(catch-all)

[fulgency]

Who: Ozymandias + Assorted others!
When: All month long!
Where: Around Aefenglom!
What: Sphinx kittens and small children raising hell, and sometimes he's a bossypants.
Warnings: Will update as needed!

(if you would like a private starter, please hmu by shooting me a message rebreather or this journal! doesn't matter if we've threaded together in the past or not! anybody is free to request. :]b)

Comments

(open | striving for purr-fection)

[fulgency]

[He seeks mastery more over this particular spell than others, but it's not one that he thinks he ought to be practicing inside. The ways in which this spell might not go exactly as intended would have some...uh, structural damage otherwise. Thus, Ozymandias seizes upon the days where it seems there will be more than a handful of hours break between passing storms.]

[But it would seem that his self-imposed insistence to limiting his practice of the spell to the outdoors is perhaps for naught as the sphinxes he manages to summon do come in multiples, but are perhaps on the small side, no larger than that of a lion cub. While possible to come across him in the process of attempt #3 or #5, it's far more likely to find him attempting to figure out exactly what it is he's doing wrong. Whether it is on a bench on the Coven lawn or on the front steps of his mansion, Ozymandias is scouring a book on conjuration magic for the answer.]

[...]

[Well, trying to. While some of the sphinx kittens keep themselves entertained by pouncing and wrestling one another or hunting bugs, and some are curled up either next to or directly in Ozymandias' lap, there's almost always at least one standing on his shoulders and attempting to step onto the pages he's trying to read. No amount of redirection or placing it back down on the ground appears to be deterring it either. At some point, Ozymandias must sigh and punish the sphinx for its troublesome behavior.]

[You know, by setting aside the book, plucking it off him one more time, nuzzling foreheads with it, and then proceeding to "attack" its stomach while he holds it like an infant.]

[integrous]

[ One of the sphinx kittens may have started hunting bugs just a little bit too far off, since Asahi manages to spot it long before she spots Ozymandias himself. She's only passing by his mansion as she's making her way around town, after all, rather than having come there to look for him.

But that kitty sphinx is really cute. Really cute. And Asahi is so very weak. When she notices it running off to hunt a different bug, she can't help but run after it in the hope that she may be able to pet it.

And that's when she runs straight up to the front steps where the guy himself is sitting, covered in a pile of similar adorable kitties. And.. playing with them? Now that's something she didn't imagine from him. Not that he seemed unkind or unfeeling or anything, but.. you know. Playing with cute kitties isn't exactly pharaoh behaviour.

(Probably? Listen, Asahi's history class knowledge is still very limited.)

But she figures it's going to be very awkward if she just stands there and doesn't say anything, so she just clears her throat to ~subtly~ make her presence known while he's pretending to attack the small sphinx. ]

Uh.. hey!

[ Smooth. ]

Are these yours?

[ What do you think, Asahi, that he's just playing like that with random people's cats? ]

[fulgency]

[Listen. With as entitled as Ozymandias is, it's not really that unfair of an assumption to make that he's just commandeered someone else's kittens to play with. He 100% would. You know it. He knows it.]

[Ozymandias looks up when she clears her throat, but it doesn't seem to disrupt his play with the sphinx in his arms in the slightest. Sometimes the sphinx has the opportunity to grapple at his wrist, sometimes he pulls his hand back away too quickly. It tries gnawing gently at his fingers and he gently shakes its muzzle about.]

I summoned them, [he confirms with a nod.] Though I did not intend to summon them in such a juvenile form.

[sageprincess]

[Guess who has two thumbs and is trying to pretend like everything is Fine and Normal after the mess that was Dorchacht? And a part of things being Fine and Normal is private study sessions with the Pharoah, even as their chosen specialties continue to diverge from one another. Thus, shortly after formal Abjuration classes are finished for the day, Hyrule's princess wanders out of the Coven proper to find Ozymandias surrounded by his current predicament.]

