june catch-all; quests and more

[topslug]

Who: Yako Katsuragi + Others (TBD)
When: Throughout June Iuneril
Where: All over Aefenglom.
What: Your friendly neighborhood catch-all.
Warnings: TBD

[ I'll just be using this log for various individual top-levels and custom starters through the month and add them below as I go!. I write in prose because that's what I'm used to, but I can adjust to match. ]

1. Do it with Class

Although it's her second month here, Yako still hasn't made that much progress as far as spellcasting goes. The best progress she's made thus far is in enchantment, though for the most part, she's only practiced enchanting food and doesn't have much in the way of combat applications.

In Abjuration class, she looks a bit nervous when she's paired up with someone, giving them a sheepish look as she readies her focus.

"So, ah, do you want to practice blocking first, or should I?"

In Divination class, her fingers are covered with specks of pale yellow light, but when she shakes them off her fingers, they only drift down lazily onto the ground instead of pointing in any particular direction -- certainly not leading towards whatever hidden object they're supposed to be looking for. She sighs, shaking her head and glancing up at whoever's nearby.

"No good ... I can't get the spell to focus right. How about you? Any luck?"

It's in Transmutation class that she finds a surprising bit of luck: as she concentrates on the shattered teacup in front of her on the table, the pinpricks of light that seem to be her signature magic alighting on the ceramic, some of the pieces of shattered porcelain suddenly snap together in front of her, making her jump and lose concentration -- and it falls apart all over again. Still, she's elated.

"Did you see that?!"

Alternatively, you might catch her after classes end, holding a tray of various baked goods and a clipboard by a doorway. If you make the mistake of making eye contact or even coming too close, she'll perk up and step over.

"Excuse me, but would you mind trying one of these enchanted pastries and rating them? Um, the effects are temporary and nothing bad, I promise -- I just need to know how effective they are."

2. Lost in a Good Book

Early in the month, Yako can be easily found in Undermael College, sitting at one of the tables with a book open in front of her and some scattered notes scrawled all over in a girlishly rounded script. Some of it is information on basic spells and invocations taught in the Coven classes, but there's also a roughly doodled sketch of some kind of globe on one corner, and she seems to be intent on her work ... so much so that she's muttering under her breath.

Those close enough or possessed of keener hearing might catch something about 'leylines' or 'divination' or, more perplexingly perhaps, something about the ideal ratio of dry to wet ingredients ... but either way, as quiet as she may be trying to make it, it's a little bit disruptive.

3. Wiped Out

Closer towards the evenings, though, will see Yako straight up passed out on top of her work, pen beginning to leave a growing ink-stain on paper as she snores softly. Will you wake her up kindly and send her on her way, or be a bit more rude?

4. How Does Your Garden Grow?

In the Shopping District, Yako can be found intently browsing through a selection of ... plants? She hasn't picked up any from the shelves and planters yet, but she seems to be quite serious about looking through them -- so much so that she doesn't realize there's someone right beside her.

"Oh, sorry -- I didn't mean to get in your way. I'm having a hard time deciding what I should get for the garden."

???. Wildcard

[ None of these work for you? Want to write your own starter? Hit me up on the CR Meme, let's make something happen. ]

Comments

a midsummer night's dream

[topslug]

1. a very listless full moon

[ The last thing Yako rather expected to be roped into on the night of the full moons was agreeing to an impromptu (and, she's realizing, probably questionably illegal) run of a hedge maze. Despite the relative energy she'd felt earlier in the day, right now, the concept of having to run around doesn't much appeal at all for some reason, and she turns to who she's partnered with to give them a wry smile. ]

I don't suppose I could convince you to take it easy on me, could I...?

2. litha celebrations [ day ]

[ Its unfortunately difficult for Yako to resist free food whenever it's on offer, meaning that Yako's pleasantly buzzed on spiced food as she wanders around the celebration. It brings a flush to her cheeks and a lightheadedness which isn't all that different from the magical exhaustion she'd felt during the full moons, only instead of listlessness she finds herself filled with a strange energy.

