[Open] Can't you see, we're trapped inside a dream

[grandspark]

Who: Rude and OTA
When: All throughout October Octeuril.
Where: Around Aefenglom.
What: Catch-all stuff. Monster changes during and in between full moons, a new strange eating habit, random encounters. Quests Added: Slashing Pumpkins, Shamblevine Blossoms, and Sparking Artistry. (He's also signed up for are Lawn and Order if you would like to create or have a prompt created for seeing him do that.) Whatever else. Hit me for additional prompts if so desired.
Warnings: N/A Slightly squicky monster changes, maybe some cursing at some point, can add more if necessary.
Note: Default written in prose, but actionbrackets are fine!

Octeuril 1st Full Moon

Rude woke up to find his bed in shambles. The sheets were ripped to shreds and the pillow was no longer stuffed. He was surprised for two seconds before he realized the culprit was himself. He took a good, long, hard look at himself as he stood in his room and examined his claws. It wasn't just claws, he found later, that had done the damage. Though mostly it had probably been that as he thrashed around and clawed at his sheets. He discovered scales growing in and spikes protruding from him as well. And one more very notable thing: a pair of slightly bulbous sacs had formed on his back during the night. Not very large yet but something within them was definitely growing.

He wasn't sure what to think at first. He had been expecting this sort of thing to happen sooner or later. His changes had been relatively subtle so far and it was time for major ones to come. He had been here long enough to come to terms with the fact that it wasn't something he could avoid. Not so long as he was here in this world. He didn't know what would happen if he found himself back home. (Would the changes cease? Would they reverse? Was it even possible to go back home or did those that disappear end up...somewhere else? There were no answers to those questions as far as he knew. Not yet.)

He spent a good time in the mirror after he'd cleaned up his mess (threw out the ripped sheets and pillow, replaced them with the spares for now) and examined all his changes. He could feel an itchiness already in place were he suspected more scales were getting ready to form over his skin. He thought he looked like a cross between a snake and a crocodile with smaller scales in softer areas and larger, harder scutes in places where it looked like he was growing armor along with the spikes. His scales were black with highlights of purple in areas, matching the colors of his feathers. They were most prominent around his shoulders and back, and his hands and feet, and then there was his face. It was odd there. At one point he reached up to feel what he saw in the mirror there and frowned slightly. He had an area of skin that was reptilian--he could only tell because the color had changed--but there were no scales growing there. Were they still forming slowly or was he, dare he think it lest it come true, scaleless in that area? It seemed an odd thing to change into. A scaleless reptile with partial feathers and scales and one area practically highlighted as to its weakness. Great.

He snorted in a distinct lack of amusement and covered that area up with his sunglasses. How convenient it was around his eyes. Or inconvenient because his eyes were already vulnerable just due to the very squishy nature of eyes themselves. Now he was becoming a dragon with no scales around to protect them. His sunglasses would have to make due as protection for now. Hopefully no one would really notice over the fact that his forehead was growing plates of armor and his head was sprouting nubs that were either spikes or slowly forming horns. Or both. Extra bonus was the sunglasses hid the bright yellow hue of his eyes, a change from the warm brown they had been before, and the slits for pupils that gave even him the creeps to look at in the mirror. He looked like a snake in the grass now more than ever.

Still unamused, Rude did his best to get clothed around some of the new changes, ignoring the sacs on his backs for now, and go about the rest of his day. More was coming but he knew better than to dwell too long on the future for this sort of thing. It was inevitable. He would live with it. He could learn to cope when the time came. Not worry over it before.


I. Strange Eating Habits

a.)
A strange thing began happening as Rude went through his days. He didn't notice it at first. It just happened when he wasn't paying attention, an unconscious act that didn't mean anything to him. It felt natural and thus didn't register.

Whether he was moving down the streets and just happened to pass by a fixture with some gravel in it, or he was sitting down in a garden feeding the birds some seeds he'd picked up for that very act, whenever he spotted certain sized rocks he picked them up. Texture or color didn't seem to matter, only the size. He slipped them into his pockets as he went through his day and forgot about them.

