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

[catasstrophy]

...

[He should tell her that he'd intended to get the whole flower, but when she's praising him like this, he just can't bring himself to do it.]

... Maybe we should try for leaves, first, so we don't ruin all the flowers.

[They can just magically pluck leaves off stalks and what not, and work their way up to flowers if they manage. It requires a little more concentration to do right, perhaps, but that's also an important thing to train - and at least it's a smaller area of concentration than a whole flower.]

oh no, konoe. he's so darling. i'll praise you all you want ;w;

[holybeasts]

That sounds fair. It would be a shame to ruin all of them after all.

[She's no plant aficionado but she does admire these after taking that first language of flowers gardening class.

And honestly, concentrating on something small is somehow easier for her right now. She pops off her first leaf from the plant to her hand without a problem and looks thoroughly pleased with herself.]

Perfect!

he is a good cat who need nothing and nobody, except when he does

[catasstrophy]

Right?

[He definitely doesn't want to ruin all the flowers, either, even if the more experienced witches can probably magic them right back. He kind of likes flowers... not that he'd ever admit it.

She manages so easily, he feels a lot of pressure to do the same... but then, he'd already sorta kinda managed before, hadn't he? Magic is chaos... He just needs to concentrate and keep it simple. It's just a small thing. So...

He reaches out with his hand in the direction of the leaf he's focusing on, and it appears in his hand almost too easily. He lets out a breath, stunned. To think he managed it just like that!]

[holybeasts]

[Oh! Maria looks over as he lets go of his breath.]

You did it too! It's much easier trying like this, I think.

[The blonde blows out a breath then, contemplating the leaf in her own hand. She doesn't look displeased but thoughtful really.]

It's amazing though. I'm so used to using my abilities so easily. I think though all this time I've been relying on my guardians to help me use it. Now I have to rely on myself and it's... rather humbling.

[She laughs a little gently, looking sheepish as she turns the tiny leaf over between forefinger and thumb.]

I am looking forward to learning, of course.

[Perhaps her self confidence has been taken down a peg or so in terms of her abilities though.]

[catasstrophy]

Humbling or not... I think it's much better to be able to do things by yourself.

[In fact, that may just be his life motto, in borderline unhealthy ways. At least he's become a little more flexible about it in more recent times.]

If you do something yourself, you have only yourself to thank for it. Good or bad, success or failure... you don't owe anyone but yourself.

[And there's no point in resenting others, either. Konoe likes a healthy distance between himself and others, but that includes not hating them if he can avoid it. Nobody needs to waste energy on that.]

[holybeasts]

[At that Maria nods a little slowly as if she's mulling over his point.]

That's true but there isn't any shame in needing help too. Or looking to others to help you as well.

[She feels no shame in using those guardian spirits of hers as help. And she certainly doesn't over Richter and Annette taking her in as a child. There's only gratitude to both.]

[catasstrophy]

Of course not.

[There's no shame in that whatsoever. He wonders, briefly, if he accidentally insulted her, but if that's true, what's done is done.]

If you need help, you need help. It's more that, since you can't count on other people to give it... if you can do without help, that's better.

[That's probably the crux of the matter, really. Konoe knows, on a logical level, that people can't be required to help you. He wouldn't want them to be, either. But he'd rather just avoid the awkward "needing help and waiting to see if you ever get it from anyone" altogether.]

[holybeasts]

Mm, I suppose so. I've never really thought of it like that.

[If she's insulted then she sure isn't showing it. She focuses on another leaf and manages to transport it into her hand just a tiny bit quicker this time. It's small improvement but it's definitely improvement!

She considers. Back when she actively trained quite a bit which all in all wasn't that long ago she often just went and went until she was too drained of magic - and by consequence too hungry - to continue.]

Then again I'm also the type of person that heads into most things first. I don't have the patience to wait on others sometimes.

[She says as much with a gently sheepish smile. She understands that's a headstrong and perhaps bad habit but she often feels if anyone should brave it, it ought to be her.]

[catasstrophy]

[Being headstrong is not bad by any means, if you ask Konoe. Sometimes, it's the only way to survive, mentally if not physically. (Of course, being headstrong about something opposite to his opinion, he might not receive quite as well. Nobody said he couldn't be just a tiny bit of a hypocrite.)

Oh, right - they definitely need to keep practicing. He's a bit distracted now, not as focused on doing things better and faster, but even if it's just a repeat of what he did before, it will get him more used to magic.]

If you can do it yourself, there's no need to wait, anyway. [But... He looks over at her.] As long as you don't go alone when it's dangerous.

[Okay, now he's being a huge hypocrite. But he means well?]

