[OPEN] Jin Guangyao March/April catchall

[turmoiling]

Who: Jin Guangyao and YOU
When: March/April catchall
Where: Aefenglom and the Wilde
What: Various prompts! Daily life + full moon night hunt.
Warnings: None right now.


1) NIGHT HUNT - FULL MOONS (back or forward dated, whichever!)

Though on a normal day, the pattern of Jin Guangyao's snake-y lower half would camouflage nicely among fallen leaves and twigs of the forest floor, this moonlit night he is anything but concealed. All bits of human skin have been shed, and the scales covering his body shimmer under the moons with a metallic gleam, hard as metal. Even then, the black dahlia tattoo forcibly graven on his forehead above the red zhushazhi mark remains still, unfortunately hardly faded at all. But even with his powers sealed away, there's something almost hypnotic about the shimmering scales.

A ribbon of gold and bronze, he slips though the forest at a modest pace, but with intent. Though it can't be said he's truly accepted his life as a monster, at least in the months since his transformation, he's come to at least accept that quelling certain urges is part of the monthly routine. With the prolonged absence of his Bonded (and that entire dispute), that means subsuming other thoughts and heading out on a solo night hunt.

He doesn't venture too far into the wildest depths; at night the blackness of the Cwyld is more easily obscured in the environment, especially dangerous to one whose body makes so much contact with the ground. Instead a flick of his serpentine tongue has caught the scent of something unpleasantly foul. Though aware there are creatures of the forests here that might be too much to handle alone, the pursuit is gratifying to monstrous instincts. If it's something too difficult, he can turn back and warn others. Otherwise, he has his sword in hand, blade catching the light as silver in contrast to gold.

The smell is stronger here, and must be along the creature's normal path. Shimmying into a neat coil, Jin Guangyao pauses and listens for the faintest sounds, tongue flickering again for some sense of the world around him. He is the most visible creature here, after all, and for all of the extra protection offered by the full moons to naga, being caught off guard is still unwise.

2) MAKEOVER, MAKEOVER

How does one deal with this, though?

[Is the mild-mannered comment easily overheard at the perfume and cosmetics shop. Jin Guangyao has his hand offered out to the clerk to compare against, seeing how the pattern of the scales join with the skin. At this point, he's still wearing a bandage across his forehead, concealing what had been done to him. But surely there was a half-decent non-magical meas to conceal it?

But the positioning is terrible, across the few scales at the edge of his forehead, an issue that would require some artistry, at the very least.]

3) A SNAKE IN THE GRASS BATH

[Aefenglom's more spa-like bathhouses, especially ones that have extra attention to Monster care, are a small blessing for a naga far too long for a conventional tub, and still rather cramped even at home. Peeling away some of the shed skin on his human half was awkward to do cleanly on his own too, and it was about time, with his scales dull and blue-ish opacity of eye scale obscuring his vision somewhat.

Soaking in the bath, he glances over as you enter the bath as well.]

Oh? I'm sorry. I hardly saw you there.

[If a snake could squint properly he probably would be; it's hard to make out through the blue. The pause is a little awkward because he really isn't sure if it's someone he should greet by name or a complete stranger.

The mark on his forehead still hasn't come off; and he can't wear bandages over it in public forever -- but at least the tattoo is partially obscured by the dullness over the scalier parts of his forehead]

[Don't see anything that strikes your fancy or want to plot and cook up something new? Give me a yell at (nanomachinesson)]!

Comments

3

[judgementor]

[He doesn't often frequent places like this one and doesn't make a show of advertising when he does, preferring to attend when it's the most quiet and not deal with others if he doesn't need to. Still, he makes no objection to company as he enters and barely pays them heed at all until they speak to him, at which point he casts his attention over and looks them up and down.]

No offence taken. [Red Wine comments, noting the foggy film across the other person's eyes. Combined with the steam in here, it must be difficult for them to see anything at all. He perches on the edge of the tub with his feet and lower legs dipped into the water, and sighs.]

It's been quiet here lately. I didn't expect to find anyone else.

Re: 3

[turmoiling]

[The voice is unfamiliar, so Jin Guangyao settles a little, sinking a bit further down into the water and committing the voice at least to memory. Politely he shifts his snake-y bulk under the water to line up against the side and leave plenty of room.]

Ah, my apologies then. I'm sure most are keeping to themselves lately, after troubling events. [He says in a subdued tone.] I would have as well, were it not for the necessities of this transformation.

[Maybe that's not entirely true, but soaking a few lengths at a time at home is troublesome.]

[judgementor]

Mm... I'm sure.

[He'd noticed it, and he doesn't blame anyone for it in the least. Red Wine's experience of it all had been mild in comparison to what some people had gone through at the hands of the cult, or under the influence of the magic at their perverted gathering.

Red Wine is one to keep mostly to himself regardless, but the moment he finds he doesn't mind the company.]

Were you taken by them? I don't remember seeing you.

[turmoiling]

[Averting his eyes, Jin Guangyao's expression is unchanged.]

No, I was fortunate to have avoided that fate, though... I think the circumstances were troubling for all, even if involved only indirectly.

[He adds, seemingly a little downcast.

Lightly rubbing the scales on the back of his hand, they're definitely loosening at the edges, but it will be better if it all comes off in one sheet, that much he's learned from experience.]

I'm terribly sorry to have brought it up. It's best if we try to get back into our regular routines and put such things behind us, isn't it?

[Isn't it? Surely it's a good suggestion to be made. Even if he's still in his own private turmoil over the conflict with his friend in the midst of it all.]

[judgementor]

In a way.

[He wouldn't blame anyone for wanting to put it all behind them. What had happened to those captured by the cult was... horrific, and he knows it's only by chance that he wasn't in one of those cages as well. The captives didn't seem to be selected with any rhyme or reason, simply pulled off the streets as a matter of convenience.

Red Wine sighs, closing his eyes for a long moment.]

But I think it would be foolish to forget about it. Something similar happened last year, around the same time.

[And they hadn't been quick enough then, either. Frustrating.]

makeover - so late, I apologize

[oftheletter]

[This isn't the sort of place Near had expected to run across the other naga, the one that had been giving his bonded so much trouble, but then this isn't a place he regularly visits himself anyway. He pauses at the sight, tongue flicking out automatically to taste the air. (He regrets this action immediately, surrounded by perfume as they are.)

Jin Guangyao might recognize him from council meetings, but he wonders if he makes the connection between the way he is now and the twitchy runt he met in the garden. (Not that he's grown any taller since then. If not for his bright red eyes, Near would be practically monochrome. His bland shirt and jacket sit over a sea of white, black, and gray scales with a common adder pattern running down the length of him.

Two nagas in a shop this size might be too much. He attempts to keep his tail pulled close to him, though he's rather small even with the extra length of it.]

Ah... Mr. Jin. Good to see you.

[He's not great at making small talk, but there's nothing abnormal about one council member greeting another in a public location.]

Re: makeover - so late, I apologize

[turmoiling]

[Jin Guangyao never forgets a face, even one marked by certain monstrous changes... such is life here. He pulls back his hand from the clerk so he can perform a small polite bow.]

Young Master Dagwood. What a surprise. How have you been, of late?

[Such a request might be very congenial under normal circumstances, but in the wake of events that many Mirrorbound found themselves involved in, it's asked with a certain amount of friendly concern for the man's wellbeing.]

[oftheletter]

Surprisingly unruffled.

[If there's a hint of amusement in his voice, it's hard to tell. An attempt is made to make himself look slightly more presentable, as he brushes some of his long, mildly unkempt hair back over one shoulder. It doesn't help much.]

Though I admit I haven't been very vocal on the council lately. ['Lately', as though he ever is.] I was curious about how your endeavors might be progressing.

[turmoiling]

I am glad to hear it.

[Comes the reply with all apparent sincerity.]

Of course things have been difficult for myself, as they have for many. But I expect that things will return to normal in due time. Madam Engelwood is already asking to meet, hoping for one or two more votes in support for some new project of her husband's...

[He sighs, with a hint of a smile, at the more easily handled politicking within Parliament... rather than address in any way the dark feelings churning at the sight of Linden at Council, finding excuses to slide out and avoid spending too much time in the same room -- those feelings conflicting with the understanding of just how things turned out the way they did.]

[oftheletter]

[When it comes down to it, Near finds most council meetings remarkably boring. If this had been something he'd had to deal with back in his own world he would have had someone else go in his place while he listened comfortably back at his headquarters and spoke through a voice altering device. It's not that he can't focus while sitting still, though he prefers to keep his hands busy, it's that he has little enough interest in the everyday affairs of this place as it is. He files all the information away out of habit, but very little of it affects him personally. He joined because the detective in him needs to be in the know - and because L had joined. He refuses to appear as though he completely lacks initiative now.

