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Who: Alex and you (With a closed to Wei Wuxian)
When: Mid to end of July
Where: Wilde, somewhere with water the world is your oyster
What: Quests and Full Moon changes
Warnings: Tentacles. Maybe some other warnings later on.

I. Wilde Quest: Ingredients
[ The idea of a weird mix and match monster with the features of predatory animals was indeed terrifying, but hearing that their nests were way up there while the feathers would be way down below helped convince Alex to give it a shot. Gathering feathers sounded like an easy and quick enough task. No water was involved either, so she would have legs to run with if needed.

But things don't always go so smoothly, like yet another change towards her more monstrous form. She actually thought she was done. How much more fish could she become after gaining gills, fins, and a tail?

As she started picking up the fallen feathers, her eyes began to lose focus. It had been happening for some time now throughout the month, moments of blurred vision. She chalked it up to fatigue from the jobs she’s been undertaking, especially since she’d regain her regular eyesight right after. This time was different though. It was taking much longer for her to focus, and she was beginning to feel disoriented. She stumbles, but reaches out and manages to steady herself against a rock.

Except this rock felt oddly soft, and seemed to rise and fall steadily.

She turns to squint at it. Then knocks her knuckles against it. It starts to move ]

II. Full moon

[ Alex finds herself once again in the nearest body of water she could find. She was able to resist on any other day of the month, but when the full moons formed, she found it harder and harder to stay away with each passing month. There was just such a calm that came with being in it, like there was nothing for her to fight against while she floated along the surface of the water. She’d gotten rid of her skirt, but her blouse remained, although completely soaked through now. Her eyes, poor as they had become this past month, were sharper in water. She didn’t need her glasses there. To think even her eye sight could be affected in that way. Maybe it was just safer for her to be in this form, to stay off land. Even the cold didn't seem to bother her.

What was it she was able to do now? Breathe under water, hear and see better than she ever had before…Others had mentioned an ability. One that allows merrow to lure people to them. Was it really more than a story? Could she so easily lead someone into the water with no resistance whatsoever? Would they snap out of it once they were submerged and could no longer breathe? Could she make them do whatever she wanted? That could seriously hurt them, couldn’t it? That’s not something Alex ever wanted to do. It’s why she’s been trying so hard to control what she could with her changes.

And yet she began to hum as brought herself back to shore, waist deep in water still as she sat facing the water. The gold scales along her spine and the center of her tail seemed to glow brighter in the dark, like coins that had spilled out of a treasure chest. Her humming escalates too singing. No actual words, just a slow, soothing vocalization of a melody she head learned long ago.

Would anyone come? Would it work? How far would she let it go? Never had she felt so curious about such a thing before.

She hears a sound behind her, but she isn’t alarmed. She turns slightly to look at you, the blue of her eyes standing out even more against her now blackened sclera. Are you her guinea pig for tonight? What will you do now?]

III. The Cold War
[ It was some harmless fun with some kids at first. Building some snow men, then getting into a snow ball fight. She had time before work and they way they insisted with their cute little pouts...she was weak. But she had underestimated them as well, not thinking they'd actually use magic to their advantage. There was no hiding she was a merrow what with her fin-like ears, and some of the kids were aware of what worked on them. The snowballs themselves didn't hurt, but the next onslaught was different. They were mushier, and she could feel them melt into her clothes. She looked up to find the kids heating them up slightly before chucking them at her, and she soon realized why.

Down she went as her legs bound together and morphed into her tail, and there she was, a sitting duck for their next attack. She scrambled behind whatever she can find for cover, still attempting to keep them at bay by throwing some snowballs back. ]

Ruthless little..!

[ Would you like to help an outnumbered fish out, or maybe you get hit by a mushy snow ball as well. Or maybe it's Alex that hits you with instead. It's a little hard to aim and hide at the same time. ]

IV. Wildcard
[ I'm open to other scenarios too! I'm down for other things in the snow or what have you. Either toss up a top-level and I'll wing it with you, or hit me up at

mightycheese ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Above water, her eyesight is poorer. And without her glasses at the moment, the man was just a large blur from a distance. He seemed bulkier, his shape not as human as she would expect.

She tilts her head, her expression somewhat disappointed, but also curious. ]

I'm not hiding though.

