reign-of-rats

[reign-of-rats]

Hello, I am a sideblog to @/multiiiplicity. My about pages are all up, so please reblog this if you don’t mind RPing with two fandomless OCs, with some general verses! <3

#promos #write with me babes <3

[reign-of-rats]

multiiiplicity​:

ONCE DAUD UNFOLDED THE MAP, ZED RETURNED HIS GAZE TO HIM. Plated boots made a distinct clanking sound along the chain hitting and brushing against the chest plate with each as he walked over as stood in front of Daud, on the other side of the desk. One gloved palm found itself by the map as he leaned a bit forward, head tilted to the side. His other hand held the chains close to his body, so they won’t obscure both his and Daud’s view.

TAKING NOTES IN HIS HEAD, HE FOUND HIMSELF NODDING ALONG. The Estate District and Holger Square were likely the two spots he would frequent most, to familiarize himself with the task ahead and hopefully secure himself some jobs and… perhaps even debts. It would be lovely if he could get on the good side of some nobles, or rescue the right target from the hands of the Overseers. Someone who would repay him handsomely just to be yanked out of there.

SINCE HE DOUBTED MARTIN WOULD BE GIVING HIM ANY COIN FOR THE HEAD OF THE HIGH OVERSEER.

ONCE HANDED THE MAP, Zed turned it around and placed it back down, extending his clawed fingers with the palm facing up as if asking for the pen with his left hand. He took the threat to heart, so much so, that it made him wonder.

“So you are saying, the Overseers know nothing of this place.” His tone flat, unbothered by the threat. Pale brows slightly perked as he said that fact, as if indicating something, but not… Q U I T E .

Daud glanced down at Zed’s hand, understanding the nonverbal request made and giving him the pen. He was acutely aware of Misha still silently standing by them and awaiting Daud’s commands but none came, for now. Usually Daud would dismiss a Whaler if their presence wasn’t deemed useful or necessary, but he liked keeping Misha close. Even if it was under the guise of work matters rather then anything truly intimate. After all, Daud could get the map himself. He didn’t really need Misha to go and rummage through his stuff in order to find it, but he liked that he did. He liked that Misha knew exactly where to look. He liked the unquestioning obedience.

A subtle hint at just how close they were without outwardly admitting anything was afoot.

“I prefer to keep this place free of any Overseer presence.” Daud replied. His answer to Zed’s question was avoidant at best, neither confirming nor denying the claim Zed was making. He took the cigar out of his mouth once he got tired of the taste and put it out, just like he did with the first, only with less urgency. At this point Daud felt as if he was conversing with a colleague, though he still kept his senses sharp in case he needed to react fast to anything Zed could potentially do. There was no trust there. Only business.

As it was with almost everyone Daud ever interacted with.

“I suggest you steer clear of the slums, unless it’s the plague you’re after.” He then added, somewhat changing the subject. “Weepers and rat swarms are no joke, and there’s only so much elixirs to go around.”

#IC; Daud (Nika's) #multiiiplicity

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multiiiplicity​:

THAT WAS ONE CLOUD OF DOUBT CLEARED FROM OVER HIS HEAD. The current High Overseer was indeed a person who Zed should be taking out and away from this world, so that settled this part of the contract. Of course, he wouldn’t take Daud’s words entirely on their own and would continue looking into what kind of person Campbell is, including the crimes he has committed… But he wouldn’t be missed. Now he only needed to further investigate Martin and see if he was the type of man who needed to follow in Campbell’s steps or if it would be an upgrade to have him as the new High Overseer.

ZED WAS AFRAID THIS WOULD TAKE A BIT LONGER TO FIGURE OUT.

THE IDEA OF GETTING RID OF THE BLACK BOOK CAME TO MIND, INSTEAD.

MAKE MARTIN E A R N HIS PLACE.

“You have my thanks.” Zed gave a single nod to Daud, his head turning to the window to his right, by the stairs. It was the first time he fully tore his gaze away from the older man. He looked a bit lost in thought. No allies, few people to call neutral, and many enemies. What he was supposed to do now?

“Do you have a map to spare, Daud? I would pay to have one until I am familiar with this Dunwall, perhaps even with a few hot spots marked by your hand.”

