middaeg | December Catch-All

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December Catch-All

Who: Alice and various (closed and open prompts available)
When: Throughout Deceuer
Where: Throughout the city
What: Girl is getting bonded and also enjoying the holidays!
Warnings: CRINGY SOFT PORN READINGS and eventually alcohol consumption in one thread; probability of cavity-inducing feels in another

I. Written In The Stars (Closed to Dorian)

[Alice kind of regrets telling Dorian about her impending bonding with Yuri.

He's insisted on taking her out beforehand, which has somehow ended up with the two of them standing side-by-side holding scripts and being watched by two total strangers expectantly. One of them is giving character motivations and instructions--you're a young ingenue, he's the dashing and mysterious beneficiary of your father, let the feelings flow through you, feel free to ad lib, etc.--but Alice herself isn't paying them much attention. Instead, she leans in closer to Dorian and speaks to him in an urgent whisper.]

Are you sure this is a good idea for us to do? What does this have to do with Yuri and I?

II. 'Til Death Do Us Part (Again) (Closed to Yuri)

[Bonding isn't quite marriage, but it's the closest thing to the holy sacrament with which Alice is familiar. It's a joining of souls, a combination of magics, a lifelong committment to love and serve one another. It goes perhaps a bit further, what with the post-bonding effects and all, but honestly that's another reason to approach the ceremony with the proper amount of solemnity.

Alice hasn't been in the city long enough to be able to afford the ostentatious wedding fashions available in the city's shopping district, and quite frankly those seem to be a bit too much for her tastes anyway. She's settled on a relatively simple white gown adorned with lace that's much more similar to the fashions she knows from back home than what's common here. Her hair is, as always, braided up behind her head, although it's missing the usual bow.

At the moment, she's standing alone outside of the Coven building buried under a warm cloak. She had left Yuri to his own devices to get ready, not wanting to stress him out. Goodness knows she has butterflies herself, despite wanting this more than anything, so she can only imagine how he feels.

So she waits and watches the snow flurry downward.]

III. Deck the Halls (Open to all!)

[Back in her usual attire--although still buried under the cloak--Alice is outside of the small home she and Yuri share putting up all manner of greenery adorned with red ribbons.

Decorations for Modranicht are, luckily, very similar to Christmas decorations back home. It's been a very, very long time since Alice has been fortunate enough to actually stop and enjoy the holiday. Until recently, it had been because she and her father often traveled for Vatican business. This past year... well, it's better not to think about that at all and focus on the present.

Occasionally, Alice will stop to take a sip of the tea she brewed herself to try and keep a bit warm. She'd placed a saucer on top of the cup in hopes that it would keep warmer for longer, but that only delayed the inevitable for a little while. Either way, she keeps drinking it after it's gone cold.

Feel free to approach and offer assistance or even just a bit of company. A big part of the holidays is about human connection, after all!

IV. Wildcard!

[hmu if you have any other ideas for a thread!]

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[ One of Tsutha's favorite things about being stuck here is that she actually has money she can spend on things. Living the way she had back on Shartis, she barely ever had the chance to spend any of the gold she had accumulated. Once she was able to convert her gold to cunes, as well as earn more cunes working, she went out and bought herself many fancy dresses. She's never had a reason to look nice before, and the novelty of it hasn't worn off.

She's dressed in one such outfit today, the thick fabric and fur collar protecting her from the cold. The small flame she holds within her palm also helps. She's walking around the city, admiring all the decorations that people have been putting up-- though not really understanding why everything is being decorated all of a sudden-- when she comes across a familiar face hanging up more decorations. ]

Alice, hi! [ She waves, with the hand not holding the flame. ]

[The voice causes Alice to look up from the garland she's currently hanging. Upon seeing Tsutha, her face lights up with a warm and friendly smile as she returns the wave.]

Ah, Tsutha! It's good to see you!

[Alice sets the garland down and approaches her friend.]

Do you want me to put on a fresh pot of tea or something? I see you have warmth covered, but something warm to drink could be nice.

