One Brings Shadow, One Brings the Light

[krihnnges]

Who: K'rihnn Tia and all of you!
When: February 1st - 13th
Where: Aefenglom's library, tea shop, and somewhere in the city proper.
What: K'rihnn's trying to get out more, and hopefully expand his friend circle from being extremely tiny to something... decent? Maybe? Info on K'rihnn's current changes as a Monster.
Warnings: Old injuries, major spoilers for Shadowbringers in marked top levels! Others will be added to the subject line as needed.

A: It’s Too Tall!

[K’rihnn is well enough to venture outside of the house unattended, though he still has to be careful to not push himself too hard. And to be more careful of his surroundings, as his right eye is still covered with gauze. At this time, he can be found in either the library or the local tea shop. In either scenario, the 5-foot tall Dragon / Miqo’te is facing down his greatest enemy yet. An enemy he hasn’t ever been able to conquer.

The top shelf.

He sighs and looks around. Once he sees someone who could maybe help him out, the purple-haired Miqo’te quietly and shyly asks:]

U-um… e-excuse me… do you have a moment…?

B:

[With Valentione’s Day coming up rather quickly, he decides he needs to make a stop at a local chocolatiering place. K’rihnn’s in need of equipment so that he can make chocolate at home, and he especially needs molds for cute shapes. Unfortunately, his load is a little heavier than he can carry. The purple-haired Miqo’te tries to make his way back on his own, but he needs to rest almost a quarter of the way towards home.

K’rihnn sits at a bench and tries to catch his breath, rubbing at his chest to help ease the pain some. This… is definitely going to be a long trek back.

On seeing that he’s not alone, he can’t help apologizing.]

Ah… m-my apologies if I’ve disturbed you….

C: Wildcard

[Would you rather have a different starter? Go ahead and throw something at me! Common haunts tend to be the library, patrolling the city, and various tea or music shops.]

Comments

Closed: Rose

[krihnnges]

[K’rihnn’s been doing his best to help Rose with her recovery in his own way, limited though it may be. He’s just not as close to her, and he’s scared he’ll only make it worse or slow her recovery. Since getting better enough to bake something simple, like cakes and muffins, the timid tia has tried his best to leave some of those outside of Rose’s door for her. K’rihnn can only hope that these are comforting to the Keeper.

Today is no different in that respect. K’rihnn is mixing together batter for a batch of chocolate chip muffins. He has to pause after pouring in the final ingredient, rubbing his chest in pain. The petit Miqo’te takes several deep breaths before quickly finishing the batter, and trying to pour some into the muffin pans. If he can just get these into the oven, K’rihnn can lie down and rest until they’re finished.

It’s worth the pain, though. As long as it helps Rose and the Exarch, it’s worth everything.]

[poisontippedcure]

[Rose isn’t close to K’rihnn, but she’s trying to change that. It’s clear the other miqo’te isn’t comfortable around her, and she isn’t entirely sure why. She may be intimidating, but she doesn’t bite. Most of the time, anyway.]

[When the snacks begin appearing, it doesn’t take long for her to find the culprit. Aymeric is long gone, and the Exarch is busy helping those he can. That means the only person who could possibly be baking is K’rihnn, who should be resting.]

[She waits until she’s having a good day, and then goes downstairs. Her arms are crossed, and there’s a frown on her face. Someone isn’t happy.]

What do you think you’re doing?

/sneaks in a tag before i have to go

[krihnnges]

[K'rihnn yelps as he's startled by Rose's sudden presence. The bowl of batter almost goes flying, but he's luckily able to keep a firm hold on it. He sighs with a frown of his own, accidentally overfilling the current muffin lining he's working on. The purple-haired Miqo'te quickly shifts to fill a different one while he answers Rose's question.]

Ah... baking muffins.

[He can take a good guess as to why she's unhappy....]

'Tis simple enough to handle without too much effort, generally.

/sneaks in a tag before session

[poisontippedcure]

[In K’rihnn’s defense, Rose walked into this one. She should probably have used more caution, considering what both of them had been through. But Rose isn’t known for her forethought, nor is she known for her warm demeanor.]

If it’s such a simple matter, then there should be no issue with me taking over.

[She gently taps K’rihnn out of the way, taking over. Sure, her last kitchen venture ended in fire, but this can’t be too hard, right?]

Sit.

