middaeg | Deceuer Quests, Full Moon, and Catch-all [Open]

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Deceuer Quests, Full Moon, and Catch-all [Open]

Who: Berserker! (Cú Chulainn Alter) and you!
When: Throughout Deceuer
Where: Various places
What: Quests, full moon things, and more
Warnings: Violence, nsfw

[ 1A. Knuckle Crack the Bone (Ethical Bones) ]

[ Well, at least his hoarding instinct can be put to good use. Since he favors skulls, giving up the smaller bones he typically collects is no problem. The problem is, though, that Berserker's methods are not what one would consider "ethical": the bones he collects tend to be from the animals he hunts for food.

He can be found just outside the bright wall, stripping meat from the carcass of what used to be a deer (mostly with his hands, a knife is utilized only when necessary). As the ribs are revealed, he breaks them off cleanly from the spine and sets them aside. His work is meticulous and it's all he's focused on...Seemingly, anyway. As he's being observed, he speaks without stopping his work. ]

If you want the bones, you're out of luck. Find your own.

[ 1B. Walk Me to the Graveyard (Ethical Bones pt. 2) ]

[ This time Berserker can be found further out of the city, armed with Gae Bolg (his spear) and ... a shovel? In his time spent outside of the city, he's located makeshift graves. What are graves full of? Bones. His methods may not be "ethical", but it's unlikely these bones will be missed.

Knee deep in a half-dug hole, he busies himself finding the bones beneath the loose earth. He carefully sifts through the dirt, leaving the bones he finds in a neat pile by the stone marking the grave. Again, his attention seems to be completely focused on his task until he hears something close. In an instant, Gae Bolg is in his hand, leveled at whatever made the noise. ]

What are you doing out here?

[ It might sound threatening if it weren't so apathetic. ]

[ 2. Setting Up Shop (City-wide Quest #2) ]

[ Of course Berserker's going to help Waver and Caster set up shop. He's grown quite fond (and protective) of Waver, partially due to them being Bonded to the same person. Caster...He owes a lot to Caster, too. This is the least he can do. He can be fond doing whatever requires the strength of a dragon, but mostly cleaning. Sweeping, mopping, scrubbing...

He does stop eventually, though, to take a break. He takes a seat in the corner where there's a number of bottles of ale: his gift of encouragement for those helping to get this place set up. As he settles in for a little rest, he opens up a bottle and takes a drink. Noticing someone nearby, he offers an unopened one. ]

If you want to take a rest for a moment, here.

[ 3. Small But Dangerous (Full moon) ]

[ Unlike last month, Berserker is conserving warmth by taking on his smaller form. About the size of a large housecat, it's much easier to keep warm when he's this small. He can mostly be found around familiar places, curled up on hearths in the shops or bars he frequents. He can be recognized in this form by the crimson scales beneath his eyes that mimic his tattoos.

If someone disturbs him, he pops his head up and hisses, baring his mouthful of sharp teeth. ]

I'm not a pet. Try that again and you'll regret it.

[ 4. Wildcard ]

[ These prompts not doing it for you? Did we plot something out? Drop me a starter or PM me here or on Discord (glitzkrieg#0673) and we can work something out! ]

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[ Of course he's annoyed he almost got bitten! At least Berserker recognizes that much. Before Waver can snap at him again over the obvious, though, Berserker continues. It doesn't entirely assuage Waver's crankiness, but it makes him a tiny bit more sympathetic. At least Berserker is trying...

Waver can understand anxiety over Monster changes.

He sighs, giving up the ruse and settling down on his knees before the fireplace, among the mess of blankets and what -- on second glance -- appear to be Berserker's abandoned clothes. It's a little weird to see him talking in this form, but it's probably easier than if he couldn't talk at all so Waver doesn't comment. ]

I didn't mean to wake you. I thought you'd have heard me.

And besides... I'm not treating you like a pet. I just wanted to touch you. I let you pet me.

[ And then some. Waver flushes, still sulky, but doesn't reach out again unless Berserker comes closer once more. ]

Are you really that worried? What's going to be dangerous in here, anyway?

[ His lips quirk, the annoyance starting to turn into amusement. ]

Of course, now that I'm here, I can protect you.

[ The first time he shifted into this form, he couldn't talk -- he was too feral from the moons and everything that had happened in Dorchacht to be reasonable. Poor Diarmuid got the brunt of his abuse, including mild poisoning and deep scratches. He assumed he couldn't speak at all when he shifted due to the fact the first times he did it he was under the sway of either strong emotions or being borderline feral. Being able to talk like this is a godsend, really. ]

I didn't expect anyone else to be in. [ Diarmuid wasn't due home for a little while yet. He stands up and stretches, arching his back and yawning wide. The other comment annoys him, getting a low growl in response. ] Nothing should be dangerous in here, but I'm on edge in general at this size. So shut up.

