Octeuril Catch all [Open!]

[rollfordiplomacy]

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!]

Comments

-For Viren

[rollfordiplomacy]

[Returning home safely calls for celebration, doesn't it? Everett thinks so, he needs to blow off some steam. He went to the harbor to have a couple drinks and a couple drinks turned swiftly into many drinks.

Funny, he used to have a good sense of his constitution. Not so much, now! He's had far, far more than he's used to and still doesn't feel all that drunk.

Drunk, for sure, but not as drunk as he should be. It helps his still twisted ankle feel better, though stumbling about on it might not be the best call. Stumbling that lands him right into-]

O, oh! That you, mi'lord? [he adjusts his glasses, squinting, one arm draping fully around Viren at the bar. They're friendly, this is just a nice, friendly greeting! He pats Viren's shoulder brusquely]

My apologies, my very sincere apologies, yes. Here, let me buy us a drink! [has he had enough? Yes. Could he handle more? That is to be discovered]

[bloodwit]

[ viren had been passing through, likely as quickly as he could, but being irritatingly blocked by the crowds of boisterous sailors, wandering sots, and now - a drunk, if at least recognizable, acquaintance. ]

[ goddang fauns, he swears. ]

Everett? What are you—

[ "busy being completely tanked," is the answer to that. honestly, if he had been on less peaceable terms with the person (or if they'd just been a stranger), he may have reacted a bit more aggressively; as it stands, viren's eyes have flown wide, startled. he just sort of. tries to squirm out from under the arm over his shoulder. ]

[ ah. ]

No, I don't think so. I'm not here to stay.

[rollfordiplomacy]

Oh? Oh? Can we drink where you're going, instead? [he gives the man a harmless, joking jab, laughing at his own joke, still hanging at Viren's side despite the man's shaking. The support was nice, he felt much more steady. Viren's like that. Sturdy. Firm!

Let's stop that train of thought.]

I have such, such interesting news for you. [he pops an extended finger to his own lips, bouncing it against a smirk]

S'very hush hush, m'lord.

[bloodwit]

[ viren almost snaps out a 'no,' in fact his mouth opening to form the syllable, but then he shuts it with a click of fangs, rethinks. ]

... Right.

[ complete with a narrowing of his eyes, he frowns. admittedly, he's intrigued by that. having been distracted from attempting to hoist everett's arm off, he leans in a bit, expecting something real juicy.

(hoping for something real juicy.)

but not without some skepticism - the man's had a few too many, after all. ]

Yes...? What is the news?

[rollfordiplomacy]

About Dorchhh, m'lord, about what was going on, what was behind that forsaken door- [For perhaps the first time Viren's heard, Everett sounds angry. Truly, genuinely bitter. He's a composed man, level headed when he meant to be, but this had pissed him off. No two way about it. Take his bonded away from him and he's not so easy going-

But even sloshed, Everett isn't a complete fool and he's not someone who spills information carelessly, not even when drunk]

Should find someplace more private-like.

[he snaps to the barkeep to brings them something, pointing between himself and Viren]

Eh, two shot of something strong! For the road! My tabs paid up, promise, promise.

[bloodwit]

[ viren's eyebrows raise, surprised by the tone. that's right; he doesn't think he's heard him sound angered before. so, confirmed: this is gon' be juicy. ]

[ he sighs, rolls his eyes as everett orders two shots. at this point, though, it would be faster for him not to kick up a fuss. ]

Yes, and make it quick.

[ surely, the bartender really appreciates being the extra bossing around. ]

[ he looks back to the faun, though. ]

... Where is it that you live? [ then he's to amend that, just in case (like this isn't at all a completely obvious ploy, but he hopes that the alcohol won't have him catching on immediately that he's about to be dragged back and shoved into his house). because yes, it does strike him that he doesn't. exactly know where he lives: ] Curiosity.

[rollfordiplomacy]

[Everett is successful distracted from his anger, but also the actual topic of the secret. He grins, thinking of how nice it is to be back in the city and have his cottage to stumble home to.]

A coven granted cottage! A fine, fine little place. Not too far from here! [a teasing tone, all flirt and mirth. He does so enjoy flustering this man...]

Are you going to take me home~?

[bloodwit]

[ —viren is definitely of the mind that everett gets a kick out of teasing him. he raises a hand, pinches the bridge of his nose with his claws' tips, wills his embarrassment to fade. ]

Yes; I am going to take you home.

[ not in the way that's being oh-so-suggested here, though, so he adds: ]

In a proper way.

[ bartender, where tf are their drinks!! ]

[rollfordiplomacy]

Hmm! Proper! Are you sure? Do think carefully on that. After all, [he chuckles leaning just a bit heavier on the man to make just, the perfect joke, given the last time he got to riling the man up]

I'm far more than three drinks in. You could say whatever you like to me.

