Aereuer Quests, Full Moon, and Catch-All log [OPEN]

[curruid_coinchenn]

Who: Berserker (Cú Chulainn Alter) and you!
When: Throughout April
Where: Various places
What: All kinds of stuff for the month!
Warnings: See prompts and individual headers for warnings!


[ 1. Meteor Shower ]

[ Few things could awe Berserker. Even the meteors streaking through the sky can't manage it. Frustration, resentment, and even a tinge of sorrow burn in him as brightly as those many lights. Alone on hill just outside the city, the dragon seethes.

Or he thinks he's alone, anyway. Anyone else on that comes to the hill after the feeling hits him is completely ignored for the moment.

Berserker lowers his head, his fists clenched tightly. ]

That should have been me...

[ To be like that star: burning brightly for just a little bit before fading away. ]

[ 2a. Full Moon - Potential NSFW option ]

[ There is a blissful reprieve from the rain as the moons come into full view. Not so blissful are the effects the moons have on his mind. More on edge than usual, Berserker takes to the skies in an attempt to soothe his frayed nerves.

It doesn't work. His wings are fully healed now and allow him to fly, but now everyone he sees seems to be more like prey or something to be sized up. Still in his human form, he lands on a rooftop above a mostly empty street. The first poor soul he sees is now his target. ]

Run...Otherwise I can't guarantee your safety.

[ 3. Wildcard ]

[ Got an idea? Did we plot something out? Drop me a starter or PM me here/on discord glitzkrieg#0673 and we can work something out! ]

Comments

full moon, outer city (nsfw)

[ua_duibhne]

[As the moon waxes, Diarmuid's powers wane but it's his lower threshold for magical resistance around this time that keeps him so in touch with Berserker's own changes. Though they're already highly attuned to each other, there's even less of a barrier now than any other time of the month. The dragon's agitation is palpable, bleeding into him and his mind more with each passing day and tonight, with the moon full and ripe behind the stormclouds, it's unbearable.

Maybe it was an attempt to clear his head or work out his aggression away from home but Berserker's had been gone for an hour before Diarmuid was on his tail. His pursuit has lead him beyond the Wall, where subtle hints of the wild magic beyond the Outer City's limits slip through. No wonder the driving rain has done little to clear his mind; the closer he gets to both the Wildes and Berserker himself, the harder it is to focus.

The wind howls- all the louder for the lack of tall structures to buffer it- knocking back Diarmuid's hood as he rounds a corner. Up until quite recently, the building he's taking shelter by must have been a general store of sorts; while it's mostly been ransacked, tins and bottles glint with every flash of lightning through busted windows. With one hand, Diarmuid scrapes his hair back from his face and peers harder into the gloom.

There-]

Cú? Cú, what the hell are you doing?

[His voice, at least, is clear and crisp enough to avoid being stolen away by the wind.]

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ He had fled the city without a word. The growing agitation only meant his control on his instincts had slipped -- not completely, but close to it. The only thing he could focus on was getting distance between himself and his Bonded. In this state, he's a danger to them and he'd never forgive himself if he harmed them.

Maybe it's his Bond with Trevor that set him off so badly and made it worse; two monsters meant that they fed off of the feral energy between them. They're both balanced with two witches, but...No matter what it is, Berserker wants to be alone.

His instincts take him out of the city. The only words ringing in his mind are hunt...The driving rain didn't stop him, though it did slow him. They had to be prey out there he could hunt...Later. Berserker manages to get control over his senses long enough to take refuge, but he knows it's a losing battle.

Diarmuid's presence sets him on edge. No...He came out here to get away, to protect him. The dragon's form, soaked to the bone, can only be seen in the brief flashes of light. His growl, however, is loud enough to be heard over the din of the storm.

He lowers himself down, bottles clattering to the floor as his tail twitches in agitation. Another flash of lightning and he's closer to the Lancer. ]

Why are you here? [ There's an unmistakable guttural edge to his voice. ] Go...Before something happens.

[ Each word is strained as he struggles against the moons' pull. ]

[ua_duibhne]

[On the surface, nothing has changed about him and yet everything about him seems transformed; he's more bestial, barely controlled ferality creeping into every snarl of his voice and movement. He hunkers to the ground like a corner predator- or, perhaps, one just waiting to strike. It's a stance Diarmuid knows well and yet he advances, picking through the shattered windows and out of the rain.

Another burst of lightning casts Berserker in stark white, catching the hostile arch of his wings and wild eyes. By contrast, the witch stays calm, not letting the spike in his own emotions and senses show in his voice; this might be a shared kind of madness but he's determined to stay in control, if not for his own sake but for his partner's.]

I'm here for you. [He takes another step closer.] Nothing is going to happen. I trust you. Do you trust me?

