cold steel coffin | open

[extirpator]

Who: Nier and you!
When: February
Where: Aefenglom + the outer city
What: Open log + catchall, closed prompts go here
Warnings: Animal death in one of the prompts under the cut


a.

[ there are folks here, weathered and worn by horrors he hadn’t witnessed — some semblance of justice had been served with the execution that had taken place days prior, but none of this had taken precedence in his mind. he was a dead man from a ghost of a world, and everything about this one had been foreign to him.

still.

it wasn’t right.

there are others, too. struggling newcomers no different from himself.

it’s why if he sees you struggling, be it from a slowness, a skittishness, injuries of any kind, he helps without question. it could be a box of dropped goods, a blatant lack of food, some form of patent anxiety. either way, he extends a hand, either to help you lift your goods or offer you a warm loaf of bread — or maybe it’s an opaque, white flower. regardless... ]

Are you alright?

b. (cw: animal death)

[ once he gets over this whole “night” thing existing in this realm, he realizes it’s optimal hunting hours for a vampire. the air is still — near perfectly still. it’s on the fringes of the city, teasing the divide between the border and the wilderness that stretches beyond the walls.

his greatsword is stained with something black; it’s almost tar-like in its appearance. but even more remarkable is the crude splatter of crimson blooming across his chest. it’s marks his face as well – and lo and behold, the half eaten cadaver of an animal dangling from the palm of his hand seems to explain just about everything.

also, he isn’t wearing a shirt?? whoops.

this is awkward.

anyways. ]

...Hey.

[ um. sorry?? ]

Comments

[extirpator]

My house.

[ wait a second. ]

Apartment, I mean. That’s the word for it. I think.

[ anyhow, he’s begun to hike up the stairwell. she’s still dangling over his back. oops. ]

[lucubrates]

[ As he ascends the stairs, the warning bells go off in her head. He's... taking her to his place? All manner of terrible things could happen there; she just watched him eat an animal and then kill another without batting an eye.

Needless to say, she starts flailing and trying to push herself off him. ]

Unhand me at once, I, as the person you are lugging around without permission, am perfectly capable of living where I please! If you do not let me go at once, I ... I shall scream even louder!!

[extirpator]

Hey...! [ unfortunately for her, she’d been outpowered before the vampire buffs settled in. with them in tact, her flailing is likened to a few forceful taps on the wrist. maybe a shove at best. ] You’re going to wake my roommate up. I’m not going to hurt you, alright?

[ and then his fingers wind around the door knob, and with a push, the door opens. the apartment itself is remarkably quaint. there’s greenery in every corner, accompanied by hand woven carpets and perfectly polished wood; not a single speck of dust is visible.

he still hasn’t let her down, of course. he rushes to his room (although fortunately, Cloud was as nocturnal as he was) and lets the door shut behind him.

and then he unhands her. ]

Wear my clothes for the night. I need to wash yours. I’m going to take the couch, so make yourself comfortable.

[lucubrates]

[ He plops her down in his room. Her boots touch the floor and she thinks of her ancestor, who had idly mentioned she was welcome to remove her shoes to discourage the spreading of snow slush through out the flooring. In contrast, this apartment has all the quaintness of a home, without looking... lived in? It's hard to articulate, and she wonders if her own mood is souring her impression of it.

He had mentioned a roommate and on instinct, Zelda had shut her mouth. Now, she wonders if she shouldn't have. ]

...You cannot hide me. [ She asserts, despite the fact she is... essentially, stuck. ] I won't wear anything of your's. I barely know you, and you've kidnapped me.

[ Hands on her hips, she looks away from him, brow twitching. ] This is hardly a pleasant first impression.

[extirpator]

You might catch something if you sleep in clothes that dirty.

[ he frowns at that — not because he’s affronted, but because concern is brewing within him. nier’s brows knit, and he tosses a particularly large shirt and sweatpants in her direction. ]

I didn’t want him to wake up is all. But it looks like he isn’t around, so you’ll see him tomorrow morning. He’s nice.

[ it’s as though practically everything she says floats on over his head. he takes a step outside of the door, head barely peeking in. ]

Let me know when you’re done changing.

[lucubrates]

[ Horrifyingly, he's either stupid or an airhead. The two are not mutually exclusive, of course. ]

This is quite unlawful, I will have you know.

