Enkidu & You: A catch-all

[enkidoh]

Who: Enkidu & You!
When: The beginning of the month
Where: Various places
What: Sad bond things, mopey clay
Warnings: One thread will be NSFW

Will match format, I just felt like prose today.
Closed starters in comments!


A - Market/Shopping district
Enkidu knows it is normal to announce this on the network and tell everyone Caren is gone. But they don’t feel like it. Perhaps others would do so it instead. The first thing they do in the morning is get some potions for Gil. If anything, they don’t want this mind numbing sadness to get to him because of their bond.

“Just give me two of them…” they say softly while they rummage through their bag for some coins. “…I only have these.” Enkidu places two 100 cunes coins onto the counter and they watch how the seller raises both eyebrows and tells them the bottles are 500 cunes a piece. Because potions do not come in cheap.

“I do not have 500 of them. I have these. These are 200 together.”

Enkidu taps on the counter, pointing out the two coins. Truly, the entire concept of money is still somewhat foreign to them.

The seller tells them that he’s not going to sell for 200 and puts the bottles away again. For the first time Enkidu is aware of a certain sort of anger. Because this is not the time to be picky about currency and they really need those flasks. So after letting out an annoyed sigh they plop a sandwich on the counter as well as something that resembles a small, wooden shovel. And a small bag of seeds.

“Is this worth the remaining 300?”

There’s an edge to their voice now, something that implies there’s some anger building up inside of them.


B - A park
It is difficult to focus on the bed of flowers in front of them. Everytime they have decided to pluck away a dead flower or water the ones that need it, their thoughts get lost in that black hole that is forming inside of them. So this is how it is to lose a bonded? Such a desolate and awful feeling. As if Gil himself died in front of them and all they could do is watch. There is that normal sense of missing, a silent longing to create more memories. Something that seems normal for a human to want. Perhaps something that is even normal for them to want now they aren’t what they used to be anymore. But everything else was overwhelming. A feeling that didn’t want them to move their feet or focus their thoughts. And the last thing they want is that it would bleed over to their bond with Gil.

Carefully they sit down, reaching out to remove some weeds. And eventually they just sit still with a clump of weed in their hands and their head somewhere else. It was a bad idea to go out today. Or attempt to do anything.

“Ah…please do not step on that tile…” Now Enkidu looks over their shoulder, the look on their face between neutral and deadly tired and that is exactly how their voice sounds. Tired. So very tired and lackluster. “…do you see the small plants growing at the corners of it? They are quite…young…”

Comments

Closed to Asura

[enkidoh]

Thing is, Enkidu is tired. They also aren’t in the mood for music and the first thing they do when Asura drags them along is protest.

“I do not mind the drinks but I do not want to be around others now. And the music is grating to my ears.” Both of their hands are settled on Asura’s chest as they say this. “I understand the sentiment, I do. After all, how good would it feel if we were able to lose ourselves in sound and drinks…but I lack the energy…”

It doesn’t help that their solid monster-bond has disappeared and they have to deal with the constant influx of Gil’s magic and no outlet to channel it towards. It wears them down and the fatigue only makes them more sad.

“My mood has been better as well. Perhaps we can just get lost in drinking a lot.”

[mirshikar]

"It'll have to be more than just drinking," Asura's reply rumbles low and deep, its reverberations a tangible, and altogether thoroughly pleasant sensation as they course right on up and through the hands planted on the bare skin of his chest. Bare, because Asura's season approaches, and the higher the temperature rises, the less the King of Summer cares to wear raiments of any kind or make.

"I am always drinking, Enkidu." Case in point? The flask in Asura's hand. Has he been nursing it on and off all this while? Damn straight. "And no matter how fine the spirit, it will never see me inebriated." Only tempered; the wrath which is always with him blissfully muted. So yes, while liquor serves a purpose, it is not the one which Asura is most in need of on this evening: unparalleled enjoyment, enough so to make all else disappear within its haze.

