well, I can make this work

[guillotine]

Who: Nel Zelpher, you! (And Solas.)
When: roughly mid- to late-May
Where: Haven, the Aristocratic District, various other districts...
What: Free-for-anyone neighborhood cookout, sketchy odd jobbing, Nel scaring a home intruder out of his wits, and a quest for a super wilde pumpkin. (Three open prompts! The wilder quest w/ Solas will go in a separate comment.)
Warnings: Violence, food with ulterior motives, nudity
*Prose or brackets a.o.k!! If none of these prompts work, you can also PM me to discuss a wildcard.


I. "free" food

There are no flyers or signs pointing to the event, but word of mouth might carry neighbors or passersby to the tables lined up before a pretty majestic garden. Three people hustle and bustle down the lot with wooden plates and utensils, bowls, pots; as the day is temperate with a forgiving sun, not much is being done to provide shade for the food on display.

Fruit tarts, fresh spring rolls, cold noodles some might recognize as soba, and rice that fills your mouth with sweetness are each set out in absurd portions. Two Monsters—a shaggy-haired Turnskin woman and a strapping male merrow—are in charge of ferrying back and forth between the castle-like mansion this production is situated in front of. Off to the side is a short, red-haired, knife-wielding witch in a sleeveless tunic and trousers, all dark and worn. The sun hardly has time to reflect off of her blade, a constant blur while Nel neatly and professionally brutalizes bite-sized slices of fish. These are combined with the sweet rice into layered ovals which fit comfortably into the palms of most, and should someone come near to take any for themselves, she gives a decisive nod without a single hiccup in the cutting of her knife.

“No charge, no surprise enchantments. Dig in.”


I.a. take a minute

It’s nearly dusk when the last of the debris is cleaned up. The pretty lane, restored to its untouched glory, now only hosts what stragglers stayed behind to lend a hand. One or two are collapsed onto a healthy lawn; others mutter and shake hands with Nel and the hired Monsters.

She cracks her neck audibly, with an awful snapsnapsnap that makes the Turnskin cringe as she trudges downstreet in the opposite direction. Then, seeming not to care who sees her so graceless, she throws herself onto a free patch of the garden’s long and feathery grass. “Parched.”

Nel twists a little to fix a tiredly assessing stare onto yourself. “You know, we do have some of the pear tarts left.”


II. pay me

Ingratiating herself with local residents across each district takes up as much time as her study of the Coven’s brand of magic. Nel never outright asks these new acquaintances to spy, just to share what comes their way in terms of news and gossip; in exchange, they receive a favor, or labor, or what monetary compensation she can spare. She’s careful not to offend or go after more than what they’re willing to give. So early in the formation of a network, she can’t afford to alienate people who have no reason to like a strange outsider.

That’s a lot of words to explain why Nel can be spotted (maybe even recognized) taking odd and odder jobs across the city. One morning she’s a runner, only trusted with business-oriented letters and packages of no real consequence to the senders or recipients—the next day sees her in long skirts and a maid’s stark uniform, toiling in the manor of some high-flying aristocrat. In areas where she would prefer not to be remembered, such as the manor, a plain black scarf pins back and hides the bright hair that would otherwise make her more memorable.

What’s it gonna be? Are you slow to move aside when a fast-moving woman bolts past? Did you bite it and hit the gutter, poor thing?

Take a fancy to the market and find a super sale on some item, only to have a sour-faced maid steal it out from under your nose? Even better, are you a manor guest—or snoop, without invitation? Funny how this meek servant pops up in the corner of your eye more than once. It’s not impossible that you’re being followed, even if you’re not inside its halls but prowling the hedge maze outdoors.



III. Aefenglom Woman Terrifies Home Invader, Naked and Unafraid

[ A certain young man, reasonably bitter over having his estate seized and redistributed, knows now his terrible mistake.

Nel Zelpher sleeps lightly in a tiny servant’s room on the mansion’s second floor, her window open a crack for sound to filter through. Even if that weren’t the case, a huffy aristocrat tripping over rearranged furniture in the dark is not a practiced sneak. She appears at the landing of the staircase as he curses and hops on one lordly foot, and a few things happen in quick succession.

One: he sees the dark silhouette of a lady, the gleam of her eyes, and the outline of a machete-sized blade in each fist. He realizes she’s in the buff.

Two: Nel sees him. He turns and bolts for the front door. ]

No, son of a— get back here, cretin!

[ She clears the stairs in two strategic leaps, tucking and rolling to soften the impact. The sound of metal hitting the floor behind him puts a new spring into the man’s step, and when the pursuit leads them to the estate’s sprawling garden he’s almost sobbing with fear. Nel bears down on him with silent and grim inevitability.

