grumbled through a clenched jaw as he looked down at the other man. "poker... that's a card game right? don't you need more than two people to play that?"

"Maybe I will," Wolf says, lifting his chin slightly with a wicked smirk. To be honest, he is not entirely sure what his natural scent is like. But when people commented on how he smells, it was usually a compliment. He supposes it has to do with the incubus stuff. Wolf listens to that rant on humans, and honestly, that's the longest the big guy has spoken so far. Strong feelings. "Sounds to me," he says, taking a step closer to the big guy, "you don't get to take what you want and do what you want, when you want to." He maybe reading it completely wrong, but it just sounds like this guy is full of frustration and pent up energy. Like a bottle of soda someone shook too hard or a balloon about to burst.

A low rumble of chuckle can be heard from Wolf as he picks up the pieces. "I am cleaning it up, aren't I?" He looks up from below, an angle he purposefully chose for a possible sneak peek. "Don't worry, I'm pretty good at cleaning up messes, mine or other men's." One needs to be an expert in cleaning to survive as a mercenary, so he can clean anything from dirty sheets to dead bodies.

When he stands back up (and he waves off the waiter with a quick "thank you kindly"), Wolf is already somehow a little closer to the big guy. "Ah, yes, playful banter. My specialty, really. But we can always find something to shut up my pie hole with." He didn't actually think the big guy, Alston, would listen to his suggestion, but it's a pleasant surprise. He closes the gap between them, fiddling with the rest of Alston's buttons. He undoes one or two more and not so subtly checks out the broad chest. He does love a man with great tits.

"Alston, that's a powerful name." He remarks. No way to tell if that is his real name, but Wolf also gave a fake name so fair's a fair. Well, technically Bill is his go-to alias and it comes from his middle name so... not entirely fake. "Could go for a dance, but you don't seem like a dancing fella. I'd play a song or two but I didn't bring my instrument so... Or I could give you a massage. Or, I dunno, you play poker?"

"of course you would think that. like i said originally, you don't smell like a human but you seem to have the entitlement of one." now, in alston's mind there was nothing wrong with being disciplined and having a set of codes he lived by-- in fact, you could argue that he had a set of codes he thought the world should live by that only led to his bitter disappointment because no one else seemed to understand-- but despite thinking there was nothing wrong with how he led his life something told him now wasn't the time to defend himself. this man would only twist it back on him.

something stronger, harder. "is everything a joke to you?" while everything about alston's posture and tension in his features hinted at him being annoyed with the other man, there was a glint of something in his eyes-- maybe amusement, maybe attraction, just... something-- that hinted at him enjoying whatever the hell they were doing; that hinted at him enjoying the other's obnoxious presence.

the color stayed on his cheeks at the mention of the other leaving his belt alone before calling his attention to how underdressed some people were around them. "well, if it's so welcomed here then why don't you unbutton some buttons." he tried to make himself sound disinterested but there was no hiding the way his eyes cut over to watch; just in case.

"i don't like when people beg," he mumbled with a shrug of his shoulders. alston might not have liked when people begged him for things but he'd be lying if he said there weren't men, or one in particular, that had a knack for making him beg; and he'd be lying if he said he didn't, at times, enjoy it. "wait-- you offered a card game as a distraction and you don't even have cards on you? why make an offer if you don't have the intention, or ability, to follow through with it? are you always this frustrating?" the bear grumbled with annoyance. grabbing another drink from his tray, he threw it back and swallowed it like a shot before turning his attention back to bill and the coin he was now holding.

"i have a feeling this is just another trick of some kind but... why not. let's see what you can do." alston answered with a nod, accepting the man's offer of some magic tricks.

Wolf purses his lips and goes, "yeah, but impulse is fun. Or are you one of those discipline and codes kinda men?" There is no disdain in his tone, more so relish and hunger. Corrupting men like that is always fun. "Well, I dunno what kinda baggage you got but you're here, so... might as well try to enjoy yourself? Make the best of it?" At least that is how Wolf lives his life.

The tip of his lips rests playfully between his teeth. He grins as Alston throws back the banter. "I usually prefer something stronger, harder..." a deliberate pause, long enough to wonder as he slowly unbuttons the shirts, "than champagne. I'm more a bourbon kinda guy." He laughs lightly, drinking up every detail of that blush beneath the mask. He loves it when they squirm, or more importantly, making them squirm. "Oh, I am watching it. And hey, not like I undid your belt." He shrugs, but does let go of the fabric. He likes toying with men, but he doesn't want to get punched in the face or worse, mauled. "Look around, a little show of skin isn't going to hurt anyone." Wolf gestures toward some of the waiters wearing nothing but their underwear.

He tilts his head to the side, chuckling. "So are you gonna ask nicely? Or you rather have me beg for it?" Unfortunately for Alston, Wolfram Wagner doesn't have a sense of shame or dignity. Pawned those off centuries ago. "I mean, self-dealing is a thing. There are other cards we can play, but I don't even have a deck on me. Could ask the waiters?" That takes way too many steps, though, so he just waves off the idea. "What else, hmm. You wanna see some magic trick?" He suggests as he fishes out a quarter from his pocket.

a visible wave of relief washed over the were as the door opened. it was still chained shut so he couldn't see casey fully but he was answering him and that was enough. all those undermining voices in the back of his head telling him the man wasn't going to see him were rightfully silenced. taking a deep breath, his posture softening and loosening to show that he was already comfortable around the other, the features of his face betrayed him and tightened as alston realized this was the first time he'd ever come around without a wounded animal in his arms; without needing help of some kind.

"everything's fine," he blurted out quickly, the words feeling rushed and uncertain as his lips pulled into a forced and uncomfortable smile. "well, i didn't bring anyone with me at least." things were hardly fine. his home had burned, so many had been lost, and he was on the run... but that was hardly a conversation to have on someone's doorstep after not seeing them for-- what had it been now, months? a year? why was it so hard for him to keep track of time.

"beer." alston stated plainly as he held up the six pack in his hand, followed by lifting the bottle of whiskey to show them to casey as if the man couldn't clearly see him holding them. "i came to offer you some beer, or some whiskey? i wasn't sure what you liked..."

"oh, and to let you know that i've relocated to live here in alexandria and say hello... so... hello?"

yeah. you're killing it alston. definitely not awkward at all.

As a chronic misanthrope, Casey lives on his own on the edge of town, away from the bustle and hustle. Some peace and quiet, that is all he wants in life, really. Though compared to other nigh-immortal creatures his kind doesn't live that long but still, Casey feels like he has lived long enough to act like a grumpy old man. And he doesn't need parties or going out so this place suits him.

Naturally, it's quite unusual someone knocks on his door. It is clearly stated on his 'no soliciting' sign at the gate... But Casey is unfortunately not callous and impolite enough to simply not answer the door. What if someone's car broke down or has medical emergency? Grumbling, he drags himself to the door. Instead of fully opening the door, he cracks it open with the chain on and checks outside. "...Alston?"

He hasn't seen the werebear in... how many years, or months? He can't even remember (his sense of time is all over the place, sort of). He closes the door to unchain, and greets his old... client? Acquaintance? Friend? He is not sure. "Hey, it's been a while. So where's the patient?" Out of habit his eyes turn to Alston's hands. Usually, Alston brings injured animals. Not seeing any blood, fur or feathers, he looks back up at the other's face. "Everything okay?"