middaeg | [open] june catch-all

Entry tags:

death note: near

[open] june catch-all

Who: Near and OPEN
When: Backdated to the full moon and covering most of June
Where: various locations
What: a change, a call-out, and a catch-all
Warnings: some body horror and potentially grisly situations

i. full moon

[He's been expecting this for some time. That doesn't make it any easier when it happens.

The itching had started again over the past few days, the telltale sign that he would be shedding his skin again soon. It's when he'd begun to feel weak in the knees the whole day prior that he knew he was in for the worst of it. He'd been fortunate to be able to keep his legs up until that point.

The transformation itself is painful, but he lives on his own and doesn't have to disturb anyone else with how unseemly it all is. All the same, he bites into the edge of his sheet as it happens to avoid screaming. That could still attract unwanted attention from passer-bys.

He would have been all right if this was all he had to go through. He could have laid on the floor the rest of the night and slept it off. Unfortunately, Near has gone quite some time now without an effective bond. The one he'd had with Mello had only lasted until the man's disappearance, and hadn't done much to help his sanity in this place. As a result of that, and of this full moon, the young man goes temporarily out of his mind.

The now full-fledged naga, hungry from the act of transforming, breaks out of his own house and makes his way toward the docks. Some part of him still considers the woods past the walls too dangerous, but there's a chance he might be able to catch something in the water or, barring that, at least he'll come across plenty of rats.

He doesn't see people as prey, but it's not a pleasant situation he'll be waking from nonetheless.]

ii. back in shop

[The following is over the network some days later, once Near is more or less himself again.]

Good afternoon. May name is Eli Dagwood and I run a small children's toy shop called "Life's Playthings".

We are now fully operational but could still use a hand or two. If you're curious and think you may be qualified, please let me know. We would love to have you.

[Thankfully this is over text, otherwise the lack of enthusiasm Near would have included in that last statement might have been a turn-off.]

iii. month of crawling

[Near is going to be spending a lot of time this month just learning how to move around in his new form, so there will be a lot of crawling along the ground and slumping over things because standing upright like all those naga in modern day fantasy stories is harder than it looks!

So this is basically a wildcard for any interaction you might want throughout the month. If you'd rather contact me about details, I'm on plurk at

laverinth or you can PM this account.]

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[wei wuxian had struggled with his own monster transformation, though it was less physically and more just coming to terms with the fact that he'd be growing rabbit ears. and a fluffy tail.

now he has both, the last of his puca changes finally complete. but the way he wears his read ribbon so cutely tied around one long black ear suggests that he's now at peace with it. he's strolling through the marketplace, tossing a shiny red apple in the air and catching it, when he notices the naga having a little difficulty getting around.

he pauses, looks back, and after a moment of thought goes back to crouch by his side..]

Are you headed somewhere in particular?

[Near might have recovered from the feral behavior he experienced on the full moon, but approaching him while in a rodent-like form hasn't been the best of ideas since he first began changing.

He's leaning up against a bench at the moment, but his reaction upon catching sight of the man is instantaneous. The naga hisses through his fangs and lunges, but due to his lack of coordination all this results in is him faceplanting into the ground.

This is enough to bring him painfully back to his senses again, and he keeps his face in the dirt for a couple moments longer than necessary in order to keep them that way long enough to get his thoughts in order.]

...No.

[the last of wei wuxian's changes hadn't been entirely physical. he'd tried to explain it to nie mingjue, the feeling he would sometimes get before something happened. it was just minor things at the time. a slip of a knife that almost nicked his finger, or a collision that would've put him on his backside avoided at the last second. little warnings of danger.

this time it's a little bit bigger, like the flash of an exclamation point in his mind right before the naga lunges. it works hand-in-hand with his natural speed, making the puca spring up onto a stall and out of range.

his eyebrows shoot up while one black ear swivels.]

That looked like it hurt. Are you bleeding?

[Near pushes himself up from the ground so that he's on his elbows, tongue darting in and out of his mouth in irritation. Thankfully the pale scales covering his face kept his chin from being roughed up, but there's a slight bit of blood running out of one nostril. He licks at it when he notices, thoroughly embarrassed.

At least as a snake person he doesn't have to worry about his face turning red.]

It's nothing to worry about.

[His tail curls and twists behind him, almost as though it has a mind of its own.]

And you shouldn't bother helping me.

[At least not looking like that.]

[the tail is...well, it's kind of creepy. he feels a slight tremble in his own body just from looking at it, even if he's not actually that afraid. he has quite the tolerance for creepy.]

It's just a little blood, I'm not too worried about that. But what kind of world would it be if no one ever bothered to help anyone? All monsters have their struggles. There's no shame in asking for help.

[so many others around him had put pride at the forefront. and more than once he saw it be their downfall.]

What's your name?

Eli...

[The naga focuses on pushing himself up onto his hands, then arcing his back and trying to lift up his lower half to raise his torso up in turn. He knows he should be able to stay upright somehow. Normal snakes can do it. His front end isn't that much heavier.

