middaeg | Juril Quests, Full Moon, and Catch-all [OPEN]

Entry tags:

Juril Quests, Full Moon, and Catch-all [OPEN]

Who: Berserker (Cú Chulainn Alter) and you!
When: Throughout Juril
Where: Various places
What: Monthly catch-all and quest log!
Warnings: None currently

[ 1. Walk, walk, fashion baby (New Look) ]

[ Berserker has been wrangled as a model for one of the tailors in the city. A dragon draws enough attention just by existing, so he's in high demand. The look he's wearing is a little ... skimpy, to say the least. His hair has been braided to match the look, the red lacing a stark contrast to the dark clothes.

For someone being paid for this, he doesn't look pleased (does he ever look pleased?}. He shoots an annoyed glare at anyone that stares for too long. ]

What? If you want to buy this, it came from the shop behind me.

What a rousing advertisement...

[ 2. Moon Madness ]

[ Around the city on the full moon, you may spot a somewhat familiar dragon...Except he's small. Berserker has taken on his cat-sized form to run off his feral energy. The problem is that he's exceptionally touchy at this size, willing to bite, scratch, and even poison anyone that even slightly annoys him.

He rushes along the ground without any care for how he might be tripping people up. If someone does trip over him, he claws his way free and runs for the nearest dark spot. Dare you pursue him? ]

[ 3. Wildcard ]

[ Got an idea? Did we plot something out? Drop me a starter or hit me up on discord glitzkrieg#0673 and we'll make it happen! ]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Trekking out to the lake in Dorchacht wasn't exactly easy and not just because of the threat of Shades and wild animals. Berserker had an unpleasant history with the city of Dorchacht and the Wilde; the city's dark history is fresh in his mind, his body still bears the scars of his previous outing into the Wilde. It's hard for him to clear his mind for what needs to be done.

Dawn breaks and Berserker is already awake, making preparations. Given the size of the beast, he'll need to be in his full-sized form, which is taxing both mentally and physically. His spear...well, he can't use it like that, can he?

An idea strikes him suddenly. He nudges Diarmuid gently to rouse him, lance in hand. ]

It's time. [ Ominous thing to say when you're holding a spear. ] ...Do you want to use Gae Bolg today?

( he raises a hand up to his chin, curled fingers resting on his lips as the harpy thinks about what he's seeing: the familiar dragon wearing clothes that show a lot of skin and scales. but it's the ribbons that really grab his attention, and it has him craning his neck to get a better look. )

Well, honestly? I don't know if I could pull it off as well as you do.

( lio does his best to hide his coy smile. )

It doesn't seem like it restricts your wings in any way, so at least it's practical... I think.

[It doesn't take much to get him up. Though they had slept in shifts to try and ward off whatever creatures lurk in the shadows of Dorchacht's side of the Wilde, Diarmuid had never fully settled down. His night had been spent either tensed in preparation for a fight or tip-toeing the line between sleep and wakefulness. Even now, there's a flash of wariness in his eyes as he opens them. It fades quickly.]

... ah... of course. Just give me a moment.

[Yawning, he shrugs the cape he'd been using as a blanket off and begins stretching out his stiff muscles. He's midway through an impressively deep, wide-legged lunge when Berserker catches his attention- and what a way to do it. Diarmuid stares up at him, gaze flickering between his face and the spear.

Did he just...?

Hurriedly, he draws himself back upright.]

Me? [He sounds every bit as bewildered as he looks.] I... I couldn't. I'm not worthy of it.

[Corrupted though the version he's looking at is, it's still the legendary spear of the Child of Light, given to him by Scáthach herself. Those spines and thorns do nothing to subtract from its significance. On the contrary, they feel like a physical barrier against anyone but its master trying to tame it. It's true that he was a skilled warrior in his own right but the idea of wielding it is almost sacrilegious.]

[ Of course it's someone he knows. It's not like Berserker's embarrassed by what he's wearing -- that would require him to be capable of being embarrassed -- it's more that he doesn't want to deal with the questions and teasing.

He gives an indifferent glance to Lio before spreading his wings. It's true: the top was constructed in such a way it didn't interfere with them at all. The back curves up and over the base of his wings. ]

Nothing about this is practical. [ He's not wrong. ] Are you going to gawk at me? Don't linger too long or you might end up in something worse.

