I. A Friendly Competition (14th - 16th)
To those who spend their time with Aefenglom's Wilders, they'll notice them quite excited as the day of the Not-So-Annual Grand Scavenger Hunt approaches. It's set to be Wilders vs Mirrorbound, and even those who aren't participating are discussing it like a spectator sport and placing bets on one side or the other, based on whose wilderness skills they think will win out.
At noon on the 14th, participants meet at a small outpost just outside the city to check in, where those without partners are paired up, and each duo or trio is given a bundle of items: a list -- on a paper enchanted against moisture and tearing -- of the challenges to be completed, in no particular order; a map of this area of the Wilde marked with general locations for where each challenge can be found - not small area by any means!; three emergency flares, should they find trouble; a small med-kit with basic first aid supplies; and a bag to hold their retrieved items in, which can be turned in at the same outpost at any point during the 48 hours of the competition. You are responsible for your own camping gear if you stay out overnight. At least it's summer out there!
Once everyone has been given their kits, the event begins, setting participants scattering off into the woods to track down and complete any of the listed challenges. The Wilders are highly competitive, wanting to bring a win to their side in the first Scavenger Hunt in a few years, and some of them will do anything (short of murder or grievous injury - they don't mean anyone true harm) to nab more points or sabotage the other side. Watch out for your opponents trying to thieve your item bags, trick you into getting lost, or setting off natural obstacles that will slow you down! All's fair in love and scavenger hunts though - it's not against the rules for you to sabotage them back!
Mirrorbound Witches need to watch out as well - the competition takes place during the new moon, and this month, it's going to be difficult for even experienced Witches to control their super-charged magic. Backfires, fizzling out of spells, etc. are all expected - from you, but not from the native Witches on the other team, whose magic is only weaker on the new moons.
a. Challenge 1: Pearl of Wisdom A broad lake can be found some miles to the east, the water glittering and inviting, if dark enough that you can't see the bottom of it even on a clear day. The brief outlines a species of clam found at the bottom of this lake, numerous, big as dinner plates, and bearing massive, iridescent black pearls, prized for beauty and their properties in illusion spells when ground into dust. One of these pearls is your target. The clams are uninfected and generally safe to handle, protected by their hard shells. The brief does not warn, however, about the troupe of white-eyed Merrow Shades that live in the lake and jealously guard this treasure. They use their shrill singing voices to muddle minds and urge trespassers to drown themselves, and they're viciously adept at fighting both on land and in the water.
b. Challenge 2: Willow Bark The bark of a willow tree, infused with magic, has some fair pain relief properties. The maps are marked with the location of a willow grove, largely untouched by Cwyld, where participants in this challenge are required to collect at least a hand's length worth of bark. The main problem, not mentioned in the brief, is that the real willow trees are interspersed through a grove of numerous toxic Impostor Willows, which look exactly alike, but whose bark has opposing properties - it causes horrible pain when prepared and consumed, and causes ugly rashes when you peel it from the tree. Find the bark of the real willows using observations of the area - insects and small creatures tend to avoid the impostors - or, less recommended, by... testing them yourself...
c. Challenge 3: Track & Observe You have been given an enchanted tracking collar in your item bag for this one. Without harming the creature, place the collar on a Neeklur; these will be used for tracking purposes to study their movements and behaviors. The Neeklur is a breed of small, nocturnal marsupial. They have developed a unique relationship with a type of bush that grows into tall hedges, which spread across sparse, open areas where there are few trees and plenty of sunlight for these aggressively spreading plants. Neeklurs make their nests in the heart of such natural hedge mazes, where they can sleep safely during the day, when the hedges quite literally move around on their own, rearranging the paths between them in, it seems, no discernible pattern, making it quite difficult to find your way around if you aren't careful to mark your path. Without direct sunlight, the hedges are dormant, but be warned that the timid, sleepy Neeklurs transform into long-clawed, screeching little beasts at night. They are extremely territorial, and defend their home as a horde.
