004 💗 One Day at a Time [Open]

[ishisstrength]

Who: Justine ishisstrength & YOU!
Where: Coven, Cottage & City.
When: August Catch All
What: General Prompts, Death & Aftermath.
Warnings: See headers.


<i. Sunbathing (NSFW)

[Justine finally feels as if she can relax now that summer has returned to its proper state of warmth.

She resumes her swimming lessons and, between work and other miscellaneous tasks, she decides to soak up as much of the heat as possible, not wanting to risk the chance of another wayward snow storm. Justine can be found either outside of her cottage or at the beach just beyond where the docs are visible, sprawled in a baby blue bathing suit that she'd made out of the lightest fabric she'd been able to find.

The blanket beneath her is soft and dry, allowing her to lay either on her back or on her stomach. More often than not, Justine removes her bathing suit to bask in the direct heat of the sun. She always has a book balanced in her palms with dark, focused, eyes follow the lines of text. Her skin is akin to porcelain and unblemished by sun or scars. Her legs stretch out on her blanket, lean and lovely and made for things that have nothing to do with locomotion. Raven hair curls over her shoulders though Justine can be found fussing with it as she pushes the silky strands out of her face or off of the back of her neck where beads of sweat begin to gather.

Justine has no sense of shame but if anyone looks uncomfortable she will put her top back on and when the heat of the sun feels too warm, she'll wave over a passerby and ask for assistance.]

Could you rub sunscreen on my back?

<ii. Lùnasa - Catwalk

[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'd been planning to pick a few things for her roommate and she feared delay, while simultaneously relishing in the soft fabric as it comes in contact with her skin.

She smiles in spite of herself, deciding that a short delay would be alright. It doesn't matter how ridiculous the clothing might be, Justine's styles are suspect, as is her history with costumes and she finds that even the most outlandish pieces of attire have their own charms.

Once fully dressed and her long hair styled to match the dress she'd been put in, 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. Some look like they wish they were anywhere else in the world but haven't been able to master the skill of teleportation.

She turns to the person nearest her and offers a warm smile.] Are you alright?

<iii. Accidents Happen (Near New Moon – Closed to SQUID)

[Feelings can be dangerous. They're confusing and if left unchecked, are filled with strife and uncertainty. It gets in the way and it is now stopping her from being happy. And she deserves to be happy. Doesn't she? This world is a second chance and she has recently realized that she wants a second chance.

Justine closes her eyes and places her palm over her chest. She listens for the beat of her heart, feeling its vibration against the palm of her hand. In a rare change, she's dressed in white with simple white lace accenting her breasts and hips. The Victorian dress is conservative and yet it manages to grab the eyes of those passing by her. Justine's midnight hair is tied back in a tight knot, displaying the lovely sweeping curves of her jaw and neck. She isn't wearing any adornments, nothing except her beauty to mark her as one of those who had so unfortunately entered this world through the mirrors.

She takes a round-about path before ending up at the doorstep of an acquaintance. Someone who can help her if she has something to offer in return. Justine isn't usually comfortable asking for these things but she doesn't know what else to do.

Her knuckles rap softly on the door and when the door opens, she speaks in a soft voice.] Thank you for meeting with me.

[She hasn't told him all of the details but Justine had contacted him before hand and has collected the items that she thinks she will need. She only hopes to whatever god rules this land that it'll work.]

<vi. To Life (Coven – Closed to Sansa)
Warnings: blood, death, sickness.

[The darkness recedes and Justine finds herself laying in a bed in the Coven's infirmary. There are runes softly glowing around her and her once white dress is stained with dark drops of maroon blood. Her hair is unbound, fanning around her slender pale shoulders in a halo of darkness. Her limbs feel weak and her head spins as the unpleasant sensation of nausea rises in her stomach.