He truly didn't even notice he was doing it. A sly mention or straight up confrontation about it might be the only way he would even realize what he was doing... though why wouldn't occur to him until later.


b.)
At lunch or dinnertime Rude sometimes liked to eat on the outdoor patios of restaurants or pick up something and bring it to a park to eat while he watched people or animals scurry by. He wasn't picky about the view so much as just liked to watch and learn while he was idle.

Wherever he was, Rude had a meal to eat and that was normal. What was abnormal was that every now and again he'd slip something small and candy-sized from his pocket and pop that in his mouth instead of food. Upon closer observation it wasn't candy that the bald man was eating; it was small rocks.

Once again, Rude didn't really seem to be conscious of the act. He was just going through the motion without thought. But it was kind of weird, wasn't it? Even for a monster?

II. Quest: Slashing Pumpkins

Another farmer needing help with crops. Running theme for this fall it seemed. Rude was just thankful there wasn't any noxious poison of one sort or another involved this time. He didn't even mind the fact that he found out after he joined in cutting the vines away that the things were carnivorous. This he could handle.

Unfortunately it took him a while to notice the things simply regenerated after smashing the pumpkin-like gourds away or cutting up the vines and removing them. One time he came back to his pile of discarded vines only to discover newly plump gourds growing and the vines beginning to wiggle their way out to find new prey.

"What the hell...?" He sounded less stunned than just resigned. He was really beginning to see a pattern with this place.

Plus side: fire dragon! Minus side: he didn't actually have a breath weapon just yet. He loved fire but needed a starter. Time to get help or make a weapon out of random stuff!

III. Quest: Shamblevine Blossoms

They were a lot larger than he had expected. He did a modicum of research on the creatures before heading out, sure, but the description hadn't really done the flora covered creatures justice. Even as a strong-armed dragon he didn't really want to tango with one of these on his own. He was pretty sure he could but he had initially headed out here on his own so it probably wasn't worth the risk.

Instead, he focused his efforts on making traps and luring in the creatures. With them trapped he could hopefully harvest some of the blossoms without damaging them, and then set the creatures free. If they caused him trouble he could kill them, that didn't really bother him all that much, but it didn't seem necessary for this job. He might as well try to be tactful first.

He wouldn't mind help setting up the traps and lures, but please try not to run into any of them yourselves, either.

IV. Quest: Sparking Artistry

Having a Mirrorbound monster who was still changing into his full dragon self was probably not the best bet for working on explosive materials, especially as the moons grew closer to a second full moon phase in the month. Yet there was the black and purple dragon, working on explosive material as the moons grew close to full. The real issue was that his back irritated him, or so he told himself, because the bulges were steadily growing and forming wings beneath the leathery skin back there.

Despite this he kept his calm as he worked on the fireworks. He was much better at focusing on the task then he was dealing with people right now. Working on flashy explosives wasn't just a job to him it was practically a hobby. He had always been good with explosives, even slightly magical ones. Back home he could take a piece of Shinra tech and turn it into the loudest or the most flashy bomb on the continent. Fireworks weren't that much different, right?

Right. With the right concoction and skill, he could easily create a flashy firework that was all show and little bite. The magics here were quite different from what he was used to but with the instructions given he adjusted quite nicely. He even got a few praises from experienced artisans on his adaptations of fireworks once he started to get used to and then experiment on his own. Rude liked this work. It was good for him and it kept him out of trouble for a little while.

He came back for a few days as they experimented to create the finale for the final night of the month. His work progressed nicely but unfortunately his irritation grew worse the closer the full moons got. And then he was notably absent the final night but he'd finished and left his creations for the finale where they could still be set up by the rest of the workers present that night.

V. Back Pains

a.)
The sac-like bulge's on Rude's back grew more itchy and achy as the month passed by. At first it wasn't noticeable but eventually he figured out they were growing in size, too. Larger, more protruding, harder underneath the stretching skin as the things inside formed, became solid and strengthened. He had little doubt what it was that grew back there at this point but didn't think too hard on it. He wasn't certain yet how he was going to feel about having them.

It was just one more step towards being more monster than human. Then again, at least he'd have flight back on his side. Except this time he would have to learn a whole new set of controls and tricks to conform to actual winged flight, not the use of a vehicle.

