Momiji Sohma (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
selfishwish) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
middaeg2019-09-09 11:48 am
selfishwish) wrote in middaeg2019-09-09 11:48 am
Entry tags:
[OPEN] AEFENGLOM: Too broke to play around like the soldiers do
Who: Momiji and anyone still in Aefenglom!
When: Septeril 8 - 15
Where: Aefenglom, at various locations around the Shopping & Residential Districts
What: After accidentally contracting a significant amount of debt last month, Momiji puts himself to work.
Warnings: N/A; will update as needed.
Aefenglom was just full of new experiences, Momiji was finding, and the latest and most mundanely unpleasant of these was debt.
By his own calculations, scribbled in the back of the diary beneath his pillow at Kyo's apartment, he began the month of Septeril still owing 34,542 cunes--to be paid exclusively to the order of one local apothecary, after an unfortunate adventure in transformation and quasi-shoplifting. The shop's proprietress had been kind enough when he'd appeared to plead his case, hat in hand, the week after, but only to the point of letting him off without interest if he paid by the month's close. (For some unfathomable reason, she hadn't been eager to let the puca boy who'd already taken to nibbling her wares work off what he owed in-house.)
So, come the first day of the month, he makes the rounds in the Shopping District, following wanted ads and word of mouth. And though the results are a patchwork, by the end of the week there is a sort of routine:
1. The Snapped String
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays have him at The Snapped String until mid-afternoon, fiddling in several senses of the word. The work itself, tragically, is boring. One of the shop-attendants hunches over some stringed instrument--because he can fake having a handle, at least, on anything big enough to fit in his arms--and tightens and loosens it here and there, until he's allowed to play through a range of notes. And then the attendant stops him and corrects some small mistake, and Momiji turns his head and yaaawns.
But: Often enough, there are customers in too much of a hurry to wait to have their lutes or violas or what-have-you tuned while they observe. And when there are boarder instruments of that sort, there are toys that a rabbit can filch while waiting between customers. It would be rude to call it "slacking off"--he's getting paid to play them, anyway, and the music has to be good atmosphere for the shop!
The best days are when someone leaves a violin (or anything close enough to double as such). No sooner is the String's attendant done seeing to it and the client's back turned than Momiji sneaks 'round to claim it and plant himself in his favorite seat by the shop entrance and be a horrible little show-off. He's just making sure it gets a...thorough testing before it goes back.
Even better if there are potential ensemblemates to be recruited! Anyone else trying to make it through the workday at the String will quickly become familiar with Momiji's eager suggestions that this would be much more fun if they just tested a bunch of the instruments together! It doesn't really matter if the other party doesn't actually play the instrument in question or that they might come from worlds with completely different musical traditions. Surely they can figure something out!
He will not be dissuaded, at least not without pouting for the entire rest of his shift.
2. Victorious Secret
The rest of the workweek, Momiji starts the day off early at another local apothecary, where tasting the stock is actually encouraged and compensated, thank you very much.
Between that and the fact that the job is one step removed from dress-up, plus involves romping around in pajamas all-day, the young puca is quite certain he's found his true calling in Aefenglom. Admittedly, he's not the best fit for some of the more...sheer-cut spells the shop has on offer. But the resident alchemists are good about picking out display samples for him that fall more into the "cutesy nightgown" or "shorts and sleepshirt" or occasional "pajamas with feet" categories than anything else. And if they occasionally come with a little more lace or a higher hem than one would normally go about in public in, Momiji doesn't seem to notice.
Indeed, he's perfectly happy to help out greeting customers and fellow test subjects once the business-day has gotten into swing, scurrying over to introduce himself and help them find whatever tincture they're looking to try on for the day!
It's the oddest thing, though: By the end of the week, anyone looking close might notice that, occasionally, a potion changes more than the Rabbit's outfit. A particular nightie doesn't quite suit his coloration, and a half-second later he's a little more of a strawberry-blond than he was a moment prior. Or the sizing is a little off, and--wait, nevermind. Though, wasn't he a couple inches shorter, before?
