ODA'S OPEN SEPTERIL SHENANIGANS AND CATCH-ALL

[notawriter]

Who: Oda Sakunosuke (notawriter) and YOU!
When: Mostly early Septeril/pre-Dorchacht espionage stuff.
Where: Mostly various places in Aefenglom city proper, visiting the Coven dorms, working odd jobs, etc.
What: Open prompts for September shenanigans and more, a catch-all log.
Warnings: Currently none, will update as necessary.

Format: Prose or brackets are GO, whichever you're comfortable with! I'll follow suit.

Handwave-y Helpers Here are some ideas for handwaving:

LUNASA

If you were around the Lunasa festival at the beginning of Aguril, you may have seen Oda dragged off to model such avant garde pieces as this lawn chair. Maybe you made some comment within earshot—even if it wasn't a nice one, Oda's easy-going enough that he wasn't offended. He wouldn't mind making casual conversation, but things could become serious if you brought up feelings about arriving in Aefenglom.

WILDER TRAINING

If you were at the training camp, you may have seen or met Oda training up his fawn abilities or being partnered up via enchanted bracelets. Oddly, he took these match-ups rather well, his only complaint more on the behalf of others than himself: no one should find themselves suddenly chained to another without permission in advance. Most would find him a passive partner who sounded calm and rational while his unwilling partners protested to the trainers. He's not a leader type, but those who warmed up to him would find him a reliable match, cooperative, capable of adapting to a variety of situations, and always putting his partner's safety before his own.

BLACK CITY DREAM

If you were in the collective dream of Dorchacht, you may have seen Oda on the downlow wandering the back streets before eventually going to the Pavilion where witches sell monsters. He later was captured when trying to free his vampire friend, Dazai. After struggling for some time, he was subject to punishment. Seeming properly subdued, he sat chained to a post with his gaze downward. But there was a darkness in his expression—not so dark as his anger but enough that he'll make someone (or several someones) pay for what they've done. If you had successfully rescued him, he'll certainly be indebted to you. (Caveat: he will not kill for anyone's cause.)

I. ODD JOBS
Oda often picks up odd jobs, from painting fences/doors/sheds, to city-wide fetch quests (please help me find my golden hair comb) and bizarre errands (help me cross the street carrying ten bags of groceries) or arbitrations (my significant other is cheating on me with my best friend!). He's not really good at that last one but will still give it a shot since he's done something like it as the lowest ranking member of the Port Mafia.

So if you see him at work painting something or cleaning up afterward or perhaps peering down at the street cracks in search of a hair comb, or feel like gawking at him as he balances multiple bags of groceries, or see him regrouping after a negotiation gone wrong, feel free to bother him as you see fit.

II. VISITATION
Oda visits the Coven dormatories sometimes, usually to check up on Emil and make sure he's properly taken care of. Like the orphans, Oda may not be able to live with Emil, but he can offer the boy help and support.

To Emil: "Ah, Emil—it's Oda. How are things going today? Anything you need to head out for?"

Anyone Oda may recognize: Oda may casually greet you and ask what you're up to.

III. HEADING HOME
Oda currently lives only with Dazai in ordinary housing in the Haven. After his long days at work, he may visit Emil before going home. Along the way, he might stop somewhere to practice some fawn magic or sit down and wait out a headache from his growing horns. If you approach from his blind spot too quietly, you might startle him a little. But as long as you aren't dangerous, he won't react badly.

"Were you looking for someone?"

If you hang around him long enough that he wants to be on his way, he may invite you to come with—he still has to buy himself some orange juice. Just in case.

IV. WILDCARD
Any other ideas? Wanna talk about things? Drop a comment here with your own prompt, or let's touch base on Plurk (artillerate) or Discord (inscrutable#0329).

Comments

III-ish

[proficience]

[Dazai, having just finished a long day at work behind the counter at the cafe, is currently passed out on a bench about halfway between said cafe and home.

The evening sun is quite uncomfortable. Unfortunately.

If he were awake, he'd notice Oda passing by!]

[notawriter]

[Luckily that bench is also along the route that Oda's taking home; otherwise, he might've easily missed his precious friend.]

