Catch All [Closed]

[enkidoh]

Who: Enkidu & some people
When: A variety of days
Where: Around the city/the Wilde
What: Hanging with friends
Warnings: There will be some spice

Starters in comments

Comments

Closed to Deermood

[enkidoh]

When Enkidu laughs, their laugh is surprisingly loud and it could very well be that a certain lump of divine clay is a little tipsy. The crack that is running over their cheek is slowly healing and they seem to be less tired and melancholic.

Right before they plop next to Diarmuid again, they toss another piece of wood on the fire, hoping that it will be enough to fill this treehouse with more warmth.

"Do you wish to spend the night here?"

Once again their voice is completely neutral but their cheeks are flushed and there might be some sort of mischievous glint in their eyes. Perhaps it is the beer, perhaps it is the heat or the good company.

[ua_duibhne]

As the evening has worn on, so it seems has the tension gripping Enkidu and it warms Diarmuid to see them looking brighter. As they sit down, he can't help but reach out and brush a stray lock of hair out of their face and tucking it behind their ear with a smile of his own. Maybe there's something a little playful in the gesture. He's had a few drinks himself and, inhibitions lowered, he's left a little captivated. The way the fire lights up Enkidu's eyes, the glow of their pale skin, their laugh- everything is endearing.

And so his answer comes quite naturally, though he'd be embarrassed to admit why.

"If you'd have me," he says, leaning back on one hand, "then how can I refuse?"

Again, he brushes their hair back, only this time he can't help but let his fingertips linger on their jaw.

sorry for being late, headaches everywhere lately :c

[enkidoh]

If anything, Enkidu has learned that it is pleasant to be on the receiving end of someone's care. To be touched from time to time, to be part of something so human, even if it was for just a mere, short moment.

For once they aren't thinking about all the struggles they're having with being human vs being clay. Everything is warm and they feel at ease. And it helps to feel fingers brushing over their skin and hair being brushed out of their face.

"Those gestures are very intimate..." Enkidu mentions as they scoot a little closer, because, hey lets face it, his touches are pleasant. "...if it is of any concern, I do not mind sharing the same bed with you."

So when they return the gesture they take their time, moving their fingers over his cheek in a curious way.

"Perhaps it would be better if we'd kiss. The beer has made me bold enough to give in to such urges."

[ua_duibhne]

Diarmuid nuzzles against Enkidu's hand like a dog trying to coax affection from its master, eyes closing as they work their way across his mole. Their fingertips are soft and cool against his flushed skin and it's difficult not to want more. Restraint has always been one of his strongest virtues but, in the moment he opens his eyes again, it fails him.

Wordlessly, he leans forward and places the smallest of kisses on Enkidu's palm, then another, this one bolder and further down across the delicate veins of their wrist. He watches them with a half-lidded gaze, the closest thing to sultry that Enkidu will have likely seen from him- and even that is entirely unintentional.

"I would be honoured."

One more nuzzle and then, gently, cups their cheek and captures their lips in an honest kiss. There's nothing aggressive in his gestures; he's gentlemanly and flexible, always moving to accommodate them first and never pushing beyond what he's allowed.

[enkidoh]

What strikes Enkidu immediately is how gentle Diarmuid is. How soft his kisses are and how utterly gallant he is while doing all of this. They watch closely while he kisses their hand and when he looks at them they chuckle a little.

"You are a very handsome man," Enkidu whispers in return, eyes bright and yes, with a little flush on their cheeks. "It is pleasant to look at you."

To Enkidu intimacy is something that piques their curiosity greatly. Every time it happens they find themselves anticipating the response of their own body and it is always quite pleasing when it does. Of course, they won't feel what they feel with Gil. That warmth, that constant urge to be close, that sense of feeling complete. But it will provide a pleasant distraction.

When their lips touch his they hum in an approving way, slowly opening their mouth, inviting him in.

closed to Cas!Cu

[enkidoh]

They bare their wrist and present it to Cu so he can see where he can put the tattoo.

"Ignore the cracks, they are healing..."

Worry not, Enkidu has been bonding properly. Things are well. Or well, better than they used to be. Of course they still miss Gil and they still visit his mirror and talk to the cracked surface like some sort of lunatic. And, of course, they could spend their time fretting over how their bonded would be able to look into their heart but, for once, they rather not.