[ His focus seemed to be on the water, so she slips back in, surfacing in front him. ]

Did you feel anything? I've never tried it before. But it doesn't look like it worked on you.

[ This version of Alex was not as timid as the one he'd first met. Her voice was still soft, but it was calmer, more sure. The horns and wings she could make out, but she still wasn't intimidated. Not while she was in the water. She presses her hands against the ground, pushing herself up to try and get a better look at him, but she can only raise herself so high. There were more scales on her now, covering her neck and part of her shoulders. ]

I think I know you, but I can't see that well. Mind coming a little closer?

It made me curious enough to come over, didn't it?

[ Berserker's not immune to the effects of her song, just too stubborn to admit it. He comes a little bit closer, staying a good distance away from the shore. There's no want to get caught off-guard and pulled into the water. His new additions would make a fight in the water difficult.

The full moon lets him get a better look at her and he looks a little put off. ]

Alex. [ He remembered her name, at least. ] Is this what you're doing now instead of angering bees?

Hmm..but anyone singing this late out here could probably do that.

[ She's able to make out some features of his face now, and the red markings under his eyes. ]

Berserker. [ Her voice sounds a tad bit more cheery knowing it was an acquaintance, her tail curling up behind her. ]

At least no one's getting hurt this time? [ It was an innocent experiment. ]

Those are new. [ Her eyes try to focus on the wings behind him, then lower towards his tail. ] And it looks like you got one of those too.

It didn't sound like normal singing.

[ It pulled him at him despite his natural caution. Against his better instincts he approached. That meant something and that's as close as he'll get to admitting it.

He comes a little bit closer to the water, kneeling down by the edge. ]

They're very new... [ His back is still sticky with blood. At least he changed into a clean shirt before going on this walk. ] You look more...complete.

[ For lack of a better word. He hadn't seen a merrow besides the one he killed in their shared dream. ]

[ When he comes closer, she reaches past his shoulder to touch one of the wings, not seeming to mind invading his space when she normally would care. They felt stick, and she pulls her hand back to see a familiar red against her palm. ]

I thought it would be done a month ago..but more things seem to keep appearing.

[ She neither sounded happy nor bothered about it. It was hard to pinpoint the feeling, especially at this moment. The full moon had a way of mixing up her thoughts with..who knows what. ]

Was it painful?

[ Blackened eyes glance up at him as he still towered over her. ]

I don't know if it will ever be complete.

[ A genuine admission. Parts kept appearing, instincts developed. When would it end? How much of themselves would remain at the end of it?

The way she reaches out and touches him without hesitation or fear surprises him. He doesn't recoil or react beyond a mild irritated look. In fact, he spreads his wings wider. What an alien sensation that is: to stretch out a part of his body he's never had before. It's not comfortable because the skin around his new appendages is still raw and healing. ]

Yes...I'm used to pain, but this was different. [ Another genuine admission. There's no point in lying about it. ] This was more painful than the horns...

[ Berserker studies Alex in silence in the moonlight for a moment. How odd she looked, yet strangely alluring. Hm. ]

What about you?

[ Maybe that was a good thing. Wouldn't that mean they wouldn't be completely monsters just yet? But did that even make much of a difference?

She picks up on his irritation, the instinct of reading body language one of the things that's stayed even in this form. Her body tenses a moment, and she stills herself from backing up. It was like a part of her was willing to try and take him on.

The wings spread, and it is apparent that they're brand new by the odd way it moves. ]

Not so much..the scales felt more..irritating. Like I wanted to scratch my skin off. Everything else just felt uncomfortable. [ Like her ears and her tail. Nothing too grueling yet.

Her eyes meet his again after a moment, noticing the way he studied her. Was he assessing for any new part that may pose as a threat? Or was he just looking? She didn't try to hide anything though, her overly conscious nature buried at the moment. It seemed fair since she was doing the same anyway. ]

You should wash the blood off.

[ His wings fold back into place which makes him grimace. This is a different pain than he was used to and he hated to show how much it hurt. His thoughts drift back to him and Arthur earlier that night...What a mess.

Berserker pushes those thoughts away for now. ]

You're lucky. [ As lucky as someone who was transformed into a monster against their will could be. ] I don't know how you'd stand this sort of pain.

