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!]
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[He shrugs, smiling brightly. If he notices the too-long pause, it doesn't show.
Nor does he seem to notice when he turns to glance back at the shop's shelving and displays, and his added height melts away, leaving him just barely cresting five feet again.]
I just started last week! They were hiring a bunch of new people to try out their pajama potions? [...not the official brand name.] I dunno if they just started selling them or what.
Oh, but! Were you looking for anything? I can grab one of the alchemists.
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[ The last thing Asahi wants right now is to discuss stuff available in this store. With anyone, really. Her face lights up a faint pink, and she wildly shakes her head until she feels like she's momentarily gotten the idea out of his head.
Not that the next part isn't just as embarrassing to her to say, but at the very least it's better than talking about the store itself. ]
I.. I'm not really here to buy anything? I.. uh.. [ Gosh, this is hard to say. She has to clear her throat and suck in a deep breath. ] I saw you and wanted to check up on how you were doing.
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[This is, fortunately for Asahi, a touched "aww" and not a disappointed one. He's mostly been trying to find enough to keep busy with not to have to dwell on what had happened in Dorchacht (or what's happening now), since then. It's too much, when there's so little he can do besides wait on news from the mirrorbound who went back in-person.
But it was horrifying enough that the impulse to check up on people makes perfect sense. Out of consideration, he'll muffle any giggling over how flustered she looks behind one hand.]
I'm alright, though, promise. I got to the sewers after we got split up in the dream, and it was pretty safe down there. [There might have been some getting abducted and nearly sold in between those two, but, you know. Details. Though, speaking of, with those feathers Asahi had stood out even more obviously as a Monster than he had:]
...Did you get away from everything okay?
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Thankfully the way he puts it now makes it sound like he was relatively alright though, so that's instead a relief to her. She slowly nods at his question. ]
Yeah. The other people from here who also went over there were pretty helpful. [ Even if one beat up a guy in front of her, but sshh.. ] But I guess in the end both of us had the same idea about not wanting to go back there, huh.
[ Considering they're both here rather than on the mission. ]
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[That answer dampens his smile somewhat, though he makes a valiant effort to keep it up.]
I'm not that great at being sneaky, so...I probably would've gotten in people's way, sorta.
[Which is to say, also, that he hadn't even considered going as part of the Aefenglom Apology Team. (Or, by the same token, ignoring the Coven's request that its dignitaries try to remain diplomatic.)]
I hope everyone who went's being careful...
[That's as optimistic as even he can be about it.]
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Ah.. There's a lot of them, and some of them from here are witches too, so it should be fine. [ It's not like she can say they'll be fine for sure, since they can't be sure about that and she doesn't want to lie, but she at least believes in this much.
Asahi even manages to muster up a smile, since she wants to reassure him a little. ]
Besides, some of the people who I know went there are real idiots. And you know what they say about idiots, right? They never catch colds. So I'm sure that goes double for even worse things.
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[His own decision-making process hadn't had to make it much past the gloomy recognition that it didn't feel like there was anything truly helpful he could do, either way. But a definite edge creeps into his voice at that last concern--being ordered around in Dorchacht had been a uniquely frightening and hopeless experience. Willing walking back into that danger in real life...
The joke from Asahi provides a lifeline before his mood can slip much further, luckily. He latches onto it, snickering.]
They probably didn't just send idiots, though, or they'd all be safe!
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[ She grins. ]
After all, we stayed behind, and we're both smart people, right? [ That's a remark many people would contest about Asahi, but shh! She doesn't think she's a total idiot, so it counts! Besides, this is mostly about cheering up Momiji, especially with the way his voice trailed off just now. ]
no subject
[He kids! (Though probably no one would ever accuse Kyo of being a model of wisdom and prudence.) In any case, Operation: Cheering Up appears mostly successful! He's grinning somewhat cheekily instead of dwelling on what might be going on in Dorchacht, anyway.]
...mn, but! What've you been doing, instead? I think all the Witches who are still here have classes...? [Whereas being a Monster means getting an extended summer vacation, apparently.] But not us!