Another drag, another puff of smoke. Daud regarded Zed with a fair amount of suspicion in his eyes, but he didn’t make the effort to reach for his weapon again. Instead, Daud’s gaze moved to Misha and he gestured at his for him, a single tilt of his head, subtle enough for you to miss it if you weren’t paying attention.

“Give the man a map.”

Misha bowed deeply and, without saying a word, swiftly approached Daud’s desk. He placed his box on it, finally freeing his hands of the baggage, and rummaged through some of the loose papers until he found what he was looking for – a spare map, neatly folded into a perfect square. He held onto it and grabbed a pen for Daud to mark the locations with, bringing both items back to his Master, the box left abandoned on the desk for now.

Once Misha handed him the map, Daud spread it open, taking the pen into his hand as well while the cigar was held between his teeth.

“This here is Holger Square.” He pointed at a spot on the map and circled it. “It’s where the office of the High Overseer is located and therefore, a metric fuckton of Overseers too. But you probably knew that already.” He added cynically, before moving onto the next location.

“The Distillery District. Since it’s gang territory you’ll find Slackjaw’s boys here, also the Golden Cat pleasure house.” Daud circled the spot. “Overseers in civvies sneaking into the Cat to indulge themselves are a common sight.”

A drag. A puff.

“The Estate District. Not much to say here. Rich people everywhere.” Daud grunted, circling that spot too. “Lots of good gossip though. Might learn something useful from just spending your time eavesdropping there.”

He readjusted his grip on the map. The point of his pen tapped yet another location, then circled it.

“Drapers Ward, another gang turf right across from Slackjaw’s. And finally, us.” His hand slid to the opposite side of the map, slowly circling Rudshore District. He eyed Zed with a serious look in his eyes.

“I trust I don’t need to tell you to keep this location a secret. Especially if you’ll find yourself associating with more Overseers.” Daud’s tone indicated that it was a warning.

“This should give you a head start on Dunwall.” He handed Zed the map. “Places like Kaldwin’s Bridge and Dunwall Tower... I doubt you’ll be heading there. But if you will, well. Good luck.”

#IC; Daud (Nika's) #IC; Misha #multiiiplicity

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Jordan is a transmutated wolf who was given the ability to transform into a human and also shift between forms at will by a witch belonging to Delilah’s coven. This ability is strictly bound to a rune that the witch had in her possession and used as a conduit for the Void, meaning that should the rune be destroyed, Jordan will revert back to being a simple wolf with no human intelligence or traits. The witch created Jordan as a show of skill to impress Delilah and to have a child of her own, in a way, since she always wanted to be a mother.

The rest of the witches treated Jordan like she was nothing but an overglorified Gravehound that could talk, and her so-called mother treated her more like a familiar than a daughter, something she could order around and control rather than cherish and nurture. Jordan grew to resent them all for this and by the time she turned 1 (in wolf years; in human years she was already a young teen), after the coven relocated to Brigmore Manor, she orchestrated her escape back into the city walls of Dunwall and took to living on the streets.

Sightings of a young white wolf roaming the damp alleyways was the talk of the town for weeks while Jordan did her best to adapt to her new life, learning to co-exist with gangs, Overseers and the City Watch on her fight for survival. She was a little too trusting at first, foolishly approaching anyone who offered her even just a tiny bit of kindness, but she quickly turned wary after bearing the consequences of trusting the wrong sort one too many times. She taught herself how to fight, how to steal, and used her superhuman nature to her absolute advantage when dealing with potential threats.

What Jordan wanted most was a pack, however. A real pack who will treat her well, and none of the active gangs she came across fit the bill, on top of being hunted down by half of Dunwall which made her retreat into the Flooded District where she first encountered Daud and his men. Hoping that they will take her in, the barely 18 years old lone wolf, she approached, and, surprised that the White Wolf came directly to him, Daud agreed to let her stay.

#HEADCANONS; Jordan

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It was cold, and wet, the sound of rain pummeling metal roofing and glass windows almost deafening to Chris’ already ringing ears, the cobblestone road beneath him as uncomfortable as it can get for his injured body.

Chris was dying.