d. Challenge 4: Tree Elk Antlers Tree Elk, found in the lush woods, are sporting flourishing green-leaved antlers during the Wilde summer. Retrieve a branch from a Tree Elk's antlers with the leaves still lush and intact to win this challenge. Hurting the beast in any way, even emotionally (they're easily traumatized by a small fright) will cause the leaves to shrivel up, turn brown and/or fall right off. You'll have to figure out how to gain its trust and get close enough to it to take a small branch as a willing gift. Don't worry, breaking off a small branch of antler won't hurt it, and these intelligent, if timid, creatures are happy to bestow them as gifts upon those who have earned them.
e. Challenge 5: Singing Shrooms At the base of an old, sprawling oak, deep in the forest, is a symphony of mushrooms. Literally. These fungi come in all shapes, sizes, colors... and keys. They sing. In fact, they never shut up. You may find them easily enough by their eerie, discordant song, but finding the right one in that cacophony is a difficult task. Many different types of singing mushrooms cluster together, and may or may not be infected. Cwyld doesn't affect their outward appearance, but it does change their tune - we're only looking for the uninfected ones that sing a particular song in a particular key. Pick the right type of mushroom off the tree and bring it back. Though, watch out for the ones with teeth. And the ones that emit poison spores. Or hallucinogens. There are so many mushrooms on that tree.
All retrieved items must be stashed in the given bags and turned in to the small outpost where the event started by Deceuer 16th at noon. From there, Rilla Sparks and her organizers will count each team's contributions and tally up points. There will be back-slaps and congratulations for a job well done, and drinks to celebrate! Prizes will be mailed out to the winners within a couple of weeks.
The prize list will go up on January 1st and each participant who submits an in-progress or completed thread tackling at least one challenge will get to pick what they want for their character! |
II. Modranicht (21st - 23rd)
Modranicht proper begins on the 21st, and the days leading up to it are a frenzy of festivity. Homes are often decorated with sprigs of greenery and, less traditional, ribbons, and many shops begin holding sales on their giftable wares. This holiday is celebrated as a time spent with family and other loved ones; traditionally, all meals should be taken with others, and those who eat alone are said to find bad luck in the coming months. Those who can are delighted to pull strangers in to have lunch or dinner with them, should they seem like they're a little lonely around this time of year.
Especially in the neighborhood adjacent to the Haven, those people who came over from Dorchacht over a year ago, who are doing fairly well for themselves these days, are thrilled to have their Mirrorbound neighbors over for a hot drink or a meal and a spot of catching up. They heard what happened with Morgana a couple months back, nasty business, horrible woman, that, and for the most part, they seem quite comfortable with the idea that she's dead now. "I wouldn't move back," most say, "but it's good to know they're really free of her."
The ones most in need this season are those orphans in the Harbor District, though efforts by the Mirrorbound Council and others to better care for many of the parentless kids there have improved spirits, making kids playing and laughing a more common sight. Still, many of those rascals haven't lost their mischievous streaks: some little ones are quite likely to try and pickpocket you as you pass through, or pelt you with snowballs, but gifts or candy can perhaps soften their demeanor. They're just kids, after all.
a. Kiss-tletoe Redux While many of the decorations adorning shopfronts and houses are simple wreaths and garlands of pine, holly, and ivy, enchanted mistletoe is absolutely littered around the city, dangling in doorways, hung up on walls, hanging from the eaves of rooftops. Strings of it zigzag over the streets, hung from lampposts. This is a festive tradition that will be familiar to some. When two people pass under a sprig of mistletoe together, they're supposed to kiss, and the enchantments on many of those sprigs encourage it. Some will stick the pair's feet to the ground until they do so, some will just very lightly compel a smooch, whether it's on the mouth, the hand, the cheek, the forehead, or anywhere else. It's all in good fun, though - none of the enchantments are difficult to break, should one really not want to lock lips: you just have to destroy the mistletoe sprig you're under.
