August Quest Log and Catch-all [OPEN]

[curruid_coinchenn]

Who: Berserker (Cú Chulainn Alter) and you!
When: Throughout August
Where: Around and out of the city
What: Quests and other things
Warnings: One NSFW thread, warnings in headers


[ 1A. The Sly Seadog - do you want to cross that line? ]

[ Berserker is acting as a bouncer for this dive bar. Tall, intimidating, and visibly a dragon makes him a good fit for the role. It also tends to make people behave when they know they're dealing with someone like that. He, however, looks bored -- whether it be at the door or walking around the bar.

On a break, he decides to get a drink. Sitting at the bar, he has a pint of dark ale in front of him. Without looking over, he decides to make his feelings known. ]

If you so much as think about causing a problem, you'll regret it.

[ 1B. The Sly Seadog - are you talking to me? (cw: violence) ]

[ Alternatively, someone is causing trouble at the bar and Berserker is Not Here for that. The problem patron is hauled off their feet by their collar, the temporary bouncer's face unchanged. They fight and struggle against him, but the blows are brushed off like nothing and the verbal threats go ignored...Well, mostly. Tired of them screaming abuse about his status as a monster, Berserker headbutts them with a sickening crunch (his horns come in handy sometimes). It has the double effect of shutting them up and breaking their nose -- win, win really. He chucks them out the door and returns to his post. The scuffle silences the bar for a moment, but everyone soon settles back down now that the problem is solved.

It's only in the calm after the brief fight that he notices blood on his arm...and some on his face. Annoying. ]

Could you get me something to clean this up with?

[ 2. Surveillance - because it's a long way back from hell ]

[ Berserker sits at his assigned point in the cave. His vision in the dark isn't particularly great, but he can hear well enough to make up for it. He's not on edge, per se; he's more in tune with his combat and survival instincts than normal. Gae Bolg, his barbed lance, is held in his right hand as he listens for any movement in the darkness.

Unfortunately, what he turns to in the dark is not a Cwyld, but whoever else is down here. He turns with his spear pulled back to attack. ]

Say something. You have three seconds.

[ He's being generous. ]

[ 3. Fun in the sun (potentially nsfw) ]

[ Berserker is quite please the weather's warmed back up after the artificial winter. In fact, he's so pleased that he's decided to go sunbathing.

Nude.

He's at least sunning himself in fairly secluded areas or on rooftops that look abandoned, but anywhere there's a sunny patch and at least partial cover is a potential place to warm himself. Wherever he's decided on, he lays on his stomach with his arms crossed, head resting on his arms. His wings are stretched out and his tail at least partially covers his butt and legs. His clothes are nearby, too, so he can get dressed if he feels so inclined. Berserker's so content that he's nearly asleep.

Nearly.

The sound of someone nearby is enough to rouse him and he opens one eye to look back at whoever's intruding on his chosen spot. ]

What do you want?

[ 4A. Lùnasa - walk, walk fashion baby ]

[ Berserker let himself get dragged into the fashion festivities. Normally somewhat restrained in his clothing choices, he doesn't seem to mind the ridiculous clothes he's been given to wear by Precogstitchin'. Mostly covered yet completely exposed, it feels very similar to his normal Spirit Origin. He appreciates the consideration given to accommodate his wings and tail, too.

It's odd someone so cantankerous as Berserker is willing to wear this, knowing it'll draw unwanted attention. Speaking of...He gives a cold look to someone he's noticed staring at him. ]

What is it? If you want something like this, I can tell you where to get it.

[ 4B. Lùnasa - do my little turn on the catwalk ]

[ In addition to other unpaid modeling, one of the young designers decided to recruit Berserker as a model. The only reason he went with the designer is because they wouldn't leave him alone otherwise; "no" was not an answer. A dragon would set them and their designs apart! What a rare chance! So he relented and went with it.

Dark, draping styles are mostly what he ends up in, with jeweled accessories hung on his wings and horns. It's ridiculous and outlandish, but there's a certain allure about his look. He seems bored backstage, though, and looks to another model. May as well make small talk because he's sure someone will try to get it out of him sooner or later. ]

Did you get dragged into this, too?

