ʙᴇʀsᴇʀᴋᴇʀ [ Cᴜ́ Cʜᴜʟᴀɪɴɴ Aʟᴛᴇʀ ] (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
curruid_coinchenn) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
middaeg2019-12-01 08:55 pm
curruid_coinchenn) wrote in middaeg2019-12-01 08:55 pm
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) ]
[ 1B. Walk Me to the Graveyard (Ethical Bones pt. 2) ]
[ 2. Setting Up Shop (City-wide Quest #2) ]
[ 3. Small But Dangerous (Full moon) ]
[ 4. Wildcard ]
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! ]
no subject
[The peace treaty both Cú's have is enough of a reason. Archer doesn't mind Ciarán— well, no, he really doesn't mind.]
There is something else I want to talk to you about. This was for Cú, the next thing is purely personal between you and me.
[Despite the whole month passing since the night of insanity, some parts of it are still fresh in Archer's memories. He's far from holding a grudge, it's his own reactions that cause him distress.]
Do you ever feel possessive of your Bonded? How you deal with it?
no subject
Possessive...Somewhat. I'm ... fond of Diarmuid. [ That's putting it lightly. ] I'm protective of him and will do anything to keep him safe. I would lay my life down in defense of his. I find myself getting possessive if I think someone may threaten what we have, which...is rare and irrational. Unless it's too close to the full moons, I can shake the feeling off and ignore it.
Are you struggling with that instinct over Cú?
no subject
I do. I'm fond of him— [likewise he's careful in naming his own feelings.] and quite protective, which I think Cú doesn't approve of. Trying to stop him won't do any good, so I have to be content with watching his back during the battle.
[He can feel it sometimes, rarely, through their link. An issue with being protected. Fiercely independent warrior and protective dragon don't mix well —until they find a middle ground.]
I'm well aware that Cú won't be bound to one person only, and I'm not going to request it. [Shrug. Harem protag rank EX, not going to issue unrealistic demands.] I do sometimes find myself hoping that he would depend on me more. Dragon instincts.
[Or not at all. It doesn't come up only during full moon. That's an interesting distinction Berserker made and it's better to keep it in mind.]
no subject
Berserker silently mulls over what he's just been told. It's...strange to be trusted this way. ]
He doesn't need to be protected and you're well aware of that. If he's anything like me, [ Of course he is, they're the same person. ] then someone trying to protect him is offensive, especially in battle. [ Berserker shakes his head. ] You should just tell him that you want him to rely on you more. Be honest...Even if you struggle with that.
[ That's not intended to be a dig at Archer's nature, but... ]
no subject
Do you think it could work if I wasn't being honest? [it's because of his honesty that things work so well between them. Archer is trying to be honest with himself too, otherwise he could go feral. But enough of this.]
What will you do if your Bonded jumps into fight to aid you, or to watch your back? Will you tell them to run away and leave you to die?
[Hello overthinking. That's just Archer being Archer and not being even remotely sorry.]
no subject
I will let him fight alongside me if that's what he chooses. There is a difference between helping and trying to protect someone who doesn't need it. Diarmuid knows the difference. [ Geralt does, too, but he's not who they're speaking of right now. ] Cú knows the difference, too. And so should you.
no subject
I bet he does. Especially after you scolded him so sternly for days after he saved you that day. [tone of his voice makes it very clear that he doubts this is what happened. Still it is neither sarcastic nor hostile. Archer is only noting the obvious, the flaw in the statement. Archer was on the shore that day, Archer was part of that stupid fight on ice and he remembers vividly (like everything about that day, it was the one that made him realize how neck-deep he had fallen afterall); he remembers how Berserker told Lancer to stand down and not get involved, and how Lancer didn't listen. And bless him for that, because there would be at least one corpse left there.
Both Cú's have deeply ingrained issues with protectivness, they are the only ones allowed to sacrifice themselves. Because how dare someone care about them? He's just... so tired of this posturing bullshit they're pulling, but he knows it's something that will need time.
Archer knows, because he's the same. Putting his own life on the line to protect those important to him or getting injured for their sake is as natural as breathing. He got called out and tries to take care of himself for Cú. It's a clear sign how deep his commitment runs.]
no subject
Their relationship had come so far since that day and that day truly helped to cement what was to come. It was a growing point for himself; he was willing to seek a truce with Caster, if only because he didn't want to see any more harm come to Diarmuid. He accepted that Lancer was now a part of his life and would always be there, as long as he wanted to be there. ]
Don't speak of things you know nothing about. [ His tone, in contrast, is full of anger.
His rage is meaningless and only serves to make him that much more upset; it fades as quickly as it came, leaving Berserker with an annoying ache in his chest. A mouthful of sticky, black spit gets spat onto the floor (he'd gotten so angry he was ready to use his poison) as his body language relaxes.
When he speaks again, apathy has settled back in. ]
If you've gotten the answers you want, I'm leaving. I'll bring by the scales soon.
no subject
And then he doesn't know when to shut up.]
To quote, "someone trying to protect you is offensive, especially in battle", yet you knew better and didn't take what happened that day as an insult. Good. Remember about this. [In Archer's mind it means that maybe one day both of the Cú's will admit to themselves they are not shields, they are neither tools nor weapons but humans. Without the grandeour of being a sacrifice. They're on good way. Funny how in both cases that fight turned out to be such formative events. It cemented one bond, and let the other grow. But that doesn't meant implications of what happened then should be buried and forgotten.
For Archer it has been a turning point as well, his own relationship with Caster developing and growing in ways he thought impossible. It's better to not define it clearly - they're friends, lovers, partners, brothers in arms... so many definitions that don't truly encompass what they are to each other.
Archer is always the overthinker, after all. And also has a tendency to put a foot in his mouth.] Be honest with yourself... Even if you struggle with that.
[A beat.]
I don't care what you two do, now that you "get along". But keep in mind my promise. [While he knows that the state Caster returned in was definitely effect of interactions with several different people, several fights, he can tell marks of Berserker's teeth.] Don't mark him. That's all.
no subject
Shut up...
[ But again, the anger fades as quickly as it came. His emotions are new and burn so hot so suddenly and he hates that he can't control his reactions. Mild irritation takes the place of anger at that last request. Marking is something he does anyway -- his monstrous instincts just make him that much more driven to do it. Caster likes to mark, too...Dumb dogs. ]
I will mark him as I please. He didn't complain and you shouldn't, either.
[ It's his turn to be petty. ]
no subject
I'm trying to deal with dragon instincts so it won't become a problem. [for Cú to deal with, he's doing mighty fine on his own, thank you.]
no subject
no subject
I see, it's that easy.
[He turns around to resume his work at the forge. It's rare to open up so suddenly, but dragons are dragons. He knows there is one person to thank that for.]
I appreciate you taking your time to humour me. [it's as close to thank you as it could be. He still has no idea how well that will work, but if it helps to keep that reptile brain on the leash it's worth a try.] Just wipe that bile off the floor before you go.
no subject
... As you say. [ He does as he asked before heading out. Silence lingers between them as he cleans up; there's a want to say more about instincts and what they bring and how difficult they are to fight, but it's unnecessary. They both know it, so why say it? ] I'll be by later with the scales.