Careful about getting stuck in public, unless you enjoy being the center of attention in a crowd! Other passers-by will loudly cheer or jeer you and your mistletoe-mate on until a kiss is had! Be wary too, of pranksters who will actively push two people under a sprig, laughing all the while.
b. Craft Fair Gift-giving is an important tradition during Modranicht. It's considered only proper to present something to each of your loved ones, as a token of your care and affection for them. Handmade gifts are still widely regarded as the best, because it shows your effort in creating something just for them, so while shops may be having sales for purchased gifts, they're also trying to drum up more business again in the form of crafting lessons. Most businesses will set up tables in their shops, and for a small fee at the door (to cover materials), an instructor will show a group of people how to make something related to whatever the shop offers for sale. All materials are provided, and attendees get to take home what they make to give to friends or loved ones. Some of these even include small enchantments, such as carved wooden birds that actually fly, or timepieces that announce the time in funny voices. Witches are encouraged to learn the spell and help their Monster friends by enchanting their creation for them, but the instructors will do it as well if needed.
If you have a crafty talent of your own, it's easy to make some good money this season by setting up your own lessons on how to make whatever you're good at. Space is available, though it's up to you to source your materials and decide your fee. All the rage in the Western Residential District, where Mirrorbound are generally regarded as friends and neighbors, is objects and styles that come from other worlds. They absolutely want to learn from you and be able to give their loved ones something new and exciting.
c. Eat, Drink & Be Merry All meals during Modranicht should be eaten with another person, according to tradition. Many families and groups of friends have their own feasts during the holiday, but all are invited to a city-wide feast as well, on the 23rd. Located in a park enchanted to be more spacious than normal, long tables piled with food rest beneath festively-decorated, open tents, and every resident of Aefenglom is welcome to come and have a plate, from the richest to the poorest - all except those often-infected residents of the Outer City. It begins at noon and goes well into the evening, and people come and go as they please, enjoying the food and the holiday cheer.
It isn't required, but many citizens bring a dish to add to the tables, meant to be shared - usually a special family recipe. Mirrorbound are encouraged to share traditional food from their own homes (or close approximations of it), if they want to - many are highly interested in customs from other worlds, and some challenge each other (or you!) to try every single dish on the massive tables.
The festivities don't extend past the Bright Wall, unfortunately, but the people of the Outer City, who don't have much to begin with, can be found having their own feast on hunted game and pilfered vegetables, trying to scrape up some cheer for themselves. Most groups won't turn Mirrorbound away as long as you've brought a big enough dish to share, welcoming you into the fold to bad-mouth those hoity-toity inner city folks, but some rare clusters of residents can be hateful at this time of year, made somewhat bitter by your privilege and their lack.
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Styx | Witch | it's not late, it's ~seasonal~
[it's the holiday season, but Styx has actually been pretty hard at work! with so many people out and about at the craft fair, he'd figured this was the perfect opportunity to try and do one last heavy round of soliciting for some gift donations to the harbor orphanage. he'd received a surprisingly high number of presents already (compared to his low expectations for an idea of his own creation, anyway) but...those kids had experienced a rough life, after all. a few more nice things for them couldn't hurt.
what this means in a practical sense is that the big guy's spent a fairly long amount of time in a single place, unmoving and focused on the people passing by rather than his surroundings. he's got no idea that he's parked himself beneath a sprig of mistletoe up until he decides that he's done enough for the day and can go enjoy the fair himself now - and promptly does a fair impression of Michael Jackson's impossible lean when he attempts to vacate the spot.
unprepared to meet resistance from his own body, he stutters and stumbles backwards, brushing up against the other person who's unknowingly triggered this problem as he fights to keep his balance.]
Whoa, shit, sorry-!
two;
[speaking of those adorable little scamps...that's definitely a familiar pair of hands that Styx feels brushing up against him right now. normally this is the kind of misfortune that he remains oblivious to until he's home and the damage has been done, but maybe he notices in the moment because he's pretty close with the perpetrator - or maybe it's because this kid has already filched stuff from the person perusing the craft table next to them and the pilfered purse is jingling a little.
either way - woop! he's grabbing the little naga in an instant, strong hands gripped firmly around the girl even while she tries her damnedest to squirm free. there's clearly been a lot of practice put into maintaining such a hold on unruly children.]
