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[It was a nice evening all things considered. Warm, but not unpleasantly so like the past few weeks had been. Or unbearably humid like the month before. Though a part of the fae missed some of the humidity. Not the part where everything felt sticky, but the drier heat of the recent weeks had made the prickling feeling under her exoskeleton plates more apparent. She’d tried creams, but nothing seemed to sink into the armor.
The irritation only got worse whenever she moved.
So Mikasa had given up on that. Not that she’d had much of a choice. She wasn’t in pain, but it felt like something gritty was poking her skin with every movement. Like having a small pebble in her boot and not being able to remove it.
With a sigh, she’d slowly sat down on a nearby wall. Hoping for it to pass, stilling like a statue where she’d perched. Only her antenna and hair drifting in the breeze.
At the sound of someone’s approach, her eyes flicker open. Though she didn’t open her mouth to speak or give her normal small nod in greeting. That’d make her neck itch again. For now she just silently stared, yes? Why are you standing there, what do you want?
But her stillness only made the small movements more apparent. On her back, just below her shoulder blades, her shirt was being pushed out. Something occasionally slithering under the fabric. Creating a noticeable bump.
If one waited long enough, there might even be a small tear as the fabric gave way… That makes the fae move, back straighten, neck craning to try and look over. Almost falling off of the wall.]
The irritation only got worse whenever she moved.
So Mikasa had given up on that. Not that she’d had much of a choice. She wasn’t in pain, but it felt like something gritty was poking her skin with every movement. Like having a small pebble in her boot and not being able to remove it.
With a sigh, she’d slowly sat down on a nearby wall. Hoping for it to pass, stilling like a statue where she’d perched. Only her antenna and hair drifting in the breeze.
At the sound of someone’s approach, her eyes flicker open. Though she didn’t open her mouth to speak or give her normal small nod in greeting. That’d make her neck itch again. For now she just silently stared, yes? Why are you standing there, what do you want?
But her stillness only made the small movements more apparent. On her back, just below her shoulder blades, her shirt was being pushed out. Something occasionally slithering under the fabric. Creating a noticeable bump.
If one waited long enough, there might even be a small tear as the fabric gave way… That makes the fae move, back straighten, neck craning to try and look over. Almost falling off of the wall.]
Edited 2020-08-02 22:37 (UTC)
[It had taken most of the day for her wings to dry. A long boring day of just lying around, wings outstretched so they could harden. She’d managed to feed Tater and had then spent the rest of the day lazing about, doing what little she could without moving. Namely grabbing an old shirt and cutting some of the back out, it was a hack job. But it’d do.
Luckily for her the delicate limbs had hardened enough for her to move properly by nightfall.]
a. Oh lawd she coming
[The first port of call was testing the new limbs. The idea brought a strange sense of giddiness to the fae, one she hadn’t felt for a while. Her second full moon? Except it was stronger now, she wasn’t as grounded. Restrained by her own lack of flight.
… Okay.
That’s a lie. While new wings meant one could learn how to fly, it did not make them an expert on it. And while Mikasa’s iridescent wings were large enough to propel her into the air. She was still heavy and well mantids weren’t built for flight.
So that sure was 70kg of fae barrelling through the air…]
b. Get your feet wet
[A bit battered and a bit bruised from her test flights she’d given up, and fallen into her old full hobby. Running around aimlessly, almost skipping as she danced around. Like the days before she’d gotten her bond to restrain her… What was Tendou doing? She wasn’t sure, it was just a brief passing thought that disappeared almost as soon as it appeared. She kept swiftly dodging around.
Until she hears a splash. Pausing her run to look at the water she’d trod in. Where had she gotten too? A lake in a park? Someone’s garden pond? She might have climbed a fence in her rush. Either way, she was tilting her head to peer down at the reflection of herself and the moons ripple.]
c. time to go-! -semi nsfw because bra but nothing more than that
[Or maybe it was later into the night and she’d gotten to a more secluded spot. One where the overgrowth might have hidden someone shorter. She’d done this before when she was much younger. Gone swimming in the stream near her parents’ house. Had she swam properly since then? No. Other than the occasional unpleasant training exercise she couldn’t think of a time she’d been in the water for the fun of it.
The beach..? It had been fun for a moment. Even if her difficulty panicking had been unnerving for a moment, it had been worth it for Armin’s laugh but then…
She huffs. And the plain shirt had been tossed over a nearby branch as the fae stood on the shore in her trousers and sports bra. Then she hears a twig snap or catches a scent that wasn’t there before. There’s a droning noise, her wings flickering into motion.
Not that she got very far or even very high…
That is one impressive splash as her body just slams into the water though. For a moment it’s silent… Another few seconds pass, then her head breaks the surface gasping for air, hair in her eyes. Then she’s paddling, wings giving another small buzz to propel her forward. It’s a sad, slow swim, her feet were still covered by her boots, but she was gradually bobbing along.
…Mikasa youR SHIRT!]