[ Scáthach would either be proud of this offer or beat him senseless for daring to let someone who didn't survive her training wield the cursed spear -- good thing she's not around to see this.

Berserker doesn't withdraw his offer, turning the spear in his grip so the tail end is facing Diarmuid. ]

I know you think fondly of who I should be and hold my legend in such regard, but...You've shown me time and again you are worthy of my trust. You are worthy of this.

[ He tilts his head slightly. ]

What good will it do in the hands of a dragon, anyway? I'd rather you use it alongside me.

I'm not worried. What's the worst that could happen?

( there's no fear in lio's heart; no one will force him to wear anything he doesn't want to! but he shakes his head, he's totally not there to look at every inch of the dragon. no, he's there because... well.

listen. he enjoys his dark clothes, his many belts. it's hard to wear them when those other feathers on his body get stuck or get pulled. )

Besides, I'm not lying. They really picked the right model for the job.

[ Alright, so. He had a feeling one of his Bonded was around because... you know... feeling things through the Bond and all. Yeah. But he hadn't actually been out looking for the dragon or anything. It just, you know, happened to be night and he's awake and wanting to jump from rooftops and sit up in trees and keep from wanting to drink blood since it's around the moon and all, so. Out for a nice rooftop stroll he goes.

And that's when he catches sight of a little dragon weaving its way through the streets and that sure as shit is Berserker. Which gets him to pause for a moment because... why is he so small??

It's with a gentle thud as he lands on the ground that his cloak swishes around him and he turns to face the little guy who seems to be in a hurry or something? ]

What the hell is this? Why are you so bloody small?

No, I think fondly of who you are, in your own way.

[Ciarán Cú, a man of equal worth to Chulainn's Hound. Which doesn't make the idea of being entrusted with his spear any less daunting but after all they've been through, it would be absurd not to have faith in his judgement. With great reluctance, Diarmuid reaches out and takes hold of Gáe Bolg.

Both its heft and the spikes pointing out at every angle telling of its real purpose. Compared to its slender counterpart, it was made for close, highly offensive combat, aerodynamics traded for a brutish form made to plough through infantry in one bloody sweep. There's a cruelty inherent in its shape that commands attention and evokes fear. Throwing it, he wages, would take considerable strength- which is exactly what its owner possesses. Truly, it could have been forged for no one but the version of Cú Chulainn standing before him now.

Uncertain, Diarmuid weighs it in his hands.]

I'm touched but practically speaking...

[He lifts it and tries for a few jabs. The result is clunkier than he's used to: just as he suspected, it demands a different style to the light twin spears he's used to.]

Edited 2020-07-03 13:29 (UTC)

[ Small and cranky. Berserker, despite knowing it's Trevor, hisses at him with his teeth bared. He does stop running, at least. ]

Easier to get around like this. [ Someone familiar. Getting his fight instinct under control is easier said than done. He steps closer, though he's still cautious. ] You've never seen me this way...

[ He normally takes this form to conserve heat during the winter, but it just felt right -- denying that instinctual desire on a full moon was impossible. ]

You in less than I'm wearing out in front of another store.

[ Berserker still seems unimpressed -- then again, that's just normal for him. His tail swishes with agitation, more at the situation than at Lio. It's fine, he's getting paid, he tells himself. There are more demeaning things to do for money. ]

...Are you having trouble adjusting to the changes? [ God knows he'd been the same way; he rarely wears shirts at home because of his wings. He brushes off Lio's praise for the moment to address practical matters. ] If you need something to accommodate them better, they're sure to have something.

[ A...rousing endorsement? ]

[ It's true that it was a completely different animal, so to speak. The same type of weapon, but so wholly different in its weight and purpose. Still, Berserker believes he can handle it, otherwise he wouldn't have made the offer. ]

If the beast is as big as they say it is, this will be more useful than anything lighter. [ He stands behind Diarmuid, placing a hand on his shoulder and the other on his hip. He pushes him into a different position, guiding his posture. ] Like this. You'll be able to put more into the strike this way.

[ And, because he can't help himself, he kisses his cheek. ]

Keep yourself balanced as much as possible. You'll adapt easily to the extra weight.

... so you're saying you'd be okay with me wearing less but in front of the same store, with you.

