I've been workin' like a dog [Open catchall for September!]

[showsnopiety]

Who: Caren and anyone!
When: All around Septeril
Where: Knit Wit, the Aefenglom streets, various Quest locations, Haven
What: Over all Septeril catchall! Including full moon complications.
Warnings: Possible clawing, biting, and lingerie mentions



GENERAL

I: She pounce

[She wasn't sure when it all started. She had just been...well, she had been going to work, or to the market, or to a number of other places that she might go to town in. But seeing someone with their back turned...and not seeing her...

Something pricked internally, and she started creeping forward. Before she knew it, she was right up on them-and if she was so lucky, she only stopped at running into a back-or being caught before it happened. Because otherwise, she might use her claws by accident.

Oops.]

II: Stumble mumble

[It didn't always happen. Sometimes she also had troubles while she was trying to be perfectly normal and then...

she'd stumble.

Sometimes it was little more then that, a rubbed knee, and an annoyance. But other times, she spilled spectacularly onto the ground, and had to pause with a low key growl under her breath. This was just...annoying and she had things!!! She could be doing!!!]

III: Mend and create

[Sometimes she'd be so lucky that she'd make it to work with her work and with her assignments of customization and mending various clothing orders, if not outright making them. Or she'd be so lucky to have some free time and be working on a very special order of an animal ear hoodie, for one person or another.

The bell would go off though, and she'd look up with a slow owlish blink, before realizing the others were in the back or on break. Ah well.]

Welcome to Knit Wit. How may we be of service today?


EVENT

Market explorations

[So this was what the goblin market was all about. She had heard about it, had been interested in seeing it in action and...well...it made her think of how this was what a gray or black market was supposed to be. She might have been more interested if she heard about the magic shot that made sure she wouldn't need a bond but-no. She was happy with Ignis as her bondmate, even if sometimes she didn't understand why he liked her.

She eventually made a quiet noise, and wrinkled her nose.]

I thought it would be more of a big deal.

[She's disappointed.]

Scrub a scrub

[It seemed that someone realized that this was a home of a Coven bonded person. Because...well, they had clearly left their mark on her house.

COVEN TRASH, was written in big letters, and inside...

Looking inside, it was trashed. Things were thrown into disarray-food was wasted, clothing had been ripped up, and ink was splattered over the floor.

But thankfully her garden was safe, small and humble as it was.

So she could be seen working on her compost pile, or going out and trying to wash the words off of her mansion. It was...well. She really didn't get where this came from.]

They could have at least written something a little more creative....

[Or why not with the glitter mail? She would have been fine with glitter mail!]

QUESTS

Victorious Secret

[She came in, bemused at the sight of everything that was going on. She was waiting for her turn but...her eye caught on what one of the other people was doing. Or what they were squirming in. Caren couldn't help it; she made a quiet amused noise.]

Do you need a hand or two?

Tomes Aplenty

[It was quiet. Something that she could settle into and enjoy purely because it was with books and...while it wasn't gardening (she had also been trying to get ready to winterize her garden) it was peaceful.

Still, there was a problem, and its name was her height. She couldn't find the ladder. She briefly spread her wings...and decided against it. And then she hopped, trying to put it back in its proper place.

Little help?]

Salon And Goodbye

[So they were planning on doing something with her hair and it was...Fine. But while they had a good seat (one that allowed for her wings and still had back support! But Caren was...nervous. The barber was talking about how her hair was such a beautiful pure white and maybe they should try to make to ombre! Maybe they could make it rainbow! Or glittery!]

Are those...actual hair colors...?

Flowers for Charlotte

[It was a simple harvest, and it meant that she could go out of the city for awhile. There was nothing wrong with the city itself but-it was nice to just be outside of it. It felt like she could breathe.

But she heard something, and she stopped, frowning, her tail lashing back and forth as she listened. That...it was faint but...]

Is that...laughter...?


Out of the City (Medical)

[Caren had been in the midst of work with the infected camp, and working with various medicines. She was practical, and she had a lot of practical medication. But...with a soft sound, she realized she was out of a few things.]

Excuse me,

[She hailed your character down.]

Could you please gather more bandages...?

Out of the City (Fighting)

[She didn't have a sword of her own, but it seems they were able to give her one. It was bemusing, and she twirled the blade slowly.]

I didn't realize that it was a carrier and not completely infectious...I suppose the dream of the destroyed city threw me completely off.

[For various reasons.]

