[open] october catch-all | paperback dreams in their deep doze

[manlet]

Who: Andersen & you!
When: Post-Fright Night
Where: All over the place.
What: A spell gone wrong, an attempt to strongarm someone to do the heavy lifting, a discreet advertisement, and causing a scene.
Warnings: Possible references to body horror/injuries.

ONE | SLOW DOWN, IT'S A SCIENCE | THE COVEN

[For all his bellyaching, Andersen can be a diligent student when he wants to be. This month's focus is on enchantment - a form of magic that's closest to his original powers. But he never had to think to cast his spells. They were an intrinsic part of him, natural and fleeting, and he finds himself scratching his head over the formulas more often than not.

This weekend, he's testing an enhancement spell on his own book. He intended to strengthen the lock but instead the damn thing sprouts legs and begins running away!

Better watch out. A book may just try to hide behind you as its furious master skids around the corner, caterwauling:]

Seize it! Don't let it get away!

TWO | SNAKE EYED, WITH A SLY SMILE | PARLIAMENTARY RECORDS

[So you're looking for a book. As it turns out, there's a small gremlin who's camped out between two shelves, surrounded by tons of volumes. There's enough to surround him like a miniature set of disarrayed castle walls - books on Aefenglom's history, on politics, on geography - can he even finish all of these in one sitting? If you're close enough, you'll notice that Andersen's legs are tightly bandaged up.

He raises his head from the massive book he's got set in his lap and squints.]

I was beginning to wonder when they'd send an assistant to help me.

[He slams shut the volume with his thumb as a bookmark and gestures to the pile on his left.]

Help me carry these to the front desk.

THREE | WANNA PLAY CHEAT NOW | EVERYWHERE

[A message goes out on the network, simple and sweet:]

Name: Hans Christian Andersen
Date: Octeuril 21
Format: Text

Looking for a handyman for a long-term job. If you know how to use tools, you're a candidate. If you're the type who can keep their yap shut, you're halfway to being hired. Contact me and I'll set up an interview.

FOUR | WE CAN HOLD YOU | THE SHOPPING DISTRICT

A - This will be a three-way thread with Andersen & Dantes. One reply only please!!

[With some spare change on the side, Andersen figured he may as well see what the more fashionable stores were selling. If he was to mingle with the blue-blooded society surrounding the Coven, then he'll have to at least dress the part - even if he can't afford it at the moment. It's why he invites his Bonded to come do a little window shopping, so he may hear his opinions on what style would best appeal to the bougie.

Andersen's been to this particular shop a few times. He's never bought anything, though he's chat up some of the staff before. Only, this time, things have changed. The mist has left people jittery and it isn't long before the store owner shows up to stiffly ask Andersen to leave.

--that Dantes is not asked does not escape Andersen's notice. Though the mist transformed them all, his companion has the benefit of having no monstrous parts and his identity a secret. Andersen has made his status as a Mirrorbound known to too many people. He sets down the shirt he was looking at.]

Or what? You're a coward, without the muscles or guts to throw me out.

[Andersen speaks loudly so he can be heard. People stop to listen. The storekeeper retorts that he'll have his security throw him out for being a threat.]

A threat-- [Andersen looks about, incredulous.] Do you hear what this fool is saying! You--

[He picks the first person he sees, sweeps his arms at all of himself.]

Do I look like a threat to you?

[It doesn't seem like this situation is going to deescalate anytime soon...]


B - After causing a scene...

[What happened has pricked at his pride, though he doesn't have the courage to admit it. He wanders off on his own, squanders some money on (non-alcoholic) drinks, and sits by a fountain where he glumly sips his overly-sweet soda. At one point, he spots you and offers one, cap first.]

There's a fortune printed inside. [He says it with the joy of a man forced to kiss someone's boot.] Maybe yours will be better than mine.

Comments

4-A

[firewalled]

[Andersen might have picked just the right person to stick up for him... either that or the exact person to help him cause an even bigger scene. Rich already was pissed with the way the mist had overwhelmed so many people here, and had given a chance for a dangerous entity here to get even more dangerous and power-hungry. It was impossible for him to ignore the pointed looks he now was getting from people who thought monsters or Mirrorbound were somehow responsible for the disaster. He had just started accepting his changes, and now everyone else was going to hate him for them?