Luckily for her the delicate limbs had hardened enough for her to move properly by nightfall.]
a. Oh lawd she coming
[The first port of call was testing the new limbs. The idea brought a strange sense of giddiness to the fae, one she hadn’t felt for a while. Her second full moon? Except it was stronger now, she wasn’t as grounded. Restrained by her own lack of flight.
… Okay.
That’s a lie. While new wings meant one could learn how to fly, it did not make them an expert on it. And while Mikasa’s iridescent wings were large enough to propel her into the air. She was still heavy and well mantids weren’t built for flight.
So that sure was 70kg of fae barrelling through the air…]
b. Get your feet wet
[A bit battered and a bit bruised from her test flights she’d given up, and fallen into her old full hobby. Running around aimlessly, almost skipping as she danced around. Like the days before she’d gotten her bond to restrain her… What was Tendou doing? She wasn’t sure, it was just a brief passing thought that disappeared almost as soon as it appeared. She kept swiftly dodging around.
Until she hears a splash. Pausing her run to look at the water she’d trod in. Where had she gotten too? A lake in a park? Someone’s garden pond? She might have climbed a fence in her rush. Either way, she was tilting her head to peer down at the reflection of herself and the moons ripple.]
c. time to go-! -semi nsfw because bra but nothing more than that
[Or maybe it was later into the night and she’d gotten to a more secluded spot. One where the overgrowth might have hidden someone shorter. She’d done this before when she was much younger. Gone swimming in the stream near her parents’ house. Had she swam properly since then? No. Other than the occasional unpleasant training exercise she couldn’t think of a time she’d been in the water for the fun of it.
The beach..? It had been fun for a moment. Even if her difficulty panicking had been unnerving for a moment, it had been worth it for Armin’s laugh but then…
She huffs. And the plain shirt had been tossed over a nearby branch as the fae stood on the shore in her trousers and sports bra. Then she hears a twig snap or catches a scent that wasn’t there before. There’s a droning noise, her wings flickering into motion.
Not that she got very far or even very high…
That is one impressive splash as her body just slams into the water though. For a moment it’s silent… Another few seconds pass, then her head breaks the surface gasping for air, hair in her eyes. Then she’s paddling, wings giving another small buzz to propel her forward. It’s a sad, slow swim, her feet were still covered by her boots, but she was gradually bobbing along.
…Mikasa youR SHIRT!]
Edited 2020-08-03 12:58 (UTC)
[After a few misadventures, she finally found a place secluded. A nice little pond that had been almost overgrown with roses. And it was so close to home too... A bit close to where Jean lived, but...There was a big wall of rose bushes between his garden and the pond.
Flowers admittedly weren't her thing. She was more into practical plants like vegetables and the medicinal herbs she'd been growing. But some parts of the roses had their uses, and the smelled nice.
So her most of her damp clothes got discarded, hung up to dry on a branch. (Maybe her shirt was there, maybe it had been lost somewhere along the river). It wasn't quite skinny dipping, she kept her underwear on, but close enough.
The lack of boots didn't make her any better at swimming though. She was fine awkwardly paddling, wings humming occasionally to lift her into the air. Then plopping back down into the water. Yes, this was a much softer landing, she liked this, darting around just above the water's surface. Letting out birdsong-like chirps as she hovered and fell...Until the point where a bulrush got stuck on her foot.
The leaf was so gross and slimy, even on her chitin covered leg.
Just gonna kick that off into the bushes. Begone reed.]
Flowers admittedly weren't her thing. She was more into practical plants like vegetables and the medicinal herbs she'd been growing. But some parts of the roses had their uses, and the smelled nice.
So her most of her damp clothes got discarded, hung up to dry on a branch. (Maybe her shirt was there, maybe it had been lost somewhere along the river). It wasn't quite skinny dipping, she kept her underwear on, but close enough.
The lack of boots didn't make her any better at swimming though. She was fine awkwardly paddling, wings humming occasionally to lift her into the air. Then plopping back down into the water. Yes, this was a much softer landing, she liked this, darting around just above the water's surface. Letting out birdsong-like chirps as she hovered and fell...Until the point where a bulrush got stuck on her foot.
The leaf was so gross and slimy, even on her chitin covered leg.
Just gonna kick that off into the bushes. Begone reed.]
Edited 2020-08-03 20:26 (UTC)
[That is... sure a sight to see! It is definitely Mikasa with wings, all of a sudden, and he's not sure if she's really in control of. "Falling with style", indeed, but definitely still falling. Soren opens his arms and hops his step to intercept her, about half catching before losing his balance and falling onto his back.]
Oof-! Hey, y'okay? What's with- [Actually, is he okay? Yeah, yeah, he's fine, giving a dizzy sort of waving at her, meaning the wings by it] -this new deal?
Oof-! Hey, y'okay? What's with- [Actually, is he okay? Yeah, yeah, he's fine, giving a dizzy sort of waving at her, meaning the wings by it] -this new deal?
[Look at her wings Soren, aren't they nice and pretty.? With flickering colours that gleamed and changed occasionally as magic hummed through the membrane. Not that she had enough for them to be much more than a pleasant pastel colour. Small flecks of fae dust that fell with each of her too forceful flaps.
