Oh there ain't no rest for the wicked [Open monthly catchall!]

[showsnopiety]

Who: Caren and you!
When: Throughout October
Where: All around Aef and its outskirts
What: Monthly things! Sewing! Hunting?
Warnings:



I: Blood for Bucks

[Well she thought that it would be a good thing for there to be a supply of blood for vampires. Mary...if Mary was here, she would have offered her blood to him and make sure that he was well fed. But...he was gone. So she could only help the others, like Makoto and...whoever else was a vampire here.

When she went to the bar, she made sure that she went to the bartender, speaking loud enough for others to hear.]

I'm fine with giving a fresh blood donation. It'd be better then doing it in vials for me, I think.

II: Habitat for Refugees

[She was just supposed to be cleaning. She was good at cleaning. And she found herself with...was that a monster child attached to her skirts?

She couldn't tell what kind it was, just that it was...really attached to her leg. And she was already so wobbly.]

I'm not your mother, nor your relation. You can find them elsewhere.

[Nope. Still attached. Gently she made to...poke them with a broom.]

You're aware that I am a stranger yes...?

[Help. Someone. Anyone.]

III: Lights in the Trees

[She'd made sure to get a sword to use just in case, like the volunteers did. And it was actually just...nice to get out of the city for a bit. She wasn't planning to go too far. She didn't want her bond to accidentally snap.

But hearing about the possible lights...it seemed interesting enough to go. While she had been walking for awhile, she made to pause to turn on her Watch with a quiet sigh.]

I may have good night vision, but I don't want to stumble around blind. It's darker then I expected out here.

IV: Hoodie times

[Back at the Knit Wit, after her ad on the network, there were people she was expecting to see for either dressing them, altering their clothing or...getting the measurements of people of getting their measurements or perhaps even-those that were getting their orders in.

Either way, she would look up when she heard the tinkling of the bell, her tail curling and unfurling at the sight of someone coming through the door.]

Good day to you. How can I assist you today?

V: Giving Lessons

[It was all by per-arrangement. She knew there were people who wanted to make pizza, learn to clean, cook-do things they didn't know how to do at home. Because well...not everyone knew it, and she could see that more and more. And that made for a way to ensure that people could survive on their own. So appointments were made and directions were sent to the mansion Caren resided in, so they could knock on the door.

Caren would open the door and motion them inside with a:]

If you could please take off your shoes? And then we can begin.

VI: Pizza pizza

Come in.

[The manse...it smelt like pizza. She appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands clean.]

Ah, yes, you have an order. Which one is it?

VII:Keep on fallin

[She was trying to move from place to place. And that was a pretty normal thing and normally not a problem at all but...

She was wobbling like a drunk, and she hated it. Maybe she should stay at home and just relax but...it was lonely in there, and she really did not feel like being alone just then. She'd be bored out of her skull in half a second.

But then-maybe someone bumped into her, maybe she just stepped the wrong way-she ended up falling into a feathery puff in the middle of the street.

And while she could sit up, she...couldn't get back onto her feet. Well. Welp. This was embarrassing. And she was pretty sure she left her Watch at home...]

This...is a problem...

VIII: Wildcard

Everything else goes here! you can contact me at nammah on plurk, or on discord if you've got questions!

Comments

VII

[usurpers]

[ ah, yes. he's gone through this wreck. growing pains ached his joints until they grew out of their human proportion, and sometimes they still hurt (nothing but bull white noise, now). eren's feet have lacked shoes for over a month now, clawed and beast-like to resemble the scaled legs of a reptile (and have given him an astounding spurt of height). the pros: having a tail counteracts his lack of balance, leaving his walk an even, fluid stride during the heavy showers of october.

showers that, thank magic, he's protected from. he wears a hood from a loose poncho, and every drop that falls close to his skin triggers the enchanted tattoos underneath fabric, an iridescent orange that contrasts well to the color of his scales. she might see his figure stepping over, kneeling to pick her up— and a rather long, forked tongue from under the hood flickers out. ]

It's where you're throwing your weight.

[ he's— way too tall now, long haired, way too deep voiced to have the same baby face he used to before earning a trip to the black city. It's almost awkward to lift her up completely without having to hunch drastically, so halfway up, it's his tail that gives the back of her legs somewhere thick to lean on. ]

[showsnopiety]

[She was used to all sorts of pains but the inability to walk...she felt a little indignant about it. Her legs weren't broken nor were her nerves, she just...couldn't walk properly.