Hey! What're you playing so mean for, huh?
three;
[the massive feast Aefenglom had extended to the citizenry had truly been a sight to behold. even Styx's prodigious stomach had been tested with the number of dishes available, although with time rapidly stretching out between his departure and now he could probably fit a few more courses in again. it had been warm and jovial, everything he loved about a big gathering, and he'd loved every second spent there.
all the same, he'd left a little early. there was somewhere else he wanted to visit before the night had ended...or somewheres, he supposed; the homes were all in the Outer City, but not particularly connected to one another. some of the people he'd helped clear out garbage for...he wanted to say hi to them and visit for the holidays as much as he had for the more affluent natives he'd grown friendly with.
it was a shame that they hadn't been allowed to the massive party, he thinks, and a little strange at that. but he'd been careful to box up some of the best goodies to bring with him into the slums, as well as to portion out some of the kebabs he'd made himself so that everyone could have a taste. this was going to be just as nice of a party, he's sure! just as soon as he gets his bearings and remembers where exactly those people lived.
it's as he's standing at a crossroads, packages in hand and eyes squinting up at the street signs, that some of the angrier residents fall upon him. hulking and cheerful, Styx's massive form makes for the perfect target, and it isn't long before a big rock thinly disguised as a snowball hits him square in the back.
the big guy starts, jumps a little, and turns to find the source of the sudden blow. the embittered assailants are unrepentant for their actions, jeering at Styx and his arrogant gifts - as if the people here couldn't have provided for themselves.]
Oh, uh...sorry, dudes.
[they're pretty valid complains, the drummer believes. he is sticking himself somewhere that he doesn't belong, as per usual. rather than try to defend himself he simply takes the abuse, shoulders only hiking up slightly when the men return to pelting him with icy stones in earnest. this is something that he deserves, so it would be rude to try and hide from that. even when some of the blows collide with his head he makes no attempt to so much as shield his face.
...it really is making it difficult to figure out where he's going, though.]
wildcard;
[this is stupid late so I doubt anyone's gonna want to wildcard it up, lmao, but if the fancy strikes you come at me! I'm open to pretty much anything.]
one!
( Styx represents a lot of firsts for Yazoo. He's the first person who's ever spoken to him openly, without wariness or loathing, and the first person who's ever tried to introduce him to a new genre of a music, and now he's become the first person who's ever given him a gift. To say that Yazoo was surprised to receive it would be an understatement — he'd spent a moment blankly staring at the package, as though there were some kind of mistake — but when he'd opened it ...
Well. The colour of the scarf easily invoked that first meeting of theirs, and Yazoo found himself experiencing an emotion he'd never quite felt before. He wouldn't be able to describe it if asked — it's somewhere between warm, pleased, and perhaps a little embarrassed — but it was further intensified when he moved the scarf away to find the carefully pressed record of Styx's music.
Perhaps this is what Cloud, and Sephiroth, and even Kadaj have been trying find for themselves. Perhaps the strange sensation swirling around his chest is simply what friendship feels like.
It isn't until he happens across Styx by quite chance that he thinks to thank him for the gift. Yazoo would recognise him anyway: a man that size is quite difficult to mistake for someone else, after all, and he's just about to tap him on the shoulder when Styx stumbles back and knocks right into him. )
... It's alright.
( An amused little smirk touches his lips; no apology needed, Styx. Unaware that he's now rooted to the spot too, Yazoo presses on: )
I'm glad I found you. I wanted to thank you for the gift you sent me.
( He touches his throat, because look! There's the scarf, wrapped loose around Yazoo's neck where the shimmery material all but glistens in the light. )
The record, too. I'm looking forward to listening to your music again.
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Hey, dude! [a moment passes then, just long enough for his excitement to ebb enough that the rest of Yazoo's greeting can sink in.] You were looking for me? Really?