Which means she can be found:

a. wandering the crowds and occasionally bumping into people when she grows a little clumsy, though she's quick to apologize and offer a bit of whatever food she's been carrying as a token of her repentance;

b. abruptly appearing out of nowhere, clasping your arm and rather too loudly asking if you'd like to run through the maze with her;

c. sitting in a rather unladylike sprawl on the ground, a flower crown already in her hair, happily plaiting more and more blossoms into one that's looking -- hang on, that's not a crown at all? Maybe someone should tell her that. ]

3. the witch in the well [ night ]

[ Perhaps you were thinking of making a wish or looking for your true love. Or perhaps you just happened to be passing by on the way to somewhere else. Either way, a young woman's voice echoes up from the depths of the well, faintly plaintive, though with a bubble of laughter rising for the ridiculousness of the situation. ]

Hello? Is anyone there?

[ A thoroughly damp young woman is diligently treading water in the bottom of a well, looking surprisingly placid despite her predicament and squinting up at the distant, lit circle of the well's mouth. ]

I seem to have gotten myself a little stuck.

[ That and someone seems to have pulled up and put aside the bucket and rope that originally went down there. Hmm. ]

4. wildcard

[ None of these suit your fancy? Hit me up on Yako's plotting post or PM and we can hash something out. I've written them up in action for convenience, but I can adjust to match.

For the Litha prompt, she's more 'cuddly and touchy and giggly' than 'single and ready to mingle,' but I don't mind threads turning in a more NSFW direction. Just let me know if that's where you'd like it to go! o/ ]

Witch in the Well

[psychotronics]

[ Morgan doesn't believe in wishes and she doesn't believe in true love, so passing by it is. She can't ignore a cry for help when she hears one though, so it's only a few moments after Yako calls out that her face appears framed by the well's mouth above, peering down at her through the depths using a simple candlelight spell. She grunts incredulously; never thought she'd see something so cliche as a person trapped in an old timey well, but. Here they are.]

Seriously? How in the hell did you even wind up down there? Hang on...

[ This doesn't immediately appear to be some kind of sinister trap or anything, so she's already reaching for the bucket and rope to lower it down to the trapped woman. ]

[topslug]

[ Oh, how kind! She didn't expect to be rescued so readily, but Yako's not going to turn it down. ]

To be honest, I don't really remember myself! [ Yako calls up, cheerfully. ] I was just leaning over the well to look into the water, and the next thing I knew, I was in it!

[ Once the bucket's close enough to grab, she'll reach out for it, though mostly to cling onto it and steady herself for now rather than trying to haul herself up. ]

[psychotronics]

You sure you weren't pushed? Pretty sure I heard some rumors--

[ Morgan starts pulling on the rope to try and hoist the poor girl out, but the pulley system creaks ominously as she tugs on the rope. Pausing, Morgan blows out her cheeks and steps on the line, holding it in place so that Yako at least isn't stuck treading water down there while she peers back over the edge. ]

...Hold on just a sec kid, I want to check and make sure this thing isn't about to collapse on us--

[ It's when she leans in to peer at the mechanism that Morgan feels two hands slam against the center of her back. She loses concentration on her candlelight spell as the ground goes out from under her, and she tumbles into the darkness as well. ]

[topslug]

[ Yako's just tightened her grip, ready to make an attempt to get herself up the line -- hey, she managed to climb ropes in gym class, this should be a piece of cake! -- only to have to let go in alarm and reel back against the wall to avoid being brained by the other woman splashing down into the water and hitting her with a fresh wave of water all over again.

Oh. That's bad, isn't it? ]

[psychotronics]

[ Morgan quickly resurfaces with a gasp, a surge of terror rising in her chest. She does not know how to swim very well, if the panicked breathing and flailing she's doing is any indication. She manages find a handhold in the stonework of the well and clings on to that for dear life.

A quick glance is shot towards Yako, and then up at the distant mouth of the well. ]

...Fuck!

[topslug]

[ Well, that’s a succinct summary of their situation for sure... all the same, Morgan’s flailing leaves Yako staying close to her end of the well to avoid getting knocked about by her panic. Once she seems like she’s calmed down a little, Yako ventures a question. ]

Um ... are you hurt?

[psychotronics]

[Morgan takes a deep breath and exhales through her nose, taking a second to ground herself before replying. The panicked flailing and yelling is not the kind of look that she wants to be associated with.

It's dark down here, but she throws an apologetic smile in Yako's direction anyway.]

You mean aside from my pride? [Laying on the dry sense of humor pretty thick here.] Just peachy. Totally nailing this rescue attempt thing, too.

[topslug]

[ Yako sounds like she’s smiling even as she brushes damp hair out of her face. ]

I’d say I’m glad to have the company, but it’s not really a good thing in this case, is it?

