middaeg | [open] Inkchanted things, Quests, some general prompts

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[open] Inkchanted things, Quests, some general prompts

Who: Cú Chulainn (Caster) and you!
When: through Mareuer
Where: Aefenglom, the Wilde
What: Inkchanted things, Quests, some random prompts
Warnings: one of the quests could go NSFW, will update if necessary

INKCHANTED, business hours

[ Even before opening the business harbor has been very familiar to Cú. Now it's closing onto the range of "second-home" especially as the staff's room of Inkchanted allows crashing over for a night. Something both he and Waver have been doing not just once, or twice. Workshop and office rooms certainly helps. Now with the daily rhythm, of coming here everyday it starts to feel even more so. Though Cú's also aware that while right now the familiarity is grounding, it might one day become something he feels tired of.

It is not yet that day, and it is not close any time soon. ]

A )
[ Should you arrive in early hours, just before opening, or just before closing, you might find him inside, unceremoniously working a tattoo into his own skin. It's still might be very much in progress or close to what it is intended to be, depending on the day of the visit. A clear sound of a bell rings every time someone opens the front door even if the bell itself is not connected to the door, and placed in the main room ]

Ah, are you here for a session or to set up one? [ Caster tilts his head seeing early/late client or guest, but does nothing to dissuade them to leave ] Come in here, it's empty for now.

B )
[ Entering during the proper business hours guarantees a similar, welcoming treatment. No one is put away, albeit they might need to put you on the calendar first, depending on what kind of spell or design you'd like to take. Paintings and small tattooed spells, or touch-ups can be made on the spot should there not be anyone on the chair (or someone has canceled appointment), larger projects typically need to be put on the calendar.

Any inquires regarding the materials in enchantment used will be answered, but if someone askt the question of too much detail he will put his finger to lips and playfully declare it a trade secret. ]

｢ ooc: if your character participated in the battery-charging fun at the beginning of February/or got a tattoo/painting already, and you'd want to handwave some initial introductions, let me know. The tattoos are ICly handled by CU, painted spells by Waver, only they need to be at the end enchanted by a witch after finishing (either Cu or Iskandar, depending on the type of spell). More info here, there's also a pinterest board for a reference for the tattoos/magical batteries/and jewelry available and also for a board for decor made by tryhard ｣

QUEST #2 - L'Amourtentia (can go NSFW)

[ Maybe the bubbling energy comes from the official mark of his recovery, maybe it's the side-effects of the Moons (or rather whatever bleeds on the Bond he has with his Monsters), but enjoying the evening, the bars, and everything else the Entertainment District has to offer to the fullest— it just seems like that type of night today. Sometimes this is exactly where the city feels more alive.

Perhaps that's how Cú finds himself, and so do few other people, handed the samples of famed Kiss of the Rose. What an unexpected surprise. ].

It would be rude to refuse such a gift, no? [ There's teasing lilt to his voice, playing it off as a joke. But truth is, he can't really refuse food or drink being handed to him by a woman. He's not willing to try breaking off his geis, besides it's not like he's opposed to it in the first place. ]

And there are a few places around that would allow the quiet spot to drink.[ Lounges are one, pleasure houses are other if the drink really could work as advertised. ] Though last time they were giving these there were mazes covering the district to give one another a chase

[ Ah yes, Litha. That was fun. ]

QUEST #3 - Strae

[ It takes a moment to gather all the information needed. Seeking a fabled flower to save the love of one's life— good material for a story, but... it's close to a sad ending, isn't it? Fortunately, a few rounds of drinks and an acquainted Wilder confirms the existence of said flower ]

Sorrowful Sapling tree— Truly a crying tree they said. Looks like we got a large area to cover if we want to find it, let's make it on time.