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Ah, I'm really still trying to get used to this place.. I only showed up a little while ago. [ Almost right before that dream, really. That was some pretty unfortunate thing to have as one of the first big things you experience here. ] There's just so much to think about when you show up here, you know? I've only really had the time to start looking for a solid job right about now, but I'm still not sure what's suitable for me.
no subject
[He's more accustomed to being on his own than most people his age, and the idea of being stranded here without even that much of a familiar connection still sounds pretty dreadful. He doesn't know how he'd have adjusted.]
Everyone here's been really nice about hiring mirrorbound, though! I didn't know if I'd find anywhere, but I just went and asked if I could wait tables at the Seadog? And now I'm just doing this, and there's a music shop across town--and I'm helping at a detective agency!
[Momiji is not aware that there might be jobs that are not suitable for him, is the thing. This one's a case in point, actually.]
no subject
So instead she's chosing to focus on something else about Momiji's jobs that stands out to her. ]
You're helping out at all those places at once? Isn't that a little bit too much?
no subject
Though maybe don't think too hard about why you'd want a magic potion for them instead of just...changing clothes.In any case, he simply hefts a cheerful, little shrug.]
Not really! It's only part-time--I'm here a couple days a week. And then I help out the detectives for a few hours after my shift.
[Of course, three part-time jobs is still at least sixty hours a week, and there's that tiny, inconsequential matter of why he needs the work, anyway. But it's not a fun story, so! Not mentioning it.]
...I dunno what else I'd do around the city now, besides. And I get to meet a lot of new people, this way!
no subject
[ It's not like she knows him well enough to really tell him to stop doing it, anyway, even though having that much to do really doesn't seem all that great to her. And she now knows he's actually older than he seemed like to her at first too, so at least this isn't an actual child being overworked. ]
Just make sure no one's taking advantage of you either though, alright? [ And she doesn't mean it in the suggestive kind of way their current location might suggest, it's just more in a general "don't let people underpay you or be rude to you" kind of way. ]
no subject
[The advice just gets an easy, reassuring smile in response--he's never exactly been the type to object to being fussed over.
But, now that they've got that settled, he's giving Asahi a curious, scrutinizing look and leaning around, as if trying to get a look just behind her. Or, more specifically, at the back of her shoulders.]
...so, you don't have your wings here, yet?
[
Is it rude to ask someone if they've sprouted any new appendages recently?He guesses maybe Asahi could have disguised those, if they were folded just right beneath her shirt, but it sounds awfully uncomfortable. Now it's his turn to sound a tiny bit concerned: On the one hand, being able to fly sounds about as cool a power as you could get, if you have to be a Monster! On the other, as bad as just his new teeth coming in was, the idea of growing whole extra limbs...]
no subject
Not that the question isn't a little awkward regardless. But at least he's being honest about what's on his mind, and.. really, that's the last thing Asahi could ever fault anyone for. ]
Ah.. Yeah, I don't have them yet. [ The hint of awkwardness is obvious in her voice as she speaks. ] I only arrived a little while ago, so I haven't started.. changing yet.
[ It's hard to find the right words for such a weird, weird situation, hence that little pause just now. ]
I guess I must have had them in that dream like a kind of premonition of what's going to happen to me sooner or later.
no subject
[And the ears hadn't been so bad! They'd come in almost overnight, with only an intermittent headache in the days before to announce their arrival. Though, admittedly, he's still getting used to the actual sensory changes...]
It's kind of scary.
But...maybe you'll be able to fly, when you get them? That'd be pretty amazing! I can't even really hop yet--
[He's trying to lighten the topic by being silly and (pardon) flighty about it, but it's weak stuff. And deep down he must know it, too, because while he's trying to grin over that last line, his body comes up with a better diversion:
Suddenly, there are fluttery, white cherub's wings sprouting from his back--struggling underneath his nightshirt before they manage to flap free over its neckline. They're almost comically small, very cartoon cupid-esque.]
Oh--
[Okay, he noticed that one.]
no subject
Asahi glances around them to see if there are any other store employees around, and then she leans closer to the boy. ]
Are-- Are you okay?