They left him there after having had their fun with him. Some thugs, it didn’t matter who they were. All Chris knew was that his whole body hurt and that he was bleeding out. Some broken bones, a dislocated shoulder, blunt trauma, stab wounds. He was left to die there on the streets after they had allegedly taught him his lesson.

He heaved through what he suspected was a collapsed lung, lidded eyes barely even able to register his surroundings anymore. Blood mixed with rainwater stained his face, his clothes. He decided to close his eyes entirely. Not because he had given up, but because he was tired, and he just wanted some rest. Maybe a couple minutes of shut-eye will give him the energy needed to crawl someplace safer, collapsed lung be damned. Maybe, if he got lucky enough, there was a doctor nearby.

Instead, Chris awoke in the Void, all purples and blues and no horizon to speak of – only floating, dislodged platforms and stairs that led nowhere, lanterns that lit nothing, and distant whale song. His body no longer hurt, the rain no longer freezing him. He could stand upright, look around with keener eyes, breathe freely. The air around him had an almost salty taste to it, and the light illuminating the whole place had no discernable source.

Before Chris stood a figure, or hovered, more like. A good meter or so above ground. Chris had to look up in order to see the other man’s face.

“You’ve done it.” The man said. “You’re free now. But to attain this freedom, you took another’s life.” “No, I didn’t!” Chris replied, vehemently shaking his head. “It wasn’t my fault! Please, help me, I’m dying–” “You’re dying?” The man almost laughed. “After all the lines that you’ve crossed, are you really surprised you were met by a blank wall?” “Please!” Chris pleaded, desperate. “I don’t want to die! I’ll do anything! Anything! Just grant me your power and I shall put it to good use!” “I do not think so.” The man – the Outsider – spoke slowly and solemnly. “You aren’t the first or only one to ask – no, beg for my aid. Do you deserve it? My attention? Perhaps you do... But not my help. You are more than capable of helping yourself, are you not? You did so all this time, trampling everyone else that was in your path in order to get what you want.” A pause.

“Including the man you grew to call your brother.”

“Fuck you!” Chris shouted and tried to reach for the Outsider to grab him. “Just give me your fucking Mark!”

But the Outsider vanished into thin air, and Chris was left alone. He fell to his knees while screaming his throat hoarse, rage and despair filling his chest, at being mocked. At being abandoned. He didn’t notice that the Outsider reappeared right behind him, as calm and collected as ever.

“I will not give you my Mark, but I will be watching. Watching how many other lines you are willing to cross to get your way. How many other lives you are willing to take. How many more disappointments you will face before you finally snap.” The Outsider smirked ever so slightly.

Before he could turn to angrily swat at the Eldritch being, Chris opened his eyes to the deafening sound of rain pummeling metal roofing and glass windows.

If the Outsider himself rejected him, then Chris will have to find a way to make do on his own.

#DRABBLES; Chris

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So apparently an early draft of the flooded district mission involved Daud cutting off Corvo’s hand where you’d have to go hunt it down if you wanted your powers back and while I get why it was cut that is still Very Cool

#MUSINGS; Corvo #definitely something he'd do ngl

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I’ve been playing Dishonored : > And of course I like Daud, thanks to all the beautiful art I’ve seen of him. I find him difficult to draw tho, so I’ve been practising. Here are three cleaned-up sketches from my sketchbook

#MUSINGS; Daud (HC) #MUSINGS; Daud (Nika's)

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i just think they are neat

#MUSINGS; Chris #MUSINGS; Misha #MUSINGS; Jordan #MUSINGS; Kieron #MUSINGS; Vladko

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Survived the last patch of zine deadlines so here’s some more twitter request in between!

#MUSINGS; Daud (HC) #MUSINGS; Daud (Nika's)

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Transhonored

#MUSINGS; Daud (Trans)

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EGO HOMINI LUPUS :: I AM A WOLF TO MAN

i’m back hard on my werewolf!au bullshit for Dishonored. I left it unfinished, and not in a way that I was pleased with. Please enjoy this return to form with a cover for the next fic I’m working on. Blood Wolf. It is a rougher story than Wolfbann due to the violent nature of it, but i’m very excited about the direction its headed. It’s ultimately about how Daud turned, and how he founded the whalers, becoming the assassin network that was so notorious it killed an Empress. The whole series is collected here on AO3. It is my literal pride and joy.