[he'd given the man a gift - and worked quite diligently on it, as a matter of fact - but Styx hadn't anticipated receiving any sort of acknowledgement, let alone gratitude for it. this had nothing to do with the recipient at all - he felt the same way towards every present he'd dropped off. none of those people had asked to be given anything, after all. why should he expect anything from them in return? it was nice enough just to have so many friends to shop for; if those little packages had made a few of them smile, that was more than enough reciprocation already.
the big guy is about to tell Yazoo that in far less elegant terms when his attention is drawn to his companion's choice in accessories today...hey! he has to lean in a little, like he can't believe his eyes, but that really is the scarf he'd given him! once again it's only the innate instinct to restrain himself that spares Yazoo from being clapped excitedly on the shoulder. good god, look at the size of that smile.]
Dude, this looks fucking killer on you! That's so cool! Matches your face 'nd everything!
[his face? ...whatever. Styx is so thrilled that he very nearly forgets to think about the other thing his friend has said - but thankfully music is one of the few topics that can never escape his notice.]
Hope everything sounds ok for you on the record. All the stuff we play's good, but I picked out the ones I think are really super metal...uh, except I don't usually do vocals on most of them, so I guess it's kinda like a limited edition just for you.
[that's pretty cool, actually. huh! he's especially happy to have put all that work in to the record.]
no subject
( Even Yazoo has to acknowledge that the scarf was an inspired choice. He'd never really given much care to his appearance before — on Gaia, the way he looks had only ever prompted a limited range of responses — but the green does suit him, enhancing the pale of his skin and picking out the colours in his Mako-bright eyes. The swathe of green between his chin and the black of his attire make him feel somehow different to the person he was when he arrived here — as though, in some small way, it represents yet another step towards becoming more himself. A person with individual wants and tastes, as opposed to little more than a stepping-stone in a so-called madman's master plan.
It was a gift from someone outside of his family. Yazoo has chosen to wear it because he wants to — not because he feels compelled to, or because he thinks it will please Sephiroth. It's a tiny step but it still has to mean something, right? )
Just for me?
( He says thoughtfully, as though it hadn't occurred to him that Styx might not have a pile of such records stashed away in his home. It's oddly warming to know that someone has gone to such lengths for him just because they can, and Yazoo's smirk softens into a very small smile as the other man beams at him. )
Thank you. I've never been given something before—
( His expression drops for a moment as a frown flickers across his face. )
... I have nothing for you.
( Whoops. Isn't reciprocity supposed to be what Modranicht is all about?? )
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he's so happy to have been so meticulous about everything now, hearing that this has been a first. Styx knows what it's like to have never received such seasonal tokens, although it mildly surprises him that someone as awesome as Yazoo had never gotten one up until now. maybe people had been intimidated? it was difficult to get gifts for people who seemed like they had everything together...
it's doubly good, then. amazing people should be appreciated, no matter how daunting the task seemed. it was why he'd pushed ahead with all of his gifting despite knowing the severe limitations of his own creativity - to see tiny smiles like the one vanishing so rapidly now.]
You like it, right?
[another bobbing nod towards the scarf, and then a vague gesture that must be meant to indicate the music. his hand comes to rest on the back of his neck afterwards, the picture of ease and an untroubled mind.]
That's my gift - uh, the one I'm getting, I mean, not...you know, me giving you more stuff or nothing. So you don't gotta stress out about it, dude! I already got the best thing ever.
no subject
I like it.
( Yazoo confirms, watching Styx move from his sunny enthusiasm to something a little more bashful. He's an endless curiosity to the Remnant: in the handful of times he's met Styx he can't say he's ever heard him speak at all negatively, and he always has a smile ready and waiting for him. The fact that he'd consider Yazoo's pleasure at his gift to be reciprocation enough is therefore pretty on brand, and yet ... )
The best thing ever?
( He shakes his head just a little, but that tiny smile doesn't disappear. )
You're very strange, you know.
( Perhaps that's why Yazoo hasn't yet grown bored of him: Styx is different to the majority of the people he's met here in Aefenglom, and there's something ... genuine, about his generosity. It's hard to believe that Styx would ever be out to trick or deceive him, or that he might even try to cause him harm in some way. )
Would you like to walk with me?
( Yazoo tilts his head. This is only the second time he's actually invited someone to spend time with him, but ... he's learning, okay. Maybe life here will be a bit less terrible if he actually makes an effort, like Sephiroth suggested. )
no subject
Haha, yeah, I know! Always been like that, but I don't really know how to be anybody else.