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Why? Why does Diarmuid trust him when he's like this? He doesn't trust himself...But he does trust his Bonded. Berserker steps closer to him, his posture still undeniably hostile. As he gets the scent of his lover, the feelings of hostility turn to something else -- something equally feral, but quite different.

Another step and he lowers his head. ]

...Of course I trust you. [ He still struggles with each word as he extends his hand. An invitation, a potentially dangerous one. The dragon needs help and Diarmuid can help him, soothe this awful agitation. Or they'll feed off of each other and it will be a mess. ] But you should leave...

[ua_duibhne]

[A spike of something... different catches Diarmuid off guard, and visibly so; while he doesn't draw back or hesitate, surprise flickers across his face. Nonetheless, he pushes on heedless of the spark of danger in the air, closing the gap between them in a few careful steps. There's no fear in his body language, even as he finally gets to see the full extent of Berserker's wild state up close.]

Not without you. [He shakes his head, showering his shoulders in water.] But if you won't come home, I'll just have to stay here with you.

[Resolute, Diarmuid takes hold of his hand. It's only a fraction of what Berserker must be going through but through their Bond he can feel the call of something relentless and hungry, and through his touch, the racing of his heart. Or maybe that's his own quickening pulse he's feeling. Does he want a fight? Though he can't fully interpret emotions meant for a man transformed to have such different biology, he senses that this needs something just as passionate and violent.]

full moon

[quickwhip]

[ Well guess who's going to be joining him up on that rooftop and standing a little ways close to the edge??

It's Trevor's first full moon since his "coming back to life" in the undead sense last month and with having fed the night before, he feels GREAT. His hair's a little longer now what with his being too sick and weak and dying and all to really do much about it and a couple strands caress against his cheek as a cool breeze whips by, the vampire merely smiling to his bonded with those bright red eyes of his.

Emotion tends to do that to them. That and thirst. ]

And here I was worried the nights would be boring from now on.

[ It's said with a playful grin as he gracefully walks along the edge of the rooftop they're on. ]

Someone promised me a race on a full moon if I recall correctly.

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ The pulse of their bond alerted Berserker who was coming long before Trevor landed on the roof next to him. He flashes his sharp teeth in a grin briefly. The tip of his tail twitches, betraying his confident exterior.

Maybe it's because they're both monsters that the feral feelings he's normally able to control are bubbling over, their bond providing a sort of feedback loop. Whatever it is, the dragon looks particularly predatory this night. ]

I did... [ He spreads his wings as if to answer the unspoken challenge. ] Are you sure you're ready for that?

[quickwhip]

[ Berserker's grin is met with one right back, bright red eyes locked on the dragon as two predators stand there in the coolness of the night. Honestly, this is probably the very reason WHY two monsters shouldn't be the only type of bond without a witch or two thrown in to the mix because they both look like they're about ready to lunge at the other. ]

I've got nothing else to do and you're right here.

[ He turns on his heel when he reaches the very edge of the rooftop and tilts his head as he watches those wings stretch behind his bonded. ]

Want a head start?

[ SOMEBODY IS CONFIDENT. ]

[curruid_coinchenn]

Your overconfidence will be your downfall. [ Coolly as he balances on the edge of the roof, ready to kick off. ] So be it.

[ Berserker points to a distant tower in the center of town. ]

Whoever reaches there first wins.

[ No more words. The dragon kicks off the building and, with several strong wing beats, takes off above the rooftops. ]

[quickwhip]

[ And away they go, right?

Trevor tugs his shirt off over his head and drops it down to the rooftop, boots and pants to follow next. Because while he's only done this once before and spontaneous as it was, he remembers the shredding of his clothing and so it would just be better to NOT have that happen again.

The change comes sudden yet more naturally for him now that he's a full vampire and with growing just a bit in height and arms stretching out to spread wings wide open, Batty Boy Trevor makes his return in all his monstrous bat glory and takes off from the rooftop with a loud piercing SCREECH.

Watch out, Berserker. Here he comes right on your tail. ]

Meteor Shower

[kuroi_taiyo]

[ It really wasn't intended to follow anyone, or to go out seeking people during this whole shower thing going on. The night seemed nice enough to just walk around, especially now that he could do so without any hints of trouble. So he wasn't intending to overhear the dragon's resentment.

His body remembered what happened, well enough for Judar to just watch as a couple heartbeats passed. The reaction wasn't as bad as it used to be, with any predatory type monster showing some kind of aggression towards him, but there were always those short periods of extra vigilance. There weren't any asshole nobles tossing charmed items to induce hunting instincts, however. There was no reason to believe that such danger would come from the dragon outside of that, and him being caught in a feral state.

So he walked over, looking up to the sky, giving Ciarán a little bit of space. ]

What, a flaming piece of junk, forced to fall to the ground?