[ Because he can't imagine someone doing this willingly. ]

[ 5. Wildcard ]

[ None of these prompts doing it for you? Got an idea in mind? Did we plot something already? Drop me a starter or message me on Discord (glitzkrieg#0673)! ]

((OOC: His appearance and current changes!))

Comments

3.

[rollfordiplomacy]

[The rooftop Berserker chose for sunning is both abandoned and high enough to not be spied on by many taller structures. Of course, these are the same reason's Everett is drawn to the building. The brick exterior has easy enough hand and foot holds, making for an excellent exercise to climb!

He really hadn't expected to look over the final ledge and witness a fully nude dragon laid out before him. Everett gasps and nearly loses his grip from surprise. Reacting quickly to his own foolish alarm, it only takes one more houst to sling himself up again. This time, falling over the edge and onto the roof fully.

He stays on his back, pointedly blinking up at the sky]

M, my apologies, good sir. I could not have... anticipated another would be up here.

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Oh, this one...Another from the shared dream. Berserker doesn't deem him a threat and turns away again. The sun is too nice to pass up. He shifts a little bit to straighten out his tail -- he'd like to roll over, but he'll spare Everett the full frontal nudity for now. ]

And I didn't think anyone would find me...What are you doing up here?

[ Not that he particularly cares, more that he can't see a reason for anyone else to be up here at all. ]

[rollfordiplomacy]

[Everett isn't looking, regardless! He can be a bit of a prude. Despite how much traveling he did, how much adjusting to other cultures outside the fussy Springtide, the reaction still struck him. He won't chide the man, but he won't be comfortable, either.]

Oh, just out for a climb, sir. Looking to get a lay of the land from on high. [He doesn't have wings, so that's much more of a task for him. Still, he accomplished it! Everett is still very fit for his age, tired though he may be from scaling the building, he made it without completely winding himself.]

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Eh, fuck it. Berserker has no qualms about nudity (obviously), so he just rolls over to lay on his back. In a token attempt to cover himself, He does, at least, have the courtesy to lay his tail over his crotch. He folds his hands under his head and settles back down. Patches of scales gleam a dark red in the sunlight, matching the veining along his wings and tail. ]

So you climb buildings for fun? You have strange hobbies.

[rollfordiplomacy]

[Even if it's just a token bit of modest, Everett appreciates that much. He finally stands from where he fell and lay on his back. Shuffling about and straightening his own clothing, he moves to look out over the city. Better than letting his gaze linger on Berserker, curious though he may be for such monstrous features.]

I climb all manner of heights, old boy. A thrilling bit of recreation, like solving a puzzle with my body. [he considers, chuckling under his breath]

A useless skill when you have wings, but one I enjoy as a simple human. Mm... if I can even say as much, now that I am considered a monster. [he's not all that bothered by the change, but he had no manifestations of those changes just yet. In the dream, it was horns and new ears, but as of yet, all he has are a couple, tender lumps forming beneath his hair.]

4A

[loadme]

Oh, no. That's, um...! I appreciate it, but I don't think it would look all that good on me.

[One less disaster could only benefit the two of them.]

I think it suits you much better.

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Ah, his other "favorite" barnacle. He'd half-wondered if she'd managed to survive at all. Well, he didn't need to wonder anymore. Joy. ]

It's...different. [ It's the best he could say. ] I'm surprised you haven't been roped into this.

[ If they could get him into it, no one was safe. ]

[loadme]

Who says they didn't already?

[Did you mess that ever-present smile?]

Free clothing is a pretty hard offer to pass up, you know.

[curruid_coinchenn]

Mm, I can understand that.

[ Miss? Maybe not miss, but there is a bit of surprise to see her alive and well. Berserker was convinced she wouldn't last long. ]

They were so insistent, I just let them do as they pleased. [ He shrugs. ] It's more of a nuisance than anything.

[loadme]

You're really the type who just goes with the flow, huh?

[What was your first clue, Monika.]

I hope that doesn't give you a reputation as a pushover. Then again, I don't think you'd really care if that happened.