[it used to bother him, but that was long in his past now. he was who he was - and since coming here he'd met so many people who genuinely didn't seem to mind that. people like Yazoo, even, he thinks, because why else would he be so kind as to offer some of his time freely like that? it's such a lovely gesture, and Styx finds his shrug rolling easily into an excited clap of his hands together.]
Be real cool to check stuff out with you though, if it's really ok! I haven't actually gone around 'nd looked at anything yet.
[which makes this invitation even more of a fun prospect to the big guy. he's said it before, but getting to have first experiences with a friend really did make them extra special. maybe they could even double up on the food now that there were two of them?
there's a lot of thrilling ideas bouncing around in his empty head, but none of them will be accomplished if they continue staying put. despite not having receive confirmation from Yazoo that he's really fine with checking out the fair in his company he begins to pull away from their current spot - only to once again find himself unable to proceed past a certain point, the anomaly now impossible to forget about as he stumbles backwards against the closest wall.]
Uh!?
three
[ he's not keen on putting himself between the stranger and the icy stones. viren's sure, if it weren't concealed by furs, that his brazenly fine clothing would easily draw such ire. but he's nonplussed by the reaction he sees -- rather, the lack of it, thinking he's heard only an apology. it's a sight that curdles unpleasantly in the pit of his stomach. ]
[ he dips closer in his path, tilts towards the witch to hiss, ]
Could you at least pretend to have some self-respect—?
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uh, what? the drummer blinks at the other man, requiring a moment to process the unexpected request. he mirrors Viren's action and dips down towards him as well - a little too far, head jerked forward by another iceball - in order to whisper his answer back at them. there's been no demand for secrecy in this conversation, but it feels important to him to match volume as well as posture for whatever reason.]
Um, sure, if you want me to.
[a pause stretches out between them, punctuated only by some agitated chatter from the malcontents who'd sparked this situation.]
...about what?
no subject
About what.
[ is the echo that slips out, baffled. he almost considers huffing and storming off (warranting this stranger a hopeless case), before he's -- hit with a wayward, icy rock on the side of his face. that's what he gets for being too near. but against his bare skin, it hurts, coupled with a sizzling noise as the ice reacts with his element. ]
[ he lip curls, and he growls; he makes a split decision to try to snatch at one of styx's wrists to guide him elswhere, whether this earns an unpleasant reaction or not, ]
Come, this way—
no subject
oh. oh, no. it becomes immediately apparent what sort of monster this stranger is when he hears that sizzle, and without realizing it his own heart seizes a bit. the last time he'd heard that noise was in Dorchacht, wasn't it?]
Y-yeah, ok.
[the witch is tugged, quite literally, out of those bad memories by Viren's executive decision to relocate. he moves obediently even before mumbling his assent, shifting only to stagger himself alongside the man. he's only got an inch of height on the dragon, horns notwithstanding, but he's broad - and there's no mistaking his posture for anything but protective now. like this it's fairly difficult to nail the stranger a second time if anyone has the inclination.]
no subject
[ he sighs, deeply, releasing his hold on the witch's wrist. he runs his hand through his hair, brushes the flecks of ice from his cheek. and then, shaking his head to clear himself of his more immediate, upset thoughts (patience), he turns back to styx. ]
There.
[ his shoulders relax with relief. ]
That's better, I'd ... hope you'd agree.
[ spoken in such a way that implies he can't be entirely too certain of that... ]
no subject
but! there are more important matters to attend to. that smart new coat of the drummer's is definitely a bit snow-laden now, but rather than try and pat himself free of the icy bits he instead spends his time giving the other man a quick once over to make sure he'd done a proper job of acting as a meat shield. he looks to be more or less fine...that's really good. it's reassuring enough that by the time Viren turns he can be greeted with a lopsided smile.]
Mm! Little warmer with the overhang.
[that's...you know what, fine. take what you can get, at least he's got the spirit of things.]