"I need something that enhances channeling magic from my being to the ground underneath me. I want the response to be stronger. More...familiar, in a way."

[futhark]

The cracks, these look worrisome. It reminds him of the times when Enkidu had problems finding someone (if not refusing to) to Bond with. They and Caren turned out to be a perfect match, but that didn't last long, unfortunately.

"Do you want a connection with the ground under your feet or the life that thrives in it? "

One kind of magic affects the plant life , the roots that grow deep within, and all the things that dig within the ground— another focuses on the element of Earth. Slightly different matters, which is why he asks for clarification.

[enkidoh]

Enkidu sees him looking at the cracks and finally they shake their head.

"I am bonded. That is why they are healing."

This bond is actually just as pleasant is the one they had with Caren but deep inside of them they know that it could end any second. In fact, they expect it now.

"Its energy." Enkidu shifts in their chair and leans forward. "I used to be able to... I think the best way to describe it is that I have been one with the forest I lived in and I wish to...feel something positive again."

[futhark]

"I'm sure I can figure something out." Cú says with no false humility. A spell similar to one connecting with a leyline— yeah, he got this, he's sure of it. It's been over a year he's been working with these enchantments, and he feels quite confident in them.

But it's the news on the Bond that intrigues him, and truth to be told, also relieve him. In a short span, Enkidu lost both of their important Bonds. Hearing that they perserve nonetheless—

"So who's the lucky person, hm? Your Bonded, I mean" he asks as he prepares the tool for a sketch.

[enkidoh]

Enkidu trusts him when it comes to that. First and foremost, he is a caster, second of all, he is also a better witch. So they nod slowly and remain as they are, giving him all the space he needs to do what he does best.

"His name is Lio Fotia, he is a burnish who used to have a promare inside of him." Lucky? Well, Enkidu is not sure if Lio is a very lucky young man. "He is a small man with light hair but...ah...he is very strong inside. His will is at least...it is close to Gil's."

closed to Ozy

[enkidoh]

Enkidu has learned the important lesson that Ozymandias is not fond of their sandwiches. Even though they are not bothered with an explosion of flavor themselves, the pharaoh is probably more happy with something more refined.

"Worry not...it is soup." Enkidu holds up a large pot. "They used the bones of chickens and it is filled with vegetables and chunks of meat."

Now it is not their intention to fuss over a king. Injured or not, a king has his pride and Enkidu would not dare to undermine such a thing. Still, there is nothing wrong with cooking up some soup.

"The library has some new books about felines. Some have lots of drawings of kittens. I would advise it to pick it up when your pain has subsided a little."

[fulgency]

Ozymandias would not say that he was holding his breath about what sort of offering Enkidu would make to him. This is mostly because that's ill-advised and could lead to pneumonia if he does not make an effort to breathe normally and cough as needed, but more importantly, Enkidu possesses an...odd palate. They do not eat whatever will fit in their mouth, but it comes as a surprise at times to Ozymandias that is not the case. And so while he pays silent thanks to the gods they are not attempting to get him to stomach one of those accursed sandwiches this time, Ozymandias still glances at the soup with a degree of wariness that he does not vocalize.

Perhaps it is best not to think of it too much. Ozymandias decides to allow Enkidu to prepare the soup and give Enkidu a fair chance to prove themselves better at soup than sandwiches.

"Is that how you have been spending your time? Looking at the books in the library?"

[enkidoh]

Enkidu moves to prepare the soup and if Ozymandias would refuse to eat it they will eat it instead. After all, Enkidu is hungry a lot.

"Amongst other things, yes." They have spent quite some days in the library and other days are spent in the treehouse. Some days are spent inside their own house and there are days they fuss over their plants. Oh yes, and there has been one day where they went to the Coven to bond again. "I have quite a busy existence here. I have to worry for my plants and it seems I have to worry for my friends as well."

Look at them, being human.

They return with a hot cup of soup in one hand and a chunk of bread in the other.

"It is very tasteful if you dip the bread in the soup and let it soak a little." After they have put it down next to him they move to sit on the couch, tucking their feet underneath themselves. "What got you this injury?"

[fulgency]

It is nice to hear from Enkidu that they have adopted somewhat of a closer approximation to normal life rather than one spent tightly wound up in grief and stress as they had been until fairly recently. Ozymandias chooses to let the matter lie and take his pleasure for Enkidu's adjustment silently.