Yo, Daz— [Ah, he's sleeping. Softly,] Ah, must be all worn out right now.

[Not that Oda's expecting a response.

Instead, he quietly approaches and then takes a seat beside his friend.]

I might need a moment or two myself. Got a bit of a headache...

[After settling down, he arranges Dazai to lean against him. He sits peacefully like this for some time, checking every once in a while to see if Dazai will wake. On his second check, he also moves to comb his fingers through Dazai's hair.




... He could always carry Dazai home if need be. Maybe once his headache subsides, then.]

[proficience]

[By a near-miracle of sorts, Dazai does stir awake when he senses those fingers comb through his hair. He blinks a few times, yawns, and then is able to focus on his friend.]

O-Odasaku?

[He's still pretty darn groggy when he speaks, as his voice may reflect. But he's happy to see Oda, enough to shift slightly and smile. He's still leaning against him some, but now he's able to look at his face a little better.]

I'm not sure how much longer I can keep working at the cafe. [He sighs.] The sun is fighting me.

[Glancing quickly at one of his hands, he wiggles his fingers and sighs again.]

One day, I'll fall asleep on a bench and melt! The sun will do that to me, Odasaku. I can't risk it. But --

[He turns his head to look at Oda again.]

I've been trying to save up for a few things.

[He'd comment on Oda's headache, but -- he didn't hear the comment in the first place. He'd woken up right after Oda had admitted he had one, unfortunately.]

[notawriter]

[Too selfless to care about his own troubles, Oda simply ignores his headache to focus on Dazai.]

...Sounds dangerous. Guess it's time to look into night jobs.

[Maybe Oda should do the same, for that matter.

Anyway, he gives Dazai a curious look at the mention of saving up for things.]

Why, what're you saving up for?

[Is it something Dazai needs? Oda would be more than happy to help him out even if it's unnecessary.]

III

[prayerwheel]

No. I've no one to look for.

[ She was just feeling restless and taking a walk again, as she's been doing.

Azura tilts her head at him. ]

...horns?

[ right. he said he was one of the monsters. something about a minotaur...? ]

[notawriter]

Hmm? Oh, Azura—just wandering about, then?

[He gestures an invitation to sit nearby but won't be offended if she opts not to.

At her question, Oda looks up as if he'll see the horns she's talking about. Naturally, he can't see them. Not right now, anyway—who's to say they won't grow in a way that attacks his face later?

In any case, he turns to face her.]

Yeah, I got them again during the most recent dream. [He frowns slightly.] I guess they started actually growing in during the full moon...

[prayerwheel]

[ Sure, she'll sit (and lay her lance on the ground next to her, because carrying it around is a force of habit by now, even though it's pretty much just a walking stick to a witch). ]

Something like that. [ she suspects the cause of the restlessness, but she's not sharing yet. ]

They don't...hurt, do they? Something popping out of your skull?

[notawriter]

[Watching as she does so, he takes some time to really study the appearance of the lance as she sets it down. Not for any particular reason, though.]

They don't always, but it's not very pleasant when they do.

[Do actual animals with horns or antlers feel pain when those things grow in? Maybe not, since those things are a natural part of them, so it might not hurt so much if Oda were originally a bull of some sort rather than a human.]

Doesn't look that you're changing any, but are you experiencing any changes?

III

[clothes]

[ bold of oda to assume he lives alone with dazai.

akutagawa has slowly but surely been sneaking into their home every now and then, just to leave things or organize things here and there-- at least, that's how it was at first.

now, though, it seems akutagawa is becoming less and less discrete about his presence, because next time oda comes home, he'll find a few things here and there straightened out, and akutagawa in the kitchen fussing a pot on the stove.

huh. ]

[notawriter]

[It did seem strange to find little things tidied up here and there when Dazai wasn't really the sort to clean up. Not to say Oda and Dazai are particularly messy, but their home can comfortably house five people. It's a big place to take care of if only one person does most if not all of the housework.

Even though Oda's spoken to Dazai about having Akutagawa move in with them, it looks like Dazai's teaching methods are still as harsh as ever.

Even before reaching the door, Oda notices something a bit off. He's more cautious than usual when entering the house, taking cover and checking all ambush points as soon as he pushes the door open...

