middaeg | [OPEN] I'm searching for something beyond my understanding

Entry tags:

[OPEN] I'm searching for something beyond my understanding

Who: Connor & open!
When: Through September
Where: /gestures vaguely at Aefenglom
What: Quests and stuff
Warnings: None yet!

Full Moons (2nd Sept);

[The moons are high in the sky when Connor knocks on Markus' door, hoping his current form doesn't bother him too much- the other android has seen him with a tail, but he hasn't seen his new full moons form that allows him to walk. His eyes are still a milky blue with a black sclera, his teeth still sharp as needles and glinting in the moonlight when he speaks, but he has legs. Fins jut from his arms, his ear fins and whiskers framing his face, and his fingers end in claws. His toes end in claws too, which is new, so he's not wearing shoes.]

Markus? It's me, Connor.

[No answer. Connor has a bad feeling about this. Yes, Markus could just be out, but... he checks his watch, and his suspicions are confirmed.

Anyone walking past will find him just sitting outside Markus' cottage, looking sorry for himself. By now, the pang of sorrow that comes with someone he cares about leaving is... bearable. He still doesn't like it, though, and he needs the time to think on it. He won't mind a chat, though.]

Trawl For Treasure;

[Connor knows how important a Merrow's trinkets are. If he lost his own, he'd be very upset. So he plans on using his ability to scan the area for clues to his advantage, and hopefully he'll find her possessions quickly. He does want someone to come with him, though. Just incase he can't quite control himself once he sees something shiny. Standing close to the river, he taps the next person who passes the spot he's waiting at, and flashes them a smile.]

Hello, I was wondering if you could help me. A young Merrow has buried her possessions at the bottom of this river somewhere, but she can't find them and is very distressed. I want to help her find them again, but I'm afraid my own Merrow instincts will kick in once I see something shiny. I need someone to stop me from trying to keep them. Of course, I'll share her reward of cunes with you...

Wildcard;

Hit me up at novicecity @ plurk if you want to plot something with me!

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[Well, after getting an earful from Myr, it's obvious the cat's out of the bag regarding Niles and his "death". He should probably apologise to L... he did lie to him, after all.

He knocks at the door and rubs his hands together awkwardly as he waits, for once not announcing his presence. When L opens the door, he'll be greeted with a sad smile, and Connor tilts his head slightly as he speaks.]

Hi Linden. Can I come in? I need to talk to you.

[When she's tapped on the shoulder, she smiles to see a familiar face,]

Yes, I am quite familiar with those merrow instincts.

[She says with a good-natured laugh, and she touches the golden tiara on her brow, as if just to make sure it was still there. It was one of the first victim's to Lance's hoarding habits once he started to transform.

Making her way over toward the river, she peers down, trying to see beyond the water.]

Did she say what it is she lost?

[It hasn't been as simple as just opening the door for a little while, now. Or a long while. Put simply, whether or not someone is on the other side of it, just eliminating the barrier between where it's safe and where it's dangerous is almost impossibly difficult on some days.

So it's opened just a crack, initially, so that a round, dark eye can peer out through it at the android-turned-Merrow.

He pauses for a long collection of beats before nodding, opening the crack wide enough to permit a being of roughly Connor's width and height, but no further.]

You can.

[L's cottage was sourced and provided by Myr, kept by a hired and kind turnskin. There's a kitchen, a garden, a bath, and a bed with enough space for two to sleep close and comfortably, but L spends much of his time here alone. He has just one Bond, after all, not counting his temporary one with Near. He does not, and cannot, expect that one Bond to spend all of his time here, but fortunately, he's long been accustomed to silence and solitude. He prefers it, most days, finds it ideal for his reading and research. It's the safety to explore new ideas and techniques, the reassurance that making mistakes is acceptable.

It's also a good way to hide when his mistakes have netted more extreme results. His fixation on Niles has led to a recent serious injury, and he's still pale and recovering from the significant blood loss. He's recovering, too, from the knowledge that he's once again failed in a way he'd promised he wouldn't, and let down Myr as only a committed addict can.

There are places to sit, or Connor is free to stand. L doesn't indicate or suggest either, turning away, leaving the way clear for Connor to choose for himself as he returns to his runes at the table.]

[Connor does eye that tiara, and then forces his gaze away from it again.]

Her courting gifts from her sweetheart, amongst other things. I really wouldn't want to take anything I shouldn't.

[But depending on how shiny those trinkets are... he might not be able to help himself at first.]

Don't worry, I can scan the bottom of the river and will likely find them easily enough, but I do need you to collect them once I find them.

Edited 2020-09-04 19:24 (UTC)

[Connor heads inside once he's given access, choosing to stand stiffly by the table with his hands behind his back. He soon gets distracted by L's current state, though.]

You're pale. Have you been looking after yourself?

[He doesn't actually know that L and Niles have been fighting, so he just assumes L is neglecting himself again. He bites back a lecture, though. That isn't what he's here for.]

I just wanted to apologise. For... being dishonest with you.

