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middaeg2019-06-03 10:11 pm
hearthebell) wrote in middaeg2019-06-03 10:11 pm
Entry tags:
I Am Embracing the Cold Rushing in Like Ice to a Diamond [OPEN, Catchall for June]
Who: L Lawliet and OPEN
When: Throughout June
Where: Various places;
What: Sans caretaker, an antisocial, world-renowned detective separated from all his resources searches for lodging, work, and purpose. All while continuing to practice magic.
Warnings: None right now; I'll update it if that changes!
A. More explosions make debris (Barracks)
[To say that there's been something of an adjustment period since L arrived here is an understatement, to say the least. Once, he had a handler who took care of everything he needed, from laundry to finding him things to eat to telling him when it was time to sleep. While it wasn't the kind of life that most adults were content leading, it had suited him just fine, allowing him to devote more energy to his one truly passionate pursuit: solving the world's most bizarre and complex cases.
One month in, and he's semi-adapted to his new environment, in the sense that he is surviving, but not exactly thriving. He's carved out a niche for himself in the barracks, where stacks of overdue library books stand in place of furniture or decor... but otherwise, one would be forgiven for believing that this particular building is unoccupied. There's no real sign that anyone has taken up residence here from the outside; restoration efforts haven't reached this section of the barracks yet, and the plants outside are overgrown, some of the windows drooping and dilapidated, the door hanging precariously from one hinge that only sort of works.
If you did make this very understandable mistake and you opt to enter, you might stumble upon the only room that's being actively used, and it's sort of a pathetic sight. A scrawny, dark-haired young man is seated in a curled position on the floor. His back is against the wall and his shaggy head is drooped over his bony knees, with clumps of candy wrappers and four open books around his bare feet. He is wearing the set of Coven robes he received on the first day here, and they appear, after a month, to be in desperate need of a good cleaning. Fast asleep in a clear state of exhaustion, he doesn't notice you... but if you stick around or make even the slightest noise, that's bound to change quickly.]
B. Catching it kind of suits you (Coven)
[L avoids going out in public nearly to the point of being agoraphobic. The pallor of his skin suggests that he's never even seen the Sun, and the shuffling, tentative way he moves is absurdly ill-suited to crowds of jostling strangers. But he makes exceptions for certain things, and must; his only other true option is to stagnate and slowly wither away to a brittle, frail collection of bones. The unfortunate realities of distrusting people while being rather more reliant on them than most grown humans are coming home to roost, in the sense that L's faltering a bit without Watari's constant, vigilant maintenance. Soon his health will begin to suffer, and as a Witch, it makes sense that the best way to be sustainably self-sufficient might be buckling down and learning how to heal his own injuries, restore his own energy if he's lacking sleep, and make food materialize out of thin air so he doesn't have to go out and purchase it.
After a month, he's found that it's not nearly so simple. Some branches of magic have been more promising than others; he seems to have a knack for Divination and Illusion, which probably shouldn't be surprising given his background as an investigator. But L tends not to be merely average at anything; his destiny is either extreme proficiency, or extreme disaster, and the latter seems to be the case with Abjuration and Transmutation. It seems that healing and mending things are what give him the most trouble, to the point where his attempts actually backfire and have the opposite effect.
What started as a minor abrasion on his left hand, that any extremely basic healing spell could make short work of, has spread to many abrasions all over his hand and wrist. His attempts to mend the Coven robe he is still wearing since receiving it on his first day are actually unraveling the threads holding it together. His frustration is real and powerful, but his expression doesn't betray it. Just maybe the occasional swift exhalation, or a murmured question about his future success before he consults tea leaves and sets aside the cup, disgusted with the answer he reads there with comparative ease.
Maybe these particular disciplines come easier to you and you have a heart. Or maybe you just want to laugh at him.]
C. Well it doesn't suit me (Runetchers)
[L is a fast reader, and a fast learner. When he's exhausted what he has to work with in a day at the Coven, advised not to overdo it before he has a bond with a monster who can help him cycle his magic, there are still many hours left in a day... and really, when money is a concern and not just managed in vast quantities to be thrown around when it's required, the necessity of it can't really be overlooked.
