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middaeg2019-08-09 02:13 pm
hearthebell) wrote in middaeg2019-08-09 02:13 pm
Entry tags:
I'm a Binary Code that You Cracked Long Ago [Open]
Who: L Lawliet and YOU
When: August 8- August 16
Where: Around various places; the Coven, the bakery, etc.
What: Catchall! There are a couple of open prompts and a couple of closed ones. This Witch is Bonded and taking a break from quests to continue working at Runetchers and honing his craft. Meeting new people is a headache, but arguably necessary.
Warnings: To be updated. ALSO, because L is Bonded with the SQUIP and they have a psychic connection, there's a possibility for threadjacking depending on how your talks with L go!
A. Runetchers
[L has gotten all he can out of this job, really... but his life is in a state of flux with a new Bond and the challenges that accompany Rich's arrival in Geardagas. They have a lot to deal with, and so for now, a set of familiar duties and a reliable income are boons that L isn't going to take for granted. It's a blessing, really, that he can expend his mental energy on the things that require it most.
If you're someone who has known him for a little while, whether you're a coworker or just an acquaintance, you might notice something is subtly different about him. He lives his life now like there's a guidebook behind his eyes telling him how to behave for maximum social benefit, and that's more or less the case. L, after all, is Bonded to only being in Geardagas who exists for the sole purpose of guiding humans toward social success, and neither of them have squandered opportunities for it to fulfill just that function. Little things like his improved grooming habits, clothes that fit his skinny frame more accurately, and generally more "correct" mannerisms all hint toward something being afoot.
If you're new, though, it's a chance for him to test his ability to make a first impression.]
Welcome to Runetchers... is there something I can help you find?
[He's odd, certainly staring too long and seeming a little too intense... but his effort is earnest, and the longer you talk, the more that will ease off, because there is literally someone unseen whispering tweaks and advice into his ear about how to specifically approach his encounter with you.]
B. The Bakery
[Just about every bakery in Geardagas is frequented at least weekly by the wan detective, who, in spite of his very angular and hungry appearance, takes in a fair amount of sugary food. The SQUIP discourages it, of course, encouraging him towards the kinds of nutrients and activities that could build a more impressive and masculine physique... but there are changes he isn't ready or willing to make at this point, and his diet is one of the few things in life he's taken consistent comfort in over the years. He is going to get his baker's dozen of cupcakes, in other words, whether or not the voice in his head wants him to.
In spite of being largely cooperative with his partner, there are little ways he likes to assert his independence, and this is the one that is the most immediately satisfying to him. They know him, here, but... there's an issue, and they're immediately kind of apologetic and sheepish. The cupcakes are about to sell out, and he isn't first in line. Maybe you're the one purchasing them, or just witnessing this, but either way, he seems fairly disappointed. No, it's safe to say that this is actually day-ruining for him.
"Have a nice day," the baker says in a tempered, cautious tone to the customer who purchased the last of them.
L mumbles something that sounds suspiciously like]
Because you clearly need them so much...
[And it's absolutely heard. He made sure of it.]
C. The Coven
[L is practicing spells today in the courtyard. Divination, as always, is a strong point he almost doesn't need to work on... but other branches of magic don't give him quite as much of an advantage.
Conjuration, for instance, is one that is a little bit tricky. He's only made significant headway with one spell in this branch of magic, and it sure is a random one. He sits reading, squinting at the pages to see if he missed something that explains the coffee cup full of ink sitting in front of him. A large white duck wanders around his legs, occasionally taking a blunt-beaked snap at one of the untied laces of his boots.
Whether you're just passing quietly by or you're actively approaching him, he seems a little tetchy when he jerks his head up and asks]
Yes?
[Notably, his teeth and tongue are stained dark blue.]
D. The Apartment (Backdated to just after this thread, Closed to the SQUIP)
[L slips his bare feet out of his boots, sliding them into place by the door as he drapes his jacket over the couch. Little disheveled indicators of his existence are the "human" touches in this dwelling, typically, because while he's generally a clean person, somewhat germaphobic and avoiding dirt and grime, he can be a bit sloppy in terms of organization. His way of distributing his possessions makes a great deal of sense to him, and that's what matters, even if it might be a bit of a headache for any roommate who prefers uncluttered and neat spaces.]
You're here, aren't you? It goes without saying that we need a game plan.
[He's brisk and businesslike when he speaks, going to the kitchen to root around in the freezer for ice cream, but there's a kind of manic energy to his movements. While this is certainly going to be a wrench in their goals' machinery... it's kind of exciting, in a way. It gets his blood going, and gives his intelligence and creativity a pleasurable direction to be deployed. He is famously always onboard for this kind of thing.
The ice cream hasn't turned up, yet. If it's thrown it all away, again...
He raises his voice, and it rings through the apartment that has so far been quiet.]
Trick or treat, SQUIP, I'm peckish.
