002 💗 Finding her footing [Open]

[ishisstrength]

Who: Justine & You! Yes, you! The one reading this.
When: All June.
Where: Everywhere! Specifically: Knit Wit, Beach, her cottage & at the Coven (Library or Court Yard).
What: June Catch-All; Open Prompts & Quests.
Warnings: In headers! Justine has a way of making things NSFW but that's about it. She will try to keep it tame.


i. Knit Wit

[There are times when Justine feels as if there is very little she can do to contribute to her situation but then, as if from nowhere, she finds the perfect part time work. It's a store packed with thread, yarn and tools needed for needle work. A position at a book store might be more fitting to her interests but only by a narrow margin.

Justine has an eye for beauty and detail and is eager to help anyone starting out or looking for the whatever materials they need. Knowing how to sew is a practical and widely useful skill and Justine is excited to pass on what she knows. Possibly a little too excited. Her elegant demeanor is rarely this giddy about something.

Her lips stretch into a smile as a sweet expression graces her features.] How can I help you? [Her voice is delicately sweet and polite. Justine's life has thrived because of her people skills.

She's dressed in a light blue corset with a pale cream skirt to accompany it. Given the amount of walking around the store she does, her skirt is bunched using thin strips of leather to allow her to walk while also showing a generous length of leg as well as a pair of stockings and her ornate white boots.]

ii. Magic Practice [Hocus/Pocus]

[Justine is often found researching at the Coven's library or participating in the classes that the witches have offered for beginners. She finds it easier to be in a large ground, hiding in plain sight as she struggles with her new fantastical gifts. She has the mental fortitude but nearly all of her energy is spent fighting back the darkness of her own mind and so she struggles when faced with even the most basic magical skills.

She finds it easier to control air, light or water over any of the other elements and chooses to focus on them when not studying the history of the Coven, the plants of this world or the current advancements in alchemy.

Dressed in what she considers to be combat attire, Justine stands some little ways outside the group of those practicing. Her fingers flex as she conjurors a floating orb of water. It only takes a slight mental slip for the ball of water to burst, drenching her and anyone nearby in fresh water. Justine hasn't had a lot of luck when it comes to water…

Some evenings she seems to be eyeing the temporary bonds though she keeps a distance from them as uncertainty gnaws uncomfortably inside of her. She misses the feeling of being completely entangled with another person but a part of her can't help but be scared of what weaknesses it might open her up too. Justine isn't entirely on her own but she doesn't want to lose what measure of strength she's obtained in this new world.]

iii. Sunbathing NSFW-ish

[Justine takes just as much time working to also relax.

She can be found outside of her cottage or on the beach, sprawled in a baby blue bathing suit that she'd made out of the lightest fabric she'd been able to find at Knit Wit.

She can be found lying out on a soft blanket, either on her back or on her stomach with her top off and a book balanced in her palms as dark eyes follow the lines of text. Her skin is pale as porcelain and unblemished by sun or scars. Her legs stretch out on her blanket, lean and lovely and made for things that had nothing to do with locomotion. Raven hair curls over her shoulders though Justine can be found fussing with it as she re-pins the silky strands up off of her neck.

Justine has absolutely no sense of shame but if anyone looks uncomfortable she will put her top back on. It's the polite thing to do.]

iv. Flowers, Arrangement & Flirtations
[ooc: 06/01 – 06/07 is flirting classes, and 6/15-6/18 is dancing. Justine will be at both.]

[Justine doesn't need help flirting or being overly promiscuous but she can't help but be drawn in by the lessons held at the brothels. She's curious to see who will attend and who she might be able to convince to come with her. Her voice, sweet as honey and filled with promise of innocent fun despite the location of the classes. Everyone should learn how to flirt, it's harmless fun and it is just another excuse to dress up.

Brothels don't bother Justine. She's used to them and has more than a few acquaintances and partners who work either in brothels or within the porn industry back in Chicago. It's just another part of being affiliated with the White Court.

The nightly dance classes held later in the month quickly become her favorite part of the spring events. Justine is more adamant about finding people to take to the class with her but she also arrives by herself and submits herself to the chances of a random partner. It's a fantastic way of meeting someone new.]