[ "Quite" as if there is a measure of unlawfulness in this situation. Folding her arms over her chest, Zelda makes no move to change, after leaving the clothes he had given her on the bed. ]

Do you not have a name to give me, at least?

[extirpator]

Nier.

[ his face is no longer in view. but there is a wave of the hand, as if beckoning her to get a move on already. ]

You can leave tomorrow morning. But I can’t just leave you as you are.

[lucubrates]

And why is that?

[ Does she look that weak? Is she that much of a burden? Her voice is small, and dejected, as if told she had disappointed someone greatly. ]

[extirpator]

Because there are a lot of things you don’t know yet. I can tell.

[ his voice is gentle when he speaks, rather than disparaging. ]

You‘re trying to learn, but it’ll take time. That’s why you live all the way over there, right?

[ there’s a silence. ]

It’s hard. It’s not something you should be doing alone.

[lucubrates]

[ There it is. At least he's honest. ]

...As we agreed... it's peaceful out there.

[ But he's not wrong, either. The peace comes from the fact she has no one to disappoint out in the wild. ]

You should wash up as well, ... Nier. [ There's soft rustling, as she moves to disrobe and pull his clothes onto her. ]

...And my name. It's Zelda.

[extirpator]

It’s nice to meet you, Zelda.

[ in spite of the circumstances, the sentiment is genuine. he pops his head back into the room to reach a hand out for her dirtied clothing. ]

Oh...I must smell pretty bad. [ a little more bashfully— ] Sorry. Before I leave, can you tell me what you like to eat for breakfast?

[lucubrates]

[ She only hands off her clothing once she's dressed. His clothing is far too large on her, but it is comfortable. Opening the door, she holds her neatly folded laundry out for him to take. ]

You needn't worry. I shall take my leave at dawn, Nier, and leave you to your business. ...My behavior was embarrassing. I apologize. Thank you... for saving my life.

[extirpator]

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, though.

[ oh well. he’ll write that off as “pancakes”. ]

It’s fine. I didn’t do much. You should get some sleep now — you’ve had a long day.

[lucubrates]

[ Zelda squints up at him for a moment, her face contorted into something one might call "royal thoughtfulness" before nodding. ]

You needn't worry yourself over my meals.

[ SHE SAW HIM EATING AN ANIMAL IN THE WOODS SHE'S NOT SURE WHAT HE'LL GIVE HER TO EAT? ]

Goodnight, Nier.

[ She's locking the door from the inside, you know. For safety reasons. ]

[extirpator]

[ the following morning, whenever she rouses from her sleep, she’ll find

1) her clothing, spotless and folded neatly. they’ve been placed onto the couch and are marked with chick themed stationary that reads “For Zelda :)” in neat handwriting.

2) a plate’s worth of pancakes, scrambled eggs and cooked ham.

nier himself isn’t in plain sight. he’s likely in the bathroom, meticulously manscaping or something. who knows.

either way, he emerges, properly clothed this time. ]

There’s food for you on the table. I don’t know what you like, so I went with the basics. Sorry.

[lucubrates]

[ In the morning, she has to admit that she kind of liked sleeping on an actual bed. The cabin had... an old, rickety thing, and it wasn't too comfortable, but it was livable and quaint in it's own way. After a night of actually sleeping, for the first time in a week, Zelda can cast a cursory glance about his room.

It is, disgustingly, kind of adorable. She thinks there's more to this man than there seems. It's unfortunately that she finds herself intrigued. Leaving the room, she had initially thought to sneak out before anyone else, but... he's beaten her. Curious. Does he sleep at all? Her clothing is fresh, so she wonders.

She thinks to take her clothes before she sits to the meal, but her stomach beats her to that thought by groaning with hunger. Perhaps it's sleeping in his bed, or maybe it's the fact she's had time to see a bit more of him through his cottage-like bedroom... but she's willing to eat his cooking.

She sits. ]

I am not a picky person. [ She admits this much, looking contemplative. ] ...My favorite foods are not breakfast foods, in any case. This is plenty, Nier, and exceedingly kind of you. Thank you.