It’s pretty late. Maybe you're one of her housemates. Maybe someone’s out for a walk on the nicer part of town where naked folks aren’t supposed to charge out and chase shrill men with paint-stained hands. Maybe that someone is or isn’t you, but either way, this is heading in your direction… ]

Comments

[guillotine]

[ Despite the pleasure at having Alex join her, she refrains from drawing attention to it in conversation in case she's spooked. The grass is cool against her bare arms and shoulders, and for that alone Nel gives the offer real consideration. ]

I'm not one for too many sweets. I got my taste during prep.

[ She props herself up onto an elbow, stretched out and looking wholly feline. ]

Unless you have a sweet tooth, Alex?

[sing_for_me]

Ah..well..

[ She chuckles as she scratches at her cheek. ]

A..little bit..B-but that's not why I was asking! I just thought you might like some..I could just get water if that's all you'd want.

[guillotine]

[ Uh oh. Weakness spotted. Nel will never, ever forget it. ]

I don't think so.

[ She twiddles her work-rough fingers tauntingly; this version of the assassin she'd met in a small Coven room is freakishly loose after a day of laboring. Some of the weight on her shoulders is lifted, invisible pressure forgotten. ]

How about you follow me indoors?

[sing_for_me]

[ So..she didn't want a drink then? Alex was a little confused with Nel's response until she extended the invitation. She tilts her head curiously. ]

Sure...Indoors where?

[guillotine]

[ Nel doesn't so much as stand up as roll like liquid until her feet are both planted underneath her again, not minding that the break was fairly short. She offers Alex a friendly palm after estimating that her endurance is probably a bit lower. ]

We didn't serve the lunch here at random. The home behind me, the one that looks like a small castle, was commandeered by the Coven for myself and several others. I want to show you.

[ That big-eyed curiosity makes her want to form a human shield against anything that would taint it. ]

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex is a little less hesitant now, though there is a short pause still before she gingerly places her hand into Nel's. ]

That's where you live?

[ She perks up a little as she looks over at the house--actually, can that be counted as a house? That was a freaking castle, wasn't it? But Alex does take note how it looks and where it's at for future reference.

It didn't pass over her head that Nel had said that she wanted to show her home to Alex. It may be a small thing, but it still touched her. ]

I'd like to see it.

[guillotine]

[ Nel's thumb swipes across Alex's hand where it can reach, testing for new abrasions or injuries. The gesture's intimacy goes unremarked upon before she lets it drop. ]

It's... where I spend some of my time, at least. I'm certainly in residence. Follow me.

[ Turning, she leaves the front of the garden behind, sidestepping hedges and blooming flora that were beloved to whoever once lived here. A closer look at the estate will make it apparent that despite the stones and fortress-ish decor, it's more a massively stylized home than actual castle. ]

This will never be home, but it's shelter.

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex didn’t pick up on what Nel was aiming for, so she’s left a little confused when she lets go. Not that she had expected Nel to keep holding on, and she doesn’t dwell on it.

Her take on home, or what it isn’t, weighed a bit more on her. Alex could understand that, had to learn it, really. She wondered what was home for Nel, or at least hoped she had one.

She follows her towards the castle—house, looking around and admiring the flowers. Alright, maybe it was a lot homier than a castle would be. Alex just wasn’t used to such picturesque homes, not in the area she lived in. Passing through, she reached out and let her fingers glide over the flowers. ]

It’s really pretty..

[guillotine]

[ Observing Alex's genuine pleasure with the flowers, dewy from their last watering, quietly warms her. The hard ugliness in her heart can wait to flare up again. ]

You like them? I'll keep an eye on their health. You're free to take some with you.

[ It isn't as if they lack for knives in the area. Ha ha ha ha ha. ]

... they remind me a little of home, too.

[sing_for_me]

[ While the offer was sweet, Alex was much more interested in learning more about Nel. ]

What was your home like?

[guillotine]

[ The urge to deflect, to snap at the innocent inquiry, is so strong that Nel's mouth opens to shut down the line of questioning before it can get even more personal. Her gaze lands on the petals Alex had stroked, and she takes a bracing breath. ]

Sunny. Beautiful, surrounded by a vast lake and built above a drowned labyrinth. We had countless gardens and other blessings.

[ Sounds ideal, but then that's the point. Nel's recital is borderline worship of an idealized land. ]

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex realizes a little too late how personal that question was, the pause before she spoke, how she averted her gaze, the carefully chosen words. It was probably best not to pry at this point. ]

It does sound beautiful.

[ She smiles, still appreciative of Nel giving an answer rather than shooting her down. ]

I’m looking forward to seeing the inside.