[ Because these sudden changes can't be normal, right? Especially since cupid wings don't actually fit rabbit ears. ]
There's something weird happening to you..! [ She's trying to keep her voice down, but Asahi sucks at that. A lot. ]
no subject
[It's not like the little wings hurt or anything? The sensation as they came in had been odd but nothing like the pain of his body reshifting itself for his prior transformations.
He looks pretty silly, twisting around to try to gawk at them, then giving them a poke. Then, he takes a deep breath, and they flutter wildly for a second as he tests that out.]
They're really there! But...I don't think they're mine for real? Puca don't have wings...right?
[It's so confusing! There really ought to be native Monsters assigned to explain these things! (The buns and the bees, as it were.)]
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[ There seem to always be so many monster types around that Asahi - especially since she's still pretty new too - has a hard time telling all the various types apart. But she can't recall having seen a lot of those wings.. At least, she thinks? ]
But they don't look anything like the ears.. [ Which is why it's worrying. In fact, it's even pretty obvious that these wings worry Asahi, since she doesn't bother to hide the frown on her face in the slightest. ] Do you think we should get you checked out somewhere? You know.. before it gets worse or something like that.
no subject
[He's trying to keep calm about this, really. It's weird, but he's pretty okay still basically, right? (Besides the bit where his body appears to just be randomly sprouting new parts explanation or advance warning!) But Asahi's obvious concern is just making it even harder not to fret, instead of pretending it's fine.
Also, apparently getting nervous is just going to make the fluttering a constant thing? (Fortunately, the wings are way too little to risk him lifting off in the middle of the store.)]
We-- I could ask if anybody at the Coven could help, maybe? But I dunno who--and I don't get off here for like another hour!
[They're already making a bit of a scene, what if he gets fired...!]
no subject
But she's most definitely an acting person rather than a thinking one, and an emotional one to boot. So of course concern is going to take priority over everything else, making her look so visibly concerned. ]
W-- Well! I'll stay here with you for an hour! I don't have anywhere to go right now anyway.
[ For someone who always loves to act all tough and like she doesn't trust or care about people, she sure is jumping into helping mode easily, huh. ]
Just to make sure it doesn't get worse! And then we can look for someone who knows more about this after that..? [ That part she sounds more unsure about, since she sure has no idea who you'd go to about this. Is there a monster doctor? A weird-things-happening-to-my-body-and-no-it's-not-puberty doctor? Who knows! ]
no subject
[At least it'd be less scary than having to try to hunt down someone on his own.
Maybe the shop will be quiet for a little bit until the end of his shift, anyway? In either case, he'd rather have to smile through helping people shop for underwear potions with a plus one and some spare feathers than try to figure this out alone.]
They have that big library at the Coven, maybe somebody there could tell us how to look up books on Monster stuff? Or...all the detectives at my other work are puca, we could go ask them if surprise wings are normal.
[Surprise wings which are, at the moment, deciding that they should be a little more properly boy-sized if they're going to be hanging around, spreading in wingspan behind him.]
no subject
Let's ask the detectives first. They'd--
[ It's exactly in the middle of her answer that his wings start growing though. And Asahi is not the type who could hide her surprise even if she wanted to, so her jaw drops the moment she notices it. She only barely manages to surpress a yelp before she'd just draw even more attention to it from other people. ]
W-Wait, they're.. they're getting bigger! Why are they getting bigger?!
no subject
[He blinks, jumping a little when Asahi startles.
It had been pretty impossible to miss the difference between not having wings and then having them all of a sudden, but their growth was a little more subtle. Especially since he was still getting used to the sensation of having them at all!]
Huh, did they? [So, he jerks his head around to look at them and--pwff.]
Where'd they go!!
[Whether it's the surprise or just the magic running out, they disappear an instant before he can lay eyes back on them, seeming to retract rapidly back to cupid-size and then pipping right out of existence. Momiji gawks for a moment then rolls his eyes forcefully at where they ought to have been.]
...this is super dumb. I didn't even get to try flying with them.
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