please come tempt me (closed)

[exsoldier]

Who: Zack, Jaskier, and Geralt
When: Juril 24, full moon
Where: The Witcher cottage, then the Wilde
What: Drinking and attempts at flying. What could go wrong?
Warnings: N/A, will edit in to add.

[ The time has come, with the moons fully illuminating the sky, and Zack's ready for what the night has in store for him. His conversation with Jaskier was a few weeks back, but he certainly hasn't forgotten the plans they made. Hopefully neither has Jaskier, though Zack does send a quick message by Watch in advance, just to be sure.

With his monster changes now all completed and permanent, the full moon isn't as much of an ordeal as it used to be. Zack doesn't have to deal with his wings bursting out of his back in a mess of blood and feathers. He does still feel some of the changes in mood still, a need to hunt that he attributes to the two predators he borrows his monstrous side from. Normally he deals with it by hunting down any spare Shades he can find and showing them the business end of the Buster sword, but a night spent carousing with a friend will hopefully be enough to take the edge off.

Carousing and working on the whole flying thing. Zack's been practicing this past month, going through some safe tests to learn how much he can move his wings and how much they can actually support him. He needs to go through proper training with Rude, but for now he's in the mood to jump out of a tree and see what happens.

It'll be fine, probably.

Shortly after sundown, Zack appears at Jaskier and Geralt's cottage. He made sure to grab a bottle of wine on the way, even though Jaskier said he would provide the booze, just as a matter of courtesy. He lets himself in through the gate and approaches the front door, rapping on it with his knuckles. ]

Jaskier? It's Zack! You ready? Bring Geralt too!

Comments

[cointosser]

[Jaskier has not, of course, forgotten his promise. Even if... the night of the full moons, he is a bit distracted. This transformation is no more the easier, though this time he attempts it alone in his room, with only Burza there to witness him. Burza, who is much less a kitten now, with longer legs and larger ears, though her head is still so delightfully round. It helps, having her there, as he's crouched on the floor like a beast, his skin coated in sweat as he muffles his sounds in a hand. The spines -- somehow they feel larger this time, or perhaps they really are, and they burst through his skin in waves. And his wings, tearing through as blood drips down his back. Still small and useless, flapping against his skin, wet with the flesh it had to tear through to be birthed.

Somehow he's accustomed himself to his tail, seeing as it doesn't go away. But the wings are a distinct reminder of what he is. The spines across his skin, sharp down his back. It makes clothing uncomfortable, even if he can't go running around Aefenglom without it.

Which was why offering to bring drinks was such a brilliant idea. By the time Zack has arrived (and thank the gods he prefaced it with a note), Jaskier has cleaned the blood off of himself and attempted to adopt the air of a man who is simply unaffected.]

Zack! [Jaskier opens the door with a flourish, as if to show off his full moon form -- blue skin with scales and spikes covering his limbs. He walks without boots, as his toes have curled and grown long lizard-like talons, matching his fingers, and the scales cannot stand the rubbing of leather against them. His spiked tail lashes behind him: the only betrayer of his actual nervousness, as he feels each time he reveals his new self. His wings are only large enough to cover part of his back, and they fold delicately along his spine. His three crystal horns shine brilliantly, and his eyes glow bright blue.

He may as well be a dragon, he thinks. It would feel a bit more noble than this.]

Hello, my friend! Ah, look at you! I can't believe it. All those bloody feathers! [It is so much easier to focus on Zack's transformation than his own. Aeternae nature leaves Jaskier without pause, reaching forward to run his hands through said feathers.] You look absolutely lovely. Are you ready to get quite drunk?

[Look. He may as well be upfront about his own desires. Full moons and a young Aeternae are a fucking mix; adding liquor on top of it was sure to make this a rather amazing experience all around. Jaskier peeks his head back in the doorway.] Geralt! Come on! We're getting smashed!

[gynvael]

[ Bring Geralt and getting smashed are not the words Geralt wants to hear shouted at him when the moons are full. But he's promised to keep Jaskier company for the second time, knowing Yennefer is better with Cirilla, who's adapting, as opposed to Jaskier, who is really adapting. Almost too much.

He slinks out of the front door. Unlike Zack and Jaskier, he's the only one on all fours -- but he still comes up well to Jaskier's hip. It's the first time he's seen Zack fully transformed. Or remembers seeing him fully transformed, at least. The last time they met under the full moons, he'd been...

A bit hungry. And not himself.

He's still hungry. He's learned to eat before the changes, but the hunger never quite leaves nor the itch to run and chase. He stretches instead, and where Zack and Jaskier have stopped -- the bard admiring those feathers -- Geralt has continued to walk all the way to the gate. (Which has been repaired, after it was knocked down last time. He's already made up to Yen over it. Mostly.) ]

If either of you pass out in the night, I'm not dragging your bodies home.

[exsoldier]

[ The door swings wide open, and Zack isn't entirely prepared for what lays beyond it. Yes, he'd seen Jaskier over Watch, but the sepia tone of the video feed had hidden the brilliance of his colors, splashed across his skin and horns and everywhere else. He looks like some precious rock or crystal given human form, plus wings and those spines he'd talked about before. All in all, it's a sight to behold, and Zack's expression isn't horror so much as wonder, his eyes wide and his mouth large with a grin. ]

You bet I am! [ It's been a while since Zack was this completely irresponsible, he'll admit, but he also feels like it might be overdue. Given some of the trials he's endured in this place, there's nothing wrong with letting loose and having a good time, is there?