She was doing it wrong. Very wrong, but he was going to get a close-up view of the new limbs as he blocks off her faceplant. It would have been an impressive one if you know, her nose hadn't been the crumple zone.]
Okay...[It's mumbled into him, where she'd just kinda landed. Wings giving another useless flap before she rolls off to sit next to his downed body.
Blinking at him. She felt better than okay really. For the first time in months she hadn't been starving during the full moon. The wave at her, makes her look over her shoulder, trying to see what he's motioning.
Then he says new. And there's only one new thing.] They grew yesterday.
[And in this place. That explained everything!]
She was doing it wrong. Very wrong, but he was going to get a close-up view of the new limbs as he blocks off her faceplant. It would have been an impressive one if you know, her nose hadn't been the crumple zone.]
Okay...[It's mumbled into him, where she'd just kinda landed. Wings giving another useless flap before she rolls off to sit next to his downed body.
Blinking at him. She felt better than okay really. For the first time in months she hadn't been starving during the full moon. The wave at her, makes her look over her shoulder, trying to see what he's motioning.
Then he says new. And there's only one new thing.] They grew yesterday.
[And in this place. That explained everything!]
[Occasionally, even Emet-Selch ventured outside, even just for the sake of it. And if he were ever going to do so, it would be during the evening or night; light nor heat agreed with him particularly far, and there was something to be said for the quietness of this time of day.
As still as Mikasa was, he almost misses her as he walks past- but the slight movement caused by the stirring of wind has his gaze flicker over to her, accidentally meeting her eyes directly. He frowns, out of habit.
...Emet-Selch doesn't recognize her, but he remains paused there at the sensation of being stared at, wordlessly, without so much as a nod of acknowledgement. If he'd just been ignored, the Ascian would've passed by with little more than a generally cautionary glance (after being kidnapped, people become a source of wariness, something to keep an eye on; fortunate that he still had one working eye to do so), but being stared at has him stop. Has him stare back, so the staring continues.
And then... movement. But from an unexpected source; as the Ascian had paused in his approach, he can yet make out part of her back, which was- no, that was not normal back behavior. There was something going on under her shirt, and his only concern was: is it a threat? A prelude to some strange attack?
But her reaction to it seems to indicate that this wasn't a normal or expected affair, and the Ascian tilts his own head as he watches Mikasa contort herself to get a better look at... whatever was going on with her back. And it's enough to disrupt his initial line of questioning- likely something about whether she made a habit of staring blankly at strangers, and his tone is mild, clearly unconcerned for whatever was happening to her, despite how closely he was watching.]
I can't imagine that's comfortable.
As still as Mikasa was, he almost misses her as he walks past- but the slight movement caused by the stirring of wind has his gaze flicker over to her, accidentally meeting her eyes directly. He frowns, out of habit.
...Emet-Selch doesn't recognize her, but he remains paused there at the sensation of being stared at, wordlessly, without so much as a nod of acknowledgement. If he'd just been ignored, the Ascian would've passed by with little more than a generally cautionary glance (after being kidnapped, people become a source of wariness, something to keep an eye on; fortunate that he still had one working eye to do so), but being stared at has him stop. Has him stare back, so the staring continues.
And then... movement. But from an unexpected source; as the Ascian had paused in his approach, he can yet make out part of her back, which was- no, that was not normal back behavior. There was something going on under her shirt, and his only concern was: is it a threat? A prelude to some strange attack?
But her reaction to it seems to indicate that this wasn't a normal or expected affair, and the Ascian tilts his own head as he watches Mikasa contort herself to get a better look at... whatever was going on with her back. And it's enough to disrupt his initial line of questioning- likely something about whether she made a habit of staring blankly at strangers, and his tone is mild, clearly unconcerned for whatever was happening to her, despite how closely he was watching.]
I can't imagine that's comfortable.
[So much staring, from large black unblinking eyes. Even if she has to break it off because what is happening?
Her own movement sets off the itching again. Especially when her chin presses into her chitin covered shoulder. The slight pressure making it worse. She couldn't even see her back. Idly, a hand comes up, both covered in exoskeleton now. That's going to scratchy uselessly at her neck. It does nothing to soothe. For one thing, the plating on her neck blocked her from scratching the itch, and she no longer had fingernails.
...joys of being a monster.
She's slow to turn back. Not wanting to make it worse by suddenly moving again. Finally blinking at the guy.]
It's not...But the coven can't help.
[Chitin, apparently it was a rare trait so none of the fae she knew could help either.]
Her own movement sets off the itching again. Especially when her chin presses into her chitin covered shoulder. The slight pressure making it worse. She couldn't even see her back. Idly, a hand comes up, both covered in exoskeleton now. That's going to scratchy uselessly at her neck. It does nothing to soothe. For one thing, the plating on her neck blocked her from scratching the itch, and she no longer had fingernails.
...joys of being a monster.
She's slow to turn back. Not wanting to make it worse by suddenly moving again. Finally blinking at the guy.]
It's not...But the coven can't help.
