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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.
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.]