OPEN: if you want it, let's do it, ride it 🐎

[trost]

Who: Jean Kirstein and you, if you want.
When: August
Where: Around.
What: August open catch-all for quest logs, Lunasa and random other things.
Warnings: Probably none. Will update as needed.


LUNASA: SOULMATE AU OR SOMETHING (RED STRINGS)

[ When that red string had appeared on his pinky, Jean had absolutely no concept of its meaning, finding the magical tether a huge annoyance. He had tried untying it and slicing at it with his blade, but none of those conventional methods had worked, the string repairing itself immediately. Jean had even tried to fight magic with magic, using his novice skills to conjure up a small flame to burn the string with. Evidently, whoever was responsible for this, they had far greater magical power than himself (which isn't a difficult feat at all).

They told him he would find his soulmate at the other side. Being a pragmatist with a tendency to manage his own expectations (or a pessimist, pretty much), he regards that notion with much incredulity, but he's still curious to see who this person might be. Not that he's hoping or anything, but who knows? It might not be a random assignment after all. Whoever this 'soulmate' is -- they might be someone cute.

He follows the string around a bend, finally just a few paces away from the mysterious person at the other side. ]

My 'soulmate', huh? Come out then. Let's see who you are. [ He gives the string a tug. Rough person that he is, it might be a harder yank than necessary. ]

QUESTS: MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

[ He keeps taking on jobs outside of his skill set and they keep turning out to be more difficult than he had expected. Jean can blame his own tendency to take on the perceived easier route for this. There's no need for him to go fighting for humanity's sake in Aefenglom, so of course he's going to take on the jobs that let him kick up his feet a little.

A: Only, he definitely doesn't feel like he's kicking up his feet right now. With all those dating profiles on the table, he feels like he's drowning in paperwork. ]

I thought the job would be easier than this. How would I know what actually works well in a relationship? [ He's never been in one? #foreveralone. He turns to his partner for the day. ]

You. Do you know anything about that?

[ B: Somehow, both he and whoever he was paired up with hustle it up and get all the work done. What a team! Only, with the profiles paired up and set away, and organizer is now eyeing both Jean and the person he's with as a potential prospect.

"By the way, I've got a voucher a romantic dinner for two at the Dorothea Restaurant. Don't you think the both of you look awfully cute together? What do you say?"

Jean understands the implications immediately, and while he's always up for a free meal, he still breaks out into a bashful fluster. ] Wait -- Are you being serious right now ...

QUESTS: FORGET ME NOTS

[ Maybe coming into the Wilde was a bit of a mistake. He's been needing money recently, and the chump change he gets from doing odd jobs around Aefenglom was just no longer cutting it. At least the only thing they have to do here is collect a certain kind of plant, and if they make efforts to avoid any roaming Shades, they should remain safe. Jean is decked out in both warm clothes and three-dimensional maneuvering gear, his collection of blades and firearms strapped to his body. One can never be too careful out here. He stays close to the person he's doing the job with, keeping an eye over both them and his surroundings. Having grown into quite a responsible young man, it's natural for him to want to ensure the safety of everyone else. ]

There. I see those bushes they were talking about. [ The ones that paralyze, apparently. Bad news if you get pricked, but good news because the flower they need should be growing right under it. ]

GENERAL: BLIND JOHN (POST ANTLER FRUIT QUEST; 2nd week of August)

[ After an unfortunate encounter with that rare species of Antler with the ability to bear fruit, Jean's had the misfortune of losing his sight. He's been told by the healers at the Coven that the effects should only last for a week, so he's not too distraught, but it's still a highly inconvenient affair for a young working man. He doesn't have anyone to wait on him (where are you, mom), so he spends that week struggling through the day, running the errands he needs to without the luxury of being able to see.

He can be found throughout the week struggling with various things:
- Groping around the marketplace, trying to get into the fruit aisle and (probably) walking into a toilet.
- Holding someone's hand by accident when he was trying to reach for the doorknob.
- Falling down over curbs. A few times. Probably.
- Showing up at Patisserie PR for his casual job and trying to bake pastries. He might reach for the salt instead of the sugar.

