[open] the heart is always the most honest part

[yesdoubt]

Who: Momo and you!
When: The second half of March, surrounding Eostre.
Where: The Haven and relevant locations for the L'Amourtentia and Out of the City quests.
What: Petalwolf familiars, nailpolish testing and quest-adjacent shenanigans feat. potion brewing and Momo dragging people into impromptu plays/comedies.
Warnings: Sexual references (but no actual smut) for the L'Amourtentia prompt.

[a: do as i say, not as i do (haven)]

[Momo has not exactly been quiet about thinking it's a good idea for people around him to bond. It's safer, it's advantageous to both parties, it lets people watch each other's backs, it's mostly pros and only a few cons depending on how private someone is. No reason to leave it longer than it takes to find a compatible partner, right? Which is why Momo can be found sitting on the front step of his cottage in the Haven in the second half of the month, cheerfully painting his nails in the company of...

...two petalwolves that are gamboling around the stairs, getting dangerously close to his elbow as he finishes painting his toenails. He has a little box of colours next to him, and he's painting his nails hot pink rather than the red they've been since he got here - he has some experimenting to do, after letting some of the local alchemists at his bottle of modern nailpolish.

When the young petalwolves start to bowl themselves into the path of someone passing by, Momo can't actually get up to stop them while he's waiting for his toenails to dry, but he gives a sharp whistle and chides them in the manner of a parent.] Oi, Haku, Sen, watch it!

[The puppies stop, the one with closed peach petals starting to show a tiny bit through its leaves still with its paw shoved in the face of the one with the tiny white tips of snowdrops starting to form, and Momo turns an apologetic smile onto whoever's path they blocked.] Sorry. They're usually pretty good at listening, but that puppy energy is still going strong.

--

[b: quests]
(i. questionable saxophone music [18+ only])

[Momo absolutely would not have been able to get away with even existing in the vicinity of an establishment like this in his world. At least, not without a massive scandal. But he's not exactly an innocent thinker, and after he sees the ad for help with brewing aphrodisiac, he can't not be a little curious how that's done. It's an area of magic he hadn't really considered since getting here, but now that he has considered it, he has about seven thousand theoretical questions that he probably doesn't really want the answers to.

For now, it seems like a good chance to practice his potion brewing and sate his curiosity in a way he has some plausible deniability about, so here he is, helping put together the next ingredients for this batch of the potion, eying each one curiously as he lines them up like he's trying to see if he recognises any from his own world.]

You know, I feel like this isn't entirely what the Coven had in mind when they were pushing all that natural potion-making stuff this month. [There's a bit of laughter in his voice, but nobody should've expected him to get through this session with his mouth shut.]

(ii. let me entertain you)

[Having heard about the acting restrictions within the city, when Momo hears acting is actually a possibility outside the city walls, he practically jumps at the chance. He also hasn't spent much time in the Outer City as of yet, and it gives him a better chance to mingle and see what things are like outside the wall.

Unsurprisingly, it's considerably less good than within the wall, but that only makes Momo more determined to raise spirits. His healing magic isn't what he'd consider trained enough yet for him to take up a medical aid post, so he can instead be found singing and dancing for audiences outside the wall, encouraging them to clap and sing and dance along with the infectious energy of a passionate professional, or perhaps doing an impromptu comedy play with some uninfected locals, while less fortunate residents watch on with small smiles and the occasional shout to suggest a scene change. One can catch him to talk after he's finished a musical performance - or perhaps he'll catch you while he's acting, locking onto any watching Mirrorbound with his gaze and singling them out with a gesture hammy enough to feed a small city.]

Ah, do we have another volunteer from the audience? What say you all, should we test their mettle? [A playful wink to the onlookers, who cheer and hustle around, leaving Momo's chosen victim singled out from the audience as he waits for his answer. Time to test your impromptu skills.]

--

[c: wildcard]

[[If you'd like to plot anything else, feel free to hit me up at reviseleviathan, on the game Discord or by PM!]]