It can be a tiny bit disconcerting, not least of all because Momiji himself doesn't seem to notice. And the changes bleed back out of reality almost as soon as they come, so that it could always be the light playing tricks, at least most of the time...
3. Particularly Good Finders
Then, after his day-job comes to a close each afternoon, Momiji heads for the friendly neighborhood puca-detective outfit. It's a close second to the Secret for his favorite new spot: The puca staff are spectacularly disorganized, and he's never entirely sure if anything sitting out on any given desk is a clue or part of a case file or lunch. But they're always very eager to gossip about their latest leads, and Momiji is a little bit in awe of each of the detectives. He hasn't met many of his own kind (or at least his new kind) around Aefenglom just yet, and it's a refreshing change.
But as for the job: They send him packing back out into the street with a small sheaf of thin files, each with names and addresses of potential clients or tipsters. Well--there are names and addresses, if he's lucky. Occasionally, there's just a clipped-on note with a description of someone who stopped by the agency to make inquiries--or, sometimes, just an unflattering doodle by whoever greeted them, attached to a brief description of where they'd said they could be found.
His task is to follow-up where information is still missing, to confirm where there's a real case (or, failing that, an interesting distraction) to be had. Nine out of ten, estimating generously, are dead ends, when he can even find the person he's supposed to be talking to. But, as a result, he can be found tromping all around the city until the sun begins to set, arms usually full of papers. He may stop to ask you directions. Or just as likely, whether you've seen (e.g.) a dragon around here lately who has some kind of nose wart--no, wait, maybe that's just his nose--and also bright blue scales, and he's rude and his breath kind of smells like eggs?
Or, you can catch him turning back in at the agency once his evening hunt is done, just before supper. By then, even Momiji's energy is run down, and he drags himself out of the shop like he might curl up on any nearby flat service for a nap. It's fun for a lark, but he really doesn't know how Tohru (and, well, basically everyone else) does this whole "work" thing every single day, back home...!
4. [Catch-All]
[Feel free to catch Momiji anywhere else around the city, for ideas that don't fit well within any of the above prompts. Also, N.B. that bracket-style tags are perfectly welcome and lovely, as well!]
When: Septeril 8 - 15
Where: Aefenglom, at various locations around the Shopping & Residential Districts
What: After accidentally contracting a significant amount of debt last month, Momiji puts himself to work.
Warnings: N/A; will update as needed.
Aefenglom was just full of new experiences, Momiji was finding, and the latest and most mundanely unpleasant of these was debt.
By his own calculations, scribbled in the back of the diary beneath his pillow at Kyo's apartment, he began the month of Septeril still owing 34,542 cunes--to be paid exclusively to the order of one local apothecary, after an unfortunate adventure in transformation and quasi-shoplifting. The shop's proprietress had been kind enough when he'd appeared to plead his case, hat in hand, the week after, but only to the point of letting him off without interest if he paid by the month's close. (For some unfathomable reason, she hadn't been eager to let the puca boy who'd already taken to nibbling her wares work off what he owed in-house.)
So, come the first day of the month, he makes the rounds in the Shopping District, following wanted ads and word of mouth. And though the results are a patchwork, by the end of the week there is a sort of routine:
1. The Snapped String
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays have him at The Snapped String until mid-afternoon, fiddling in several senses of the word. The work itself, tragically, is boring. One of the shop-attendants hunches over some stringed instrument--because he can fake having a handle, at least, on anything big enough to fit in his arms--and tightens and loosens it here and there, until he's allowed to play through a range of notes. And then the attendant stops him and corrects some small mistake, and Momiji turns his head and yaaawns.
But: Often enough, there are customers in too much of a hurry to wait to have their lutes or violas or what-have-you tuned while they observe. And when there are boarder instruments of that sort, there are toys that a rabbit can filch while waiting between customers. It would be rude to call it "slacking off"--he's getting paid to play them, anyway, and the music has to be good atmosphere for the shop!