Help a poor man out? Or lead him astray. It's all good. ]

WILDCARD
[ OOC: Hit me up with whatever. I can be reached through PM or at charsiu. Jean is a Witch, for reference. I'm good with M/F and M/M for all the (kind of) shippy prompts. ]

Comments

A

[apocryphas]

[ This kind of gig is definitely not Mordred's style, but she managed to book it for double pay after Jean's initially scheduled partner called in sick. Even so, she's letting him do most of the paperwork while she just sits back and watches the clock. She just wants her pay and get out...

When he asks her about relationships, she's very quick to deflect the topic back to him. Spoilers: She doesn't know a lot either!! ]

Why wouldn't you know anything? Are you some 30 year old virgin...?

their height difference is off the charts

[trost]

[ He did notice that his partner's mostly been slacking off so far while he handles the arduous task of paperwork. Jean does not appreciate this and fully intends on calling Mordred out. His attention is quickly diverted when she goes and shoots him that very confronting question. ]

That's none of your damn business. [ 'Yes', to the part about him being a virgin. ]

I'm 19. Where did you even get that number from? [ A poor man unaware of just how old he looks. ]

general

[mensrea]

[ With the summer heat finally cooling off a little, Stiles has seized the opportunity to get a little shopping done in the marketplace. There’s a recipe he read from a cookbook in the local library that he wants to try out in the interest of eating healthier, though he’s woefully unprepared to discern the favorable differences in fruit and vegetables. Didn’t he hear once that the heavier a watermelon is, the better it is…? Or was that cabbage…or both? Sighing, he’s about to start comparing the weights of fruit when he hears a loud crash behind him. Stiles whirls around, clutching a mango to his chest protectively – as if someone were about to steal it – only to find one of the display cases in shambles and a young man splayed in the midst of it, covered in squashed fruit juices. O…kay. That’s weird. ]

Uh, you alright? [ he calls out, less out of actual concern and more because it feels necessary as one of the few people to have taken notice of the accident. ] Need a hand, bud?

he protects his mango

[trost]

[ If Stiles has magitech security cameras in his shop he might have seen this man jousting dildos with Eren in Worse Dragon two months ago.

Today just isn't Jean's day at all. In retrospect, he probably should have stayed at home, but getting other people to do the groceries for him is sort of embarrassing and he'd rather grope around without his sight than admit that kind of weakness. At the very least, he knows the liquids soaking up his shirt are fruit juices and nothing particularly disgusting (could be worse), so things aren't as bad as they could have been. Unfortunately, his white shirt is now dyed some wacky bright colours. He has no clue. ]

I'm fine. I just -- ruined my new shirt. [ It's embarrassing to be groping around so helplessly, so he's going to preserve his dignity by only asking for help when he absolutely requires it. Jean rises to his feet, then promptly trips onto a piece of squashed fruit again, falling directly into Stiles. ]

Lunasa

[fiddlestick]

[Lunasa is a busy season for a violinist. With all the weddings and vow renewals, Elliot was had a whole slew of gigs to play. He was actually just finishing up with one and had put away his violin, when he noticed the red string attached to his finger]

What?

[He'd heard about this, using something like this to find your soulmate. Elliot didn't entirely buy it, but it was still a nice though. So he'd played along, following the string to see where it led even if he was still all dressed up in a suit from the wedding.

Finally he gets close enough to start feeling those tugs- and jeez. That was a little rough on his hand. Though the feeling of his hand jerked around pales in comparison to what he sees when he turns that corner and--]

-- Jean?

[trost]

[ At this point he's practically reeling his apparent 'soulmate' in like one would a fish, curious about who they might be and impatient in his delivery. He's surprised to find that he actually recognises them. ]

Elliot ...? [ So, he certainly did not expect to recognise this person and he also did not account for how awkward this might be. Though, as far as men go, Elliot's not a bad choice after all. ]

Uh. Guess some of these witches think we're soulmates.

[imprecates]

[ It's almost a miracle that they're working together again, but they've started to get along a little better now that they've gotten to know each other and they aren't throwing insults (on her end) or attempting to slut-shame (ON HIS END). The job was a tricky one at first, but once they got into the flow it became smooth sailing.