She tensed up at first, thinking that it was something she had to fight but it was...a dragon?

Caren gaped at him. Why was this stranger helping her up? Common decency? That was still weird]

But my feet are still...

[Her mind finally clicks, and she slips, needing to grab onto his arm. Wait. Wait. The arm wings, the scent...]

Eren?

[usurpers]

Growing?

[ was that what she was going to say? before she realized who she was talking to? it didn't matter much in the end— eren was still here, towering over her (chest, she barely reaches the apex of his chest), a sturdy wall for her to steady herself next to and arm to her just for that.

he tugs the hood of his poncho down just enough to keep from obscuring his face with shadows, closer to the roots of hair from his forehead. yes, it is eren. he nods and only watches her, evolving into a constant headbob as sign that he sees her, greets her— and with a forked tongue wagging about the air, to smell her too. ]

[showsnopiety]

Human.

[She corrects, and she's just...leaning against a very large chest. She blinks rain out of her eyes, and moves to lean up, shaking a little as she pressed up on her toes-but she made to press her nose against his skin and scales, long forked tail or no. Yes, she was smelling him. And she might be bunting him.

A little.]

It is you. You were tall before but...your face has changed.

[Don't mind her. She's reaching to touch a cheek.]

It's not bad it's just...startling.

i. i am real sorry about him.

[digiorno]

[She's not alone in missing Mary. It's strange in Aefenglom without him, even though Giorno's only known him a few months — but maybe that isn't so strange, considering all the people he's counted as friends became so within just a few very difficult days. Normal, then, to miss him, even though he's trying to push the feeling away.]

[Desmodus is a whole other problem to be tackled. It's a brilliant idea and a very practical one. Too bad Giorno's so violently vampire-phobic while simultaneously being a very hungry vampire. He's uncharacteristically wallflowering here until he sees a familiar face and cocks his head at her.]

[Caren. She's fine. He thinks she's fine. He should walk over and take her up on the offer. His feet should go ahead and walk over to her. Locomoting. Do it. Yeah.]

[Any second now it's gonna happen.]

Oh. Giorno. Boi.

[showsnopiety]

[It's strange not seeing him all gleeful about the hoodie she gifted him. It was true she more or less treated him like a child but sometimes...he cut right into the root of things. And he was kind. Kindness was something precious in her life.

Desmodus was something she hadn't even known existed until this need had arisen, but...maybe she could help out, a little. She still didn't know much about vampires, but she thought-even with becoming so much animal-that she could render some assistance.

The bartender didn't dither exactly, but it seemed Giorno had been spotted acting like a teenager at their first dance. She nodded over, and Caren glanced over to see...

Someone she could actually banter with. Her eyes lit up, and she drifted over, with only a few wobbles here and there.]

Giorno? It's been too long.

[Yeah she was. Low key excited to see him in her own way. Don't make her pounce.]

he's dumb.

[digiorno]

[He could probably do with being pounced on. Loosen him up a little. While he’s visibly relieved that she makes the choice to come over to him, this is also still a very weird situation, frankly. What casual conversation can he make when it’s incredibly clear that the only reason he’s here in the first place is for casual cannibalism?]

[Whatever. He does actually like Caren, which greases the wheels significantly. He offers her a faint smile.]

It’s been ages. I’d like to say I’ve been busy, but I’ve just been antisocial.

[Well, at least he’s honest? He considers asking about the wobbly legs but discards the idea. Probably rude.]

I like your tail. [There, that’s way better. Maybe. He does mean it, at least. Chimera are interesting.]

She likes him anyway

[showsnopiety]

[At least she didn't literally pounce on him this time. She could have done that, and bitten him and then everyone else would get excited! Because only the vampires are allowed to casually nibble here, gosh. ]

You, antisocial? With how everything been going? How unusual.

[The sarcasm and snark, it hasn't faded. The question would have been fine, especially since she moves to place a hand on him briefly- and she moved to swish over for him to look.]

Thanks. It is lovely, and I work hard to keep it that way.

[She tilted her head to the booths. Sure she was a wobble, but they needed to sit down and chat. Else, she'd likely fall.]

I'll let you take a closer look if we sit down for a bit.