Comments

a

[stopfen]

[The cottages were spaced apart, enough that it was fully possible not to run into neighbors. But with the new senses brought on by growing antenna, Mikasa was more inclined to just walk around. Take in the scents- Oh, she knew that one. Not the strange chemical smell. But she knew some of it. So she's wandering closer in search of answers.

Then she sees the puppers and the pupils just expand. Staring at them until she shakes her head at the voice. Blinking it of to stare at him. Oh, Momochan lived here. Then she spots the reddish-pinks on his toes and what?]

Your feet are bleeding?

[She couldn't smell blood though. And he didn't seem concerned by this?]

[yesdoubt]

[The puppies start tumbling back towards Momo a moment later, apparently only able to be stopped for a brief period of time. After giving a welcome wave, Momo laughs a little at her remark and holds up a small, closed bottle of hot pink nailpolish, and then shows his fingernails, which he's already painted in that colour and let dry earlier.]

I don't bleed hot pink. I'm just painting my toenails, since some of the local alchemists got back to me after I gave them some modern nailpolish to run wild with. Good timing, since my old coat was starting to rub off a bit.

[He always used good quality nailpolish back home, but even that can only survive so long, particularly on his toes when he's as active as he is. If he hadn't had his red bottle as a stopgap, it likely would've worn off sooner.]

[stopfen]

[She just kinda squints, okay in this light they looked a lot less internal flesh coloured. But then he explains, and she's still squinting.]

...Why?

[It was such a strange thing to do. Or it was to her at least. She'd spotted a few other people with oddly coloured nails, she just thought it was a result of them being monsters. Like some of the weird eyes.]

[yesdoubt]

[Momo blinks at her when she asks that question, like it's the most obvious thing in the world. Even though he knows it likely wouldn't be for her, considering their previous conversations.]

Because it looks pretty? It's more common for women to do it than men in my world, but I've been doing it for the last five years or so, to match my partner.

[Even in Yuki's absence, nail painting is now something of a ritual for Momo - it's a calming sort of activity, even if he still doesn't think he has as delicate of a hand with it as his partner does.]

[stopfen]

Oh...It's the same colour as your eyes. [Very bright. But she shifts a little at the rest. Then sighs.]

It's nice that you have a tradition. [Cute. It was sweet. Even if she didn't quite understand it.]

b - ii

[sneaksweet]

[The thing is, even though Juza is a stage actor who's had a little big of experience with street acts- he's terrible on the spot. Unfortunately, he's the type of actor who needs a few weeks to really get into character. Otherwise he's just awkwardly floundering.]

Sure.

[But he also misses acting so much.]

You got a scene?

[yesdoubt]

[People not knowing what they're doing is half the fun, but the other half is seeing how well they get into it regardless, as far as Momo is concerned. At the question, he seems to have an answer prepared, and he tilts his finger towards the other man as if in invitation.]

You're a human prince who just found out your dad arranged a marriage to a monster princess you've never met but who has a scary reputation. Now come give the king a piece of your mind!

[Momo taps himself on the chest, in case it wasn't obvious who the king is in this situation.]

[sneaksweet]

[He visibly blanches at his assignment. This is so far out of the realm of what he's used to. Fantasy? Arranged marriages? That's the sphere of Spring troupe and he's never worked with any of them before.]

I. Uh. Father, I can't believe you're seriously gonna- going to do this. [A prince. A prince has to sound at least a little regal, right? He can't use the kind of language he usually falls back on.

It's a struggle.] Don't you know her rep...uation? Am I even going to survive a night?

[yesdoubt]

[It's probably a good thing Momo is professional enough not to laugh at Juza's stumbling into what's clearly an unfamiliar role. He likes pushing people's limits, so he sure isn't taking pity and throwing him something else, instead putting on a regal affect fitting to the role he declared himself.]

Are you saying my son can't be expected to handle a lady with some teeth? You should be jumping at the chance to prove yourself in a diplomatic coupling like this one. Besides, think of the heirs you'll get out of it!