4B

[ishisstrength]

[Justine exhales a soft sigh as she's disrobed and then dressed in the clothing intended for the fashion show. She doesn't mind. In fact, she loves fashion and clothes but this hadn't been her intention when she had come into the city proper.

She smiles in spite of herself, relishing in the soft fabric as it comes in contact with her skin. It doesn't matter how ridiculous the clothing might be, this isn't the first time she's been treated like a doll, and she manages to find that even the most outlandish pieces of attire have their own charms.

Justine waits for her to walk down the catwalk. There is a buzz of excitement in the air though not all of those dressed and waiting appear to be interested in the fashion show. She turns with a start when Berserker spoke, as if only realizing then that someone had been standing next to her.] Oh. Yes, but I don't really mind. [She remembers him from a brief run in the month before. He'd been an unfortunate victim of an enchanted scarf.]

I hadn't thought you'd be interested in things like this. Clothes have a way of turning against you.

[She might be teasing him, just a little bit.]

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Berserker narrows his eyes at the joke for a moment -- it's only because normally he's the one making jokes at other someone else's expense. Mostly, he's surprised that Justine would even talk to him again after their initial meeting. His usual behavior is enough to put most people off from even wanting to be near him. ]

They wouldn't take no for an answer, so I let them do as they wish. [ That and he really didn't mind the clothes themselves -- it's the spectacle that annoys him. ] ... I'm more surprised you're willing to talk to me again instead of avoiding me.

[ His tone is as indifferent as ever. Ah...what a lovely person he is. ]

[ishisstrength]

Mm? [Justine hums softly as she turns her full attention towards Berserker. It's turn that their last meeting hadn't been ideal but it still hadn't been the worst first meeting she's ever had.] Is there a reason I should avoid you?

You're a little rough but you don't seem to want to hurt me.

[Which is really where Justine draws the line with people she's willing to talk too. Even then, she's gotten close to a lot of people who's natural instincts treat her as food. Compared to all that, Berserker isn't all that daunting.]

We live in the same city and in Haven. Avoiding you seems like an awful lot of work.

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ "I bring chaos and ruin to everyone and everything around me" is what he could say, but that would reveal too much about himself. Instead, he just avoids the question entirely. Smooth. ]

I don't.

[ It's not like he's opposed to violence (he's quite good at it), he simply doesn't care enough to be violent unless he has to be. ]

Avoiding someone is as easy or as difficult as you choose to make it. I don't care if you aren't afraid of me or anything...I just think it's foolish to speak to someone like me because you choose to.

[ishisstrength]

Maybe.

[Her expression softens as she turns to glance at the runway. Her turn is nearly up and the waiting is causing butterflies to flutter nervously in her stomach. Justine has done things like this before but it's always been at a White Court function with Thomas at her side.

It reminds her too much of home and of him.]

I like that you're forward and honest. There aren't a lot of people like that and I'm not afraid of you.

[Not yet anyway.]

closed to Waver; NSFW

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Normally Berserker avoids the apartment shared with Diarmuid and Waver around a full moon -- the mansion Ozymandias and Arthur share allows him for more privacy and solitude. He prefers to isolate himself on the nights when he can't control his baser instincts. Even if he knows contact with his Bonded helps, he still chooses to isolate himself.

The only reason he's back on the night after the full moon is that he can't deny certain things. He should've asked if Diarmuid was home first before coming over...It's not like he can't handle these urges right now, but he was hoping to find an outlet. Maybe he should just wait it out and see if the Lancer returns home.

For now, he lays down on the couch. Give it a little while before he gives up and goes home. It's so bad right now, though, that he can't help but rub his palm against his half-hard cock through the cloth of his pants. How embarrassing...but he's alone right now, right? The place seemed empty enough that he could indulge himself just for a moment. He lets his eyes close as he continues to tease himself, secure enough in the thought he won't be seen to do that. ]

[tryhard]

[ Berserker's not the only one who usually tries to stay out of sight during this time. Waver has been more or less self-quarantined to his room since before the full moon. Last night had been the worst of it, and he'd asked for help with that, but the night after hasn't been so intense for him since before he'd Bonded with Diarmuid. Whether it's the intensity of the moons this month, the fact he's been through more of them, or something else entirely, the lingering restlessness is more prominent than usual, even as the moons begin to wane again.

