middaeg | [open] the heart is always the most honest part

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[open] the heart is always the most honest part

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!]]

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[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?]

[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?

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.

[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.

[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.]

[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.]

[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.]

[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?

[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.]

[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.]

[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.

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.]

[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?

[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?

My boy, you have to understand that when you're in this kind of position, sometimes decisions have to be made quickly. [Momo comes over to bring a dramatic and fatherly arm around Juza's shoulders, like he's trying to achieve minimal level good dad points after this entire premise.] Me and your mother hadn't met before we married either, and look how that turned out! Think of it as carrying on a tradition.

[There's definitely some knowing laughs in the audience at that, of the "been there done that" variety.]

[Momo pokes his tongue out cheerfully at that as if to confirm her observation, because that's basically why hot pink is his theme colour. It's hard to have anything against pink when your eyes are pink and everyone calls you the half of your name that means "peach".]

Well, it's part of our act as well, our fans like it when we match or when we're doing couple fanservice and stuff like that. So it's two-fold, but here I'm just doing it because I like to do it.

[He's still not quite used to not being beholden to his fans, but he'll admit it's kind of freeing even if he enjoys his job too much to ever willingly leave it.]

[Momo...Everytime she thinks she gets it, he says something she doesn't get. 'Couple fanservice', she knew what half of it meant, and she could guess the fanservice part. But together? She just goes back to squinting.]

You're an actor? ...I guess it's not as nice as I thought.

[She'd thought he's meant partner as in partner-partner, but sounded like it was just a fellow actor. It seemed strange, but she hadn't really seem much of those things.]

What's not nice? [Momo pokes his tongue out a bit at that before popping back up to his usual cheerfulness.] I'm an idol. I do acting on the side, but my partner and I mostly do singing and dancing. It's just that it comes with a bunch of other jobs when you're an idol as opposed to just a musician.

[Yuki is actually fairly well known for his acting, compared to Momo who doesn't tend to do it as often despite being pretty good at it. But even if the couple stuff is part of their act, there's plenty of sincere feelings beneath that, even if Momo may not have interrogated certain depths of them too strongly.]

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.

[He shrugs off the arm, looking incredibly put out.]

Father, I don't- Mother's human and didn't have a reputation for breaking people.

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?

[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.]

[Momo holds the shaken off hand behind his back, like he's going to try and do something else with it when his "son's" defenses are down.]

Oh, I wouldn't say she didn't have a reputation for breaking people. [Momo wiggles his brows suggestively, getting another laugh out of the onlookers.] But the point is that in these kinds of families, the arrangement comes before the love. I'm sure there's a beauty inside that beast, and you're going to be the lucky man to find it.

You say that like Valentine's is the only time of year this would be in demand. [It's not as if people particularly need an excuse to bang, for the most part. People Momo knows don't tend to do it purely because he's in an industry where it's not really allowed, but boy has every single one of them been hit on regularly by people having that kind of intent.

The follow-up problem makes Momo tilt his head a bit, though - he can see the forcing in that smile, considering how often he sees that kind of thing back home.]

Depends. If you're suggesting it to an existing couple, I think you'd need both of them there, so you're not pitching it to one and having them worry about what their partner would think of them for bringing it up or using it. But for discussion's sake, what do you think the "one particular party" is gonna particularly object to?

[His face is coloring in embarrassment and everything else is forgotten in favor of not hearing about that again.]

D-Don't tell me about your bedroom life!

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[open] the heart is always the most honest part

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