[extirpator]

It was nothing. [ it’d been done on reflex more than anything, a mechanical procedure at its core. but cooking was still a labor of love, even if it had been done instinctually at this point.

he crosses the pathway to the kitchen, settling across from her — he’s still standing, but suddenly he draws out a notebook from behind his back and promptly slaps it down in front of her. the handwriting is neat, but the notes themselves are a tad frenzied.

CWYLD (SHADE)

AROUND THE OUTER WALL - CAN THEY GET INSIDE?

INFECT EVERY LIVING THING THEY TOUCH

DO NOT INTERACT ._.

THE TOUCH WILL KILL YOU !!!!!!

USE METAL WEAPONRY. THE STURDIER THE BETTER

KEEP DISTANCE 🤚

NO DAGGERS OR KNIVES 🗡 WILL EXPOSE YOU

CLOSE QUARTERS COMBAT = BAD IDEA !!!!

TRAVEL INDIVIDUALLY

WEIRD EYES. CAN SEE IN THE DARK. ._. ]

I told you to keep a weapon on you. The further out you are, the more of them there’ll be. And you can’t touch them, no matter what happens. Do you understand?

[lucubrates]

[ She pauses, slicing through the stack with her provided fork and knife. Zelda does not reach for the notebook at first, instead craning her neck to peer at it curiously. As she reads the first few lines, however, she becomes engrossed.

Eventually, she drops the cutlery and reaches for the book, holding it with a delicate grasp.

...She reaches the bottom of the list and he speaks. ]

I do.

[ She can manage that. Probably. Maybe. ]

You have been reckless, haven't you? To procure all these notes.

[extirpator]

I wouldn’t say that.

[ he was bold and erred on the side of danger, sure — but he was a competent fighter and a survivalist to boot. this wasn’t out of his element. he wasn’t going to pretend like it was, either. ]

This is the kind of life I’m used to. I’m a mercenary, after all. If you want to kill something, you have to know it first.

[lucubrates]

[ Her brow creases in thought. A mercenary... she should be shocked or scared, but instead she finds herself thinking it makes sense. He has the build and the air headed behavior might lend to being able to detach from the job.

She looks at him, raising a hand to massage her forehead. ]

I would disagree, but I imagine you have your own experiences.

You shouldn't hunt out there. What is it you were hungry for? If you eat something infected, I shudder to consider the effects.

[extirpator]

I wouldn’t eat a Shade. I just want all of them dead.

[ he has absolutely considered it but listen, he’s aware that’s certain death. there’s a quirk of the brow at what she says. ]

I was out there for game. Blood. I’m a vampire. I thought you realized.

[lucubrates]

Infection does not immediately show. You must be careful. You are not infallible, as strong and intelligent as you are.

[ A short beat. ]

Is it painful?

[extirpator]

I appreciate the concern. But I've been doing this for—

[ srong and intelligent. she's joking right. he wants to ask but he figures that would be rude. who even calls him that these days.

for some reason unknown to her, he appears to be totally bamboozled. and his cheeks are warming? what the hell.

fortunately, her next question redirects his attention. ]

I don't know. I've only drunk the blood of animals so far. My teeth are sharp, so maybe?

[lucubrates]

[ He doesn't finish his sentence and she won't pry. Truthfully, she isn't sure she's ready to hear how long he has been doing this. The thought that crosses her mind is that he can't be much older than her, and then she finds herself thinking he can't have been that old when he started.

Which is alarming to consider, but not for the reasons she thinks she should be frightened.

She pauses and prods at her eggs. ]

I would like to repay your kindness. If you've need for blood... I shall trust you not to kill me and offer it. My only condition is you permit me to take record of it, for my personal archive and any future research.

[ Did she just offer that? ... Yeah. She takes a mouthful of the eggs to look busy above all else, but it is also partly an apology. He truly did not hurt her, and he saved her life. It is the least she can do... especially to ensure he doesn't eat something diseased. ]

[extirpator]

[ well, it is certainly not what he expects to hear on this fine morning. he blinks, processing exactly what she’s said at first. and then his eyes darken, lips thinning into a line. ]

You need to think about what you’re saying. Neither of us know how my bites would affect other people. If I need to have a first, I don’t want it to be you if something does happen.

[ the notebook is shut with the flicker of his fingers, and his eyes are cast downwards. ]

You asked if it hurt. What’ll you do if it does? Or if it makes you sick?