[OPEN] little bread-and-butterflies kiss the tulips

[oathkeeper]

Who: Sora + YOU
When: The month of January/ Ieneuer
Where: Aefenglom, The Wildes
What: An open catch all log for the month of January
Warnings: tba

[a: new moons: aefenglom streets]

[During the new moons Sora is usually not terribly affected by the changes in the moons. He feels a little antsier than usual or more physical or like he needs to run around and play. Not usually more than his usual energy levels but he has had his bouts.

This month it seems like the witches in the city are dealing with a surge in magical energy. And that is something Sora is actually noticing more than any of his heightened puca tendencies. Because Sora was once bonded to four witches in the past he has quite the sensitivity to magic. The surge of magic in the area has Sora practically sneezing at every turn. Long rabbit ears twitch and he bristles when any witches nearby cast any spells or shoot off any unwanted discharge. It’s actually kind of annoying!

Zzzaaap!! A sudden crackle of lightning magic snaps in the air! So close to Sora’s head that he has to duck down out of the way! Stray spells from witches who suddenly can’t control their magic or witches who suddenly have more than they can handle- Is that you or are you witnessing the snaps of magic too?]

Ack! Whoa- watch out! Ahh--- Achoo!!

[And Sora promptly sneezes... It’s like having too much pollen in the air. Goodness.]

[b: quest #2 - wet 'n' wilde: aefenglom / northern outpost]

1. [With several outposts suffering damage from the storms and mudslides out in the wilde, there is a need for workers and volunteers to help fix and repair the damage before it gets worse. Sora is out in the wilde doing his part to help keep the mud from making things worse and doing repairs where he can to several of the outposts.

He happens to be heading towards one of the outposts with several packages of supplies and tools. But the path towards the cliffside outpost has gotten perilous with mud and rain. Sora is trying to make his way up the path but is dangerously close to the edge of the cliff. He’ll keep going but one wrong step and Sora could slip and fall off the edge of the path and down the muddy side of the cliff.

He might need a hand before it’s too late. Make sure to watch your step! The mud and rain are cold and slippery.]

2. [Not only do the outposts need repairs but it seems that several outposts are being threatened with cwyld-infected wolves. For someone like Sora (a rabbit-shaped monster through and through) that does not bode very well. Sora finds himself running through the muddy landscape and through the trees as several of these cwyld-sick and very feral wolves chase after him.]

I’m not your afternoon snack, leave me the heck alone!

[Luckily Sora’s monster legs make him fast. He leaps through the forest at a sprint but fails to miss the sharp tree branch he knicks his arm on. Blood splatters but he keeps running!]

[c. quest #3: are you good with kids?]

[Sora is a normal worker and volunteer at the new orphanage. He can be found here several times a week helping with the kids. Or bringing food, clothing, toys and stories. So naturally here he is working with the kids once again to help them have a craft day. And today is face painting.

He can be found with a gaggle of monster children and several pots of colorful paint. But it seems that some of the paint is glowing or sparkling under the sun. It might just be magical face paint. And if he happens to find someone coming along he’ll wave a friendly wave.]

Hey! Wanna get your face painted? We’re charging the great price of just a smile today!

[Come let a little orphaned monster child paint your face! Or ask Sora to do it, it won't be much better in terms of artistic talent.]

[d. chambers cottage]

[Sora has recently moved into a new cottage. In the deep of winter in the city, he’s come to figure out that he likes growing indoor plants. Growing them leaves the house looking lively and the smell of fresh herbs and flowers is great. As a puca Sora has a tendency to want to snack on anything green so it’s also beneficial for him to grow things in little pots in and around the cottage.

He’ll be busy in the kitchen tending the little herb gardens (and stuffing a piece of basil or two into his cheeks when no one is looking) or out in the front of the cottage fixing up some old planters and pots so they’ll be ready for Spring.]

I wonder how hard it is to grow sunflowers?

[He’ll totally eat so many sunflowers...]

[e. wildcard]

[have something else you’d like to do? feel free to post it here. or contact me at michrure for some plotting!]

Comments

c: Quest 3-Did someone say there's impressionable young minds which need guidan--- I mean a teacher?

[notbert]

[Whether Elidibus is someone you want near your kids is really up for debate. But he wears a very unassuming form and he's certainly not showing any signs of malice. And since he's here to apply for a position rather than simply passing by, the axe he'd usually be seen with has definitely been left at home. His gear is all leather and furs, but a lot of it is hidden by the hooded cloak he's found most effective against the winter's chill.