Wild Card

[ooc: I am open to all quests! Justine will also be open to training and trading if you haven't seen her recent video post here. This log will span all month so if you want your own starter or to do anything from the intro or event logs, please let me know. My plurk is mizuyoko and Discord is PhantomStar#1289. Feel free to hit me up and we'll chat!]

Comments

[ishisstrength]

[She doesn't realize that Connor and Paris have spoken about her swimming lessons and even if she had known, Justine would have still suggested that they all swim together one evening.]

I won't sink? [Justine asks, a worried note to her voice as her dark eyes look down at the turning water. She tries to match his pace and only dips momentarily before finding her equilibrium.]

Like this? It feels like I'm going to sink...

[oceanschild]

Mm, you'll be ok. You need to be more, um... consistent like this, I guess? But it'll work and you won't waste as much energy... I-I think a big thing in swimming is that panicking will make it harder, because you get tired faster...

[ishisstrength]

[Justine huffs softly.]

It's very easy to panic. [It likely doesn't help that Justine is predisposed to panic attacks. Having Paris there helps. She truly trusts him not to let her drown.]

Like this.

[She moves her legs a little more slowly and for the first time she begins to move in time with the waves.]

[oceanschild]

I know. But... I promise you'll be ok. We'll watch out for you. [Both him and Aeto.]

Mmhm! That's much better. [Once she gets into the rhythm of it it shouldn't be too hard for her to stay afloat.]

[ishisstrength]

I know.

[Her smile is confident though it doesn't fully reach the depths of her gaze. There were different levels of belief and even if it didn't show, she does believe him.]

Really? [A little jolt of excitement thrills through her.] Can we do more?

[oceanschild]

[Paris nods.] Um, let's try... try swimming towards Aeto?

[The spirit chirps, swimming over so that she's roughly only as deep as the two of them are, just a little further down the shoreline.]

So you'll want to be a little less vertical, and you'll use your arms and legs to move you... [He carefully lets go of her, just long enough to show her what he means, a simple breaststroke.]

[ishisstrength]

Okay.

[Her heart stops when he lets go of her hand but she manages to keep her head above the water.

The motions that he shows her look simple enough. Matching body movements are easily for Justine and after a few flaily like strokes, she finds the rhythm of the movements and slowly begins to move towards Aeto.

When she reaches Aeto she throws her arms around the spirt, dipping them both briefly below the surface of the water before kicking her way back to the surface.]

[oceanschild]

[Paris swims next to her the entire time, there to catch her if she went under. But she makes it, however slow and unsteady she might be, and when she and Aeto bob back above the water, the spirit trills happily in excitement.]

Yes! You did a good job! [But he'll reach out to her to support her again, pulling her somewhere she might be able to stand to give her a break.]

[ishisstrength]

[Justine takes his hand, allowing him to lead her back towards the section of the ocean where she can stand. Her feet carefully find the ground beneath her but she doesn't bother to let go of him.]

Thank you. I admit, I'm a little tired now.

[She hasn't been keeping track of the time but looking up at the sky now, she realizes that it's been hours. Justine is physically fit but the water has somehow drained away her strength.]

Maybe that's it for today but I'd like to meet up again soon. [She still doesn't feel confident being alone in the water and even if he doesn't swim with her, she'd like the safety that his presence inherently brings.]

[oceanschild]

[Paris nods- given how much energy that last bit took from her, he might not have let her keep going, in all honesty.] Mm. We should definitely stop now, then.

[He'll move back towards the shore, holding her hand still as they make it through the gentle crashing of the waves, just to make sure she doesn't get pulled under again.]

But... I'm still happy to teach you, so... just tell me when you'd like to come again.

[ishisstrength]

[Her fingers wrap around his as they make their way to the shore. She trips only once but uses Paris to keep herself steadily standing above the waves. Her smile is warm and peaceful if not exhausted.

Not she's regretting carrying a heavy basket with her. She isn't sure she'll be able to carry it back home again.]

When are you free next? Maybe in a week or so? [She pauses, remembering that the full moon is in a week or so.] What about after the next fool moon? When you feel up to it. I know it can cause some distress to monsters.

[oceanschild]

[Paris nods.] Mm. It didn't bother me too badly last time, but... [He doesn't have a Bond yet, and he's heard it gets worse the longer you don't have one...] I'll, um. Let you know how I feel after, ok?