[holybeasts]

[She looks at him a little curiously before she can't help herself and asks in a slightly singsong teasing tone:]

I thought you said you shouldn't rely on others though~?

[catasstrophy]

[He makes an awkward choked sound, feeling incredibly busted. How dare you mock him so rightfully?!]

You shouldn't! But you shouldn't go and get yourself killed, either.

[That's just common sense!? Gosh!]

[holybeasts]

[Pff. She shouldn't be a little amused but that choked sound...]

I think what you mean is you should seek help when appropriate?

[catasstrophy]

[Augh, why is this his life?! Get it together, Konoe! You're a strong, independent cat!!]

I mean if you could use help and people don't mind helping you, rejecting their help is just dumb.

[There! That's close enough.]

[holybeasts]

[Now he seems to be getting annoyed. Maria leaves behind her teasing, not really wanting to anger him as much as ... lightly frustrate him? Maybe.]

I understand what you're say. Even if you do put it a little roughly~.

[Okay, one last poke.]

[catasstrophy]

["Annoyed" is a matter of perspective, really. Konoe is really quick to go hissy-cat at everything and nothing, but it's rarely more than skin deep. He's not likely to hold a grudge unless someone is truly actively targeting him in serious ways.

In other words: feel free to poke the badger cat, Maria. It will be fine.]

There's nothing wrong with putting it roughly when it's a rough situation.

[Huff, huff. Just don't get yourself dead, or he will kill you.]

[holybeasts]

[Maria huffs out a gentle laugh.]

I suppose you're right. A rough situation deserves a rough response.

[She brushes her hands against one another.]

Instead of thinking about theoretical rough situations then, why don't we go rest up for more training tomorrow. Are you hungry?

[Immediately skipping to another topic on her mind. Maria enjoys the food here, okay.]

[catasstrophy]

[Of course he's right. He's always right. Satisfied with that conclusion (for the most part, anyway), he tries to let go of the frustration he knows is just childish.]

... Yeah. Let's eat.

[Maybe they haven't done a lot, but between this and the intensity of the class, before - he really isn't used to classes and the particular form of focus they require! - he feels pretty drained.]

I brought some fruit, if you want...

[Looks like he's thinking small. He definitely wouldn't say no to a more filling meal, though.]

[holybeasts]

Oh? What sort of fruit?

[She looks intrigued. This world seemed to have fruits she was both familiar and unfamiliar with.]

[catasstrophy]

[Sadly, Konoe's favorite fruit doesn't exist here, but at least there are others that he likes well enough.]

Some kind of berries... Here.

[He digs into his bag to fish out a piece of cloth that has been tied into a bag, and carefully opens it. He holds out his hand with the cloth full of berries towards her.

It's definitely not a full meal for both of them, but it's a start.]

[holybeasts]

Well now, you're smart. I ought to bring snacks with me more often!

[She's not here and doesn't take many.]

Do you like desserts? There's a very nice little shop here, if I remember right. They had a booth set up during the festival when we first arrived.

[catasstrophy]

Not really... [How dare you compliment him tbh.] I'm just used to spending a lot of time wandering around.

[The forest of his home world might have provided him with some food, but the quantity wasn't always predictable - and then there was the Void to consider. Unless he knew exactly where he was going and what to expect there, bringing at least a snack and some water was just common sense. There's no such urgency here, of course, but old habits are hard to break.]

I don't mind desserts... [He actually likes them a lot - more than you'd expect from a cat. Popping a few berries into his mouth to tide him over, he's more than happy to give that shop a shot for more of a proper meal. (Yes, desserts count as proper meals now!)] Let's go there, then.

[holybeasts]

Perfect!

[And with that Maria just sort of loops one of her arms around one of his. Doesn't ask if he minds, doesn't ask anything. She chews on a berry or two and just sort of starts leading the way.]

They had these things called... crepes, I think? I had never had them before but they're fantastic!

[catasstrophy]

[Thankfully Konoe doesn't mind in the least. He's a little weirded out by it, maybe, but not in a bad way. There's just always this slightly awkward feeling of: "How normal is this thing to that person?", both with things he does to others and with things others do to him. It's not something he'd ever let stop him, but he can't help being a little too aware of how he's the only cat in this world - as far as he knows, anyway.]

Crepes...? [Definitely not a word familiar to him, either.] What's in them?

[holybeasts]

Oh all kinds of things! The one I had was all fruit and this whipped cream stuff? I'm not particularly sure what that is but it's very good.

[Meanwhile Maria just likes to eat. Sweets mostly.]

[catasstrophy]

[Fruit: the only F-word that matters.]

If it had fruit, no wonder it was good.

[Not that he's biased, or anything... He looks around where they're walking, trying to spot the place. For better or worse, he's excited for crepes now.]