He ends up getting stuck in that position, unable to comfortably pull himself up straighter. With an annoyed sigh, he lets his body lay flat on the ground again.]

If you come closer to me, I'll attempt to eat you.

[It's not much of a threat coming from someone in his position.]

That's a short name.

[as if he should comment on anyone's name, between his courtesy name and his birth name, and the confusion it always causes.]

I'm Wei Wuxian. And you don't want to eat me, I'm too skinny. Plus I'd probably be too spicy for your taste. [considering how hellishly spicy he likes his food. wei wuxian watches him for a moment longer before turning more serious.] Eli, why don't you stop trying to eat me and let me carry you somewhere?

Eli Dagwood.

[If he must have the whole thing. It's an alias to begin with. He hasn't gone by his real name since he was a child.

And it isn't as though he's trying to eat this rabbit-man. His body reacts on its own sometimes - an unfortunate side-effect of his recent changes and current lack of bond. He issued the warning out of both courtesy and annoyance.

He wants to argue that if he gets carried everywhere he won't learn how to move on his own, but the truth of the matter is that he's tired already. Near's stamina is very low to begin with. Back in his own world he wouldn't have thought twice about letting one of his assistants put him on their back.

So he sighs into the dirt and nods his head.]

[he appreciates the warning, and knows what it's like to fight against your own body once it changes. wei wuxian has never ran away from anything, constantly straddling the line between brave and reckless. but sometimes he feels his body lock up, feels his heart beat faster and try to convince him to run the other way.

but he has more control of it now, so there must also be hope for eli. he hops down, walking a little half-circle around the naga as he considers the easiest way. he lacks the lan's legendary arm strength, and he's actually smaller than when he first arrived. but he finally gets an idea.]

Hold on to my neck and shoulders. Can you wrap your tail around my waist? Not too tight.

[he crouches down, seemingly casual, but all his sense are on high alert.]

[Near's tail feels unwieldy at the best of times. If he wraps it around someone's waist he can't promise it won't get tangled around their legs. Thankfully he's always been small and slight, so it's not as if the task of lifting him is an impossible one.

Though as the other man gets closer, Near has to forcibly keep his fangs from sliding out of their place tucked in the roof of his mouth. It would be so easy to bite him, wouldn't it? Let the venom run its course, collect his body after...

Such thoughts also have to be forced back. Fortunately he's yet to follow through with any of them. He doesn't actually know how he'd handle eating another monster, but his instincts won't let it go.

Slowly, the naga gets his arms around Wei's shoulders. The tail is more awkward. It slinks around and clings to the man's waist loosely, the end dragging.]

[wei wuxian hoists him up, and he really is on the lighter side. that and his grip around his shoulders allows the puca to help support his tail, placing his arms back and under it the way he would if he had legs.]

There. That's not so bad, is it? [wei wuxian tilts his head with another thought.] Eli-xiong, have you tried eating something else to see if it helps with your whole wanting to eat other people problem?

[he's talked to a few vendors in the marketplace, and knows more than just one food stall.]

You're kind of skinny yourself. It might be worth a try.

A steak doesn't run.

[It's the chase he wants most. He's simply not built for it, and the idea of bulking up in any way is laughable to him. Who he is and what his body wants him to be are at constant odds nowadays.

He's part snake. What does this man think he can switch his meals to? Pizza?]

Since I started changing I've only been interested in meat. Raw, preferably.

[It's quite a change from what he used to eat, and it can't be said that he's done the best at adapting.]

I don't think snakes do either.

[technically. legs are sort of necessary for that.]

Then you go to a stall where they sell meat and just ask them not to cook it. You can't be the first naga that anyone's dealt with. [wei wuxian's brother-in-law has actually bonded to one himself, and he's tempted to contact him for his advice. but jin guangyao was a snake before he even came through the mirror, it might not be the same.] I ued to love meat - pork, chicken, fish. Even rabbit - don't tell Lan Zhan. Now I have to ask if they can put their spicy sauce on skewers of vegetables. I can't even eat my favorite soup anymore.

I know how to buy my meat raw. That's not the point.

[Reflexively, Near's arms tighten around Wei's shoulders. There isn't much strength behind them, but the obvious threat is there.]

There's an animalistic side of me now that enjoys chasing things down.

[Especially more rodent-like things. He's eaten a fair number of rats and he's not proud of it but it had been satisfying at the time.]

Ah. I keep thinking about digging a giant burrow in our back yard and asking my bonded to move into it.

[not to mention the other rabbit-like thoughts that he'll keep to himself. so he gets it, that animalistic side. but his own words bring up another point.]

What about a witch? You're not bonded, are you?

No.

[Not anymore, and that's part of the problem. A big part.]

That's a work in progress.

[In that he's watching from a distance and not actually approaching anyone because socializing isn't his forte. He's more comfortable with hiring people to work for him than he is with making a friend.]

[wei wuxian figured as much. at least it doesn't sound like he's utterly opposed to a bond though like a fe others that he knows. yes, it can be awkward sharing intimate things with another, but trying to eat people can't be much better.

speaking of, forgive him if he stops at a stall, giving the naga a little boost. but it's actually not the food that he's looking at.]