[Especially since her own tea has gone cold and could use a refresh.]

Oh, how nice of you! Sure, I'd love some, if you don't mind the interruption in what you were doing.

[ She looks up at all the garland that's already been hung. It's beautiful, even if Tsutha doesn't know why it's there. ]

What are all these decorations for, anyway?

Not at all! This can wait--it'll be there for later.

[Spending time with a friend > putting up garland.

In response to Tsutha's question, Alice looks up at the decorations herself as she formulates an answer. People coming from all these different worlds can still be really jarring sometimes.]

Well, back home I celebrate a holiday called Christmas. It celebrates the birth of a very important man, and people decorate their homes and take the time to cherish what's dearest to them. There's food and carols. And prayer, if you're into that sort of thing.

[She is, but she realizes that many people are not.]

Here, I've been told people celebrate Modranicht. I'm not sure what the holiday's for, but the decorations are similar. I find the coincidence to be interesting, but I can't quite figure out if there's more to it or if it's just a coincidence.

Edited (missed a word) 2020-12-03 02:58 (UTC)

Huh... That is a neat coincidence.

[ Tsutha's own people don't really have many holidays to speak of. There are occasional feasts throughout the year, whenever they have enough food to have one. But nothing they would particularly decorate for. ]

Christmas sounds like a really nice holiday. Hopefully Modranicht is just as nice.

I hope so too. And even if it isn't, we'll make it so.

[Alice is a firm believer in making one's own fate. She's seen too much not to be.

She gives the greenery one more once-over to make sure what's hung is secure before returning her attention to her friend.]

Here, let's go inside and get out of the winter for a little while. I'd be a terrible hostess if I let you freeze out here!

[ Being able to keep a fire going in the palm of her hand has kept Tsutha warm enough so far, but even she can't keep concentration on the spell up forever. She closes her hand and allows the flame to extinguish, nodding and pulling her fur collar tighter around her. ]

Oh, sure! Inside it is!

[Alice ushers her friend into the small home, closing the door behind them before she shakes herself off and removes her cloak.

The home is small and sparsely furnished--neither she nor Yuri have really known a settled life and home for quite some time, so they're still figuring out what to do with it. There's a table and chairs, a fireplace, a small couch, and a kitchen area on the far end.]

It isn't much, but please feel free to make yourself at home. I'll go put the kettle on.

[ Tsutha steps inside, looking around wide eyed at the interior. She beams, instantly feeling warm and welcomed. ]

I don't know what you're talking about. This place is great!

[ After quickly stomping the snow off of her boots, she heads straight for the couch and flops down, making herself at home. ]

[Alice smiles at how easily Tsutha makes herself comfortable--her friend's attitude is one of her favorite things about the other woman.

Alice puts the kettle on and comes to sit next to Tsutha.]

Thank you. I haven't really had a home in quite some time, so it's taking a bit of getting used to. It isn't bad, but it's different.

[Which is an understatement.]

You recently moved in with someone, yes? How is that going?

[ Tsutha's face lights up and she sits up on the couch, bouncing slightly in her excitement. ]

Yeah, with Yona! It's going really well so far! I've never lived in a house before, let alone in a house that I'm sharing with someone else. To be honest, though, I'm glad I'm sharing it. I think I'd get too lonely living all by myself.

I can't wait to see it! I'll have to bring a housewarming gift to you and your new roommate soon.

[It's such a domestic idea in a way that Alice really hasn't experienced since she was a child. She's lived in hotels and inns for years now, and more recently dive bars and orphanages.

She can't say she minds it much.]

It's better not to be alone when you can manage it. I've learned that over the past year and certainly want to continue that idea here.

Oh, please don't feel like you have to go out of your way or anything! Just coming to say hi would be gift enough.

[ Tsutha has never really cared about material possessions. Maybe because she didn't really have any before she came here. ]

Are you sharing your house with someone?

At least let me bring you some food or something.

[Everyone appreciates food!]