"Just as your mood will never improve, lest you see that excess magic of yours expelled one way or another." Free hand fitting to the curve of Enkidu's jaw, Asura angles their face gently up, the slit-pupils of his green eyes interlocking with their own. He and Enkidu both, they have lost important people, but all they can do is move on and push forward. Celebrate and not mourn, because those who are no longer present in Talam have made it home; they have been returned to where they rightfully belong. "Can practically feel it thrumming through you, you know. I've always been sensitive to magic."

[enkidoh]

That is true. The balance they regained is completely gone now. As fond as they are of Gil, handling his magic is a lot without any proper outlet. Normally they could channel every bit of it to Caren. But Caren was gone and all that was left were a couple of self-made clothes and a small note that if they wanted to have them remade that they should turn to her. A quite ironic note, really.

Still, Asura has that ability to make them feel a little more relaxed, a little more happy, in a sense. Also a little less lost and confused.

"So you wish me to dance and drink?" they respond, their voice soft, hands still resting against his chest. "What if we meet one another half way? We dance and drink without others." Because no, they're not in the mood for people. "Or we shoot magic at the sky and see if it flashes. Pour it into plants that die."

Plants are important, yes. And it isn't difficult for Enkidu to think of plants when they are within the city.

Closed to Steak

[enkidoh]

Enkidu takes a step back when someone opens the front door of the mansion that used to belong to Caren. They remember his face but that’s all, really.

“I came to pick up some of the clothes Caren made me. She told me I could pick them up…some days ago.”

Really, they should have come by those days ago instead of now. The look on their face is very neutral and their voice is soft. Loud enough to not be a whisper but soft enough to be difficult to hear.

“I will not take long.”

[battlebound]

He knows people disappear from this place, he's seen many people he's met just... stop turning up places he expects to see them. Visitors to DiplomaTea stop visiting. That's just the way it is.

It hurts a little more when it's Caren, because Caren has always been a friend, always supported him (and Red Wine, and isn't that the more important of the two?). She even offered them a place to live when the fires destroyed, a place in which he still resides to this day.

It hurts, but he has to move on. It's part and parcel of what makes life what it is, especially as a Food Soul. It would be foolish to dwell on things he can't change.

But, nevertheless, he's surprised to see a barely familiar face at the door, asking for clothes Caren made them. Red brows raise into matching hair and he steps back, dressed in loose trousers and nothing else, to allow them in.

"I didn't know you knew her," he comments, running a hand through his hair. "Do you know where her room is?"

Or. Was. Though he gets the feeling that it will be considered Caren's room for a long time yet.

Closed to Red Wine - Around the Full Moon

[enkidoh]

The moon is out and Enkidu finds themselves unable to balance their magic well. Their body can’t handle it at all. They wander thought the moonlit streets, wanting to go home but not wanting to go home at the same time. Finally they decide to head for Inkchanted. There are probably still some crystals that need charging.

A soft sound escapes their mouth as they adjust their shoulderbag and move on. It would have helped if they could still feel the ground and the way it could tremble underneath their feet.

Perhaps it is unfair to not reach out to Gil, yet they do not want to be a burden to him in a state like this. So once again they straighen their shoulders and walk on, unaware of what might lurk in the dark.

finally rolls in here like a late loser

[judgementor]

He should have got out of here when he first felt it starting to itch under his skin. He should know the warnings by now, the way the noisy beast in his head - grown from more than six months lacking a fully stabilising bond - rattles the bars of the cage and makes itself known. It's only centuries of fighting this exact urge that has given him the strength to not go completely feral already.

And maybe he should ask for help. Maybe he should have talked to Steak, this time or any of the dozen times before, when he noticed that it was getting a little worse each time...

But he hadn't, and he didn't this time, and he's just trying to get outside of the walls without coming across someone else walking the streets at this time of night.

No such luck.

No way to walk by, either, aside from just turning around and walking the other way. He digs his fingernails deeply enough into his palms to draw blood from his shaking hands and aims to pass by, then a familiar face draws his attention upwards. Damn it.

"Evening," he says, stiffly, the words caught in the tension of his jaw.

