(no subject)

[overworker]

Who: Towa Herschel and YOU
When: Early Feoveuer
Where: Throughout Aefenglom
What: Monthly Catch-all
Warnings: None!



I. Small Girl, Big Responsibilities

[With new arrivals comes new responsibilities-- especially considering one of those arrivals just so happens to be one of the students of the branch campus. While he may not be a member of Class IX, she is currently the only instructor present that knows him. Ash being... well, Ash... she knows it isn't going to be easy. He's going to want to go off on his own and here, there's not much she can do to stop him.

So right now, she just wants to focus on giving him the best welcome dinner that she can. Maybe if they really made him feel welcome and he enjoyed himself, there wouldn't be any need to worry about him going off on his own.

...wishful thinking.]

I don't normally cook with alcohol however... I think he might like it...

[Ash Carbide liked what Ash Carbide shouldn't have. It might be worth indulging him a little though.]

I wonder what's best...?

II. Would You Light My Candle?

How pretty!

[This festival has a soft and enchanting glow to it, as residents and mirrorbound alike are encouraged to light candles with bonds and loved ones. Just seeing the flickering glow was putting her in a good mood.]

They say that if you light it with someone you care about, it will bring good luck to your relationship.

[Perhaps it is a bit sappy, but she does have to admit that she has a bit of a soft spot for things like this. But it also makes her think of people that she misses; people that had come and gone and those that were simply gone. It's a bittersweet feeling.]

III. Sweetest Treats

[One other interesting thing about this festival was that it had a pretty simple dish going around. It was a thin pancake topped with fruits, nuts and cream that looked absolutely delicious. The thing was-- it was meant to be shared. Much as she'd like to eat it--]

...it would look pretty sad if I ate it by myself, huh...?

[She laughed awkwardly, but-- it's not like she doesn't feel anything looking at other couples doing it. Quite the opposite. But those were the kinds of feelings that she didn't like having, and pushed down. It wasn't like there weren't people she could ask. But it would feel weird with the connotation. Although she was quite happy overall, it was pretty complicated.]

All this over a silly dessert...

[Time to slap her face and pull it together. Maybe-- maybe she'd just ask the person she wanted to and be done with it. Or maybe you'd also like a bite and want someone to help you get it.]

IV. Wildcard

(( Anything else, discussed or otherwise! ))

Comments

for Elliot (Closed)

[overworker]

[With Elliot so hard at work doing what he can to help heal the wounds brought on by last month’s tragedy, Towa had taken to studying music on her own to keep up. But in the process, she thought about how much this has taken out of him. Seeing him holing himself up more at home, she decided that what Elliot needed— was a little music. If anything can give him back a bit of the strength he’s lost, it’s the thing that he loves the most.

So she started writing, staying up late into the night as Elliot did, with a sound barrier to keep the noise from bothering the rest of the house.

And the first day it was finished— when she was truly happy with the results, she waited until he came home and settled in before knocking gently at his door.]

Hey Elliot. Do you have a few minutes? I hope I’m not interrupting, it’s just... there’s something I wanted you to hear. I wrote something and— I want you to be the first person who hears it.

[fiddlestick]

[The past month has taken its toll on Elliot. Just when he had started grappling with the grief he felt with Millium and the others lost back home, the kidnappings happened and the infirmary ended up filled with victims who were badly wounded and very mistrusting of anyone that wasn't a mirrorbound.

And so started the long shifts, taking care of all these patients. It was not only physically draining, but emotionally as well. It was really hard to hold things together when you're in a sea of pain and terrible things. So usually by the end of the night, he would excuse himself to his room. He'd often intend to play music, but would always find himself too drained to think of what to do. And so he'd do busy work until it was time for bed.

Tonight is one of those nights when he hears Towa at the door. He goes to answer it]

Oh, hey Towa. [He listens to her explanation, which piques his curiosity. Was a written piece? a letter to someone?] Sure...If you need a fresh pair of ears to hear it, I'd be happy to help.

[Tired as he was, he did want to help out his loved ones where he could. He holds open the door for her to enter]

[overworker]

Thanks— I promise it won’t take long.

[She lets herself in, going straight to the piano. It’s been a while since she sat at this one, but it feels the most comfortable— it’s where she started learning music for the first time. Even if Elliot hasn’t used it in a bit, it’s as well cared for as ever. No need for any kind of fancy preparation.]

This song... I wrote it thinking about you.

[The melody is soft and simple, designed not to get away from her. The lyrics however are just as much from the heart as ever. It’s better executed than her first perhaps, but if she has anyone to thank for that, it’s Elliot.

When she’s finished, she stands and bows her head a bit, a flustered smile on her face— but she’s happy. It... went really well, she thinks. But what’s important is what Elliot thinks.]

Did you like it? I’ve been trying to keep up with my lessons on my own, but... I still have a long way to go.

[fiddlestick]

It's okay, take the time you need-

[And he does mean that. But it's to his surprise when she heads over to the piano. Sure, he had been teaching her, but it hadn't crossed his mind]

...! Towa...

[Well, at least his interest is completely piqued. No one has actually written him a song beyond silly little melodies that his mom would make up on the spot. So getting a fully composed song? Elliot needs a moment for his brain to catch up from the surprise, but soon enough he's making sure to pay attention to the melody and the lyrics.

Simple it may be, but there was a lot of hard work and heart put into it. And it's a clear improvement from her previous song all those months ago. Honestly, it was soothing just listening and getting lost in music again. And knowing it was song written for him ... it made it all the more special.

When it's done, he's almost a little sad. He'd love to listen to it over and over. But that'd be a little mean to ask Towa so...

He walks over to her, pulling her into a hug. It's a gentle hug, but she's Earned It.]

...I loved it. Thank you Towa...I needed that.