He wouldn't miss the sight of the Puca surrounded by younger children and a lot of sparkly, glowing paints. Since he's heading right for this danger, changing directions would be very obvious and not at all the reaction of someone wanting to help children. So he collects himself, pulling down the hood and offering a grin. Sure, that's a smile.]

Well! I came here in hopes of speaking to someone regarding a job in teaching. But this seems interesting. What does this face painting entail?

[This isn't going to be literally a full painting of the face in sparkly glo-paint, is it? It might impede a favorable impression during the interview.]

E

[spirialink]

[Like clockwork, Kor shows up at Sora's house, looking for him. Sora may have recently moved houses, but it didn't seem to deter Kor in the slightest, only in fact strengthening his reasons to come over.

Standing out in the yard, he cups his hands around his mouth and yells for his friend.]

Hey, Sora! Come here, you lazy bones! I need you!

[Was Sora still in bed? Eating breakfast? Out in the garden? It didn't really matter to Kor, he sounded pretty urgent.]

b. 1

[exsoldier]

[ As a new rash of jobs come around for the month, Zack makes his way to the boards to pick up on any leads. While he could do something like work as a server at some tropical-themed bar (Costa del Sol vibes, anyone?), he gravitates toward the jobs that have more inherent danger in them.

Part of that is his own restlessness, he knows, but it's also that he's aware he's got the training and experience needed for it. Better that he takes on a task like this, rather than someone who wants to help but might just be in over their head.

It's on his way to one of the outposts that he spots one such person. From a distance all he can make out is that it's a kid who's carrying a pretty sizable number of packages, and everything about his ascent up a muddy hill looks precarious. Like a disaster waiting to happen, basically.

While Zack doesn't recognize the kid from a distance, as he picks up his pace to catch up with him and offer some assistance, he realizes that particular arrangement of spiky hair could only belong to one person. ]

Sora? [ They'd only interacted briefly during the chaos at Dorchacht, but it had been enough to leave an impression about the kid's good intentions. Zack realizes the package at the top of the pile is about to go toppling off, and lunges forward to catch it before it falls in the mud. ] Whoa—!

[oathkeeper]

[Sora is usually a pretty good judge in character, he's met his fair share of interesting people over his young life. First impression has Sora smiling in return when he's met with a newcomer and a potential patron to their little craft project today. His long rabbit ears wiggle as he greets the man in return,]

You wanna be a teacher with the orphanage, huh? Well, I guess you can call this a stage one interview then if you want!

[Because what better to interview someone than with the monster kids themselves? And a whole bunch of glowing sparkly paint.]

We're letting the kids stretch their artistic wings! [One of the kids even has wings-] But we're running out of faces to paint, so would you be up for letting them use yours? You'll look awesome, promise!

[oathkeeper]

[Sora hears Kor's telltale yelling and he unlatches a window to yell right back at his bondmate.]

Kor!! No way, you come here! It's cold outside! Get in here!!

[He's already vanishing back into the house so he can unlatch the front door and wave Kor inside.]

What's up?!

[oathkeeper]

Ack-!

[And Zack comes to Sora's rescue just in time! The mud is perilous on the pathway and Sora barely manages to not slip and tumble over right as Zack swipes the package back up and that helps Sora keep his balance. He huffs!]

Geeze- This It's like walking on a slip and slide-! [He peeks over his packages and grins.] Zack! Thanks, you're a lifesaver. You're working out here too?

[They're cut from the same cloth! Sora is always much more into the harder jobs that others might not think to take. Taking down cwyld-infected? Building outposts? Rescue efforts? He's in!]

closed to roxas

[oathkeeper]

[Sora has been without a third bond for a few months now. Honestly, he’d been hoping that Riku or Kairi would come back and had been hanging onto that hope for some time. He misses them dearly but a part of his heart knows that he should try to move on for now. That someday he’ll see them again.

And that’s why he has an important question to ask Roxas. Something he feels like they should have talked about a long while ago. So he goes to the house he used to stay and peeks his head in the front door.]

Roxas? Are you home? It’s Sora!

[notbert]

[Oh no. There's no escape. Inwardly, Elidibus sighs. Well, he may as well test the limits of his patience, in these circumstances. After all, he wouldn't BE here at this time and place, if he didn't find some merit in doing so. He might be a bit doubtful that this is a genuine part of the interview process, but he won't question it. Except in a joking way.]

Stage One? Is that a form of Act in a play? [The 'warrior' laughs good-naturedly.] Well, who am I to question it?

