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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.
no subject
--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?
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[ So sure of himself he sounds there. Nevermind he hasn't even been in this world for a month yet. ]
They're all the same. They feed on the living and drink blood from humans specifically. That's just a universal thing for them.
[ Or so he assumes. But, look. He knows what he's talking about. Regardless, he just sighs and holds the bottle back to Anderson. He just... doesn't want to deal with this shit anymore than he has to. ]
Why aren't you looking weird? Or is this you looking weird and I just can't tell?
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And in any case, the topic's shifted. Andersen shakes the bottle.]
Did you assume I was a Monster? I don't blame you. I've the temper and tongue of one. I'm a Witch, which means I've been reduced to a walking battery pack.
[He glances into the bottle.]
According to this, your fortune's to turn around.
no subject
[ Is that a thing here? Hell if he knows. But he comes to fold his arms against his chest as he looks down to Anderson who just... doesn't seem like himself. Not that he really knows much about the little guy to begin with but, from what he's seen so far? Definitely a change in mood and Trevor is the absolute worst at trying to make one feel better. Splendid for the both of them, right? ]
Why don't you tell your own fortune and stop sulking about?
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[His tone regains some of its usual scathing bite, a sign that Trevor's remark has helped, just a bit, in the way a bone helps a dog chew away its nervousness. Andersen rolls his eyes.]
Read the mood, why don't you? I'm a little heavy-handed in my attempts at sympathy, but you could at least give me a "thanks" out of pity.
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[ A wave of his hand, he comes to drop himself down next to the sad little man and stretches his legs out in front him while cracking his fingers with a stretch of his hands. ]
Look, whatever it is you're being all weepy about, it's over and done with, yeah? No sense sitting here being a sad little man when you could be doing something else. So... cheer up and quit whining?
[ He's pretty good at this, isn't he? ]
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[Andersen didn't expect Trevor to actually go and do that. He falls quiet for a moment, then ventures to break the silence with:]
Save for that last bit. Someone thinner-skinned would've taken offense to it.
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But not you, right? You're short and thick-skinned so you can handle anything.
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[ A beat. ]
I know how that sounds but it isn't.
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I don't need to know about your kinks. I'm too old to stick my nose into young people's bedrooms.
[SAYS THE GUY WHO LOOKS 10]
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[ Jesus CHRIST, ANDERSON. ]
You're the one who wants to elbow my balls you freaky little shit.
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[THIS IS A TERRIBLE CONVO]
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Look, just- shut the hell up about elbows and dicks, ok? Just pick yourself up and stop moping about like a baby. God, this is what I get for trying to help.
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[ They're... so mature. For their ages. Or something. ]
You going to be ok if I leave you to it then?