But when one has worked the same job since early childhood and needed no introduction at the top of his field, it's an issue. When one is off and peculiar in his interactions and socially irregular, it's an issue. When one secretly considers himself above most offerings, it's especially an issue, and so a month has passed with nothing catching L's interest and no currency changing hands. However, when Runetchers put out a call for steady hands and loading scrolls with spells, it's a prospect... and when they add that they are willing to teach on the job, L is sufficiently sold. At least for a little while, this will suffice, especially if he doesn't have to come in contact with chipper inquisitive customers or nitpicky coworkers.
Did you also take this quest? Or did you just drop in to check out the shop that smells like old parchment and cloves? Either way, the spindly, wide-eyed youth is watching you, pausing in his work so his dark, lacquered eyes can better follow you around the shop. If you move to get away from him, you might notice that he's even left his desk to keep closer tabs on you. ]
D. With the Sun setting low and the shadows unfurled (FULL MOON, around the city)
[It's been an especially long day. As L's magical practice deepens, so does the exhaustion that comes with trying to do it alone, and the ensuing snappishness and irritability... but today, in particular, it's been difficult to use magic at all. His attempts at spells are either weak or they fail entirely, and while he's wrung what he can out of him to get through work, he was dismissed early and told to get some rest when it became clear, quickly, that even his ability to draw pretty straight lines was suffering.
He's on his way home tonight. Maybe you're another witch who's similarly weakened, or a monster struggling with their changes. Either way, it's dark, and he's wearing dark clothing, and it's entirely likely that you just don't see the guy and walk right into him. Hopefully it's not claws-first, and with the way his eyes are narrowing, it would be great if you were in a better mood.]
E. Can you live with the way they make you look unreal? (WILDCARD)
[Don't see it? Want it? Have at it! If you want a quick and easy way to get ahold of me for plotting purposes, I am on plurk at![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
lexil.]
When: Throughout June
Where: Various places;
What: Sans caretaker, an antisocial, world-renowned detective separated from all his resources searches for lodging, work, and purpose. All while continuing to practice magic.
Warnings: None right now; I'll update it if that changes!
A. More explosions make debris (Barracks)
[To say that there's been something of an adjustment period since L arrived here is an understatement, to say the least. Once, he had a handler who took care of everything he needed, from laundry to finding him things to eat to telling him when it was time to sleep. While it wasn't the kind of life that most adults were content leading, it had suited him just fine, allowing him to devote more energy to his one truly passionate pursuit: solving the world's most bizarre and complex cases.
One month in, and he's semi-adapted to his new environment, in the sense that he is surviving, but not exactly thriving. He's carved out a niche for himself in the barracks, where stacks of overdue library books stand in place of furniture or decor... but otherwise, one would be forgiven for believing that this particular building is unoccupied. There's no real sign that anyone has taken up residence here from the outside; restoration efforts haven't reached this section of the barracks yet, and the plants outside are overgrown, some of the windows drooping and dilapidated, the door hanging precariously from one hinge that only sort of works.
If you did make this very understandable mistake and you opt to enter, you might stumble upon the only room that's being actively used, and it's sort of a pathetic sight. A scrawny, dark-haired young man is seated in a curled position on the floor. His back is against the wall and his shaggy head is drooped over his bony knees, with clumps of candy wrappers and four open books around his bare feet. He is wearing the set of Coven robes he received on the first day here, and they appear, after a month, to be in desperate need of a good cleaning. Fast asleep in a clear state of exhaustion, he doesn't notice you... but if you stick around or make even the slightest noise, that's bound to change quickly.]
