middaeg | break free, it's time to believe

[ Wataru is, among others, taking up the task to watch over the adorable bunch of kittens that were lucky enough to find caring people after they lost their mom. It would be pretty much a heartwarming tale from start to end, if it weren't for their quite bothersome... ability.

He thought it was easy to watch over these small critters, who may be unruly but definitely harmless. Instead, he finds himself stumbling on his feet when one of them decides to poof out of sight the moment he stooped down to pick it up.

Towards his quest companion - his now well established friend Sougo - he throws a concerned look, his hands stuck for a moment in the act of grasping air before he clenches them at his sides after standing up. ]

Sorry for asking, but can you help me find the orange tabby that has just disappeared at my feet?

[ Once again, Wataru finds himself at the circus festival on the 5th of Juril. He could have stayed home and rested, but something within his mind tempted him to go anyway. For once, he feels... relaxed, as though he went through the most satisfying eight hours of sleep he ever had. It's hard to describe it, except for the fact he's been smiling non-stop for far longer than he usually would. Sure, it would have been weirder prior to his positive change, but his friends from back home would still find something weird in his behavior tonight.

Not that he completely cares, anyhow. Let things proceed this odd but nice direction, at least for a while longer.

Thankfully, he didn't commit any crimes while in this state. The most he did, really, was speak to strangers in a bolder manner than his usual, and not in a way that would gain him enemies. Still, the regular and much sober Wataru would surely have a few regrets later, as though going through a nasty hangover. Right now, such a rational thought is neither here nor there in his mind. All he wants is to have fun and hang out with more people.

Speak of the devil... one with gorgeous horns and a handsome face he learned to appreciate. Everett is here.

It takes Wataru less than a second reflecting on his actions before he comes up to the faun, touching his shoulder gently and smiling at him. ]

I should have figured I would see you here.

[ In theory it was supposed to be a very easy and soothing quest to take on, which is kind of what Sougo needs right now. He hasn't really told anyone what happened to him while underground, and isn't exactly about to announce that his magic went nuclear on him, and that he's spent the past week and a half recovering from...

Well, from being dead.

He definitely looks a little more low energy than normal, but at least he's just as smiley as always. Sougo has always been good at smiling regardless of the situation he finds himself in.

Being around small, presumably friendly furry creatures should help make that a little more genuine. Though it'd be even better if those little furry guys would just continue to exist in a way that he and Wataru can keep track of.

He sits up from his spot, gaze snapping to Wataru, before trailing off to scan the room. ]

Where did it go...?

[ Wataru noticed a little change in Sougo's overall appearance, but it didn't warrant him asking what happened. The boy still looks in a good enough mood to agree catsitting with him, so he won't bring anything up unless he sees more proof of his suspicions.

Either way, the matter at hand takes up most of his worries at the moment. ]

It's what I'd like to know... [ He frowns, looking around the room. Luckily the kittens can't phase through walls and windows, so if the tabby reappears the most it can do is hide somewhere.

Unbeknowst to Wataru, the tabby reappears behind Sougo and meows at him. ]

Edited 2020-07-04 17:07 (UTC)

[ Wataru had thought time and time again about his relative disadvantage as a Witch towards missions like these that require a specific ability to swim. He ends up accepting it anyway, promising to find a capable companion that can help him get the cargo to security with the least amount of risks.

Luck turns in his favour when Connor, his merrow friend, comes up and agrees to work with him. They discuss the matter and bounce plans off each other as they head down the Undern Ocean, where the shipwreck has been indicated. Stopping by the shore, Wataru looks off to the distance, a frown set on his features. ]

Other than giving my aid to reach the shipwreck with my magic, I don't think I can be much use to you. I'm sorry, but I'll try my best to be of assistance.

[ The meow is more than enough to tip Sougo off, and with a worrying lack of concern about the fact that the kittens can poof into thin air, he's dropping down into a squat so he can pick the little fellow up.

This could get troubling fast, but Wataru and Sougo are going to very quickly become some kind of care of magical creature experts in this world at the rate they're going with these quests.

Without a word on having found the cat while Wataru is looking, Sougo picks the cat back up in his arms, and glances around at the others in the room. So far all accounted for. ]

It's going to be a problem if they do this a lot.

Wataru! Lovely lad, yes, yes, so I am! And so I am glad to see you. [Everett's prim manner is still present in his good posture and easy smile, but he's more casually handsy. For a Springtide, it's rare to reach out for public displays of affection. Everett still did as much, generally with Hector or Myr, but tended to be more reserved around Wataru when not in private.

Not today. Today, he reaches out immediately and scoops the young man around the waist, holding him close to his side, bumping their hips playfully. He nuzzles his face to the young man's hair and kisses his forehead dotingly. Faundly, even.

Most shockingly of all... Everett is not wearing any gloves. Scandalous!]

Are you having a good time?

[ Scratching the back of his head, Wataru sighs and looks into one of the boxes, his back turned to Sougo. ]

They're playful kittens. It is going to happen a lot, even though they're not to be blamed for it.

[ Case in point, a black and white kitty within Sougo's range of vision puffs into thin air right after Wataru stops talking. ]

[ It turns out Wataru isn't feeling like the world's entire heat is going to rush all over his face for the public display of affection Everett is offering him already. Sure, there's still a faint blush over his cheeks when he's being kissed so lovingly, but he finds it much easier to maintain his smile and return the one-armed hug around his friend. ]

Yeah, I am. This is probably the best gathering I've ever been in so far. It feels refreshing.

[ And he's not really doing anything that involves playing music and spending hours on a stage, so he's pretty high on energy. Sometimes you just want to be the audience. ]

I see you're also enjoying yourself?

I'm sure you'll be helpful.

[Connor may be able to swim just fine, but he doesn't have much in the way of offensive spells.]

I'll need you to watch my back while I swim, after all. I have claws and teeth, but my magic is... limited.

That I am, that I am. Goodness me, dear Wataru... [he says, his voice something in awe and something bashful at once, admitting with utmost fondness]

That smile of yours is a true wonder. It's good to see you so at ease! [poor thing always looks so nervous and if not that, focused on his playing. Everett likes this breezy, self assured look upon him]

[ Sougo's face lights up at the sight of the kitten vanishing, and he adjusts his hold on the cat in his arms as he starts to glance around the room to see if he can see where the other one vanished off to. ]

Can they turn invisible?

[ Securely holding his kitten he really should tell Wataru about he kneels down to look under a chair. ]

Edited 2020-07-12 02:20 (UTC)

[ Ah... that remark makes him blush, but he can't look away from Everett. It doesn't seem so strange after all they had done together, though. ]

You don't look any less- [ What's the word? ] ... radiant, really.

Radiant, really! [Everett echoes, in his nervous habit way, though his emphasis makes it nearly outraged sounding. Outraged in his flattery is the expression, truly, caught off by hearing as much from Wataru. The young man was sweet, but very withheld and so hearing as much said so brazenly catches him off guard.

He's delighted, but of course, he makes a silly face in that delight.]

How touching and flattering. Tell me that any more often and I'll faint, old goat that I am.

[ For a moment he thinks he was too forward, but that goes by quicker by a breeze, the air around him serving as a reminder that he can be as relaxed and free to talk as he likes. Everett's reaction, by all means, brings something like satisfaction and some bit of mischief in him. ]

Does it take so little to fluster you? I'm... surprised.

I'm merely weak to your charms, perhaps! [he reaches to pet across Wataru's hair brushing some from hanging over his eyes. Spying the dot of one of the man's many beauty marks, Everett can't help lean in and peck a kiss to his cheek over it. They might as well be little targets!]

How compelled I am to ask, [by lack of any better restraint, really] how are you fairing in your bonds? Are you stable?

[ Wataru doesn't draw away from the chaste kiss, its tingle over his skin not enough to make him fluster. Instead he leans into the touch, hums, then thinks about what luck he's had so far with bonds... which is, not really much, but at least he managed to live through months with one partner only. ]

I have one bond. She had been my only one, for as far as I've been here.

[ Then, tilting his head. ] How about yourself?

[ Wataru gives a nod. He can only steel his confidence, because otherwise he'll put his friend in danger and that's... not ideal. ]

Okay. I'll cover you the whole way there. Tell me when you're ready.

[ Meanwhile he lift a box and sigh when there's no kitty inside. Cats usually love being inside boxes, but alas. ]

I think what they're capable to do is teleport across short distances. The good thing is that their ability must be limited because they can't get out of this closed space - they always reappear somewhere in this room.

[ It's just really frustrating when they pop out from under his nose. ]

I've had... oh, three so far. Though I have since lost my witch bond, dear Sokie. My heart aches with her leaving this place, but alas... nothing to be done. [Everett squeezes Wataru's shoulder gentle in his grasp, sighing gentle and wistful]

I love my other two greatly, yet both are also monsters. Well enough to keep balanced, but not precisely ideal.

I'm good to go.

[Connor eyes the water suspiciously before diving in, surfacing quickly. He hopes Wataru will be able to see when they get deeper underwater, because Connor can't help him there.]

It seems clear for now. Let's go.

[ Shortly after that's said, the other cat pops into view just beside the chair. Don't mind him as he picks that one up too. He'll have to see how long he manages to hold onto either of them, but they seem content enough there for now. ]

So they can only go through air?

[ Is that how teleportation works? He's not entirely sure, not being an expert on the matter. Hell, he's hardly an expert on the things he does on the regular like time travel. ]

I'm sorry for the loss.

[ It's weird to say that, especially when the fate of those who disappear from Aefenglom is kind of unknown, but the break of a bond is something he thinks is similar to the time Jill died in front of him and became a vampire. And it's awful - very much so. He can't express himself any differently than what he's just told Everett.

... Wait, both monsters? Wataru widens his eyes. That's the worst combination someone would have as far as Bonds go. He frowns. ]

That's no good, Everett. You might be in serious danger if you don't find a Witch. [ ... ] Well, I am a Witch, for that matter...

[ Wataru notices his how palms have grown sweaty from nervousness, and he wipes them against his pants before nodding towards Connor. ]

I'm here. [ He proceeds, really hoping for the best since his sights will definitely be compromised underwater and he won't be able to help as much. ]

I think so. But I'm not sure how teleportation works - we're just fortunate they won't be able to exit from here.

[ A small sigh, and then he turns to Sougo, eyes widening as he sees two kittens in the boy's hands. ]

Where did you get them?

I have found you, indeed! But... are you who I'm looking for? [He teases a bit, voice breezy because he does hate to impose... but the words escape him, clear and concise in their question. His impulsiveness pairs """well""" with the sudden lack of inhibitions]

Would you be interested in bonding with me, dear Wataru? I would be thrilled.

[ Were he in a mode lucid state on mind, Wataru would ask some time to think about it. Because he's not lucid at the moment, and Everett's situation promptly worries him, the urge to fix things as quickly as possible takes over all rationality. He's a Witch and his friend is a Monster. Can't make it any more obvious. ]

I would, but only if you're that interested in having me as well.

[ If he's not met with the same urgency, he thinks Everett might be screwed sooner or later. ]

[ When Wataru turns around Sougo just gives him a big smile, like he hasn't done anything wrong by not mentioning all the cats that have popped up. ]

You were right. They just appeared in the room again after disappearing.

[There's not much might when Everett's already screwed plenty, but that's another matter entirely-]

Yes! Yes, yes, yes, dear lad. [Everett is very good at being urgent and earnest, at least. He wouldn't be against this in the slightest, even in a more withheld state of mind, but the rush wouldn't be driving him in that case. He'd be more hesitant simply out of obligation, a sense of responsibility. Now? He's just happy to agree with his dear friend.

Everett steps back, but only so he can take Wataru's hand in his, bowing to kiss the young man's knuckles before pressing them against his forehead, proclaiming]

It would be a great honor.

break free, it's time to believe

sougo ♦ catsitting quest of doom

everett ♦ the start of something new, unhibited, and wonderful

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connor ♦ shipwreck hunting

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I'M BACK... sorry for the huge late

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it's okay!

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