( yes, he's making a reach. it's amusing to him, in a way. but he looks at the storefront blinks a few times, looking back at berserker with a curious expression, then back to where he can see several outfits dressed on dummies. )

Maybe. I've thought about wearing something that'll keep my upper body mostly open.

( after all, the marks haven't completely faded yet. )

[ Whispers of Caster acting a bit off had been passed around the harbor and, of course, they'd reached his ears. It didn't help the last few times they'd seen each other in passing that Berserker noticed something wasn't quite right. His only conclusion was a lost Bond or something equally troubling.

So he does the only thing he can think to do: buy a bottle (read: several) of strong ale and show up on Caster's doorstep unannounced. He at least has the courtesy to knock instead of just trying the door. ]

They're letting me keep this when I'm done in addition to my payment...If you're that curious as to what they have, go volunteer yourself.

[ Though Lio may not have to. One of the workers inside has taken note of him, gesturing to another employee. Berserker notes this with a brief smirk. ]

I'm sure they'll have something to suit you...You do look good in little to nothing.

( hard for him to not ignore those observant eyes. they look like they're already gathering something for him to wear, and lio looks away hoping that they won't continue if he doesn't look interested. )

Really? ( even harder to say no to free clothes, especially if they're new. ) Well...

( this gives him enough time to gently smack the dragon's chest with the back of his hand. )

I guess I could wear things that show off what you've left me.

Sorry, we're closing alre— [ Caster starts speaking before he opens the door fully. And doesn't finish when he notices Berserker on the doorstep. That's where he mutters a welcome. ] Ah, hey—

[ And opens the door wide to invite Berserker inside the Inkchanted (and making sure to flip the "closed" message onto the door. He doesn't say a trivial thing, like "long time no see" or something the way. They work too closely to not pass each other... although he wasn't in very social mood last few days—

and then there was that message session a few weeks ago, hm—

So instead he acknowledges the goal of the visit that he can see in Berserker's hands ]

It is a good night for sharing a chilled drink.

[That much he'll agree with. With some adjustments to his stance and a little training, he could probably gain a good understanding of this spear but right now they only have time for the basics- and even that turns out to be problematic. Though he should be focusing on what Berserker is showing and telling him, he's suddenly all to aware of how close they are. His skin prickles where his breathe brushes against his neck-]

Ah- [The kiss catches him completely off guard. It's such a pleasant surprise whenever Berserker shows him a glimpse of that playfulness still hiding within him that he can't help but laugh.] Don't startle me like that- not while I'm holding this beauty, at least.

[If nothing else, it's put his mind back on the task at hand. He commits his instructions to memory, carefully mimicking his movements and where he places his weight. Unsurprisingly, Berserker is right; he's already starting to figure it out.]

... if I do it a disservice you can always take it back with your teeth. Or tail.

[now there's a mental image]

[ There's a lot that can be said, more that probably needs to be said, and all of that goes unsaid for now. Berserker hands over one of the bottles silently as he steps inside. Whatever is bothering Caster is significant and, well, he owes him for the comfort given to him after Flat's disappearance. ]

It is. [ And, because he can't help but ask: ] ...Are you alright?

[ Strange to think that a year ago this sort of meeting would have been completely unthinkable. ]

[ He slips his arms around Diarmuid's waist and rests his head on his shoulder, hugging him gently from behind. A brief lesson and a brief indulgence. ]

You won't. I have faith in your abilities. [ He nuzzles against his neck for just a moment before releasing him and backing away. ] But I may just snatch it from your grip if that faith slips.

[ He's ... kidding, as much as he's capable of, anyway.

With that out of the way, there's nothing left but to continue forward. He needs to shift sooner rather than later. He glances over to Diarmuid. ]

I'll be back in a moment.

[ He makes his way to a thicket where he can be more or less concealed. Painful. It's always painful to change. It's why he doesn't like to be seen when he does it. He's willingly endured so much pain in his life, why is this so much different? It only takes a minute, but it feels like an eternity.

Berserker, now suitably large for the task at hand, reappears a bit later. He approaches the witch and lowers his front end down, inviting him to climb up. ]

[ He bares his teeth briefly at the swat. The annoyance is only momentary, though, overcome by surprise. ]

...I don't understand you. [ Diarmuid accepts the marks he leaves on him, but actively tries to cover them up -- most of his partners are the same way. They're a fact that comes with sleeping with him, an inconvenience to be dealt with later. ] Why do you want to show them off?