Clear. No threat in his immediate vicinity, but Oda can hear something in the kitchen. Clinging to the wall for cover, he makes his way to the kitchen to find—]

—Akutagawa. [While somewhat relieved, Oda still remains on guard. He may not really mind it, but he's already quite used to the other man's open hostility.]

I see you've let yourself in. I hope Dazai's changed his mind about you staying with us.

[clothes]

[ akutagawa does indeed hear the door opening, but that's mostly it-- oda is far too stealthy and silent to be detected when akutagawa isn't on high alert. it's a bit of a shame, actually; akutagawa worries his senses may be dulling, but there's little that can be done about that. asking dazai to spar with him would be like taking 3 adderall at once, aka probably trigger a psychotic panic attack or something horrid like that who knows, and akutagawa would rather slam his hand into the pot in front of him than so much as touch oda. no thanks!!!

anyway

upon hearing his name, akutagawa looks in the direction of the source of noise, his brow quirked as if oda was the one who suddenly appeared in his house. if akutagawa has his way, that's what the situation will slowly turn into, but no one needs to know that right now... ]

Oda-san. You usually come home much later than this. Interesting.

[ his tone is idle, denoting that this situation is not actually all that interesting. akutagawa returns to fussing the pot of...it smells like blood? yikes. ]

Yes, I have let myself in-- once again, as I'm sure you've noticed. You and Dazai-san need to do a better job at keeping your home stocked with supplies.

[ they ran out of toilet paper like ONE time, chill akutagawa ]

[notawriter]

Didn't realize I was stocking for three, but I'll buy a little extra from now on. If you haven't settled for one of the vacant rooms yet, feel free to do so.

[Oda casually shrugs his jacket off while speaking and lays it over the back of a chair before removing his gun holster vest as well. Seeing that Akutagawa doesn't mind his interruption sets Oda to some degree of ease. And that's despite the fact Akutagawa's cooking blood going the pungently sweet but gross coppery scent in the room.]

Does Dazai like having it cooked, or is that a little something for the both of you? [What would Oda know of it? After all, he's only had Dazai feed directly from him until now.

In any case, Oda places a couple covered cups of orange juice on the table. Maybe he should buy a proper carton of it next time...]

1 (Sorry for the lateness!)

[hisui]

[Nagare was perhaps too young when he started to live in seclusion, observing life outside through a small screen. A single month in Aefenglom was enough to teach him that observing life and living out in the streets are completely distinctive experiences. Outside, one can not only observe, but also experience so many new and curious situations.

Like the man engrossed in the task of carrying several heavy bags of groceries all by himself, seemingly out of his own free will. Because unlike Dorchacht, there is no slavery in Aefenglom. Nagare stops to observe the man struggling to walk with the bags for a short moment.

What makes it hard to look away isn't the absurdity of the sight. It's the sensation of having seen this man before.

It's when he catches sight of the tiny horns protruding from the reddish brown hair that he remembers. The sight of this man and his vampire friend - with whom he was briefly acquainted - surrounded by a group of overbearing witches. The group was clearly having the time of their lives harassing the two monsters - men, depriving the pair of their freedom and ordering them around.

Although Nagare cooperated with the resistance group that sought to free the monsters being held captive, it wasn't as if he could act heedlessly. When he spotted the duo, guarded by their harassers, there was little he could do, lest the possibility of inviting worse outcome. Shortly after that, the chance to act showed itself, but the vampire was by himself - forced into his transformed shape. His faun friend was nowhere to be seen.

Observing the man occupying himself with this trivial errand almost makes the strange occurrences they all went through during that dream seem nothing more than a harmless nightmare. If only it hadn't been already confirmed otherwise, by the very people from Aefenglom's Coven.

Unsure if the man would appreciate some uninvited help, he opts for approaching the taller form (somewhere in the middle of all the grocery bags) instead.]

Excuse me. Would you like some help?

[Even if his complexion looks almost as sickly as the man's vampire friend and rather unreliable, his tone sounds serious.]

[notawriter]

[Oda peers over the tops of bags toward the voice and just barely sees the shorter man.]