That was another worry for another time. Right now his back was so itchy and ached so much he couldn't stand the thought of fabric rubbing across the thinly stretched skin of his back. Rude would have had a hard time seeing it even with a set of mirrors for him to look, but passerby as he strolled single-mindedly down the street with one purpose in mind--get to the store, find an ointment for this madness--could catch glimpses of the limbs growing inside, sliding against the skin as they shifted uncomfortably in the small space. Rude didn't care if he was getting looks from locals or Mirrorbound as he stomped down the street without a shirt on. All he wanted was to get to the damn store and solve this problem.


b.)
He made it to the store. Now there was a shirtless, half scaled dragon with shifting bulges on his back standing in front of the ointment section of medicines. He was staring at the jars and bottles with a hard set to his jaw. Honestly, all he wanted was something simple but effective.

Unfortunately, he didn't have much experience with the medicines of this world. He didn't know what worked well and what didn't. He could go for a magical potion but he didn't know how those worked in this world either. If they were anything like back home then they could be super effective for certain common ailments. But they could also be a load of crock or not work on uncommon factors if he picked up the wrong thing or from the wrong place. At least back home he had a better idea where to start and what to look for.

Here he hadn't a clue. The store owner was keeping his distance, wringing his hands together and watching as if he wanted to speak up, but he was either nervous because the bald man was intimidating in his current state or the owner had already gotten a low growl from the dragon when he'd tried to happily offer some useless advice when Rude had first entered.

Either help him pick out something or tell him to vacate so he stops scaring off the other costumers?

VI. Blue Moon

Nighttime had fallen several hours ago but Rude wasn't ready to head home anytime soon. He had never felt so restless in his entire life. Not as a teenager, not as a Turk, not ever. He was always so well in control of his inner workings, always calm and stoic in demeanor, naturally predisposed to quiet. The full moon had other ideas in mind tonight.

He wasn't a turnskin but this was the first time the full moon had really exerted any kind of grip on him and a part deep in him still connected to its usual logical nature knew that changes were coming. His changes had been relatively minor up till now (he'd had it lucky so far, he knew) and he usually slept through the beginning stages of most of what he had experienced to this point. He had minor issues during the daytime as he grew further into the feathers, and much more recently, the scales now showing. Easy changes on him, itchiness and slight irritation he could handle, not much in the way of psychological changes, all physical. That felt like it was all about to change.

He didn't remember when he was suddenly surrounded by trees but it happened sometime well after dark fell. He could see just fine in the dark it turned out but it wasn't his vision that was failing him tonight. He roamed restlessly in the forest, almost as if looking for a fight or something to chew up and spit out tastelessly. He wasn't hunting per se but his mind was running around in circles as much as his body at the moment, struggling, sluggishly behind the rest of him as he kept on the move.

Then it happened. He felt the ache settle into a dull pain. The wings on his back stretched the sac protrusions on his back stubbornly, craving the night air as much as any living creature might. He rubbed against bark and stone alike as he wandered, as if he were scratching an itch, but it wasn't enough and eventually it came to the bursting point. One time his hand went back to scratch over his shoulder at his back and when it came back the claws were covered in ichor and blood. It didn't hurt though; it felt good.

The rest happened quickly. Rude didn't even register most of it. He went down on all fours as his wings stretched tight one last time against the sacs holding them and then all at once they burst forth, the skin ripping apart where his claws had started the tear and running all down his back. That felt really good. The wings were free now, and they stretched to their full length as best they could. They were still wet and new, and there was no way he could fly on them yet, but they were surprisingly large and strong. The scales and leather were black with streaks of deep purple running throughout them, the same colors as his feathers. A fearsome set of claws sat at the top joint looking sharp and strong enough to rip into flesh just as easily as the talons of a hawk. He held them aloft for a long moment, letting them stretch real good and drip free of the liquid that had accompanied them in the growing-sac, before finally folding them and setting them against his back.

They shifted awkwardly, uncomfortably, for the rest of the night as he tried to get used to them and as the ichor began to dry. He was still too feral to take care of it this night but later--definitely later there would be lots of cleaning and adjusting and figuring out what the hell to do with them while idle as much as whenever he wanted to actually use them--but tonight he wandered more and stretched them periodically just because he could. At least he'd managed to make it back onto two legs instead of crawling around on all fours for the rest of the night. His changes weren't that far along, it would have been terribly awkward walking around like that.