Wildcard; Knit Wit

[ishisstrength]

[As promised, Justine arrives at work that morning looking to be in higher spirits than she'd been in the last month. It's odd returning to the store after so long but she comfortably settles back into the routine she knows.

Towards the end of her shift she walks over to Caren, a warm smile curving the edges of her mouth.]

It's good to be back.

I hadn't realized I missed it so much.

[showsnopiety]

[There she is. It's been a rushed month last month, with everything being out of place, people they knew being gone but...she didn't know exactly why Justine had not come to work. But she'd respected her space, and only waited for her to decide to come or not.

But this...the routine is easy, and it's as if the brunette had never been gone.]

You were missed too, not just by myself. There were patrons that missed you. I believe I've had to turn away more then five muffin baskets from well meaning persons.

[A beat, and:]

Truly, it's lovely to see you again.

[ishisstrength]

[Justine glances away, her lips pressed together in a small hidden smile. She'd come to love working at Knit Witt but she hadn't thought that affection had gone both ways. People are out of place, the world feels as if it's fractured and scattered but somehow she finds that she still has a place in it. It's a startling feeling but a welcomed one after the weeks of hallowed searching.]

Thank you. I admit, I am not used to being so cared for.

[She'd had only two people who have looked out for her in the past and neither of them are in the city.]

It's good to see you too. [Justine smiles a little wider, her face taking on an affectionate stare.] I have missed you. I hope I didn't make you worry too much.

[She steps next to Caren and pulls her friend into a light brief hug. Caren is very dear to Justine, having been in the city with her for nearly half a year now.]

[showsnopiety]

[It is a little strange how there's all this affection for one another. But they're a small group, if powerful, and...well, it's lonely when one of them leaves, even if it's only for a bit of time.]

If it helps, I feel much the same way. People are friendly and even warm.

[It's so weird. Hearing those words though, Caren has to shake her head.]

You did make me worry. However-that's due to me.

[While she did clasp Justine in a hug (It was awkward, since she was obviously not used to the gesture still) Caren leaned up to offer a light kiss on the cheek.]

So don't feel guilty for what I did or not feel.

during the mist event

[ua_duibhne]

[It's typical, really, that these two events would align but Diarmuid refuses to let a little thing like sudden, distressing transformation into a deer-man get in the way of his sewing lesson. Standing at Caren's door is an altogether changed version of the Lancer she knows; among his most obvious transformations are a pair of downy deer ears, small horns and a light, spotted pattern across his cheeks. At least he still has hands to sew with- although, as Caren invites him in and his new senses pick up her decidedly feral scent, they don't feel quite so steady. Immediately, his ears go back, swiveling anxiously as he realises he's face to face with a potential-

No- no, he needs to get a grip. This is absurd. He's a warrior, for goodness sake, not a trembling faun.]

Forgive my being late. I... was otherwise engaged.

[Translation: trying to find a sartorial solution that best accommodates his new, fluffy tail. In the end, he had settled on cutting a hole- it's just slightly too small and incredibly uncomfortable for it- in the back of his trousers and hoping no one notices the botch job.

Ah, and that's another thing that won't stay still. Try as he might, his tail is every bit as twitchy as his ears.]

You can probably guess why.

[showsnopiety]

Oh, and I think I may have an extra project too.

[Her voice was wry, even if there was a nose flare and a particular gleam in her eyes. He smells like food but she remembers Wolf's words-she's not an animal. It's not in charge, and she needs to remember who's in charge-it's her, not it.

She steps back, careful to tuck her wings behind her back-though her tail was making a little tick, and curled gently, clearly interested in what she was saying.

No doubt she wasn't the only person who thought he was tasty.]

I made tea and snacks; they're in the living room. And if you don't mind sitting under a blanket for a few minutes, I can attempt altering your pants.

[ua_duibhne]

[Diarmuid winces, one hand immediately moving to try and cover what's left of his dignity the offending rip.]

Ah... you caught me out already. [He's only surprised that she's taking it easy on him about it.] Thank you, I'd appreciate that.

[With a grateful smile, he slips ahead of her and into the living room. As expected, it's bigger than his own apartment; he more or less expected someone with a bearing like Caren's to pick somewhere a little more up market. As he looks around, his ears are pricked up with interest.]

You have a beautiful home, Miss Ortensia.

[showsnopiety]

[Oh no she was caught eyeing his butt. Oops.]

I see it happen often, one way or the other. I'll be there in a moment.