[A deep, rolling laugh that sounds like it's coming from a man much older than Momo follows that, apparently walking the line between dramatic and comedic here for the sake of keeping the mood up.]

[sneaksweet]

[As bad as he is, he's still going to struggle through it. A struggle means he's learning something, right? Maybe Momo'll give him advice after this.]

I'm saying your son isn't ready to get eaten by somebody he's never met before! At the very least we should've been introduced before you went signing my marriage away.

b-i.

[omnicrafter]

Why not? I'm sure they couldn't have not known about the coming of spring also bringing a different kind of coming.

[That crass answer coming from behind him? That's Irhya, and she's dutifully stirring a pot of boiling leaves and other plant-based material for gods-know-what end. She doesn't even bother turning around, but she sounds pretty secure in her answer.]

Nature is not exclusive to the offerings of plants and trees, after all.

[yesdoubt]

[Well, at least Momo didn't have to be the one to pull the conversation all the way into questionable territory, and he gives a thoughtful hum like he's considering her words.]

I mean, I haven't been here long enough to tell if this is a regular yearly thing, but now that I think about it, if monsters have mating season... [...then that would probably be coming up around now. Suddenly it all makes a little bit more sense, if he considers how many monsters are drawn from animals.]

The birds and the bees usually get quietly left out of nature talk when people can help it, though. Or at least, I definitely don't remember anyone telling me to go out and use my newfound powers to enable the kinks of strangers.

[omnicrafter]

[Irhya laughs out loud at that, putting a hand on her hip as she turns around.]

I ended up a vampire. It'd be a lie to try and argue some humans, even some Witches, don't have an oddly specific vampire kink. There's a bunch of stories out there on the subject that people seem to like...

[And she may have gone out and read them. For... research purposes. On matters of public opinion. Yes.]

But brushes with danger also get certain people going in the right context. Take it from me. It's very under-the-table stuff they don't acknowledge, but they know it happens. And thus the businesses of aphrodisiacs find their niche, like so.

So, do you plan to do anything fun with your share?

[yesdoubt]

[Momo is decidedly unsurprised by that, somehow - he's heard the kinds of associations vampires apparently have back home, since his canines have gotten him compared to vampires once or twice. Though he does pointedly arch his brow at that remark on the "stories" about the subject, something of a knowing smile playing at his mouth.

She's not wrong about the danger stuff, though, even if he outright laughs at the notion that he'll be doing anything with his share anytime soon.] Nah, saving it for a rainy day, maybe. Or using it for barter if anyone's interested in getting hold of some and I'm short on money. Can't get out there and cheat that easily even if I'd get away with it.

[Yuki's not here to call him out even if they were actually in a proper relationship, but he doesn't exactly feel comfortable with the idea of sleeping around nonetheless. He turns the subject back towards her soon enough, though, that questioning expression returning.] With all those stories you mentioned, though, I guess you must have some ideas, huh?

[omnicrafter]

Ooh, very shrewd of you. I'm sure someone out there will pay good money for it in the right circumstance. Perhaps if it keeps for long enough, around next Valentione's...?

[But as for her... the playful tilt of her ears vanishes, though she barely seems to budge otherwise. When she turns and smiles at him, she can't help but force it a little.]

I have an idea, but it's not for me. Not that I'd slip it to anyone without their knowledge; I want them to use it knowingly and willingly. It's talking one particular party into it that will be the problem... How do you convince someone it's okay to use these things for fun, anyway?

b-i

[getting_better]

Or it could be exactly what they had in mind. Who knows, and who are we to judge?

[He doesn't particularly care who uses what they're making and what they're going to use it for, though he can probably figure out why. It doesn't take a lot of sniffing around to find clues and put them together.]

Whatever the case, it's not really our business so let's just get this done so we can get our reward.

[yesdoubt]

[The businesslike way of putting it gets a laugh out of Momo, and he waves a hand as if to say not to take it too seriously.]