It is unlike you to wear your consternation so plainly. [She observes as she approaches, pausing briefly when a particularly rambunctious kitten pounces upon the hem of her skirts as she does. A sort of wary curiosity colors her expression as she glaces between it and Ozymandias, asking the silent question of if it is safe for her to touch them before she makes any assumptions.] ... Are these your work?

[fulgency]

My work, but not entirely my intention.

[Ozymandias lightly closes the book in his lap, keeping a finger between its pages to hold his place as he looks up at Zelda. The sphinx that has been trying to disrupt his reading has zero problem attempting to climb all over the book even while it's closed, but Ozymandias uses his free hand to hold it by its chest and prevent any real progress.]

I was attempting to summon one great sphinx as I would in my own world and have found myself with a number of kittens instead. [He looks down at the kitten attempting to do battle with Zelda's skirts.] As you can see for yourself, at this age, they do not make the most effective guardians.

[They're (relatively) harmless.]

[digiorno]

[Here's a shocking un-surprise: ever since Giorno hitched a ride on Ozymandias's cape to his mansion, he's been a not-infrequent visitor. Sometimes in bat form and sometimes humanoid, he can officially be classified as a loiterer.]

[Another shocking un-surprise: the second he sees the sphinx kittens, he loses all interest in Ozymandias himself. What's exceptionally unfortunate is the way he chooses to reveal himself. It's only this evening that he's discovered a new party trick, evidenced by the way a barely-detectable cloud of mist coalesces into Giorno, cross-legged on Ozymandias's porch with his hands neatly in his lap, peering up at the kittens.]

You're going to give me one, I assume.

[fulgency]

[It's not until Giorno speaks that Ozymandias notices his wayward son neighbor has manifested on his porch. He doesn't exactly jump (not like some of the kittens who immediately scatter!!!), but his head does turn suddenly from the book he's reading towards Giorno. Ozymandias sighs a little as his mind clearly catches up with his perceptions. He raises an eyebrow.]

And why should I entrust you with one of my Divine Beasts? Especially when you have gone and frightened them all.

[Granted they are all now starting to sniff the air and slowly approaching once more.]

[showsnopiety]

[She'd never seen any kittens like this before. They're completely adorable and unexpected, especially with...well...everything. Everything seemed kind of dour since people had come back and the sphinxes seemed anything but.

Caren had just come by the mansion with a tray of food-extras in some of her meal making, plus scones-when Ozy had suddenly scooped up a sphinx and was...playing with it? Rubbing its tummy? She thought cats didn't like their stomachs touched.]

Good morrow, King of Kings. I thought I'd drop off some food but....should I come by later?

[She may not get a chance to, since it looks as if whatever she cooked...well, there's certainly various forms of seafood in the dish.]

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias is in the process of gently shaking the sphinx cub's face around when Caren speaks. He looks up at her, no trace of embarrassment or even the slightest hint of discomfort at being found playing with the little creature.]

You're fine. Just be careful not to let any of them out, [he says, nodding to the small swarm of kittens beginning to approach the gate with more curiosity than anything else. They're really not much for sacred guardians at this size and age. Ozymandias' attention returns back to the kitten in his arms as he scritches under its chin, it tries to grapple onto his wrist.] Though I'm sure they will follow you back in once they realize you have food.

(open | just kitten around)

[fulgency]

[With as many sphinx kittens as Ozymandias ends up summoning, it's hardly his fault that he's not able to keep track of them all. One or two are bound to make their escapes and explore the city. They are a fearless species even at this size, it would seem.]

[Or well, they mostly are. Some of that bravery may be called into question if you happen to find one caterwauling in a tree, uncertain of how exactly to get down and hoping that at some point, Ozymandias will come to its rescue. Sadly for it, Ozymandias is nowhere nearby, but you are!]