[ She pauses. ]

But I appreciate not being alone anyway.

[ Raising a hand, she whispers a soft incantation she’ll recognize as a light spell. Motes of light begin to float upward from her palm, providing a weak form of illumination. ]

My name’s Yako. What’s yours?

[psychotronics]

[ Light is helpful, though it's also sort of highlighting just how tiny the space they're trapped in is. Good thing she's not claustrophobic. ]

Morgan. I'd offer a handshake, but my hands are kind of full making sure that I don't drown.

[topslug]

I won’t take it against you, just this once.

[ The bantering doesn’t solve their immediate problems, though. Yako cocks her head, considering. ]

The light from earlier ... you’re a witch too, aren’t you?

[psychotronics]

You got me. Not sure I know any spells that can reliably get us up out of this thing, though... [ She thoughtfully squints up at the mouth of the well. ] I have tried teleportation before but uh, it's not exactly my strong suit.

2a

[catasstrophy]

[There are still times when Konoe would rather avoid the crowds, but on the whole, he's gotten used to them - and honestly? With the festival happening, he just can't resist getting in the middle of it. It's kind of exciting, being a part of it all, just by virtue of being there.

That just makes him more annoyed when someone bumps into him - but it's an anger that quickly dissipates when he sees who it is.]

Yako... [He didn't think he'd run into her - or the other way around, as it happened - let alone like this. He can't help but worry as he sees the flush on her cheeks, though. Between that and her running into him, worrying is inevitable.] Are you okay?

[topslug]

[ Yako uses a hand to push up the wreath of flowers that’s slid on her head back up, beaming when she realizes she recognizes who it is. ]

I’m fine! I’m fine. [ She says, a little too quickly and too loudly; she realizes that much, though, and she waves a hand placatingly before Konoe can call her out on obviously not being as fine as she’d like to claim to be. ]

Just had a little enchanted food, is all. [ She’s sheepish as she says it, and without thinking about it too much, she moves to loop her arm through Konoe’s and tuck her cheek against his shoulder with a beleaguered sigh. ]

[catasstrophy]

Isn't that plenty of reason to worry?!

[Enchanted food... He can only imagine what such a thing might do to a person. Still, she seems a little intoxicated if anything, and while that's still worrying, it's not as dreadful a situation as it might have been.

So he's honestly calming down well enough - until she presses her face against his shoulder. While it's not quite the gesture it makes him think of - a friendly and borderline intimate greeting between cats - it's close enough to make his heart skip a beat, pounding loudly for no reason whatsoever.]

I'll -... I'll take you home.

[topslug]

[ Though Konoe may not be a monster, this close it’s hard to miss the warmth and the unmistakable smell of caramelizing sugar that lingers around Yako, the inevitable outcome of caring so many food related spells. At Konoe’s suggestion, Yako makes a face, though it’s hard to see pressed against him as she is. ]

I don’t want to go home, it’s too early. [ She says, in the mildly belligerent tone of mildly intoxicated people everywhere, but in this case she does have a point ... it’s still daylight. ]

Besides, I’d rather have fun with you! [ Chances are she would have said so without the influence of anything, but in this case it’s accompanied by a friendly squeeze of his arm and Yako rubbing her cheek against his shoulder like she’s suddenly become a cat herself. ] Is there anything you want to do Konoe?

[catasstrophy]

[It's not that he was planning to put her in bed or anything (though he might have); his intention had mostly been to keep her safe. From what, he couldn't say, but crowds like this always meant potential danger, and since she doesn't quite have her wits about her, avoiding such dangers only made sense.

Still, with her stating her opinion so clearly, he isn't going to argue with her... especially when she's being so physical and attached - and he shouldn't enjoy that, knowing that intoxication is responsible for at least a good part of it, but he's kind of affected all the same. She really is cute, even like this.]

Not really... I was just walking around and taking in the sights.

[And admiring the flowers. You know, the usual - not that he'll ever admit to that.]

[topslug]

[ Yako hums in consideration, the vibration strong enough to travel through her chest to Konoe’s side. He really is nice, isn’t he? Very supportive. He’s certainly having to support some of her weight before she comes to a decision and starts to lean away, only to tug him into another direction. ]

Then, why don’t we run a maze together?