[even dirty words like intercourse! Scandalous!]

1/2

[bloodwit]

[ honestly? he suspects he could.

words like, you know, fornication and intimacy of a sexual nature for nonreproductive purposes... amazing. but so viren is - very out of his element. his eyebrows lower, consternation flashing over his face. he swallows. ]

I am sure. In the state that you are, that would be particularly tasteless.

[ like ok he adheres to morals when they're not in the way of his #noblegoals sometimes. ]

[bloodwit]

[ but holy shit, bro ]

Bartender!

[ snapped, tearing his eyes away from everett and glancing up for the server - ]

I said quick, not snail's pace.

[ - speak of the devil, the server who is actually just hurrying back with their shots. everett, hopefully, tips well. ]

[rollfordiplomacy]

[... that is certainly a reaction. It does well to shift Everett's demeanor, leaving him taken aback in a way far softer than his more aggressive teasing. His tone falls more quiet and a bit cute, taken aback in some sudden onset of sentimentality]

Awwww- that's very considerate, my lord! [you get a pat on the back, Viren, good job, that's commendable]

Truly gentleman-like, I expect nothing less o, of a fine man like yourself. [he's three sheets to wind and yes, that's not a time to seriously consider taking someone to bed.]

Cheers! [He will still be having that shot though.

Here, Everett does a rather impressive feat of multitasking. Hands are busy reaching into his coat for coins. With those both busy, he leans forward, catches the shot with his teeth and rights himself swiftly. Tossing his head back, that whole shot fall straight down his throat to swallow.

Only then does he reach to take the glass between his fingers, slamming the empty shot and the coins down at the same time. Everett is fun at parties.]

[bloodwit]

... Of course...

[ uh huh, obviously he is just mr. upstanding over here ]

[ one can imagine that viren doesn't. often go to parties, but he can recognize a fun gesture when he sees one. he sort of admires it for its theatricality while also being efficient. huh. he doesn't have use that technique right now, but it's something to note.

so his method isn't as eye-catching, regrettably, but he likewise opts to toss the shot back in one go. he pushes the empty glass back onto the counter. his nose wrinkles slightly - the burn's stronger than anticipated. ]

[ but-- well. he's going to try to manuever them both towards the exit, steady-like. ]

Right, then. Let's leave.

[rollfordiplomacy]

[A very fun gesture. And one not at all meant to show off the way his throat bobs to swallow and his utter lack of a gag reflex. Nope.

Moving along.

Everett puts his arm back around Viren with a playful chuckle. He'll cooperate! Onward they shall go. He might be drunk, but his sense of direction is entirely unaffected. Being a faun has it's perks! He'll point which way to go when they're out of the bar]

This way, this way. To my home, Lord Viren, where you are very welcome. And I appreciate the escort. [company is nice, Everett likes a night out drinking, but walking home alone is a sad thing. He'll take a walk home with an admirable man over that, any evening.]

[bloodwit]

[ yeah, that made it extra extra fun ]

[ accepting of the hold, viren's quiet a moment as he processes that cordial invitation. ]

I see. ... It is appreciated.

[ sincere, that response. well, he guesses he would see if that invitation holds up when the man's not intoxicated. but that's a bitter thought, and he very much recognizes, by this point, that everett's kind and generous with his company. ]

[ once they're freer of potentially eavesdropping ears, viren peers at the man, the curiosity returned to his tone. ]

And... the news, would be--?

[rollfordiplomacy]

[it doesn't take them long nor far to get away from the raucous harbor and into the quiet of the neighborhoods, scarce for people at this hour save a few carriages trotting by]

Aah... news, news, yes. [he sounds less than enthused, but goes on. He should tell Viren.]

In Dorchich- [he can't really pronounce that right now] -chiant. The Coven, there. Had a clinic, behind that locked door, same as the dream. Suspicious, that? Why do good work, like healing, in such secret? [he pokes a hand to Viren's chest]

It was bad work. [he punctuates that with two firm pokes] That's what. Just awful! Took my bonded back there, sayin' they'd treat him and they took his memory of it.

[bloodwit]

[ viren listens, basically hanging on every slurred word, every emphasized prod to his chest. three pokes in total. he can't say he's... particularly sympathetic, thus far; he supposes memory wiping usually does spell bad shit for people. ]

I'm sorry to hear that, about your bonded.


[ so, pressing on, ]

And, did you find out what the bad work was, exactly...?