E. Wildcard
[Don't see it? Want it? Hit me up via PM or on Plurk or Discord and we'll figure something better out!]
When: August 8- August 16
Where: Around various places; the Coven, the bakery, etc.
What: Catchall! There are a couple of open prompts and a couple of closed ones. This Witch is Bonded and taking a break from quests to continue working at Runetchers and honing his craft. Meeting new people is a headache, but arguably necessary.
Warnings: To be updated. ALSO, because L is Bonded with the SQUIP and they have a psychic connection, there's a possibility for threadjacking depending on how your talks with L go!
A. Runetchers
[L has gotten all he can out of this job, really... but his life is in a state of flux with a new Bond and the challenges that accompany Rich's arrival in Geardagas. They have a lot to deal with, and so for now, a set of familiar duties and a reliable income are boons that L isn't going to take for granted. It's a blessing, really, that he can expend his mental energy on the things that require it most.
If you're someone who has known him for a little while, whether you're a coworker or just an acquaintance, you might notice something is subtly different about him. He lives his life now like there's a guidebook behind his eyes telling him how to behave for maximum social benefit, and that's more or less the case. L, after all, is Bonded to only being in Geardagas who exists for the sole purpose of guiding humans toward social success, and neither of them have squandered opportunities for it to fulfill just that function. Little things like his improved grooming habits, clothes that fit his skinny frame more accurately, and generally more "correct" mannerisms all hint toward something being afoot.
If you're new, though, it's a chance for him to test his ability to make a first impression.]
Welcome to Runetchers... is there something I can help you find?
[He's odd, certainly staring too long and seeming a little too intense... but his effort is earnest, and the longer you talk, the more that will ease off, because there is literally someone unseen whispering tweaks and advice into his ear about how to specifically approach his encounter with you.]
B. The Bakery
[Just about every bakery in Geardagas is frequented at least weekly by the wan detective, who, in spite of his very angular and hungry appearance, takes in a fair amount of sugary food. The SQUIP discourages it, of course, encouraging him towards the kinds of nutrients and activities that could build a more impressive and masculine physique... but there are changes he isn't ready or willing to make at this point, and his diet is one of the few things in life he's taken consistent comfort in over the years. He is going to get his baker's dozen of cupcakes, in other words, whether or not the voice in his head wants him to.
In spite of being largely cooperative with his partner, there are little ways he likes to assert his independence, and this is the one that is the most immediately satisfying to him. They know him, here, but... there's an issue, and they're immediately kind of apologetic and sheepish. The cupcakes are about to sell out, and he isn't first in line. Maybe you're the one purchasing them, or just witnessing this, but either way, he seems fairly disappointed. No, it's safe to say that this is actually day-ruining for him.
"Have a nice day," the baker says in a tempered, cautious tone to the customer who purchased the last of them.
L mumbles something that sounds suspiciously like]
Because you clearly need them so much...
[And it's absolutely heard. He made sure of it.]
C. The Coven
[L is practicing spells today in the courtyard. Divination, as always, is a strong point he almost doesn't need to work on... but other branches of magic don't give him quite as much of an advantage.
Conjuration, for instance, is one that is a little bit tricky. He's only made significant headway with one spell in this branch of magic, and it sure is a random one. He sits reading, squinting at the pages to see if he missed something that explains the coffee cup full of ink sitting in front of him. A large white duck wanders around his legs, occasionally taking a blunt-beaked snap at one of the untied laces of his boots.
Whether you're just passing quietly by or you're actively approaching him, he seems a little tetchy when he jerks his head up and asks]
Yes?
[Notably, his teeth and tongue are stained dark blue.]
D. The Apartment (Backdated to just after this thread, Closed to the SQUIP)
[L slips his bare feet out of his boots, sliding them into place by the door as he drapes his jacket over the couch. Little disheveled indicators of his existence are the "human" touches in this dwelling, typically, because while he's generally a clean person, somewhat germaphobic and avoiding dirt and grime, he can be a bit sloppy in terms of organization. His way of distributing his possessions makes a great deal of sense to him, and that's what matters, even if it might be a bit of a headache for any roommate who prefers uncluttered and neat spaces.]
You're here, aren't you? It goes without saying that we need a game plan.
[He's brisk and businesslike when he speaks, going to the kitchen to root around in the freezer for ice cream, but there's a kind of manic energy to his movements. While this is certainly going to be a wrench in their goals' machinery... it's kind of exciting, in a way. It gets his blood going, and gives his intelligence and creativity a pleasurable direction to be deployed. He is famously always onboard for this kind of thing.
The ice cream hasn't turned up, yet. If it's thrown it all away, again...
He raises his voice, and it rings through the apartment that has so far been quiet.]
Trick or treat, SQUIP, I'm peckish.