FULL MOON

During:

[It wasn't the same as when they first grew in, but her wings, her tail...they were causing so much pain. She needed to get to the Coven, or to Ignis.

Really, she should have called him. That would have been smart but...she wasn't thinking clearly. It was difficult to, when her head was full of pain, and moving made it worse. But she kept on trying to move along.

Sometimes, that meant she would smack into someone and fall right over.]

You should...really...watch where you're going.

[Caren you might be the one at fault here.]

After:

[She was moving throughout the town, mostly just trying to pick up some things for projects or for market...and she found herself having problems. It could have been with her now large wings (which she had been wrapping around herself, like a cloak from time to time), but it was mostly due to her tail nearly being as long as she was tall.

Which meant a lot of smacking people by accident, getting it stepped on, and a lot of having it closed on in doors. And there was a lot of yipping, jumping, and outright loud gasping and irritation.

In short: ow.]

WILDCARD

Everything else goes here! If you're not sure or have questions, drop me a line on discord at nammah#9659 !

Comments

III. Mend and Create

[hearthebell]

[L's already had a tumultuous month. He and his Bonded have an interesting relationship, to say the least; not only is the SQUIP a witch, like him, making their Bond inherently volatile, but there are unique conflicts and bizarre dynamics at play. The power dynamics alone can be astonishing, as well as their violent and extreme shifts, and for the time being, the SQUIP is the one they've both agreed needs to take the wheel.

Back in L's world, he was a master detective whose daily needs were managed by a handler. In the SQUIP's world, its entire purpose was helping one particular individual achieve his goals. The last time L came into this store, he required a fair amount of guidance, and the reason he's returned is because Caren provided that guidance, with what passes for consideration and compassion to L. But this time, he's got some clearer objectives in mind, and he faces the manticore with straighter posture, clearer eyes, hair that's still messy but artfully styled that way, as opposed to literal bedhead.]

Hello, Caren, how are you? It's been a little while.

[Maybe there's something just a little rote about it, as though he's reading a script, but for the most part it seems earnest. He's trying.]

I need three shirts and two pairs of pants... a double-breasted wool jacket, preferably in a charcoal grey color, and an assortment of ties in a color palette that is complementary to a true winter season. I need a heavier overcoat that matches what you predict the trends might be for Geardagas in the coming months, and a pair of professional black shoes with silver accents. Silver cufflinks, as well... and a sharp and assertive hat.

[showsnopiety]

[At first, she thought he was merely giving a greeting a try; she didn't think too much of it as she kept her pal e with her sewing project by poking the needle through the fabric.

But as he continued on, with his very specific plans with fashions...Her eyes grew wide in silent surprise.

Add that with his hair being the way it was, and not so painfully stooped...]

I'd just need to ensure your measurements haven't changed. We may not have everything, but we can order it if not go to other shops.

Who gave you your shopping list?

[This was a big change from when they first met, a few months ago. Too big.]

[hearthebell]

[He nods, his eye contact with the *chimera surprisingly consistent and focused.]

Actually, I think they have changed, so... it might be good to check.

[They haven't; though the SQUIP's attempts to make him eat better are being followed to a T, such changes don't happen so quickly. He's hopeful, nonetheless; it would be a nice tangible sign of progress to bring home.]

My Bonded. It knows what it's talking about, in regards to these matters, and it's trying to help me get a better job. It suggested some other shops, too, but... I feel comfortable here.

[Since Caren didn't make him feel like shit last time, and all.]

Oh...

[He rummages briefly in his pockets before handing over a curved bit of metal, crudely twisted into the general shape of an ear cuff that curves from lobe to tip. There are runes inscribed on the outer edge.]

It took longer than I thought. Some things came up...

[An understatement.]

It dampens sound while you're wearing it. I'm not a jeweler, but if you feel like the adjustment to sound is about right, I can put these runes on any earring with enough space to write them. The effect should be basically the same.

[showsnopiety]

I'll get the measuring tape.

[She's not sure if he's gained weight or not but-they'd have to see. It's difficult to know since his clothes are still loose, and not form fitting. But they're not supposed to be, so. At least she can say a nice thing or two about him doing well with what he had?

Caren, if nothing else, is kind to him, in her own way.

She was about to go to get the tape when L brought out the bit of metal. She was puzzled at first but then he explained...and her expression changed.

From business expression, to surprise, to confusion.]

Oh.

[It's a single breath, and a hand goes up, before it drops.]