[He pauses for now, waiting for acknowledgement from L before he continues.]

[ For once, Geralt isn't working. Technically. He's by the harbor to eavesdrop, not for anything in particular but because he's stuck in this city and there's no better source of information than local gossip.

Even if so far, most of what he's uncovered is someone embezzling shop funds (not his problem) and a handful of jealous lovers (definitely not his problem). He files it all away nonetheless, in case it becomes relevant in the future.

As he strolls through, either sidestepping people in the way or simply waiting for them to sidestep him, someone approaching from behind makes him pause. He waits, turning around as the man taps his shoulder. Geralt's about to tell him he's got no interest in diving for someone's lost trinkets, but two things catch his attention: one, that a reward has been offered; and two, that he's facing another Merrow. As in, someone who can easily traverse the water.

He reflects. Not bad, if he'll get paid just to keep a Merrow from stealing what he's trying to return. His schedule's hardly full.

He studies the Merrow for a second. Oddly dressed, but not any odder than some of the Mirrorbound. More than his clothes, it's the flickering at his temple that draws his gaze. Geralt makes little effort to hide that he's looking, though he chooses not to comment for the time being. ]

Deal. [ He moves to follow. ] Her things. What did she lose?

[Money often works where words won't, and Connor isn't a greedy man. He'll split it evenly. Connor gives a small, knowing smile as he sees Geralt eye his temple, but unless he asks, he's not offering an explanation. He starts towards the river, having found the assistance he's looking for.]

All I know is that they're very shiny. Something I may not be able to resist. Don't worry, once we're in the water I can scan for loose soil. It shouldn't take long, even with the water being as murky as it is.

[He stops beside the river and turns to face Geralt again, offering a scaled hand to shake.]

My name is Connor. What's yours?

[L's current state isn't one he wants to dwell on or address. His sleeves are long to conceal bandages and stitches; though he has received healing, the tendon damage requires some additional care as it mends more slowly and thoroughly.]

I'm fine.

[Always up for debate, but rarely for discussion. L's a private person who at times would seemingly rather deal alone with a desperate situation than reach out to ask for help. If Myr hadn't come over, it could have gone much worse, no matter how steady his left hand was in placing its makeshift sutures as he soaked towel after towel in his own blood.

He glances up slowly at Connor's apology; if it's what he expected to hear from the Merrow, or not, he gives no indication, but chews the corner of his lip slightly.]

Oh... I see.

[A pause. He turns his gaze back to his work, because it's an easier place to keep it.]

You can't think that I believed you. The missing pieces were all far too convenient.

[Connor purses his lips and keeps himself from pursuing L's wellbeing... for now.]

Of course I didn't. You aren't stupid.

[He shakes his head.]

It seemed to me that I had to try, though. That maybe, even if you didn't believe it, you'd accept that this feud should be over. One of you was going to get killed.

[He leans in, eyes full of concern.]

Niles saved me from those dungeons... I did owe him. That doesn't mean I wanted to lie to you, though. So... I'm sorry for that. Really.

[Not being stupid, merely, is an understatement... though admittedly, L hasn't felt like a genius lately. A petty and cruel child at the whims of impulses he can't fully control, perhaps, or some traumatized victim searching for any tolerable way to cope, perhaps some combination of the two ever grappling for dominance.]

I understand, and to be clear... I don't think that you're lying to me, now.

[On any count, even the presumably hypothetical ones. Recently, and viciously, they've continued on their path of ensuring the destruction of at least one of them, of at least L has; Niles has contradicted the sacred premise by saving him from a fall that certainly would have killed him. L is still furious about that.]

You're loyal to a fault, aren't you?

[Dating at least back to the SQUIP.]

[Connor just looks down at the table for a moment.]

I just didn't want to see either of you hurt again. It seemed like the choice with a higher chance of succeeding in that goal, however slim.

[He finally slides into a chair beside L, studying him. He gives him a once-over scan, and his eyes fall on his injured wrist.]

I consider you both to be my friends. It isn't easy to see either of you wounded.

[Said pointedly. What happened this time?]

[It was never an option, much less a choice, at least not from L's point of view. Settling the score was the only objective, and it would never be settled when both parties were so intent on overkill and preventing any future possibility for retaliation. L's entitled to his revenge, as Niles was entitled to his, and the notion that it could end with L crippled and mute in a hospital bed is laughable.

Connor must have realized that; he must have known that L couldn't live that way. What did he think was going to happen? At least he acknowledges that the chances were slim, he supposes.]

I imagine it's the hardest part of being you. The fact that your friends have irreconcilable differences, and you can't pick a side.

[Also said pointedly, though perhaps less so. Did Connor just scan him?]

When you refuse that, you're choosing the side of whoever is currently winning. I wonder if you realize that.

[He picks up on that slight jab, and looks thoroughly upset with himself for a moment. L is right; he needed to pick a side, but he was so caught up in trying to brute force them into making up. And honestly, he couldn't have dealt with potentially losing one of them as a friend, either.

