[OPEN] 365 and a day to save my soul

[kivatteru]

Who: Wataru & YOU! Fourth Wall characters are welcome!
When: All of Maiuril
Where: Various
What: Catch-all for the month! Quests, DiplomaTea, etc.
Warnings: None at the moment

i; sad howls in the night

[ This task doesn't seem to need time fixing, unless the turnskin stubbornly refuses to stop howling, but at least he's not investigating a rotting corpse surrounded by hunger-inducing grass this time. Either way, he's mumbling to himself about the best way to approach Roman, but that's when another person passes by him, coming straight from Karen's Patisserie, catching his attention. ]

Have you also taken the quest? About the wolf Turnskin?

[ Well, if this isn't a lucky coincidence. ]

ii; this is egg-specially worrisome

[ So now it's about eggs. The circumstances for their appearance doesn't comfort Wataru, but he offered to take one of the eggs from the Coven and find himself a partner to alternate caring for it with. Kivat has been nervous about the idea, snapping at Wataru that he wants nothing to do with "whatever thing is gonna pop out of there", and then left without saying anything more. It worried the Rider, but his focus is mostly on his duty as an egg-sitter. Other problems will take a backseat until it hatches.

He sighs, looking over at his partner while holding the egg to his lap. ]

Thank you for offering to help. I wonder what creature we're going to have to take care of, though.

[ If the "mom" managed to cause all that carnage to make a nest, they might be dealing with something quite dangerous. ]

iii; an usual day at diplomatea

[ Wataru can be found working at DiplomaTea full time on weekdays and alternatively on weekends as well. Various options available are:

a) He's the waiter serving you;
b) You catch him skillfully playing his violin on the small stage built for him, and you can comment on his performance in whichever way he made you feel;
c) In case of already established CR being the patron, he'll ask permission to serve and interact closely with you;
d) Co-worker shenanigans! Interacting with others at the shop, offering help and most likely being around until closing time. If there's anything you want him for, he'll be readily available.

Pick your poison, or ask for a starter if you'd like! ]

iv; wildcard

[ I can make close starters if you want one! I'm definitely open for full moon or Fourth Wall stuff! PP me on gaiamemories or send me a PM! ]

Comments

iii. the D (except not at all)

[rollfordiplomacy]

[Some while into the month, after the new arrives had been making themselves well and known, Everett is showing up at the shop. This would be his usual, except he looks as worse for wear as he ever has. Half is face is bandaged up, though his eye on the side seems to be saved of whatever happened. His dominant hand has a brace holding it in place, though it seemed his hand was injured rather than needing an entire arm sling. His expression is simply... weary. Far less the lively man he usually was.

Spying Wataru, he's quick to stride over to him, patting the young man on the shoulder in greeting]

Wataru, my dear. I need ask a favor of you. Do you have a moment to spare?

[kivatteru]

[ Anxiety rapidly flares up Wataru's system when he first sees Everett in such ruinous conditions. What in the world happened to him?! What, or who...? The pat over his shoulder has him startle slightly, his heart racing and not at all quelled by the the friendly greeting from his injured boss.

It takes him a few seconds to find a sentence that's pertained to their current dialogue, before realizing what Everett asked is a yes/no question and nothing more. ]

Yeah... [ He nods. There aren't enough customers today to start his violin performance just yet. ] Is something the matter...?

[ Wataru wants to ask about the injures, but that should be something that might be better kept in a private room. ]

[rollfordiplomacy]

Why yes. [he answers, rather blaze and casual in tone] Quite a bit is amiss.

I could use some extra help. If you could look out for any mirrors we have around- hanging as decoration, in the bathroom, anywhere at all really- and gather them into a pile, I need to shatter and burn them.

[just. A thing. He needs to do. What a request to show up and make.]

[kivatteru]

[ ... Wait, stop the presses.

Wataru processes the request within seconds, but looks on at Everett in obvious confusion, having expected something related to the faun's injuries. ]

Sure, I could...? [ He can't stop himself from asking, though. ] Can I ask why, though?

[rollfordiplomacy]

Oh... A vengeful spirit has arrived from my world. She's most set upon maiming and killing me. [he waves to his just... everything going on right now. As an example. Of that.]

She can teleport at and away from me, using mirrors. My vanity is really turned against me, eh? [nudge to Wataru with an eyebow like "haha, ain't that just peachy?"

Just Everett's style, taking very serious things with a wink and a nod and a tired laugh]

[kivatteru]

[ If only he could be like this boss, treating the issue so casually. More importantly, Wataru's mind goes instantly in alarm mode at the explanation. He would ask what Everett has done to cause the wrath of a vengeful spirit, but he's wise enough to avoid wasting time when such an enemy could attack them anytime now. Talk about it later when the threat is not looming over them.

His shoulders tense, and he nods curtly. ]

I'll find all the mirrors then. Where would you like me to gather them?