[rollfordiplomacy]

Yes! To some degree. I went in. Myself..! Hahaa- that's why I have this bit of a limp. Twisted my ankle to make a convincing enough injury. [that's much more why he's stumbling than the booze. Actually, ever since getting back to Aef, his ankles have both ached the twisted side worse. Of course, there's jokes to be made about his age, joints getting older and all. Really, it's apart of his transformation starting, legs on their way to shifting permanently into hooves]

My other bonded, a witch, she looked around while I played up the dramatics. Had runes hidden upon us both, to protect from the memories fading... [something he is obviously very good at, so it's no wonder she got away with looking around]

[bloodwit]

[ oh my goD the suspense ]

I hadn't realized you were injured.

[ he really did think this was all just drunken stumbling; should he be going more slowly...? viren glances downward towards everett's feet - his ankle, more specifically. honestly, he's impressed with the dedication to that plot. he can't chastise that method too much; it'd been for a good cause, and a creative idea - he thinks he would've done the same. ]

[ his eyebrows knit together. ]

And... then what happened...?

[rollfordiplomacy]

[Sorry, Viren, if you wanted someone to be concise, drunk-ass Everett is not your man. This is a decently tight story, given how hazy his thoughts are. Take what you can get...]

Might have overdone it! Toss myself off a second story climb. Really rolled it on the land... [maybe too dedicated, his bonded certainly weren't happy. Not quite pain sharing, but the empathy shock of falling off a building isn't a pleasant one]

Don't worry, Lux chastised me well enough. Sweet girl, glad I'm not bonded with her anymore. [he laughs, in a whoa boy sorta yikes way]

She does not need to know what I get up to. I had to be so well behaved... [never again]

[bloodwit]

[ —oh lord, he's glad the man recalled that little detail. and jesus, he's also pretty sure that a one-story building would've done just as fine. with a solid nod of agreement, casually, ]

I'm sure that must've been quite difficult for you...

[ re: behaving. ]

[ assuming everett to have an arm still slung over his shoulder, and thus him to have an arm tucked around the man's waist, he may be able to feel the taptap of the drumming of fingers against his abdomen. ]

Everett. The bad work...?

[rollfordiplomacy]

Not too difficult. I wasn't, was not too smitten with the people of Dor... that place, hmm. [yeah, he's got better taste than that. His fellow diplomats weren't exactly in the mood for such things and neither was he. Now that they're back, in the relative safety and comfort, it's good to have it broken.

The moon is also a factor, but that'll get more obvious soon.]

Bad work? [Oh, that strumming feels rather nice-?]

.... Right! Right. I played dramatic and Sokie... dear Sokie looked about. Stole a few things, documents, a book... but she also found a, a hidden room. Took a few picture, even... what was in there. Awful work. That room...

[bloodwit]

[ as the first name he registers, viren doesn't yet make the connection to her being -- the witch, and now the bonded, that had chastised him back in dorchacht. but it sounded like they looted a few items of importance; he will have to return to that point in a moment. ]

[ the drumming of his fingers stop, his eyebrows raising. he definitely expects the faun to continue speaking, so when he trails off, viren's teeth click together. ]

And...? What was in the room...?

[rollfordiplomacy]

Ah, a moment. Here, here... [Everett stops the man, gesturing to his cottage in the row of them. The front yard is dense with rose bushes and hibiscus, a lovely, fragrant aroma filling the air around it. His gate is wide open, Everett not a man who thinks to lock up.]

I'll show you... but first, let's get inside, my lord. Properly private... I need off my feet. And a cigarette. [he'll take his arm off the man and get to his door, which is locked, so that takes a moment to fumble for his key. Stray cats meander about the yard, as do some rats, Everett cooing gently at both sorts of creature as he gets the door open. Magitech means it's just a flip to illuminate the space, very handy, much better than meticulously lighting all manner of lanterns, as he was used to doing back home.

Entering, Everett's home is tidy within. Very well organized, furniture rustic and practical and cozy. He staggers to the well cushioned lounge he has in front of a tea table and his hearth. Flopping right down, he calls back to Viren.]

Make yourself at home, m'lord! [Siiigh, the comfort of being back home! There's another seat that Viren is welcome to take, Everett is going to just... lay down for a moment, taking up the couch space]

[bloodwit]

[ THE SUSPENSEEEEEE ]

[ oh, viren likes the scent of the flowers very much, even if he can't properly appreciate their appearance with the lack of sunlight. but so he enters, as bid, shutting the door behind him and then eyeing the space he's welcomed into. it's homely, in an inviting way - that he will acknowledge. ]

[ ... then he eyes everett as he absolutely sprawls. he swears, if this man falls asleep before the end of the story... ]

[ well, he'd just go about trying to wake him up, but still. ]

[ posture kept formal, he takes a seat. ]

Your home is rather nice. It's not a style I'm used to seeing, but it's pleasant, all the same.

[ because it's no castle, but hey, nor is his current dwelling. ]