(no subject)

[sing_for_me]

Who: Alex and you!
When: Mid to end of May, Full-moon
Where:River Temese, Tavern
What: Dealing with some troublesome full-moon effects, quest, possible catch-all
Warnings: Just mild changes



Full Moon/ Transformation

i. Fish Out of Water

[ She had heard that the full moon would have an effect on her now, but hearing was different from experiencing. On her way home from the tavern, her body started to feel strange. Something was changing, and it terrified her, and while she had been warned not to fight it, Alex couldn’t help but do that. It was her automatic reaction to anything that scared her. Her neck in particular felt uncomfortable. Not painful, but she kept scratching at it as she felt something start to form across the sides.

Not fully aware of her surroundings or where she was going, Alex found herself closer to the river Temese. It was only the sound of the water that took her attention away from her neck. Something about it was soothing..beckoning even, drawing Alex towards the ledge. She gripped at the banisters that prevented people from falling into the river, her nails scraping at it as she stared down at the water. Without much thought, she started to climb over the railing, the only thing on her mind being that she needed to be in there. ]


ii. 'Cause You're So Shiny

[ Even away from water, Alex is restless, scratching the back of her hands as something harder starts to form on her skin. She keeps her head low and tries to keep to herself and out of people’s way until she can find someone who could maybe help her out, but that plan is tossed out the mental window when her eyes focus on something else. Maybe it was the way the moonlight made it twinkle or maybe it was just pretty, but whatever it was, Alex couldn’t look away and suddenly, she just had to have it. Was it around your neck? Your wrist? Maybe you’re wearing a well-polished belt buckle or your favorite earrings.

You may feel a tug as she takes a hold of you, or maybe she goes straight for whatever shiny thing is on you. Watch out for the claws. ]

Tavern

[ Alex noticed a difference in the way people spoke to her in the tavern after the full-moon. While the monsters seemed more comfortable talking to her now, the human patrons suddenly became colder. Even the way they looked at her had changed, at least, it did when they caught sight of gills on her neck. On one hand, it was kind of nice to have the other monsters lighten up around her, but the way the humans looked at her was a little too familiar for her, and not in a good way.

During her break, Alex can be found in the back trying to decide between keeping her hair up, or maybe putting it down to try and hide the new additions. You might catch holding her hair up into a ponytail, then letting it go, then repeating those actions.

Do you have an opinion, or would you rather leave the weird woman to whatever the hell she’s doing. ]

Wildcard
[ If you'd like to do something else hit me up at mightycheese and I can make a top-level for you! ]

Comments

iii; since they both work here...

[kaowont]

[ It's hard to find a moment of quiet in an establishment that feels as welcoming as it is unbelonging to the new blood from the Coven, but one does the best they can in the middle of work.

Kaoru's busy dancing through the throng of guests with appetizers and drinks in hand as long as it keeps him busy and keeps them happy ( human and non-human alike ), but the moment he spies one of his coworkers having a little... trouble?, he manages to slip out of routine, to find an excuse and a little time set aside to pretend like he's on break too. The staff will probably forgive him if he gets caught, anyway -- they've been soft on him ever since his charming behavior started filling up the place more than usual during his shifts.

And while it's not like he isn't noticing what's different about her, just like what's different about him -- the little things that trespass anxiously through his heart whenever he glances at his reflection now -- it isn't going to stop him from greeting her just like anyone else. ]

It looks good like that. Your hair up, I mean.

\o/!

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex looks over, giving him a small smile in greeting as she releases her hair. They worked the same shift sometimes, although she hadn't spoken to him much what with the tavern being busy and all. But he did greet her when he could, and she could see how friendly he was to all the customers. His own changes didn't seem to change that. ]

Thank you. Although it's not so much how it looks like that I'm worried about.

[ She admits this a little bashfully, realizing that it probably looked like she was more concerned about her appearance. ]

I'm just wondering whether I should be hiding..these..or not.