I do, as a matter of fact. With Yuri, my beloved from back home. He's wandering the city doing... something right now, if I'm not mistaken.

[He never was good at sitting still.]

Well, if you really want to... I'm not going to turn away free food!

[ Everyone does appreciate food. ]

Oh, that's really nice, that your beloved is here! Did you guys come here together?

We did! Although he's from a year or so later than I am, so it was confusing for us both at first. Him especially.

[Since she's dead from when he's from. Awkward.]

His name is Yuri--I'll have to introduce you. He can be a bit rough around the edges, but I promise that deep down he's a great person.

Wait... A year later? But you came at the same time?

[ Tsutha doesn't really understand how that can be possible. She frowns, scratching her head. ]

You're right, that is confusing.

[Alice nods to confirm that Tsutha has the right of it.]

There's another person here from our world from a different time from either of us as well. I try not to overthink it.

[Because it makes no sense.]

I know none of your friends from home were here when we arrived. Is that still the case?

[ Tsutha's face falls a little bit. ]

Yeah. None of my friends are here, still. I haven't met anybody yet who's even heard of Shartis.

[ It doesn't bother her all that much, really. She's made plenty of new friends. But she keeps coming across new spells she's learning that she wants to tell Walter about, or new foods that she wants to show Marzia... It's hard for her to remember each time that happens that she's here by herself. ]

I'm sorry.

[It's as much an apology as an expression of sympathy as Alice realizes how insensitive the question was. Tsutha is handling it well--better than Alice herself would have, she thinks--but that doesn't make being in an unfamiliar world like this without the benefit of previous friends easy.]

It's possible that some may still come? This world seems to work its will at random.

Yeah...

[ But the rest of Alice's words brighten Tsutha's spirits somewhat. She's never been one to want to stay down in the dumps for long. ]

Yeah, you're right! New people are coming here all the time, aren't they? So maybe one of my friends will show up, someday.

And in the meantime, you've had no problems making friends here.

[Seriously. Tsutha is perhaps one of the friendliest people she's ever met, both here and back home.]

I'd say you're doing quite well for yourself.

Trust me.

[He doesn't take quite so much care to whisper as she does, though he does do her the service of keeping his voice reasonably low. Some part of him is vaguely listening to the instructions they're being given, but truth be told, even if he had been listening attentively, he would have ignored most of them. He knows plenty about drama, thanks; reading the advertisement had been more than enough.]

Consider this a learning experience. Now, depending on what is on these pages, we may very well learn what not to do, but the idea is to get you to push beyond the confines of what you are comfortable with! A little nudge never hurt anyone.

[It develops character, Alice.]

What sort of a nudge do you believe I need?

[The question is more than a little indignant, but at the same time Dorian's observation isn't at all invalid. Alice is already blushing slightly, and they haven't even started reading yet.

The conversation is cut short as the person talking finishes with his instructions and gives the command Action! as they take a seat. With a sheepish cough, Alice looks at the pages in front of her and begins to read.]

"Oh, Mr. Theodore, whatever are you doing here? My father isn't at home."

[To call the delivery "wooden" would be generous. An actress, Alice is not.]

You'll be bonding with a certain gentleman soon, won't you?

[She flashes her a knowing smile; what little he knows of Yuri, he's really not much of a gentleman, but he's picked up on enough in passing to make the well-educated assumption that a certain threshold hasn't been crossed yet.

Referencing his own script, Dorian proceeds to slip into character, leaning towards her and reaching up to stroke one side of his mustache, smoothing out the point between his index finger and thumb.]

"Why, my dearest Veronica, it is not your father I wish to see— I was hoping I might be able to steal a moment or two with you."

[Her delivery his wooden, his is over-the-top. Neither of them could be called good.]

[Alice's cheeks flush further in response to his insinuation. Friend or no, it's none of his business what she and Yuri have or haven't done. ESPECIALLY in regards to that.

Of course, Dorian clearly doesn't see things that way. And is it her, or is he enjoying this whole affair a little too much?