Rich is used to being a social disaster, but this is even worse.

It's all he can do to bite his tongue when he hears a squabble between a customer and the shopkeep, but he still looks up curiously... just in time for the customer to request his support. He comes forward then, his extensive changes (the latest being the small leathery wings on his back) probably even more intimidating.]

No, you don't. You look like a guy who just wants to buy some clothes. Pretty sure looking around isn't a threat, unless you're taking part in some good old fantasy racism, sir?

thread order rich - dantes - andersen?

[ressusciter]

That's enough.

[the voice isn't loud, but level enough to be heard. it comes from a man who is tall, pale, and black-clad, looking at the both of them with a set expression. he's not pleased by this either, but Andersen causing a public scene and then leaving his Bonded to contain it wasn't on his agenda for the day.

his anger is restrained for the moment, sparking under the surface, and it means he walks forward as though this place is fortunate enough to have him so much as glance their way, someone else literally stepping out of his way to let him draw near.]

The strange discrepancy in which this store receives those who would be patrons is their own concern, whether they wish to maintain the illusion of exclusivity that will drive loyalty away into the arms of capricious fashion and whim that ever seeks to destroy their own. What they consider only speaks to something to be noted in the future. Such is the folly of man.

[the storekeeper is stunned into silence, and Dantes glances to Rich, eyes not lingering on his changes but meeting his eyes directly.]

In any case, it is useless to disturb others for trivial disagreements.

[and his look shifts to Andersen, where what's hidden under it is easy to read for the author. we're leaving.]

good by me!!

[manlet]

[Andersen fully intended on stirring the pot. It was why he roped a stranger into this argument, why he metaphorically stomps his feet and refuses to go quietly. If there is a perceived slight, he'll spin it into an ostentatious performance.

Annoyance flashes across his face, something that Rich can likely see, and he glances up at Dantes.]

I was using this boy as a prop. Shouldn't you be scolding me more fiercely?

[The author folds his arms across his chest and heaves a dramatic sigh.]

Hey, boy.

[He's speaking to Rich. Andersen jerks his head Dantes's way.]

Don't mind how he speaks. When your life's miserable, you want to make everything a scene.

[Says the man who caused a scene.]

all good!

[firewalled]

[Oh, geez. Rich notices as soon as the kid's companion speaks up that he might be a touch out of his league here. He is not nearly as eloquent in his speech, especially with his rather embarrassing lisp, and he has a problem with feeling like people are being condescending towards him when they're showing off like that, so he's already both stunned and annoyed by Dantes' little spiel.

He hopes the two of them will just take that cue to leave so his hackles don't raise, but then his attention is grabbed by the child (he looks like a grade schooler, so why the hell is he being so smug?) calling him "boy." He folds his arms across his chest and gives the two of them a searching frown, brow furrowed.]

For your information, I'd rather not be someone's fucking prop, okay, kiddo?

[Yeah, you get the age card right back. Only Jake is allowed to call Rich "boy," and that's only because Jake is too dumb to mean anything cruel by it.]

Pretty sure you were the one who was having a mini tantrum. If you want him on your side, you probably should have been a little more respectful.

[ressusciter]

[oh, the scolding had yet to begin, but he was saving it for their walk to wherever they headed next, but he had to restrain his own tongue. he was the one making a scene? Andersen was the one who decided to take a stand right here and now of all places. still, he'll allow himself one response - just one, for the both of them, instead of getting entirely swept up into fights like this.

it's like Andersen forgets that there are better ways to push back against injustice than yelling at it. for example, engineering this store's complete financial collapse in the next six months.]

Rather bold of you to try and lecture another when respect is equally absent from you. Consider your words wisely.

[both of them, really. he didn't sign up to babysit anyone, today, and the more this drags on, the more he'll want a cigarette. true, he could just walk away, but then who knows what fiasco Andersen would get himself into? he said it was enough - he'd hate to repeat himself.]