It...honestly Tailor, I merely assumed that it was forgotten, or...you had better things to do. Give me a moment to take out an ear plug?

[hearthebell]

[People like L notice kindness, even in sparse and spare presentations. It's just that rare, especially when it's genuine.]

No, that... isn't it, at all. The truth is...

[Well, complicated.]

I've had things to do, but not better things. Mostly, it's just been difficult to get the calibration to the level where I could give it to you in good conscience. The first time I tested it on my own ear, I thought I'd deafened myself permanently. That's not the case anymore.

[He's very quick to reassure her.]

In any case... the most difficult part is finished. From this point forward, it would just be tweaks.

[showsnopiety]

[Caren didn't have any reason not to be kind. She put effort into the clothing, and really wanted him to feel better about himself.

She grimaced, and rolled her shoulders once.]

My apologies-I didn't mean that you wouldn't do it. I was just...surprised. The last time I received a gift was from my bonded-and that's different.

[She's not sure how it's different. It just is. She carefully takes out the earplug, and winces as she's exposed to the sound of the outside world. Slowly, she offers her hand.]

If you would be so kind?

[hearthebell]

Oh... yes, of course, it would be different.

[Likewise, he's not sure how. He wonders if she's trying to tell him that it's inappropriate, but... no, he suspects that if it was, he would have been told sooner. It's difficult to tell with Caren, who can be as standoffish and aloof as he is, at least. Not to mention the various attitudes about how far Bonds extend and what they mean; for some, they are a business arrangement, a close friendship, or a romance, or any combination of those. L's technically involved with his Bond in a romantic sense, but the SQUIP doesn't treat it as monogamous, or even entirely real. The understanding was always that it was more of a business arrangement.

He nods, starting to hand over the cuff, but he rethinks it after a moment before offering]

If you'd like help, I could...?

[He knows that her ear area is probably really delicate. Fortunately, so is his tentative-fingered touch.]

[showsnopiety]

[Ignis gives her gifts that she enjoys-because he knows how she loves herbs and flowers. They're little treasures-not always physicals, but showing her things she hasn't seen before. It's far more tender as her and Ignis do care about each other a great deal.

A gift from a friend, something made for her-she wasn't prepared for that. She felt a mixture of strange emotions she couldn't quite fathom. She'll have to sort it out later.

It was a strange thing they had. Though...his offer made sense, and her hand fell, before coming back to brush her hair away from her ear.]

Ah...yes, please.

[She'll even tilt her head so he could get to her ear better.]

[hearthebell]

[L averts his eyes; feelings aren't his strong point. Dwelling too long and hard on them is awkward for him, as much as his own humanity feels like something itchy and constricting buttoned too tightly around his neck. He just clears his throat, very carefully moving aside a strand of her hair.

The dimensions are very different from what he practiced on. He apologizes in a murmured voice, withdrawing almost immediately to bend it into a more favorable shape that requires more force than he should probably be exerting so close to a delicate area. When he's satisfied, he returns to actually fitting the thing to Caren's ear, and in spite of the slight crudeness of L's first draft, it's secure and balanced, designed for ergonomic comfort rather than looks. That's more of L's forte, anyway]

Does it feel OK?

[showsnopiety]

[Feelings were hard and she doesn't like them either. Good thing Caren wasn't asking too many questions. She doesn't want to think too much about such things, especially right now.

It was hard enough not to wince at the quiet clearing of L's throat. But she kept her expression placid, her body still as he fussed with the cuff.

When L stopped fussing, she exhaled slowly, and took a few moments. Listening. That was more important then comfort.]

It feels fine.

[Her words were slow, measured, even as she tilted her head this way and that.]

It feels well balanced. Secure.

[hearthebell]

[L's a very cautious person by nature, and though he seems awkward, even clumsy at first glance, his misleadingly finicky and tentative touch is a deft and steady thing.

He nods, satisfied with the assessment, feeling that it's unlikely Caren's lying just to make him feel good about his creation.]

I'm speaking in a normal tone of voice at this time. Is it too loud or soft? Or about where it should be to feel comfortable?

[showsnopiety]

[He's actually rather gentle and fine fingered about it. She thought that he'd be far more fussy but...if he was, it wouldn't be good for a detective. They had to be certain, even if it took awhile to compile the evidence.]

That...