#MUSINGS; Daud (HC)

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I also did a page art along with the cover art for the @ode-to-the-void free Dishonored fanzine! Download the zine from Gumroad along with the sticker sheet !

#MUSINGS; Martin (High Chaos) #MUSINGS; Martin (Marked)

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A dish best served cold

According to The Corroded Man, Corvo personally carried out Hiram’s execution.

#MUSINGS; Corvo #MUSINGS; Hiram

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multiiiplicity​:

“And yet it feels as though I know N O T H I N G . While all the individuals I’ve come across were… colorful, in their own ways, I am left in the dark.”

HE HAD TIME. Or at least so he thought, at least so he H O P E D . He’s given Martin his word, and he intended on keeping it unless it would be revealed that he himself was not a person any better than the man he wished to dethrone. Zed just needed to figure out which one of them would take the fall, if he won’t end up piercing them both with his blades.

DEMACIANS WERE SIMILAR TO THE OVERSEERS. People terrified of magic, no matter how pure and soothing. Zealots tearing fathers, mothers, C H I L D R E N from their homes because they accidentally showed that they carried magic in their veins. Zed was lucky he did not intend on lurking around and escaped with his gear, because if he happened to stumble on an innocent being imprisoned in his conditions within those walls he would lose his life tearing Overseers throughout the evening.

“I am not concerned with the Marked person, for if we end up on opposing sides in battle, no “ M A R K “ would save them.” Overconfident perhaps, but Zed meant every word. With the way Martin danced around the idea of assassinating and taking care of the current High Overseer on his own. This could always be an attempt to measure Zed’s skills and have his dirty job cut out for him, but Zed only arrived yesterday. Unless… this was a new plan, and Zed happened to be at the right place at the right time.

JUST TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT MADE HIS HEAD HURT.

“It is however a worry of mine to kill the wrong person. What could you tell me of Campbell?”

Daud frowned at Zed’s bold claim. Without properly assessing the albino’s abilities, he couldn’t tell if he was just full of himself or if he really could back up his bark with a mighty bite, but considering he escaped and killed Overseers with relative ease, Daud had to at least assume that he was a formidable enough foe for someone who was entirely new to their world and its rules. He was apparently completely unaffected by the Ancient Music, for one. It could prove useful should Zed choose to ally himself with the Whalers, though Daud wasn’t sure he wanted Zed on his side.

But he surely didn’t want Zed on the Abbey’s or the witches’ side, either. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, right? Not that he knew whether Zed was an enemy or not... Not yet, at least. But Daud didn’t trust easy, and while Zed could prove himself to be a useful ally, that didn’t make him a friend.

Deciding that he’s been idle for too long and that Zed wasn’t going to try anything stupid for now, Daud allowed himself to procure another cigar from his pocket, letting go of his sword for now. He took out his lighter next, sparking it, and bringing the flame up to the cigar which was placed neatly between his lips. He took a deep drag from it and exhaled, stashing the lighter away. The smoke scorched his throat and spread a soothing warmth in his chest. He now also had something better to do with his hands other than fidget and hold onto his weapon in anticipation of violence.

“Do not underestimate the Mark.” Daud chided, but his tone was calmer than before. “Whether or not you respect the Outsider is up to you, but the competence of the Marked is not something to be trifled with.”

He took another deep drag from his cigar, folding his arms. “As for Campbell... There isn’t much to be said about him other than the fact he’s a self-serving wretch under the even worse disguise of a zealot. My source... is a reliable one. When you learn to read between the lines.” Daud concluded, eyeing the other. He wondered how long it would take them both to realize which source it was that Daud meant.

#IC; Daud (Nika's) #plot twist: daud and martin know each other and are actually associates #i thought of it just now and i like that direction #multiiiplicity

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multiiiplicity​:

SO… THE MARKED WERE TRULY THIS FAR AND FEW IN-BETWEEN. Kill the marked, and all of their followers would crumble. Kill D A U D , and both Misha and the rest of the men outside would turn back to normal people. Easy to deal with, if they will ever needed to make themselves disappear, or fight them all head-on.