[ And yet, despite his fussing and angry posturing, he hops off the hearth and into Waver's lap to sit there. ]

I'm still dangerous in this form, you know that, don't you?

[ Ah... Waver has to admit, at least to himself if not aloud, that Berserker really is quite cute in this form. Especially when he pads around and stretches. Even the yawn, full as it is of sharp teeth, is endearing.

He snorts, catching Berserker in his lap and rearranging his legs to the side slightly so his circulation is in less danger of being cut off. His hand strokes all the way down Berserker's back over the smooth flats of his lowered spines, from the top of his head to the base of his tail. ]

You shut up. What're you gonna do, sit on me harder?

[ Waver's clearly just being a brat for amusement. He's plenty aware that Berserker's teeth, claws and venom are just as effective in this condensed form as they would be in another. Smaller, sure, but no less sharp. ]

Don't get mad. I'm not making fun of you. If you're anxious, I'll stay.

[ Berserker growls as Waver presses his luck; he has half a mind to bite him with a little bit of his venom for that, but he doesn't want to upset the warmth. Instead, he settles down with an indignant huff. This isn't dignified nor is it fitting for someone as dangerous as he is. ]

... Hmph. You can stay, if you want.

[ But it's fine. The little dragon relaxes as Waver pets him. It's pleasant and warm, at least. He doesn't feel quite as exposed with someone he trusts nearby. ]

You should ask Diarmuid what happened to him when I first took on this form.

[ So that's basically Berserker's way of asking him to stay here, isn't it? Waver only nods, indulging him. ]

Hmm?

[ He keeps stroking his palm down Berserker's small back, falling into a slow, steady rhythm. ]

Why should I ask him? You can tell me. Did you bite him?

[ Waver might have felt it. Or he might have been distracted by his own full moon woes...

Right now, he seems to be faring okay. His claws and teeth are more prominent than usual, and the fur along his back has grown thicker, but it's helping to keep him warm. His eyes are darker. The physical changes aren't that prominent right now, on the cusp of the full moons, but the intensity of his instinctive urges is definitely on the rise as usual. ]

[ Don't ruin his fun. It's more entertaining when he teases mildly embarrassing stories about Diarmuid and makes him explain them later. But fine, he gives in and decides to tell the story. ]

It was on the boat back from Dorchacht the first time...I changed and didn't know what was happening, so of course I fled and found a dark place to hide. Diarmuid went looking for me and I was too feral and defensive to be reasonable when he found me.

He found out I was venomous that night...And once I calmed down and let him handle me, I clawed up his chest because I wanted to attack any of the sailors I saw. I thought they were a threat. He stuffed me in his shirt to settle me down...It didn't work.

Ah...

[ Waver winces sympathetically. ]

That doesn't seem like a very good place to put so many teeth and sharp appendages.

[ Waver can imagine how he got clawed up and bitten. If he thinks back, he might even have noticed vaguely-- but Dorchacht had been difficult for him, and the trip back spent resting, sometimes with the help of potions to keep calm and get sleep. Waver doesn't dwell on it. ]

I'm glad you've gotten some control over it. For your sake as well as Diarmuid's. It must have been frightening, the first time...

[ ~~little does waver know~~

His fingertips slide over the ridges of Berserker's tucked-down spines, tracing out the shapes along his back delicately with the very tip of one claw. ]

He thought shoving me in the dark close to his skin would calm me down. It just made me angry.

[ It did work eventually, once Diarmuid let him peek out. His scent made him slightly less fussy, but not before he clawed him up in a fit of impotent, misdirected rage. ]

Neither of us really knew what happened...and it's not the last time I've accidentally poisoned him.

[ If he gets too carried away without thinking about it, sometimes his venom will get into his mouth. Diarmuid's a trooper for being willing to kiss him after all of this.

The gentle affections make him start to purr that odd reptilian purr, a sign he feels safe with Waver. He may fuss that he's not a pet, but he sure seems like one when he's this small. ]

You're lucky I haven't poisoned you yet.

[ It's not meant to sound like a threat, but boy, it sort of does... ]

Let's keep it that way. I have no interest in getting poisoned, okay?

[ It did sound like a threat. And Rider would get mad at him! For however much Berserker cares about that...

Waver frowns, his hand stilling. ]

I heard you bit Flat so he could see what your venom did, or something. Don't indulge such stupid requests. You're both such idiots.