Comments

[electrod]

[ Reno wonders if he would notice that moment of hope, or if would it be one of the cases where he'd misread his partner? But even the flimsy bond connection can't hide everything. ]

Oh come on, I gave you a perfect opening. [ Now he pouts like a petulant brat. Is he disappointed that Rude didn't take the bait? ]

[grandspark]

[Where Rude had been scared to hope, now he relaxed at the familiar childish act of Reno, of those words assuring him it was okay to go there. He gazed at Reno steadily, a little intense looking but in actuality carefully assessing.]

Now I know you're teasing me. [He said in his usual deep tone but there was something playful about the words nevertheless. His lips twitched with the effort not to smile.] What do you want me to say that you don't already know? That you can't already feel?

[Rude opened up their link slowly, at least that was his intent. This whole bond thing was still new to him, them. But he hoped it worked the way he wanted it to. He didn't want to flood Reno with his own feelings.

The playfulness was on the front of the wave of emotions, having just relaxed enough to slip into their typical banter; happiness and a hopeful uncertainty came next, how he felt about this conversation and what it meant for them; and at the end a smidgen of the desire he felt towards Reno, not much, just enough to let Reno know it was there but that Rude had it in check in case--well, in case it was repulsive and unwanted.

They had one wild night together with the other dragon trying to steer them together but that could have just been the moons pulling at them. Rude had come to terms with his love and lust for his partner but if Reno wasn't on the same page then Rude could quickly shut it down. It wasn't worth breaking his word to Reno, of breaking their bond--potions and magic be damned they'd always had something between them that words couldn't do justice. Rude wouldn't throw that away for anything in the universe.]

[electrod]

[ Oh, you bastard—! Normally, Reno would take that lip twitch as an indicator that Rude is being a bit playful, but now with their connection, he doesn't have to assume or guess. He's pretty much, freely shown that fact.

There wasn't playfulness only, there was so much more intertwined in it. It's so easy to get lost in that "more". Maybe it's because he's already quite tipsy, but he rides it like a wave. Meeting the hope&uncertanity with his own, a deep affection sense and camaderie and a shade of amusement because—

Rude could communicate without words already. What now, are they going to incorporate the Bond into that? Instead of saying something, or making an expression, only Reno can properly interpret (or so he likes to think) Rude will just feel things in his general direction?

"Bad Reno, stupid joke, I disapprove", "Oh that was fun!", "Let's do this" ]

I think some verbal indication what's your opinion on what I just said. I mean, aside from the Bond portion that could work— [ Play the drums for instead of backtracking he puts the metaphorical coffee on the table ] see, I worded it like that on purpose.

[ "We could work" is inherently uncertain in the phrasing, but it's also hopeful. And he doesn't want Rude to think he's stringing him along, or being another kind of an asshole— oh sure, he can be a jerk and asshole even to Rude, but not. Not about that. ]

[grandspark]

[Well, it wasn't as if Rude didn't already silently send messages Reno's way all the time. Now Reno would just have more certainty to his guesses with the added bonus of genuine emotions being flung at him.

Rude didn't really get where the amusement from Reno came from but it did make him feel--hmm, amused in return but the uncertainty from where it came from also held a smidge of confusion and embarrassment. Had he done something silly in Reno's eyes? He huffed a small noise at it and clamped back down on some of his emotions. Not to cut off the bond, but to shove the more uncertain and ashamed ones out of his own way.

His mouth ticked upwards.]

Did you now? [He said as calmly as he could manage, which didn't hide the small lilt from it despite his effort.] You know what I wa--

[He closed his eyes so he could look away from Reno.]

--what I would be happy to give you. I don't need anything, Reno. I don't want anything from you. I just-- [He was trying to be careful but... maybe that didn't really suit them.

He opened his eyes to look directly at Reno.] I just don't want to lose you. Whatever happens.

[Whatever you want, he wished the bond could send those words to Reno without him having to say them. Maybe his partner would hear them anyway.]

[electrod]

[ Uh-huh. Is Rude... hiding? Well, Reno's not making fun of him, not this time. He wants to make that clear, but... well, still new to this Bond thing.