[When not stuck in a tree, however, it seems the sphinx kittens are almost always in some kind of trouble. Perhaps they're knocking over wares from those attempting to hawk their used goods for the holiday either as they're playing with each other or with smaller pieces that can easily be batted around. Or maybe they've made off with a piece of your lunch when you weren't entirely paying attention to it and are seeking a good place to snack on their prize. Harpies and those with tails may need to watch out for sudden pounces from the ground or a more reasonable height that doesn't involve a tree.]

[But if the timing is right -- or perhaps you've been around Ozymandias recently enough that there's something familiar about your scent -- you might simply need to watch your step as one starts weaving itself around and between your legs, rubbing and trilling quite cutely.]

((ooc: if you're wanting to still interact with ozy for this prompt, the kittens will eventually make their way back to him just as a heads up. they're not lost, just exploring. but this can also just be purely playing/dealing with feline nonsense if you want it that way, too. feel free to riff off this and have them getting into more cat-like trouble if you don't see what you're looking for and LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE. you may have one or two kittens, but no more than that for this prompt until/unless you find ozymandias.))

[detective conan music intensifies]

[manlet]

[Andersen's made it a habit to take a daily walk in the mornings. To stay cooped up writing won't be any good here, not with his powers taken away. And he must figure out what market there is for books - if there is any to speak of, that is.

His route takes him through the Entertainment District, where he purposefully wanders into streets unknown to get a better idea of the area. He doesn't seem to concerned about his own safety and is more focused on the sights and sounds around him...

... which is probably why he jumps a little when he feels something fuzzy brush against his legs.]

... oh, it's you.

[Andersen crouches to ruffle the baby sphinx's face.]

You've your owner's arrogance to be wandering about so freely. If you aren't careful, you'll be snatched up and boiled for parts.

[fulgency]

[Much like its owner, the kitten is completely unfazed by startling Andersen and far more focused on itself. It chuffs, smooshing its face a little more into Andersen's hand, pawing at his wrist. It should probably be more offended at the insinuated danger of being boiled, but perhaps, once again, like its owner, it doesn't see that as being a potential danger or issue.]

[When Andersen does not concede to its demands for more pats immediately, it ups the ante and flops onto the ground with as much theatrics as it can possibly muster. Wiggling around a moment on its back, it paws aimlessly at the air and curls back onto its side. Sorta. It's still somewhat on its back.]

[Pay the fuck attention to it, Andersen. It's withering away without attention.]

Wildcarding this a bit...

[belligerentwarrior]

[Bap.]

[Bap bap.]

[The noise the third time around has a bit more of a tink to it as retracted claws click against the glass. Fang, lurking around the window in her jaguar form, peers in before thumping the window again. She was sure this was where Ozymandias lived—that wasn't the question. The question was whether he was in or not.]

[...Of that she was decently sure of, judging by the strange, starry kittens prancing around inside the Haven mansion, one of which was having a delighted time pulling a book off a shelf. An identical kitten squirms in her jaws, mewling in a sulky protest at being carried around like a disobedient cub.]

[In a way, she supposed it was. Fang doubted it was supposed to be chasing (and being chased by) turtleducks out in the city. Her green eyes peered in the window again, tail thoughtfully swishing. Should she try a different window? The place smelled of dragons, plural, and she wasn't sure how territorial the Monsters could be. Entering uninvited wasn't high on her list.]

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias is in, but the sounds at the window surprisingly do not draw a lot of attention. Not until it seems there's a pattern to them in addition to a little persistence. Ozymandias appears in the doorway of the room Fang is peering into, but doesn't have time to investigate where exactly the sound is coming from when he needs to rush over and catch a book before it's fallen to the ground. It's not the most graceful of saves, but he manages to latch onto a cover.]

[He sighs as he closes it shut and places it back on the shelf. He supposes he should be grateful it was just the book and not the entire bookshelf itself.]