E. Wildcard
[Don't see it? Want it? Hit me up via PM or on Plurk or Discord and we'll figure something better out!]
no subject
No reason to delay.] Let's make it today. We'd be going to the Haven--the house I'm sharing, [if knowing how long the trip would be is of any service.
And--presuming this fellow's familiar with the way--it means not having to ask for directions along it.]
D'you need to gather anything before we go?
no subject
Just a kit. The Haven's not far at all...
[And in fact, it's where he lives with the SQUIP, perhaps not far from Myr.
It doesn't take him long to inform his employers and fetch a satchel with the etching supplies in it, and he stiffly offers an arm to nudge the blindfolded customer.]
If this would be helpful...
[He'll lead, if Myr wants. In other words. He knows the general area, and he can ask for a house number when they're a bit closer.]
no subject
He waits--quite still and patient now that he's decided a course of action--for L's return and makes no fuss over taking the offered arm.] It would, thank you. We're in the cottage part of the district.
[He waits until they're out the door before asking,] Are you also mirrorbound, then?
[The natives have a different cadence to their speech, he's learned, though that's not proof against misidentification.]
no subject
Their journey back is mostly quiet, save for whenever Myr attempts to get or keep a conversation going; evidently, L is not much of one for small talk.]
Hm...? Oh... yes. I am. Can you tell just by the sound of my voice, or did something else give it away?
[He's genuinely interested; he wants to know how he can blend in better. They round a corner.]
no subject
[He's brimming over with other questions--starting somewhere around when did you last eat--as ever, but isn't deaf to social cues. Nor, really, averse to making the walk in companionable silence. But given a little bit of an opening--] Did you have magic before you came through the mirrors?
no subject
What could it give away, after all, to betray that he was without magic and is taking all possible steps to grow proficient in certain branches very rapidly?]
It's not particularly unusual here, to come from a world where magic or some equivalent is in common practice. And yourself?
[He... didn't answer the question.]
no subject
Myr flips from "casually curious" to "engaged" just like that.]
Ah--so by the doctrine of chances that's, what, three-quarters a "yes"? More than like as not? [His tone is teasing rather than prying; he respects boundaries even if he's accustomed to wiggling a toe over their edges now and again.
The Circle taught you that.]
Mine's gone; it remains to be seen what the world's going to make of me. I came with the ears, though, [because everyone native asked, and he'd grown accustomed to answering.]
no subject
Well... almost no one.
The point is really that crafting personhood is incredibly new to the detective, and even with the SQUIP's help, it's been a strange and slow process. He doesn't trust, even in small and mundane and harmless ways, because in his experience, those can be the most fatal of all.]
I would say it's more complicated than a cut-and-dried 75%.
[Another little evasion; he does not reciprocate the teasing tone, or even really seem to recognize it, though his gaze lingers for a moment on the faun, as though questioning the presence of something odd.]
You were an... elf?
[A guess, but a decently educated one. L's met Ada, after all, and a few others.]
no subject
And he probably wouldn't count it so much a loss
, and not all of that is the latent suicidality rolled into a martyrdom complex.]What's the complication, then? Trouble summing which worlds have magic and which worlds haven't?
[Because asking that isn't chasing after whatever L's evading him on, so it's fair game.]
Still am, whatever else might grow from me, [though he's heard Fauns have ears like whatever animals they're patterned after, and Maker, he doesn't...know what to think of that, of losing the most obvious mark of being one of the People.]
Turning back to what's most likely--are you human, yourself?
no subject
[Evasion can get more difficult when people are persistent. Most drop things quickly when they suspect it's not a subject one wishes to discuss, and L takes blatant and full advantage of the fact. He's also incredibly roundabout; he is unlikely to simply ask Myr to drop it, because that's like screaming that something is suspicious at the top of one's lungs in the middle of a crowded square.
He clears his throat, in a sound like an affirmation. He is, in fact, human, and always was even before coming here.]
Speaking of names... I'm sure you don't want me to call you "customer," or "elf," over the duration of this job...
[Just asking "what's your name" would be way too direct, clearly.]
no subject
Myr can take the point, even if he's being stubborn about it, and lets the subject go.
For now, anyway.]
Myrobalan Shivana, [and then a long considering beat, like he's still breaking himself of the habit of what follows,] of Hasmal's Circle of Magi.
But Myr's fine for everyday. And since I'd feel impolite calling you "shopkeep," or "human," what'm I to call you instead?
It felt wrong to just leave this hanging lol
[He actually seems awkward, even guarded, about giving a name at all. One that's definitely real and not worthy of note whatsoever, because he is in fact very ordinary and unworthy of note, himself.
Unfortunately, one of the few things L has always been straight-up shit at is being unworthy of note and ordinary. His work on Myr's runes alone should confirm that; the job goes smoothly and quickly, and the execution and effect of the etching are both striking and elegant. If anything, L actually undercharged for the quality and precision.]