Ah, sure. If you could grab a couple, it'd be a big help. [He pauses, giving the other man an opportunity to take however much of the load he sees fit.] I can split some of the pay for you in return.

[Once they've shifted things into order,] We're headed across the river, to the eastern residential district. Probably should be... hmm, I don't remember exactly how long it'll take.

[Said with a bit of a shrug, but he seems appreciative of the help. As they get moving along,]

By the way, I don't believe we've met before. I'm Oda.

[hisui]

[The bags end up being heavier than Nagare expected, making the idea of shrinking the bags through magic a little tempting. It would make the task a lot easier, but it would also take the novelty from it. Besides, if anything went wrong and they ended up permanently damaging any of the bags in the process, this man might not get his pay in the end... Maybe it's best to just stick to lending a hand the conventional (and literal) way.]

I appreciate the consideration, but there is no need for that. I have my own reasons for helping you.

[The scene he saw in that dream piqued his interest to try and talk to the man. The money doesn't really interest him.

While it indeed is the first time they're interacting, he has heard a thing or two about him from Dazai.]

It is a pleasure to meet you, Oda. I am Nagare Hisui. I have heard about you from Dazai.

[notawriter]

[Even for a simple task as this one, Oda feels indebted to the other man for his assistance. So hearing Nagare has some motive for helping is somewhat relieving.]

The pleasure's mine.

[Sounds like Dazai's been really chatty about Oda recently, but... There isn't anything particularly spectacular about Oda that's worth talking about, right? Maybe that's just the way Oda sees it.]

Though, sorry—I can't say I've heard about you before now. What have you heard about me, exactly?

[Hopefully that'll give Oda more of an idea of how he can repay this debt.]

III.

[silentsavant]

He hadn't meant to surprise him. He'd only been drawn in by the pair of horns jutting out from a nest of earth-colored hair, two aspects that have been in the back of his mind. Looking at him now, he remembers Dazai's description and, in spite of having seen brown hair and horns before and wondering the same thing, feels more than ever that the man looking at him now is different from the other fauns he'd asked before.

Soren himself owns a pair of small horns, only about the size of a small goat's. More notably are the pair of red and black dragon's wings folded behind his back. Besides that, he's already got elfish ears and striking reptilian eyes. He looks rather taken off-guard, as though he'd been jolted awake. After a pause, he settles into ready conversation.

Were you looking for someone? That's a loaded question for him. Especially given the context of who he's speaking to and who was looking for him. And Soren really is looking for someone. Constantly. Achingly.

"No, but..." He shakes his head. "Well, in a way. Apologies for the abruptness of such a question, but you wouldn't happen to be... Odasaku, I believe it was."

[notawriter]

Last month's training in the Wilde was pretty informative, but it still might be a while before Oda gets used to his magic as a fawn. Making things grow takes some degree of actual concentration, whereas his abilities prior to arriving in Aefenglom were reactive toward any threat to Oda's person. Maybe there's a way to train up his fawn magic to work similarly, and what better way to find out than to actually use it?

So Oda was quite focused on growing a little patch of clovers when he heard something approaching from somewhere behind him. Though he didn't think he was in any danger, he didn't know whether he should confront or ignore whatever or whoever it was. Somewhat alarmed, Oda soon broke his concentration and turned to see a person. With horns. And not a cape—those are wings, aren't they? And pointed ears. And extremely stunning eyes.

"Seems like you know Dazai," Oda comments, patting dust and dirt from his hands as he rises. "But that's me—I'm Oda."

His expression is neutral as he regards and studies the other man. Dazai must've described Oda to this man for some reason.

"And you are...? Is there something I can help you with?"

[silentsavant]

This is the man that Dazai person cherishes, the one who has emerged from beyond a fate well-feared for its dark permanence. Oda's already pieced together why Soren asks for his name. But when questioned if there's something he can help him with, he's thrown slightly off his guard, though not notably. His eyes sink to the fresh patch of clovers nurtured by magic in his uncertainty as to just what he really desires out of this interaction.