[overworker]

[The best feeling comes when she hears him say that he loved it. All the hard work feels like nothing when he wraps his arms around her and thanks her. Leaning into Elliot, she returns the hug, snuggling her face into his shoulder.]

I know... I've been worried about you.

[Aefenglom had picked a really bad time to fall to chaos, with them both still reeling from what they'd seen of their own worlds. But Elliot had the worst of it, pushed to help heal as much of the damages he could. It would take it's toll on anyone.]

Part of me still wishes I could do more. But I had a feeling this might be the best thing.

ii

[scatmaam]

We have similar rituals in my homeland. Imbolc, the greeting rites of spring, brought in by returning light to the land through flame...

[ Scathach's voice was soft as she explained simply watching others perform the ritual and found herself growing once more nostalgic. The coincidence of Aefenglom's various festivals and seasonal observations being so similar to the ones of her homeland had fostered a certain comfort in existing there, to be sure, but it also made her often long for the 'real' thing... ]

Faiolleach is even my people's word for this time of year...

[overworker]

[Towa listens quite curiously to the other woman. Everything about this place seemed so different to her, but it stood to reason that with as many people there were here and as many worlds, there would be similarities somewhere.]

I had no idea. I think if it were me, I'd probably feel a little homesick.

[It would be nice to have something familiar, but with it comes the reminder of everything you're missing.]

But maybe there is some good luck in the air after all. It's really good to see you again, Lancer.

[scatmaam]

You're quite a busy one. I'm surprised I caught you taking a moment for yourself like this. [ At least that was the impression Scathach got. She had been pretty distracted herself, only recently being able to breath more steadily now that she had a Bond to temper the beast within her... ]

All the same, I'm glad to have your company, as well. Seeing you prosper does my heart well.

[overworker]

It's true-- I don't do it nearly often as I should, or so I'm always told.

[Lancer is not wrong about that. But Towa does have a weak spot for sentimental things like this, enough to put her thoughts of work aside for the time being.]

In that case... as old friends, would you light one with me?

[scatmaam]

[ Scathach didn't often admit to it, as her dignity so often prevented her from doing so, but... she had a similar weakness, in the end. And no problem indulging it. "Things like this are fine, too" as she'd said before. ]

It'd be my honor, my lady...

3 and other things as discussed

[prayerwheel]

[ If Towa knows anything about Azura's personal life, she should know that Azura is a food black hole. Anything sweet in a five foot radius of her just disappears. So she'd be a pretty dang good candidate to split one with, especially since she's a few stalls away getting some different food, balancing it on her arm sling.

...the problem is that she looks supremely down in the dumps at the moment.

Please radiate some sunshine and also throw food at her, Towa. ]

[overworker]

[Amidst her own thoughts, it takes her a moment to recognize the familiar face in the crowd. But-- seeing her expression, she knows something's wrong.

Biting her lip, she purchases an order of the sweet pancakes and takes them over to where Azura has just finished getting her own food.]

Here, let me help you-- [Let her take a plate off your hands.] Why don't you come sit with me?

[prayerwheel]

[ Azura doesn't hear her walking up and startles a little. ]

Ah--Towa.

[ She desperately wants to be able to do this on her own, but...okay, sure. She'll let her take the plate. It's some sort of donut thing. It looks delicious. ]

If you'd like me to.

[overworker]

Of course!

[After Azura had been so sweet and supportive of her when she was down, the least she could do was return the favor.]

Everything looks so delicious. Was there anything else you wanted?

[Because if anything else was on her mind, Towa would be happy to treat her. There's no such thing as too much when it comes to sweets.]

[prayerwheel]

[ Of course there is. She wants to inhale every dessert booth on this block. ]

No, no, don't trouble yourself. I was just getting something small.

III.

[bad_crowmance]

[ There is, quite suddenly, a hand on Towa's head. ]

Then don't eat it by yourself.

[overworker]

Waah!! Crow?!

[She'd been fussing internally to herself and let herself get caught off guard. How ironic though-- maybe it's fate.]

...You're just the person I was hoping to see, actually.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He'd seen her fussing and ultimately, that's what made him come over. ]

Lucky for you I showed up, then.

[ Crow winks at her. ]

[overworker]

[With a soft giggle, she wraps her arms around his, clinging to his arm.]

In that case, I hope you're hungry.

[bad_crowmance]

I could eat.

[ He looks down at her on his arm and grins. ]

Especially since you're the one treating.

Wildcard - that work thing

[stopfen]

[The issue about having a job with a high chance of death. Other than the whole high chance of death part, was that you didn't really need to plan other careers.

Mikasa hadn't. Not since Armin and Eren hadn't flunked out like she'd been hoping.

Which left her with the problem of finding other work. So after some asking around, picking a few odd jobs. She ended up being pointed in the direction of a ...Bracer Guild? She wasn't sure what the bracer part was, but she knew about guilds. So it was worth checking.

She wasn't really sure what to expect when she walked in. ]

...Hello?

[Who was she supposed to speak to?]

[overworker]

Welcome to the Aefenglom Bracer Guild!

[There's a small young woman working behind the desk that immediately offers out a cheerful greeting. But when she turns around to look properly--]

Oh! We met the other day. Hello again!

[stopfen]

It's you...[That explained why she'd been there.]

Hello again. I was told to come here when I asked about work.

[As well as other places. But she was going to ask around.]

[overworker]

Oh!

[So that’s what brought her here. Towa nods and pulls down a book.]

Whether you’d consider working with us or simply like some help getting your foot in the door with another business, I’d be happy to help you in any way I can!

[stopfen]

[Enjoy your awkward pause Towa. Because Mikasa has to think about how to word it. ]

... What do you do?

[Then says it in the bluntest way possible. ]