What she didn't expect when she signed up on this is that the matchmaking might turn onto them. Her eyes widen and she feels her cheeks turn and she will cross her arms, making sure to turn away from Jean so neither he nor the organizer will see her expression. ]

I'll accept a free meal, but I think it's bullshit that we look 'cute together'.

[trost]

[ Jean might have noticed her change in body language, the way she turns her body away and her face seems to colour, if he weren't suffering from that phenomenon himself. His heart's beating quicker as the fluster sets in, and he also turns away with a frown.

To the organizer: ]Yeah, maybe you need to check your eyes.

Dates are supposed to be a pleasant time. Hard to have anything like that with someone who's just giving me shit constantly. [ Rather than feel deterred by their obvious protests, the organizer appears even more intrigued, determined to match-make a rather unconventional pair today. According to her, she's seen lasting romances that started out with bickering and spiteful banter.

"Funny the both of you say that, when you're blushing right now!" ]

Match Made in Heaven: B

[silentsavant]

[ A black-scaled dragon with long dark hair and a cold beauty turns to look Jean over at the suggestion, as though appraising him. He hums. ]

Mm... I would say I look cuter by myself.

[ R E J E C T E D ]

[trost]

[ Wow. Though he's always thought himself to be mainly attracted to women, he could have made an exception for a feminine-looking man, but after that flat-out rejection, Jean puffs up himself, meeting blunt and rude words with that same energy. ]

Enjoy being by yourself then. [ He turns to the organizer. ] That meal voucher's still on the table even if I don't go with this asshole, right?

[ Unfortunately, that organizer shakes their head. ]

QUEST: Antler Froot (Momo)

[trost]

[ It's not his first foray into the Wilde, and he's dealt with a few Shades at this point so he knows what to expect. All that, with the addition of his own military experience back home, makes Jean feel fairly prepared for the trip. He's got a warm coat on, his three-dimensional maneuvering gear system buckled to his body, and his blades and guns strapped within reach. It would be nice if it the temperatures weren't freezing, and he's definitely complained a few times, but he's been in worse situations.

He's not so sure about partnering up with Momo today, however. While he knows the guy is way bulkier than his baby face might lead one to believe, that doesn't mean he's ever been in a fight. Isn't he just a singer back home? ]

I heard these deer can get pretty violent when provoked. You sure you're gonna be alright?

[yesdoubt]

[Considering what Momo's heard about the deer blood and the fact that the creatures aren't actually infected, he's only packing one blade. While it's mostly living up at the top of his arm where he usually has it strapped under his sleeve, he does take the time to check it before they get too far out - it's a surprisingly nasty thing, about a foot long all told with one side serrated, like a hunting knife.

At Jean's question, he hums as if curious and slots the knife back into its concealed holster. It's not the first time someone from a more combative background has asked something like that, so he takes it in stride.] Yeah, I come out here pretty often, can't be worse than fighting Shades. Besides, if what the posting said about their blood is right, I'm probably safer than you already.

[He grins jokingly, gesturing towards Jean's weapons collection. Momo prefers more trapping and defensive-turned-offensive type maneuvers a lot of the time, which for this should work pretty well. And if something goes wrong, he has a few ideas up his sleeve on how to chase off angry deer.]

QUEST: Lady in the Lake (Nyami)

[trost]

[ Jean did get the brief, so he knows that brute force isn't exactly going to work on this phantom today (not that he would employ it for no reason), but he still brings along his three-dimensional maneuvering gear and various weapons as a precaution. He's doing this job with Nami, and he doesn't quite know if this slim young woman is able to hold up in a fight. He wants to be able to protect her if they run into any trouble while speaking to the Lady in the Lake. Map in hand, he pushes past the branches and approaches the body of water, a hand outstretched to keep Nami behind him. ]

This is the place. Let's wait first and see what happens. [ Ever cautious, he waits by the bush, not quite approaching yet. There's an eerie air to the scenery in front of them, a fog billowing over the still water. It's a creepy sight, to say the least. However, with all the real terror he's witnessed back home, Jean's far too desensitized to feel much fear. ]

[weatherscience]