Trying to focus, Alice clears her throat and returns to her script.]

"With me? I can't imagine why that is. I'm not especially interesting, or smart, or beauti...ful..."

[Her voice trails off as she stares incredulously at her script in realization of what her character is actually saying. Why does this woman hate herself so much?]

Edited 2020-12-23 21:56 (UTC)

[Bloody dracona, who wrote this dialogue? It's more ham-fisted than even the worst of Varric's nigh-unreadable romance novels, but he's determined to make this work. It's all for the excellent cause of helping Alice to broaden her horizons— and yes, he has to admit, he is enjoying himself. For a natural-born star such as himself, he'll welcome any opportunity to shine for whoever might be watching.

He laughs openly, staged and forcible as he steps forward with another quick glance at his script.]

"And who, praytell, has convinced you of such things? A dreadful way to talk about oneself, my dear, and worse for the conviction with which you speak those words!"

[Or complete lack thereof, in Alice's case.]

"Long have you been the reason for my visits; business with your father is merely an excuse, and one I no longer have any interest in entertaining!"

[For her part, Alice isn't exactly enjoying this broadening of her horizons. While she's not shy per se, she's also not a performer and thus not comfortable with being watched while she reads a manuscript. Dorian's apparent ease with it somehow makes her feel more self-conscious, as she realizes how she must sound next to him.

Also this is a romance novel, and a terrible one at that. It's not like Alice shares her friend's openness with this sort of thing. She's just plodding through to get it over with at this point.

With a cough, Alice continues with her lines.]

"Since I was a girl, I was always overlooked and ignored. How could I not conclude that I was nothing special?

"And what will my father say if he hears you! He thinks so highly of you, and he's such a powerful figure. Aren't you afraid of upsetting him?"

[A very scary prospect indeed, as illustrated from Alice's near-lack of emotion in her line read.]

“Those who did not recognize you for the remarkable jewel that you are were fools!”

[There’s fire in his eyes, conviction enough for the both of them as his fingers curl into a tight, perfectly-manicured fist.]

“Your father is a logical man— he, too, would be a fool to throw away our business arrangement over an affair of the heart, but even if he were to do so, I care not!”

[He closes the distances between them to take her by the shoulders, his script tucked under his arm in the process. Remarkably, he manages to keep a completely straight face as he locks eyes with her, despite the ridiculous contrast between their approaches.]

“I care only for you, and pursuing my heart’s desire means far more than anything he may say!”

[Dorian can keep a straight face, but unfortunately Alice cannot. Something about the way he grabs and locks eyes with her so suddenly causes the tension building up inside of her from all the discomfort to snap, and she starts giggling.

It doesn't help her acting ability at all when she reads her next lines, but at least there's some semblance of emotion in her delivery now. The wrong emotion, yes, but it's something!]

"I-I have never had anyone speak to me with such passion before. I feel so warm all of a sudden..."

[She reads the corresponding stage instructions, still laughing a little, then awkwardly mimics unbuttoning the top few buttons of her blouse before fanning herself. As should be expected from her at this point, the movement isn't what one would call natural.]

[Well, she's loosening up and getting into the spirit of things! The emotion may be the wrong one for the lines, but it's enough to make Dorian break character for a moment as well, his smile pulling to one side before he quickly clears his throat and resumes what can only be referred to as smoldering.]

"Perhaps we should adjourn to someplace more private? If you feel faint, you should not be on your feet."

[Oh, that's a terrible line, not even remotely attractive, although Dorian is convinced he could make just about anything work.]

[In response to the ever-intensifying performance that Dorian is giving, Alice covers her face with her free hand and continues to laugh. She's mortified by the content, her scene partner's over-acting, the fact that they have an audience, the way she's laughing when she clearly isn't supposed to be... which just makes her laugh more, for some reason. Her whole system is basically in a feedback loop at this point.

She peeks through her fingers at the script in front of her.]

"Oh yes. Please, Mr. Theodore, lay me down someplace where we can be alone. My room is not far from here."

