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[open] october catch-all | paperback dreams in their deep doze
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
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
TWO | SNAKE EYED, WITH A SLY SMILE | PARLIAMENTARY RECORDS
[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!
THREE | WANNA PLAY CHEAT NOW | EVERYWHERE
[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.
FOUR | WE CAN HOLD YOU | THE SHOPPING DISTRICT
[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.
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.
4-A
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?
[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!!
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!
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.
no subject
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
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!
[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.]
no subject
[the words are hissed out at Andersen, but he's the first to turn on his heel and stalk outside, a black shadow outside to reach in his pocket for his cigarette case. he deserves to light up, he thinks, if he's going to be pulled into this. between the grade school grandpa and the winged man, he's not sure who exactly is getting the best end of this conversation.]
no subject
[Andersen says it too cheerfully for it to mean anything good. He'll finally start to leave the shop, leaving the stupefied store owner standing there. Stops, at the doorway, to say to the kid:]
The name's Andersen, by the way.
[He jerks a thumb Dantes's way.]
And that bouncing ball of joy... I suppose you could call him my shadow.
no subject
[He shrugs his shoulders, but follows them out.]
My name's Rich. Rich Goranski. I'd say it's a pleasure, but, still being the judge of that.
no subject
Rich Goranski. file that under a name he never intends to tell anything serious whatsoever.]
You've found similar enough company in Andersen, then. He prefers to say what he likes, cause a commotion, and couldn't care about who's fond of him after the fact. The pride of an author and all.
[except, of course, when he's desperate for attention and the love of the public. but this isn't far enough into the day for him to be so pained that he starts truly dragging Andersen through the mud.]
no subject
[Such an introduction isn't something anyone should be proud of, but Andersen seems to delight in the accuracy of Dantes's analysis. He stops once they're a few feet from the store, just so he may turn on his heel and give a dramatic bow.]
I am but a fool addicted to scribbling books, a layabout who prefers to exert the least amount of effort possible! I am particularly fond of deconstructing people's characters, which is what I am all too happy to do without permission.
no subject
[He's still a lonely kid, desperate for recognition, even after his whole mess with the SQUIP. At least Anderson seems pleased with himself, and Rich can't fault him for that. He's certainly brave.]
You're pretty young for an author. I'm kind of impressed. What did you write?
[Rich doubts he'll know, since there doesn't seem to be a ton of crossover in these worlds from what he's seen, but he's curious anyways.]
no subject
[the smirk he wears is hidden behind his hand when he exhales more smoke, but his eyes speak to enough amusement. Andersen flaunting his True Name with the details was his own business - it didn't make the truth less of a blow.]