Closed to BerserCu - NSFW

[enkidoh]

Enkidu opens the door wider, showing the other that neither Gil or Hakuno is present inside the apartment. It is just them and at this point they look a bit more pale than they usually do, their hair tied into a long braid that is falling over their shoulder.

“I am glad you have been able to come.”

They wonder if they have to apologize now. To call upon someone who might still be sad about the loss of his own bonded. Would that be the polite thing to do?

“I…ah…I am well aware of the fact that you might still be suffering from your own loss. If you wish to leave, just let me know.”

After saying that they take a step back to let him in. The apartment itself is small and somewhat cozy. There is a small couch close to the window and lots of plants hanging from pots. On the table there’s some beer and some other food. It looks like it’s cooked by someone who cannot cook themselves out of a paper bag. It smells like that as well.

[curruid_coinchenn]

Berserker keeps his wings folded against his body to keep from hitting the door frame as he steps inside. He looks better than the last time they met, at least; the aching emptiness is still in his chest, but he's taking care of his appearance. Enkidu looks to be handling their loss better than he did his own...He and Caren got along very poorly (to put it mildly), but no one deserved to suffer the pain of a severed Bond.

"Don't concern yourself with how I'm feeling," he says, casting a wary glance to the food on the table, "I came here for your benefit."

Maybe...maybe he should just be extremely forward to avoid being offered what could generously be called food.

"...I have an offer for you, if you're interested in something to take your mind off the pain."

Closed to CasCu

[enkidoh]

Enkidu lies down on the grass and looks at the blue sky above them. It is sunny and there’s no cloud to be seen. Their nose is filled with the smell of nature. Blossoming flowers, sweet scents and their feet dug into the earth, toes wiggling a little. Despite the idyllic environment that is Cu’s garden Enkidu is quiet. Truly, it is as if something has sucked all the joy out of them.

And when they speak they whisper.

“When will this feeling subside? I like to remember the fun things, yet all I can think of her being gone. As if she has died instead of just going home.” Finally they roll over to the side, facing Cu who is lying next to them. “I still have another bonded so I should feel like this, not?”

And really, their bond with Gil is quite intense. Not only because of all thse feelings, also because they’re both witches and
magic has never been Enkidu’s strongest suit.

[futhark]

It's a good place to relax or to study. Something they've been trying to do but with the heavy feelings lingering— it can be hard to focus.

When Cú hears Enkidu speak up on the subject that has been very keenly affecting them, it both feels like the air gets heavier, but a burden of silence is at the same time lifted. He hums thoughtfully— he'd never lost a Bond, he has no idea how it feels. But he also lost someone he cared about.

Two in fact. At the same time.

"Just because you're not alone, it doesn't mean the loss hurts any less. When humans lose someone important, they lose a part of themselves along with them." And like every wound that too needs time to heal. "Allow yourself to grieve"

B, as I sneak a tag on my lunch break

[sealeted]

"...yes, I see it." She sees a lot more, as she crouches down and gently slides her fingers over theirs. She squeezes, gently, letting the warmth of her smaller hands seep down, and carefully tucks her head against their shoulder.

She had seen something wrong—something hurt—something so terribly, terribly familiar in them, as soon as she had woken up that morning. She knows it's a pain Gilgamesh is ill-suited to address, and one she is adjacent to familiar with. For all that Gilgamesh's love for Enkidu is unparalleled, naked, tender talks about feelings are something she knows he baulks at, when given his druthers. Hakuno's survival has hinged on such talks, and she feels very suddenly that the survival of something fragile and precious in Enkidu hinges on such a talk now, as well.

Her voice is soft and quiet, as ever. Her touch is very, very gentle, as she eases the weeds from their lax grip.

"They're in a delicate state," she says, rubbing her cheeks against their shoulder in a little nod. "It's important to look after them, at a time like this."

sneaks tag back!

[enkidoh]

Enkidu's shoulders slump immediately as tension leaves their body for a moment. They know so well that, normally, these feelings would not be this heavy. This is something caused by that ritual but every time they try to distance themselves from it and realize this, they get sucked back right back.

"It would be a shame if they would not grow."