[ That's the last moment to check supplies and get some new ones before heading out. All the equipment for the expedition, check. Some alchemical tools to extract and transport the flower. If not for the threat of Cwyld in the marked area, he'd take his druid staff but this time he opted for a dragon-scale spear. It's lined with carved enchantments and needs just a bit of magic to activate the spells— magic is effective against the Cwyldtid. ]

Are you ready? [ The expedition is marked by an air of sombreness and urgency, but there is still something almost up-beat about going outside the city. ]

WILDCARD + shorter prompts

｢ ooc: Wildcard aka hit me with whatever, but also a few prompts/facts that are a thing but didn't get their own prompt. If you're interested in any of that let me know and I can write you a starter, or just hit me with yours :

- occasionally he can be found fishing in quieter spots of the harbor
- just meeting him at some kind of bar crawl is easy enough for more social situations
- alternatively, he also hangs around DiplomaTea, prefers this place to study/research spells in fact
- Coven lessons, while his general specialization fluctuates between Evocation-Enchantment-Alchemy for the first time ever he can be found attending Abjuration classes. Yes, he is starting to study healing and protection spells.
- can be found chilling in the garden of his cottage, spending time with very lethargic and zzz Petalwolf (looks they prefer burying for winter most of the time). The gardens remain green despite the winter thanks to a combination of his own Enchantments and Fauns magic. A spot for plants that require winter hibernation has been made outside of the green zone. While Garden Warfare seems to be paused, be warned that trespassers might still accidentally walk onto, screaming plants ant the like.

I'm always open for plotting through plurk aetarna, discord: shuu#0043 or PM ｣

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Sometimes the days run late. Run late into the night. In the end, he cannot abandon many things, and while he can't study at the Coven as much as he used to, gaining knowledge of new spells and expanding on the one he has is crucial for this work. So sometimes appointments in Inkchanted run from afternoon well into the evening.

And then there is... workshop. Naps in the staff room. Preparation of the new ink batch... and it's hard to tell what hour it is when they leave. There are times when someone doesn't leave and just stays the night too, but it's not one of them. Cú closes the door, activates the wards— and instead of going home is drawn towards the Slydog tavern. It's nearby, not that active or loud in the middle of the week.

That gives the singing voice he hears only more power. Unhurriedly he walks into the direction of the tavern and uses one of the side doors to enter. Habit from back when he still used to work here. Maybe not the smartest mood, but the song is captivating and stirring emotions he can't name—

And it seems to be sung by a well-known familiar face. Instead of a usual greeting, he just leans on the door frame, waiting for Alex to finish the song, and finish ending her shift.

Life returns to normal, as much as it can. ]

[ The end of the song actually brings about the end of her shift, at least as soon as she puts the cleaning supplies away. She looks around the back room, pleased with the job and wiping the sweat off her brow. It's only when she turns that she finally notices Caster standing there, bringing the broom up against her instinctively. ]

Cas--Jesus, you scared me!

[ She press her her hand to her chest as she calms herself down. That it was him was the biggest relief, really. ]

How long have you been standing there for..?

[ Woops, he raises both of his hands up in a sign of surrender. The broom can be a powerful weapon after all. But while his face splits in a smile, it takes a moment to appear, because a realization dawns on him—

It's a bad time and a bad place to be a surprise. Given where they woke up last time when someone sneaked on them. ]

Long enough I thought I made my presence known. [ His tone light, but still remorseful ] Apologies, I did not mean to startle you.

[ But he doesn't linger on the apology, and on the true reasons behind it. Lest it brings bad memories ]

Let me offer you a compensation for this mistake.

[ The broom lowers, though the small frown remains. Not that Alex could stay mad at Caster for very long. And it was still nice to see him.

The remark about compensation does sound tempting though, even if this was such a small thing to make up for. She can't deny that she's curious. ]

..What did you have in mind?

I'll walk you home. [ Or at least to the Haven. ]

And if we take a detour through the Entertainment District, I heard they got some food stall competition running late— imagine the discounts at this hour.

[ That's a reasonable and safe option. Responsible one. But he always gets a thrill at doing the opposite. So he taps the doorframe as he trails—off ]

...or we could go and see the glowing squids. It's one of those rare nights. [ Maybe attempt to reclaim a bit of safety back from the harbor. Another thing to take back... ]

[ Oh, was that a challenge her merrow ears were hearing? Ahh..but pretty, glowing squids sounded interesting too. Alex took a moment to decide...]