If I get a bottle, can you hold it for me? This is thirsty work, no wonder Lil Apple was always so cross with me. [but back to the real problems.] Do you know any unbonded witches?

...I'll hold it.

[Near does his best to keep his forked tongue in his mouth. The taste of the puca in the air isn't helping his situation any.]

I know witches. I don't know any unbonded ones.

[He's picky, too, which is a problem. And he refuses to bond with L, the only other individual still remaining here from his world. It would seem like the smartest decision, but he has mixed feelings about his predecessor, especially after their shared bond with Mello.]

Thanks!

[he steals a quick drink, seemingly not caring that it's lukewarm before surrendering the bottle.]

The ones I know seem set on resisting. [to a dangerous degree, which makes him frown. if he's not worrying about a friend going feral, he's worried about one exploding. so if there's a little dread in his voice with his next question, that would be why.] How long has it been? Oh, you can take a drink too if you want.

[because a drunk snake sure would be easy to hold up.]

[Near holds the bottle only out of courtesy. He doesn't even consider drinking from it. (Gross, thinks the young man who's chased down rats for food.)

The question is a good distraction, even if he isn't keen on answering it. It allows him to focus his thoughts.]

I was bonded to someone for a couple weeks in March before they disappeared.

[And it was a mentally stressful bonding that didn't help his situation much at all. They might have had the chance to make things work out if not for Mello being taken away.]

[wei wuxian's steps become slower. he nearly stops. but it's not because the weight of him is getting too heavy.]

I'm sorry.

[for him, there's nothing more terrifying, more tragic. he never even thinks about what would become of him if lan zhan vanished. but losing your bonded...he imagines the pain of a lost limb would be easier to bear.]

It sounds like you didn't even have much time with them. How long had you known them?

Since we were children.

[They'd never been close, of course. Just the opposite. They'd been rivals for years, though most of that had been on Mello's end. The blond had never wanted to work with him, even if it would have been in their best interest. Bonding with him here had been the first time he'd been able to convince him to do otherwise - and that had only worked because he was a monster. Better the enemy you know, it seems.

So it shouldn't have surprised him that it wasn't allowed to last.]

[meanwhile, wei wuxian is imagining something that makes his heart break. he's thinking of his brother, his sister, people he knew since childhood. and to an extent, lan wangji too, though they were teens then.]

I know it won't be the same, but I hope you find a new bond soon. Do you at least have housemates? Friends?

I have a shop in need of employees.

[As he's lost the couple he had. It doesn't seem like he can hang onto anyone here. Even L keeps his distance, though he's partially to blame for that.

And he lives alone. There's room for housemates, but he has none. He's never really had friends either, just people who worked for him. He'd always kept to himself otherwise, as he tended to be a little off-putting to most. That hasn't improved with his changes here.]

Otherwise no.

[wei wuxian clicks his tongue. this is not sounding good, not at all. he's not actually realized that there's anything off-putting about him. but then wei wuxian befriended hated people and fierce corpses with ease, spoke to common people and sect leaders the same.]

What kind of a shop is it?

I make and sell toys.

[He doesn't make all of the toys himself, of course. That would be too much to manage and his skills are limited, so many of them are outsourced to some of the town's citizens. He has a very small network of housewives needing extra coin, but it works for all of them.

He's aware that having a naga behind the front desk might scare off the occasional child, but at least everyone who lives here is used to the sight of monsters.]

I've advertised on the network a couple times.

Ah.

[wei wuxian smiles at that, thinking back to a young boy who grew up into a fine young man. and the toys that one of his fathers spoiled him with.

he sighs, missing sizhui, but certain that he's okay with the other juniors.]

That doesn't sound too backbreaking, plus I have a wedding to pay for. Hire me.

[That gets a rare amused noise out of Near - not really a laugh or a chuckle but not quite a snort.]

Just like that?

[He sighs, and his grip loosens slightly before he readjusts it.]

Fine. I don't feel like conducting an interview. I can always fire you later.

[It's not as though he's had people running up in droves. He might have to hire non-mirrorbound at this point. If nothing else, there's less of chance of them disappearing.]

Make sure that you do. Otherwise my reputation will take a hit.

[wei wuxian, late to bed and late to rise, full of both mischief and liquor - the latter of which he pays for with his bonded's money. what is becoming of him here? if he gets any more legitimate he won't be able to show his face.]

Should we go there now? I can show you the kind of toys my son always loved.

That's where I was headed, though I didn't expect to be carried the whole way.

[Near shouldn't be surprised to hear that this man had a child, given how quickly he'd taken to carrying him. Even with his tail he's still a very small individual and people are quick to treat him like a kid. He's taken advantage of this enough that he doesn't complain.]

I can't guarantee a huge selection but I'm always looking to add more variety.

[It's a rare humble statement. The selection is really only small by his standards. For a town with this level of technology there's plenty to choose from.]

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[open] june catch-all

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