Her hand raises to her lips as she turns to lean against the edge of the bed. Nothing happens but Justine can hear the soft scrapes of steps against the stone floor before a hand lightly pushes her back into bed.] Don't move. [The voice speaks softly as Justine is lifted by pillows and offered a thick rosemary smelling drink. She turns away but the harsh liquid is pressed against her lips until she drinks.

Her stomach settles and her eyes are finally able to focus on the area around her. Justine doesn't recognize any of the people around her except for the familiar red haired girl.] Sansa? What happened? How did I get here?

[She tries to rise again but is thwarted by another of the Coven's staff.]

I have to return home.

<v. In Sickness

[Being sick is awful.

Justine tries her best to stay in bed but she finds the activity boring without sex or something else to do. Eventually she takes to sitting by the large bay windows of her room, pointed out to face the Haven streets. Her head rests against the window frame while the soft summer breeze lazily drifts in from outside. She can taste the ocean on her tongue and wishes she had the strength to return to the beach.

It is finally summer again and she's missing it.

Sometimes she's reading but more often than not she just watches, waving at those walking by and beckoning anyone willing to keep her company while her slender broken frame regains its strength.

She has her reading and crocheting but after spending all last month focusing on those tasks, they don't hold her attention like they used too. Instead she can be seen drawing, always sitting at that same window, replicating anyone she sees passing by on the streets.]

Comments

in sickness

[plasticasshole]

[Justine is weak, and therefore Connor hasn't really been himself, either. He's never been sick before, but his body aches in a way he's unfamiliar with. Still, he wants to see Justine, so he makes his way over to hers and knocks on the door, waiting for her to answer. With him he has a bunch of red roses and a tonic he bought from a Witch who told him it would help Justine regain her strength.]

in sickness

[ishisstrength]

[There is a soft click as the door slowly opens to let Connor inside, only that Justine isn't on the other side of it. He can hear her voice; soft, sweet and exhausted, coming from somewhere above and behind him.] Come in. I'm in my room.

[She's sitting by the window and had watched him walk up to the house. She can use her magic for small things, like using a bit of wind to open the door but she isn't up to doing much else.]

[plasticasshole]

[Connor closes the door softly behind him and goes up to her, giving her a small smile as he spots her and coming closer with the roses and the tonic.]

I brought these for you. I thought they might make you feel better.

[He holds out the tonic.]

Here. The Witch I bought it from said it won't taste very good, but that altering the taste could interfere with the potency. It's supposed to make you feel a lot better.

[It hadn't been cheap, but Justine is worth it.]

iii

[fromjapan]

[The SQUIP looks her over; L is out for the evening, meaning this is the ideal time for this little meeting of theirs. Not that L is unaware-- given their Bond, he has to be-- but this seems like such a minor task, an easy way to practice more with magic, and to explore the human mind further using it.

And, even if it fails, the very fact that it's trying will do a lot to endear it to Justine.

It smiles at her, and steps back to welcome her into its home. The place is neat and tidy-- it ensured it picked up whatever mess L had left around earlier, much to its boyfriend's chagrin-- if a bit sparse, the furniture as modern as the SQUIP could manage to find, clean shapes and stark colors.]

I'm just glad to help. Come on in, my partner is out for the night.

iii

[ishisstrength]

[Justine steps inside with a gentle nod of her head.]

Thank you. [It's likely best that it's partner is out. Not that Justine would have minded the audience but this is difficult enough without her having to explain herself to someone else. Part of the reason she'd come to it is because she knows that this can stay between them.]

I have everything that we should need for the spell. [She really hopes that this works.] I thought we could use these items to focus the spell.

sorry this is late; real life has been super crazy lately

[fromjapan]

[It surveys the items she's brought, half-inclining its head thoughtfully.]

This should do, though... we may not even need it. [It smirks, holding out a hand before itself... and then curling the fingers gradually into a closed fist.] I've heard that it's common for mirrorbound Witches to experience heightened abilities during the new moon, and it seems like that may actually be true. I feel... powerful.