[Chitin, apparently it was a rare trait so none of the fae she knew could help either.]
[Itchy and occasionally rippling. Emet-Selch is relieved all over again that, if nothing else, he did not arrive in this world as a monster.
Because this was either some new and exciting infection, or this woman was possibly undergoing some part of a transformation. The full moon was a hint in that direction.]
And I imagine it's difficult to scratch one's own back effectively... particularly when it's covered in- scales.
[Or chitin- some kind of hard covering is about all he can tell, assuming it extends further than he can see.]
Because this was either some new and exciting infection, or this woman was possibly undergoing some part of a transformation. The full moon was a hint in that direction.]
And I imagine it's difficult to scratch one's own back effectively... particularly when it's covered in- scales.
[Or chitin- some kind of hard covering is about all he can tell, assuming it extends further than he can see.]
Hazzard at the Harbour - cw - child labour things? Because both AoT and the victorian era are baaaad
Closed to Sougo - Earlier in the month
[Once the heat of the pixies arrival had died down and things had patched up, Sougo would find a message on his watch. It was a pretty simple(read: short message). Just one that said she was planning on heading to the waterfront, when, whereabouts she'd be, if he wanted to meet her or not?
For now, she'd be waiting in a small cafe in the shopping district. Right on the border between it and the harbour district. Having a rare treat. Munching some kind of bread with bits of chocolate in. Either he'd show up, or message her to say no and she'd go off exploring on her own.
Regardless she had gotten something tasty out of the day.]
A. It begins...
[Mikasa initially hadn't thought much of the children workers. It made sense. Everyone had to eat, so everyone should help if they could. But she was someone from a place where that was normal. To the point, she didn't even think anything strange of it or had any restraint from mentioning it her own past.
When her parents had been alive, she'd helped on the farm. Gotten water from the well. Then after with the Jaegers, she'd done less only helping with the housework. Then two years of labour after the wall fell, joining cadets...That had been her life.
But then she sees some of the grim faces, hears some tales.
That's when she comes to the conclusion that while she had worked as a child. She'd not enjoyed it, she had when she was little helping in the house but that hadn't felt like work. Then it had become something she needed to do or she'd have died for not pulling her weight. This place was softer than home. These children deserved to be playing instead.
So she played. Maybe it was an awkward game of tag where she walked while the children ran, got to keep it fair. Anyone she recognised as a Mirrorbound was getting a wave. Come join in! The children couldn't be scolded if the adults were encouraging it right? ]
b. pick on someone your own size
[It was a matter of time really. Until someone important came out. In this case a human man, much larger than the children, larger than the fae even. Wearing fine clothes compared to their torn and dirty ones. Yelling so loud that the children flinch and pale-
Oh...
Mikasa just decked him from the air and knocked him to the cobbles...
...That sure is an awkward silence as that registers.]
c. Factory fun
[Fae were...beings of chaos. At the root of it and while Mikasa didn't know much about machines, most of her knowledge was from mandatory gear maintenance. You didn't need to know something to damage it. Especially not when all the children had stayed out. Refusing to work.
Maybe the new mirror bound was a helper, or someone asked to deal with the fae running rampant in the rafters, loudly running along suspended metal walkways that were built to handle the weight of someone much lighter than her. It was inevitable really, that someone throwing their weight around up there would eventually bring a part of it down. The bolts holding the flooring on the beams just give way, the panel of floor sliding off.
It was fortunate that the fae had wings. Her flight was awkward, but she's able to hold herself aloft for a moment. Buzz on other to another section and keep moving on her destructive path.]
d.put that back - end of the month
[By this point the factory owner might have relented. Or given up...
Not that it mattered at this exact moment of time. The workday for the children was over, time to head back to the orphanage...Except for two of them. The fae wasn't flying anywhere because there was one child riding piggyback on her folded down wings, arms wrapped around her neck. Another happily being carried along. Did they even realise that they were being taken to the wrong place?
Fae...]
Closed to Sougo - Earlier in the month
[Once the heat of the pixies arrival had died down and things had patched up, Sougo would find a message on his watch. It was a pretty simple(read: short message). Just one that said she was planning on heading to the waterfront, when, whereabouts she'd be, if he wanted to meet her or not?
For now, she'd be waiting in a small cafe in the shopping district. Right on the border between it and the harbour district. Having a rare treat. Munching some kind of bread with bits of chocolate in. Either he'd show up, or message her to say no and she'd go off exploring on her own.
Regardless she had gotten something tasty out of the day.]
A. It begins...
[Mikasa initially hadn't thought much of the children workers. It made sense. Everyone had to eat, so everyone should help if they could. But she was someone from a place where that was normal. To the point, she didn't even think anything strange of it or had any restraint from mentioning it her own past.
When her parents had been alive, she'd helped on the farm. Gotten water from the well. Then after with the Jaegers, she'd done less only helping with the housework. Then two years of labour after the wall fell, joining cadets...That had been her life.
But then she sees some of the grim faces, hears some tales.
