middaeg | [Semi-Closed] April Catch-All

Entry tags:

[Semi-Closed] April Catch-All | Great Tree Moon

Who: Lorenz + Plotted CR (with Open Prompts)
When: April Full Moon, Event and After
Where: Throughout Aefenglom
What: Full Moon + A Quest + Memories and whatever else comes up
Warnings: General. He's a Shady Faun, so proceed with caution. TBA as threads occur

Full Moon

[A recent spar with Felix had revealed to Lorenz one factor that he had not anticipated with his monster transformation: that he could run. He had seen Judar do so, but witnessing it and experiencing the sheer power of his new legs for himself were so drastically different that using the extra force in a friendly test with Felix had surprised the both of them.

Pleasantly so.

Energized by the radiance of the waxing moons, Lorenz found himself unable to sit still. All but vibrating with the excess in energy he found himself with, he briefly found his thoughts straying to his friends at home. Was this how Raphael felt when he got into the moment and started hauling everything from the day's grocery shopping to random desks he found streetside around as if they weighed no more than kittens? Was this what Claude felt when he stayed up into the deepest parts of the night, working feverishly on his schemes or stealing out to visit his Wyvern while the rest of the world slept?

He didn't know. He didn't care.

Racing in his giddiness, Lorenz once more found himself at the docks and staring out at the water.

...He wondered how well his new form took to swimming?]

Plantagorium

[Lorenz could easily respect a man's desire to start a rooftop garden. With his still nacent plant magic, he understood that drive well-- but this man's efforts left Lorenz rather... disappointed.

Afterall, anyone who failed that badly with seedlings had a talent that Lorenz didn't want to understand.

Packing his bag and grabbing a sturdy stick, Lorenz prepared himself to set out over the Wall briefly to find something sturdier for the poor man. A sapling, perhaps. Trees were far sturdier than delicate herbs like basil and mint. Even aromatics like lavender, rosemary, and garlic fared better than anything whose name referenced a 'balm' in any way, and Lorenz had a general idea of what he was looking for.

Feel free to catch him in the shops, gathering some last minute supplies (like appropriate hoof coverings), or on his way out of the gate.]

Wildcard

[Don't like a prompt? Make one up! HMU on Plurk at

woodrift with questions or plotting requests. Close toplevels with previously plotted CR for the event will be coming as I get organized.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Ears flickered at the sound of a familiar voice in an unfamiliar setting, and Lorenz easily turned to face the man. A look of bewildered curiosity lit his face-- and Lorenz offered a chagrinned smile.]

Sir Viren.

[The honorific wasn't necessary. They both knew it wasn't necessary, but Lorenz kept with it for the sake of politeness.]

It's strange to find you in this part of town, Sir.

[ viren surveys lorenz another a moment, noting the monstrous features. his posture straightens at properly capturing the faun's attention, and then he makes a noise of agreement, ]

No stranger for me to find you here, either.

[ his tone isn't harsh. ]

Moongazing? [ idly, ] Contemplating a swim?

[A chuckle. The steady, curious tone was a relief.]

Would you judge me too harshly if I said both?

[He asked, a boyish smile on his face.]

My homeland is inland. Sights as magnificent as this one are not ordinary in my experience. Even the largest lake can't compare to the ocean.

I'd say... I certainly wouldn't be joining you. —But then again, I'd hardly been invited.

[ somewhat dryly, and without accusation; of all of his rudeness, apparently the fire dragon thinks inviting himself along for a swim should cross a line somewhere. but the admission as to an inland home reroutes viren's attention: ]

That being the case, yes, the ocean is a beautiful, awe-inspiring thing. [ there's a slight lifting to his shoulders, a gesture toward the waters. ] Enjoy it as you will, hm?

...would you like an invitation, sir?

[His eyes were bright with the light of the sister moons on the docks, and Lorenz smiled teasingly at the man. Self-aware as he was of his own flaws, he was still a Faun during a full moon.

Perhaps a work place associate who was at a higher level than he, and closely associated with his boss, could keep him in line? Such was Lorenz's thinking-- at least, for the moment.]