[ She gestures at her neck vaguely, not really wanting to bring attention to her gills. ]

[kaowont]

[ He watches carefully as she lightly flutters a hand towards what's actually bothering her, and — oh. Well.

The beginnings of gills... they weren't there before.

... maybe it's just natural to be worry about something you can't control, because every time one of his newly sharpened canines presses more than a little too firmly against his tongue, he finds even the slightest puncture a cruel reminder of something he isn't willing to admit. Does she think about it that way too, though? He's wondering it now, hoping even, that maybe the share the same insecurity.

What comes out of his mouth, though, is something totally different. ]

Oh, those?

[ He keeps up his smile, more for her sake than him. ]

Meeting a mermaid is every guy's fantasy, right? ♪ I don't think it makes you any less stunning, to be honest... -- and we've got plenty of patrons with, uhm... additional features? Which means no one's going to judge, basically.

[sing_for_me]

[ His words came out smoothly. Peppered with compliments and carefully chosen words. Did she believe them completely? Maybe not, but she did appreciate the effort. It was quite sweet, actually. ]

Thank you.

[ Mermaid, huh? What with the gills, that made sense. Did that mean she would be getting a tail? What does an actual mermaid even look like? Just because they sounded nice in stories didn't mean that was how it was going to end for her. But there was no point fretting right now, especially when he was trying to cheer her up. ]

Yeah, the others seemed to like it better. And..you're right. How are you dealing with it?

[kaowont]

There we go. A lady should always be smiling, smiling. ♪ And not just because we're in the middle of work, of course.

[ Everyone needs to hold a bit of happiness close, he thinks, and a little encouragement goes a long way... especially in an imperfect world like this.

But what she asks next catches him off guard for a second, given how much he's focusing on her and not himself right now, and what he wants to say catches in his throat. Spilling his thoughts and worries about whatever this is... whatever he's going through, to someone he's barely just met ( no matter how beautiful ) ... yeah, not happening.

His smile is back just as quick as it left, a skill of his that he's used time and time again in the past. The acting-like-everything's-fine skill. ]

Hmm... dealing with... I barely look any different, though? I'm sure these are just... [ his fangs, ] like, a side effect of being involved with so much magic lately. Maybe I'll wake up one morning and they're just gone? That'd be ideal.

[sing_for_me]

[ Brief as it was, the pause was there, and for a moment, Alex felt a shift in his demeanor. And just like that, he was right back to it.

She does take a look at the fangs--different from her own changes. Maybe a different type, then? She does feel less agitated now, maybe because just like him, she had someone else to focus on now. ]

But what if that doesn't happen? What if you change even more?

[kaowont]

... mmh.

[ She's really persistent, huh. He rubs the back of his neck, nails scraping neatly along bare skin. It's a topic he's been avoiding with... just about everyone — even the ones closest to him, and yet... when she looks at him like that, how can he keep on dodging her?

Time to bite the bullet and just answer. ]

Then I hope... I still feel like me, at least.

[sing_for_me]

[ There was no flare to his response this time, and in that moment she felt a little bit more connected to him. ]

I hope so too. It'd be a shame to lose that bright personality.

[ Alex hadn't meant to bring down the mood, and really, she should be trying to comfort him. Not the other way around. She was the older one, after all. ]

Are you on your break too? Have you eaten or anything?

[kaowont]

[ B-Bright personality... you can't just say that, Alex. Kaoru is super weak to compliments, and even weaker when they're coming from a pretty lady. Simply put, he's easy, and so his uneasy starts to melt away like sea-foam.

He ponders over her questions lightly, a finger playfully pressed to his lips, and then: ]

I try not to eat when I'm on break since there's barely any privacy. Wouldn't want a customer to pass by and catch me, right? It'd look pretty unprofessional. Hmm, so I was thinking of getting something after work for once~...

[ Something glitters in each eye. ]

Care to join?