Closed: Crystal Exarch (MAJOR SHADOWBRINGERS SPOILERS)

[krihnnges]

[This… has been building up for far longer than K’rihnn’s been in Aefenglom. Yet, there’s no denying that certain moments here have contributed to speeding up his breaking point. A point he’s been trying to hold back since his conversation with the Exarch after the Masquerade in Noveuer. After his kidnapping, the subsequent argument he had with Mira, and all the little moments between Noveuer and now, the petit Miqo’te realizes that it’s only a matter of time before he just can’t anymore.

It’s when he’s sitting up in bed, the Exarch gone to work at the herbalist’s shop, that it finally creeps up on him. K’rihnn’s eye is still bandaged, though it should come off soon. He’s looking forward to that, at least. One less thing for people to stare at. As he looks out the window, the purple-haired Miqo’te can’t help feeling a disturbing sense of deja vu at the whole situation. Even his own thoughts feel horribly familiar, as though he’s thought the same thing before in almost the same situation. Dread seeps into his heart, though he’s not sure why. K’rihnn’s fairly certain that he’s in absolutely no danger at the moment.

The moment it hits him why that might be, it’s too late. There’s an abrupt tightness in his chest and he feels like he’s struggling to breathe. Clutching his chest, he feels like he’s dying. Enough of him is cognizant enough of what’s going on to try clamping down on any of this leaking to his Bonds, though he’s not too sure how effective that is right now. K’rihnn can only pray that Emet-Selch and the Exarch can’t feel his panic attack.

It’s been 11 or 12 years since he’s had a panic attack, and K’rihnn is desperately trying to remember the steps he needs to take. The best he can do right now is to keep breathing, even if part of him wanted to curl up into a small, tight ball and pray that his death is quick.

K’rihnn hates this, but, above all, he hates himself and the fact that standing up for himself only drives people away.]

[exarchal]

[The Exarch had been minding his business, working and sorting and trimming and watering the plants. But at some point during the day, his Bond felt... uncomfortable. More than uncomfortable-- panicked, even. And after the events of last month, and with the both of them still healing, he isn't going to take chances. He concentrates and tries to send feelings of love back at K'rihnn through the Bond, but he isn't sure it's working.

He lets the shopowner know that he needs to head home early because his Bonded is having some kind of emergency. Though he's exhausted to hell he knows it'll be worse if he runs the whole way home, so he teleports onto the street and hurries inside the house instead.]

Rihnn? Rihnn! I'm here!

[He drops his things by the door and does a cursory check of the common area, then he goes for the bedroom they've mostly chosen to stay in for the most part. It was G'raha's originally, but he's ceased counting what belongs to whom.]

Rihnn—

[He glances around for his Bonded, half expecting him to be under the bed again, though his anxious mind also supplies awful images of being too late and finding someone else standing over him. K'rihnn had been taken from him once already.]

[krihnnges]

[It's a rare moment in which K'rihnn doesn't notice his Bonded trying to send certain emotions to him. His mind is completely focused on getting his panic and breathing under control.

Fortunately for everyone involved, the purple-haired Miqo'te hasn't even attempted to move from his spot on their bed. Even still, the younger tia looks like he's having a heart-attack. He's clutching his chest and almost struggling to breathe from the looks of it. A bit of his emotional state leaks into the Bond with G'raha: panic, feeling as though he's dying, shame... so much shame.

He can't really speak at the moment. The best K'rihnn can do to acknowledge G'raha's presence is his ears flicking when he hears his familiar name.]

[exarchal]

[Naturally, he assumes K'rihnn is having a heart attack. He circles his arms around his Bonded and focuses, calling a calming soft green-blue magic to settle into K'rihnn's skin and heal any lingering ills.]

Rihnn.

[So much shame. So much panic. He can't imagine what the other Miqo'te is shamed or panicked about. In the wake of the spell, he realizes it might be more of an emotional and physical response than an injury, so he tucks K'rihnn's face into his shoulder and holds him warmly, but firmly. He begins to rock back and forth with his knees on the bed, and in his soft voice, he begins to sing a lullaby.]

Closed: Emet-Selch (MAJOR SHADOWBRINGERS SPOILERS)

[krihnnges]

[K'rihnn decides that he wants to see how Emet-Selch is doing in person rather than hearsay from Mira. He leaves a message for the Ascian via watch, asking if the man would like to visit or if the Miqo'te should make the visit himself. Either way, he spends his time waiting by making some sandwiches. This, at least, he can stop in the middle if Emet-Selch sends him a reply or just walks through the door like he owns the place.

He feels bad that he hasn't been able to make an in-person call to his Bonded before now. It can't be helped, though. Not when both of them have been badly injured after their kidnapping.]