That's when she comes to the conclusion that while she had worked as a child. She'd not enjoyed it, she had when she was little helping in the house but that hadn't felt like work. Then it had become something she needed to do or she'd have died for not pulling her weight. This place was softer than home. These children deserved to be playing instead.
So she played. Maybe it was an awkward game of tag where she walked while the children ran, got to keep it fair. Anyone she recognised as a Mirrorbound was getting a wave. Come join in! The children couldn't be scolded if the adults were encouraging it right? ]
b. pick on someone your own size
[It was a matter of time really. Until someone important came out. In this case a human man, much larger than the children, larger than the fae even. Wearing fine clothes compared to their torn and dirty ones. Yelling so loud that the children flinch and pale-
Oh...
Mikasa just decked him from the air and knocked him to the cobbles...
...That sure is an awkward silence as that registers.]
c. Factory fun
[Fae were...beings of chaos. At the root of it and while Mikasa didn't know much about machines, most of her knowledge was from mandatory gear maintenance. You didn't need to know something to damage it. Especially not when all the children had stayed out. Refusing to work.
Maybe the new mirror bound was a helper, or someone asked to deal with the fae running rampant in the rafters, loudly running along suspended metal walkways that were built to handle the weight of someone much lighter than her. It was inevitable really, that someone throwing their weight around up there would eventually bring a part of it down. The bolts holding the flooring on the beams just give way, the panel of floor sliding off.
It was fortunate that the fae had wings. Her flight was awkward, but she's able to hold herself aloft for a moment. Buzz on other to another section and keep moving on her destructive path.]
d.put that back - end of the month
[By this point the factory owner might have relented. Or given up...
Not that it mattered at this exact moment of time. The workday for the children was over, time to head back to the orphanage...Except for two of them. The fae wasn't flying anywhere because there was one child riding piggyback on her folded down wings, arms wrapped around her neck. Another happily being carried along. Did they even realise that they were being taken to the wrong place?
Fae...]
Edited 2020-08-08 02:08 (UTC)
[Itchy, breaking her shirt and now? Leaking, the slight dampness on the back of her white shirt made the dark pink sections of her exoskeleton show through.
Instead of scratching though, Mikasa moves her hands. Just shoves them in her pockets so she can't poke at it. Even if she winces and grits her teeth during the movement.]
Yeah...The last time I pulled a lump of it off. [...are you happy with that bit of TMI Emet?] The Coven have said there's nothing they can do about it.
[Before he brings them up. Because that was what normally happened when she mentioned her issues.]
Instead of scratching though, Mikasa moves her hands. Just shoves them in her pockets so she can't poke at it. Even if she winces and grits her teeth during the movement.]
Yeah...The last time I pulled a lump of it off. [...are you happy with that bit of TMI Emet?] The Coven have said there's nothing they can do about it.
[Before he brings them up. Because that was what normally happened when she mentioned her issues.]
[ i’m going for a walk, he’d tell jean some time after arriving to him and stopping at least the coarser streams of his bleeding on his neck: he carries with him flesh split open, soft unlike the rest of his body and lacerated by the jaws of another beast. it would give the new witch a rest, and eren himself sometime to walk about and take a breather. the smell of roses always reminded him of mikleo, a calming balm to his agitation when it even had his energy it it to grow toa the and bloom. with water dampening any scent he could catch in the air, eren remains quiet and oblivious, staring out towards the towering bright wall along aefenglom’s borders and thinking . . . how he still hates it, even under more flexible circumstances. it’s why he lives outside, and why, ironically, he slumbers in a hole.
a slimy wet plant falls right onto his snout from the heights beyond the roses, right between his eyes and tangling onto his horns with a loud splat. he was exhausted, looked up with some startle until the roots swung into his eye. oof— trying to wave his head only did a poor job for his open wounded nape, stretching small coagulation until it breaks and begins to drip down his neck again. there went jean’s handiwork, novice or otherwise.
maybe he should be smart and try using his talons, but the twin sisters don’t entirely help in him rationalizing. slowly, he claws gently at the plant still stuck to him, slipping through his fingers until he’s impatiently trying a new way: poking his draconic skull through the rose bush and out into the open above it, almost comically, in hopes of thorns peeling away at it. he can’t see a thing, because there is a soggy plant on his head and covering his eyes. ]
a slimy wet plant falls right onto his snout from the heights beyond the roses, right between his eyes and tangling onto his horns with a loud splat. he was exhausted, looked up with some startle until the roots swung into his eye. oof— trying to wave his head only did a poor job for his open wounded nape, stretching small coagulation until it breaks and begins to drip down his neck again. there went jean’s handiwork, novice or otherwise.
maybe he should be smart and try using his talons, but the twin sisters don’t entirely help in him rationalizing. slowly, he claws gently at the plant still stuck to him, slipping through his fingers until he’s impatiently trying a new way: poking his draconic skull through the rose bush and out into the open above it, almost comically, in hopes of thorns peeling away at it. he can’t see a thing, because there is a soggy plant on his head and covering his eyes. ]
[Itchy and damp. Emet-Selch doesn't even pretend he's not trying to stare at her back, not particularly caring if that's at all rude. At the mention of Mikasa tearing a bit off, his attention does flicker back towards her face, expression showing a mix of amusement, disgust- and perhaps the smallest bit of sympathy. That part is the quickest to fade, settling back into an idle curiosity. And he hums at the end.]