I told you once already to stop climbing onto the bookcase. Do not make me repeat myself a third time, [he says, plucking the culprit off its shelf. At the sound of his voice, slightly muffled by the closed window it may be, the kitten in Fang's jaws lets out even louder protests. A look of concern manifests immediately on Ozymandias' face as he looks around, mind clearly jumping straight to one of the sphinx kittens being injured or stuck. But spotting Fang in her jaguar form with a kitten in her mouth, his concern shifts into exasperation almost immediately.] How did you--!?

[Shaking his head, he gestures for Fang to move back around towards the front of the house before setting the kitten in his arms down on the floor with its siblings. (Will it stay there? Probably not.) He leaves the room to meet Fang at the door.]

cats canonically can't stand witchers, so here's a rude guy bullying a kitten ig

[whattaprick]

[ Lambert generally doesn't give much of a shit about cats, given they certainly don't like him, but with the changes the magic of Aefenglom's wrought on his form in his time here, it seems his scent or whatever magical quality about them that usually puts them off has been altered, just a bit.

Right now, though, what he is is amused, hand on his hip as he looks up at the wailing cat in the tree, sneering as any attempt to approach gets it to hiss and scoot further out on the branch it's trapped on. ]

You stupid or something? Quit crying and get down already. You're a cat, aren't you? [ He is, at least in part, mostly watching to see if it does fall. ]

wow so rude

[fulgency]

[The sphinx does not appear to be responding well to Lambert's, uh, 'encouragement' to climb down. The most recent attempt at reaching it has left the cub on a very delicate line with the branch it's climbed onto. Any further out and it's likely it won't hold the kitten's weight. The small Divine Beast appears to be aware of this as it has now taken to laying as flat as possible on the branch while continuing its cries with more urgency.]

[gwenhwyfar]

[ She is, in a sense, lurking around.

The past few days, Gwenhwyfar has gone out of her way to avoid people, just to recollect her thoughts. And really, just to sulk in what she knows best -- forests and the outdoors than to deal with others. Never without her spear or her cloak. Outside of the number of rags and torn cloth that she calls clothing, her snow-white appearance makes her stick out like a sore thumb.

Maybe that's why she doesn't get very far, having apart of her cloak caught in little paws. Now, as upset as Gwenhwyfar is, she certainly doesn't have the heart to lash out on an animal, especially one so young. A myriad of smells hit her nose and her ears open up to ever shuffle or pitter-patter of paws around her. Sure they would have been cute on a better day if Gwenhwyfar was with her traveling party again.

She heaves a sigh, not having the heart to raise her voice, only cast a pitiful look down at the kitten playing with a small, billowing piece of her cloak. Even a slight step forward, she can't work her way past the soft trills of the kitten. ]

Yn waeth, can't even enjoy a walk by myself.

[ Because really, that's all she wanted. Some time to herself to explore or see if she could hunt for her own food. ]

Don't you have a master or a mistress looking after you? Off with you, little one.

[ Gentle, yet firm, Gwenhwyfar pushes gently with her bare foot for the kitten to move along past her so that she can continue to brood in peace. As the kitten offers a small noise in protest, slowly working it's way back to the dark-haired stranger, Gwenhwyfar lingers, just so that she knows that, at least, it's safe under someone else's watchful eye, not hers. ]

You ought to keep a better on them. [ She barely glances over to him with her left eye. Cold, keeping her distance as she pulls on her cloak. ] Lest you want them to become something's dinner.

[fulgency]

[As the kitten returns, bonking its head quite pointedly into Ozymandias' ankles, he crouches down. Despite scratching it beneath its chin and subsequently petting it along its back when the kitten turns about, Ozymandias is about to admonish it a little for running off. But there's a voice that he assumes is speaking to him, and so he looks up instead. The only sign that her appearance manages to catch him off-guard is that his hand stills on the kitten. The combination of the state of her clothes and the paleness of her features makes her seem more a ghost than someone among the living. It's certainly a stark contrast to Ozymandias, who still dresses the part of royalty in finely tailored clothes, obvious perfume, makeup around his eyes, and gold accessories.]