[sing_for_me]

[ The invitation was friendly, unimposing. And really, she didn't have a reason to say no. Eating with someone was a lot nicer than alone. ]

Then..if you're okay with it, I think I'd like that.

[ She had saved a bit, so she could afford a dinner out. Maybe she'd be able to properly hear more about him. ]

[kaowont]

[ Oh? Well... that was easy, but he's happy to have the company nonetheless, and so he makes a mental note of their promise for after his shift. ]

Don't worry, don't worry. I'll make sure we have a good time. ♪

[ Hopefully. It's not too long after that he's standing just outside the bar with his back to a gate, light dim and fading in the distant red of the evening. People come and go without giving him a second glance, and it's honestly for the best what with how late the hour is.

There's no need for trouble. ]

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex still had to eat after all. While she did try to keep at arm's length from people this time around, that moment of vulnerability from Kaoru was enough to soften her resolve and cave. She at least wanted to check that he was okay, or if he needed someone to talk to.

By the time their shift is done, Alex is a lot more tired than she realized. But it was a good day's work. She spots Kaoru outside waiting for her, and she picks up the pace to catch up to him. ]

Sorry, didn't mean to make you wait this long.

[kaowont]

[ Waiting like this feels too routine for a playboy like Kaoru. He's just been biding his time outside, waving at patrons exiting and entering despite being off his shift and all. Best to keep up a friendly repitoire with the usual guests, especially when he's using this as his main source of income right now.

By the time she arrives he's glancing at his watch in an attempt to focus on what needs to be done on his way home and here-after.

Not that that tiny moment of listlessness matters the moment he hears her apology. Any semblance of gloom vanishes into gladness and a smile like an upturned sunflower. ]

Oh? It barely felt like even ten minutes. Trust me~. I would've waited way, way longer for you, anyway. Do you have any favorite spots around here, Alex-chan? Or do you want me to pick something suitable? It's a little easier if you have something in mind... and I'd get to learn a little more about you, too.

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex just raises an eyebrow in amusement. Wasn't he a little too used to this. ]

I get the feeling you know way better spots than I do.

[ She's not picky, anyway. ]

I've been meaning to ask..what's this -chan thing? Someone else attached that to my name here too.

we can wrap this up and start smth new if you'd like

[kaowont]

Ohh, that?

[ Right. The line of language blurs at times. Maybe a thread of magic's crossing uncomfortably close to another or something. He waves a finger lightly in the air as he talks, one eye open to make sure she's paying attention. ]

It's affectionate. Like, every girl deserves to feel a little special... to feel appreciated. I want you to know how cute you are whenever I can, basically.

[ Keep trying, Hakaze... keep trying. ]

sounds good to me o7

[sing_for_me]

Hmmm, I see.

[ So like an endearing nickname? It did have a 'cutesy' feel to it, which felt a little strange considering her age. There was a bit of a glint in her eye as she turns to him. ]

Should I be calling you Kaoru-chan, then?

[ It was a joke, really, and she was laughing lightly after the words left her mouth.

[kaowont]

[ ???! Joke it may be, her arrow strikes true — right into his easily moved heart. It's a familiar tone, like an older sister... or a Mother, and he pauses briefly while leading her, one hand trying to clench an unknown light at his side. A memory.

It's fine, right? ... to find it strangely comforting. ]

... I-I mean? If you want to? Not that it sounds manly or anything, or that you use it on guys often, but... if it's Alex-chan, [ and he's moving fast, but if he isn't fast, if he isn't quick to envelop himself in distractions and people — then who is he? ] then I don't think I mind.

[sing_for_me]

[ The pause doesn't go unnoticed, and for a moment she worries that she may have done something inappropriate. Was it really just for girls, maybe?

His way of speaking changes, from quick, smooth one liners to stuttering and unsure. Almost bashful, even. ]

Are you sure? I don't want to do anything you're not comfortable with.

[ She angles her head to peer up at his face, wanting to make sure not just by his words. ]