I will not be foolish. It's merely nice being here.

[ he is a faun during the full moon; for all of viren's contemplation regarding this situation, he hadn't made that precise connection. consider who he oft keeps as company, he should have. ]

[ so lorenz receives a rounding of his eyes, and then one of his dark eyebrows to slowly, pointedly arch. ]

[ in the meanwhile, he props an elbow against his staff to hold it in place; from within his coat, he draws out one of those rolled cigarettes that everett will sometimes have on hand. ]

You're not on the cusp of ferality, are you? [ he lights its end with a puff of breath, a tiny flicker of flame. ] I hardly know you well enough to tell.

[Lorenz chuckled and tilted his head back, letting his loose hair hang freely in the brilliant moonlight.]

Truthfully?

[He asked, his voice bright with the particular wry humor of someone well aware that they were riding too fast yet being unable to stop.]

I haven't experienced that state often enough to tell. You seem a... responsible gentleman, Sir Viren. I place myself in your care, if that is your wish.

[ ah. well. viren's gaze narrows, perfectly contented to allow silence to stretch on as he's silent for a few moments.

he rolls the cigarettes between his fingers; takes a long, slow inhale of it. its embers flare, their glow particularly appreciable in the lighting. in a way, lorenz does look .. striking, he would admit, something about his own brightness difficult not to find charming. but, ]

Should I wish, hm?

[ he exhales smoke. there's a click of fangs coming together. ]

My ... responsibleness, aside. [ a pause, gathering the words. his eyebrows furrow. ] Would that be something you prefer?

I...

[Lorenz stared at Viren for a breathless moment, caught off guard by the astute question. The glowing embers of the cigarette drew his gaze, distracting him momentarily with the way the tip pulsed with every inhalation. Distantly, Lorenz was reminded of the flickering of a firefly as it danced in the night, silently calling out to it's friends for camaraderie.

The man was striking in that instant, equal parts imposing and stately as he was well chiseled and strong. Lorenz was reminded of the weathered rocks supporting a cliff face-- impossibly beautiful and terrible at once.]

I hadn't thought about it like that.

[He leaned back, hand running through his hair.]

It's been years that I've been with anyone-- and only rarely have I ever been with other men.

[ viren makes a noise that might be understanding, or just acknowledgement, 'mm.' sometimes (many times), he still does feel out of his element here. ]

It would be inappropriate — between coworkers, at that.

[ the next breath, even, is carefully directed away from lorenz; turning his head to exhale through his nostrils. though he wouldn't know the extent or encompassing nature of lorenz's changes, he does know the discomfort that fire -- and perhaps, by association -- smoke might cause. it's a scent that still pervades. ]

[ he diverts his gaze downward, tapping the cigarette against his knuckle to discard ash. ]

Though, I do suspect our shared employer pays [..] little mind, to that sort of boundary.

Both cases are appropriate to consider,

[Lorenz said, glancing away from the man with an unfamiliar knot tightening in his stomach. Embarrassment, was it? Shame?

Nonsense!]

...I do suspect that our employer was quite entertained this past winter, with the kissing booth, [Lorenz confessed quietly, a bitterly amused smile playing on his lips.]

I may have had the honor of teaching poor Wataru how to kiss while we were on shift... with an audience. That man is too innocent to exist.

[..]

There was that. [ in a way of, yes, that whole event. sure had been a thing that speaks wonders as to any boundaries and priorities. viren had been kidding himself. ] Not that I had witnessed that little stunt, in particular.

[ one of his eyebrows quirk, debating his next words. whether he wants to continue to push this along or not even in spite of his waxing interest. he very much prefers to do everything for a purpose. ]

[ he takes another pull of his cigarette. ]

And how was that? An impressive performance from you?

Please.

I could hardly do less for sweet Wataru!

[As much as Lorenz wanted to conduct his affairs with intention as well, there was a certain headiness that buzzed in his blood from the vibrant influence of the moons that combined with his own flair for drama. Everett had been quite intentional in choosing Lorenz as a protege:

In many ways, the were too alike.]