[ That's right -- he had done that, hadn't he? In his defense, he was drunk at the time. ]

Hmph, he was curious and so was I. I've never asked what the effects of my poison are and Diarmuid's poisoning was so mild he didn't show many symptoms...So it helped me learn what I'm capable of.

[ He tilts his head slightly to the side. ]

What I choose to do with my Bonded has nothing to do with you.

[ S...Surprise?? ]

I already scolded him so you're getting it too. Don't be so irresponsible. I don't care if he's your Bonded or not. He's still my--

[ Friend? That's a word that applies, but Waver finds it difficult to explain their unique relationship. Flat is someone he feels oddly protective of. A glimpse into a potential future, some small bit of proof that somewhere, sometime, some version of him has made a positive impact and accomplished something in their world. On top of that, his protective instincts have gotten even more intense since he almost killed Flat with his own hands; now, he unconsciously feels like he has to work extra had at making sure Flat is safe.

Not that Waver will even try to explain any of that, of course.

He trails off in a frustrated sigh. His fingertips slide over the edge of one of Berserker's small wings. ]

So you guys went through with it. Flat told me you were getting serious. How long ago?

Your friend and more than that.

[ He decides to finish that thought for him.

Berserker knows a lot about unsaid emotions and deeper feelings that will never be given voice. The sigh tells him there's more to his concern that his normal nagging, but he doesn't pry at it. There's no sense in doing so; his cruelty usually requires a purpose.

He fidgets at the touch along his wings (they're quite sensitive at any size), not quite yanking them away from Waver, but definitely shifting them in a noticeable manner. Be gentle with them. ]

Not long. [ Now the proud owner of three Bonds, he's ... managing. There are too many disparate emotions in him at once to deal with. It's fine. ] He was hesitant at first, so I gave him the chance to back out.

Does that feel weird? Sorry.

[ Waver notices the way he wriggles and immediately moves away his hand, settling it lower on Berserker's back again, above his tail.

He doesn't comment on Berserker's observation, though he doesn't refute it either. Yeah. That about sums it up. ]

Did you give Geralt that chance too?

[ he knows about the sudden flurry of Bonding with his friends!! busy, busy, Berserker. ]

They're sensitive...Be gentle very gentle and you can pet them.

[ The situation with Geralt is more delicate. He'd done nothing to influence his decision whatsoever and had simply given him the offer after explaining what a Bond did for him. It was up to the witcher to decide whether or not he trusted Berserker enough to take on the Bond with him and take it as seriously as he needed him to.

It's not like he's going to tell Waver any of this, of course. Berserker sits in silence for a moment, shifting how he lays, like he can't get comfortable. ]

Of course I did. [ He's not surprised that Waver knows they've Bonded -- he is a connecting thread among all of his Bonds, after all. ] He was the one to make the decision.

I'll be gentle.

[ Waver promises, though he doesn't try to pet Berserker's wings again yet. ]

That was mostly rhetorical. I know Geralt isn't keen on the idea of Bonding. [ Neither was Flat. ]

I'm relieved, honestly. I was starting to get worried. He looked really unwell.

It feels like a small world, but I suppose there aren't too many of us so-called Mirrorbound around anyway, so maybe it's not that surprising.

I never expected him to accept the Bond, but I gave him the option regardless. I expected him to die and I accepted that as the inevitability.

[ Geralt had been in very poor shape the last time they'd seen each other. Hell, he was in poor shape the night they bonded. It was until later, after the ceremony and after a certain...release, that he started doing better. They're too similar in a lot of ways for him to be comfortable with...

Berserker shakes off those thoughts for now as he snuggles in closer against Waver. He's so pleasantly warm and familiar... ]

Maybe you just know too many people that I get along with.

[ He's teasing, which is still weird. ]

Edited 2019-12-07 02:46 (UTC)

Well, I'm glad he's not dead.

[ He remembers how Geralt mentioned his daughter. Someone to survive for, to go back to. Waver doesn't share this with Berserker; it's Geralt's business. He lets out a soft breath. ]

It just happens to be that way. I've got nothing to do with it.

[ At Berserker's snuggling, Waver shifts to sit cross-legged, scooting closer to the fire. He drags one of the blankets over to tuck behind him, keeping his back warm, and resumes running his fingers over the ridges of Berserker's back and his tucked-down spines. ]

Is it weird?

[ Berserker knows about his daughter and his care for her -- they talked about her once after he had to explain just why he killed his own son. That was a fun and normal drinking session they had...

Nevermind that, there are pleasant cuddles to be had. He starts to purr again, his eyes sliding shut for a moment. It's hard for him to not want to fall asleep like this, safe and warm with a friend (yes, a friend!!). ]

Is what weird...? Being Bonded to more people, their connection to you, or laying in your lap like this, letting you pet me like a cat?