"I was on patrol in the slums with one of my Bonded." Ozymandias pauses a moment to adjust the way he is seated. Magic to dull and control the pain makes the movement easier, but all the same he is careful. He may not feel the pain to the fullest extent, but that did mean there was no possibility of incorrect movement resulting in more pain later. Once he is settled, he is able to continue. "We dispatched a number of those beasts."

Ozymandias breaks off a piece of the bread, using it to stir the soup to keep from anything settling at the bottom. He intends to let it cool a little before eating it plainly on its own.

"I do not know if it was because of my closer association to Waver or a dullness to their senses, but the Nuckelavee would narrowly focus on me. This allowed Fang to descend upon them from the rooftops once I managed to reduce their mobility." Ozymandias removes the strip of bread from the soup, tapping it lightly on the edge of the bowl before also sliding it along that edge to reduce the amount it might drip. "Unfortunately, the last Nuckelavee we dealt with was a bit more clever than some of its brethren. It was not quite as incapacitated when Fang drove it to the ground as I perceived it to be. So, to defend itself, it kicked me with all of its strength."

Had Ozymandias not been wearing any form of armor, it's likely he would have broken something rather than mere bumps and bruises from both the hooves that connected square to his chest and where he collided with the ground. Although the bruising on Ozymandias' midsection still does not look particularly pleasant. The discoloration on his skin outlines the shape of the hooves still despite his armor, radiating out into the surrounding area for a few inches. By now, the edges of the bruising has at least begun to fade, its deep purple and reds giving way to pale greens, yellows, and the sienna undertones of his summer spent in the sun. Still, regardless of how much he's bruised, Ozymandias refuses to flinch or complain even once the magic wears off and the sharp pains return and he will not speak as though it could not have been worse.

At the conclusion of his explanation, Ozymandias samples the bread and deems both it and the broth (at the very least) to be acceptable and far tamer a combination than what Enkidu typically provides. He won't render his final judgment just yet though and tears off another piece of the bread.

[enkidoh]

Enkidu tries their best to approach this the way a human does. At a point they are not even sure if they are behaving the way they think they should behave, or if they are behaving like this in a natural way. It is true that they do derive joy out of the presence of others and they do see them as close companions, people they trust...friends.

They move to sit down, eyes focused on the other's face. Of course they've heard of the beasts but they haven't been part of battles. Enkidu has spent a lot of time in their treehouse in the Wilde. They've been practicing spells, trying to repair things that are broken and, of course, extensive fussing over their plants. Yet, in a way they feel they should have been there. Because isn't it worth fighting for those who became their friend?

They should consider that next time.

"I have heard stories of those beasts." Enkidu nods briefly. "I am afraid I have been rather occupied with...patching things together after Gil's departure." That is a good way to describe it. And even now they find themselves still missing him. "But I do feel that...perhaps, I should have been more attentive to the troubles that plague this city."

Of course, Ozymandias had his bonded. Bonds that seem more stabile than the ones Enkidu has. Ones that last longer than all the bonds they have had and they figure that it is only a matter of time until Lio will leave as well.

"Have you visited a healer?"

closed to Waver

[enkidoh]

The sun is already setting and instead of going home Enkidu chooses to stay a little longer at Inkchanted, busying themselves with arranging some of the shelves.

Of course they don't actually work there but it is a pleasant place to be and to make themselves useful from time to time. It provides a good distraction after all.

When the front door opens Enkidu is about to place a couple of empty bottles on a small table. Without really looking a the person who just entered they utter a soft:

"Cu is not here...if you wish to receive a symbol on your body I advise you to come back tomorrow."

[tryhard]

"That's not a very charming way to speak to potential customers, you know."

The door closes quietly behind Waver, and he pauses in the doorway to observe for a moment, watching Enkidu messing with some of the jewelry on the shelves.

"What are you doing?"

[enkidoh]

Now Enkidu gazes over their shoulder and notice Iskandar's Master standing there. For a brief moment they smile.

"You are not a customer, but I shall keep it in mind..." They stop with what they are doing. "I have just finished up recharging some of the crystals and I decided to arrange some other items."

To show him they take a step aside and point out the bottles they have arranged so there is more space for new bottles.