...Maybe we can grab something to go, and watch the squids?

[ In the end, some quality time with Caster was the most appealing. ]

A two-in-one option. How could I not think of that~ [ A slight teasing lilt appears in his voice, as he finds himself a bit more at ease again. Alas, going all the way to the entertainment district, and then back to the sea sounds complicated. So he cocks his head and looks around ]

Surely there must be some left-overs left around here. Can't let it go to waste...

[ They are in the backstage of the tavern. And while most of the patrons here prefer drinks, the food was also an option. Still, he no longer works here, so he can't just welcome himself to it. Alex on the other hand... ]

[ Was he suggesting she sneak some food out of the tavern?

Well, it's not as if there were some extra dishes on the side. Putting the broom away, she starts to pack a to go bag, some easy food to pick at. ]

Heading out! Have a good night!

[ She says from the entrance to the kitchen, the food behind her, of course. Alex trots back over to Caster, grabbing her bag on the way. ]

Ready to go?

Always. [ He keeps the door open for her as she passes by, and flashes her a grin. Now they are set, even better than he originally thought they will be.

Truth to be told, the idea about the squids was a split-of-second decision. Something he overheard people saying. A sight to behold, they said. It doesn't happen often they added.

Some witches like to harvest the poor shiny things for reasons. Probably alchemical ones. But that's not of his interest currently. He offers merrow an arm as they head along the coastline, further from harbor and closer to the beach. ]

How's it going? Things have been busy recently. [ And that's an understatement of the century. ]

[ She takes his offer, looping her arm around his as they walked. It was a nice comfort, and she can't say she disliked that tingle of mana transferring from him.

Alex let's out a small sigh at his question, looking up at him with a raised brow. ]

I should be asking you that.

[ He had helped her out this whole time, and even now he was still asking about her well being. ]

I couldn't do much for you then, but...if there's anything I can do for you now, I'd like to. So how are you.

[ Maybe I year from now on they could joke about it. Now though, it still feels too raw to go there. It's the slightest disturbance in the ~~force~~ flow of that magical energy, and his brows furrow just a bit.

It's dark, maybe it's not noticeable. ]

Turning my question on me already? [ Teasing, just teasing. But then, he did start so it's all fair. ] Opening the shop despite everything, that was just crazy. I barely remember anything of that.

[ A short laugh, but he's grateful. ]

But it's been slowing down so... [ So it's no longer so easy to get lost in that vortex ] Less of a rush, more free time. For walks like this. [ He bumps their shoulders together ] Can't make the squids waiting, no?

[ He doesn't exactly answer her question, hiding behind a laugh and shifting the attention to something else. She wants to push, but maybe...maybe not just yet. While Alex might have been able to show a vulnerable part of herself, maybe he wasn't as comfortable with doing so. ]

So you've been keeping yourself busy.

[ It sounds like that's how he's dealing with it. ]

Any other plans with your free time aside from looking at squid?

[ 'Keeping yourself busy', that's so right on the point. Always in the run, always something to focus on. Kind of like running away from problems, but he'd vehemently deny that kind of framing. ]

Spending time with you. I'm playing it by the ear, you know— [ Speaking of playing though ] And now I wonder what kind of song would you sing to the squids.

Well, depends what on what song you'll be singing to them.

[ She's not doing anything if he isn't going to participate either. ]

[ To that, he responds with hearty laughter as they reach the stairs that would let them go down to the beach ]

I feel like I know every shanty sung in the Slydog, or at least could improvise to any. [ He sometimes stays late in the Inkchanted office, right when the parties tend to start in the neighborhood ] But I have also— been gifted the Sound of Silence by Sokie.

[ Maybe that's more squids alley than the shanties ]

[ Was he just trying to avoid doing it? ]

What about a song from your home?

[ She didn't know all that much about it--or anything about it, really. There was a lot still that remained a mystery with him. ]

There was a lot, once... and I kept picking them up when I was younger.

[ Now that makes him sound like some kind of grandpa, hah. Give him one year more here and maybe he can put the impression of an old sage. Make a beard out of wool for better effect ]

That's how the news traveled back home, you know? With bards and their songs.