[unsundered]

[Emet-Selch hadn't exactly been avoiding contacting his fellow captives; he knew from Mira that Rose and K'rihnn had survived, were- not 'fine', none of them were fine, but alive and healing. But he'd lacked both the strength and the motivation to trek over to see them, or even leave the house, for that matter. And asking of them over the watch had seemed... impersonal. What could you even say over text? He wasn't the sort for meaningless pleasantries or well-wishes, and anything serious was better done in person.

So the days had passed, and he'd said nothing at all.

But restlessness was beginning to mix with lethargy; not the most enjoyable of combinations. So the invitation from K'rihnn was something of a blessing. An excuse to leave the house. Though the apathetic part of him was still tempted to tell the miqo'te to make the journey himself, that would do nothing to help the Ascian's own need for some change in scenery.

So he doesn't reply, he just turns up some time later, as is his wont, as if everything were normal. Thank Zodiark for teleportation magic; if he'd had to walk, he might've had K'rihnn come over anyway, restlessness be damned.

Coming in through the front door without knocking, Emet-Selch doesn't look too terribly injured at this point. Though his deliberate pace can't quite mask a limp, his clothes are able to cover any scars. And while a number of things still ached, he could at least pretend otherwise. One thing he couldn't hide, of course, is his right eye; clouded over, with a couple of new scars around it, it's clearly blind.

Not calling out to K'rihnn, he assumes the sound of the door will alert him to his presence soon enough. And it's in that moment that he has to push back the irrational impulse to turn back the way he came and just leave, to put this small reunion off indefinitely. The last time he'd seen the miqo'te, neither of them had been in... the best of conditions. It was a surreal memory, and much like the rest of those last days, he couldn't remember it very clearly. Probably for the best, but- it was strangely uncomfortable standing there now, in a way that had nothing to do with his injuries.]

[krihnnges]

[Emet-Selch is certainly correct in thinking that the sound of the door opening is enough of an announcement. K'rihnn finishes the sandwich he's making and puts it on the platter. He carries it out to where he meets the Ascian, surreptitiously taking in what healing injuries he can see on his Bonded.

Once a healer, always a healer.

Still, it's not like his own injuries are apparent. Since the last time Emet-Selch saw him, he now has gauze that goes along the full length of his scar and covers his right eye. There's a certain stiffness to his wings and the way he keeps his torso from moving too much. Despite all that, he smiles gently at the taller man.]

Hello, Hades. I made some sandwiches, if... you feel hungry enough for them.

[K'rihnn nods over at the couch.]

We can take a seat over there, if you like.

[unsundered]

[A mutual sizing-up of injuries was to be expected, eye flickering across what he could see of K'rihnn's. It was good to find that his wings could heal... he hadn't been sure if they were one of those things that would be able to regrow.]

Not particularly, but don't let me keep you from your lunch.

[Appetite was a distant memory, and to be honest he'd never had much of one to start with. Waving K'rihnn off, he limps over to the indicated couch, mostly able to hide the small relief at sinking into it.

Detached, guarded, flippant, and unkind; his manner was the habit of ages. What did it matter that it wasn't genuine?]

Well... that certainly was an experience, wasn't it? A fine reminder of the depths you mortals will sink to given the opportunity.

A

[reluctantradiance]

[ Yuma is still getting his bearings in this place, but he's comfortable enough to start exploring town a bit more. Monsters and people living together is...still weird. That's going to take a while to get used to, so he does his best to just take it in stride and try not to stare too much.

Granted, he's apparently a monster himself, but that's a whole different mess to unpack. He doesn't feel any different, and he can't access the Shining Dragon's power. So he's not sure he understands.

He ends up going to a tea shop, mostly just to look around, when he hears a timid voice behind him. ]

Sure, what-

[ Yuma straightens a bit, eyes widening in surprise. OH. Oh, hey, that. That sure is a monster. Hi there. At least it's shorter than him? By a little bit? ]

Uh... D-Do you need something?

[krihnnges]

[K'rihnn can see that this guy has to be a new arrival purely because of his reaction to the Miqo'te's appearance. He winces a little, but takes it in relative stride.]

S-sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.

[His furry cat tail swishes nervously.]

Ah... I need help reaching a couple of those tea tins up there.

[He points up at the top shelf to some sort of oolong tea and a chocolate strawberry flavored tea of some kind.]

Do, uh... do you think you can help me with that...?

[reluctantradiance]

[ Ah... Yuma catches that wince, and he can't help but feel a bit bad. He really hopes he hasn't hurt this guy's feelings, even if he was a bit surprised. He shakes his head. ]

N-No, it's alright. I'm sorry.