They squeeze her hand but their voice remains neutral and distant. Even when she plucks the weeds from their hand they barely respond. All they do is lower their arm.

"Someone has to. Most people here are not aware of how fragile they are." Slowly they lean back against her, a sigh escaping their mouth.

"Were you awake when I left?"

A

[piromare]

Potions. He needs a few--- basic ones that'll keep him warm. Not that he's feeling particularly chilly despite his slow descent (ascent?) into harpy-hood, but because the feeling of burning has never quite left him. Maybe over time, he'll get used to not having the same heat flicker all around him, invisible to the naked eye as it resides in his core. But today is not that day, and it'll probably take months for the former Burnish to become less dependent on that sensation.

But as he enters the shop and does his best to squeeze in without his wings knocking anything over, he immediately sees and hears the green-haired person attempting to barter. They sound frustrated as all hell, and looking at what he's trying to give up...?

If only life were that easy.

"Here."

Lio doesn't hesitate, reaching out and letting the money slip out of his hand and onto the counter. He turns 180, spins so that he can leave, again being careful not to make a huge mess of the place.

[enkidoh]

For some reason Enkidu doesn't notice it when someone else enters the shop. They're all wrapped up in their bad attempt to bargain and the absolute need for that stupid potion. Also, that is an excellent sandwich. One with many cheese and even more ham. And blueberries as well.

And suddenly someone appears right next to them and places the needed coins on the counter.

"Ah..." Normally they would've sounded more surprised. "I..." Their eyes shift from the shopkeep to the winged young man that tries his best to leave the shop without damaging anything. Finally they take the tiny flasks, their sandwich and the other trinkets and follow the other outside.

"Allow me to repay you for that." Once again they rummage through their bag and yes, Lio, you are getting the fabled sandwich, but also those seeds. "It isn't much..."

A

[silentsavant]

While customer haggles with seller, a smallish dragon slips into the shop, a dark and unobtrusive presence if it weren't for the burnt cinnabar hue of his inner wings, a color that has already begun to draw fearful, judgmental stares in his direction for the month of Litha. It is this and a litany of other problems that contribute to his sullen disposition. And he's in no mood to watch people be... people. There's a sort of tension in the air that arises from the beautiful witch's body language, (her? his?) their tone of voice, and it's distressing.

It is this snap of irritation for the entire ordeal that brings Soren over to the counter, arms crossed and tail slithering behind him as he approaches. Ruby eyes flicker to the troubled witch.

"May I ask what sort of potions you are buying?"

The man behind the counter eyes this new prospective customer quizzically and suspiciously, swallowing while maintaining a hard stance.

[enkidoh]

"I am not buying them."

For someone who has never really been very angry they sound extremely agitated at this point.

"This man will not accept sandwiches and seeds. So I am not buying anything."

But they need that potion. After all, it is one of the few shops that is known to sell trustworthy potions. Still, they tuck their items away again and when they're done they rub their face in an exasperated way.

a.

[tryhard]

Waver recognizes that voice. He slows as he's about to pass, curiously lingering, then cautiously nears to listen to the conversation.

He's never encountered Enkidu actually sounding... almost distraught? Waver can't help but stare at the odd assortment of goods being offered up as payment. But it's the edge in Enkidu's voice that gets him to actually step in, even though frankly, he's not particularly fond of the guy. Gilgamesh's... friend. Or something like that. Waver still doesn't know very much about them but it seems like this is going to escalate weirdly (or badly) if someone doesn't intervene to explain that sandwiches aren't currency.

"Excuse me. What kind of potions are these?"

[enkidoh]

Of course the shopkeeper answers their question with a solid 'no'. He also looks at them as if they are mad.

How utterly unfair and how tiresome and annoying as well. Truly, there is nothing wonderful about this bit of humanity. And it is the first time that thought even crosses their mind. So after speaking they huff and move to put all their items back into their bag.

They do look up when they suddenly hear a voice right next to them. It is familiar to their ears. Ah yes, Iskandar's Master.

Still, it is the shopkeep who answers Wavers question.

"Hmph, simple bond altering ones." Then the man gestures at Enkidu. "This idiot thinks he can pay with bread."