[ He considers that offer. Yes, he really should wash the blood off; it was sticky and uncomfortable, but... ]

I don't want to dirty your water.

[ As off as she might have been on the full moon, the grimace still earns some sympathy from her. She was lucky in a sense, yes. Nothing was terribly painful for her yet.

His comment is met with a pause, but not an uncomfortable one. ]

I’m sturdier than I look. [ Her response comes with a light hearted scoff. She was no stranger to physical pain, but this and that were different and not something to get into further. She wasn’t one to compare. ]

It’s not mine. It looked vacant, so I took advantage. Don’t see why you can’t either.

[ She shifts herself and pushes back towards the water, still facing Berserker as she glides over slowly. ]

It feels nicer once you’re in it.

[ The offer was sincere. Part of her did think he’d feel much better if he cleaned up. But the other side of her..something else lingered there. ]</small<

I believe you. I don't know what you've been through, but that pain would test you, if not break you.

[ He'll leave it at that. There's no need to get into a pointless pissing contest over who could take more pain or who'd been through more.

It's dangerous to get in the water with someone he barely knows whose intentions are unknown. This is what he tells himself, but something's pulling at him to do just what he's trying to avoid doing. That something is louder than his inhibitions. ]

Fine.

[ Berserker gives in and stands up to strip down. It's difficult to ignore the pain in his shoulders and lower back, but he fights through it. He makes an effort to set his clothes in a neat pile away from the water's edge. Completely nude, he slowly makes his way into the water. His back is bloody just like his wings and there seem to be some fresh claw and bite marks, as well. Dealing with another dragon during the full moon was not pleasant.

As the water washes over him, he looks uncomfortable. It hurts and he's vulnerable in front of someone he doesn't know if he can trust. He's at a disadvantage and he doesn't like it. ]

[ I believe you.

An unexpected phrase, one that started to somewhat pull back more of Alex to the forefront of her mind.

She wades around in one spot, not being able to see much of Berserker anyway until he enters the water. That's when she starts to swim closer, the smell of blood hitting her nose stronger when she submerges even a bit more into the water.

That odd curiosity comes back, making her wonder if he came in because of the effects of the song, or if he was just that confident in case anything happened. Would she be able to? Being in her element, could she actually take on someone like that? The intent of her thoughts aren't malicious, even as she circles him to get a better view of his new bits, but the part of her that was pulled back made her stop when she could properly see his back.

Her brow furrows as she straightens up, reaching out to carefully touch where his wings sprouted from his back. ]

That..really looks painful.

[ It's mostly the song, if he were honest with himself. A small part of his mind is telling him to run, but it goes ignored. Berserker's on edge as Alex circles him. His body language gives him away: tense, edgy movements as he follows her with his eyes.

The hand on his back makes him stiffen up further. Everything is very tender to the point that the lightest touch hurts. He doesn't pull away or flinch, though, and he even relaxes after a moment. ]

It's nothing I can't handle...

[ Because he has. If he's too weak to handle this level of pain, he's not fit to keep surviving. ]

Don't worry about my well-being.

[ He said something similar, if not the same thing, the first time they met. He's already helped her before, without any benefit to himself. It was a little too late to tell her not to care, or have some concern for him. ][ Her hands move towards his other wounds..teeth marks? And these scratches.. They were fresh. ]

Were you in a fight?

[ Was it just his blood that was on him? ]

[ It's mostly his own blood. Some of it was Arthur's.

It's the soft touch he flinches away from -- not because it hurts but because it's so unfamiliar still. Even when his Bonded touches him, he can't help the reaction. ]

Something like that...I dealt with an unbonded dragon earlier. Neither of us were in a good place.

[ That was putting it lightly. He didn't want to reveal more than necessary. ]

[ She's unsure of whether it hurts or not, but she is careful to not put too much pressure on his wounds. ]

...And how is the other one?

[If memory serves her right, he wasn't one to really hold back in fights. But she has also seen him capable of good, so a part of her wanted to believe they still came out of it intact. ]

[ Berserker had been...merciful, really. His concern laid more with making sure the other didn't destroy himself. Strange how that happened. ]

He'll be fine. The only injuries I gave him were when I tried to keep him from hurting himself.

[ He looks back at her as his tone shifts just slightly. ]

You're too concerned with the well-being of other people.