Uh, sorry about getting you mixed up in that shit. Didn't really think they'd try 'nd hit anybody else.
no subject
[ the initial answer receives a dry look, a slow blink. he waves his hand as if to clear the air of that response, but indeed, viren supposes that he'll take what he can get. he makes a noncommittal noise at the apology, and his expression becomes more stern. ]
[ near accusatorily - ]
What were you doing, just standing there?
no subject
Oh, uh, you mean back there? [a bob of his head, and then a shake, casting about for words to explain himself.] I was kinda lost since I don't really come out here too much, so I thought it'd be good to see if I could, uh. Figure out how to get where I'm going by not moving.
[there are more elegant ways of conveying this - reorienting is a word that comes to mind - but Styx's vocabulary is too sparse for such great feats of language. it's a blessing in and of itself that he forgets to mention he has trouble moving and thinking.]
no subject
[ still, with a straightening of his posture, hands folding neatly at the small of his back, ]
Had any rocks hitting your head been helpful, any? In jogging your understanding...?
no subject
Nothing up here to start with, dude! Didn't even really notice.
[the jolting to the back of his skull had made it occasionally difficult to pick out any details of the surrounding scenery as familiar, but...again, that was something which he suffered from even without the anti-capitalist assault. the big guy shrugs, his expression settling down into something a little softer.]
Wouldn't matter even if it did, honestly. They've got it a hell of a lot harder than we do, yeah? Not weird that you get angry about it.
no subject
Feeling angry for that is understandable, yes. Taking that out on undeserving — unless I'm missing something, here — strangers, through random acts of violence, is not.
[ thank goodness styx is huge, or else he'd have to crane his neck to see viren atop his absurdly high horse. ]
[ he brushes past him, peering around a corner of the alleyway, slitted pupils flicking to and fro. there's not much to see, what with it being dark and just another grimy alleyway, but even straining his ears doesn't allow him to pick up on anything. ]
I would think they'd have dispersed by now.
no subject
Mean, could've packed up the food 'nd stuff better, or not worn the coat.
[it's a very nice coat, although totally unassuming in design aside from its obviously high quality. that the big guy could attribute the amount of vitriol aimed his way to something so completely trivial is either charming or worrisome, depending on one's perspective.
he ducks out of the way when Viren moves despite the fact there's really plenty of room for the man to get by, honestly. it's a thoughtfulness kind of ruined when he can't help peering around the corner as well (far less subtly) like this is some kind of Saturday morning mystery show.]
You think? Guess nobody else was really out...
no subject
[ with a little noise of 'ugh,' he straightens properly. ]
Where had you been going, again?
no subject
Was gonna visit some people I helped out here during Samuin. Dunno the street name or nothing, but they were real cool! Figured it'd be nice to do some holiday stuff with them now since it's about being grateful and hanging out 'nd shit.
[it takes Styx a few moments more to rise back up to his own full height, peering out into the snowy bleakness to try and see what indicators of safety Viren had caught on to. there's nothing noticeable within his own limited scope, of course, so instead he simply beams. for all of the misadventures that getting there has kicked up, he's still excited to see these people.
...oh, a thought just occurred to him.]
You wanna come with? God some pretty killer food!
no subject
[ so while he could likely infer the meaning of "killer" from context, particularly with two teenage children that force him to consistently translate slang, that particular wording is admittedly a bit outside his era, ]
Define "killer."
[ - either what the food literally will be, or, well. ]
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Well, I made some stuff to bring here, 'nd then I was at the big party in the city before and brought some extras from there too! So like, uh-
[you know what, just give him a second. he's going to dig through the large bag he's been carrying until he can cheerfully produce what smells like a delicious sweet bread, the scent of dates and rum wafting out enticingly between the gaps in the clumsily wrapped paper.]
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We would have to find the street, first.
[ his head tilts. ]
Can you remember any distinctive landmarks?
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Mm, 'course! I mean...it was kinda covered in garbage last time I saw it, so it might look different now? But the house on the corner had their garden in the front instead of the back...'nd they had some marigolds on the outside rows.
[Styx. it's winter. those flowers are probably dead.]
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