middaeg | [Closed] April Catchall

[ Another month, another shift, and this one is no less pleasant than the first. He doesn't think it's supposed to hurt, but it does—manifests as a splitting ache in every bone of his body that turns into pieces of him painfully rearranging themselves into another shape entirely. When it's done, he's entirely a great black wolf, curled up on the floor with both large paw-hands clamped over his snout and his eyes squeezed shut, growling at the fading discomfort. At least he'd thought to wear loose-fitting clothes that wouldn't tear this time, which is good, because he has an audience.

At least, he thinks he does.

When he can finally bring himself to crack one golden eye open and peer into the dark around him, Felix realizes a problem he hadn't counted on—Tataru has vanished, at least to his eyes. His nose twitches. He can smell her, but what's left in the place where she was standing with all her sewing supplies strewn across the cellar floor is mostly a grey smudge, and a handful of her tools that happen to be blue or yellow.

He whines irritably, ears flicking back, and when he can finally bring himself to speak, his voice comes out rough as gravel. ]

This is ridiculous—are you still there? I can't see.

Edited 2020-04-05 21:42 (UTC)

[ He's followed the trail of blood spattered in the fields to the edge of the woods—hard to trace with the naked eye, but easy for a Turnskin's nose to pick out the copper undertones and the stink of several strange animals and trace its path here.

Here being... at the edge of the unfamiliar Wilde beyond Dorchacht, with its unfamiliar beasts and who knows what else lurking in the shadow of the forest.

Felix frowns, ears canting in all directions, mapping out sounds both mundane and not. He's still frowning when he glances over his shoulder at Sypha. ]

If we were anywhere else but here, I'd have thought that man's description made-up, but no. The trail stinks like half a dozen different beasts. How's your magic now? Any new tricks up your sleeve in case of trouble?

[ He has a feeling this isn't going to go off as harmlessly as their last jaunt into the woods. ]

Edited 2020-04-05 23:04 (UTC)

[ Felix finds her where he least expects her, in the barn where their farmer last saw evidence of the reported Devil hunting his livestock. If it's really been here, then perhaps he can pick up the beast's trail and follow it, or at least get a better idea of its movements about the farm at night.

When he steps in the doorway and spots her inside, he stops short, blinking in surprise. ]

Oh. It's you. [ Not to sound unenthused, but... well, they hadn't exactly gotten off to the best start.] Let me guess: you're here hunting the Dorchacht Devil as well?

Edited 2020-04-05 23:54 (UTC)

_{[Ridiculous is one way of putting it, yes, especially since all Tataru can do, at least for a hot second, is stare at the now quite furry Felix flabbergasted. While the whole shifting business in of itself was a bit...much to witness...she's immediately concerned by the fact he can't apparently see her. Sure, the lighting in the cellar isn't the greatest - it's lit by lanterns strewn about the corners of the room - but weren't wolves supposed to see well in the dark?]}

Of course I am! Whatever is the matter with your eyes?

_{[He's not actually blind is he?]}

Here let me bring one of the lanterns closer.

_{[Off she goes to grab one from one of the corners, carrying it closer, setting it down a few feet away from where Felix is currently curled up.]}

Are you all right?

_{[Maybe if he can't see her she ought to, y'know, reassure him that she's there. Out goes a little hand to pat him against one of his paw-like hands, her touch gentle.]}

I'm here, I haven't disappeared.

[ So Felix... may have been out in the garden when the comet flies started coming out, and he may not have realized they were more than just oddly-colored fireflies until he got swarmed by a dozen or so of the little bugs, looking for a place to rest their wings after all the work of burrowing to the surface.

Now he's haloed in little lights stuck to his collar, his hair, and even the tip of one ear, and his emotions have gone a little hectic—most of the lights are blue and yellow, drowning out the other colors, but suffice to say, he's a little moody right now. At least it's a good mood?

This is how he ends up finding Sylvain. Without so much as an explanation, Felix bumps his forehead against Sylvain's shoulder and stays there, slumped and heaving a great, confused sigh. ]

I feel strange.

Edited 2020-04-06 00:13 (UTC)

[Thump thump thump.]

Hey, you in there, new guy? [Fang calls from the door of the fancy house, poking at the door with a strange red double-ended staff-looking thing.]

[The Turnskin looked leagues better than when they'd last met; she was without her bandages now, warped burn scars ringing her wrists and neck, abruptly breaking the dark fur that crawled down from her neck to her back. For as miserable as Fang looked during the trip, she seemed remarkably carefree, now.]

Edited (holy html break batman) 2020-04-06 00:51 (UTC)

[ True, their last face-to-face hadn't ended on a particularly good note. But he'd offered her assistance after that, so she can't truly hold a grudge of any sort. ]

Good day.

[ She nods. ]

And you would be correct. It is a threat to the people of these farms and ultimately to the city. I would be remiss if I did not assist as best I could.

[Small mercies that it's a good mood. For his own part, Sylvain had been out and about, enjoying the sights, letting moods and whims take him as they came until they inevitably faded away as the cometflies fluttered away and as the lights faded from his skin.