[ Lio's hope of dissuading the shopkeepers quickly shatters as one of them comes out to make an offer. They carry with them an equally brief outfit on a hanger: a mesh shrug with a very brief pair of shorts.

Berserker flashes his teeth again, smirking. ]

Well? You can show them off with that, can't you?

[Those little displays of affection might seem like nothing to outsiders- some might even think of them as small and insignificant- but they make Diarmuid's knees weaken. It seemed impossible this time last year that he could ever express something like this and yet-

- no, he has to focus. With his free hand, he reaches back and strokes Berserker's hair, fingertips grazing his horns.]

I don't doubt you will. Be as harsh on me as you like, my teacher.

[Even after all this time, though, Berserker's transformations make him uneasy- not because of what he becomes but because of the process. Muted though it is, he can feel the shiver of something close to pain, the strange mercurial shift of something. Their connection means that he knows that Berserker has changed even before he hears his claws on the grass and he turns just as the now full-sized dragon pushes through the trees.

Diarmuid pauses, leaning forward and pressing his forehead briefly to his scaled brow, eyes closed. Though his form has changed, the beat and pulse of their bond hasn't. It's all the mental preparation he needs. When he steps back, it's with a determined nod before he swings himself up onto Berserker's back using Gáe Bolg for leverage not unlike a pole vaulter. Maybe he can use its size to his advantage after all.

He tugs the spear free from the ground, rebalances it in his grip and settles into place.]

I'm ready. Let's make a move.

[ His shifts are the only time he ever actively tries to hide anything through their bond; no one deserves to feel that pain but himself. There's only so much he can do to suppress it, though, and for that he feels guilty. No matter, what's done is done.

Berserker makes a satisfied huff as Diarmuid vaults up onto his back. ]

You're learning quickly.

[ Once he's sure he's settled in, Berserker gets a running start and takes off with heavy wingbeats. The extra weight is barely noticeable as he climbs higher into the sky. Soon the trees below them are barely discernible, the landscape flattening out. From the height they're at, the glittering surface of the lake becomes visible in the warm glow of the morning light.

It's not a long flight, the distance almost trivial in the face of a determined dragon. Berserker slowly comes in for a landing on the lake shore, his claws sinking easily into the wet sand. He lowers himself down again to let Diarmuid off.

How odd that it looks so peaceful right now. Wasn't whatever lurked within taking victims? Well, they would need to get the lay of the land and figure out a plan of attack if and when the beast made itself known. ]

It might sound odd to you, but I could never keep scars before coming here.

( the clothes that are brought out are certainly wearable per his aesthetic. they look lightweight, practical, and very much exactly what he wants. the feathers that cover his skin in patches will certainly help give an additional level of something. flair? intimidation? but then lio smirks as he takes the offered mesh garment and the short shorts. )

I can also say I fought a dragon. Won't say if I won or lost though.

( he'll go inside the shop in order to change, which doesn't take him too long--- before rejoining berserker outside. there's a faint tint of pink on his cheeks as he keeps his eyes off of the dragon before speaking again: )

... they had to adjust some things while I was wearing them.

( but the scars are very much visible. )

Nnnnope.

[ He's definitely sure he has never seen Berserker like this. In his bigger dragon form? Yes. But small and cranky an bitey? No. Although the cranky seems to be the usual for him anyways.]

Didn't know you could shrink.

[ Pausing for a moment, he crouches down, arms draped across his knees. ]

Do you want head pets or something?

Neither could I.

[ A body made of magic didn't scar, even if it seemed human in every way. If he'd been able to scar the way he is now, his skin would be nothing but scar tissue with the wounds he'd taken. Most of the scars he has now are an unpleasant reminder of a very bad time, but they're simply a part of him now, a sign of what he's lived through.

He watches impassively as Lio is taken away to be fit. Well, at least they were paying for the indignities today -- there are worse ways to make money. Once he returns, well, he can't keep his eyes off of him. His face is indifferent, but the clothes do make him impossible to ignore.

Hm. Not the time to be thinking about that. ]

Those marks will fade...Mostly. If you're looking for more, I can give them to you.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 1 of 4

Juril Quests, Full Moon, and Catch-all [OPEN]

for Diarmuid

1

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

moon madness

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

for Caster

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject