catch-all (partly open; partly closed)

[catasstrophy]

Who: Konoe and friends acquaintances (and enemies, and whatever)
When: May
Where: ~around~
What: All the things! So far: herb quest with Dylas; Mrs. Mitten quest with... you?
Warnings: The general stupidity of a catboy chasing a cat? 🙀 Will edit as things come up.
Feel free to use the format/tense you're most comfortable with! I will happily adapt.
If you want to wildcard me for whatever, go right ahead. You're likely to find Konoe around the city, following the magic classes the coven's giving, maybe attempting some very minor magic in a secluded spot, sitting on a rooftop looking out over the city and trying not to feel lonely, or... very much lost because he has no sense of direction.

[closed] HERBOLOGY HELP

It's not for the reward that Konoe does this; in fact, he's not sure what the reward even is. But he's been wanting to take a look at the forest, even if it's supposed to be dangerous, and this gives him the perfect excuse to finally do it. And, since he's not alone... he doesn't have to worry about getting lost either. (Shut up.)

It's strange how much the forest feels comfortable and familiar, yet something about it is still very much off. The smell of the trees and plants is not so different than that of the world he grew up in, but there's definitely something odd on top of that, very faint and sickly sweet, yet anything but sweet at the same time. That's new. The Void never smelled like anything... but then, that only made it more dangerous.

This still feels more like home than a city ever could. Konoe appreciates the comforts of a city, but it's hard to beat scents for nostalgia.

"Follow the river in the forest, it said..." And that's what they're doing. "Do you think it's much further?" He doesn't mind either way. He's just trying to make conversation, in his own way - and perhaps trying to calm down somewhat, with that eerie sickly sweet scent lightly prickling at his nose.


[open] MRS. MITTENS

In a city full of magic and monsters, there's a wide variety of things one should expect to see, and very little that should surprise you. Even so, the sight in front of you may raise a few eyebrows.

"Hey - wait!" There's a young man with a tail and cat ears, his hood long since fallen off his head and flapping behind him like the rest of his mantle. He's running at a pretty impressive speed, jumping obstacles... and perhaps knocking over a thing or two (hopefully not a person or two) in the process, oops.

That's not really the noteworthy thing here, though. The strangest thing to note is that he's chasing... a cat. The catboy is chasing a cat.

"I'll give you milk, so come here already!" He remembers that these Cats are supposed to like milk. He has still not accepted that they apparently - supposedly - can't talk, though... and even if he did, he expects them to at least understand what he's saying.

Clearly this particular Cat is just very rude.

Comments

[veilfires]

[- or perhaps he’ll only distract the man by appearing to chase him, enough that the cat ultimately flees.]

No need! Keep your eyes on the cat! I’ll help!

[He'd ordinarily think it funny, but now he has committed to the task, he's carrying it out with his usual mage’s focus. Quests to wrangle an animal are no simple matter, he has learned: concentration is required.

His only glimpse of the cat so far has been it tearing past in the corner of his eye, moments before the man made contact. But he has the advantage of a burst of speed from having just started to run. He scans around the crowd for some sort of advantageous route.]

[catasstrophy]

[Help? Well, if the guy wants to help, Konoe isn't going to say no. There's no reason why he should, anyway: it's a free city, or something like it.]

Fine. Keep up!

[... How very grateful.

Mrs. Mittens is a pretty fast Cat, her small size a definite advantage, even with her shorter legs. Konoe can't gain on her no matter how he tries, but he can hope for an opportunity to corner her - and that opportunity seems to come not long after literally running into the pointy-eared man, when Mrs. Mittens rushes into an alley that proves to be a dead end.

The upside (downside?) to chasing a Cat so small compared to himself is that this is much like chasing prey, Konoe's instincts kicking in. The downside is that, the closer he gets to success and the more focused he becomes, the more he has no attention to spare for anything outside of his target, his surroundings all but ignored. He pounces when Mrs. Mittens is forced to slow down, before she can even turn around - but it's like she was expecting it. Konoe barely misses as she jumps up - and onto his head, planning a quick escape as he slides face-first into a pile of garbage.]

[veilfires]

[A cat is not so fast as a halla, and not so stubborn as a druffalo. It is, however, small, darting and almost as clever. But not, in this instance, quite clever enough – the man succeeds in corralling it in an alley. Solas is behind him, expecting this to be the moment the chase ends.

He’s pulled up short in that confidence, though, when the man falls. The cat pauses to meow in victory, and leaps off his head to make a swift getaway.

He could swear he sees the cats eyes widen in surprise when it sees him. They take each other by mutual surprise, but they are both quick thinkers. He swoops in to scoop his arms around its body. The cat performs an admirable mid-air twist of feline acrobatic grace, dancing out of his grasp. He barely readjusts himself – and succeeds in grabbing it by its tail.

It, of course, lets out a horrible yowl of pain. He lets go at once, freezing, shocked by the noise and sorry to have hurt it.

The cat flexes in mid-air, clearly preparing to sprint off as soon as it lands. It’s not been stopped, but it has been delayed.]

[catasstrophy]

[Just barely missing his target and crashing into garbage not long after isn't the most impressive thing Konoe's ever done, but it just can't be helped. The thing that really bothers him is not so much the missing (even though that's embarrassing) as the undignified collision with trash that, in his focus on his prey, he hadn't even realized was there.

Still, there's no helping that now. Once he's come to a halt, he uses the garbage to push off against, leaping at the still-escaping Cat - and this time catching her, pinning her little body to the ground. It's probably as well that he got his hunting instinct punished just before; at least there's no intention to hurt or even play with the Cat in any way, even if he's merciless - rightfully so, he thinks! - in keeping her trapped and under control. She, of course, meows pitifully.]

Don't complain! That's what you get for not coming along quietly!

[Is he... talking bad-cop to a cat? Yup, he sure is.]

[veilfires]

[This doesn’t serve to decrease the alarm and pity he feels on behalf of the cat.]

Do not hurt it! [Of course, he’s not exactly hurting it – everybody’s just worked up.

He’s one for magical solutions to difficult problems, and magic is veritably bursting at his finger tips here, begging to be used. Thinking quickly perhaps more than wisely, he visualises the cat held not by the man but by a gentle wisp. With a flourish of his hand, he calls the spell forth with a flourish of his hand. It comes out in a small stream of smoke, that, abidingly, floats towards the cat.]

[catasstrophy]

I'm not hurting it!

[Much. Clearly Mrs. Mittens is just throwing a kitty fit, and Konoe isn't planning to let go - until that smoke appears, coming ever closer.

Maybe he shouldn't be suspicious, when the man helped him just before, but magic is still kind of scary, definitely not something he's used to - and something he's been on the receiving end of, in wholly unpleasant ways, in his own world. He waits as long as he can, feeling nervous sweat prickle along his spine, but eventually he has to jump back, away from the Cat.

He can fight this guy later, if he needs to; for now, protecting himself is more important.]

[veilfires]

[He notes at once the reaction of fear: it’s so familiar from the world he’s come from. It serves to redouble his concentration: to dissuade such fear, mistakes are unacceptable. The appearance of being in control is paramount. With much inner effort, but apparent outward ease, he steels his focus and directs the wisp into halves.

When the man backs away, the cat immediately tries to make a break for it, but it freezes when it sees it’s about to run into one of the wisps. It leaps about into other direction, where it’s caught by the other wisp. Then they close on it, little tendrils of smoke connecting in bars about it. The cat yowls in shock, fruitlessly running in place, unable to touch or break through the wispy cage. It shivers, and mewls rather plaintively. It’s caught, apparently!

Casting the magic leaves Solas clearheaded, and better positioned to make the good impression he wishes to. He smiles at the man, in a manner intended as disarming, and corrects himself.]

No, you were not. Well hunted.

[catasstrophy]

[More worried about protecting himself than about keeping control of the cat in spite of all the work he's poured into catching it already, Konoe stays crouched, where he can jump and run easily - either after the cat, or away from his would-be helping hand. Fortunately the man seems genuine in his intent to assist, capturing the cat with his magic in ways Konoe wouldn't ever have thought of.

That makes him feel a little frustrated for entirely different reasons. Going on this little quest wasn't only to make money, but having someone snag up his success is still annoying. He finally straightens himself to his not-all-that-impressive height.]

... I'll let you have half the reward, but don't think you can keep all of it.

[veilfires]

Reward? Ah. This world makes us cynical.

[He puts a finger to his chin, attention on examining his own handiwork – his execution was slow, the energy uneven and overloaded in parts, but he’s pleased he managed to innovate a spell on the spot when this magic is so unfamiliar to him.

He is not hurt that the man is defensive, worried about money. That is the way of the world: every man worrying about the little he has and fearing it will be taken. He speaks calmly, to reassure:]

I am not about to steal your quarry. On a whim, I thought to assist a fellow stranger in this city. That is all.

[catasstrophy]

[Well, that is reassuring... but also feels faintly patronizing somehow.]

No, you're getting half. [He doesn't care what this guy's motivation was: he said he'd split the reward, and he's not going back on that.] You did as much as I did to catch that Cat.

[Which honestly isn't as important to Konoe as the fact that He Said A Thing and Therefore He Will Do It, but hey.

Taking off his mantle makes his own cat features even more obvious... not that they were all that hidden to start with. He uses the cloth to wrap it around the Cat, keeping it trapped even without the use of magic. Maybe he should rely more on either this man's magic or his own, but he'd rather not take any chances. This has been a lot more work than he expected, and he's not lazy by any means, but he can sure use a rest... and maybe something to eat.]

You'll have to come with me to the Cat's owner, though. I don't have the money on me.

[veilfires]

[Is this some manner of honour? The corner of his mouth quirks up.]

If you insist. We shall turn in the bounty together, then.

[Still considering on his spell, he takes a step forward, feeling for its ebb and flow, what worked and what didn’t. As the man makes to transfer the cat, he obliging raises a hand and sets about dissipating the magic. He finds dismantling the energy more of a struggle (and the cat’s pitiful meowing quite distracting) than forming it was – perhaps because the magic here so desperately wants to be used. He takes it slowly, careful not to lose control and inadvertently hurt someone.]

Whether you wish to rest first, or intend to leave at once, an introduction seems appropriate. Therefore - my name is Solas.

[catasstrophy]

[Honor or stubbornness, see it as you wish. Konoe has his flaws, but he insists on being fair, when it comes to things like this... even if his version of "fair" may not necessarily be anyone else's.

Oh, right, introductions. Probably a good idea.]

I'm Konoe. I don't need to rest. Unless you want to.

[Who is tired? He's not tired!

... Well, okay, he's a little tired - but he'd still rather get this over with before resting. If the Cat escapes, he doesn't think he can find the energy to chase it all over again.]

[veilfires]

[It’s good to show endurance. He’s in this on a whim, after all, for the introductions and conversation with a strange and intriguing offworlder – he’s comfortable with whatever form it takes.]

Well met, Konoe. So long as the walk is not too far, I should manage. [Particularly as his length of the chase was considerably shorter.

He gestures expansively at the cat-package.]

Where are we making our delivery to?

[catasstrophy]

It's not far.

[The words come out with utter conviction, because Konoe believes them.]

It's just a little ways over -...

[He looks around. Left... Right...
...
Oh, crap... He has literally no idea where he is, let alone what direction to head in. In part, it's because he was so focused on chasing the cat; in part, it's just that his sense of direction is non-existent.

The seconds tick by like decades. The last thing Konoe wants is to admit that he has no idea where he needs to go, but he can't think of a way to hide that, either.]

... Their name is Fang Hawkens.

[The one thing he knows! Good job, Konoe.

Excuse him while he hugs the cat a little closer and tries not to die of embarrassment.]

[veilfires]

...If you are lost, that is understandable. You have sprinted halfway across the district in an alien city.

[The wilting cat ears make for quite effective communicators of emotion, he notes.]

Undermael College is nearby: they are not reluctant to guide newcomers. Perhaps we can reorient ourselves there.

[He steps back, and makes an open gesture with one hand, as a shall we be off?]

[catasstrophy]

[He's not lost!! ... or that's what he'd like to say. It's too much of a flat-out lie for even Konoe to dare say it, though. In the end, he just lets out a soft, frustrated sigh, and decides not to respond to that particular hypothetical conclusion altogether. Maybe if he ignores it, it will go away...]

... Okay. Let's ask, there.

[Maybe they'll have some sort of city index, or someone will have heard of that Fang person, or at least they can get enough of a general direction that Konoe will recognize something again....

Konoe's note to self: the moment he figures out this magic thing, he needs to figure out some sort of guidance spell to find his way to wherever he needs to go.

Still halfway hugging the cat, Konoe heads into the direction Solas gestures, hoping it is indeed the correct one to get to Undermael College. Not like Konoe knows any better.]

[veilfires]

[Luckily it just takes them back to the road Solas was walking on just previously, which has become a well-trod path for him: any other street in Aefenglom and he’d be lost as well.

As Konoe seems closed off, he doesn’t try to break the silence as they walk, and himself seems quite comfortable with it. Though he’s curious and would enjoy conversation, they’ve got an afternoon ahead of them, evidently, and he’s not someone who needs to talk when there’s no need to or when it would be unwanted.

Anyway, he seems to be looking for something he left behind on the busy street -]

Ah. There – my books. [Still where he left them, deposited haphazardly on the pavings. He makes to stride over.] That is a relief – these belong to the library.

[catasstrophy]

[Konoe wouldn't mind conversation, but he's not naturally inclined to start it for no reason, and he's trying to focus on both holding the cat and keeping a better eye on their surroundings so he doesn't get lost again (honestly unlikely). He's comfortable with the silence, anyway. It's kind of nice, not needing to make conversation.]

... You left them in a place like that?

[He's judging. A little. Not that he wouldn't have done the same exact thing a thousand times over, but it's still a little dumb - and this is an easy thing to say when smalltalk is next to impossible.]

[veilfires]

Not the most sensible action, no. [He leans down, gathering them up in a pile. Looking at it titles, they’re mostly books on his current area of study – ones on divination and dream-walking.] I am sure the librarians would not appreciate my treating them so.

[He straightens again, books in arms.]

I suppose I am too quick to leave things behind. [Still, he hardly minds. It was better than being encumbered, and he did end up able to help.]

[catasstrophy]

[Konoe stares at the book titles with equal parts envy and repulsion. (Okay, maybe more envy than repulsion!) That's really what he should do to get better at magic: study from books. But he's not that great with books, so he's mostly focused on taking the classes offered by the Coven, and then practicing...

That's not going to make him better than whatever the Coven decides is okay, though, is it? Maybe it's enough for now, but eventually he's going to have to buckle up and improve his reading skills.]

... It's kind of hard dragging heavy things around when running, anyway.

[Which is sorta-kinda-almost an apology for his rudeness before, if you squint. He didn't really mean much of anything by it in the first place, but even he can acknowledge that it wasn't very nice.]

So that's the type of magic you like? Divination, and what not.

[veilfires]

[A subject he’s happy to talk about, with the same ease with which he walked in silence, as they fall into step again.]

Not exactly. In my experience, prophecy and soothsaying are dubious concepts at best. [Though Mythal herself had a penchant for delving at length into both: they differed, on that.] I believe we are the ultimate determiners of our fate, not the stars or dregs of tea-leaves.

But to divine is to know, and I seek to know more of this world. To that end, my immediate goal is to walk once more in the realm of dreams, as the master divinators of the Coven claim to do.

[catasstrophy]

[Konoe wonders about that... He wants to believe he can decide his own fate, but if everyone can decide their own fate, then no doubt there are some who would determine others' - and isn't that exactly what happened to him, before? Someone suddenly turned him into entertainment, siccing demons on him and making him cursed. It was like being thrown into the middle of a lake without knowing how to swim: determination and fighting could only get you so far. What, exactly, determined your fate then?]

The realm of dreams, huh... That is where you can find answers?

[veilfires]

[There are no gods or threads of fate that cause the world’s greatest tragedies and joys, as far as Solas has seen: there are only people. That does not make the world fair, nor does it mitigate the sad reality that the powerful are oppressive, and that the only choice available to many is the bleak choice to do what they may to survive, day-by-day.

He muses on it idly, but puts it aside: those are old thoughts.]

Perhaps. The wisdom I gleaned from dreams generally served only to give rise to more and more questions. [He seems pleased about it. Life is riddles upon riddles.]

I seek definite answers now. [He frowns, listing off some pertinent questions:] Do our souls walk in the ream of dreams? Where does our magic come from? What will reveal the boundaries of this world?

[catasstrophy]

[If Solas is tickled by all the questions this world brings, Konoe is aggravated by them. He's curious, yes - very much so, in fact - but he barely knows where to start looking for answers. He wasn't exactly the most learned person in his own world, and here, he's completely out of his depth. It's frustrating enough that he'd rather focus on other things than hunting for answers that only bring more questions, more mystery, more frustration. Not that he always manages to hold back the way he tries to...]

... And how did we end up here?

[That sure is a very down-to-earth question compared to the others - Konoe very much means the falling through the mirrors, rather than anything more philosophic about existence - but it's the question he's asked himself most often.]

[veilfires]

[With determination:]

Precisely.

[When they understand that, they’ll be that much closer to returning to their worlds. He may even learn how to take from this world, and make his world and his plans for it better: then this will not have all been a devastating waste...]

The Coven is generous to grant us use of their resources. I must make use of them, for the sake of my world. [Though it’s not exactly granted Konoe feels the same strength of commitment to his own world that Solas feels to his, so he looks sidelong, interested.] Do you feel much the same?