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

she's so happy

[topslug]

She'd get along with Aya-san, wouldn't she, is a thought that flits through Yako's head, briefly. There are similarities there, in the way she holds herself, elegant whether she's preparing a meal or cutting down a monster...

Or silently commenting on Yako's appetite. She flusters a little, not missing that look, and laughs sheepishly.

"I didn't expect to see you here." Why that should be a surprise given she already bumped into one person from that strange vision... "You seem well too. Did you make all this? It's really good!"

good... good............... eat

[guillotine]

It's good to be remembered, she had told Solas the day of their arrival, and that continues to hold true. She feels a bit saner for the recognition in Yako's eyes. Every night after the first contains fewer and fewer existential crises that relate to this world.

Her own is another story.

Nel slaps together a vivid piece of what is definitely sashimi, the fish meat an inviting shade of pink. Only safe, quality ingredients for herself and anyone eating from her table. "Why, thank you. We've been at it for a while," jerking her thumb towards the busy Turnskin and merrow.

"Wasn't my idea," she lies as comfortably as breathing, smiling, "but with the spiked food that's so commonplace, it was hard to say no. Take as much as you need to fill up. It's gotta go."

makes panicked eye contact as she slowly upends the table to slide all food into her maw

[topslug]

Yako's eyes glance over to Nel's other companions (housemates? Friends?) while she absentmindedly inhales another serving of food, using Nel talking as an excuse not to make conversation herself. At the mention of 'spiked food,' her brow furrows a little, and she swallows her current mouthful (with more grace this time) before she answers.

"As long as you're sure..." Nel may come to regret that blanket offer, because Yako is a bottomless well. That being said, at least the gastronomic devastation about to visit this spread is forestalled by Yako actually wanting to, well, talk. "That's a good point, though. I wonder if there's magic that can let you pick up on whether food is enchanted or not."

just assumes yako is a monster

[guillotine]

"Acquaintances" is sufficient to describe her relationship with the unnamed monsters. Friends should be introduced, as a rule, but Nel seems disinclined to have them meet Yako or vice versa. That could be carelessness, or it could be that for whatever reason, monopolizing the girl's time and keeping her from them is more convenient.

She has no compunction about nibbling on a piece before it can be served, chewing, and blinking in mute approval. "That's an excellent thought, and you should hold onto it. Research takes up much of my time and I haven't pursued that line of inquiry..."

Inhaling and looking smug. "I'm delighted that you don't need the impetus of a threat to stay sharp."

honestly, close enough

[topslug]

Depending on how things go, given the way this city is, it's likely only a matter of time before Yako meets them herself without Nel's supervision. For now, the other woman's got all her attention in turn (or, well, as much attention as she can spare beyond the food).

Though Nel's comment clearly catches her off-guard, if only because being on guard had been the farthest thing on her mind.

"Well, it'll be a while before I can do something like that, so I need as early of a start as I can get," she says, sheepishly. Studying's never come that naturally to Yako, and magic is no exception to the rule. It'll be ironic, in the end, if she figures out a way to detect enchanted food through making enchanted food. Though something else Nel has said catches her attention.

"What have you been doing research on?"

[guillotine]

Calmly shredding another bite of sweet fish, she considers and discards the idea of editing the list of things she's studied. Nel has only made note of the forbidden arts, not pursued them.

"Anything, everything. It's been many years since I was a green recruit who couldn't manage to summon a basic flame." Her vague smile pulls too tightly across her mouth. "And whatever I can find on the nature of our power. Did you know, Yako, that a witch is a danger to herself?"

[topslug]

In between speaking, Yako's making short work of the food on her plate; it won't be long before she probably needs to peel away for a refill. She will, though, nod at the question.

"The Coven mentioned something about that. Once someone decides to start using magic, they have to keep using it, or else..." They'll, you know, blow up.

[guillotine]

The spectacle of Yako's hyper-efficient food demolition could almost distract Nel from the topic at hand. It's a pleasure to feed someone who is apparently starving to death otherwise, she thinks.

Humming, her callused hands busy themselves with the knife. "Mm. What an interesting dilemma that's been inflicted on us. And you? Clearly you're a sharp girl, and the risk of a tool backfiring won't stop you from building what you need."

[topslug]

Nel's not wrong about that. Despite the risks it presents and the sheer unfamiliarity of what she's been confronted with, part of Yako wants to rise to the challenge ... and part of her can't help but be curious about it. Learning magic, for better or worse, seems one of the most interesting ways to explore more about this world.