[ His comment has her looking up at him. ]

Says the one who got himself torn up to help someone else.

[ Her hand touches one of the bite marks as she says so. ]

...Let me help you clean up.

I repaid a debt, nothing more.

[ That's how he justified it, anyway. Arthur had cleaned up him and offered him a place to stay after a night of drinking. Protecting him from himself was repaying that debt.

He doesn't flinch when she touches the bite, though. ]

... Don't bother.

[ It's not a no, just an attempt to get her to leave him alone. It can be enough to get someone to stop sometimes, but he has a feeling she won't relent so easily. ]

[ She was going to still bother, just like he guessed she would. It wasn't completely selfless, if that would make Berserker feel better. While he was no witch, touching another magical being gave some relief, or at least a slight sense of peace to an unbonded monster. It was a strange tug of war between wanting more of it, but also numbing her more feral side.

Speaking of, there was something in the way he spoke of it.. ]

The way you talked about the other dragon being unbonded..does that mean you are?

[ She asks while slowly rinsing parts of his wings with water, not wanting to be too rough if his wings were still tender. They were smooth, like expensive leather. Washing off some of the blood revealed the red veins that decorated his appendages. ]

Yes, I am.

[ That fact tends to surprise those he talks to -- he's not exactly a social person nor does he like to let people get close to him. He considers his Bonded to be different and it's also just for practicality (nevermind that it went far beyond that now). ]

Are you not?

[ The full moon isn't kind to monsters, to say the least. Even with his particularly strong Bond, he still struggles with feral thoughts and desires. Even now, he's on guard and tense, knowing he's in another monster's domain. Even if she's being needlessly kind to him. ]

[ Maybe a little surprising, but it's also a good thing, if the violence she's seem him inflict on shades were enough proof of how bad things could go.

It takes her a moment, but she does answer. ]

No..

[ She can't say she's been doing so well. There had been moments where she had almost hurt some people. It only lasted a moment, but still. She hasn't gone that feral. Even now, things didn't feel too out of control, or at least not in the way she thought she might be. She felt different, but it was difficult to see how. ]

Does it make that much of a difference?

I was ready to kill my Bonded the night we made the decision -- I could barely keep control of my mind. Now I can handle the full moons with no trouble. There are just whispers of feral thoughts, nothing more than that.

[ He did sympathize with her on some level -- it's difficult to deal with these changes and needing someone else to manage what's happening. This is partially why he allows her to continue touching him. ]

The touch helps, doesn't it? [ As if he has to ask. ] A witch's touch is better, but you can do as you like with me if it soothes your mind.

[ Ah, that's...an invitation he probably shouldn't have given. He sees it as a courtesy for her and nothing more. ]

[ That was rather nice of them to still bond with him considering he almost killed him.

Would she end up that way too? Or maybe, just maybe things would turn out better for her?

Her hand stops stroking his wing again. Ah..seems he caught her. Alex is about to apologize when he practically offers himself, and it was like a switch was turned in the direction she was fighting against. ]

Really?

[ The word comes out slowly, her hand remaining on his wing as she starts to swim around him, only slipping off it to rest on his arm as she faces him now. ]

You’d let me do that?

[ He stopped before any major damage was done, that may have had something to do with it!

Berserker can't help but tense up as she moves around him. This is not his element and he is far more vulnerable than he's comfortable with. It's okay, though, he tells himself. ]

Yes. I wouldn't have offered it otherwise.

[ Of course, don't take the out when you're given it. ]

[ The important thing is no one died.

She hears the yes, but she feels the way his body stiffens. Was he nervous? It was a stretch to say he was scared. Him? But he is in her element, so to speak, and also allowing her to do as she pleased. No weapon, no armor.

Such a strange and alien concept that was for her. For regular Alex anyway. Normally she wouldn’t know what to do. She still didn’t, but she was more willing to push those boundaries. There was no malice in her eyes though, just curiosity and maybe a hint of intrigue.

Both hands are on either one of his arms now, making their way up towards those broad shoulders. He had scales, like her, but they felt different. His felt of tougher material. Could he still feel through them? It felt strange against the scales that covered her own hands, though not in a bad way. Or was it just the magic coming off of him? ]

Do the symbols on your chest mean anything?

[ One hand slides down to the middle of his chest, her finger tracing over one of the markings. ]

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