middaeg | open catch-all + closed prompts for August

I keep worrying about knocking people over with my new limbs.

[She peers up at Ozymandias; it had been a short little while since they had seen each other. Funny enough, it was at a different festival, but while they were dressed up this time-or at least she was-Caren had changed. Small changes, with her small white wings and cat tail pressed right against her back and leg. But still. Changes. She couldn't pass as a witch anymore.]

It's pleasant to see you again. Are you having fun, your majesty?

[Ozymandias raises an eyebrow over her concern. It's not that he disbelieves it as a concern for her given how tightly she's keeping her newest appendages close to her body, but it doesn't seem likely a legitimate concern for that very same reason. Still, it's not his place to really say given that he's not contending with anything remotely similar.]

Of course! [he says this with a laugh.] And what about you? I hope you've been able to find enjoyment despite...

[He gestures to her wings. You know.]

[She's been accidentally smacking people all day. It's hard not to, but it's also...a little bit fun, and a little bit of revenge sometimes when people get too close. But still. Still. She's pretty sure she's had enough fun.]

These?

[Her wings relax, and one of them comes up, soft and white.]

They don't hurt as much. Not anymore-it's when there's the sudden shove against them that gives a bit of a shock.

[Hence why she's wearing something that's backless.]

So I've had fun, I suppose?

[Her manipulation of her wings suggests to Ozymandias she has developed at least adequate control over them. He cannot say for certain, but to him, it would appear that it would require a significant amount of adaptability.]

You suppose?

[He looks at her questioningly as he thinks that's something one tends to know with more certainty than that.]

It's nice to get free things. But the crowds have been...

[She sighs. It's a frustrated noise-enough to make her cat-tail lash briefly.]

I still hear everything a little too well, even with the ear plugs.

But...it is my choice to decide if this is fun or not, correct?

[Caren stop making things so complicated.]

[The lash of her tail catches his eye for a brief moment.]

You make a fair point. [He cants his head.] Would you prefer to be somewhere quieter?

I would like that, very much.

[She glances up at his face.]

You don't have to join me, if you don't wish to. You seem to draw joy from others.

[She isn't wrong. Being at the center of attention or, at the very least, the center of all this noise is something that Ozymandias not only prefers, he tends to thrive in. But he dismisses it with short laugh.]

I have been here or something similar for several hours now. A little time away is of little consequence in favor of your company.

[She blinks up at him, and her face feels warm for a few moments. Nope. NOPE, she's not going to get flattered by the fact that he decided to stay with her over the crowd. She'd never hear the end of it.

She cleared her throat, and nodded, trying to keep her expression neutral-and unaware that her tail was up and quivering in such a way that showed she was happy. So much for self composure.]

Very well. Is there any particular place you'd like to go? I can't think of any place in the city that is quieter then the other.

[Though his eyes do glance from the slight pink that's arisen in her cheeks to her tail, Ozymandias says nothing of her obvious pleasure to have his company. Such a reaction is to be expected, but she is also visibly putting in a great deal of effort to remain composed. For now, he shows her mercy.]

Let us walk and see what we can find. At worst, we may need to retreat in one of our residences.

[Thank goodness for his mercy, else she would be mortified. She's used to being a default stoic and her tail is giving her away.]

Good point. And at least at my residence, we could enjoy coffee and sweets.

[Though now...that does remind her of something.]

Though I don't think I know where you reside, currently.

[With that much settled, Ozymandias motions for her to come with him. He chooses to lead the way through the crowd. People naturally part and allow room for him to pass.]

It is not far from here. [He knows better than to wander too far from "home" right now while he's still so fresh from the infirmary.] Parts of it, however, are in need of repairs. The full moon last month took its toll on those I reside with.

[He says this with a small amount of resignation. Said needed repairs are already underway, but it digs at him to have even a portion of his home in shambles.]

[She follows him, and thanks to people parting the way, it's easy enough to follow.

And thankfully she's unaware of her tail curling into a happy question mark.]

Wait-you live in the mansion? That mansion? The one with the burst wall?

[She should have known. He couldn't spread out in a cottage, only in a mansion.]

[He has a twinge of irritation at her referring to it that way, but nods.]

It is nothing compared to my temple complex, but it serves its purpose well enough.

[When dragons are not tearing it apart.]

At least you could customize the interior somewhat to your preferences.

[She shook her head. But...huh.]

But-forgive me for my bluntness. I was surprised, realizing we're neighbors.

[There is that at least. Though he fully intends to do the same with the rest of the mansion eventually. He raises an eyebrow of surprise.]

Is that so? And which is it that you reside in?

I believe...we're a residence or two away?

The one with the ever expanding herbal garden-not the one with sunflowers. That's Lady Maria's.

Ah! [There's immediate recognition in his expression.] You are staying with Giorno Giovanna then!

Oh, no no. Giorno and I don't live together-though he is fun.

[It was fun to gossip with him when they met tbh.]

I live with Somnus.

[Fun is not exactly the first word he would assume to be used to describe Giorno. At least, not without significant time being spent with him. That she chooses that word tells him a little of the nature of their relationship.]

Somnus? [He huffs a laugh at the thought of the two of them sharing a space. He may have met Somnus only the once, but he knows someone who is overly serious when he sees them.] You get along with one another?

Surprisingly yes.

[She's seen how Somnus can be. A little dour, resting...serious face.]

It helps that we met in one of the dreams before our arrival-the one we had to go down the path where guilt made it difficult to move. It sped things along, and now we have an understanding of each other.

[She sighs.]

With most things. I still have to sneak vegetables into his meals. Particularly carrots.

[That gets him laughing again. What sort of king does not eat his vegetables? Ridiculous! Among his laughter, he manages,]

How fortunate for him then that he has you to prepare his meals!

He truly is.

[She's not laughing, but she's smiling broadly. She knows it's ridiculous.]

He would be in dire straits without me.

Quite completely, [Ozymandias agrees with a nod.] Or at least it sounds as though he has been well.

[Veggie refusal aside.]

He's been quite well, yes. There's been some adjustment for both of us-him especially.

Maybe it's just the lack of purpose? Or just lack of servants. I'm not entirely sure.

[Or just the fact he's turning into a monster, but she's not going to mention that.]

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