[She paused. That...it didn't hurt. How long had it been since she'd been able to listen without it hurting...? It'd been bad in the Wilder training camp; she still remembered how it felt, especially when they'd gone out in the snow.]

I...it doesn't hurt anymore. But maybe I should...

[She made to press her hand on her still earplugged ear, glancing up at him.]

If you could speak again?

[hearthebell]

[The privileged few who learn of L's profession might be baffled by it at first, and struggle to see just how this person could possibly do something that the mind immediately paints a very different portrait of when it's contemplated. L has a way of proving that his reputation is deserved very quickly, even in very subtle and seemingly insignificant ways.

He nods again, a little more briskly; speaking for the sake of speaking doesn't come naturally to him, and he needs to actually think of something to say.]

Of course. I... hope you like my proposed solution.

[That lack of natural inclination is probably pretty obvious.]

[showsnopiety]

That...Linden, that sounds rather proper and stilted of you.

[She ducked her head briefly. Hiding a smile, but she didn't want him to think she was making fun of him. She wasn't.]

It's fine. It's better then fine-it works perfectly.

[hearthebell]

Is that a problem?

["Proper" shouldn't be a bad thing, after all! But "stilted" is something he can probably stand to work on, isn't it?]

If it's at the right levels, I'll just use the same runes for one that fits your other ear, and... that should solve your problem for now.

[He seems ultimately pretty pleased about that. Solving problems is what he does, and doing so in such a practical and hands-on way is something he's proving to be pretty good at. Unexpectedly so.]

[showsnopiety]

It isn't a problem, but it doesn't sound like you.

[Which was maybe why it bothered her. He didn't seem comfortable with it. But she nodded, resisting the urge to touch it. She didn't want to accidentally dislodge it and accidentally get overwhelmed again.]

But thank you Linden-this helps so much. Should I...give this back so you can work on the other one?

[hearthebell]

[He offers a half-shrug with a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. No, it's downright bittersweet, and the edges of his eyes are anxious and tense.]

Sometimes... maybe it's a good thing for me not to sound like myself.

[Though he doubts she meant it as a good thing, really.]

I remember all my notes, as well as the dimensions and the runes themselves, so... no, please keep it. I'm glad if it can help you in the interim, even if it's only on one side.

[showsnopiety]

[She offered him a puzzled look and a slight shake of her head.]

You sound fine as you are. It's your voice.

[It's honest, and she's concerned. This was...weird. Who had told him he wasn't good enough? He might be weird but-she was weird too.]

But...thank you for the cuff.

It's far better then using wax.

[hearthebell]

[He seems relieved.]

If it's just the voice, there really isn't any problem. You'll get used to it, at least... I hope there are opportunities for you to get used to it.

[Did that sound creepy? Is there a better way to say "I hope we spend more time together?"]

[showsnopiety]

It's not the voice.

Your voice is fine.

[Even if it was a little different with the cuff compared to the ear plug.]

Just...the way you were speaking before...you didn't seem comfortable. Least, it seemed so to me.

[hearthebell]

I'm sorry it seemed that way.

[And truly, he is sorry.]

I'm trying to make it seem like I am. I'm not very convincing, it seems.

[showsnopiety]

You don't have to be sorry.

I just...don't understand.

[She shook her head.]

Not that you have to explain. It's your life and your choice. Just...do what makes you happy Linden.

[hearthebell]

[Happiness, too, is really complicated. L's closest contact with it has been chasing a new thrilling high of a tougher case, but here? He's had to redefine so much. He's needed help, and accepted it. And he has been helped, hasn't he? He can get through a day, and many conversations, without failing in disgrace and damaging a reputation that it's now his responsibility to uphold instead of some handler's.]

You do understand, though. You know what it's like to push yourself to improve, don't you?

[It's something he's actually quite sure of, from the time they've spent talking before.]

That's always been important to me, too, and... I'd rather not give up on something just because it doesn't come naturally to me.

[showsnopiety]

[Her nose wrinkled briefly, but she nodded. She understood that far too well.The need to be better, to improve-and always feeling she wasn't good enough.

She grew numb somewhere around that realization, she thought.]

I do know that. And while improving yourself isn't so terrible...you don't have to take apart and replace a door just because it squeaks a little.

Just try to remember that.

[hearthebell]

[There's something similar and shared between them that L recognized the first time they spoke. At the heart of it might be this precise trait, the drive that in his case had pushed him to try to be better than a human and stifled what made him human in the first place.]

And if the door actually makes a much better stretching rack?