Waver's sharp ears catch the sound of the door opening and closing even through the walls of his own room. He can tell by the cadence of the steps that it's not Diarmuid; shortly thereafter, he can also tell by the scent. He's up out of bed and by the door before he knows it, tail bristling, ears perked-- but the scent is familiar, after all. Part of the pack. It isn't wrong, but it is... different.

He opens the door quietly, stalking out barefoot wearing only loose trousers that leave exposed the line of soft fur that trails down his spine to his tail, which curls attentively upward behind him.

It takes Waver a minute to realize why his senses are telling him there's something different about Berserker's scent. Not until he steps out into the living room, where the hint of male arousal in the air is... unmistakable. ]

Ah--

[ And there's Berserker on the couch, hand blatantly on his own groin. Waver stumbles back. ]

S-sorry!

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Berserker's a little preoccupied to notice Waver before he says something. His hand presses harder against his length, hips pushing up just a little bit in turn. Indulging this kind of urge is beyond the realm of normal for him, but isn't this whole transformation outside that realm?

He's caught off-guard for once as the turnskin makes himself known. A fleeting moment of embarrassment spreads across his face as he freezes in place. Absolutely mortifying to be caught in this kind of position. The embarrassment turns briefly to anger before fading entirely. He puts his arm over his eyes in a poor attempt to cover up how flustered he is. ]

I didn't think you were home. [ Not a good excuse, but it's an excuse. ] ...I can leave.

[ His erection throbs, straining against the cloth of his pants, as if to remind him of the situation at hand. Leaving now is not an option, not when he's like this. This is what he gets for giving into these sort of urges. ]

[tryhard]

Like that?

[ Waver blurts, staring directly between Berserker's legs at the sizable tent he's pitching in his pants. ]

Not a chance. I get it, okay?

[ He does, but more importantly -- considering Berserker's state right now and the lingering effect of the moons -- he's not sure if it would be safe for Berserker out there right now. Or for others around him if he gets overwhelmed. It's better for him to be in a safe environment. ]

Just- just do what you need to do, and I'll go... back to my room...

[ Except he's not moving. And he's still staring.

It's a lot harder to turn away suddenly, with Berserker's aroused scent so close by. All over his den, his furniture. He may be part of the pack but he doesn't even live here all the time, and right now, there's very little Waver can do about the overwhelming instinct to remind him: he can stay, but he's been allowed to.

...there's that. And there's the fact that Berserker's arousal is making his own eyes dilate in response, breaths deepening. There's a corresponding twinge low in his belly too, muscles squeezing. Waver clenches his fists. ]

No. You know what? You're right.

You didn't think. You should have called me.

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ He knows he's the interloper here, even if he's considered part of the pack, he's still an outsider. There's no real tensions between them any longer, their relationship isn't adversarial in any way -- their personalities are simply too different to get along without squabbling.

Berserker takes his arm off his face and looks to Waver, unable to hide the flush on his face. Despite his best efforts to hide how he feels right now, his body's response betrays him. There's an outlet right in front of him, but he's not going to act on that, even if the baser instincts at the edges of his mind scream for him to give in. That instinctual need claws at him, his body growing tenser as he tries to deny what he wants. ]

If you're going to go, then go so I can take care of this. [ His voice is strained. ] Unless you're going to help me out, since you get it.

[ An edge to his tone, as if he's taunting Waver. Nothing can ever be easy, can it? ]

closed to Diarmuid

[curruid_coinchenn]

((OOC: continued from here))

[ It was supposed to be just a simple warning for Diarmuid and nothing else. The unexpected emotions blindsided him. He waits on the doorstep of the mansion for his Bonded, his expression clouded and uneasy. He's not wearing much, his torso bare, and it looks like he just woke up.

When the Lancer comes into view, he straightens up a little bit, trying to look a little more presentable. It's a defense mechanism to keep himself from looking weak, to protect himself...It's meaningless in this context, though. ]

...You're here. [ As if he had to say something so pointless. ] Come inside.