[He shrugs off the surprise of her appearance and rises to his feet properly once more.]

Was that your plan then? If it had not returned to me. [He huffs a laugh.] Quite bold of you to attempt eating a Divine Beast, even one as young as this.

(open | mummy daycare [rux & ruby])

[fulgency]

[What are two small children to the man who had over 100? This should be no trouble at all. It's only for a few hours before someone else takes over. At least that's what Ozymandias assumes.]

[Then it becomes abundantly clear why exactly their mother is looking for a little break to focus on her work.]

[Rux almost immediately tries to make a break for it the moment there's an opportunity, and thinks it's quite fun to be chased down over and over. Ruby also cannot help but want to play dress-up with all the clothes and accessories being placed out for sale. Rux seems to be teething some still, and Ruby demands only sweets for a morning snack. But Ozymandias perseveres. He scoops up Rux as soon as he's within arm's reach and apologizes for Ruby's sticky fingers. There's no compromising or negotiating with Ruby, and anything Rux shouldn't have in his mouth is swiftly taken away.]

[And after a few mornings of chaos though, things seem to improve. The children are being carefully sequestered to the front lawn of his house, gate closed and locked to prevent any further elopements. Sometimes Ozymandias sits with them, Rux typically rolling around and kicking his small legs about while Ruby sits as close as possible, listening to whatever story -- be it a story of the gods or one of his own life and legacy -- with rapt attention. Other times he plays with them, throwing a ball endlessly and working with Ruby to convince Rux to throw it back and not simply hold onto it forever. Sometimes it's a game of pretend that they've demanded, and it's quite obvious who Ruby has decided to pretend to be with her borrowed scepter that stands far, far too tall for her to properly hold straight without concentrating. Her declarations are loud and punctuated with a clumsy stamp of the scepter, but it's not long before Rux leads a coup.]

[holyswordwielder]

[ It was a few days more before Arthur was really well enough once coming home from The Coven infirmary to do more than simply rest inside the house, usually covered in little sphinx kittens. He’d heard about Ozymandias’s decision to babysit these turnskin children and, honestly, he wasn’t so convinced the pharaoh would be up for watching such rambunctious cubs after the first day. He didn’t need to be watching from the upstairs hall window (though he definitely did) to know the King of Kings was a little rusty; he could feel the other man’s mild frustration and weariness.

But it did pass and so did Arthur’s weakness following his illness and harrowing experiences in Dorchacht. Finally, he’s able to join his Bonded outside for some sunshine and fresh air. He walks out onto the front lawn with a few of those tiny sphinxes following after him and Arthur can’t help but laugh a little at seeing Ruby imitating Ramesses.

Fortunately for the would-be pharaoh, Arthur catches Rux about to launch himself at his sister and quickly scoops up the small boy mid-pounce, instead swinging him around in a half circle to distract him. ]

And just what are you up to, young Rux? Getting into mischief already?

[fulgency]

No! No!

[Rux protests with a peal of laughter at being spun about. It's difficult to tell if he's denying that he's already gearing up for trouble, or simply decrying the thwarting of his devious plan towards his sister. Or maybe wanting the spinning to continue as he immediately starts bouncing. Ruby, on the other hand, is immediately distracted by the group of sphinxes that have followed Arthur outside.]

Ah! There are my Divine Beasts! Come to Pharaoh!

[She enthusiastically stamps her borrowed scepter. That part is not really an accurate portrayal of Ramesses, but given her height and inability to project her voice quite as effectively as him... Some slack needs to be given. The kittens for their part seem largely uncertain and look towards the actual Pharaoh, who is still in the process of gathering and cleaning up the mess from the morning's snack. He pauses just long enough in what he's doing to silently gesture for them to listen to Ruby. Some of the cubs trail on over to her (much to her delight), but others remain a little wary and hang back with Arthur instead. Ramesses smiles as he gathers the last of the mess up off the blanket and stands.]