“At the Abbey of the Everyman, where we were held prisoner.” Once more Zed was no liar, yet they wouldn’t give away the identity of the person. There should’ve been at least a couple of not a few of Abbeys within the Capital of a country - they assumed. So it was a broad enough answer to give away, especially when they had never specified it was an Overseer.

SO LONG THEY WEREN’T SURE OF MARTIN’S FATE, THEY WILL CONCEAL HIS IDENTITY.

IT WOULD BE D I S H O N O R A B L E TO DO OTHERWISE.

“Met a few interesting characters there, one of which is -” Their words ceased when the blue glow returned. The red color in his eyes shrunk back into his pupils before disappearing as quickly as it appeared, the presence and voice of the Tears fading away with it. Zed’s head tilted forward, watching the glow form the leash connected back to the ring on the right side of his collar. He bared his teeth, sending a hand towards the hook - only for an invisible force to keep his fingers from every reaching next to it.

HIS ARM DROPPED BY HIS HIP, FORMING A FIST INSTEAD.

“- has turned against his own… Master, I suppose.” He hummed, raising his eyes back to Daud. “He wants the head of the High Overseer.”

At the Abbey of the Everyman... Does he mean Holger Square? That’s where the Overseer barracks are, after all, and where they stash their prisoners. But for the other marked person to be an Overseer? No, it can’t be. Why would the Outsider so much as spit an Overseer’s way, let alone mark them? Unless that Overseer was only masquerading as such, but then... Why?

This was concerning. Daud bit the inside of his cheek as he listened to Zed talk, restlessly fidgeting with his fingers. The other marked man – or woman – might have been just another prisoner Zed got to speak with before he made his escape, but that doesn’t bode well for any of them if there was another one of Daud’s kind being held prisoner at the Abbey’s main headquarters. Though... At the same time, their fate wasn’t really Daud’s problem. It will only become his problem if they choose to collaborate with the Abbey against Daud.

The anxiety that was rising in Daud’s chest was interrupted upon seeing the blue glow that turned into a leash connecting to Zed’s collar. He wanted to ask about the collar, now that he thought about it, but he figured that he was too distracted by resisting the urge to stab Zed to bother noticing such a small detail. The chain leash made it extremely apparent however, and the fact Zed simply kept talking despite the object materializing and attaching itself to him made Daud perk a brow, somewhat bewildered. The only thing that refocused him on the conversation was hearing that someone within the Abbey wanted the High Overseer dead.

“You learned a lot in the span of a single day, or however long it was you spent imprisoned by the Abbey.” Daud pointed out, trying his hardest not to stare at the leash.

“The real question is what are you intending to do with this information, about there being a marked person and a usurper within the Abbey of the Everyman.”

And something told Daud that they were the same exact person.

#IC; Daud (Nika's) #multiiiplicity

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multiiiplicity​:

ZED’S HEAD PERKED SLIGHTLY, at the thought of what could have happened if he charged in blindly only to be neutralized as Misha was by the Ancient Music. Their head moved to the side as if to glance towards the younger, a barely noticeable gesture. If everyone has gotten their magic through the Void and they were the only ones unaffected, Zed was realizing that perhaps this was one of the reasons Martin has signed him up to the job of getting rid of the High Overseer. After all, who could fight a man hiding behind clerics and priests trained to handle and suppress his entire existence if not a man that went completely unaffected?

A GOOD ALLY TO HAVE, one that had the element of surprised and was capable of taking down the scary instrument players for those who would otherwise be unable to come close. At the same time, such an attribute would also put a target on his back.

THEY WILL NEED TO BE MORE CAREFUL WITH WHO THEY LET CLOSE…

“How is a man branded by the Outsider any different than a man such as him?” Their hand moved from their chest to gesture towards Misha. “How does this branding even occurs? The last man who wielded his magic, there was a mark on their hand that burned brightly. Yet when we spent our day, there was no indicator on his hand.”

Daud opened his mouth to answer the new onslaught of questions until something Zed said screeched in his ears like nails on a chalkboard.

Another marked person?