[ He's not really sure what to make of this, but it'd be rude to ask at this point. It's still difficult for someone still so unused to his new circumstances, but Yuma does his best to not dwell on any of the strange features this person has. Surely he'll get used to it eventually, but for now he's still new to this place.

He follows K'rihnn's gesture to the boxes of tea on the top shelf. ]

Sure, just a second. [ Yuma's a bit tall for his age, so aside from a little stretching, he's able to reach them without a problem. Oolong and chocolate strawberry... There we go! One of each. He hands them to K'rihnn, offering him a soft smile. ] Here you go. Were these the ones you wanted?

[krihnnges]

[K'rihnn has the distinct feeling that the two of them are going to be stuttering disasters. Not that he can say anything when he's Bonded to two different disasters already.

His ears perk up when Yuma agrees to grab the teas he needs. The purple-haired Miqo'te gives him a small smile as he reaches out to take the offered ones.]

Yes, those are what I needed exactly! Thank you very much.

[K'rihnn sets them in a basket and nods at the... Hyur? He thinks?]

My name is K'rihnn Tia, by the way. 'Tis a pleasure to meet you. Not to be rude, but, um, are... you new here?

B

[wordsinthesoul]

[That does indeed look like a lot to carry, and Thancred looks worried before he makes an attempt to seem his regular self, tail feathers flicking lightly.]

Not at all. In fact- I believe I'm glad to have run into you. Can I offer you a hand?

[He can offer company, as well as an extra pair of hands, after all.]

[krihnnges]

[Oh, good, it's Thancred. K'rihnn doesn't feel nearly as awkward as he would've otherwise. He sighs softly in relief, and then smiles a little at the offer of help.]

Ah, yes, I'd like a hand. I... should've spaced out my purchases a bit better.

[He moves one of the baskets over to the archon.]

These are the ones giving me the most trouble. My thanks, Thancred.

[wordsinthesoul]

I doubt anyone would fault you for wishing to see it done, though. But perhaps one of us might be able to assist you, the next time you go?

[He reaches out to take it, hefting the basket thoughtfully.]

You're most welcome. Whatever I can do to help.

B

[inlikethebrume]

[Someone was also out for potential chocolate making as well; having never done the thing before and actually celebrated despite not only being Ishgardian but has helped the Adventurer's Guild...well, new territory. She still has trouble figuring out between comrade chocolate and Bondmate kind but one...has set her on a course.

Mira does see K'rihnn resting on the bench and is about to ask if he needed help but then notices the chocolate supplies. Ok, no babying but maybe some pleasant conversation with some assistance.]

Are those for the holiday coming up?

A

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas is a frequent flier in the library. It just suits him because it's usually quiet and he can be left in peace. Until he's not, of course. He actually does enjoy reading, but nothing Van selects is recreational. It's always something to enhance his understanding of how magic here works.

He can't afford to be anything less than proficient in all areas, you know.

But seeing K'rihnn struggle doesn't bring out the humanitarian in him. Oh no no. Instead, when address, Vanitas gives him a flat, bored look. ]

Find a stool. Or a ladder.

[krihnnges]

[Why you gotta be like this, Vanitas?

K'rihnn glances around, but doesn't see anything he can use that's nearby. The thought of asking someone who works in the library fills him with a sort of existential dread. And so... he asks the residential brat.]

Um... you... wouldn't happen to know where I could find one, would you...?

[darkcharge]

[ Because watching people struggle and then face fill with dread brings him a small amount of pleasure? Because at least someone is marginally as low as he constantly feels? ]

Nope. I have no need of one.

[ Since with a flick of his fingers, one of those books from the top shelf float down to his hands. ]

Wow! It's like it's magic or something.

[krihnnges]

[Now it's Vanitas's turn for a flat look. K'rihnn gives him a golf clap. This is a library, after all.]

How impressive. A Witch who can do magic. Such a novel concept. I'm sure everyone here in this library will be proud of you for your excellent showing of telekinetic magic.

[Incredible. Vanitas has somehow managed to make this shy cat a very sassy one in no time at all.]

[judgementor]

[Red Wine is definitely not in the tea shop because he's keeping an eye on someone who works there. Definitely not. Tea is pleasant, he enjoys it, and the shop stocks a good amount of blends that his sensitive sense of smell doesn't find offensive.

That's it, and the only reason.

He glances down to the voice beside him - coming from somewhere around his shoulder, given his own height - and lifts both eyebrows very briefly in questioning.]

I do. What did you need?