[rollfordiplomacy]

Bring them to the cellar, where the furnace is. If you could start it up, I would be less averse once the fire is already worked up. Faunish instincts make such thing difficult for me, these days.

[Everett... why so many mirrors? The answer is simple, he likes to see himself and check his appearance. He'd never think that would have such dire risk, now.]

We will shatter them and throw the lots in to burn. I can gather the mirrors I have around down there, if you gather those up here.

ii

[timenace]

[ Yes, the fact that the eggs were not exactly found under great circumstances should be extremely worrying, and Sougo shouldn't look so excited about this massive egg, and yet...

Look, the kid has never seen an egg this size before in his life, and for all he knows the animals that laid these eggs might have been some of the victims of the carnage. He's half right in that overly generous theory. ]

It has to be something huge, right?

[ Please sound less eager about that notion, Sougo. ]

[kivatteru]

[ An excited puppy... this is what Wataru keeps seeing in Sougo when they have these talks. There's not one thing about the boy that feels like he would get upset any minute. It's so brightly optimistic it blinds Wataru a bit. Not even after getting rid of his negativity about the world would he become as sunny as Sougo appears to be.

It takes a bit of worry about the egg away. ]

Perhaps... I hope the Coven knows what it's doing.

[ He's not that trustful of them, after spending half a year here. ]

If it's huge, it might endanger the city, and we cannot have that after the last events.

[timenace]

[ It's simple, Wataru! You just suppress all your negative feelings in what is probably not a super healthy way, and spend the majority of your life friendless, because you're a weirdo that makes people around you vaguely uncomfortable!

Easiest trick in the book.

Though Sougo is a genuinely pretty chipper guy, and he is actually very excited for this mystery egg. Wataru's concern is acknowledged with a small frown and a slightly larger nod of the head. ]

It takes awhile for anything to break out of an egg, so we can probably take it out of the city when we notice it starts hatching.

[ Problem kind of solved, unless it's dangerous enough to be able to take them out. But Wataru made fire that one time, so Sougo has too much faith in his magical abilities. ]

[kivatteru]

[ Unfortunately, he's not much relived to hear that option. He's a worrywart at heart and suddenly he also mildly regrets getting this egg, but he won't complain about his own bad decision making skills. What's done is done. And after mulling it over a bit longer, he accepts that eventuality that an egg like this can't stay within city grounds when it hatches. ]

Depends on how long "awhile" will be, though.

[ A bit embarrassed, he quietly hums to himself. ]

How long of a time does a chicken's egg take to hatch?

[timenace]

[ That sort of worry and concern is definitely needed when you're working with someone who seems almost too sure that things will work out just fine. There's nothing at all that indicates that things will be fine with this egg, but Sougo has decided he wants to have a good feeling about this whole endeavor. That's all it really takes for him.

Sougo stares up for a second, trying to considering his limited animal based knowledge, and if it includes anything like that, but... ]

I don't really know. But it might be a different amount of time than whatever this is.

[kivatteru]

[ It's not so helpful, but it's not a bad answer either. Something in between. He won't blame Sougo for trying. Wataru nods slowly. ]

Since it's larger, it might take longer. But it also depends on how incubation works, since they're... definitely not chicken.

[ He murmurs the last bit with some embarrassed tone, realizing his question from earlier was really silly in this context. ]

iii - b.

[rightfoot]

[ This month has already been a bit of a whirlwind for him, so something a little more... relaxing would be nice. It's how he finds himself at Diplomatea in the end. He'd been there only a couple of times before, but he enjoyed the environment. And maybe a nice cup of tea, and some quiet was just what he needed to not think about anything. And, he knew Wataru had worked here, so it was a nice little extra reason to stop in and visit.

He shifts, finding his way to a chair to listen to his performance, but the moment it is over, he's going to move towards his friend, and offer a simple, easy compliment. ]

I've missed hearing you play, it's been awhile. I think you're even better now than you were at the Masquerade.

[kivatteru]

[ Wataru lets out a quiet sigh as he lowers the violin. Hi stamina improved a little bit, but he still needs a break once in a while - sit down and unwind. It's while he steps down from his stage that he hears Louis speak, having not taken notice of the other Witch while he was absorbed in his own music.

He offers a slightly tired smile and a small bow of his head at the compliment. ]

Thank you. I suppose playing here everyday and much often than before helped me sharpen my skills some more.

[rightfoot]

You should sit with me.

[ He pats the space across from him at a table. Is that okay? He doesn't know. He's not how things work here. But if Wataru is working and a guest asks to have him sit with them, he can't imagine anyone would be upset about that. ]

Well, it certainly doesn't hurt. How have you been, Wataru?

[kivatteru]

Ah? ... Sure.