"Ah...Waver Velvet, I have forgotten to thank you properly for the potion." They move to rummage through the pockets of their pants. "I have some coins for you. But I have also purchased some beer. Do you wish to have the coins or the beer?"

[tryhard]

Waver's lips tighten, twisting downward at the corners in an annoyed frown that flickers across his expression before it disperses into a sigh.

"If someone asked you here to charge up some of the new items, that's fine, but please refrain from rearranging product shelves. Soren's supposed to do that, and track everything. We have methods and paperwork in place. And besides, we're closed now."

He crosses his arms over his chest, staring pointedly at Enkidu as he waits for them to head out. Instead, he's surprised by the strange offer.

Waver cocks his head. The scowl is back in place.

"I wish to have neither. I don't like beer. And the potion didn't cost much to make. Is that why you hung around in here after hours? Were you waiting for me?"

[enkidoh]

Enkidu backs away from the shelf and nods briefly. Perhaps they have overstayed a certain welcome at this point. They listen closely when Waver speaks, leaning forward a little.

"Ah...no. I was merely waiting for Cu to return so we could finish the beer and talk some more."

Slowly they move towards the chair where they've left their belongings.

"Is there anything you do like, Waver Velvet?"

To Red Wine - Wilder Training @ Aef

[enkidoh]

Enkidu had refused the temporarily bond potion when it got mentioned. They merely pocketed the bottle and didn’t look at it anymore. One bond is enough and, frankly, they’re tired of all this bonding talk. They know their companion, they met him a while ago, in the dark. Back then he was almost feral, very ready to kill and strike.

They follow the two Wilders in front of them, threading through frozen bushes and snowy lands, on their way to find infected parts of the forest and get rid of them.

“I take it you are feeling better right now?” They walk up next to him and look at him, their face completely neutral as they tighten the scarf around their neck. “I had not expected to be seeing you again… I hope you have been able to find someone to bond with.”

The deeper they get into the forest, the darker it becomes and Enkidu’s grip around their wooden spear tightens. To be absolutely honest, they’re better with that spear than they are with magic.

[judgementor]

He'd apologised for how he'd acted. Several times, in fact, being more than a little mortified at how easily he'd lost control of himself that night. And yet, here he was, still without a bond with a Witch to balance him out and becoming more and more unhinged as each full moon passed by.

But, much like the proverbial frog in the boiling pot, it was gradual enough that he had barely noticed the way it had been getting worse.

"I'm alright," he mutters in response, letting his hand rest on the pommel of his sword as they walk. As for the matter of bonding... well, that's still not a thing he finds he's comfortable discussing with anyone.

Enkidu is not his usual partner, but he still notes the way that they tense as the two of them venture deeper into the forest. He shifts his hand, freeing the first inch of his sword with a soft snick and quiet slide of steel. His ears prick slightly.

"Do you feel that?" Red Wine murmurs very quietly. "We're being watched."

[enkidoh]

Enkidu doesn't think that this man looks like someone who is doing 'alright'. There is something about him that is tense. Too tense. Like a tightened string that is about to snap.

And whenever that snap comes they hope it will be directed at whatever is awaiting them.

"Hmm..." They turn towards the Wilders that are with them, hoping for a confirmation of some sort. "...Is he right?"

Monsters are better at things like this and all Enkidu can do is look around themselves.

"I know a spell that might be able to trace their energies, yet my magic isn't too strong..."

[judgementor]

He'll insist he's fine until it's abundantly clear that he isn't. Red Wine's stubborn nature is like a curse, both to himself and the people around him, but he's certainly more aware of himself now than the last time he and Enkidu were alone together.

The vampire glances their way as they speak, and he lifts his eyebrows minutely.

"I think that's what I'm here for," he comments. For all he can feel his skin itching and for how distracting it is, he still understands what they're doing out here. "I'm not imagining it."

[enkidoh]

Finally Enkidu stands still and starts to scan their environment. They aren't afraid, not really. But there is definitely some sort of wariness.

The Wilders have stopped as well, both of them looking around themselves.

"Then show us the way," Enkidu says softly, looking at Red Wine. There's something off about their companion but if they had to give it a name...that is difficult. They have never been an expert on such things. "Are you able to track them down or...should I do that spell?"