The best days are when someone leaves a violin (or anything close enough to double as such). No sooner is the String's attendant done seeing to it and the client's back turned than Momiji sneaks 'round to claim it and plant himself in his favorite seat by the shop entrance and be a horrible little show-off. He's just making sure it gets a...thorough testing before it goes back.
Even better if there are potential ensemblemates to be recruited! Anyone else trying to make it through the workday at the String will quickly become familiar with Momiji's eager suggestions that this would be much more fun if they just tested a bunch of the instruments together! It doesn't really matter if the other party doesn't actually play the instrument in question or that they might come from worlds with completely different musical traditions. Surely they can figure something out!
He will not be dissuaded, at least not without pouting for the entire rest of his shift.
2. Victorious Secret
The rest of the workweek, Momiji starts the day off early at another local apothecary, where tasting the stock is actually encouraged and compensated, thank you very much.
Between that and the fact that the job is one step removed from dress-up, plus involves romping around in pajamas all-day, the young puca is quite certain he's found his true calling in Aefenglom. Admittedly, he's not the best fit for some of the more...sheer-cut spells the shop has on offer. But the resident alchemists are good about picking out display samples for him that fall more into the "cutesy nightgown" or "shorts and sleepshirt" or occasional "pajamas with feet" categories than anything else. And if they occasionally come with a little more lace or a higher hem than one would normally go about in public in, Momiji doesn't seem to notice.
Indeed, he's perfectly happy to help out greeting customers and fellow test subjects once the business-day has gotten into swing, scurrying over to introduce himself and help them find whatever tincture they're looking to try on for the day!
It's the oddest thing, though: By the end of the week, anyone looking close might notice that, occasionally, a potion changes more than the Rabbit's outfit. A particular nightie doesn't quite suit his coloration, and a half-second later he's a little more of a strawberry-blond than he was a moment prior. Or the sizing is a little off, and--wait, nevermind. Though, wasn't he a couple inches shorter, before?
It can be a tiny bit disconcerting, not least of all because Momiji himself doesn't seem to notice. And the changes bleed back out of reality almost as soon as they come, so that it could always be the light playing tricks, at least most of the time...
3. Particularly Good Finders
Then, after his day-job comes to a close each afternoon, Momiji heads for the friendly neighborhood puca-detective outfit. It's a close second to the Secret for his favorite new spot: The puca staff are spectacularly disorganized, and he's never entirely sure if anything sitting out on any given desk is a clue or part of a case file or lunch. But they're always very eager to gossip about their latest leads, and Momiji is a little bit in awe of each of the detectives. He hasn't met many of his own kind (or at least his new kind) around Aefenglom just yet, and it's a refreshing change.
But as for the job: They send him packing back out into the street with a small sheaf of thin files, each with names and addresses of potential clients or tipsters. Well--there are names and addresses, if he's lucky. Occasionally, there's just a clipped-on note with a description of someone who stopped by the agency to make inquiries--or, sometimes, just an unflattering doodle by whoever greeted them, attached to a brief description of where they'd said they could be found.
His task is to follow-up where information is still missing, to confirm where there's a real case (or, failing that, an interesting distraction) to be had. Nine out of ten, estimating generously, are dead ends, when he can even find the person he's supposed to be talking to. But, as a result, he can be found tromping all around the city until the sun begins to set, arms usually full of papers. He may stop to ask you directions. Or just as likely, whether you've seen (e.g.) a dragon around here lately who has some kind of nose wart--no, wait, maybe that's just his nose--and also bright blue scales, and he's rude and his breath kind of smells like eggs?
Or, you can catch him turning back in at the agency once his evening hunt is done, just before supper. By then, even Momiji's energy is run down, and he drags himself out of the shop like he might curl up on any nearby flat service for a nap. It's fun for a lark, but he really doesn't know how Tohru (and, well, basically everyone else) does this whole "work" thing every single day, back home...!
4. [Catch-All]
[Feel free to catch Momiji anywhere else around the city, for ideas that don't fit well within any of the above prompts. Also, N.B. that bracket-style tags are perfectly welcome and lovely, as well!]
no subject
[This particular assignment was just starting to frustrate Momiji, but the familiar face perks him right back up, and he grins.]