He was indecisive. He was never programmed to be that way. He was programmed to be quick and final in his decisions, but emotions... "emotions always screw everything up."]

You're right. I should have made my choice based on the information I had, not on the emotions that came with it.

[He glances up, apologetic.]

I'm sorry. I think you know I would have chosen Niles anyway. I couldn't just turn him in after he saved me. Emotions aside, I owed him.

[Some might be upset to hear it stated so bluntly, that they wouldn't be the chosen side. It's actually something of a relief to L, a confirmation of a deeply held belief that he just needed confirmed. He has a form of respect for it, anyway, and at least Connor is being honest with him.]

The insult was never that you chose Niles.

[Because, L maintains, Connor did.]

It was that you behaved as though you weren't choosing; that's really what it comes down to, in the end.

[Water under the bridge, now, as far as L is concerned. Of course, the future matters, and so...]

Next time, please don't insult me that way.

[He nods.]

I won't. But I also hope there won't be a next time. Unless you intend on being part of another feud?

[Sighing, Connor gestures to L's arm.]

Your arm, though. What happened?

[There will be a next time; there has been a next time, many of them, in fact, all involving Niles. L's not been able to leave well enough alone, and the consequences have come home to roost. His arm is really the least of it.]

This?

[He glances at his sleeve distastefully.]

Niles. I really don't think I can forgive this.

[He's not actually talking about the injury.]

[Connor blinks. And then he looks, for a moment, utterly exhausted.]

I should have known.

[There's a silence, and then he regains his composure.]

I can't believe you're still fighting.

[Actually he can, but that's not what he means.]

Why would you go looking for him? I highly doubt he came for you this time.

[L brushes some of his dark hair away from dull, blank eyes that are equally tired, but harder and colder by far.]

Why would you have known?

[If anyone had, they would have stopped it sooner, or tried to. Myr's reaction to the debacle alone is confirmation of as much.]

You shouldn't have difficulty believing it, though. Things like this don't just deescalate.

[Until someone dies. L doesn't want to, but it would have been an end, at least, if Niles hadn't intervened after pushing him off the ledge. L's furious; rightfully so, in his mind.]

[She's used to it by now. It's a miracle she hasn't lost it more often than she has already.

Her expression softens, and she clasps her hands in front of her. Ever the romantic.] Then we simply must get her gifts back for her.

[Nodding at Connor.] I think I can handle that task. Go fetch them and if you bring them to me, I'll keep them safe for our Merrow friend.

[He brightens as she accepts.]

Of course. Give me some time. If you follow me on land, I can hand them to you before I get tempted.

[He'll have to swim slower than he'd like in order to properly scan the area, anyway. The water is pretty murky, after all. He shrugs off his shirt and dives into the water, surfacing with fins and whiskers. He flashes Allura a toothy grin, then dives back under to start searching.

He surfaces after a while, shaking the hair out of his eyes.]

I haven't found her things yet, but I thought you'd like this.

[He moves to the edge of the river and holds out a pretty white rock that sparkles slightly. Normally Connor would have kept something like that, but... it makes him think of Allura's hair.]

[The conversation about Niles' "death" was one probably better held in text over the watches. That was--Myr had picked up--the mode folk here went to when they wanted to conceal their emotions and buy themselves time to really think about what they were saying before they said it. Much like letter-writing, really; and back when he could still write letters he'd been a fair hand at not spilling his every angry thought onto the page.

But dictating to the watches was hardly any different from having a conversation over them in person, as far as Myr was concerned, with the added indignity of them not always getting his words down right. And if he'd be talking to the android about something truly--direly--deadly important...

It was best handled in person.

So one early evening--not the night of the full moon--there's a quiet knock on Connor's door, and a Faun on his doorstep.]

[Connor opens the door, curious as to who could be knocking, and smiles warmly to see Myr there.]

Myr, what a pleasant surprise.

[He opens the door fully.]

Please come in. Do you want anything? A drink?

Maybe things would deescalate if you both just left each other alone.

[He frowns, eyeing L's wrist again.]

At least you got that seen to. So what happened? Why did he scratch you?

Edited 2020-09-07 02:20 (UTC)

[Though the look on Myr's face is dire indeed, he can't help a wan answering smile as Connor greets him--nor the way his ears rise, a little, at a friendly voice.

With hope, it will stay a friendly voice when they're done.]

Connor. Perhaps let's delay hospitality until after we've spoken, [he says, quietly, and steps across the door's threshold.]

Where can we sit?

[Myr's tone seems off. Connor tips his head to the side slightly, a gesture that Myr won't notice, but looks to the kitchen.]

The dining table is free right now.

[He heads in that direction, waiting for Myr to sit first.]

Is everything okay?

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Page 1 of 4

[OPEN] I'm searching for something beyond my understanding

Locked to L (after the talk with Myr)

Trawl for Treasure

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Trawl For Treasure;

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snatches ur dance card. wildcard. whatever.

gasps

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HOHO...

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