[And then it smiles, guiding her over to the place where it's cleared its coffee table to allow them to place any tools they may need, offering her a seat there at it.]

v

[justbeingknife]

[ At least until someone came right up to that window and leaned in. ]

What happened, Justine?

[ Not much question in what he was talking about. He had a small package in hand, and he was looking at her as if he could answer his own question simply by observing her with that dark gaze closely enough. ]

Does it hurt?

v

[ishisstrength]

[Justine closes her eyes and inhales the comforting scene of his perfume.]

A spell backfired. It was... to close to the new moon.

[She doesn't want to mention what spell she'd been trying to do but she doesn't think that Majima would have approved of not being brought into the loop.] I'm sorry. Did it... hurt you too?

[It does hurt but she's more worried about Majima and their bond.]

[justbeingknife]

[ That brief flicker in his eye was her answer, but he shook his head all the same. ]

Don't worry about it. I'm not the one who...

Do ya want to talk about it?

[ After all, she'd seemed so solemn about the idea of dying before. Having experienced it herself must have been... challenging. ]

I've also got a nice hot meal, if ya don't.

[mislike]

[Death has become almost commonplace in her life. The sight of blood isn't pleasant, but it is not the first time she has seen it. She is quiet and stands back as her friend suddenly comes back to life. The thought of the dead coming back unnerves her more, but she does not let it affect her, momentarily eying Justine as she stands.]

You were-- gone. I found you and not knowing what else to do, I brought you here.

[Sansa was no maester and not skilled enough as a healer. She had momentarily tried to stop the bleeding, but it was too great for her. Justine's blood is down her grey robes, but she doesn't seem to care. There are more important things than sullied clothes.]

Do not move quickly, please.

[ishisstrength]

[She shakes her head gently from side to side. She remembers... Squid had been helping her with a spell.... Justine lifts her fingers to her forehead as if to magically nurse the onset of a headache.]

A spell. I was- [Justine rolls to her side and waits for the room to stop spinning.] I will move slow but I must return home and...

[Panic seized her chest but Justine fought to keep herself under control.] Connor, Majima. They must have felt it. We're Bonded. [Justine tries to rise again but this time she moves move slowly, pushing away the offered hands to help and hinder her progress. She sits up straight and then stops, her head bowed forward.]

I feel so weak.

[mislike]

You can use the device to let them know you are here. Rest. For just a moment.

[She understands Justine’s need for urgentness, but not at the risk of her health.]

What happened— it was violent enough. What spell were you working on? [If she was bonded it couldn’t be from the Cwyldd. Could it?]

1 for comedy

[fieryimpulse]

[Beaches are great. Grand. She's always enjoyed them, and they remind her of important people back home. She'd met her partner Nissa, for example, on a beach. Sure it'd been during a battle, but it still counted!

Things she hadn't encountered before, though, included nude sunbathers. Chandra blanched slightly at the sight and did her best not to look, her medieval sensibilities bewildered. The question came out of nowhere, and she snapped her gaze up from the ground to look at the dark haired woman.]

You...want me to touch you, while you're nude?

YAY! I need some of that this month

[ishisstrength]

[Justine gently pushes her long dark hair over her shoulder, lifting herself enough to turn to look at Chandra while also managing to keep her chest mostly covered.]

Yes. If I don't get someone to lotion my back I'll burn and this is the only way to tan without getting lines from clothing.

[It seems perfectly natural to her.]

You can close your eyes if that helps? [Though she might end up putting lotion on the wrong part of her.]

Re: YAY! I need some of that this month

[fieryimpulse]

People...want to tan?

[So she has a bit of a natural one, and it's self inflicted, except around her eyes. Working with as much fire as she does tends to change your skin colors.]

I mean, I don't mind, but only if you're sure.

[She will probably try and not look. Justine is very pretty, and Chandra is very Medieval.]