The look away, the correction from "want" to "what". That's what Rude nearly said, wasn't it? "You know what I want". But he corrected it to these selfless, generous words. Reno grits his teeth, tenses his jaw momentarily. But restraints his immediate reaction ('It's okay for you to want things!!! Be a little selfish!') and lets his partner finish—

An unguarded relief washes over him. ]

We're of the same mind then. I'm just— [ A vibrating uncertainty is hard to clamp down. Being honest is one thing, but being genuine and vulnerable..? That is the hardest. With anyone else, if things have gotten to the "feelings" level he'd just ghost them. Get lost in work or fun until he forgot them, and life is easy again. Not with Rude though. Because Rude's the one he doesn't want to — can't — lose. ] Afraid, yanno? That I'll fuck it up— and don't you make fun of me!

[ A half-hearted warming. Rude could get away with that. ]

I know what— who I want. Just figured, it's never going to happen— and then surprise.

[ It's his own fault, and his own penchant for thinking he's smart and capable of reading people, that's to blame. Rude's type seemed to be classy, kind ladies— and he's no classy, nor kind. He's loud, obnoxious, vulgar even. And ride or die, in the blaze of goddamn glory, moron. A+ here lies Reno, he lived past 25 and surprised us all.

Deep breath. No rambling. Get to the point. ]

I want you. [ There ] It's mutual, I mean.

[grandspark]

[Rude's breath froze for a moment and he had to force himself to resume breathing calmly. He closed his eyes momentarily to get his thoughts secure, organized, wrap his head around them and make them steady.

When he opened his eyes again it was so he could move without tripping up. He stood up suddenly without warning and walked over to Reno. He knelt down next to his partner.]

Don't be ridiculous. [He reached up and brushed Reno's bangs away from his eyes.] When do you ever fuck up so badly that I leave you behind? That's not going to happen.

[Feeling emboldened by Reno's simultaneous relief and confession, Rude grasped the redhead by the chin and held him gently in his grip. His own doubt caused him to hesitate but--]

Since when are we so afraid to fuck shit up? [He asked with a chuckle.] It's what we're best at, isn't it? Well, I'm ready then if you are. Let's fuck. [ran his thumb against Reno's jaw] it up. [leaned forward] real good.

[--and let himself be bold again. No more worry. Reno had given him all the assurance he needed. If his partner felt mutually about them then by the goddess Rude wasn't going to hold back anymore.

Well, maybe a little. He didn't want to hurt Reno. But not in this.

He kissed Reno full on the mouth. Brushed his tongue across those voluptuous lips. Didn't ask for more--took it instead, forcing his way inside Reno's mouth and tasting him.]

[electrod]

[ A good question. A perfect question. Normally there is no worry about such things, no worry at all. The fact that it's present at all just shows It's a Real Deal.

Rude really beat him already to the epic confession, his ended being awkward, dorky even— eugh. But it's all out on the table, and it feels good, to be honest for once. Plus Rude's reaction makes it all worth it. Breath catches in his throat when his partner approaches him suddenly and reaches out-- it feels like a caress (it really is).

Reno knew he has a thing for his partner's voice, but he never imagined it's going to be this bad. Hearing Rude speak like that? The punctuation of every, damn, word. His brain instead of focusing on the words only (and he *does* hear the whole sentence, thank you very much) focuses on the deep baritone timbre that emerges deep from Rude's chest and reverberates through Reno's body in the most exciting manner.

This gentle but firm hand tilting his head up is perfect. Unmoving, constant. And here comes the kiss—

Reno's usually not a kisser, the assessment before that it's too personal, too intimate was correct. But hell, what else is them if not "personal"? He latches onto the kiss with almost primal fever, draping his arms over Rude's shoulders to keep him close. Lips parting invitingly, as he relishes the taste of Rude in his mouth. Like a climactic finale, just without explosions and instead of the intensity that he can't quite tell is his, Rude's or a mix of them both. He gasps open-mouthed as if seeking oxygen, but then it turns, mid-kiss into a short burst of laughter, that causes him to break the kiss.

Happy laughter, the rarest one. Not yet calling it ruining the moment, because Reno immediately follows it with a whispered ]

Word of warning— [ A grin curling his upwards can be felt, more than seen, probably. ] ...ah you know me. I'm greedy. I will take everything you wanna give.

[ And he leans to continue the kiss again, invitingly. Sinking against him. ]