B. Catching it kind of suits you (Coven)
[L avoids going out in public nearly to the point of being agoraphobic. The pallor of his skin suggests that he's never even seen the Sun, and the shuffling, tentative way he moves is absurdly ill-suited to crowds of jostling strangers. But he makes exceptions for certain things, and must; his only other true option is to stagnate and slowly wither away to a brittle, frail collection of bones. The unfortunate realities of distrusting people while being rather more reliant on them than most grown humans are coming home to roost, in the sense that L's faltering a bit without Watari's constant, vigilant maintenance. Soon his health will begin to suffer, and as a Witch, it makes sense that the best way to be sustainably self-sufficient might be buckling down and learning how to heal his own injuries, restore his own energy if he's lacking sleep, and make food materialize out of thin air so he doesn't have to go out and purchase it.
After a month, he's found that it's not nearly so simple. Some branches of magic have been more promising than others; he seems to have a knack for Divination and Illusion, which probably shouldn't be surprising given his background as an investigator. But L tends not to be merely average at anything; his destiny is either extreme proficiency, or extreme disaster, and the latter seems to be the case with Abjuration and Transmutation. It seems that healing and mending things are what give him the most trouble, to the point where his attempts actually backfire and have the opposite effect.
What started as a minor abrasion on his left hand, that any extremely basic healing spell could make short work of, has spread to many abrasions all over his hand and wrist. His attempts to mend the Coven robe he is still wearing since receiving it on his first day are actually unraveling the threads holding it together. His frustration is real and powerful, but his expression doesn't betray it. Just maybe the occasional swift exhalation, or a murmured question about his future success before he consults tea leaves and sets aside the cup, disgusted with the answer he reads there with comparative ease.
Maybe these particular disciplines come easier to you and you have a heart. Or maybe you just want to laugh at him.]
C. Well it doesn't suit me (Runetchers)
[L is a fast reader, and a fast learner. When he's exhausted what he has to work with in a day at the Coven, advised not to overdo it before he has a bond with a monster who can help him cycle his magic, there are still many hours left in a day... and really, when money is a concern and not just managed in vast quantities to be thrown around when it's required, the necessity of it can't really be overlooked.
But when one has worked the same job since early childhood and needed no introduction at the top of his field, it's an issue. When one is off and peculiar in his interactions and socially irregular, it's an issue. When one secretly considers himself above most offerings, it's especially an issue, and so a month has passed with nothing catching L's interest and no currency changing hands. However, when Runetchers put out a call for steady hands and loading scrolls with spells, it's a prospect... and when they add that they are willing to teach on the job, L is sufficiently sold. At least for a little while, this will suffice, especially if he doesn't have to come in contact with chipper inquisitive customers or nitpicky coworkers.
Did you also take this quest? Or did you just drop in to check out the shop that smells like old parchment and cloves? Either way, the spindly, wide-eyed youth is watching you, pausing in his work so his dark, lacquered eyes can better follow you around the shop. If you move to get away from him, you might notice that he's even left his desk to keep closer tabs on you. ]
D. With the Sun setting low and the shadows unfurled (FULL MOON, around the city)
[It's been an especially long day. As L's magical practice deepens, so does the exhaustion that comes with trying to do it alone, and the ensuing snappishness and irritability... but today, in particular, it's been difficult to use magic at all. His attempts at spells are either weak or they fail entirely, and while he's wrung what he can out of him to get through work, he was dismissed early and told to get some rest when it became clear, quickly, that even his ability to draw pretty straight lines was suffering.
He's on his way home tonight. Maybe you're another witch who's similarly weakened, or a monster struggling with their changes. Either way, it's dark, and he's wearing dark clothing, and it's entirely likely that you just don't see the guy and walk right into him. Hopefully it's not claws-first, and with the way his eyes are narrowing, it would be great if you were in a better mood.]
E. Can you live with the way they make you look unreal? (WILDCARD)
[Don't see it? Want it? Have at it! If you want a quick and easy way to get ahold of me for plotting purposes, I am on plurk at
no subject
[He replaces his screwdriver in his pouch, ignoring how Toothless bats gently at the door, making it swing a little.] Huh? Oh, uh. I'm not actually... employed. I don't have time for that right now, what with classes and building up the cabin and trying to get a forge up and running. [So how on earth does this boy have money? He certainly wasn't bluffing - he's got a roll of bank notes in that pouch with a couple of small tools.] When I was looking, though, I just sort of went door to door at places I thought I might like to work at.