A

[needsteaplz]

Saori was in the middle of the store, just browsing at the goods in stock when Enkidu arrived. After examining a green glass bottle and returning it to its shelf, the chimera made her way towards back to the entrance. Her fox legs made walking stealthily very easy. She couldn't help but over hear the exchange between the seller and customer.

Her brow furrowed as she looked at her own wallet. It would be easy to walk away but the edge in Enkidu's voice caught her attention. They were desperate and really she wasn't the type to ignore that sort of thing. Hopefully her housemates would understand why she quietly stepped forward and placed the remaining cunes on the counter.

"I believe this should be enough, sir," she addressed the shopkeep. Before leaving the shop, she gave Enkidu a nod to assume them it was fine.

[enkidoh]

At this point Enkidu finds themselves quite annoyed. Once their Master described them as a gentle flower, well, to be fair, there isn't much gentleness left inside of them right now. Of course, they could not expect that all these humans would take their sadness into account, humans could be selfish. But perhaps it could be that they have decided that it is enough like this.

And right before they want to slam their fist down there's the sound of coins, followed by a female voice telling the shopkeep that that should be enough. The man frowns at first but then he nods, handing over the two bottles while giving Enkidu a glare.

"Thank you..." Enkidu sounds deadly tired when they speak up. As if the weight of the world has just been lifted from their shoulder. They step away from the counter to follow her.

"Allow me to repay you."

In sandwiches and seeds, that is.

B - before the full moon

[stopfen]

They were not the only one who was tired. The mantis fae wasn't doing so hot, she hadn't been for the past few days. Mikasa hadn't even been able to force herself to eat the past day. Back at the outpost, a lump of clouded chitin had peeled off but now the rest of it had that horribly milky overlay if she'd been another monster there might have been someone she could ask. But she didn't really know many fae. The network was out of the question, especially with...recent posts.

Most people would have probably called it quits when they couldn't walk without stumbling.

When they speak the fae pauses, almost falling and landing on the tile anyway, but she manages to right herself. Looking down at the small stems poking out and blinking.

"What are you going to do with them? Move them from the path?"

But those plants were too small to transplant.

[enkidoh]

Enkidu looks up at her, eyes dull and not in a mood to ask why she wasn't looking that well. Truly, they don't want to mope. They've spent too much time mourning in general.

"Perhaps I will lift the tile and carefully unroot them."

Their eyes flash from her face back to the small plants.

"Then I will put them on water alone so they can grow roots strong enough to be able to be potted and properly grow."

Ah, how nice it is to just talk about plants. Consider them distracted for one whole second.

B

[partnerinheels]

While Sheva spends a decent amount of time at Ozy's mansion, mostly tending to the Sphinx whether or not he's occupied (sometimes she visits him, as well), it's been quite some time since she's run into Enkidu. To be fair, part of that responsibility rests on her, which is why she feels a bit of guilt when she notices the familiar visage in the park.

It's evident that the turnskin has visited the park for sun and exercise, given her athletic attire and her fresh sheen of sweat along her skin and fur. Her hair's tied up in various braids to keep it out of her face and off her neck, an attempt to stay cool. And as she approaches them, it's evident that something's quite wrong.

How they caught her about to step on the new growths is beyond her, but she pulls back and steps carefully to avoid the desired plantings so that she can crouch down near Enkidu and admire the flowers first, her tail swishing behind her. "These are lovely. Are the young ones the same type, or are they a different species?"

Best not to start with an exclamation on how ragged they look. She's been there, which is why Sheva's carefully approaching them about it.

[enkidoh]

When she speaks they recognize her voice. She is at Ozymandias' house a lot and they have spoken to her a few times. Also, the sphinx-cats like her. And that is enough, really.

"They are common," Enkidu answers with a soft, monotone voice. "Yet they are too small to defend themselves, that is why I look out for them."

That, and to find a certain sort of distraction from all of this.

"I should remove them soon but I do not have a pot with me."

And they don't really look like as if they're going to get up to get a pot any day soon. Enkidu is just really tired and really sad.