Nel Zelpher (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
guillotine) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
middaeg2019-05-20 01:46 am
guillotine) wrote in middaeg2019-05-20 01:46 am
well, I can make this work
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… ]
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… ]
no subject
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.
no subject
What was your home like?
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
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. ]
no subject
Her expression turns a little more concerned. ]
Has..anyone been giving you a hard time for staying here?
no subject
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. ]
no subject
Surprised him..how? [ Her tone is curious, but cautious. Did she want to know? Or was it better she not? ]
no subject
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...
no subject
....Where did you--
[ Was it surprising though that Nel had found swords somewhere? ]
So what happened then..?
[ The suspense was getting to her. ]
no subject
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.
no subject
Oh...
[ That wasn't meant to sound disappointed. ]
That's..that's good. I'm glad nothing bad happened, then.
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
[ She chuckles light-heartedly as she picks up the tart, but also looks at her to see if she'd be taking the other. It seemed rude to eat it all by herself. ]
Although..I think sometimes someone might be lurking outside. They might just be checking to see who's occupying the cottage though.
[ It's not so much that she's taking it lightly, but she does prefer it's someone real than not outside.
She does take a bite of the tart, and oh, the combination of sweet and tartness was perfect. Her fingers touch her lips as she takes in the flavors. ]
no subject
What.
[ She might recall the night/early morning they'd met in a shared Coven room, well before either of them were escorted to a new residence. Specifically, maybe Alex recalls the hard, demonic glint in Nel's eye that promises pain to an unspecified person. ]
Describe them. Leave nothing out. What times do they appear? Have they approached you? Do they leave any tracks or objects behind?
no subject
She does look up, mid bite of her own tart when Nel started asking questions. That glint in her eye was familiar, and she wondered if maybe it was something she shouldn't have brought up. ]
Ah-- I haven't actually..seen them! Like I said they might just be..looking.
[ Which still made her feel uncomfortable, but she didn't want to alarm Nel that much. ]
I-it's fine, they haven't done anything serious.
no subject
Yet. What they're doing is called stalking, and there is no innocent reason as to why they couldn't just go to your doorstep and ask what they need to know.
[ Her voice has taken on the sharp and brittle edge of a primitive spear, aimed somewhere that isn't Alex. ]
Look— do me a favor? Let me spend the night with you.
no subject
[ She says while inconspicuously nudging the plate back to her. ]
Maybe..Maybe they’re just making sure I’m taking care of the place?
[ Thought it sounds more likely that they’re waiting for her to mess up and just find a reason to take it back. ]
no subject
As I said, a well-intentioned person would approach you in broad daylight and ask.
[ Nel's beginning to work up to a scold, the tension bleeding into her shoulders, and with a breath she forces the hostility out of her voice. ]
It's decided; I'm going back with you. Tonight. [ Decided... not by Alex!! ]
no subject
But she does notice how her shoulders start to go stiff, and Alex doesn't try to push back. Nel was coming from a good place, she knew that. Alex just didn't expect her to be so insistent on it. ]
I..don't mind, but my place isn't as nice as yours..Is that alright?