[Elidibus looks over the gaggle of children momentarily. Then he returns his attention back to the Puca. Taking off his cloak and revealing the gear underneath. While he may have left the axe at home, there was absolutely no reason he saw to do away with the warm layers of fur and leather. Someone really needs to teach remind him that mortals tend to buy multiple sets of clothes suitable for various climate AND occasion. But hey, maybe the kids will find it looks really awesome. Should there be an obvious place for the victim client to sit, Elidibus will make his way over. If not, he will simply crouch down to 'child level' height within reach of the paints.]

Shall we begin?

[As for a particular design, far be it for him to take creative choice out of the orphan's hands. It will be a good way to assess their potential for restraint. Or lack thereof. One can also say it would be a good chance to judge Sora's capacity to guide the children.]

[spirialink]

Huh? [Oh right, it is cold outside. It hadn't been too bad on Kor's trip over (and being able to generate a magic heat aura helps too), but as he waits for Sora to come down, a sharp cold gust cuts through the yard, chilling Kor to the bone. He lets out a shiver as Sora is opening the door, quickly scrambling inside with haste. He was reasonably dressed for the winter, even wearing the jacket Sora got him as a present, but he was not built for the cold.

Once inside, he stands there for a moment, shaking out his arms as if to shake out the cold itself.]

Brrr... Hey! I was hoping you could help me out with something today. Are you in?

a!

[al_bhed]

[Rikku isn't the cause of the errant bolt, but she is nearby enough to react to it. Shrieking, she makes a dive for it near where Sora is standing. Once on the ground, she covers her head and completely misses Sora's sneezing in the wake of all the extra magic in the air.]

I-is that it? Is it over?

Why does it have to be lightning and thunder....

[exsoldier]

[ Sora recognizes him instantly, which probably means that Zack had made just as much of an impression himself. They had been dealing with a pretty chaotic situation, so it makes sense.

This is all a bit closer to home in comparison. While Sora's managed to keep his balance, Zack wonders how long that will remain the case. ]

Yeah, heard they needed some help out here.

[ He nods then, looking further up the incline. They must not be too far from the outpost at this point. He hadn't been saddled with supplies to bring along with him, though, so he sends another glance at Sora's pile. ]

I can take some of those off your hands, if you want.

[oathkeeper]

[Sora grins when the man decides that it's a good thing to follow through with. Because look how excited the kids look now that they have this cool dude in cool warrior gear! They seem to giggle with delight when he crouches down to their level and one chimera child is already grabbing some red and orange face paint. They exclaim, "Let's draw a big phoenix on his face!" and Sora chuckles softly. Who can say no to these cute kids?]

Looks like you're already gonna be pretty good at this.

[But let's see how he shapes up when the paint gets going! These kids aren't exactly neat!]

I'm Sora, by the way! What's your name?

[He hands the kids some paintbrushes for the glowing paint.]

[oathkeeper]

[He grins and gives a laugh at the sudden chill that grabs Kor but once he's inside Sora quickly shuts the door and pats Kor on the back. The new winter jacket looks great! He's glad Kor seems to like it.

At the question, Sora barely misses a beat.]

Yeah sure, what are you cooking up now, Kor?

[Please give him something to do, he'll do it!]

[oathkeeper]

[Remember the big cool soldier guy who helped him help people out?! There's no way Sora would forget that face and name! Zack is way too cool!

But they do indeed have a little way up to go still. The outpost is up on the top of the cliffside and the pathway is very perilous with wet and slippery mud. Sora's trying his best.]

Uh-huh. The storms have been a little crazy. This mud is really annoying too.

[Sora lifts the packages with a nod.]

If you could take a few of these we should be able to hand bomb our way up there!

[And hopefully not slip...]

[oathkeeper]

Whoa!?

[Poor Rikku-! He jumps a bit when the girl dives behind him and quickly turns to her with a concerned expression.

While sniffling up his runny nose, sorry. It's kinda gross.]

Yeah- I think that witch over there is just having a hard time. Are you okay?

[spirialink]

You remember that Spiria Link magic I was working on, right? [Did it have a real name with the Coven? Probably. Did Kor care? No not really, this was his spell he had to figure out on his own after all.]

I think I'm finally starting to get the hang of it, so I was hoping you'd be my test subject? I'd ask on the network, but I don't want people getting mad at me for breaking their hearts.

[notbert]

[Elidibus has some concerns.

But it is logical to assume these kids are not messing around with toxic, dangerous chemicals in paint form.