It's for work. I joined a detective agency! [Small pause for dramatic effect.] ...as a part-time administrative assistant.
So-o, I'm supposed to find this dragon and ask if he still wanted their help, but no one around here's seen him so far! And they didn't 'xactly give me an address to go to...
[Indeed, the file Fionn plucks up to skim is singularly unhelpful. There's a hasty, unkind sketch of the would-be client in blue ink, making him look somehow both borderline feral and rather dopey all at once. There's really no telling what was supposed to be going on with the nose thing, either.
The notes scribbled alongside report briefly that the figure pictured had inquired about some unspecified missing property just over a week prior and mentioned working odd jobs around the part of the Shopping District Momiji's making inquiries in--a less-vibrant section, nearer to the Harbor. Unfortunately, by the sound of it, the initial interview was derailed when the client grew agitated, and the puca who'd done the intake became very convinced he was going to be eaten.]
It's prob'ly just a dead-end, but it's my last one for today, so...
no subject
[Fionn skims the paper before handing it back. It's not a lot to go on. Still... it's intriguing.
Or possibly Fionn is just bored.]
Well, surely someone here must know something about him.
[He takes a moment to glance around at the immediate area. A seedy tavern, several fishmongers, a blacksmith's shop, and a questionable apothecary...]
Let's try the blacksmith first. If you're hiring dragons for odd jobs, there's a good chance it's a job that requires strength.
[And he's just... heading that way. Because obviously this is totally his business.]
no subject
[The former gets a little tiresome at times, admittedly, but he's pretty great at the second one!]
Mn, you'd think they would! [He's not expecting Fionn to pivot directly from that to jumping into his quest, but when he does the Rabbit only quirks his head in surprise and then scampers to catch up. It'll be less boring, making the last of his round with someone to talk to, anyway, and the detectives wouldn't mind him having someone else pitch in, right?]
Oh, okay! That makes sense--let's see!
[He darts ahead to open the door into the smith's shopfront and let Fionn in first. Inside, the place is somewhat sweltering from the forge set off in the back of the building, and what look like two (human) apprentices are still hard at work, one with hammer in hand. But it's gotten late enough that there are no actual customers around--too late for starting on any new orders, most likely. So, their entrance draws immediate, blunt acknowledgment from the (bald, burly, and amply bearded) smith observing his helpers:
"Aye?"]
no subject
Good afternoon! My young friend and I were hoping you might help us out with a little problem we have.
[The man is already shaking his head. "No time to take any new jobs. Try back in a week."
But Fionn just waves a hand as if to brush aside such concerns.]
No, no. Nothing like that. We're looking for someone actually. A dragon. We've heard that he may have taken on some odd jobs for you in the past.
["Dragon?" The man frowns, immediately on guard. "Why? What's he done?"
Fionn shrugs casually and gestures to the Puca next to him.]
Oh, I haven't the faintest idea. Momiji here is the detective. But we do have a picture.
[He says as though that sketch would help anyone ever.]
no subject
[Momiji eagerly bounds along just a half-step behind, and, when Fionn mentions the picture, he hops forward to offer it up to the blacksmith. (Fionn referring to him as "the detective" makes him brighten several shades from "cheery" to "positively radiant.")]
I'm with Particularly Good Finders, and he came by our office asking for help? So, we just wanted to see if he'd been by recently--that's him, right?
[The smith stares down at the doodle for a moment, scoffs, and then presses it back into Momiji's hand. There's obvious recognition, at least, but also an immediate, guarded look.
"Aye, that's Suileach. Used to pay him to help haul in coal and steel or pitch in with tempering--with that frost breath of his. Haven't let him around in here in ages, though."]
...oh. [Momiji frowns. The dragon had definitely been by Finders before then, so--] Is it okay if we ask why not?
["Wasn't safe to have indoors," the smith huffs bluntly. "Always had a temper, but he started picking fights with the lads every time he'd come in, snapping at ya over nothing. Ended up freezing the damn forge solid, one time--figured he was getting the Cwyld, like as not."
