middaeg | Octeuril Catch all [Open!]

Entry tags:

Octeuril Catch all [Open!]

Who: Everett and anybody!
When: Throughout Octeuril
Where: Aefenglom
What: Gardening, Kittens, Quests- many OTA prompts inside!
Warnings: NSFW in some threads, will mark individually as needed.

[All prompts in header are OTA! Closed prompts will be below and marked accordingly. New and established CR both welcome, plotted or not! Will match format, if prose is preferred over brackets!]

Rainy Days, Here to Stay
A. Gardening for fun and competition

[Everett's cottage was a welcome sight, coming back from Dorchacht. He hasn't been a mirrorbound for long and yet, it felt enough like a home to him. His garden had been well taken care of in his absence, but after gaining so much more experience with his magic in Dorchacht, he was ready to really expand. He could let his neighbors have the more beautiful garden, after all!

He'll be happily recruiting any who wish to help him, offering them garden boxes of herbs and tea plants to take home with them in repayment. His tobacco plants he's protective of, but the lilies are off limits!

If gardening isn't in one's skill or knowledge set, that's just fine, Everett seems to be new to it himself, mostly relying on his magic to grow and maintain his garden. All the same, he didn't want to keep draining himself, so there is a stack of literature bought and borrowed on the subject. He's happy for others to take a look, or to write out instructions transcribed, for home care of gifted plants!

They just need to be mindful none of those books get wet. Everett enjoys working out in the rain, but it's difficult to not trek in the water and muck straight into his tidy cottage...]

B. Shelter from the downpour (aka The Kitten Giveaway)
[Throughout the month, Everett will be out and about his yard. He's landscaping the front portion with verdant rose bushes and hibiscus and ivy to crawl up the front porch of his cottage. Soon enough, it's overtaken with more green and blossoming flowers than it is wooden structure. HIs front gate is always left wide open and welcoming.

On this day, it's really pouring. He spies someone stuck out in it, waving to them from under his porch. There's a basket in his arm and he's stuffing it full of... kittens? Seems a family of strays was taking shelter and he felt a need to help. The neighbors keep feeding the local cats, but this was the first Everett saw of little ones. They should really be brought in.

As should the poor person out in the rain! Everett waves them in, warmly greeting even a perfect stranger. He's always happy to make friends.]

This way! My cottage is warm, do take shelter. It really is coming down today!

A Questing We Shall Go
A. Garden Troubles
[Everett loves him some fresh preserves! He's also just a very helpful man, aiding the old woman with her troubles would be on his to-do even without reward. He's happy to see someone else willing to indulge her. He's glad others are so kind!

He does not expect the issue to be puppies of all things. The same from the dream, even! Same kind of creature, at least. Everett was already very fond of the petal wolves, so he's careful not to harm any while shooing the majority away. One remains and it's a particularly pesky one, he's in need of the other helper to chase the pup into his arms. He catches the dog around the midsection and swings the creature up in his arms, looking it over appraisingly]

Caught you, little one! This is no place for you.... [it whimpers at him and. Oh. Huh.

He could understand just what it meant! How curious that is.]

B. Habitat for Refugees
[While he's more than happy to be out of Dorchacht, Everett is not content to leave the refugees without assistance. They're in real need of support and mentorship, autonomy is a frightening prospect! Everett does not want them slipping back into familiar habits or finding new, worse ones. Aefenglom may be a better place, but it's not perfect and these monsters could easily be taken advantage of if they're not well looked after. Everett is assisting on two, main fronts.

Firstly, thrifting! He's happy to gather some money up of his own and kind donation of other volunteers, using every coin of it wisely. With so many yard sales around the city, it's easy to get practical goods and furniture at a bargain. The housing for the refugees should be well stocked with living essentials in now time! Of course, assistance hunting down good deals and even just moving so much furniture would be very helpful to him.

Second, he's doing much the same as he did in Dorchacht, brightening up the neighborhood with plant life! His focus is on planting herbs, tea plants, and fruiting trees. Plants the refugees can easily tend to themselves and harvest for the local market or keep for themselves. Everett's eye is steadfastly on providing the practical!]