[ Though he's an employee, Wataru isn't being called to serve customers yet and after Everett told him to rest more he's taken the advice to heart. If there's an urgent order he has to take he'll get to it quickly, though.

With nothing holding him back, he shuffles to the table and sits across from Louis, placing the violin close to him. ]

I've been... busy, with work and other activities. I'm part of the Mirrorbound Concil. [ It a bit of time away from his usual. Not that he complains - he's fond of the idea that he can change things in the city for the better. ] How have you been faring?

[rightfoot]

I'm doing well. I did go home for awhile, though.

[ It's... well, a lie, though he's pretty happy to see and talk to Wataru. He enjoys the other's company. He's easy to be around, and he's seen him in less than favorable conditions, even, and treats him no differently. Louis doesn't like being seen as someone who could be weak, but it's good to know that even in moments of weakness, this interaction seems... normal. ]

I mean, it wasn't long here, but it was several months at home. You're on the council?

[ A curious blink. ]

Do you enjoy it?

[ Given that he's historically not trusted the Coven, or any level of authority here, he's interested to see how others feel. ]

[kivatteru]

[ The revelation that Louis returned home at some point raises both Wataru's eyebrows. It's actually the first time he hears of someone who was capable to cross the mirror world and come back to their reality. But the fact Louis treats that fact as casual, moving topics with the ease of a knife cutting through butter, makes Wataru hesitate a bit. ]

Enjoy it... well, I wouldn't say that. We mostly discuss about the situation in the city. It kind of helps that some of my friends also joined it.

[ He scratches the back of his head. ]

So far, we successfully advances every motion that was brought up. I believe we're helping make life in the city better for everyone...

[ A pause. ]

How did you fare in your home, during those months?

ii

[getting_better]

[ He was curious what kind of creature was brought in, and if he could maybe tame it. He heard of the carnage and wondered how beneficial it could be to have that attack on command. Good thing that he stumbled upon Wataru when he accepted the quest, an egg already with the baby faced individual. At least the company was pleasant, though he insisted they drop by the library to borrow a bestiary. ]

That's the million dollar question, isn't it?

[ He says as he studied the tome in his hand. He pictured something with razor sharp teeth and could move fast, so relatively small. Like a honey badger or a wolverine but with feathers or scales. ]

Either way, we'd best be prepared to pass the time and contact the coven. [ A beat. ] And maybe prepare some tranquilizer darts or something. In case it's hungry and we're on the menu.

[kivatteru]

[ He can't help wincing slightly at the possibility this baby creature might jump at them as soon as it pops out of the egg. If imprinting won't make things awkward, with the baby possibly seeing either him or Bishop at its moms, having to defend themselves against a potential threat is something he'd rather not have to face.

Trying not to think too much worst case scenarios, Wataru hums softly. ]

It might take a while, so we have time to equip ourselves in advance.

[ He doesn't really like associating the act of waiting for an egg to hatch with fighting whatever's inside it, so he'll take his time. ]

Maybe we could, uh... prepare some food for it, too?

[getting_better]

[ He doubts whatever comes out is going to be able to hurt them, or try to eat them. Baby creatures are usually bumbling odd looking things. ]

I'm always equipped, Wataru-kun. So don't worry.

[ And the mischievous side of Bishop rears it's ugly head. ]

But if it'll make you feel better, I can salt and pepper you so the baby would have a nice and tasty meal. Maybe some cayan pepper too.

[ He won't actually die. Maybe gummed to no ends but at least it'd be funny. ]

[kivatteru]

[ Wataru instantly narrows his eyes at Bishop. He doesn't look that afraid at the remark, because he'd been on both ends of being a prey and a predator, none of which were fun experiences. ]

I'm not that tasty. Let's not bring that kind of sacrifice here.

[ It comes out rather worried than deadpan, but that's because he can't do sarcasm. ]

Food that humans normally consume could be more appropriate to bring up... and easier to provide. [ Not to mention ethical. ]

[getting_better]

[ Bishop giggled to himself as he returns to the tome and idly flipping through the pages. ]

I doubt that would be good either. After all, it is a baby. Chances are it might not have teeth, maybe at most a beak. It's eyes will also be closed, so rather than what to feed it, we should be worried about imprinting on it.

[ He does not want to be a animal dad of whatever pops out of that egg. Also feeding a person to an animal is ethical....from a very morally loose perspective. It's helping nature take it's course as far as he's concerned. ]

[kivatteru]

... Right.

[ As the owner of a petalwolf, having the obligation to father the creature that might eat her in one single bite doesn't sound like a fair settlement. Even though it might take a while before said creature can even get to that point, but he's not trying his luck. Aside from owning a castle-shaped dragon (or is it the opposite?) he doesn't have much experience with taming dangerous creatures.

He sighs, adjusting the egg on his lap. ]

I suppose once it hatches, we could hand it off to the Coven before it opens its eyes?