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

[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.]

[holybeasts]

[She's skimming the area too and when she does eventually spot it she all but tugs the poor cat over towards it.]

You must really like fruit then. Is it your favorite type of food?

[catasstrophy]

[He has to quickly fix his balance as she tugs him along, but thankfully cats are good at that, and he doesn't mind being dragged along. It's a matter of attitude, of course: if she'd told him to come along already you idiot or something like that, he might have literally dug his hees in. As it is, they share a noble goal of food, and he sees no need to resist.]

... Not really. [Yes, very. But being called out on it is super awkward, even if he was all but asking for it.] Other foods are good, too. But, if I had to pick something... I'm in the mood for fruit most often.

[Yup. Definitely a favorite.]

[holybeasts]

[She laughs gently. So reticent to admit to anything!]

Well we'll be very good company then. I like sweets in general to be honest.

[catasstrophy]

[Listen, anything you say can and will be used against you in the -...
Well, it's not like his world had courts - but it could still be used against you, okay?!]

Sweet things are pretty good. But I think sweet-and-sour is my favorite.

[Hence his fondness for fruit, where that combination was most common.]

[holybeasts]

[Once they do get inside of the shop, they'll both find it's a cozy little place. It smells of pastries and breads with display cases of all of the goods available and a woman working the front of the store who seems genuinely pleased to be there.]

That sounds like a good combination. Maybe we could find something sweet-and-sour for you here.

[catasstrophy]

[Konoe looks around in amazement. The scents are honestly a little overwhelming, waking up his appetite even after eating those berries, but he focuses, following Maria.]

That would be great. But really, any fruit is good!

[He's pretty invested in those "crepes" now, but he stares a bit at all the baked goods all the same. There's just so much!]

[holybeasts]

[His reply earns a big smile from the blonde. And with a firm nod she turns to the counter and wrangles up an order, leaving him to look over the baked goods for a few minutes.]

Since I dragged you here with me - here!

[What she offers out is almost like an ice cream cone in a way. It's bottom has paper around it for easier holding and the top that juts out is opened showing the variety of berries inside and the healthy dollop of whipped creme.]

There's something on the inside... I'm not entirely sure what it is but it's almost savory really.

[It's cream cheese but she hasn't a clue that's the proper name.]

[catasstrophy]

[For Konoe, food has almost always been simple and plain - and honestly, that's just fine by him. But it does mean that, when he sees something like that crepe, he is simply amazed, eyes wide as he accepts the crepe from her and continues to stare at it. It almost seems a waste to eat it!]

Thank you...

[She's just giving this to him? He's glad, but he also feels kind of bad, somehow.]

Next time it will be my treat, okay?

[He's just going to establish that before he starts eating, tongue darting out to lick at the whipped cream.]

Mmm - it's good!

[holybeasts]

[At that Maria keeps her smile. It's almost as nice seeing someone enjoy it as it is to enjoy herself. Then again she's not going to just let her own sit either and so she gets to business too.]

We'll trade off now and then.

[With that she sighs a little gently.]

It makes me wish I could cook. It would be nice to have homemade snacks for magic practicing sessions.