What did you do before? Maybe I can help you find something.
no subject
He watches the new ease and functionality the door opens and closes with a thoughtful, somber expression.]
You just knocked on doors, and asked if they could benefit from your existing skillset for money?
[It makes sense, and Hiccup seems friendly enough to sustain it. The answer satisfies L, though it's almost humorous to think of taking the same approach for himself.]
Before? Pretty much what I'm doing now... I was a student. I was going to go into law enforcement when I finished my classes. It's not terribly marketable here.
[And L doesn't read as a cop or a guard, by the definitions of most worlds. There's no badge that can likely make this guy inherently intimidating.]
I have a knack for work requiring a great deal of precision. I'm sure something will come up.
[When he does, it sounds like he has no doubts whatsoever that he'll get the job.]
no subject
[He hears 'law enforcement' and hums thoughtfully. It's a little bit of an alien concept considering he comes from a bit of a wild west of vikings and pirates, but he can make assumptions.] Maybe it wouldn't, or maybe it would? They've got to have... I don't know, magical investigators, right? To figure out who committed a crime?
Or maybe there's something available at Parliament. That's sort of law enforcement in a different way.
no subject
[L's impressed, and a little bewildered, the way he can't help but be when faced with someone whose ability to proceed with confidence and skill in social situations benefits them so soundly. A lot of what makes it work for Hiccup, he realizes, is the young man's sheer sincerity. He doesn't seem to have an agenda, or a plan that he is trying to manipulate elements to fulfill.
He wonders what that must be like.]
I've looked into it, somewhat.
[Carefully. He doesn't want to tip his hand too early here. He doesn't want to give away who he is, when others from his world can (and have) arrived and spoken with him. A lot of people want him dead, back where he's from, either because he's an obstacle, because they hold a grudge, or because they're being paid by someone who holds a grudge.]
Because I'm still relatively new to using magic, it might be more time before I can seriously pursue getting that kind of job. It is the eventual goal, but the meantime is what's proving challenging.
[That, and he just plain needs to get his shit together, judging by his state and his surroundings. This is not someone who could walk into an interview for a government job in any world and hope to make a good impression; though he was important and influential where he came from, there's a reason no one ever saw his face and his liaison did all the talking, all the face-to-face interaction. L was just the brain behind the screen.]
no subject
If Linden is holding anything back, Hiccup doesn't seem to notice it, or question. He takes him at his word easily.] Maybe. I guess more magical skill is probably necessary for most jobs around here. It's kind of crazy to think about, they just... live like this, all the time. Being able to cast spells is normal for them.
[He shakes his head briefly, gets himself off that slightly awed tangent.] Well, like I said, in the meantime, if you need anything, just let me know.
no subject
[Well, maybe some of them are, but if every human in Geardagas has magical aptitude, then L is fairly confident that the focus and academic talent he arrived with will help to close that gap sooner rather than later.
He nods, seeming, again, kind of surprised by Hiccup's willingness to make himself available that way.]
Thank you. I certainly will contact you...
[It's up for debate, however, just how dire a situation has to be before L considers it a "need." That's still one of his greatest obstacles, and probably will continue to be for awhile.]
no subject
The smile he offers is bright and genuine, though.] It doesn't have to be if you need something, either. We could just, you know, hang out, too. Or study, or practice together.
no subject
[It's grim, in the sense that there's no telling how long it might go on. It's less so, in the sense that L would be returning to certain imminent death if he did go back. Is it a waste to believe that duty binds him to that death? Is it selfish to think that he has a claim to a longer life here?]
I'm often at the Coven after class. For a fairly long time. Yako showed me a courtyard where it's pleasant to practice, so... maybe you could find me there.