Hey, come on, you have to have a little bit of passion for your work! How are we supposed to be inspiring those kinds of feelings in anyone else with that attitude? [Momo offers a cheery wink, setting down some newly measured ingredients before clapping his hands together.] A bit of quick cash can be nice to have, but surely you had a reason you picked up this job in particular.

[There's not exactly a shortage of part-time job advertisements month to month, and this one is...rather specific, to say the least.]

[getting_better]

[What...feelings???? This isn't work, this is a chore.]

A few reasons, yeah. Cash, being one of the more important ones.

[He takes ingredients and pours them into the cauldron following the recipe they were given down to the letter, steps he's memorized at this point though he keeps it nearby.]</small.

[yesdoubt]

[Momo waves a hand at that like it's a lazy excuse.] Yeah, but there's no shortage of part-time jobs around here. I'm talking about why you picked up this job and not any of the other ones you could lineface your way through more easily.

[Momo passes a hand over his own face as he says that, making a comically serious expression for the second half of the sentence before returning it to normal with a sweep of the hand the other way.]

[getting_better]

[He raises an eye brow at that. Is he mocking him? He feels mocked. He'll let it go, for now.]

It was...interesting.

[Also because cash.]

There's a lot you can learn from working behind the scenes of a place like this, though it doesn't come easy.

[Doing things like this gets his foot in the door of the good graces of the ladies of the night.]

Give and take, as they say.

[foundfamilies]

[By early April, Leslie will have read up on the local wildlife, but here in late March, she has no idea. She's very startled by their sudden appearance and backs up a little -- less for how weird they look and more for the idea that she might be about to get mixed up in this bundle of whirling limbs -- but she stops when she hears a voice.

A very familiar voice, though it takes her a moment to place it. While she is thinking about it, she gets to see the pups not as a tumble of green but as flowery little dogs and she's enchanted.]

They're so cute! [By now, she's placed his voice, so she turns to him.] Are they your pets, Mr. Momo?

[yesdoubt]

[Momo's used enough to having to place voices and faces from seeing or hearing them in the entertainment world to meeting them in real life that he pegs Leslie the second she opens her mouth - though her being visibly far younger than most people he's met here already had him figuring it might be her. Offering her a warm grin and a wave of his hands, on which the nailpolish has already dried despite him still waiting on his toes, he tilts his head towards the petalwolves.]

Kind of! But they're also my familiars, since I heard that was a thing Witches could do in this world. We always had that kind of idea in stories in my world, but magic never actually existed there. [A shrug, as if that can't be helped.] How are you? I was wondering when I'd run into you in person.

[foundfamilies]

You remember me?

[Leslie is startled. She only talked to him once and she's heard him talk to a number of other people since she has been tuning in to his radio show in the background when she is studying.]

Um, I'm doing well. Do your familiars like being pet? They look a lot like dogs.

[yesdoubt]

Momo-chan remembers everyone he meets! If I see a lot of faces, I have to remember a lot as well. [He winks and makes a little v-shape over one of his eyes, a cutesy mannerism that's missed when he's working in radio and doesn't have television to demonstrate his usual shenanigans on.

That hand drops down to beckon over the petalwolves, though, the peach flowered one responding a little more readily than the other.] They both like getting attention, Haku is just a little bit rowdier about it. [He taps Haku, the peach flowered one, on the head before poking Sen's nose in turn.] Sen is more calm, but he'll roll over for you like a big softie if you get him in the right place.

[foundfamilies]

[Leslie has never seen a pose like that, but she can tell it's a little silly, so she has to cover a giggle with a hand.] That's an amazing memory, Mr. Momo. I'm very impressed.

[But there are dogs to pet, so she moves in to the now available petalpups.] They already sound wonderful. Marquis Vestra's familiar isn't nearly this cute.

[She looks back and forth between them as she tries to decide who to give attention to first. Unable to decide, she tries to pet each one with a separate hand.]