I THOUGHT I RESPONDED TO THIS JIJGE

[manlet]

[Oh, the word respectful gets to him. Andersen can't help himself. He breaks into laughter and even slaps his knee, like he's a miniature grandpa.]

I wanted to shame the fool, not persuade him! Oh, respect, that's rich. A filthy author like me lashes out his tongue to whittle down an asshole's pride, not to sweeten them up!

[It seems as though this situation is quickly turning into "Andersen paints a target on himself because he can't shut up." He puts his hands akimbo and grins at both Rich and Dantes.]

My friend here is embarrassed by my antics. You're funny, boy. Come out and argue with us some more - I'd like a pleasant conversation to clear my bad mood.

NO WORRIES happens to the best of us!

[firewalled]

Hey, since when was I the asshole here?

[He groans softly, witnessing the mess he's gotten himself into. Whoever this kid is, he doubts that anything he will say will convince him not to be such a brat. He sounds like some spoiled gifted child or something... he did say he was apparently an author.]

I'm coming outside, but I'm not looking to argue with you, okay? That doesn't exactly sound like a "pleasant" conversation to me.

[He spent the last two years with a smug bastard in his head, he doesn't need to voluntariliy expose himself to another one.]

4-B

[quickwhip]

What?

[ Well if this isn't someone he wasn't so sure he'd be seeing again anytime soon. Of course it's not as though Trevor has actually been out and about as of late. The mist had been one thing but what had transpired alongside it... well, needless to say, he's got fangs now and is slowly turning into a fucking vampire from the looks of it. For a Hunter, for a Belmont? There's no worse a fate to have and it's certainly been an adjustment for him in terms of trying to fucking cope with it all.

He's still not doing so great with that.

So when Anderson offers a drink to him, he just stands there and... stares. Yeah. ]

You look like shit.

[manlet]

[Though he hasn't known the man for long, something is off about Trevor. It gives Andersen pause, has him take a closer look at his features. It doesn't take long for the author to pick out the fangs.]

You don't look much better.

[He shakes the bottle. You gonna take it or what, buddy?]

So, you turned out to be a Monster in the end. That must've been a joyful surprise.

[quickwhip]

Shut up.

[ It's a kneejerk reaction that comes from the hunter before he just sighs and takes hold of the bottle being offered to him. How long before he finds himself turned off from any drink that isn't blood? ]

I'd just as much stake myself if I didn't have someone protest the idea.

[manlet]

[Andersen shakes off Trevor's rudeness as easy as water off a duck's back. He's cut from similar cloth, in the sense that he's always run his mouth when he shouldn't. The admission earns a crook of his eyebrow.]

I'd have to side with your mysterious savior. You are good company, even when you're staggering around, threatening children. It'd be a shame to lose you.

[quickwhip]

[ Whut. ]

What?

[ Yeah. Didn't really expect to hear THAT from someone and it damn near had him choke on the swig he took from the bottle. Warn him next time you offer him some backhanded compliment?? ]

You don't get it. This isn't what I am. I hunt and kill what I'm becoming. The only shame there is is becoming a fucking vampire.

[manlet]

[For all his faults, Andersen is honest. He freely speaks what's on his mind - it just so happens that most of what's in his head is pessimistic, cynical, and boorish. There's a few glimmers of kindness mixed in, though one usually has to slosh through filth to get to it.

--and to tell the truth, it is a little funny to be unexpectedly nice and to surprise people. Andersen's mouth twitches at Trevor's surprise, as if he wants to smile, but manages to suppress it.]

Surely the situation is different here. A vampire in your world may be the rabid cousin to the vampires here. Otherwise monster hunters would be in huge demand, wouldn't you say?

3

[spaghettimonster]

SO YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A HANDYMAN...
WHAT SORT OF JOB IS IT? AND HOW LONG-TERM?

[It might be nice to have a project, as he gets his bearings again. He just won't acknowledge that part about keeping quiet until the interview.]

[manlet]

Chasing out rats, fixing drywall, etc. It's a janitorial job combined with a carpenter and electrician's job. In short, you'd be helping to overhaul an entire building until it's finished.

[spaghettimonster]

PHEW! THAT'S AMBITIOUS AND EXCITING.