Think you can manage them for a few minutes while I take this inside?

(open | set-ing things right [habitat for refugees])

[fulgency]

[Although he remains in disagreement about the timing of their involvement in the Resistance with the situation being as precarious as it was, what is done is done. All he or anyone else can do now is simply take responsibility for the consequences of that action. And so, while it is a bit of a different construction project than he was ever accustomed to in life, Ozymandias sees no reason not to lend his aid.]

[He doesn't get involved so much with the manual labor end of things. (That was and has never been his role as one might expect, and he has zero intention of changing that.) But he is content in reviewing the plans for the repairs, making suggestions on the acquisition and allocation of resources both in terms of materials and workforce. As one might expect from such a tyrant, his timeline is tight. Setting aside a desire for efficiency in general, Ozymandias' intentions are not, however, to be harsh for the sake of it. The longer these homes take to repair and mend into livable conditions, the longer the refugees are left with insufficient housing.]

[So, while he's willing to allow for breaks, excessive idleness is a surefire way to get yourself saddled with extra work. And those that are able to complete their tasks quickly and well are praised. ...And also given extra work. Ozymandias prefers to keep things moving.]

[Unless he's concerned things are moving in the wrong direction. In which case,]

Hold on, [he says, holding up a hand as he approaches.] Where are you headed with that?

[beariot]

[ Ursula stopped midstep, not certain why Ozymandias was cutting her off at that moment before realizing outside of her own context that it was probably a little unusual for her to be carrying around a case full of paper and crayons on what was, ostensibly, a construction sight.

Her usual nervous laugh, uncertain smile, was less so in Ramesses presence, at least, Chariot realizing she hadn't even told him she'd be there. ]

It's for the children. They're all pretty restless, so I thought providing an activity would help...

[fulgency]

[Restless is certainly a way of describing it. It seems the longer the renovations continue on, the closer and closer they come to beginning to get underfoot. It's not such a bad thing to see them behaving as children ought to, but it really isn't the best place for it. Glancing briefly to the paper and crayons once more, Ramesses' lips quirk into a proud smile.]

That is quite thoughtful of you. Have you a place in mind for them to sit and draw?

(closed | arthur)

[fulgency]

[Ramesses wanted to return to Aefenglom when Arthur fell too ill to remain in Dorchacht, but Ozymandias needed to see things through to the end regardless of what shape that end took. That feeling only intensified the further and further away the ship got from Dorchacht, and the more and more the Bond seemed... quiet. Not gone or severed, but quiet. Knowing Arthur would be in good hands, in the end, could only ease so much, and he found himself occasionally distracted by it.]

[But soon enough, matters in Dorchacht came to a close (for now), and he was soon sailing back to Aefenglom himself. He wasted little time after stepping off the ship, pushing through the small crowd of mirrorbound and refugees to make his way to the Coven. Although Arthur was still fever-stricken, he seemed at least vaguely aware throughout the night that Ramesses was there, looking at him with some recognition when he occasionally woke up and moving a little closer to his touch despite the fever.]

[Ramesses didn't visit every day after that. He didn't feel it necessary when he felt confident in Arthur's ability to recover and the Coven's skills in managing his symptoms. And besides, he imagined Arthur would prefer that he not put everything on hold until his recovery. But despite not visiting every day, Ramesses' visits were never brief. He would spend hours in a chair by his bedside. Sometimes he talked about seemingly everything. Sometimes he read or studied. Sometimes he laid beside him, saying nothing at all.]

Have I heard right? [Ramesses plops himself down on the edge of Arthur's bed.] You haven't had a fever since yesterday?

[For a while, it seemed there was little to no improvements for Arthur. But over the past few visits, he's seemed more lucid for longer stretches of time and less prone to sudden and sporadic periods of sleep. The witches tending to him seem optimistic he'll be able to return home soon based upon their conversation with Ramesses.]