[open] i fought fate

[deadvotional]

Who: Hua Cheng and Open
When: Ieneuer, full moon
Where: Around Aefenglom
What: A fae goes feral. Surely this can't go badly at all.
Warnings: Possible violence, attempted kidnapping. Will update as needed.


[ Hua Cheng has never been the most restrained of figures. Oh, he has plenty of control over himself, but he's also spent centuries doing exactly as he likes whenever he likes, and caring about the opinion of one single person. Who is not in Aefenglom. He has no reputation here, nothing to live up or down.

It's little wonder, then, that he doesn't immediately notice his control slipping. He's been through a few full moons since this transformation, he knows what to expect. Certain instincts towards mischievousness heightened, a greater chance towards viciousness when he feels himself slighted. Nothing he can't handle and nothing that's particularly bothered him so far. He doesn't notice this time getting worse until it's much, much too late.

By the time the moon rises, it's impossible not to notice something is off. The figure that drifts through the streets seems ever-changing, appearance shifting apparently at a whim. Young, old, male, female, it never stays the same for long. Occasionally in-between flickers the fae himself can be seen: long, loose hair, one too-large dark eye. Shimmering scales along his hairline and down his throat. And a pair of large, iridescent butterfly wings jutting out from his back.

Perhaps you've seen the mess of different appearances wandering the streets, perhaps you've caught sight of his eye narrowing as it lands on someone who probably does not want his attention right now.

Or perhaps you've noticed the black-robed figures, who either think they've found an easy target or are willing to risk something less simple for the sake of something so susceptible to the cwyld. Don't worry, Hua Cheng has noticed them too. And the grin on his face isn't promising anything good. ]

Comments

[deadvotional]

[ Hua Cheng's head tips to the side slightly, an almost considering expression as the words wash over him, but the mention of a bonded earns a dismissive snort. So some things are getting through the haze, at least.

There's a slight motion, one of the robed figures making to move, and without breaking eye contact with Enkidu, Hua Cheng lazily raises a hand and releases a small, silvery butterfly. It darts through the air, moving to hover over the crowd of cloaks, who as one back up slightly in somewhat bemused confusion.

Just that much seems to satisfy the fae, at least for the moment, judging by how pleased he looks with himself. ]

[enkidoh]

You are not bonded then?

[They can't blame him. Bonding is...a hassle, to say the least. Not that strangers can't be trusted...it is just not right to open a heart to ones unfamiliar to what is inside.]

Did they take your mouth too?

[Perfectly possible. This place has always been quite unpredictable. Still, they have no idea what is going on and they watch silently as the small butterfly starts to flutter above the robed figures.]

Will something happen to them?

[deadvotional]

Are you always so curious?

[ A lazy question in return, though from the tone of his voice, Hua Cheng doesn't actually care much about what the answer is. He's much more concerned with watching the butterflies dart towards the hooded figures, hands thrown up to protect themselves from the butterflies that dive at them.

If they were true extensions of his power, they could rip those figures to shreds in seconds. As it is, they pass harmlessly through even the most upraised of arms. And Hua Cheng just snorts in amusement. ]

[enkidoh]

Yes. Most of the time I am. If I do not ask questions my intellect will never be stimulated.

[They say it in a casual tone. Sky is blue, grass is green and Enkidu is always curious.]

Hmm...even now, after being here for so long there are still enough questions left to ask.

[They follow the butterflies with their eyes, curious about their purpose and, in the end somewhat disappointed that they do not seem to have any purpose at all.]

I expected more of those butterflies.

[deadvotional]

[ That gets Hua Cheng's attention in a way that nothing else has yet. His one large, dark eye fixes on Enkidu in a way that might seem almost unsettling before the moment is gone again. Focusing on any one thing for long is not something he can manage well, not now.

But something is lingering, at least. ]

What is it you want?

[ Wagers, Hua Cheng can do. Favors earned, perhaps. Or the opposite. A grin slashes across his mouth. ]

I can give many things. For a price.

[enkidoh]

What I want? Hmmm...currently I'd like something to eat and after that I would like to take a nap.

[Oh how nice it is for them, a former Servant, to be able to sleep again or to enjoy food.]

Hmm? A price? [Enkidu is aware of the other's grin but once again, they aren't very good at reading a room.] I am well aware that I need to buy my food, yet my bed is free, so far.

Yet the things I truly want are things you cannot give. And the price for such things goes beyond currency or gold.

[deadvotional]

[ If Hua Cheng were as he should be, perhaps that might not be true. It had once been within his power to grant almost anything, as he saw fit. Now, he is relegated to simple illusions, as interesting a puzzle those may be.

But unfortunately it means he's losing interest again. What intelligence had managed to creep through the fog in his head is fading again as his eye flickers back towards the cloaked figures that don't seem to have worked up the intelligence to run yet. ]

Then find it.