[ really, the only reason she's doing this is because it seems like a high reward and low risk kind of a thing — if all they need to do is talk, then... how hard can it be??

just in case, though, she's walking behind jean, because she's absolutely going to dive behind him if things go badly. so it's easy for her to stop when jean holds out his hand in a universal sign for stop here. ]

Yes, that sounds like a good idea... Aahh, don't you think it looks creepy, here? [ don't mind her as she slowly shrinks back, only peeking out around jean's shoulder. ]

Come on, nice lady... come and talk to us!

lets go

[sing_for_me]

[The festivities were like salt being rubbed into her wounds, as rocky as things were with her bonded. Along with the full moon, it seemed like a recipe for disaster. But it also seemed a waste to let go of some of the job opportunities she could take to perform during the festival. And maybe keeping busy might have some advantages as well.

Alex found that it did, being on stage enough of distraction and a temporary delight to keep her mind off of her troubles. So much so that she fails to notice the red string that appears around her finger. It's not until towards the end of the song, as she's about to hit that last note when the mic is knocked over by the tug of her hand, that she sees what's attached to her.

She stands on the small stage, stunned, the crowd that was slow dancing just in front of her also stopping as they look up at the fumble. They must know something that Alex doesn't, with how they cheer at the sight of the red string. The merrow, on the other hand, was dumbfounded. Absolute confusion was painted on her face as she looks from her hand, to wherever the string led--which appeared to be a man at the end of it. The embarrassment hits next, and she quickly moves to stand the mic, bow and apologize to the crowd, as well as to the band, and rushes off the stage. ]

E-excuse me--what [ the hell ] is this?

[trost]

[ When he tugged on that string, he was honestly expecting the person on the other side to be another person in the bustling crowd. He was not expected to be tethered to the singer on the stage drawing that crowd, and especially not for his apparent 'soulmate' to be someone he actually finds quite pretty. With his luck, and how he was certain this entire thing was an elaborate magical prank orchestrated by some very bored witches, he was half-expecting some middle-aged man or equally incompatible prospect to be at the other side. This definitely changes things.

If he had known she was on the stage, he probably wouldn't have made that rude tug and ruined her performance. Oops. At least the crowd doesn't seem to mind at all, more excited at the sight of that string that was joining them. ]

Sorry. I didn't know you were in the middle of your performance. [ He might have messed that up. Oops. ]

It's ... some kind of matchmaking string, apparently. [ An awkward thing to admit, especially with how he's not sure she has the best impression of him now. ]

General / Patisserie PR

[virtuell]

[ Between their encounter at the fair and that... interesting network post, which Tieria clicked right past because no, thanks, Jean is not exactly ranking high on the list of coworkers Tieria wants to have, unfortunately...

So he's really planning to just put on an apron and work quietly on the other end of the kitchen, except... ]

Hey. That's not according to recipe.

[ Because it's salt. Tieria is a shitty cook (though he does not acknowledge this), but he gets as much.

[trost]

[ Poor Jean keeps meeting Tieria only at his worst (or showing his worst, as far as that network post is concerned). Though logically he won't be of much help in a bakery without his sight, he doesn't want to lose this job, and that's why he's here, trying to be useful even if he can't even tell the difference between the sugar and salt. ]

Oh. [ Oops. From the voice he can tell it's Tieria, making this doubly embarrassing given their last encounter. He lets go of that salt container. ] I'm supposed to put sugar in this batter, right? Where did that sugar go?

[ He will grope around for it if he must. ]

match a.

[rightfoot]

[ Louis... is enjoying the job, for the most part. He's a pretty observant guy, and has always had fun people watching and sharing whatever advice he could on whatever situations arise. Still, he never really anticipated he'd be working with someone who seemed so utterly...

clueless.

He put a couple pieces of papers to the side. ]

Haven't you ever had a significant other?

[ Shoves two pieces of paper at him. ]

Start small. See if there's some overlapping interests or other traits. Build on those.