Why would the Coven help?
[Is what Emet-Selch asks first; it's certainly not what he would've suggested himself... though mostly because he didn't trust them, or any other organization on this world. And barring a very small handful of Mirrorbound (it hardly even qualified as a handful), he trusted no individual either.
No, problems were still primarily meant to be solved or suffered with alone.]
You're- a fae, aren't you? [With the sort-of-scales, he briefly considered 'dragon' as an option, but she didn't have any of the other obvious markers. And the antenna seemed to imply 'insect'. But even for a fae, the chitin was... unusual. He had known one other fae before, but she'd been more along the lines of a butterfly. And he hadn't witnessed her transformations.] Perhaps one further along could offer suggestions... though it seems as though all monsters have little recourse but to accept their life of discomfort and disfigurement.
[Reassuring as anything.]
Why would the Coven help?
[Is what Emet-Selch asks first; it's certainly not what he would've suggested himself... though mostly because he didn't trust them, or any other organization on this world. And barring a very small handful of Mirrorbound (it hardly even qualified as a handful), he trusted no individual either.
No, problems were still primarily meant to be solved or suffered with alone.]
You're- a fae, aren't you? [With the sort-of-scales, he briefly considered 'dragon' as an option, but she didn't have any of the other obvious markers. And the antenna seemed to imply 'insect'. But even for a fae, the chitin was... unusual. He had known one other fae before, but she'd been more along the lines of a butterfly. And he hadn't witnessed her transformations.] Perhaps one further along could offer suggestions... though it seems as though all monsters have little recourse but to accept their life of discomfort and disfigurement.
[Reassuring as anything.]
[ Alex hears a sound from above the lake, something flitting about and coming to a stop. She peers up curiously, though she isn't close enough for the other to see just yet. She notices the wings, a fae it seems, the moonlight reflecting on it in such an appealing way. Slowly she floats higher, but stops half way to see what the young woman would do. Would she stay or would she leave?
Patience was key in deciding her next move.]
Patience was key in deciding her next move.]
[She'd be waiting for a while. Not because the fae had left. But because she was preoccupied with working out how she'd landed in the water, why were her feet wet...It was a strange feeling through her chitin. Not as uncomfortable as having a wet sock on skin or unpleasant. Just strange.
Then the feet pull back, going back to shore, not leaving though.
A thud as boots leave feet, a...wet slapping noise as the damp socks are slung off onto a branch.
Then a pair of bare feet...bare exoskeleton feet enter the water, the chitin spreading on up into rolled-up trousers.
...
...Wiggles toes.]
Then the feet pull back, going back to shore, not leaving though.
A thud as boots leave feet, a...wet slapping noise as the damp socks are slung off onto a branch.
Then a pair of bare feet...bare exoskeleton feet enter the water, the chitin spreading on up into rolled-up trousers.
...
...Wiggles toes.]
[That gets a raised eyebrow, even as she stills again. The eyebrow muscles didn't affect where any of the growing shell was, it was fine to move.] That's normally what people tell me to do... [She had several thoughts on the Coven. None particularly great. It was suspicious how they'd kicked residents out of their homes for the mirrorbound. She wasn't sure if they were just dumb or planning something by letting them move so freely. Or if they really were guilty like Papyrus has suggested all those months ago.
But Emet-Selch gets a huff at the second comment.] That's the second thing they always tell me. As though I've not already thought about it... [It's followed by a small snort, somewhere between amused and not.] None of the mirrorbound ones have grown a shell and local ones can't talk about growing it. [Because they'd only known it.
But thank you sir, for your confidence.] Seems so. [Dryly.] I'd say I'm doing better than most, but I'm only six months in.
But Emet-Selch gets a huff at the second comment.] That's the second thing they always tell me. As though I've not already thought about it... [It's followed by a small snort, somewhere between amused and not.] None of the mirrorbound ones have grown a shell and local ones can't talk about growing it. [Because they'd only known it.
But thank you sir, for your confidence.] Seems so. [Dryly.] I'd say I'm doing better than most, but I'm only six months in.
[Emet-Selch only shrugs at the muted form of surprise, able to only imagine how frustrating it must be to have itches one couldn't scratch, provoked by any careless movement. No wonder she was so still, he realized belatedly (though it still didn't excuse the staring).
But he doubted the Coven or any other group on this world was telling them everything that they were up to or intending, while simultaneously believing that they were also thoroughly incompetent. But malignant or otherwise, he had little faith in them.]
It is the obvious suggestion, isn't it? [He'll admit readily enough. Fae were, presumably, the natural experts on being fae. But if they couldn't provide any recommendations on how to make the unpleasant parts more bearable- the Ascian could well believe that there wasn't any solution to offer.]