[Clearly, the line calls for the breathless delivery of a young ingénue that's about to be deflowered. At least she's somewhat breathless from the laughing?]

[She certainly got the breathlessness down pat, even if the reasoning for it isn't exactly what the script calls for. Dorian bites back a laugh, giving her a mischievous wink in response before he tosses his own script aside and proceeds to sweep her off her feet and into his surprisingly strong arms— for a mage and a scholar, he's startlingly solid.]

"I need not be told twice— only point the way, my lady, and we shall—"

[Their audience interrupts them then, the writer's voice raised to make himself heard.

"That's— uh, that'll be enough from both of you today, thank you. I think I have what I need."]

Oh, truly?

[Dorian sounds just slightly disappointed as he reverts to his normal tone of voice, which is over-the-top in an entirely different way, and frowns as he gingerly sets Alice down on his feet.]

I thought it went rather well, if you ask me.

[The wink is warning enough that Dorian's about to pull something, so Alice manages not to be caught off guard when she's scooped up. She trusts that he wouldn't pick her up without being sure that he can hold her, and that trust is well placed. She'd never noticed how strong her fellow witch and study partner is before now.

Of course, the hold is short-lived as the writer mercifully, finally puts an end to the whole farce. Alice brushes herself off once Dorian puts her down to protest, then turns to stare at him incredulously.]

In what way did you think this was going well?

[Then, to the writer and his assistant.]

Do you want this script back?

["No, honey, I think you might need that more than we do," is the response she receives. Alice isn't sure if she should be more offended or mortified by the implication.

At a complete loss for words, she simply turns and walks out. Some cold fresh air will do her good, especially considering how hot her face feels right now. Once outside, she takes a few deep breaths and waits for Dorian to emerge so that they can get on with their day doing... whatever else he has planned.]

You didn't faint, so personally, I'd call that a success.

[His response is cheeky at best, and he seems quite pleased with himself even as they find themselves being dismissed. He does raise an eyebrow at the criticism offered, prepared to confront the writer about how he has chosen to speak to a lady, but he would rather not mortify Alice any more than he already has, and so he relents, giving a dismissive nod before he turns and follows her out.

He appears beside her as she takes those few cleansing breaths, clapping a hand on her shoulder.]

For what it's worth, I'm proud of you.

[The fresh air is doing wonders, even as biting cold as it is. By the time Dorian joins her, Alice's face is significantly less flushed and her overall demeanor is more controlled.

Which is for the best, because Dorian's earnestness takes her a bit by surprise after all of his glib teasing and boundary-pushing. Had she not had the time to steady herself prior, it may have bowled her over.]

For not fainting, you mean?

[Her response is mostly joking, and the smile she gives Dorian indicates as much. She understands full well the sentiment and what he's actually proud of. His stated goal, after all, was to broaden her horizons. That has certainly been successful, even if perhaps not in the ways he had hoped.

Speaking of which, she holds up the script she's been gifted.]

I think it's safe to say this will not be very helpful.

Yes, yes— for not fainting.

[His fond smile makes it perfectly clear that he’s proud of her for a great deal more than that, but he knows she understands. For all the teasing he had done, for as mischievous as he had the inclination to be, the sentiment behind this whole thing had absolutely been genuine. The end goal was to get her past being embarrassed, get over herself and open herself up to new experiences. They had certainly managed that.

He eyes the script in her hand for a moment and chuckles before taking it from her, turning it over to feign inspecting it more thoroughly.]

Oh, I don’t know. It would make excellent kindling.

[Alice laughs in response to that assessment.]

I suppose it would. And perhaps a guide on how not to behave. Yuri would look at me like I had grown another head if I spoke to him like Veronica.

[Is this her roundabout way of acknowledging her and Yuri's impending sex life? Perhaps, if the slight blush in her cheeks is to be believed. Regardless, there has been some Growth today.]

If I remember correctly, you had mentioned that you had something else planned for us after this reading?

She wasn't without her charms, but I fully believe those were entirely on you— not the writing.