“...Well,” Daud continued, a little more hesitant this time. “Misha wasn’t directly marked by the Outsider. He gets his powers from me.” He put his hand over his chest. “I have the ability to share some of the powers that were granted to me by the Outsider with other people. An Arcane Bond, so to speak. While I get to use the Mark’s full power, my men only get a fraction of that power, but it’s enough to aid them in combat. They are tethered to me, rather than to the Outsider.”

A part of him wondered if maybe telling all of this to Zed is a mistake. That he should keep his mouth shut, tell the albino to go seek answers elsewhere and then hope he doesn’t show up at Rudshore again with an army of Overseers. But this is information most people already know of... Perhaps not to the finest of details, but these aren’t secrets, either.

What bothered Daud the most, however, was the mentioning of another marked person Zed apparently associated with.

“I didn’t know there were more marked people in Dunwall.” He quickly added, eyeing Zed intently. “Where did you meet this person, exactly?”

#IC; Daud (Nika's) #multiiiplicity

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multiiiplicity​:

THE DEFENSIVE TAKE WAS NOT IGNORED. Zed was calling to the Tears to summon a couple Shades of his own to make it clear he was not going to be prey, yet they remained calm, soft and confident. They had nothing to prove and nothing to fear, yet their host was persistent. Stubborn. While he was confident they could get away with their lives if things have come to this, he wished to eliminate all chances of things escalating.

‘ THE BEST WAY TO BE A FRIEND , IS TO APPEAR UNTHREATENING . ‘ THE SHADOWS TOLD HIM .

‘ THE BEST WAY TO NOT BE MESSED WITH , IS TO BE THE PREDATOR . ‘ ZED REPLIED .

THEIR ARGUMENT WENT BACK AND FORTH, and the two reached an agreement. If any further aggression would be made noticeable to Zed, from a hint, a warning or a T H R E A T , Zed would summon two Shades by him, just behind his back. One in the form of his Master, and another in the form of the man he wished has been.

THEY ALLOWED THE TWO MEN TO HAVE THEIR OWN ARGUMENT, their body unmoving as they listened, their glowing eyes giving nothing as to what or who they were looking at. The one who told on him to his Master came back and vouched for Zed a moment later and it made them think of the instruments strapped on the Overseer’s chest.

“Let us start with a bland, simple question, Daud. For a man who claims not even one soul upon these lands knows the secrets of the Void, this cannot be wholly true. One cannot wield what they cannot fully grasp, when it comes to magic and the Arcane, lest they would find themselves lost and tarnished, dead or W O R S E . To have so many men to follow in your wake, you M U S T contain some wisdom, some knowledge.”

THEY THEN PROCEEDED WITH THE QUESTION.

“Those Overseers, they neutralized your man, deemed him incapable of defending himself. While obnoxious and uncomfortable, we haven’t felt a change within us. Do they respond to the Void?”

There was a brief silence during which Daud thought about what Misha said, somewhat confused as to why Misha would come to the defense of the man who had threatened to kill him. Misha wasn’t fazed by mere words. Under any other circumstances, had it been any other man or woman, he would have accepted it – he would have gone down fighting, or used the pin hidden within his glove. Instead, he brought Zed straight back to Daud, making it sound like he had no other choice. Why? Was it because of gratitude, for saving him from the Overseers? Was it because he sees something in him that Daud can’t?

Zed’s voice pulled Daud back out of his own head. He refocused on the armored man and took a deep breath, slowly relaxing his body... Enough to appear neutral, at the very least. He didn’t trust Zed by any means, but he was willing to negotiate and answer questions, so long as Zed didn’t give him any reasons to draw his sword. Daud’s brows were still knitted together in a disapproving frown and his jaws were clenched shut, teeth gritted together. He was tense, but not hostile. Only visibly displeased.

“Yes.” Daud grunted. “The Overseer Music Box is a device that allegedly plays Ancient Music composed by some fucker who found that some notes, 17 of them to be exact, when played together and with the right equipment, can neutralize magic associated with the Void and the Outsider himself. There’s a whole book about it too.” He let out an irritated huff.

“Runes and bonecharms are rendered cold and useless when around those things as well. They’re unbearable. You’re lucky not to be affected by them.”

#IC; Daud (Nika's) #multiiiplicity