Therefore it will not hurt his mortal body.

He can ignore matters like children, and messy.

Hm, on second thought.]

I suppose these paints aren't permanent? [The question is asked like it's a half joke. He's definitely keeping tabs on the children who are handed pots and brushes and Elidibus is ready to react to keep them from tipping or spilling specifically on his outfit dear Zodiark the indignity. One mentions a phoenix, which catches his interest. ]

There is a Phoenix? Here? [He's definitely interested in knowing about it.] Ah, Sora. You may call me Ardbert, if you wish.

[You can call him that, sure. That it isn't actually his name, surely that's fine? But he sounds cheerful enough! He also, despite the position of crouching, barely swayed at all. Or moved for that matter, other than his head turning a bit to regard Sora while the children set up. Definitely has a sense of balance. Or a basic lack of knowledge that mortals really don't keep so damned still for any length of time.]

[al_bhed]

[She'll forgive the sniffles and snot if you forgive her hiding behind you from a bolt that's already over.]

Y-yeah, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be fine?

[Great lie, Rikku.]

I just don't really like lightning that much is all...

[exsoldier]

It's weird how the weather out here is always the opposite of inside the city, too.

[ Is there some explanation for that? It doesn't feel like there should be such a noticeable difference when the Wilde is not particularly far in distance from Aefenglom, but it's something that Zack has chalked up to "magic," like so many things here.

Then again, he can't really except this world to resemble his own, even in the most basic of ways.

Either way, Zack reaches out to take a few packages off of the top, leaving Sora with an amount that's a bit more reasonable. ]

There we go! Anyone in particular we're delivering these to?

[ He continues up the slope with his newfound cargo, aiming to keep a pace that Sora will be able to match. He doesn't want the kid to slip as he tries to keep up with him. ]

[twilightskey]

[The house is so much emptier now, now that so many people have gone home. Roxas has considered whether or not he should stay in such a big place or find a place on his own, but he hadn't really found anywhere else to go just yet. Plus, he's a sentimental one, and the house has fond memories.]

[His ears perk up when he hears someone at the front door, and his tail wags when he realizes who it is.]

Sora? What are you doing here?

[oathkeeper]

Yeah, I remember that! I'd be more than happy to be your guinea pig for it! Especially if it'll help other people once you figure it all out!

[Break his heart!! He remembers Kor telling him all about the magic and all about Spiria Links too. To see it in the works first hand might be pretty cool. And to help out Kor is something he'd never say no to as well. His rabbit ears twitch because he'll also get a chance to see more of Kor's magic and as his bondmate Sora is always up for that.]

Wanna try it now? What do you gotta do? We got a pretty big study room here we can use.

[oathkeeper]

[Sora has fond memories of this place too. But it felt too weird to stay here without Riku and Kairi. Being closer to his bondmate was ultimately better for Sora so he had gone to stay with Vanitas. But who knows? Maybe Sora's question today will lead to the same sort of thing. He hopes.]

I came to see you, dummy! Hi!

[Sora comes right in like he might still live here, though.]

I've got something I've wanted to ask you for a while now! Are you busy?

[oathkeeper]

[Sora snorts with some soft laughter and gives Ardbert a reassuring smile.]

Nope! Don't worry the paint should wash up with some soap and water no problem. As for phoenixes I think the kids read about them in a storybook just last week. I haven't seen any in the city, though! So who knows!

[Would an actual real phoenix be around town? He's not too sure! He's only met a few harpies with red feathers before!]

It's nice to meet you, Ardbert! Alright guys, here you go! Don't make too much of a mess, okay?

[And just like that Ardbert (as is his name!) is going to have three or four monster children clamouring around him to start on his face. Red and orange come first, making one big 'wing' of glowing paint on one cheek! Hold still!!]

[oathkeeper]

[Oh yeah, that wasn't very convincing at all. Sora reaches out to put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.]

It can be really loud and zappy, huh? Don't worry, I think it's over now!

[He smiles!]

Take a few deep breaths! One two three!

[oathkeeper]

Tell me about it, It's really weird going from having to bundle up for winter and then having to pull everything off as soon as you hit the woods. Sheesh.

[Sora laughs and shrugs. He's more than happy to give some of his load up to share. Now Sora points up to the outpost at the top of the cliff.]

We're heading to that outpost building right there! It got some pretty bad wind damage.

[So off they go that way. But along the way, it seems like the pathway is crumbling and wet. Slow and steady, boys!]

Do you like this kinda work, Zack?