Though if you're six months in... you shouldn't have too many more ahead of you before you've reached your true self. [An apparent human into a more apparent insect. How fitting.] Nothing to do but hang in there, hm? I would hope the physical discomfort will pass once you've settled into what's left of your changes. Not that I'm altogether certain how long that does take... being a witch, after all, I've not experienced it personally.
But he doubted the Coven or any other group on this world was telling them everything that they were up to or intending, while simultaneously believing that they were also thoroughly incompetent. But malignant or otherwise, he had little faith in them.]
It is the obvious suggestion, isn't it? [He'll admit readily enough. Fae were, presumably, the natural experts on being fae. But if they couldn't provide any recommendations on how to make the unpleasant parts more bearable- the Ascian could well believe that there wasn't any solution to offer.]
Though if you're six months in... you shouldn't have too many more ahead of you before you've reached your true self. [An apparent human into a more apparent insect. How fitting.] Nothing to do but hang in there, hm? I would hope the physical discomfort will pass once you've settled into what's left of your changes. Not that I'm altogether certain how long that does take... being a witch, after all, I've not experienced it personally.
[ The very idea that Sougo would blow her off is almost unthinkable to him. It would take something pretty big for him to put a friend on the back burner like this, and he'd been meaning to ask her something anyway.
A calm stroll through the manufacturing area of the city seemed as good a time as any, though that is because Sougo has absolutely no idea what's waiting for them once they arrive.
It's starting off calmly enough at least, as Sougo walks at a brisk pace to the café Mikasa mentioned, knocking on the window while all but pressing his face against the glass instead of opting to come inside. It may disturb a couple of the other people trying to enjoy a drink or a meal, but he at least looks very upbeat as he waves to her.
A lot better than he was looking in the Underground. ]
A calm stroll through the manufacturing area of the city seemed as good a time as any, though that is because Sougo has absolutely no idea what's waiting for them once they arrive.
It's starting off calmly enough at least, as Sougo walks at a brisk pace to the café Mikasa mentioned, knocking on the window while all but pressing his face against the glass instead of opting to come inside. It may disturb a couple of the other people trying to enjoy a drink or a meal, but he at least looks very upbeat as he waves to her.
A lot better than he was looking in the Underground. ]
[He grunts to sit himself up after she's done the same, rubbing the back of his head. Definitely taken worse falls than that, he's fine... but Mikasa is getting a quirk eyebrow look to her answer]
And you're already flyin' around on them? No wonder you're crashing. [how very polite of you, Soren]
And you're already flyin' around on them? No wonder you're crashing. [how very polite of you, Soren]
It doesn't change that I've already asked. They didn't know... [Though getting anything out of the local fae had been a challenge. She'd had to ply them with gifts until they'd felt like talking. And some wanted challenges that she couldn't possibly fulfill before they'd talk...Which might have just been them trying to get around saying they didn't know.
Her antenna give him a flicker. Eyes staring a bit longer.]
Supposedly. I've heard that people stop changing after nine months, but the longest someone has been here is just over a year now... [Then her black eyes narrow. Head giving the smallest nod even with the itching.] ...You're Mettaton's bonded, aren't you? Did your neck finish healing?
[You look better than the last time she saw you.]
Her antenna give him a flicker. Eyes staring a bit longer.]
Supposedly. I've heard that people stop changing after nine months, but the longest someone has been here is just over a year now... [Then her black eyes narrow. Head giving the smallest nod even with the itching.] ...You're Mettaton's bonded, aren't you? Did your neck finish healing?
[You look better than the last time she saw you.]
[The knocking gets him a stare. Not by Mikasa though she does look up for a second. She doesn't scoff her snack, but she does start downing her drink. Give her a moment for that...He might find that he was being stared at by someone else. A fuzzy faced puca was just there, frozen, staring wide-eyed at the window where the face had suddenly appeared.
Not that Mikasa notices at all. She's already getting up. Dropping her cup off at the counter(That gets a stare that she doesn't pay attention to, the waitress was supposed to get that) then the fae is out giving him a nod as she shuts the door.]
Did you find here okay? This district is a bit of a maze...
[Luckily the one time she'd gone. Her one instruction was that the place she had to go was right on the port. Which made things a lot more simple.]
Not that Mikasa notices at all. She's already getting up. Dropping her cup off at the counter(That gets a stare that she doesn't pay attention to, the waitress was supposed to get that) then the fae is out giving him a nod as she shuts the door.]
Did you find here okay? This district is a bit of a maze...
[Luckily the one time she'd gone. Her one instruction was that the place she had to go was right on the port. Which made things a lot more simple.]
[She chirps. Slowly looking away with a small frown as the high starts to die down.]
How long should I wait before I can fly on them then? They're dry, and they feel strong enough. [Was it a little childish? Maybe. It'd been a long time before she'd been in the air. Her element really. She hadn't realised how much she missed it and being able to use her gear until now. The wings weren't the same. But it was the closest she'd had since the familiar metal started to burn.]
...I'm not doing as bad as I did in the dream before.
[Where she'd gone splat into a tree.]
