middaeg | [OPEN] 365 and a day to save my soul

Entry tags:

[OPEN] 365 and a day to save my soul

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! ]

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[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?

[ 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. ]

[ 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. ]

[ 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.

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.]

[ 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.

[ 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. ]

[ 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.

[ ... 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?

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]

[ 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?

[ 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?

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.

... Alright. I can start it up.

[ He wants to rebuff the plan and gather all the mirrors himself, because Everett is injured and shouldn't really carry weighs. But they can also finish quicker if they work together, and there will be less of a chance to have the spirit attack them and the patrons currently in the shop.

A stifled sigh. ]

If you need help, call me.

[ And then he's off on mirror-hunting, carrying all that he finds to the cellar and putting them into a pile. ]

[Everett will part and go to the cellar. Unfortunately.

Adelheid's had careful eyes on this place ever since she arrived. The Ward of... well, her on the door gave it away as Everett's establishment. She knew he'd make an appearance. She just needed the right moment to strike.

Which comes when Everett is alone in the cellar. He goes first to his vault and opens it, moving to retrieve a mirror from inside, one he'd paid a nice sum for as it had an enchantment on it- but figured was best destroyed for good measure. While he's getting it out, Adelheid manifests behind him, kicking him straight into the vault with a clatter of shelves and stored money spilling out.

Then slams the door behind him, laughing manically]

A fitting death for a Vaughan! How long will it take for you to suffocate? [she'd have done better to be more quiet, but that's not really her style.]

[ Wataru only had to be away from the cellar for a couple minutes, having remembered of a mirror still hanging by one of the sinks in the restroom. It didn't take him long to retrieve it and finally appear in the room to dispose of everything, but it turns out a lot has happened in that time frame.

He's suddenly facing the spirit. Everett is nowhere to be found. The mirror drops as his first instinct is to step back, producing a few wisps of flame in his hand. He's just hoping his boss was made invisible and not just pulverized before Wataru could do anything to stop the spirit, whose presence has him quickly seize up and recall all the spells he's got at disposal. ]

Stop right there!

Another puppet, I see! [Adelheid turns on her four long legs, towering in the space below the cafe, her antlers leaving gnarled scraps along the ceiling. The illusion of the hidden room was swept away when Everett entered and remains gone, but her facade is mostly intact. She appears a centaur, not a pile of bones, not unless Wataru throws that fire at her.

It won't do much good if he does, but she can try to bait him into it or scare him away with sheer intimidation factor of her wild gaze and the terror of standing before a creature capable and ready to trample him]

Let him die, little one. He's not worth saving. Scatter, like his rats.

[ He had fought countless monsters whose appearances were likewise terrifying. What made them even scarier than this spirit was the fact their regular appearance was that of a regular human who could blend into society and attack when no one was looking.

But this spirit doesn't seem so unlike the Fangire he defeated, or the mythical beasts that served him. She spoke wildly, sadistically, vengeful indeed. Whatever happened between her and Everett was something he really needs to learn from the man himself, preferably avoiding a death in the process. ]

I'm afraid I can't let that happen.

[ The flames burst stronger in his palm. Wataru knows he won't be able to chase her away through words alone. Trying to convince her that this isn't an area she should be in and she should be the one to leave... sounds like a stupid idea that only serves to buy a little time. He just hopes his attack won't cause too much collateral damage in the cellar.

He outstretches his hand, shooting a sizeable orb of fire straight at the spirit. ]

[Adelheid does not bother to dodge the flame. It hits her in the chest and her illusion goes up in flames. What's left if a ghoulish creature of dark bones in a half broken, centaur skeleton shape, carnation flowers erupting from joints where sinew once held everything together. The fire doesn't seem to harm her, though the flame settles inside her chest, burning within the topmost, exposed ribcage.]

Watch ooout. [She practically coos, before the ball of magic is shot right back at him, smaller, but quicker. Adelheid uses that to cover an escape, knowing this was a foolish place to sustain a fight. Others would hear and come down, in no time. Besides, maybe he won't be able to get Everett out of the vault and it will still be a success.

Even if not, she knows she'll have properly terrorized him. She turns to a ghostly wisp and goes out through the mirror she arrived through, leaving the space quiet and still.

Save Everett banging on the inside door of his vault.]

[ Wataru registers the moment his spell was thrown back at him, but not how the spirit let the entirety of it burn her down without much of a reaction. He doesn't have the time to ponder on it as he dives to the side and narrowly dodges the blast. It collides on the wall behind him, and fortunately the concrete absorbs the fire like a bullet, only leaving a blackened hole.

The smoke it causes enters his nose and the poor Witch wheezes before coughing his lungs out. That was a... terrible idea. He should have conjured either an icy or electric spell to block her, but instinct told him to use fire instead. It's never wise to listen to his own instinct during such situations, it turns out.

When he recovers, Wataru becomes aware that the spirit is gone and the pounding he hears afterwards comes from the vault. That's Everett, isn't he? His friend is alive... Wataru would sigh in relief if he didn't know the smoke would cause him to caugh even harder if he inhaled more of it.

He stands up, dusts the back of his uniform off, andproceeds towards the vault. He places both hands on it. ]

Everett, I'm here. Can you hear me? Are you hurt?

[A bit of bleating from the safe, but Everett's relatively quick to collect himself from that pathetic noise. The vault is very heavy duty thing, not magical, just very difficult to crack. Of course, Everett had a great eye for a vault, being a Vaughan.]

I'm fine! For the moment! She'll come back! Break all the mirrors, lad! [first an foremost, that needs to be done, he can't risk Wataru being harmed by her while trying to rescue him]

[ Panic is very palpable from the way his boss was bleating... Wataru quickly files away that noise, remembering the time Everett got his horns stuck in a cabinet. No need for that. Death by suffocation is a possibility and as the faun keeps talking Wataru's worry raises higher and higher until he has to speak up before the worst really comes to happen. ]

Please, save your breath as much as you can.

[ He darts off to retrieve the mirrors, crushing them as quickly as possible while avoiding to get hurt by the fragments. They're thrown straight into the active furnace.

Panting with fatigue, Wataru returns to the vault, knocks at it. ]

... I've done what you asked me. How do I open this?

Good lad. Very good... [Everett is trying to steady himself, but he does not enjoy any moment he's trapped in here. He's try to take deep breathes and steady his nerves, but that's only going to make the problem worse. Faun instincts scream at him in the claustophobia of being trapped, caged. He's caught up in the irony if he died a Vaughan in a vault... just shameful, that! He speaks a clear and concise as he can]

Simple. A number combination. Can you hear me clearly? Two. Two. Zero. One. Three. Again. Two. Two. Zero. O, one. Three.

[... a combination that has been changed, at Viren's suggestion. That isn't on Everett's mind, which falls back to the number he set it as, the more familiar one.]

[ Okay. That's easy to remember. Wataru quickly steels his nerves and concentrates his focus on the numbers Everett is instructing to him.

A deep breath, before he turns over the last number.

...

Nothing happens. ]

Huh...? Why? I'm sure I've input everything.

[ 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.

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[OPEN] 365 and a day to save my soul

iii. the D (except not at all)

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