A more private setting would have been preferred, but I could hardly leave him in such a state. We kept matters decent enough, I did not take advantage of him-- but his lack of experience was startling in a town like this.

[Especially with a boss like the one they shared.

Lorenz leaned forward, eyes darting briefly to the cigarette again as he was tempted to try a matter that was simply too absurd. There was an experiment that he wished to try, but the timing and setting were all wrong.

Regardless. He did feel more comfortable knowing that there was someone around who was more responsible than he was in that moment. Cultured, too. Lorenz counted himself lucky.]

[ lorenz does receive something of a dry look at the theatricality; viren certainly would have his penchant for it, too, from time to time, but it does immediately draw to mind an image of everett. chosen protege, indeed... ]

Then you put your experience to good work. Good.

[ his mouth almost, almost quirks into a smile at that -- it's a statement that he would usually intend with utmost seriousness, and here he is, speaking (flirting, he would loathe to also admit aloud) in the context of a kissing booth. ... really, this place. at least he doesn't roll his eyes. ]

[ viren draws his cigarette away for a longer span this time, curiosity flitting within his gaze as he'd noted the glance downward. more idly, wondering if lorenz may share the same taste as his mentor, faun instincts and all, ]

Care for one, Lorenz?

[He chuckled, surprised and flattered at once.]

I've never tried,

[he confessed,]

The smell of it sticks to one's clothes and it makes a person more prone to a cough-- both of which are not beneficial in times of war.

[But, knowing that the war his homeland faced was separated from him by both time and the barrier of the mirrors, Lorenz found himself regarding Viren curiosity.]

But we are at the docks, and the moons are full. One can't hurt, can it?

Ah, I agree. This wouldn't be be something I would indulge in, back home - but it's [ - occasional, admittedly; viren's yet to chain smoke ] a habit I've picked up on since arriving here.

[ the faint smell of smoke may cling to him, being a fire dragon and all, but it's not of the kind one would association with cigarettes. ]

[ but so, he draws forth another. the acceptance, as well as their proximity, has him smirking - he again wonders if fire, however minuscule, should incite some reaction. holding it aloft, and with a tilt of his head, he breathes a tiny flame to life. it dances on its tip, before resulting in a satisfying dribble of smoke.

he holds the stick out, non-lit end nearest: ]

For you.

I imagine it's quite a bit safer than some of the unfortunate habits I've picked up.

[Spoken with a chuckle, offering a teasing smile as he accepted the previously lit cigarette with his deceptively strong hands.

The control over flame had been captivating to behold-- and a part of Lorenz stung with jealousy over witnessing such a mild feat. Were he still within his homeland, utilizing a magic flame would have been among his skills. Fire was the first and simplest of the magics that he had learned, and losing that baseline irked him terribly.]

Thank you, Sir Viren. I imagine that I shall be in your debt before long... though there are worse people to be indebted to.

[Trust him. He already was in that position.

Closing his eyes, he brought the cigarette to his lips and inhaled like he had seen Viren himself among many others do. He felt the smoke drawn down into his lungs--

--the he sputtered inelegantly, hacking away as his body rebelled at the toxic, foreign substance irritated the delicate tissues within.]

[ oh-- viren almost, almost laughs at that. he does look amused, briefly (sorry, lorenz), and even more briefly, perhaps there had been a touch of concern to cross his features. he'd brushed his palm against lorenz's shoulder to steady him, just as a fleeting touch before withdrawing.

because ultimately: the coughing's a reaction to be expected. ]

You'll become ... less awful, at that.

[ see, with practice! does someone want to become "less terrible" at this? well, that's for lorenz to decide. ]

I will say. You hadn't struck me as the type to have — unfortunate habits. [ well, unless it's a Faun thing, ] Changes here aside.

[He continued to cough and sputter even as he heard Viren's words, and he passed the cigarette back to the man as his breathing steadied into something more stable and familiar.]

I don't think it's for me, [He said in a voice that still threatened to go out on him, even as he chuckled.]

Although I never thought I would literally flirt with that which could destroy me, that seems to be more of a reality than I had dreamed...

And you, Sir Viren, seem a man that is dangerous to know.