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A few varieties! Green is the most fresh, though I'm drying some batches of that for Oolong and Black. Hibiscus and other herbal varieties, as well. I do enjoy a strong mint tea. [he's very happy to talk about his teas, Steak!]

I figure I could blend a few varieties I know from home for sale in individual tins. My people are very passionate for our tea times, we consider it an important part of a daily routine. You should stop by my cottage some morning or evening, that's generally when I'm settling down for a spot.

Don't apologize! I've invited you and so you are welcome. Relax, relax. [Everett crows, moving through his home as he spoke, towards the kitchen. Wataru is free to follow him, settling down at the kitchen table, or stay in the main space, perhaps in front of the hearth. He's pulling some marinated salmon from the icebox in his home, feeling spoiled on the magical technology granted to them. He could really let flavor seep into his meals, without risking it spoiling or going rotten]

Do you enjoy fish, lad? I've that and vegetables from the garden I could roast up. Ah! And bread! We could have taste test those preserves we earned...

[Jennifer listens, letting one of the kittens crawl its way into her arms as she sets the tea cup down again.]

Is that why you have so many flowers right now? They're quite beautiful. [She smiles down at the kitten, scritching behind its little ears.] I adore flowers, particularly roses.

[Her smile turns a bit ironic at that, like she's said something rather funny, and she shakes her head.] I've only rented a small place though, the smallest I could find... I can't have a garden, but perhaps a few plants would be nice...

I could prepare you a boxed rose bush of your own, if it would please you. It would need some space to thrive, but you could keep it pruned to a manageable size, I do believe. [it's Everett, ever the man looking to do something kind and thoughtful. And ever casual to offer, too. Nothing he even bats an eye at, such acts of simple generosity]

I've mostly grown in red roses. Though, I could practice some white or pink, if those struck your fancy more.

[ He'll stay where he is for now, finding no reason to move off somewhere else when his joints are begging for some rest. it almost feels like he's got the body of an even older man, which means he'll have to train his own stamina again. That's kind of a problem.

He leans back, listening to Everett from over the kitchen. ]

I can have fish, with those vegetables. And bread, too, yes. Do you perhaps have some rice?

[ Cultural clash is a thing here and he misses his japanese food. ]

Right! I mean, I think there's a few of us who have been down enough we didn't know how to get back up again. We know what we needed then, so we can try to give it to them now.

[Rich hopes there aren't a lot of people here that were sold into slavery or something, but he still things there are ways to empathize anyways. For someone like him, moving out on his own reminds him a lot of where the refugees are now. Left with nearly nothing to their names and no home to return to.

He pulls over a table and is just setting it down when he notices Everett heading over to... speak to the donkeys. He pauses in his cart loading to gape for a few moments, until Everett looks over again, at which point, he offers a sideways grin.]

Uh, you want to tell them thanks for their hard work for me? I haven't picked up on animal whispering yet.

[Jennifer looks up at him, eyes wide in surprise.] Oh, I-- I prefer red roses too. They're... the proper kind... [Much like loving roses to begin with, specifying red roses produces another feeling of wry amusement.

But she shakes that off to address the rest of it] I couldn't accept such a thing, however. I...I've done nothing to earn such a thing, and I don't know how I could pay you back...

[The roughness was good-great even, a relief after all of the tension before. His hair pulling had her offer a pleased whine as she pulled her head away-making it become more taut. Oh yes, that was the good stuff.

And him hoisting up her thigh like that-she offered an excited little laugh, grabbing at him harder.]

Me? Never.

[She pulled him down so she could bite and kiss him in return, tugging at his skin with her teeth. He wasn't going to be the only one to leave a mark.]

If you need to a break...just want me on top, just say the wor-dd! Word...

[ That's—

Know what? That view is enough to throw this trickster off his rails completely. His expression loses the mischievous edge and softens into a curiosity. ]

Uh—huh, something changed about you. The hairstyle I assume. [ No, it's the rat part, obviously. Somewhere, a logical part of his brain, screams how everything in the past 24 hours has been wrong and something must be a reason for that— but that part is mostly disconnected for now.