"...My name is Soren. It is... nice to meet you." Of course, he's always looking for someone, but it seems rude and out-of-place to approach him with such a request up front when his original motivation had been mere curiosity with regards to his identity. Now that he knows, he's not quite sure what he wants to say to the other man. But he can be upfront about what drove him. "As you have concluded, I met your friend. It was during the dream we all shared of that oppressive city. He was searching for you. Of course, he's probably already found you since then, so my finding you now serves no purpose. I was curious. That is all."

500 years later sob

[petrifying]

<sub>[Odasaku's visits are something Emil genuinely looks forward to, especially since his days aren't exactly that eventful. Well, okay, perhaps that isn't exactly the right way to phrase it, but they are somewhat lonely. While he does talk to his classmates and those who help him get settled Emil is otherwise alone and spends much of his time that way. Either he can be found in his room or in one of the rooms at the Coven that holds a piano inside - he doesn't go out much.

To put it simply, it's nice to have a visitor once in awhile. So when Oda comes by to check on him he's sunny faced and pretty cheery.]</sub>

Oh, things are okay! I'm not really sure if there's anything I need but...it's always nice to go out? How have you been?

[notawriter]

[Emil seemed much like the orphans from the very start. Although they can never be replaced, that isn't to say there can't be any new additions. And while Oda hasn't invited Emil to live with him and Dazai—nor does he have the knowledge that Dazai will do so at some point—Oda's certainly made it a point to take care of the boy.]

I've been fine. Hopefully it's been the same for you? [Upon entering, he gives Emil's place a quick once-over to see if anything needs tidying up.]

Anywhere specific you want to go today, or should we just wander around?

[If it's the latter, maybe they can explore some new territory. At their own pace, of course.]

[petrifying]

Mm, yeah. I've been okay.

_{[Even if he hadn't been okay, it's not something he's going to fully divulge. The last thing he wants to do is make Oda worry about him. Sure, things have been a bit tough to adjust to, but he's doing his best! So, he's okay. Better than how he was when he arrived, at least.]}

I don't have anywhere specific in mind but...maybe we can go to a place that you're fond of here?

_{[It's a good way to learn something new about the man who seems to have taken him under his wing.]}

I. Odd Jobs sorta wildcard!

[sing_for_me]

[ Oda wasn't the only one who took on a fence painting job. While they may have not met yet, one didn't really need to know another all that well when it came to this kind of task, now did they?

They started on opposite sides of the fence, moving closer and closer towards each other as the time passed, and they were almost done, now squatting next to each other as they made it towards the finish line. It was going pretty well, and if Alex was honest, the up and down motion of the brush was somewhat calming.

At least until a bug that looked like a cockroach crawled out between the cracks of the fence, causing Alex to scream and swing her brush back, swiping against the side of Oda's face. But she doesn't notice as she refuses to look away from the foul creature, scrambling behind Oda and clinging to the back of his clothes. ]

Oh god oh god is it a cockroach?!

[ Despite where she has lived, roaches were the one thing she couldn't stand. ]

[notawriter]

[The person requesting their services had introduced them at the start of the job, so they at least learned each other's names early on. But they couldn't really talk to each other when starting work on opposite ends of the fence. A comfortable silence had come over them by the time they were close enough to converse, and Alex looked pretty absorbed in their task, which is quite peaceful and relaxing.

Until Alex suddenly swings her brush at Oda's face, startling him for a split second before he reflexively puts his arms out in front of her. He turns and peers past the swath of paint on his face and sees...

It looks unbelievably similar to a cockroach but can just as easily be a simple waterbug. Or an Aefenglom variant thereof?]

I—I don't know.

[But Alex is clinging to his shirt as if in mortal danger, so Oda obviously should do something about this situation.]

...Stay back. [He warns, but it's unclear whether he's talking to Alex or the offending insect skittering by the fence. But he's barely finished speaking when the bug suddenly spreads its wings and prepares for takeoff.]

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex wasn’t going to take any chances, especially not when satan incarnate decides to spread its wings and seemingly take Oda’s challenge head on. ]

Oh god no—

[ They were menaces on the ground, but the ones that flew? Those were just plain malicious. The buzz of its wings grew louder as they flap rapidly, threatening like the cocking of a gun as it takes off. Alex pulls Oda backwards as she attempts to lean away, closing her eyes to whatever the wretched creature might do. This was it. This was how they were going to die. ]