[ viren doesn't have much use for the second, returned cigarette, and pinches it out. his own remains entwined between his fingers, that hand resting upon his staff. his head had tipped as lorenz explained, and then concluded, and, ]

... Lorenz.

[ it's not anything like a warning tone - far from, they've been engaged in this sort of verbal dance these past few minutes. but it's an acknowledgement from viren that he's heard. as they're wont to do, his fangs press into his lower lip. ]

[ it's not the first time someone's made that assessment; it's one too familiar for him to be offended, especially when he weaponizes that reputation. to his fellow councilmen, he reeks of it. so viren, for better or for worse, knows it to be -- accurate. refraining from overt confirmation, ]

I'm a man that would prefer amicable, peaceable means, of course... [ remarked politely, obviously, spoken with a lilt that's just a bit honeyed. ] —But I also recognize when that's not always a possibility.

[ an eyebrow quirks, and with hand to grip his staff with more firmness, he leans forward. with faint amusement, ]

You think I'm dangerous. Yet, you would still place yourself in my care?

You're more familiar with the moons than I am.

[Lorenz said airily, in a teasing tone as he drew light upon his own failing in that exact moment.]

Clearly, you are more responsible as well.

[But the smile on his face was knowing, familiar-- as if he were used to working with people whom many would consider 'dangerous to know', and had done so on the daily in his adult life. The political arenas within his homeland were filled with people with a burning hunger deep in their soul. The question was over how well they hid it, or whether they allowed themselves to be controlled by it.

Though their association was still new, Lorenz read a similar hunger in Viren's demeanor. It was a strange comfort to him, being around someone with whom he could simply be himself.]

[ responsible, dangerous?

not necessarily two different sides of to the coin, as viren's aware enough of himse that he knows he can embody both. the dragon surveys lorenz another moment, taking him in, pretty gleam of moonlight and all, for a time long enough to take a drag of his cigarette. he replaces the hand at the head of his staff. there's the light tptp of claws drumming against its metal. he knows the effects of the moons by now; nothing so severe ferality, having always dodged those "dangerous" effects with his witchbond, but other pulls -

god. he thinks he would probably never live this down, if anyone were to find out out (even those that have -- known him during this time, these circumstances, as this isn't the first). but, spoken evenly, ]

Would you like to come back to my place, Lorenz?

[ safe, yes; whether they made more of it, well. the invitation's out there, and the ball is in lorenz's court. ]

[There it was; the out needed, the invitation from someone to take the reigns for a short while. Lorenz heaved a breath of relief, tension draining from his shoulders as he took some comfort from that simple fact.]

I would very much appreciate that.

[Spoken with a smile-- but a tired one. Lorenz, ever the meticulously fussy person who liked to have every matter in his life Just So, allowed some of his fraying edges to show in that moment. There were so few people he trusted enough to show that side of himself... and the ones he did trust tended to be those who were inherently Dangerous to Know.

It was a relief, seeing the truth of someone's nature and knowing roughly where they stood in the grander picture. There was less need to constantly be on edge if you already knew what to expect.]

[ oh. well.

that had been - nowhere near as needlessly complicated as his brain had tied into a knot about it. viren's pleased that the invitation's accepted (and no less, very much appreciated), with a faint smile, likewise, flickering over his expression.

he extinguishes his cigarette. his wings reshuffle over his back. ]

This way, then.

[ he allows himself one last, long look out at the vast, dark waters, boats gently rocking within the harbor, before he slowly turns. there's the metal tapping of his staff, now more proper, against solid ground. he nods, indicating another direction, ]

I would consider flying you, but — I have yet to do so with another, without first having fully shifted.

Another time, then.

[Lorenz replied easily, casting one last-- longing-- look out over the dark waters as well before facing the gentleman he was with. Even in the darkened docks, Viren cut a striking picture amongst the shadows...]

I've handled wyverns well enough in the past, but coaxing one to fly was never a skill I excelled with. While the wind is nice, I'm still far more comfortable with my feet on the ground.

[Semi-Closed] April Catch-All | Great Tree Moon

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