"I'm not very good at it, but I've liked learning at the Coven so far," she admits. "Where I'm from, we don't have any kind of magic, so it's all new to me. It doesn't come as easy as it did in the dream. If I think about it, it's actually kind of amazing to have a city full of people who can do things like this."

[guillotine]

So Yako attends the Coven's lessons as well. Frowning, she wonders how they've missed each other; she takes it as a failure on her part, even if luck or coincidence kept them separate.

"What's amazing is that the majority are welcome to do it. Historically, people will find a way to quash certain classes of ability-- or lack of. Though... we've seen some prejudice, haven't we?"

Her attention sharpens, but the knife's motion is steady and uninterrupted.

"We might inquire as to the reception of 'monsters' before the Cwyld ever reared its head."

[topslug]

Let’s be real, that owes as much to Yako’s singleminded focus on the Coven’s kitchens and the magic possible in them as much as anything else.

At the subject Nel brings up, Yako’s expression grows a touch more troubled, absently popping another bite of food into her mouth.

“Yes,” she admits. “The Coven discourages a distance between Witches and Monsters, but you can tell not everyone feels the same way.”

[guillotine]

There is, just maybe, a bit too much violence and noise in the thwackthwackthwack of her blade against the wooden board. A marked increase from mere seconds prior.

"And another thing. Are monsters self-titled? Why would you take the word for a dangerous beast and make it your own?" Nel glances up sourly, though Yako has less than nothing whatsoever to do with these naming conventions. Slices of cleaned fish slump in a row beside her hands. "I've— borrowed some Coven texts, and none of them discuss that part yet. Not explicitly."

[topslug]

Yako hasn’t got any ready answers for that, as her sheepish look implies, and she shakes her head.

“I haven’t heard anyone speak against that, but I haven’t met that many monsters. I suppose...” She pauses, thinking. “Perhaps it’s not the best comparison, but there are people who can be proud of being called something other people might be afraid of. People who like calling themselves thieves, or thugs, or assassins and that kind of thing. It’s a way of reminding yourself you’re different — maybe that you’re strong.”

[guillotine]

Nel considers Yako's answer with a calm too abrupt to be natural. Her irritation subsides in an instant, draining somewhere under lock and key to be tapped into at a later date. The hands molding new sashimi (and passing them over despite how much food is or isn't still on her plate) are economical, but gentle.

"Hmm."

Four more pieces stack onto Yako's hoard. "Language is an odd thing. Perhaps I ought to accept that my perspective is lacking." It's much easier to acknowledge a flaw when one is already plotting to correct it.

[topslug]

Somehow, the sashimi disappears from the plate and into Yako's mouth with barely any detectable movement. It's an impressive sleight of hand trick, the only sign of which is the girl's mouth going from empty to full, cheeks stuffed with food like a particularly pretty chipmunk. She swallows, and speaks again.

"I kind of like it, though." She pauses, considering how to clarify that. "Not being stuck in a place where I can't go home, but ... learning new things and getting to meet new people. Not just the ones who live here already, but you and everyone else who ended up here ... there's so much to this place we haven't seen yet."

[guillotine]

Yako is wasted on magic. She should be trained in thief's work; Nel could use a talented pickpocket...

But she's valuable for more than her mutant ability to stash things in the great vacuum of her mouth. About to say as much, the inclusion of her own person as a... positive, something gone right in an environment going very wrong, stops the ceaseless chopping of her knife. She seems stunned. Embarrassed. Flabbergasted, even, although it shows in less extreme ways than is typical in more expressive folks.

"You— have a very open mind." 'Nel can be inflexible... problematic.' A subordinate relayed those words when she thought her commanding officer wasn't in the room, and they'd come from the woman who understood everything Nel was. Is. How much am I meant to compromise?

[topslug]

That's a funny way to phrase that, enough to draw Yako's attention back to Nel in a brief moment of confusion -- before her expression breaks out into a smile.

"You're not the first one who's said something like that," she answers, cheerfully. If it's a weakness, it's one she clearly doesn't mind displaying. She licks her fingers clean of the last of the flavors, mournfully, and heaves a wistful sigh. She'd really like to keep eating endlessly here, but she has some self-restraint. So the obvious tack is to distract with more compliments! That's the way to do it!

"You're a really good cook."