Right, the gift. He pats the package it's large and round. ]

Bah, Everett, do you distrust me? I could take it as an insult— [ And he's been quite easy to offend since yesterday. Fairy brains. ]

Rice? No, no, I wouldn't... know how to cook a rice dish, I don't think. [rice is not something available to the Springtide, it required too much land for them to cultivate effectively below ground. Everett has had plenty while traveling the above world, but never as something he made for himself. It didn't even occur to him to seek out, if it was available in Aefenglom.]

My people rarely have any grains. Difficult to grow, beneath ground. I feel quite spoiled to have bakery nearby. [and he had a habit now of getting bread to keep about the cottage, thinking it a nice treat]

[Everett looks just oh so enthused by the request to give them added thanks. He's super about this new ability, basically any opportunity to use it has him starry eyed behind his glasses.]

I shall!

[He's gleefully patting and chattering at the animals. Eventually, he'll scamper back over, looking only a bit guilty he took his time with them while Rich worked with loading up that cart]

They can carry what I have left and us two, but that would surely be the limit. This is their first run of the day, so they're energetic as can be.

[ Such a weird wording there, Wataru thinks as he tilts his head, tension melting off his body little by little. He can't get his rice, sadly, but it's not like he can't find any in this world, right? He really hopes so.

More importantly now, he'd like to know something more about whatever subtle info Everett just dropped on him. ]

Below ground? Can you, ah... elaborate on that, if you don't mind me asking?

[ That is a lot of tea. And the cultural notes, all things considered, have their own kind of interest for Steak. He may never visit Everett's people, but it's like the best Takoyaki stands at Creation Day — something worth learning about. ]

Where is it?

[There's certainly no reason to be guilty, in Rich's opinion. Reassuring the animals is just as important as the heavy lifting, obviously! And Rich was the one who made the offer to help anyways, so he definitely doesn't mind being left to his own devices.

He beams when he gets reassurance from Everett.]

Oh, sweet! I get a ride too? Thanks, dudes!

[Are... both of them dudes? Maybe Rich shouldn't assume.]

You need not earn a gift! It would not be payment or a symbol of merit, merely a kind gesture for you to enjoy at your home. I insist on making you a rose box of your own to take! Give me a day or so. [Everett enjoys such acts of generosity, it was just in his nature. He didn't mind exchanges, but this isn't that. She likes roses and he has more than enough to spare, it would be his pleasure to make her one to keep.]

Though, if you are in need of a job, soon? I may yet have something to offer you for that, as well. I am thinking of opening a shop to sell my flowers and teas. I merely need to make a proper request of the Coven for some space. A pretty, young woman like yourself would do well to balance the handsome, young man I already wrangled in to assist me.

[Each bite and kiss gets a hum in return, Everett wanting all of it. Her fingers dug into his skin, her teeth into the nape of his neck, any and all of it was satisfying. His hips continue to roll, aided by strong core muscles, another good gift of his climbing. He chuckles at her offer]

Not so old you need w, worry for my stamina, my dear- [he tugs her hair a bit harder, kissing beneath his chin, to the softest skin there]

Though I could never say no to a ride like that.

It's a deal, then.

[Not a bad deal for either of them, really. Fugo moves over to the luggage to begin work folding the clothing that Everett has picked out to fill his suitcase. He's quick and neat about it; even though he's been pulled into the task midway, he's clearly dedicated to making sure the clothes Everett has picked out is as compact as possible in order to take advantage of every inch of space available to them.]

You said these were donations. Are you working with the refugees?

[He doesn't look directly at Everett when he poses this question; his question is casual enough, but he glances at Everett out of the corner of his eye to watch his reaction.]

[He laughs loudly at the commentary, playing along with a tone both sardonic and boisterously amused]

Yes, certainly! You are quite perceptive! [he looks to the package again, the practically whiny tone Caster puts on. Everett's perception of Fae is rather different than the standards of Aef and most other worlds. He wouldn't be putting together that behavior any time soon.]