Even so, when he comes across Felix, a few of those blue and yellow bugs flutter away at Felix's movement to alight on him, only really intensifying the swirl of odd emotions he'd already been feeling tugging at their bond.

(Notably, it isn't any of those emotions that prompt him to wrap an arm around Felix's shoulders when he slumps against him.)]

Yeah? Want to talk about it?

[If he doesn't, then, well... he doesn't, and Sylvain won't push the issue, but he'll listen if he does.]

[Sypha has been willing to trust his nose, because listen, she's killed Werewolves. She knows how sensitive their noses can be...nasty little buggers...and honestly it's not like she'd do any better. If he gets them lost, she can fuss at him, and that's good enough for her.

She keeps quiet, for the most part, hands gripping a walking stick she's picked up for treks like this. His question brings her out of her consideration of the trees around them and the trail ahead of them.]

Not quite completely back to it's old self. But I've got a firm grasp of what I'd need to fight. And a few spells I couldn't do back home to back myself up.

You're used to the transformation and all that now?

[ There's a moment when her hand settles upon his that he blanks out—where the wolf overtakes him, and all of his conscious effort to still be Felix fractures on the edge of something more feral, more fearful. He flinches, lips pulling back from sharp predator's teeth, and a low warning growl issues from deep in his throat. Don't touch me. Don't come near me. I will bite.

But the warm yellow lantern light throws her into stark relief against the grey of the cellar, making her easier to recognize, and Felix snaps back to reality all at once. He jerks upright, the growl in his throat cutting off abruptly as he backs up one pace and then two, putting a safe distance between them. ]

—Sorry. [ He shakes his head, whuffs softly like it might clear some of the fog of the moon's influence, but it's... not helping much. ] You should hurry. This isn't safe.

_{[The growl, admittedly, has her pulling her hand back, fingers pressed against her breast as she stares at him, large reflective eyes shining in the dim light. He puts distance between them and she's left sighing, reaching down to her supplies to pull out a measuring tape. She doesn't need to be told twice to make quick work of him.]}

I'll need to touch you to measure you, Felix.

[ It's a good thing Felix has come into more of his changes since they last spoke—the house is pretty large, after all, and it'd be easy for a knock at the front door to get lost in the halls. Fortunately, he picks up on the sound, and a minute or so later a disgruntled Felix appears at the door, ears cocking upward in recognition at the site of her.

He looks her up and down with bright golden eyes for a moment, appraising, before he actually speaks. Looking healthier, at least. ]

You. [ Because that's what qualifies for a greeting, coming from Felix. ] What are you here for? Come to take me up on that duel finally?

[ Felix is... well. He may still be dubious about her point of view, but he's not going to waste his breath trying to argue about it when it's not the most important problem they're facing right now. So long as she can competently swing a sword, he'll keep his mouth shut. ]

I suppose I can tolerate the company.

[ He steps inside, eyes roaming about the interior of the barn. His nostrils flare. There are any number of smells here—mostly the unmistakeable stink of livestock, but there's the scent of an assortment of other animals that don't belong in a barn, too. ]

Something has certainly been here. Have you learned anything of value in your search?

[Well, he's started changing. The gold eyes and the ears were new. Fang huffs a short laugh, swinging her weapon back to rest casually on her shoulder.]

Oh, a duel, is it? Listen to you, talkin' about it like it's some big thing.

[Fang tilts her head as green eyes meet gold, her smile cocky. Fang taps the haft of the weapon against her shoulder twice.] You bet I am. I haven't had a go at anything in three months—might lose it if I don't.

[Aside from when her Bonded-in-law almost clawed out her eye, but that wasn't fighting for fighting's sake. The little notch in her eyebrow above her right eye was new.]

Not much, unfortunately. The farmers have not seen much of whatever is afflicting them and even if they had, they are not well equipped to deal with a predator that isn't a wolf or fox.

[ She purses her lips, regarding the barn with a cool, analytical eye. ]

There are traces of passage here and there, but I haven't yet pursued any of the trail beyond the farm. I would like to have a better understanding before we go deeper into the wilds.

[ Felix rumbles irritably in response. That's a touchy subject. Is he used to it? Absolutely not. Resigned might be a better word for what he feels about what he's turned into. But it is what it is, and he's determined to at least harness the advantages his new form gives him in a fight. ]

I can handle myself now. That's what matters.

[ They can both handle themselves, and that's what matters. A couple of months ago, Felix wouldn't have even considered what he's considering now, but... ]

We have two options. We can wait it out here, and hope the beast makes an appearance after we've trampled all over these fields and spread our scent everywhere, or... we can take the fight to wherever it's hiding.

It's nocturnal, right? If we can catch it while the daylight's still with us, it'll be sluggish.

[ Oh, don't look at him like that. Felix's ears flatten back against his skull, as clear an admission of guilt as if he'd admitted it out loud. He knows he's handling this poorly. The animal instinct clawing at the back of his skull is a constant reminder his control here isn't what it should be. ]

I know, [ he inhales slowly. Focus, there. ] I know. I'm sorry. I can handle it now.