In sickness

[oceanschild]

[Paris pokes his head in, a little bit unsure even though he's likely be assured multiple times at this point that he's welcome. He's carrying a loaf of bread, protectively tucked in his arms as he wanders over to Justine with a faint little smile.]

Um... hi... how are you feeling?

In sickness

[ishisstrength]

[Justine smiles weakly as Paris comes inside. She'd been considering offering to Bond with him though perhaps its good that he hadn't had to feel her death like Connor and Majima had... she doesn't want to hurt Paris like that.]

Better now that you're here.

I'm sorry I can't stand to greet you.

[She's feeling... weak.]

[oceanschild]

[Paris shakes his head, just walking over to her.] I-it's ok, it's better if you rest...

[He stops next to her, holding out the bread- it's a sweet nut bread, like they'd talked about her learning to bake with him. He assumed that she meant she liked that type.] I, um. Made this... I hope it's good?

In Sickness

[loadme]

[Drawn as she already was to Justine, it was easy for Monika to spot and head on over to her. Knowing where she lived, it was even easier as she let herself in and made her arrival known.]

Hi! It's me again!

In Sickness

[ishisstrength]

I'm up here.

[Her voice calls weakly from her room upstairs. Luckily it isn't a very large cottage so it isn't too difficult for Justine to call out to Monika and summon her to her bed room.

The room is wide and open with spare furniture to liter the space. There is a large plush white rug at the foot of the bed and white sheer curtains around the window seat that Justine is resting against. Around her is a mini sea of books that have been taken from the shelf on the wall closest to her. There is a comfortable looking reading chair next to her as well but Justine is more content to sit on the window sill.

There are a few knickknacks around the room: dried flowers, live flowers, jewelry littering her nightstand and a chess board that's neatly set up on a short coffee table. Over all, it's a pleasant enough room but with only small pieces of her personality.]

I'm sorry I cannot get up to great you. I'm not feeling at my best.

[She'd like to not worry Monika if possible with the whole... death... thing.]

How have you been?

[loadme]

[It's a very cozy place.

Warm and inviting... Seeing it was making Monika think she could definitely stand to decorate her own room a bit more. Maybe she could ask for ideas and tips, even! Clearly Justine knew what she was doing.

Though speaking of...]

I've been... alright. Um, you know!

One day at a time!

[And that was all she could really commit to.]

But what about you? Are you sick?

Did you catch a cold?

[Monika hurried on over to her side.]

ii

[thirdbeauty]

[Natsuru's been roped into this modeling thing once already, and now she's been talked into taking a second run at the catwalk. It not being her first time, she doesn't exactly look the most uncomfortable out of those here. But she does still seem rather awkward and nervous. She hadn't even noticed Justine there until she hears her voice, and turns to face her with a shy smile of her own.]

Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine!

[She says that, even though she's nervously fidgeting with her dress.]

I'm just... really not used to these sort of clothes...

ii

[ishisstrength]

You don't look fine.

[Her voice is delicate and sweet, like she's making a kind observation than an accusation.]

Let me help.

[Justine steps over and gently shifts the fabric into place. Once that's done she lightly brushes a stray blue hair behind Natsuru's ear.] There. You're absolutely lovely. [The fidgeting is only going to cause the fabric to shift again.]

I

[showsnopiety]

That would be a terrible idea. Not because I would unduly at with temptation.

[Indeed, Caren didn't even bat an eye to Justine's nudity. Caren herself looked far more modest in her attire, even with her small wings and surprising set of gloves on her hands. Indeed, Caren takes one off, to show Justine...

That her fingernails had darkened to dark gray and sharp.]

I'd only prick and scratch you. And that would earn me a scolding from too many people.

I

[ishisstrength]

[Justine's expression shifts when Caren shows her the new sharp claws that have taken the place of her fingers.] Oh Caren. [She pushes herself up, heedless of the fact that she's naked.]

No one would scold you.

[She gently takes her friends claw into her hands.]

I'll get someone else too but why don't you lay with me. It's relaxing.