I trust you to do many things! I trust you to plant explosive spells in my garden. I trust you to charm my tea plants so they run away from my shears. I trust you to offer me gifts with dubious intent, for your own amusement. [he puts both hands out to take the package, having said all that]

So, give it here. I do so trust you. [he gets what he gets, never call Everett a coward]

[Somehow, even though the changes are something of a surprise-- she cannot say the fact that he makes it look good truly surprise her. Nor his ironic and kind behavior despite the situation. The latter, and his sense of humor, were big parts of what was so enamoring about him in the first place.]

Heehee, ever the gentleman. Thank you. You're a lifesaver.

[Well her life isn't really in danger, but to a cat's delicate sensitivities it might as well have been if she'd stayed out there much longer.]

...since I'm here, why don't I help out a bit? It seems like you really have your hands full.

If it is not much trouble, I'd be honored.

[ Was it rude? She was in awe – a far more simple look in her face than the weight that usually weighs her down. There's less seriousness, less tension – she almost looks at ease. As he mentioned the tour, it was clear she'd love that.

A looped arm to his, she follows at his side. Dropping her guard a bit. ]

I know I scolded you back in that horrible city, but here – I'm pleased to see such greenery. It's more than I've seen in my entire life...

[Jennifer opens and closes her mouth a couple times, but he seems to earnest about it that she can't really find a way to argue. Eventually she just nods in something like defeat, looking exasperatedly amused.

And then a job offer on top of it all??] A pretty-- [She looks baffled and a bit confused, one hand going up to touch her face as if to task 'pretty? This face?'] I...No one's ever called me that before... [like literally never?? She doesn't seem to know what to do with herself.]

I, um... But I wouldn't mind a job. A job at a flower shop sounds lovely.

[She wanted to leave her mark on him, wanted to hear his reactions, feel him tense and shiver under her fingers, her mouth. And of course feel the slap of skin on skin.]

Ah! Not-nnnot calling you old Ever-everett.

[Give her a second, she needs to do a little more biting and kissing on her own here because...just because.]

Just, just offering.

[And maaaaybe wanting to admire his naked body some more cuz dayum.]

[Shortly before dawn on the day after the full moon, something creeps into Everett's garden on ungainly feet. The vaguely deer-shaped thing pauses to sniff at a rat here, a kitten there, as he picks his way among the rows of flowers and vegetables; he only stops when he's come to a tangle of foliage large enough he can hide himself in it.

Which is no mean feet: he's nearly five foot at the shoulder and still has that marvelous rack of antlers, now once again draped in bloody rags of velvet and studded incongruously with eyes. But somehow he finds a way to crawl into cover and curl up as small as he can, chin resting on the soil and all of those very many eyes closed in resignation beneath their folded plum blossoms.

The world wouldn't have him, not in this shape, but after spending the full moon outside the city's walls...he feels unsurprisingly heartsore and lonely. Abandoned, even, except he was the one doing the abandoning when every attempt to help Aefenglom's frightened citizens was met with more fear. Running away had seemed better at the time, but now...he needs to be close to someone familiar. In lieu of actually approaching his Bonded in this shape (they were supposed to cement that Bond today, weren't they? And here he is, like this, his scars and worse on display for all to see), hiding in his beloved's flowerbeds will have to do.

It's close enough-- no, it's not nearly close enough to ease the ache in his heart, but it's close enough to be better than nothing.]

Edited 2019-10-26 06:27 (UTC)

Oh! Silly me, I had yet to mention. My people, the Springtide Clan, we live in the Below Lands of Myddvai. That is, entirely below ground and within caves. [he sips his tea, just explaining his oh so casually, it was as common to him as anything could be]

Natural resources can be scarce, so we need to use magic to grow most of our crops. Grains don't fare too well, so we primarily grow root vegetables and mushrooms as our staple foods.

Let me send a marker to your Watch, you are welcome by anytime. I keep the gate unlocked, don't mind any rats you may see about, they are my pets. [he's been taking in street rats, cleaning them up, and giving them a place in his garden to live peacefully.

He has an alarming amount of them. Just Vaughan things, don't worry about it.]

As I mentioned, I plan to open a store. I'm sure I'll need some to aid in morning transport for my garden to any location I may acquire. Would you be interested in a job proper, should I get a location arranged, sir?

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Octeuril Catch all [Open!]

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rolls on up like hi i owe you a fleshbeast -- early morning after the full moon

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