[guillotine]

[ The query is a... gateway to subjects which can only become more invasive, not less, if you ask Nel.

Nel is not the person to ask. Nel is emotionally unavailable and stunted on several levels. ]

Fewer traps in there than the labyrinth I mentioned. It's unfortunate.

[ A spot of humor? Perhaps a joke? Smirking, her lead takes Alex to a trellis hanging over the front entrance. Sweet-smelling vines have turned their buds to the dying sun. ]

A young man and a woman live here as well. I'm told a musician also shares the space, but we haven't met.

[sing_for_me]

Oh, I see.

[ Her answer comes naturally, almost as naturally as Nel's response which is why it took a moment for Alex to register what she had just said. ]

...I'm sorry did you say traps?

[ But Nel was already steps ahead of her. The smirk meant it was a joke, right?

Alex quickens her pace to catch up, looking around not just at the surroundings, but also for possible..dangers. ]

Oh..that is quite a few people. That sounds nice.

[guillotine]

[ She tracks Alex's paranoid surveillance from the corner of her eye, approving of her instincts. After all, there might actually be a nasty surprise waiting to catch the unwary. ]

It's useful, and that's nice. As many entrances as we have, there are a dozen more places easily fortified.

[ Hey, Nel, this is a freaky as shit way to describe your goddamn house.

Unlocking the doors, she dips into a courtly bow and strongly implies that the guest should enter first. A richly decorated interior awaits, comfort and excess intermingled. ]

[sing_for_me]

[ Was Nel expecting a war or something? Although, some of the inhabitants weren't too happy about them moving in.

Her expression turns a little more concerned. ]

Has..anyone been giving you a hard time for staying here?

[guillotine]

[ Nel... tilts her chin, clearly in contemplation of something. She blinks, lips pursing and then relaxing. ]

I may as well tell you.

[ Shutting the door behind Alex also shuts out the sound of the city, bringing slight and private relief to the lady in residence. Faint as the noise was, it's now almost totally dulled. ]

We had a nighttime visitor. A young lord who intended to leave a message but not harm any of us. I think I surprised him. [ And that is a satisfied smile, yes ma'am. ]

[sing_for_me]

[ She's about to ask if they were okay, but the smile on Nel's face seemed to give an answer to that. Now she was wondering about the other guy. ]

Surprised him..how? [ Her tone is curious, but cautious. Did she want to know? Or was it better she not? ]

[guillotine]

[ A reasonable young lady might think less of Nel, or fret, after what she's about to learn.

Nel doesn't appear at all worried. She herds them to the kitchen, fingering the paneling of the hall they're taken through. ]

Well, since I only knew that there was an uninvited guest and not whether he was armed, I met him on the staircase. I'd borrowed a couple swords roughly a week prior...

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex follows suit, as always. ]

....Where did you--

[ Was it surprising though that Nel had found swords somewhere? ]

So what happened then..?

[ The suspense was getting to her. ]

[guillotine]

[ Hey! At least one of the swords was a gift. The other one is just a bit mysterious. Someone might be missing it, they might not.

Slinking to the covered tray of tarts, Nel bestows upon Alex a beatific and incredibly normal smile. It's... chilly. ]

Dinner. After he was chased down and spoken with, we mutually agreed that we had better sit down and talk the situation over.

[sing_for_me]

[ That was the answer Alex should have hoped for, really, but also wasn't what she expected. ]

Oh...

[ That wasn't meant to sound disappointed. ]

That's..that's good. I'm glad nothing bad happened, then.

[guillotine]

[ Alex's vague disappointment with the heavily edited version of the story doesn't go over her head, a little reminiscent of the children in Kirlsa who listen with big, shiny eyes to war stories; the gorier, the better.

Nel plops two tarts onto a plate she steals from the upper cabinet, sliding it to her honored guest. ]

Yes. Once he understood the alternative, he was happy to break bread. That's why negotiations are important, Alex.

[ All said rather kindly. ]

[sing_for_me]

[ She certainly did want a peaceful end, but Alex couldn't deny she liked to hear a good story.

The sparkle in her eye does return when the tarts are places in front of her, and her posture straightens. ]

Is this what you ate with him?

[ They seemed like the appropriate approach to a deal. ]

[guillotine]

No. We kept his mouth full of something a little more substantial.

[ This is the most singularly alarming thing Nel has said to anyone today, probably.

A tinge of real warmth spreads across her countenance as she beholds Alex... and the change in her after something as easy as a shared tart. It's dangerous, to relax so much around anyone here. They're aliens, offworlders, temporary. Looking at this woman's brightness, it's harder to remember that. ]

Enough about him; tell me how you are.