Jin Guangyao probably doesn't yet know of Near's relation to 'Linden', but he can't be sure. If he really isn't aware of it, there's no saying how long that ignorance will last.]

It's good that there are still matters to keep us busy. [He doesn't sound the least bit thrilled, but then he rarely ever does. He nods toward the counter.] Here for a friend or for yourself?

[turmoiling]

[Rather hoping that Council chatter would distract from questions like that, Jin Guangyao reaches hastily for some kind of plausible answer.]

Ah, I had been thinking of some possible gift options for a few of our dear fellow Parliamentarians. What of yourself?

[He deflects with his usual smile.]

[oftheletter]

[Near has spent a good portion of his life detecting what's bullshit and what isn't. And this is some grade A bullshit. It's even accompanied by a smile that tells him the other naga does this sort of thing all the time and expects people to believe it. Near doesn't even need to biased based on L's interaction with him to get that.

But the man's interest in make-up most likely doesn't have anything to do with his bonded or his bonded's bonded, unless it's needed because of something they caused. He doesn't care enough to pry, allowing his fellow council member to cover up his embarrassment.]

Ah. How thoughtful.

[Unlike Jin Guangyao, Near is quite willing to wear his disingenuousness on his sleeve. He points a scaled finger toward a shelf of perfume bottles.]

The children like it when the doll section of my store smells fancy.

[turmoiling]

[That's clearly just as much nonsense as his own reply, but he keeps smiling anyway. Come on, doesn't he deserve a bit of a break when things have been so hard lately? Having to live with something brazenly tattooed across his forehead -- even though a flower, the symbolism is bad as well. At least makeup would be better than a bandage that so many ask about with concern.

The attendant at the counter is the exact opposite of helpful at this moment: polite enough to not interrupt their conversations, but sliding a helpful little brochure over on the counter on how to accentuate and work with the coloration of various scale patterns, aimed mostly at naga with a nod towards dragons and chimera.

His smile is definitely a little strained on noticing, but there's really nothing to do other than offer a perfunctory thanks and internally debate which is worse, being so vain, or covering an unsightly mark. Or...]

Ah, this wasn't really necessary of her, but a nice thought, I suppose. It is the sort of store we're in. Or would you like to have it?

[He suggests pleasantly as an offhand thought upon picking up the brochure. Even though Near could probably clean himself up a bit more nicely, he's not about to imply that he could use a bit more work like *that* anyway. Just get the tangential suspiciousness out of the way as quickly as possible.]

[oftheletter]

[Ridiculous though it might be, the difference is that Near is actually being truthful. He keeps a light perfume scent hanging around the doll shelves in the hopes that it will draw in the young female customers. He can't say for sure that it improves his sales, but he also can't say that it doesn't. He's doing his best to add atmosphere. Having a grouchy naga behind the counter has to be a little off-putting even for people who are used to being around monsters.

The smallest of amused smiles crosses his face as Jin Guangyao is offered the brochure, and he shakes his head when he's offered it in turn.]

I've tried enchanted tattoos in the past. I find that anything I put on my skin is bound to come off the next time I shed, so I'd rather save myself the money.

[And he's clearly not someone who cares about enhancing their features otherwise. Make-up takes too much time to bother with. It's hardly worth using unless he can paint his scales and tail away completely.]

I don't suppose you're due for one yourself?

[turmoiling]

Ah, at some point or other.

[He says vaguely, as if he doesn't know that he, personally, tends to shed close to the full moon as part of the changes that take place during it. The mark had faded a little, it was true, but it had been etched in quite well... how many sheds would it take to be rid of it?]

I really hadn't considered that. [He lies, tucking the little brochure away in a sleeve. Out of sight, out of mind, hopefully.] In only a single shed? That really is quite inconvenient in a way, isn't it? I had thought some around here used tattooing for small enchantments now and then.

[oftheletter]

Quite inconvenient, yes. I had hoped to use them to help regulate body temperature, but I've since found other methods.

[Several other methods, because one back-up plan isn't enough. He'll take any precautions necessary to avoid freezing to death whenever it becomes slightly chilly. Jewelry enchantments have worked the best for him so far. The one talisman has been enough as long as it can be recharged.]

I'm sure it works differently for everyone.

[No one monster is the same, and all that. They aren't even the same type of snake, so who can say what differences there would be in shedding thickness.]