[ishisstrength]

[She nods her head and then looks awkward as they step onto the shore.]

If there is any way I can help... [Her cheeks flush.] Please let me know. I want to be there to help you Paris. To pay you back for... everything.

[There is no not awkward way to say this.]

[oceanschild]

[Paris can't help but flush too, but he gets the idea and nods.]

You don't need to, but... alright. I will.

[ishisstrength]

[Justine reaches forward and lightly brushes her fingers behind his ear, tucking back a strand of wet hair.]

I know I don't have too but I want too. It's my choice and it's those choices that I love.

[There have been so many times in her life where Justine hadn't had a choice.]

[oceanschild]

[Paris nods a little-- he thinks he understands.]

Mm. Then... I will. I promise.

[ishisstrength]

[Justine smiles up at him.]

Thank you.

Do you mind helping me carry my basket back to the house? I don't know if I have the energy to take it myself and since you've shown me your room, I feel as if it's only fair that you see mine too.

[oceanschild]

[Paris laughs softly, shaking his head.] No, I don't mind at all...

[He'll pick it up, and Aeto will toddle after them cheerfully.]

[ishisstrength]

[Justine gently takes the wrap from on top of it but instead of tying back into a dress, she loops it around her waist like a skirt. She smiles briefly at Aeto and then back at Paris.]

I live in the cottages. Actually, Connor and hank are neighbors of mine. I don't know if you've been there. [They live two houses from each other.] I think I told you that my roommate is a grumpy wizard. [She doesn't remember.] But I don't think he'll be home or if he is, he'll be in the lab working on his magic.

[oceanschild]

Oh-- I've, um, been to Connor's. ...He said he would teach me how to read.

[Which so far Paris feels like he's horrible at, but he's trying.]

What's your roommate's name?

[ishisstrength]

You don't know how to read?

[Justine adores reading and that statement alone sends a little pang of sadness through her chest. There are so many wonderous Worlds in books.] His name is Harry Dresden. He is a wizard from my world. I don't know him very well but I know his brother.

[It doesn't take very long for them to arrive at Justine's house. It's small and cute and meant for three people despite the two who currently live there. Justine guides him inside and gestures to the kitchen table for him to place the basket down.] Aeto I'm afraid that I do not have a fountain but I do have a bathtub. It might be large enough to fit us all.

[She smiles and then moves up stairs to the master bedroom that she'd claim as her own. A large bed sits at the center with spars decorations. Flowers are gathered in a vase in the far corner while a small library has been formed around a window alcove that faces the front of the house. There Justine has a comfortable lounge chair with books scattered around it, at different points of reading.]

As you can see. I love to read.

[oceanschild]

[Paris ducks his head, immediately feeling a bit ashamed. It really does seem like he's the odd man out here-- meanwhile it would have been very odd to have been able to back home.]

N-No... there wasn't a reason for me to back home... [He was a baker's son, as long as he could bake and run the shop he wasn't expected to get much else in the way of education.

He's temporarily distracted when they reach her room, looking around it and taking it all in.] Your room is really nice...

[ishisstrength]

Thank you.

[Justine goes to her small collection of books and carefully picks up a thin novel from the shelf.] Here. This is a romance novel. Would you like to read it with me? [She takes a seat on the bed and waves him over.] I was never very good in school. I actually dropped out but I learned to read by finding stories that I loved.

It took some time but I eventually started to recognize the shapes. It isn't teaching but I could read to you. If you'd like.

[oceanschild]

[Aeto decides that this sounds like a good time to go check out Justine's bathroom (don't worry about her, she can probably turn the tub on and off with her mouth). Paris makes his way over to the bed, sitting next to her and looking over at the book.]

Mm... is that ok...? [He still feels weird about everyone being able to read, but... maybe he could watch the words and see if that would help...?]

[ishisstrength]

[Aeto is in luck because Justine's tub is large jacuzzi with a handle that's easily twisted on. He can probably swim in it though Justine hopes that he doesn't flood the bathroom in the process.]

Of course it is. [Justine smiles at Paris.] It's actually probably selfish of me but I enjoy spending time with you and while you already have a reading teacher, I thought I could steal the place of reading partner.

I'd love to explore these worlds with you.

[She really wishes she had Lord of the Rings or the Hobbit which are some of the best books ever.]