HOW BIG IS THE BUILDING?? I'VE REDESIGNED PARTS OF MY HOUSE, AND DONE THE CARPENTRY, PLUMBING, AND ELECTRICITY MYSELF... THIS MIGHT BE RIGHT IN MY WHEELHOUSE.

EXCEPT, I DON'T HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE CHASING RATS. ARE THEY HARDER TO CATCH THAN DOGS?

[manlet]

It sounds as though you are a jack-of-all trades, inexperience in rat-hunting aside. Ha! The building's a large theater. As for the rats...

They're tenacious, furry little bastards. You'll have to keep a sharp eye out and your wits about you to snag every last one of them. Do you think you're up to the task?

[spaghettimonster]

A THEATER, HUH? AND A LARGE THEATER AT THAT... MUCH BIGGER THAN A HOUSE! BUT I'M UP TO THE TASK!

THAT PART OF THE TASK, ANYWAY. AS FOR THE FURRY LITTLE BASTARDS... OF COURSE I'LL GIVE IT A TRY! BUT MAYBE I COULD DELEGATE THE RAT CATCHING. I DON'T KNOW IF MY NEW INSTINCTS HELP ME SNAG THEM.

[manlet]

Oh? So you're a Monster? I take it that you aren't a feline.

1!

[kuroi_taiyo]

[ He's heard nerds talk about books getting away on them, but that was probably about the story. This is the first time Judar's seen a book running.

Honestly, he could've easily caught it, or even stepped on the book to get it under control. ]

Then catch!

[ It's the only real warning before Judar punts the damn thing back in the direction it came from. Oh, it's the weird man-child, he realized as the kick ended. Well, this just works out better. ]

[manlet]

[Kicking a book feels like a crime?! Yet the runaway tome is helpless. One kick, and it goes flying, its pages fluttering. It hits the wall, wriggling in vain to get back up. Andersen, meanwhile, huffs and puffs as he quickly doubles back to snatch up the book. Its little feet wildly kick in protest as he hoists it up.]

Ah, Judar!

[How can someone forget those ridiculously luscious locks? Andersen grunts as he holds the book at an arm's length.]

Do I look the athletic sort? What's the point of making me do extra work?

[kuroi_taiyo]

[ Don't fall too in love with his hair. A few days without care and it'd be a true horror show. Of the ridiculously scary kind. ]

The point is that you made the work in the first place. Really, it's me doing any extra work.

[ He could've given into the temptation to watch it run on by, leaving Andersen to run around for however longer. But really, this has a natural question to it all. ]

Why'd you go about putting legs on a book anyway?

[manlet]

[Listen, Andersen can't help liking that sort of stuff!! Judar's right about the "extra work" bit, which he concedes to with a roll of his eyes. He firmly tucks the book beneath his arm, where it continues to squirm.]

I was trying to enchant it. [Grumble grumble.] What sort of author wants his stories to run away from him? Chasing down ideas is hard enough - chasing down a manuscript on top of that? I'd rather die.

[nobody asked for your dramatics andersen]

[kuroi_taiyo]

Then keep a leash on it, if you don't wanna die.

[ You're not the only person with dramatics, and Judar knows how to go along with them easily enough. Though there's a glimmer of irritation over the fact that this happened from an attempt at magic. If that were the case, why couldn't he even manage failed attempts?

Such is the way things go when you insist a coven's 'magic aptitude test' had a false negative. ]

So, you just taking a bunch of stories, or are you hoarding away some of the study material as well? You seem like the type to create structures out of piles of books you intend to read, but will take a while to get through.

[manlet]

[Andersen mutters beneath his breath:]

I wouldn't have to work if I was dead...

[It seems the book has finally accepted its fate and has settled down. Its feet dangles sadly, and it somehow manages to look forlorn without a face. Andersen heaves a sigh at Judar's question.]

Your assumption is correct. I look the part of the bookworm and perform its stereotypes perfectly. I built a chair of books in the library a few days ago, but I was told off for damaging the volumes. Hmph.

[........ where's the answer to judar's question]

I need money, since I've declined the Coven's amenities. So I've resorted to writing... [He opens the book.] ... romances.