[ Waver laughs, rocking Berserker slightly with the movement. He hadn't realized how vague it sounded. ]

I meant the first one. Two feels intense sometimes, so three sounds like it takes getting used to.

...but honestly, all of the above. [ Their connection to him in particular. Small world, as he said. Technically, among the Mirrorbound, perhaps it is. ]

Well, you are purring like a cat. You seem to like it.

[ Very gently, as promised, Waver strokes two fingers along the thin skin of Berserker's left wing. ]

...It is weird. They all feel different enough, so I know who is who, but it feels so strange to be connected to the three of them. [ Diarmuid is the most familiar still and the one who seems to experience emotions normally. Geralt's emotions are there, but they feel buried and distant. Flat ... Flat disturbs him on some level, the feeling of a void within him. ] It's...chaotic.

[ Maybe it was a bad idea to take on two new Bonds so close to each other. It's been a weird adjustment so far and he's struggling with it more than he'd like to admit. Too many conflicting emotions within him and he quietly shuts down for a few minutes until he can make sense of it. ]

And, as far as your connection to them...I feel like an intruder, in some ways. [ Especially with Flat and Diarmuid. It's not a pleasant feeling and he tries not to think about it too much. ] Like I'm involving myself in all of your relationships without meaning to.

[ An emotional vulnerable, if sleepy confession. ]

I'm only letting you do this because I trust you.

[ His wing stretches out in response, the membrane looking especially delicate at this size. It feels nice, if a little odd -- this is much different than the usual context someone explores how sensitive his wings are. Still, it just makes him relax further, enough that he's on the verge of sleep in Waver's lap. ]

An intruder? I don't think of it that way at all. Besides, it just happened to work out that way. I don't mind.

[ Waver hesitates, trying to decide how honest to be, but finally he admits softly: ]

Honestly, it's kind of a relief. It means I can keep you all close in some way or another. I don't know why it's such a relief to feel that way, but...

[ He sighs, shrugs. Actually, he does know. At least, he has some idea. Damned dog instincts.

Not that this is really a bad one, though. ]

I'm flattered. [ Waver responds to being told he's trusted with a quipping tone, but his smile is real. ] Of course I wouldn't hurt you. Don't be paranoid.

[ Besides, Waver has trusted him with a lot before this. A little vulnerability on Berserker's part instead of just his this time, even if it's in a very different way, is somehow satisfying. ]

Are you still cold? Do you want me to pull the blanket on top of you, or is that worse?

[ Berserker is oddly relieved that his feelings of being an interloper are unfounded. Before coming here, the thought wouldn't have bothered him at all. Now that he has something resembling normal human emotions again, he's more concerned about these things and he's not really a fan of it. Everything was so much easier when he simply didn't have the capacity to care.

He opens one eye to look at Waver, very sleepy at this point. The feeling of security combined with the warmth from the fire and Waver himself has him completely relaxed and at ease. Very few people outside of those he's Bonded to get to see this side of him. He's relaxed enough he can't even bite back about the paranoid remark. ]

I'm fine, I'm warm enough this way...

All right.

[ Waver smiles faintly, and once again resumes gently stroking his warm fingers over Berserker's back and wings. He doesn't try to keep chatting with the obviously sleepy dragon, spending some time just enjoying the novel feeling of his cool scales beneath his fingertips.

It's actually very relaxing. With Berserker nodding off, and the soothing rhythm of his breathing and the petting getting to Waver too, it's not too long before Waver decides that he's not entirely comfortable in a sitting-up position.

Gently, trying not to wake him -- or at least not too much -- Waver shifts to slide Berserker off his lap and onto the blankets. He'll adjust the nest accordingly, intending to curl up alongside him by the fire. ]

[ The gentle jostling does make him stir, but only for a moment. Once Waver's settled in, Berserker snuggles up against him. This is...pleasant. The feeling of happiness is still beyond him in many ways, but contentment is close enough. He feels secure and warm here and his body would like nothing more than to sleep. So with a deep sigh, he lets himself drift off. ]

[ Waver is happy to join him. He curls up on his side facing the fire, tucking the blankets tight against his back to ward off the chill, and gently tucks Berserker's small body against his chest. One arm slides loosely around the little dragon, hugging him close. If dogs could purr, Waver would definitely be doing so. Instead, he lets out a content sigh, settling down to nap just as comfortably.

At least they'll be a cute surprise waiting for Diarmuid when he comes home. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Deceuer Quests, Full Moon, and Catch-all [Open]

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