[trost]

[ He has not? But that's a little embarrassing to admit (even if largely reasonable, given the circumstances he deals with back home), so he doesn't answer Louis' first question. ]

That's not any of your business. [ The easily inferred answer being 'No', of course. If it's only a matter of matching similar traits, that isn't too difficult, though. ]

I guess when you put it like that ... It's like taking people's strengths into accounts when putting them into squads. [ Something he got some experience with with his leadership role back home. Jean accepts the papers, looking through them. ]

blind jean!!!

[guesser]

[ the poor blind man goes for the hand that’s been silently leading him on for blocks, now. tendou, taller, older and balder (kind of!!!!) has been studying and realized that something was more than amiss— his friend couldn’t see. pranks run rampant like, yes, walking into the lady’s bathroom, or right into changing room . . . or more recently, the shaving cream challenge, in which jean has painted his face with a lovely . . . black . . . creamy mustache if his nose suddenly felt itchy. like a feather was tickling it.

but wait, there’s more! the witch reaches for the door and, man, it’s the perfect trap. tendou keeps his hand right in the way of what he’s looking for, and gasps when his wrist and pawed hands are grabbed. ]

Oh . . . ! [ that’s not a tendou voice, that’s . . . a sexy (five) voice. ] Oh, my, [ the woman’s voice sound increasingly impressed, and then— the slightest, embarrassed curl of “her” pinky. ] Hello, there.

can't believe five/jean is real

[trost]

[ So Jean is now that blind man with the fake stache walking into lady's bathrooms and changing rooms? Good to know. He still has said fake stache, and he still has some inkling that he's being made the fool but can't quite pinpoint by who, but his suspicions disappear the moment he hears the voice of what's probably an attractive lady. Clearly, attractive women can't be responsible for any tomfoolery. ]

Sorry. [ This would be where he would usually remove his hand, but then he feels the curl of "her" pinky around his fingers. ] Wait --

[ Why is she holding his hand in return??? ]

blind jean...in which i fully blame your use of the verb groping i'm so sorry

[tothemetal]

[Jean's not the only one who's hoping to enjoy some fruit today! the summer is especially great for this kind of produce, and Styx had swung by the marketplace specifically to pick up some melons. unfortunately for him, he was unprepared for his own melons to come under attack...

which is to say, that isn't whatever sweet seasonal produce Jean was hoping to pick up, it's the drummer's chest. awkward.]

U-um..!?

[should he...should he move his hand? this would normally be a fucking no-brainer of a conundrum, but the absolute nonchalance on Jean's face has Styx kind of questioning the whole situation. like, this guy definitely seemed like he was exactly where he needed to be right now. would it be rude to interrupt that? even though he really couldn't...put his cantaloupe back down now like this...

(Styx it's your fucking tiddy please do something other than yelp a little you big moron)]

i'm dying

[trost]

[ The fruit ...is certainly softer than he had expected. He usually expects melons to be hard. Jean gives what he's touching a slight squeeze, frowning as he tries to figure out what's going on. ]

What is this ... [ It dawns on him soon after when he hears that yelp and his ears pinpoint the source of the sound - the voice of a person who's standing right in front of him. If the voice he's hearing is this near to him, that means what he's touching isn't quite a fruit at all. Nope. ]

Shit -- Sorry! I, uh, thought you were a fruit ... [ Awkward. ]

blind lil jean

[dirtdevil]

[ don't you love it when you're out and about doing whatever and you just happen to spot your.... uh. friend? no, that's not it. acquaintance? former subordinate? that kid you used to babysit? whatever, it's Jean.

and he was honestly just going to go on about his day because he's not that into like, being social in any way, but then Jean just randomly eats shit. just slips right off a curb and lands flat on his ass.

okay.

now he feels kind of obligated to approach him. ]

Little early to be drinking, isn't it?

[trost]

Captain Levi. [ He does try to look dignified in front of Levi when he can, so staggering around like a fool is less than ideal, but given that the older man was around for all their awkward teenage years it's probably not the worst he's seen of him.

Jean's happy to drink the day time as long as it doesn't interfere with his work, but voicing that out probably won't do his image any favours. ]

I'm not drunk -- though a drink would be nice right now. [ Feeling the ground, he slowly gets up to his full height. ] My eyesight's been compromised.

[ Now he tries to feel around for where Levi is and ends up ... patting his head. Hello. ]