[ Little does she realize she’s with someone with no sense of direction whatsoever. The storefront she’s pulling him to advertises a hedge maze that’s larger on the inside than it is out, and a drink seller by the front is enthusiastically hawking her wares, offering a charm for luck in love in a cup to anyone who’ll take her up on it. ]

[catasstrophy]

[Ohno not a maze...! Konoe panics a little, but it's not like he can admit that he, a cat, has no sense of direction. It's partly common decency, and partly that fear of publicly acknowledging an embarrassing weakness, that keeps him from fighting back as she pulls him along.]

No, that's -... It's only for monsters, right?!

[Or monster-witch pairs, and he's not a monster, though nobody is likely to believe him about that.

He tries with excuses like this, but he still can't bring himself to give her a hard "no" when that would mean admitting his real reason for not wanting to try a maze.]

[topslug]

No, it’s for everyone who wants to try it. [ Yako laughs, pressing her cheek to his shoulder again. She’s trying for reassurance that she’ll be there for him, though that’s probably not what comes across. She’s close enough for him to feel the steady thump of her heart, certain of what she wants. ]

Mm, but if you don’t want to run a maze, we could get something to eat or make you a crown... I just wanna have fun together.

[ It’s your one and only chance to take advantage of tipsy girl drunkenness, Konoe! ]

[catasstrophy]

[He doesn't want to take advantage, though!? If anything, what he wants is the exact opposite. Running a maze is only marginally better than walking through fire, in his book, but it's clear that she wants it, and he -... Well, he just can't bring himself to say no. That is what would feel like taking advantage, with her in this state.]

It's fine... We can do the maze.

[He's vaguely regretting this already.]

... You should drink something, first.

[Seriously, he doesn't want her to keel over in the middle of the maze! He'll never find his way out as it is; he'd rather not be stuck there forever while trying to carry her through.

He'll ask the seller to make sure it's not enchanted, of course. If there are technically other magics at play, well, that's just too bad.]

[topslug]

[ See, this is why Yako likes Konoe — he cares about doing the decent thing, as much as he might bluster otherwise. After two weeks of sleeping on the same bed, she likes to think she’s gotten to get a good sense of his character, and she feels safe around him, which is why though she’d be friendly with anyone, it’s easy to touch and pet and impose herself on him in a way she’s thought about before but dismissed for being rude. ]

All right. [ She lights up with his assent, happily taking the drink. It’s sweet fruit juice, and she downs half before she offers the cup to him as they start to wander in, the imprint of her lips still damp on the rim. ]

Here, you have some too. You like fruit, right?

[catasstrophy]

[He takes the cup from her in silence, much more nervous than he should be for a simple maze game. There's just something about being trapped that bothers him, in addition to the way he has no sense of direction, and now that he feels kind of responsible for Yako, too - well... it's hard enough being responsible for himself, isn't it? Even if this isn't technically a dangerous situation, he's feeling a lot of pressure.

And that's why he's all too happy to enjoy the comforts of fruit juice, glancing at Yako's lip print on the cup, but unsure how to analyze what it makes him feel. He just drinks, quickly, in an attempt to feel more like himself again, and before he knows it, he's actually finished the cup. Oops...]

Sorry. I guess... I was thirsty.

[It's the lamest excuse in the history of excuses, but it's the only one he's got to offer.

The maze didn't seem that big on the outside - something he tries to gain confidence from. That's fine, right? It'll be fine. Maybe he doesn't even need a sense of direction, for something so small.]

Should we.... alternate going left and right?

[That's the best way to get ahead, probably..?]

2.B

[givemewings]

[There are innumerable pros to being a trained soldier.

What is about to happen, however, is one of the cons.

Being suddenly grabbed on the arm by a stranger is more than enough cause for alarm. Which means as soon as Yako makes contact with Mukuro, she roughly plucks the other girls arm off and proceeds to at the very least attempt to wrestle her onto the ground.

At which point she realizes that this was definitely not a threat. An icy glare of murderous intent softens into a dull, vacant stare. Oops.]

...Don’t do that. [speak for yourself]

[topslug]

[ Being grabbed and pinned down so suddenly should be an alarming experience, but Yako is too out of it to properly appreciate anything but how quick it is, or even consider resisting. If anything, she automatically relaxes into the sudden violence, letting herself go limp and roll with the motion.

When more doesn’t seem forthcoming, she’ll risk peeking up, tongue slipping out to wet the corner of her mouth before she tentatively volunteers: ]

Wow, you’re really strong. [ Pause. Wiggle. ] Umm, can you let me up now?