[The script had been lacking. Utter drivel, really, but the exercise itself didn't rely on a well-written script.]

If you want my advice? Be yourself and you'll have little to lose.

[As for his other plans, he gives her a roguish wink as he takes her arm and begins to steer her away from the building.]

But indeed, I did— I thought you might like something to drink after all that.

You don't have to flatter me. I know I'm an awful actress.

[The compliment causes Alice to blush a little as Dorian takes her arm and starts them walking.]

I don't drink much, but I think one sounds like an excellent idea right now. My nerves took quite the beating back there.

Oh, it's not flattery. It was just that terrible.

[He's grinning now, knowing full well there are a number of people who would slap him for steering into that jab, but somehow he doesn't think Alice is the type. Besides, the sentiment wasn't without some truth.]

In all seriousness, it had nothing to do with acting. I only mean that you're a lovely person and splendid company just as you are. As for drinking, we must change that at once. I know just the thing to take the edge off! You're in good hands this evening, I promise.

You're cruel.

[She's laughing, however, so there will be no slapping him today. Or at all, really--he's read her correctly. Alice isn't really the slapping type.

Ultimately, however, she appreciates his vote of confidence even if it's not the part she's stressed about. That's a conversation for later in the night, so for now she's happy to just let him keep leading her to their destination.]

I should hope so, or you'll have some very uncomfortable questions to answer when you drop me off tonight.

[While the pair of them come from wildly different backgrounds, they do consider this event similarly. He's never committed like this...all formal, with a ceremony. It's not marriage, supposedly, but it's close enough for his tastes.

And it all feels fast, right? The only true down time they've ever had together has been since they've arrived here, their previous life full of harried trips to various places and creepy adventures in what always seemed to be the most haunted of places. Is this what normal is? Living somewhere, not constantly living on edge.

He'll admit there's still a bit of tension inside him. He thinks it helps him keeps the full transformation at bay, though signs of what's to come appear despite his resistance.

All the more reason to take the plunge...right?

He appears, his steps light as he approaches Alice. Unlike her more formal attire, he went with what he knows - brown trench coat. Red shirt. Black pants. Nostalgia. It seems to work, it feels right to him.

...though he may have sent a few frantic texts to Karin about his choices, but they don't matter once he sees Alice. All the feelings of self consciousness melt away as he draws closer and he drops a kiss on her cheek when he's beside her. A small gesture but one he never tires of, not after losing her.

His hands are shoved in his coat pockets, and he gives the building a once over before giving her a confident grin. He can fake it when he needs to.]

You ready for this? Are we gonna switch names or something, too?

[Yes, this question has been burning a hole in his mind.]

[Alice hadn't realized Yuri had this outfit with him here in Aefenglom, although she can hardly complain. He's right--it does feel like the correct choice, and she realizes upon seeing it that she wouldn't have him go through this with her wearing anything else.

Unthinkingly, she nuzzles her cheek against him lightly when he kisses her cheek--just like every other time he's done so. This situation is still so surreal given how this isn't how things are supposed to end, but she isn't about to take it for granted. However long they have here together, she is grateful for.

Of course there's the whole 'he's slowly becoming some kind of monster' issue, but that's something they can work through together. And it's not too off-brand for their relationship. She's just happy that she's able to go through with this bonding to help him stay himself. And, frankly, to keep her own abilities in check if what the other witches have told her is to be believed.

Is it fast? Probably. But it feels right.

Yuri punctures through her line of thought when he speaks up, however, and Alice forces herself out of her own navel gazing.]

Of course I'm ready.

[And she means it.

His other question, however...]

I... I don't know. Traditionally, wouldn't I just take your name?

[Thanks, now she's thinking about it too.]

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December Catch-All

iii!

yaaaay holiday friends!

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omg that icon brings me so much joy :D

I have many cute picrews

Picrews are the best

they sure are

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i!

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I have no better icon for how Alice feels right now :V

honestly, that seems right to me

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II

awww Yuri, you idiot ♥