"They turn fast, dragons."]
...oh. [Momiji's radiance has quickly started to dim. Whether the smith is right or not, that's not a promising start to their search...] Um, do you know where he works now, instead?
["I wouldn't know about work--think Florian down the street let him take the back room in his place, though. Alchemist's shop, down on the corner over that way."]
no subject
[He ponders that for a moment. Fionn can think of a few reasons an alchemist might want to help out a dragon, so it's definitely a good lead.]
Thank you, we'll try there next.
[Before he leaves though, he takes a quick glance at some of the weapons hanging on the wall.]
Hmm... quite good work. I may return after all. A week, you said?
[The man is surprised at the shift in conversation and the compliment, but gruffly admits Fionn has 'a good eye' and confirms that yes, he could safely take a new commission in about a week.
With that, Fionn turns back to Momiji.]
Well, we didn't find him, but I think this is a promising lead. Shall we see what the alchemist has to say?
no subject
[Still, Momiji's enthusiasm is a little more restrained as they hit the street again and head for the corner store. Like many of the shops in this corner of town, it's plainly seen better days, but the sign above the door is well-kept: Etchings of vines and leaves ring its mouthful of a name, "Florian's Fine Flora & Philters."
As advertised, the inside of the shop is ringed with displays of plants and flowers, some fresh cut or dried and some overgrowing their pots or trellising up walls and shelving. An older Witch with silver hair and a wispy mustache sits behind a counter laden with the shop's actual alchemical equipment.]
'Scuse us! [Momiji chirps, hurrying over and holding out the dragon's picture once again.] I'm with Particularly Good Finders. Do you know if this dragon was staying here recently?
[The Witch had barely looked up in their direction when they entered, and at first the stare he turns on Momiji is dull. The moment he spots the doodle thrust under his nose, however, his eyes widen.
"Is that Suileach? Have you seen him?" Before the puca can answer, the lean man has reached across the counter to seize him by the collar, voice rising, accusatory and a touch desperate: "Who's looking for him?"]
no subject
I think we can be civil, don't you? We certainly don't want any trouble.
[The alchemist looks from the hand grasping his wrist in an iron grip to the spear strapped to Fionn's back and decides that it's... probably not worth it.
"S-sorry. I meant nothing by it. Just, um, worried about a friend. You understand."
Fionn releases him, and the old man leans back, trying not to look nervous and failing miserably.]
Of course I understand. Now, perhaps you might tell us about your dear friend Suileach?
no subject
He gives a little sigh of relief when Fionn manages to defuse the situation.]
We're not looking for him for anybody, mister. He came by the agency maybe a week-and-a-half ago?
["He... he must have come asking about the eggs," Florian murmurs.
"Suileach's stayed with me since he came here from the Outer City. He doesn't take quickly to humans or Witches, but he's kind and loyal. And, two months past, we--" The man frowns fitfully, then corrects: "He laid a pair of dragon eggs. Live dragon's eggs. You understand, you could likely count the number of live dragon births in the city each year on one hand, now, with digits to spare."
"You can imagine how protective he was of them. Could barely stand to let me have customers in the shop, after. I tried to convince him that they were safe, that he was being paranoid--and then, one evening, I coaxed him out for not more than an hour, just for dinner. When we got back, the front lock was undone, the door to his room smashed off its hinges... They'd disturbed my equipment and some of my stores, but the only things they took were the eggs."]
Oh no-- did... did he find who took them?
["He looked. He's done little else, since; he wouldn't hear of going to the authorities. And then--a week past, he stopped coming home entirely. I thought perhaps he only needed time to himself, at first, but now..."]
no subject
It also catches his attention that they unlocked the front door but smashed the door to his room. That's odd.]
Did you tell anyone else about the eggs?
["Only a few close friends. But I can't believe any of them would.... No, they would never..." He reaches up a hand to rub his forehead. This is clearly weighing heavily on the man, and Fionn can't help being a tiny bit sympathetic.]