[ua_duibhne]

[Who would have thought that he was staying somewhere so... grand. Diarmuid knows that many of the mirrorbound here have been allowed use of these expansive mansions without questions being asked but it's still impressive compared to his own apartment. Ah, thats right. He lives with Ozymandias, doesn't he? It makes sense for a pharaoh to want a palace.

Regardless, he feels much less of a stranger when he finds Berserker already outside and waiting for him. Diarmuid doesn't look that much more put-together, to be honest; even ignoring how tired he looks, his hair isn't brushed back in its usual style and his shirt is crumpled.

It's with little more than a nod, though, that he approaches. The first thing he does once the door has closed behind them isn't to greet the dragon but to carefully look him over, fingertips first brushing across his cheekbones and then the dark patches beneath his eyes, stubbornly defying the scarlet of his tattoos. What he's doing might only become clear when he begins to check him over, making sure that everything is as it should be, that the injuries from the dream aren't somehow physical too.

Finally, he looks up. The urge to pull him close is as strong as when he arrived but he holds back.]

... and you're safe. [Another pointless statement. Neither of them seem to know what to say now that they're here.] I hadn't realised you lived in this district.

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Berserker lets Diarmuid check him over. It confuses him for just a moment before he realizes why he's doing it: the dream felt so incredibly real that it's only natural to react this way. This is the first time a shared dream has upset him, something about the utter loss of control unsettling him deeply. This place has a way of picking at old wounds until they bleed, it seems.

He pulls the witch into a sudden embrace. It's safe to show his lover this affection, it's okay to want comfort from him, especially after something that disturbed them both. He has to convince himself every time that it's okay to seek this out. It's not a weakness. He nuzzles into Diarmuid's neck for just a moment before he backs away once again. ]

Arthur insisted I live with him instead of sleeping in the rough.

[ That's...yeah, that's exactly how it happened. Sleeping in someone's garden wasn't really a good idea long term. But...that's not really why either of them are here, is it? Why had he wanted to see the Lancer so badly...? Right, it was the hurt in his voice, the hurt that he caused, the hurt that never would've bothered him before. ]

I didn't realize my attitude would upset you so much...

[ua_duibhne]

[Berserker will find no resistance. In those few moments that he holds him, Diarmuid all but crumples against him, clutching at him in a way he might not have allowed himself to before. The time that's passed since they last met is nothing at all but with the dream weighing heavy on his mind- he couldn't do it, he couldn't protect either of them- it feels like far longer. The reality of the man in front of him, the physicality and warmth of his body and feeling of his breath against his skin is an anchor to the waking world.

What were they doing here again...? At first, Berserker's words wash over him- and then he forces himself to focus. Of course. Arthur too, how could he forget? From the little they've interacted, he seems a good man. Not that it has much bearing on what they really need to talk about.

Diarmuid rakes a hand through his hair, struggling to put into words exactly what it was that hit a such nerve. That characteristic loose curl of his has been lost amongst a mess of waves.]

I- [Frowning, he shakes his head.] It's not about me.

[A brief silence falls- but even when he breaks it his voice is barely any louder than a sigh.]

... do you truly see so little worth in yourself?

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ Of course he did. He's not even supposed to exist -- for all intents and purposes, he never existed. The Singularity he was summoned to ceased to exist, the only part of his history there that remained was in the records at Chaldea. He is not the true Cú Chulainn: he is a fractured piece of that man, an impossibility, a diversion from his true path. The painful resentment seizes him strongly for a moment, a bitter bile in his throat. He grimaces, unable to keep the emotion from showing on his face. ]

The only worth I have is in my strength. [ He lowers his head, as though he's ashamed of this. No, he's just bothered that how broken he is hurts Diarmuid and he can't understand why. ] I'm nothing without it. All I'm good for is being used to kill. I'm nothing more than a familiar in Chaldea...So it shouldn't be any different here.

[ There's a poorly concealed hurt in his voice, a fact that irritates him. This mess of emotions that churn inside him only confuse him and make him angry. He has no idea how to confront any of this or where to even begin. It's the same as it's ever been since the walls around his emotions began to crumble. ]

...Do you find more worth in me than that?

[ Why? ]