[ He straightens as much as he's able with his new center of gravity, claws clicking on the cellar stones as he shifts his feet—paws—until he's found his balance. ]

Go on, and make it quick.

[ The biggest shocker here is that Felix doesn't immediately jerk away and scold Sylvain for pushing a minimal display of affection too far—and the thing is, he should. In the back of his mind there's the sense that this is too open and too vulnerable a position to put himself in, and he ought to put a stop to it.

But there's a pleasant warmth in his chest, and an itch to be close to someone right now, and well—out of anyone here, Sylvain is actually probably his safest bet. So he settles against Sylvain's shoulder, closer than they've been in a long while, and exhales quietly. ]

Of course I don't want to talk about it. [ He scoffs. And then he ventures to talk about it anyway, a crease forming between his brows like he's trying to string together an entirely unfamiliar sentence, which he is. ] I just feel... happy. I don't even remember the last time I felt like this

[She makes a non-commital noise. She's fine with him if he is ready, though she has her doubts. He'll need to prove it, and hopefully this won't just be the Sypha show.]

I agree with you. We should find it before it gets dark.

[That's the best plan she can come up with. Catching a predator when it's off guard is the wisest move.]

We don't want to fight it on it's terms, so that's likely the best way to go about this. It always come from the forest, right? That's what the information we had said?

Right.

_{[There's no time for witty remarks or jokes to fill the silence between them. This is a get in and get out sort of mission and she'll treat it as such. Quietly she approaches him with the tape, a pen and tiny notepad stuffed into the front pocket of the apron she's tied to her. She'll start with his legs, coming to stand at his side on her tiptoes as she puts one end of the tape against his hip, letting it unravel and fall to the floor. She's quick to get her measurement, scribbling it down, before moving to his front.]}

You'll need to spread your legs so I can get your inner seam.

_[Yup.]

[ Felix snorts, but he's not about to argue over the terminology, so he steps aside to allow her passage, hooking a thumb in his sword belt—always at his side, even in his own home. A faint grin tugs at the corners of his mouth; even Felix can't look completely grim when presented with a new sparring partner. ]

A fight's a fight, regardless. You can take it seriously, or don't, but I suggest you put your best foot forward. [ He tilts his head for her to follow, glancing over his shoulder as he leads her through the foyer and takes a right. ] I don't give second shots to slackers.

[ Down the long hallway, past the spiral staircase leading to the second floor and side doors to various parlors and pantries, through a set of double doors, they arrive at the ballroom—or what used to be the ballroom. Training equipment in a barrel in the corner, practice dummies lined up against the far wall, and a raised platform in the center for sparring indicate he's put in quite a bit of work to convert it to a training hall. ]

Will that be your weapon of choice?

[Fang glances over her shoulder at him, glimmering in amusement at some inside joke.]

I don't play-fight, if that's what you're gettin' at. That's a great way to train habits that'll get you killed when you need 'em.

[It's a rough, merciless philosophy born from Gran Pulse's equally unforgiving environment and a hunter's perspective. Learning her people's martial arts that way had been brutal, especially for a child, but wild monsters would never be expected to pull their blows.]

[Fang wanders towards the stage, swinging the metal staff-like object from her shoulder and giving it a spin—the blades slide from their folded position into a twinned tip with a grating of metal.]

Did you think it was for show?

[ His eyes roam, searching out details. There's a tuft of dark horse hair caught on one of the support beams at a height no horse should be leaving hair. He plucks it free, giving it a sniff test, and frowns. ]

Not unwise. The description I heard was almost chimeric—but that tells us nothing of the beast's nature, or what it's capable of.

[ He stoops. There's a cloven hoofprint in the haydust on the floor that matches the description he was given. ]

How do you propose we learn more about this thing? Do we wait it out here and see if it shows itself?

Reportedly. [ Which doesn't mean it's true, and maybe their farmer had been a little wild-eyed and worked up when he described his experiences with the beast, but... ] That's where the trail leads, anyway. All the evidence points to a nest somewhere out in these woods.

[ He takes a deep breath, adjusting the straps on the Aegis so it hangs a little higher on his back, glowing faintly around the edges. He doesn't like not knowing more about what they're up against, but it's not like they have more than hearsay to work with. ]

Stay close. And if you have any better ideas? I'm all ears.

[ If he recognizes the humor in his turn of phrase, with wolf ears quivering upright as he starts forward, he doesn't give any indication. ]

Seriously?

[ Felix is suddenly, blessedly relieved that he thought to wear something a little looser-fitting this time so he wouldn't end up shredding his clothes, though there's still a high-pitched whine at what she's asking him to do.

At least she's short. Makes this easier on him.

A low rumble, and he leans on the wall next to him, claws dragging down the stone as he shifts his legs apart to give her space. ]

[Closed] April Catchall

Tataru

Sypha

Saber

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Sylvain

Early April, sometime

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