Do you have any other employees?
[Florian shakes his head and waves a hand dismissively. "An apprentice. Eliot. But he's just a kid."
Fionn frowns. Someone took those eggs. Someone who knew they existed, knew where they were, and knew when the two of them would be out. This looks... not good. He looks down at Momiji and nods back toward the front of the store.]
Momiji... a word?
[He's curious to know what the young lad's thoughts are before stating his conclusions.]
no subject
Oh--right. [He blinks up at Fionn at that request but then returns the nod.] Um, sorry, mister. We'll just be one second!
[With that, he slinks back over towards the entrance, shoulders slumped nervously.]
...do you think somebody they know would've taken them? That's like kidnapping someone's babies. And--if the dragon-guy ["Suileach" is hard to pronounce!] found them and hasn't come back...
But it he didn't he could just be somewhere else and missing, too!
[You may be shocked to learn that the Finders have not given him any lessons about keeping a cool head or maintaining professional detachment, thus far.]
no subject
[If there's one thing Fionn really, really cannot abide, it's betrayal. This started as a way to kill an evening, but now he's getting to the bottom of it, one way or another.]
Whoever took the eggs knew the eggs existed, where they were kept, and when the shop would be empty.
[The power of the salmon may be gone, yet old habits die hard and Fionn is worrying the tip of his thumb with his teeth as he thinks. He doesn't even realize he's doing it, but it is helping him focus. After a moment, he continues.]
And why was the front door unlocked, and yet the door to his room smashed?
[Also: cool head? Professional detachment? What are those?]
no subject
It doesn't have to mean that. They could've just picked the front lock 'cause somebody might notice if they knocked that one in, out on the street. They'd just have to know about the eggs...
[But that means that anyone who might have heard in passing could be a suspect, and who knows who that might really include? Nosy customers, anyone Suileach knew who might've clued into the change in his behavior-- The Rabbit shakes his head a little bit frantically. That won't work! Fionn has the right idea.]
We should get names and addresses for everyone he told about them. And the apprentice. We could go see if they sound like they're hiding anything... [What if they're wrong, though, and they're just wasting time? Or, worse, what if they only tip off the eggnapper? He's pretty sure he wasn't actually supposed to be the one doing the detective-ing here, to start with!
His voice dies down to a whimper:]
...maybe we should just go back and tell the Finders.
no subject
[By investigate, he means 'shake down for info.' Basically the same thing, right? And he nodding along with everything Momiji is suggesting until that last bit.]
Go back to the Finders? Nonsense! Time is clearly of the essence! How long do you think it will take them to get someone on this case?
[Yes definitely don't wait for the actual professionals to get involved. That would be silly.]
Besides, as the ones to discover this base betrayal and misfortune, we have a responsibility to see this through to the end.
[Do they though?]
no subject
[The Finders would just have to do the same thing they were planning to, if they waited to tell them, right? Whatever time they'd gain from their instinct or experience would probably be made up by the delay in explaining everything to them, too! In any case, Fionn's last point certainly sounds true. They can't just act like this is someone else's job, now!
He nods, resolve starting to build back up, and turns back towards the alchemist while shuffling around for a mostly-blank sheet of paper.]
Hey, mister? Could you write down everyone you told about Suileach's eggs for us? And where we could go to talk to them. Please? It's really important, so we can try to find him.
[Taking the paper, Florian obliges, half-narrating as he starts to scribble down notes: "This is where my apprentice stays, and then...I only told these three. When they came by the shop, Suileach would've been in a state if I'd written--" Eventually, he hands back a completed sheet with four names and addresses.
Momiji skims down it once, then gives an uneven smile.]
Thanks. We'll try to talk to everyone, and we'll let you know if we find out anything. Promise.
no subject
Fear not, we will get to the bottom of this.
[And with that bold statement, turns to leave the shop. He waits until they're outside and far out of earshot before looking down at Momiji and offering his opinion.]
I think we ought to start with the apprentice. To my mind, he's the most suspicious.
[A theory based on almost nothing really, buuut it is a place to start.]