[ He'd been up there, seeing what those meteors were before they really hit the ground. It reminded him of flaming catapult ammo more than a star. Judar'll get to the ground, though, so it's easier to sit and watch upwards. A good way of displaying that he looked fine, and could move just as fine as well. Especially as he used his hands to switch from crouching to sitting, in the way he found easiest with these newer legs. ]

I figured you were meant to be more impressive, like a volcanic eruption. Not that I'd know very well, but it's the impression I got.

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Judar's voice pulls him out of his thoughts and into a worse spot. The faun is a reminder of his inability to control his instincts. A deeply unpleasant feeling twists his stomach into knots as he tries to avoid looking at him. Some day they would need to overcome that hurdle...Tonight might be that night, not by choice, but by force. ]

A brilliant light that burns hot and bright for only a few moments.

[ A metaphor for the legendary, but short life of Cú Chulainn. A destiny that was ripped from his hands by the wish of a selfish woman. Berserker says nothing else as he continues to stare up at the sky, tense and uncomfortable.

The lack of lasting damage on Judar is at least some small comfort -- if he'd only had a few moments longer, he could have (and likely would have) killed him. It's something that still makes him angry...Berserker doesn't join him in sitting down right now. ]

[kuroi_taiyo]

[ The hurdle would just keep getting higher and higher if they continued to avoid each other. Judar would keep seeing those canines, dripping with black, every time someone bared their fangs at him, and Ciarán...? Judar wouldn't be surprised if he was caught with the memory of sinking his teeth into faun flesh. Though there's a reason why that wouldn't surprise him. ]

A brilliant light, huh... I know that.

[ Yeah, it'd be too big of a step to sit with him, huh? Maybe it's for the best. With all the rains, there were some very damp spots. ]

Because of a selfish woman, instead of being something brilliant, she made me both a weapon and supplier for her goals. One stuck with a violent anger filled with 'It's not fair' and 'why couldn't it be someone else,' but that's just depravity for you. Took four years after I killed her, with something I enjoyed, before I could say I was satisfied with my life. Still depraved, still with fits of violent anger, but I had something that I wouldn't trade away.

[ It might just sound like nonsense to the dragon, but maybe it'll bring out a laugh. Something like 'a weapon, you?' or the ridiculous and sticking nature of depravity. Or maybe it'll be a connecting moment. Who knows. It's not like he knows how to do this. ]

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ It doesn't bring out a laugh -- it brings out a different, sharp pain in his chest. Some of it rings true to his own experience and it hurts. The resentment he holds for Medb for making him who he is boils over suddenly, nearly too much to bear. Berserker clenches his fist, teeth bared briefly. ]

...A selfish woman took away who I should have been and made me into a weapon to be used for her disposal. I was never able to kill her and my one regret in life is that I let her live. My short, legendary life was taken from me by her because she was never allowed to have me.

[ Bitter and angry. He spits the words out like they're poisonous. ]

At least you got to kill her.

[kuroi_taiyo]

Mm... Killing her didn't get rid of her. She had something in place to stick around in some form.

[ Which was the shitty part of it all. After all they did, and kept her from just possessing another person in the family line, she was still around in the end. The satisfaction from the kill was taken away. Just a little more frustration to add to the pile. ]

Seems like you're stuck with some things. It's not an overnight thing, but eventually you've gotta find a way to adapt; Find something that you've got that you're satisfied with having, that you wouldn't trade away.

meteor shower

[escardos]

You want to be a ball of ice that’s set on fire and then fall into Earth’s atmosphere, disintegrating in the process?

[ the voice comes from behind cu, as flat’s curiosity had led him towards his bonded the same way a cat always found its way back home.

flat has never watched a meteor shower in person. the light pollution from the city simply made it impossible. sure, he has had his few astronomy classes in the past—lord animusphere was one of the many that kicked him out, after all—but this was a new experience.

still, he doesn’t get why cu would want to be a meteor. that’s just silly. ]

I think that’d be painful. Well, maybe since you’re small you’d burn up so quick you wouldn’t feel it. And now that I think about it, you’d probably be dead anyways since there’s no oxygen in space. Oh man that’d be weird. How would you even get there in the first place...?

[ sorry cu, flat’s stupidity won’t let you be sad ]

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ He knew who was here before Flat even spoke. Their bond alerted him to that long before the incredibly stupid things he said. The tension leaves Berserker as his piercing gaze settles on the witch. ]

Flat Escardos. Do you ever think about anything you say before it falls out of your mouth?

[ The answer is no. He knows that. ]

[escardos]

Always so mean~

[ flat doesn’t mind it in the least, as his smile shows. perhaps he was just teasing the dragon, or maybe he truly meant his question—the answer to that is yes to both.

but he sits next to the dragon, leaning against him like an attention-starved cat. even though it has been weeks since his death and the bond is mostly repaired, there are still times when he needs to have that affection. ]

Didn’t answer my question though. Or are you going to say it’s stupid and ignore me?

