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(no subject)

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. ]

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[This night has a peculiar energy that’s all its own. He’s learned of the role the full moon plays in Talas, and it’s curious and exciting to feel the charge in the air for himself. He’s walking in the night-quietened streets, musing on this and not on the others milling about at the late hour.

Not for the first time, he’s taken surprise by Alex veering into him suddenly - the hands slashing towards his chest are an alarming shift, though.

He jumps, and yells something inconsequential (perhaps fenedhis, what are you -) and reflexively grabs her wrists as they grab something in turn. Then he notes the claws, glinting in the moonlight. He stares at her face a long moment (he’s encountered her, and he knows that she was not a Monster to begin with) as his alarm fades. It leaves intrigue in its place. She is not attacking, she’s clutching the jawbone about his neck, merely – entranced?

Slowly, curiously, he lets go of her wrists. He goes instead to slip the leather cord over his head so that she can take the necklace freely.]

[ She doesn't lash out at him when he grabs her wrists, all her focus on the jaw hanging around his neck. One she feels his grip loosen along with accessory, she steps back, eyes still on her prize.

She touched along the bone, admiring he smoothness of it against her fingers and its shine. Maybe it wasn't as sparkly as a jewel, but it had a pleasing sheen to it. It gave a weird sense of satisfaction to Alex, and she felt happy having it in her possession. She appears to be more docile now too. ]

[He holds his arms behind him loosely as he waits for her to regather herself, watching with patient concern. Her sudden lurch did not suggest self-possession. These transformations are troubling; he has a great compassion for those who are twisted against their will to act against their nature. He is glad, also, that something so simple is bringing her peace.

When a quiet, unhurried amount of time drifts by, he asks her gently:]

Do you need help?

[ Having calmed down, she was able to hear him clearly, taking her attention away from the accessory as she looked up at him. She was almost in a daze, so it took a moment for her to focus and recognize the person in front of him.

Wasn't that that flaming jerk?

Unpleasantness aside, the question was actually quite gentle and helped her refocus. She looked down at what she had in her hands, then back at him, her present actions dawning on her. Her hand slowly goes over her mouth in horror.

Who was the jerk now ]

I--I am so sorry, did I--Oh my god, I don't know what came over me!

[ She quickly holds the jaw back towards him, pretty much begging him to take it back. She's done many bad things in her life, but the one thing she's never done was steal. ]

[Though he recognises the woman, and recalls their first meeting (such as it was), he pays it little mind. A passing altercation such as theirs was as one ripple in an ocean, subsumed unseen by the whole. She seems in distress, and he is well-disposed to help her: that is what is immediate.

He holds a hand up: please, no apology is necessary.]

I understand. The Coven says the full moon heightens the instincts of a Monster.

[He places the same hand down on the jawbone she’s proffering, not taking it just yet.]

They say, moreover, that a Witch’s magic can bring relief. Would you like that?

[ She definitely looked wilder, her hair disheveled as it was, her breathing heavier, and her body just restless. Even as she held the jaw out, her hand shook as she gripped it tightly.

His offer makes her pause, though.

Yes, the coven had given that information, including how witch’s could help monsters. Considering how calm he was as well, it was safe to assume he was one. That didn’t answer her other question though. ]

You’d..do that? But why..?

[ They hadn’t exactly left on friendly terms. ]

[He takes a longer view of things, and small grudges are by necessity quickly forgotten. But humans see things differently. Among them, help freely given is regarded with suspicion and cynicism – especially from a stranger with whom you’ve had only some negative passing interaction. It is no fault of hers. With their world how it is, it could be no other way.]

Because you are in distress. And because it is within my means to provide comfort.

[He could offer no less. The lines at the corners of his eyes wrinkle with a dry amusement.]

I will take care, this time, to not set anything on fire. [He places his other hand on the jawbone, so that both are resting. He's mindful not to touch Alex own hands - they're each holding different sides.]

Here. Steady your breathing. Focus on the necklace.

Edited (changed my mind ?? maybe too late) 2019-06-06 09:52 (UTC)

[ He made it sound so simple, and yet was it not the same reason she helped him out? The slight at himself helped to ease her into the offer a bit more as well.

Her eyes look back down at the jaw bone, placing her other hand on it to mirror his own actions. She tries to do as she's told and steadies her breathing, the first inhale a bit shaky.

Focus on the necklace..just the necklace..]

[Solas watches her with an unchanging air.]

Good.

[His magic is restless under the twin moons. It’s easy, after almost of a month of his magic charging unabated, to let it flow. To channel it into the jawbone, and nothing further. He decides to think of the magic as something with a sound, like a lullaby - that seems suitable for something meant to soothe.]

Now. Close your eyes. Feel the magic humming at your fingertips, like the vibration of a song.

[ She looks back at him for a moment, a bit hesitant still, but she eventually does close her eyes.

Wording it that way was helpful somewhat, since she had no clue as to what she should be looking for or feeling. Her fingers fidget against the jaw bone, but then she starts to feel a ticklish sensation. She startles, but doesn't pull away. Rather, something inside her feels drawn to the magic, getting its first taste of it. A shaky breath escapes her lips, and she tries to still herself. ]

[He continues to pour his magic into the jawbone in steady waves.]

Breathe.

[He observes her fidgeting and uncertainty, waiting to see if the magic will help to soothe her. He can’t guess how much or how little experience she has with magic (he does assume little, like most humans) – but he senses it when she begins to draw on the magic he’s feeding to her.]

That's it. You are doing well.

[ She inhales as soon as he tells her to, and the magic that was coursing through her fingers was like the oxygen she was breathing in. It felt just as good.