That's not a 'no'.

[ She points out. She won't push him to do it, maybe, but she won't discourage it either. ]

Do you have any news you can put into song, then?

Maybe— but I could also praise the moment.

[ There's no shy bone in his body, and Alex has sung so many beautiful songs— he can return the favour. He begins a slow song, quite resembling this one. The melodic line and rising notes are not the easiest ones to pull off, and he often doesn't. But instead of fumbling awkwardly, trying to correct the mistake he just continues.

The language he sings in resembles the one spoken by people in Aefenglom, to the point that some words, sometimes whole phrases are understandable.

Of a lovely woman I happened upon in the loneliness of the beach—
—
—The world is asleep, softest is the white quilt ]

[ She may not be able to understand all the words he uses, but she can feel the song through his tone and cadence. Her ears perk with every higher note he hits, her eyes watching the movement of his lips.

Thinking about it now, she couldn't recall how often others had sung for her. Since her mother...just one other. Certainly none made just for her though. A personal touch that struck a chord with her.

The world truly does go to sleep, something within her being soothed, the sound of the tides a backdrop against his voice. A siren hypnotized by a man's song.]

Edited 2020-07-28 08:39 (UTC)

[ They've often sang on the road, at the campfire, in the quietness of own, or hosts, hearth. Instruments were a luxury, but voice was an innate one.

Sean-nós is unaccompanied by any other sound on purpose, a song to carry during work, during travel, expressing joyful moments, lamenting the sadness and parting. Transient by its very nature, if there is no one to write the lyrics down, they will shift and change.

Cú takes Alex gently by her hand, slowly directing them to the sparkling sea, with it's own performance ready for them. The song travels high and ends, slowing down on a low long note.

-the said said my dreams could never stay ]

[ So enamored by his song, she almost mistakes it for the transfer of mana between their hands. His singing was just that soothing, that pleasant, that it felt almost like magic.

Before she realizes it, they're by end of the shore, the waves stopping right by their feet before pulling away. It's only the azure glow from the water that turns her away from Cu, and truly, it was like being in a dream.

She squeezes his hand as she looked upon the water, the squids like giant fireflies of the ocean. How had she never seen this before?

Looking back at Cu, there's an excitement in her eyes and a wide smile. ]

Want to go in?

[ So they could swim with the squids? He raises an eyebrow, though that might be lost in the darkness. No word about tonight's spectacle said that these creatures are poisonous or dangerous in any way. If anything, they might be the ones to disturb them but—

—hell, don't think you guys got the entire beach for yourselves just because you glow so nicely.

Caster starts to laugh as he proceeds to drag the shirt off himself. ]

...you bet I do! [ Pendant and earrings he keeps on, but he activates one of the batteries, so it emits a faint glow when placed on the clothes in the sand. Just so the clothes can be found again later ] After day like this the water must still be plenty warm.

[ Alex will take advantage of the dark to remove her own clothes, rushing into the water ahead of him in excitement. There was no stopping a fish. Her legs shift into it's tail form, scales starting to cover her body wherever the water touched. The squid make room, but they do not swim away too far, confident in their numbers and not sensing a threat just yet.

She turns to face Caster, waving him over to come in faster. ]

Come on, I'll make sure you don't get swept away.

[ It's a jab at herself with how many times she's almost drowned some people. This time around though, she wanted to enjoy his company in a less dangerous manner.

[ Seeing the transformation taking place, legs into tail, scales taking on gold and obsidian shine among the faint light of the squids... it's a little breath-taking.

That eagerness and energy as she rushes into, that's infectious— even if the tales often say to be careful about swimming near merrows. Without hesitation, he starts to shed his clothes, making only a bit of point to remember where they left them by quickly charging a small crystal battery he had in his pocket.

Soon, he runs after her, letting out a surprised hiss at how the water is colder than he expected, doesn't stop him at all and soon he dives into the embrace of the waves. No better way to combat that moment than to submerge oneself into the water. But as he surfaces and looks around to see if he can spot a splash of a tail, a weaving hand, anything Alex, around. ]

Now where are you...!

for Alex

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