[She slips around, and comes back moments later with a blanket. Her home, she supposes, is elegant, though some of the more frail artiso things are gone. She's had to do some clean up when her home was invaded by anti Coven people.]

You're too kind to me Lancer. I must admit, most of my attention has been devoted to the kitchen and to the gardens-I've mostly cleaned the other quarters.

But thank you. Do you live in the barracks? The cottages?

ii

[bloodwit]

[ viren's -- not really quite here out of the goodness of his heart, but had hoped he'd been able to chat up some fellow refugees for information-seeking purposes. no luck as extracting anything new.

it's been long enough since he'd see caren that he almost does a double-take. ... most of immediate note, there seems to be a child attached to her leg. he only hesitates in so much as he's unsure if he wants to get involved; after a moment of dawdling, he's approaching, moving to scoop the little monster up by the back of their shirt collar. ]

Off.

[ hopefully, you know, the kid actually heeds that... ]

[showsnopiety]

[Viren is trying to do what he can, which well-that's helpful enough. She's not surprised at his reaction to her new form-she's gone under some dramatic transformations in the past few months.

Still, she's started, and she has to try and plant the broom on the floor, handle side down from the sudden weight lack on her person.]

Viren? That's-thank you but-

[Oh. Oh no. Is that-yup. The little monster looks like it's about to start wailing.]

[bloodwit]

[ oh for shit's sake. in all of viren's years of parenting, easy to say this is something he's dealt with before. does that make it welcome? no, not quite. ]

[ viren settles the child down (though, still holding to their collar; it wouldn't do for the kid to be magnetized right back to caren). there there, there are plenty of other people to bother - ]

[ a sigh. and in his best "i am a patient man, really," voice: ]

Ms. Caren needs to clean for now. When she's finished, she would be happy to spend some time with you.

[ right, caren.. ]

II

[judgementor]

[Rid of most of his usual finery for the purpose of getting his hands dirty, Red Wine has been working during the day in trousers and a linen shirt to save the rest of his clothing from ruin. With his hair neatly tied back, a couple of slim bandages wrapped around his fingers from minor mishaps, he'd be all too inconspicuous if not for the blood red eyes, pointed ears and sharp canines that already mark him as 'vampiric'.]

Mm. Let me. [He doesn't pass by the woman in distress, but crouches and holds his hand out to the small child.]

Here, come on, now. The lady is very busy.

[showsnopiety]

[He did seem rather...posh? For all that he dressed down to help with the cleaning and everything. She would have thought him one of the nobility but...the ears. She thought that most of the nobles were human.

As for his tactic...well...

"But she's FLUFFY! And you're scary!" Which made the child cling tighter to her leg. And she wobbled, grabbing at his shoulder for support.]

My apologies...

[This is awful, she hates this, why is this happening.]

[judgementor]

It's alright. I've been called worse things.

[He gives a small smile to the clinging child, and shifts his weight slightly to make it easier for Caren to balance against his shoulder. His hand is still out, though he doesn't make to grab at the child - at this point, doing that could only make things worse.

Red Wine glances up at her, deep red eyes lit with faint amusement.]

Maybe we'd both have an easier time if I took the broom instead.

Wildcard; mist time

[quickrecipeh]

[It's alarming when the first feather erupts from Ignis' skin, more alarming still that additional ones follow every few minutes. He realizes he ought to be calm about this, and remain capable and reliable. It's bound to be temporary, he assures himself.

He bears with it until his hands begin to change, growing rough and dark colored to match the purple-black feathers, fingers turning into clawed talons.

It isn't ideal, and, to be frank, he's rather out of sorts. Recognizing a nearby house, he stumbles over to the door, attempting to knock before slightly clawing at it. With a sigh, he leans against the doorframe and calls out in a most undignified manner:]

Caren? Are you home?

[showsnopiety]

Yes?

[She had been close to the door. In fact, she'd been hoping to come over to Ignis' place so she could enjoy a quiet dinner and cuddling up while reading, if not napping through the pain.

But she heard the urgency and came to the door, leaving her food offering in the kitchen to open the door to...well.]

...Ignis?

[A pause. And:]

Is this a prank?

[quickrecipeh]

[He manages a small smile at her, despite her reaction being a bit accusatory. It's understandable that she'd question it, but far from him to ever pull such a stunt.]

No. It started about an hour ago. May I come in? I'd prefer my companions not see me struggling.