When Jaskier yet again expresses interest in his feathers, Zack half-turns so that he can get a better look at (and feel of) his wings, which are too large to fit through the doorway unless he folds them in against his back. Not that he needs to go inside, since the plan is to the head out to the Wilde as soon as Geralt is ready.

Speaking of which, there he is in wolf form, padding past them with little interest in their silliness. Zack watches the wolf, his hindbrain remembering their less-than-friendly encounter from what feels like forever ago. There's a brief instinct to pounce, but he manages to rein it in. ]

That's all right. Cloud'll come find me if it comes to that.

[ Cloud and Aerith, most likely, as she'll sense if he's in danger even more keenly than Cloud, Zack imagines. He doesn't want her to put herself in any danger, but the Wilde immediately around the city has been almost completely cleared of Shades at this point. And it's not like he's ever been able to successfully dictate what Aerith does or doesn't do, nor does he really want to.

He extracts himself from Jaskier then, to follow after Geralt. What a strange trio they make, but Zack barely pays it any mind. If anyone wants to stare, they can feel free. ]

There's a clearing I know of in the Wilde, not too far from the Outer City. I think it'll be perfect!

[cointosser]

[At least one of his companions has the enthusiasm to match. And absolutely Jaskier is taking advantage of that invitation to let his fingers move through Zack's feathers deeper, though he's careful not to catch them on his talons (which is easier said than done.) He can see why he wants to learn to fly. Compared to Jaskier's embarrassing imp-wings, he actually has the capacity to do so.]

Oh, don't mind him. The full moon simply doesn't improve his mood.

[Jaskier looks between them; for a moment, he thinks there may be the smallest bit of tension. Whatever it is, though, it vanishes soon enough.] And I know you will drag me home either way.

[Bonded would do that sort of thing. And Geralt probably would, even if they weren't. Still, he's glad to know Zack has Bonded who will take care of him as well. They all do. That's why he fully intends to have fun on a full moon, now that he is a monster among monsters.

Jaskier ducks inside to grab his lute case, swinging it over one shoulder. However, there's no lute in there tonight: he's stacked very carefully several bottles of very fine wine, one of bourbon, and a jug of ale. And if he's to be thankful for anything, it's to know that he couldn't possibly carry it easily before. Now the weight of it barely registers to him, his tail whipping side to side as he meets them at the (now thankfully fixed) gate. He opens it for Geralt, leading the way to the streets.

And then onward to the Wilde.

Jaskier swallows, his free hand's fingers rubbing together hurriedly. He has not returned since that night in the manor. Since the infection. And he knows things have changed, and he is now one of the monsters, yet --

He won't be alone. It's fine. Nothing will stop him from this plan.] It's been a while since I've seen it, but I think it's a wonderful idea. I'm sure you two have a tendency to be a bit... rowdy. [He wiggles his brows.] I am happy to say I have safely tested up to a rather sharp cleaver on my skin, so there won't be any little accidents with all your assorted claws.

[gynvael]

[ Optimistic as ever. Though, as with Jaskier, he can admit it's been nice to see Zack back to himself. After...everything, with the Circle. ] Is he still running around on his own?

[ Cloud, he means. He hasn't spoken to Cloud since the last time he came knocking, and since he's yet to hear of any sheep being torn apart, he assumes nothing's gone off track lately.

As they venture towards the Wilde, Geralt keeps nearby, no more than a few paces ahead. He knows Jaskier is still hesitant to venture there, where the Shades and the Cwyld lingers to a degree. But it's been clearer lately: fewer blackened roots, less of that overwhelming sickly-sweet smell. There's a thrum of uncertainty through him: he's never been under the full moons with three Monsters before. It's often been with two Witches instead. He peers over his shoulder at Zack, watching the ruffle of his feathers in the breeze. ]

No one's having any accidents. [ They're out here to drink, apparently. Which. Really, Geralt has never done so in this form, but he figures he'll sort himself out easily. Also. ] And how many bottles did you bring, exactly?

[exsoldier]

[ It's fair for Jaskier to bring up the fact that both Zack and Geralt can become aggressive while under the influence of the full moon, and yet he has little intention of giving into that side of himself if he can avoid it. The idea here is to get drunk, practice flying, and have a good time.

Still, it is good to know that if he loses control of himself, Geralt will be right there to put him in his place. And vice versa, really. If Jaskier has to get between them, he appears to be up to the task. ]

Your skin's as hard as it looks, then? [ Maybe that comparison to a gem or a diamond hadn't been so far off. Naturally he's still curious about Jaskier's new form, and he continues to check him out as they make their way to the city limits.

Though a quick glance is sent Geralt's way, too. It's the first time being around him in wolf form where he's actually spoken like this, and while it's surprising, it's also convenient. ]

I've been going with him. Except tonight, but Aerith will keep an eye on him.

[ A Witch's presence should make a big difference. Having her move in with them had definitely been the correct choice. ]