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ He grudgingly slips an arm around Flat's shoulder and hugs him closer. ]

I was supposed to be like a shooting star...Burning brilliantly for an instant before fading away.

[ A legendary life was rarely long. A proper warrior shouldn't live long; they should aspire to fight valiantly and die young. To some, it's tragic. To the true Cú Chulainn, that was exactly the life he wanted. To the alter sitting next to Flat, it's the life that was denied him. ]

...If that's the question you wanted answered.

[escardos]

Hmmm...

[ an interesting way to see things. strange, even. he leans into the hug, eyes staring up at the meteor shower. it’s beautiful, but the idea of being like one is... ]

That sounds lonely. Aren’t people supposed to want to have longer lives? [ perhaps it’s a celt thing, he thinks. ] But if you think about it, human lifespans in general probably look like shooting stars to others. Eighty years isn’t long at all in the eyes of the vast universe. Even modern human civilization is like a blink of an eye in comparison to the Sun or the Earth or even the bigger stars in the universe. Ehh, where was I going with this...?

[ cheerful nihilism seems to be his go-to tonight. ]

Ah, right! The point is that you did burn quickly—you just need to change your perspective. Hmm, not brightly though, but that’s alright. If you ask me, I think black holes are cooler.

meteor shower!

[usurpers]

[ social and nomadic as always, when eren breaks from one group that has tired him, he moves onto the next, actively searching to always have some sort of company unless it was time to sleep and hoard. the outer ring of the bright wall and into the wilde was his home, for the time being stranded here, littered with holes and domains that would satisfy a burrowing dragon. going to one of them had been the initial plan, as had visiting a friend on the farm, but a lasting scent of another dragon (one that is not unfamiliar, he’s tasted such before), prompts him to go on a slight detour.

up on the hill was where berserker stayed, and eren, while approaching, doesn’t do so too fast nor too slowly— more of a way to let his own sifts through the grass and the sound of his thorny tail raking the wilde’s autumn leaves known before he gets close enough to hear words. his eyes tip up, he watches another cluster of meteors shoot through the sky and disappear in a blink, and folds the membranes of his arm wings to his side to answer: curtly, directly, yet respectably. ]

Gone?

[ it didn’t feel right to mess with the legitimate moment of anguish and call it wanting to be a burning rock in the sky, however much of it is conspicuous. no one wants to be a damn burning rock, and as someone who had once, long ago, wanted to disappear after a big bang, it was somewhat identifiable. ]

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Berserker doesn't turn his head, moving only his eyes to glance at Eren. He's familiar, but they're not close. It's fine enough...at least he seems to understand somewhat. Truth be told, it's not something he wants to discuss. Alter Servants will always be bitter when they think of who they were supposed to be, some more than others. ]

Yes...A brilliant flash and then gone.

[ A short, but legendary life: the fate Cú Chulainn agreed to as a boy. Many thought it was sad, but in the end, it was his choice and his alone. There was nothing sad about it to him; that's just how a warrior should live. ]

[usurpers]

[ in an odd way, the understanding is there, though he no longer shared in it. eren wanted no explosive end, but one followed him anyway. action, reaction as it was, but his only desire was his will to be fulfilled. nothing more, nothing less.

and that was his choice. ]

You don’t look satisfied. [ like he was being kept from it. that, he could easily relate to, and adds with his eyes up at another streaming comet. ] It’s hard to when we’re not where we need to be.

[ commiseration, he supposes, and momentarily itches for the slip and sting of whiskey down his throat. maybe it was still the afterglow of a chat-inducing cometfly still clinging to his poncho sleeves, or maybe it’s just his burning need to socialize that’s the only one to blame. ]

[curruid_coinchenn]

I'm not satisfied, but...it never really was my destiny.

[ Sure, he has the memories and experiences of who he should have been, but they're not truly his. He's an impossibility given life and form by impossible circumstances and he just has to accept this. It a bitter pill to swallow -- he'd rather choke on it and die sometimes.

Berserker tears his gaze away from the lights streaking across the sky to stare at the ground instead. ]

...It's better that I'm here now, anyway. I have more purpose here and now...and something I want to protect.

[usurpers]

[ destiny was so subjective now. eren remembers years and years, maybe even a decade ago, he’d curse the thought. what’s the point of moving if everything’s already predetermined? what about freedom? was it all a lie? or do you create and follow your own destiny, cause it and predetermine you’re life in an intricate loop of time and events? he was more enclosed to the former, now.

something quiet stirs in the obsidian dragon with sunset-colored scales, preferring to be here for the protection of someone who’s important. eren had been sure, for a second, that if he were a different person, he’d choose the same path. now, a lonely hole sits in his chest as he watches his loved one from afar and denying himself the chance to do things differently.

such was fate. ]

Would you say you’ve made your destiny here, then?