Her restlessness seems to fade, although her hunger for that magic grew stronger. It was like having a taste of crisp, cool water for the first time after many long, hot days without. It made her feel so relaxed, and somehow that sensation set something off in her. A familiar voice speaks up.

It feels just as nice, doesn't it?

Her eyes snap open then, and she quickly releases the bone. She only sees the other man in front of her though, and that was certainly not his voice. ]

I'm sorry..it's my first time. I'm not used to how that feels..

[ She knows he was trying to help, although she should also be more careful about accepting things from strangers. ]

[He doesn’t react with any outward show of surprise. He only blinks as he breaks out of channelling, and then says with calm acceptance:]

Understandable.

[Which it is. He takes the jawbone back properly, and steps back out of her personal space. He’s still watching her curiously. As she’s an offworlder and the magic new and unfamiliar, he’s not sure how to read her. Her sudden alarm may have been more than surprise at the unfamiliar. It may have been some ill side-effect of the magic he should be aware of.]

Did it help?

[ She rubs her hands together, careful to not scratch herself with her own claws. ]

I--Yes, I think so..

[ If anything, the tension she was feeling was unrelated to her changes. She still felt significantly more focused and aware now. ]

I..underestimated what they said about the effects of the full moon and not having a bond.

[ Although it was a relief to see that she technically didn't need a bond to temper out the changes. Maybe not yet anyway. ]

Thank you.

[ And now she rather sheepish for how she had treated him the last time they met. ]

It’s nothing.

[Said a little quickly, as he’s eager to brush off her (or anyone’s) gratitude. He adds, more calmly,]

None of us can face the changes alone. We should all do what we can to ease each other’s burdens. [It’s a strange new world, and their place in it is as yet unclear, but the role that bonds play in Geargadas makes that part certain. Blithely allowing a person to be twisted beyond recognition is too cruel.

He glances around at the few folk out at this time of night. It seems like nobody’s taken mind of them – from Aefenglom’s perspective, there’s nothing unusual about their interaction. He hms thoughtfully as he looks back at her.]

We have already passed the traditional point where introductions are exchanged. That said, my name is Solas.

[ Oh, they hadn't, had they? Which..seems silly now considering what they've gone through. ]

Alex..Benedetto. Alex is alright.

[ While she is more aware now, she can't help but glance at the jawbone whenever the light hits it just right. ]

I..get that, but..I don't want to bother people like this..

[It’s not a point he wishes to press. He’s more interested in ensuring her immediate well-being. Such as the jawbone she’s eyeing – he decides against putting it back around his neck, so that he can give it to her to hold if she reaches for it again.

Besides – he understands her words, and expects such in the context of human society. He's quiet for a moment before he observes aloud, almost neutrally.]

Mankind is too often brutish and selfish. Self-reliance is trained early, so that it is as instinct. It becomes difficult to reach out to others.

[ It was a manner of speaking she wasn't used to, but what he said hit home. She wondered though, if maybe he felt the same way. Was it why he didn't appreciate what she had done during their last meeting? ]

I..would like to make it up to you still. Is there anything you might need help getting done or..can I make you a meal? Or buy you one?

[ There wasn't much she could offer than manual labor or..food. ]

[He finds something in her offer darkly amusing. The Monsters have great difficulties to contend with. How easy it must have been for the Witches to leverage that desperation for the relief their magic could bring into control and domination.]

Exacting labour or gold for something that came upon us by a twist of nature? Hardly a fair transaction.

[There's a gentle note of finality in it: this leads into a counteroffer of mutual company.]

I was returning to the Haven. Are you headed the same way?

[ Everything was a transaction in her world, and nothing was fair. To give without expecting something in return was rare, and it didn't sit well with Alex to owe someone else. It didn't feel safe. ]

I--Yes, I am. But is there really nothing I can offer?

[ She'll insist a bit more. ]

Only your company.

[He has the particular confidence that lets him reel off a line like that easily.]

Come – it’s a bright night. The kind better faced in a pair.

[And he sets off, with the comfortable expectation they’ll walk together.]

[ Nor did it come off offensive. It wasn't often she was asked so politely for her company, especially since that was of a different sort. Was it really enough though? ]

Ah!

[ She's cut off from her thoughts when he suddenly leaves, and she hastens her pace to catch up with him. ]

Um..do you think what you did..will it be enough so I don't..attack you again?

[ While she has caught up, Alex tries to keep a few steps behind, just in case. ]

[He turns his shoulders so that he can walk and talk while still half-facing her – that seems polite, to him.

First he quibbles:] You targetted my amulet, not me.

[He looks thoughtful for a moment, then admits:] I’m not sure. [Though he doesn’t seem phased by it. He holds up a finger.]

If you feel the compulsion return, try to give warning.

[He lowers his hand and replaces it with a question.]

Does your world have spirits, Alex?

Edited 2019-06-27 07:50 (UTC)

[ Except now she feels bad for inconveniencing him like that, so she speeds up to walk by his side. ]

I hardly even noticed you..I very well could have hurt you in the process.

[ But she nods at giving him a head's up if the feeling does return. ]

Not..that I'm aware of. Why do you ask?

[A human world without spirits… He’s seen enough of humanity to guess what that would be like. He frowns, but only briefly.]

Curiosity.

[He leaves it at that. The transformation that Monsters undergo reminds him of the transformations spirits sometimes underwent, but it’s a moot point if it won’t be understood. He instead is pedantic:]

In the process you may have, but it wasn’t your goal. Intent is crucial. Now that you know that your focus was on the trinket, you can prepare yourself for the next full moon. [He makes a gentle ‘as a suggestion’ gesture.] By, say, setting out trinkets you feel called to in a place easy to reach.

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ii

/wiggly fingers

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