How long should I wait before I can fly on them then? They're dry, and they feel strong enough. [Was it a little childish? Maybe. It'd been a long time before she'd been in the air. Her element really. She hadn't realised how much she missed it and being able to use her gear until now. The wings weren't the same. But it was the closest she'd had since the familiar metal started to burn.]
...I'm not doing as bad as I did in the dream before.
[Where she'd gone splat into a tree.]
[He'd hear chirps, varying ones. Some held long and almost songlike, some short that came out in little bursts. Sounding like multiple creatures close together. But it all cuts out the moment his head breaks into the open air about the water.
It's very silent for a moment. The creatures, or creature as it were, that had been making the chittering was only letting out an unsteady droning buzz. The thin underlayer of her wings rapidly flapping and causing the air to vibrate.
Then it stops. And there's a plop as the fae just lets herself fall into the water. A few more splashes as she moves away to hide in the reeds. Large eyes peering up at the intruder.]
It's very silent for a moment. The creatures, or creature as it were, that had been making the chittering was only letting out an unsteady droning buzz. The thin underlayer of her wings rapidly flapping and causing the air to vibrate.
Then it stops. And there's a plop as the fae just lets herself fall into the water. A few more splashes as she moves away to hide in the reeds. Large eyes peering up at the intruder.]
[Ever more staring. Emet-Selch is starting to get used to it, or to at least just accept that this was something this woman did. So he stares right back, with a watchful dispassion.]
That long... my, perhaps the worst is ahead of you yet.
[More reassurances. But at her last statement, her question, his expression flickers between one of surprise, comprehension, thoughtfulness. Finally, he nods, more to himself than anything.]
Ah... now that explains it. You're Mikasa, yes? I've been trying to place your voice.
[Between that, and the stoicism, the phrasing of her replies- it all clicks into place, and he gives a small, theatrical little half-bow.]
Emet-Selch. A pleasure, I'm sure, to finally be formally met.
[But right, she asked a question; his hand absently touches the side of his neck where the bite lay- but lightly, as though it were somehow still tender- or something fragile and precious. His tone, however, remains calm, polite in its idle way.]
I'm also sure you'll be glad to hear my neck is much improved, though I imagine I'll always bear the scar from it.
That long... my, perhaps the worst is ahead of you yet.
[More reassurances. But at her last statement, her question, his expression flickers between one of surprise, comprehension, thoughtfulness. Finally, he nods, more to himself than anything.]
Ah... now that explains it. You're Mikasa, yes? I've been trying to place your voice.
[Between that, and the stoicism, the phrasing of her replies- it all clicks into place, and he gives a small, theatrical little half-bow.]
Emet-Selch. A pleasure, I'm sure, to finally be formally met.
[But right, she asked a question; his hand absently touches the side of his neck where the bite lay- but lightly, as though it were somehow still tender- or something fragile and precious. His tone, however, remains calm, polite in its idle way.]
I'm also sure you'll be glad to hear my neck is much improved, though I imagine I'll always bear the scar from it.
Mikasa Ackerman...Just Mikasa is fine though. [ So many people here seemed to use such long first names. Or wanted to be called by their full name here...
There was a time when his dispassionate gaze would have been mirrored. But since her eyes had changed there'd been a certain...delight at just staring at people. Staring without blinking. Unnerving them. Making them uncomfortable without much effort...
The nod gets an antenna flick in response. No nods for you.]
Short of me fully turning into a bug, I don't think a lot more can change... I'm already less human than the others.
[His bow, that earns a small movement of the head. Not so much to nod, more to just track the movement. Finally blinking when she glances at his neck.]
He didn't take you to a healer then? They seem to have an issue about leaving them. [Something about it looking sloppy if a healer left a mark. Though some seemed to leave scars for the stupid injuries to make a point. Given the pretty big scar right under her eye, she didn't care.] If it's still bothering you, it'd be pretty easy to make a balm for it.
[It wasn't magic and wouldn't heal immediately. But it'd help speed the process. Her eyes drift from him though, moving to look at her right hand. Chitin covered now, and it still had her bandages. She hadn't removed them yet. But the pain was gone, along with her tattoo.]
There was a time when his dispassionate gaze would have been mirrored. But since her eyes had changed there'd been a certain...delight at just staring at people. Staring without blinking. Unnerving them. Making them uncomfortable without much effort...
The nod gets an antenna flick in response. No nods for you.]
Short of me fully turning into a bug, I don't think a lot more can change... I'm already less human than the others.
[His bow, that earns a small movement of the head. Not so much to nod, more to just track the movement. Finally blinking when she glances at his neck.]
He didn't take you to a healer then? They seem to have an issue about leaving them. [Something about it looking sloppy if a healer left a mark. Though some seemed to leave scars for the stupid injuries to make a point. Given the pretty big scar right under her eye, she didn't care.] If it's still bothering you, it'd be pretty easy to make a balm for it.
[It wasn't magic and wouldn't heal immediately. But it'd help speed the process. Her eyes drift from him though, moving to look at her right hand. Chitin covered now, and it still had her bandages. She hadn't removed them yet. But the pain was gone, along with her tattoo.]
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