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☆ A Strange Tale
Name: Sowilo (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
petaluridae)
Date: June 13
Format: Video
petaluridae)Date: June 13
Format: Video
- The face that comes over the video might be familiar to some: delicate-featured, red-haired, bearing the un-hidden features of a jewel-red dragonfly Fae. Sowilo is known to be brusque and haughty, but today he only looks serious, occasionally glancing off-screen, where the sounds of another couple of people in the office can be heard.
“Two Wilders came back from the Northern Outpost this morning. Apparently a dozen of them went missing a handful of days ago and the search party has only turned up these two. Overcurious meatheads that they are, they found trouble on a trip out. They are not seriously injured-” He holds a hand up. “-but they have the strangest story.”
“While exploring after a rockslide they came upon a tunnel, and like the geniuses they are, decided to follow it down. Very far down, to caverns where they were ambushed and captured handily.” There is a quiet protest in the background, and murmuring, but Sowilo pays it no mind. “The two who returned were purposefully released, and they’ve described to Theodore an underground city full of actual, living people. What in the world do you all know about this? Their leader sent a message that she will release the other ten Wilders safely if “only the travelers who have laid eyes upon her fair city before” accept her cordial invitation to her realm. Doesn’t take a scholar to assume she’s talking about you Mirrorbound. You have a way of attracting trouble, don’t you?”
“I’m sure you understand why this is a… delicate situation for the Coven, and for Aefenglom. We have no records of any city existing underground - we know absolutely nothing about these people, what they want, or what they are capable of. The message was very clear that representatives from the Coven or Aefenglom were not welcomed, so our hands are a bit tied. Their leader wishes to speak with some of you directly, even.” Glittering red eyes narrow.
“We leave on the 16th from the North Gate and will use the teleporter to the Northern Outpost. From there, Theodore and I will accompany you as far as we can, but I imagine it won’t be far at all.” There is a moment of hesitation here from the stuck-up Fae, and he looks a bit like he bit into a lemon. “I suppose we are relying on you all. Please know that this is an unprecedented situation and could turn dangerous for all of us. Not to mention, if they decide they don’t like us, we’ll likely have to abandon the Northern Outpost and all the progress made up there…
I suppose decide among yourselves what you’re willing to do. We will not force anyone's cooperation.”
This is the initial kick-off post for What Lies Beneath! Feel free to use this post to let characters discuss and react with each other as you want over the network or in-person. If you need an NPC reply, please say so in your comment header! NPC replies will come from the journal petaluridae. Otherwise, the event log itself will be up on the 16th. And one more reminder, you still have until 3PM EST on the 15th to sign up for a possible chat with the Matriarch!
petaluridae. Otherwise, the event log itself will be up on the 16th. And one more reminder, you still have until 3PM EST on the 15th to sign up for a possible chat with the Matriarch!
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I'm a bonafide rogue, my dear. An absolute cad.
I'll gladly offer my services in regard to sweeping blushing Witches off their feet, with their permission of course. Quite happy to swoop in and save the day should they find themselves surrounded by posturing Monsters in the underground. It does sound like it could get a tad tiresome, being flexed at whilst one is trying to carry out a sensible conversation.
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Always good to have that kind of character around~~ (´艸｀〃)
If I see any Witches having that problem down there I'll tell them to call you, if I can't whisk them away myself by illusioning into a monster (ノ＞▽＜。)ノ
I had to fake a bond during the dream but then I actually bonded with that person later so uh. That worked out?
But the flexing and the fighting was too much...it's lucky my darling isn't here or he would've gotten jealous... （（●´∧｀●））
[It's also lucky said darling isn't here as a Witch in particular, because Momo is no less jealous than his partner and that could've gone some ways.]
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And of course, man of the people, me. Only too happy to sweep in and help out, and the blush of a Witch swept of their feet would be payment enough!
You're right though, I do recall it. I was shoved at an unsuspected Witch myself, in the dream. A group of Monsters telling me I ought to step up, all of that. So forming a temporary or feigned bond of some kind may not go amiss.
[Feigned or temporary is the furthest he's willing to stretch to, for now.]
And that's some luck, isn't it? Getting a bond partner out of it. Maybe there's something to be said for all that pushiness after all. Must be tough though, if you have a sweetheart waiting on you, at home? At least I'm free as a bird...pun entirely intended.
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It's a shame I can't be one of your blushing maidens (n˘v˘•)¬
If you need a temp bond I've got room
They're way less frills than an actual bond so if you're worried about the emotional part that's always a bonus ╮ (. ❛ ᴗ ❛.) ╭
[Said as if he didn't put bonding off for months himself and even get familiars to avoid having to deal with "the emotional part" until someone desperate enough not to go feral and insistent enough about bonding with Momo specifically came along.
As for the "sweetheart" remark, Momo chooses to vague around that because he's still dealing with the point of people taking the idea of him and Yuki in a relationship seriously here instead of laughing them out the door.]
I wasn't expecting the bond to happen, honestly, but I guess life has a way of being poetic!
Anyway, even though I miss Yuki, it's safer if he's not here since he's so gentle and delicate (๑´•ω • `๑)
He was here for a little while last month and I was worried enough about that, even though I was happy to see him...
[Clearly telling himself Yuki is better off back home will make it hurt less. Maybe after another four months of saying it.]
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And that might not be such a bad idea, if you're willing. If it wouldn't put you out, or anything. As you say, hard to get much done when everyone's too busy matchmaking to engage you in serious conversation, eh? Call me old fashioned, but I'd much rather choose my own bond partner when I'm good and ready than have someone try to set me up blind.
[Never mind that he's taking a leaf from Momo's book, isn't at all sure that he will make any kind of more permenant bond. How could he willingly put someone else in danger by tying his fate to theirs?
Though who knows how he'll feel about it in a few moons' time...]
And well, life does have a funny way of surprising you, just when you think you've got your mind made up. As for this beau of yours...best to know he's safe and out of harm's way, eh? No doubt he'll be there waiting for you upon your return.
[Though even like this, even through text...there's the suspicion in him that it might hurt more than the Witch is letting on. He knows how he'd feel, to find someone he cares for here with him one moment, then gone again the next.]
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I'm fine with it! I don't know if temp bonds have the whole upper limit problem normal bonds have but I have two more until I hit what the Coven says we shouldn't go over anyway ┐(´∇｀)┌
I wouldn't leave the readiness too long, though, at least Monsters don't explode like we do but ferality isn't really an improvement especially if you don't like hurting people...
[He drops the reminder warning in because while he hasn't met a large amount of Monsters neglecting to bond, he's run into a fair few Witches taking that route recently. That, and Julian reminds him in some ways of himself, and that's a bad sign as far as Momo is concerned.]
I know he will (人´ω｀*)♡
I guess I'm still adjusting to being away from him this long but I'll get there~~
[Momo being here is the longest time they've spent apart since they met, and they've been seeing each other at worst every other day for the last six years (particularly the three of those they were living together), so it's a hell of an adjustment.]
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Ah, well. If you're quite sure I won't be putting you out. And yes, never fear, I haven't forgotten all the warnings I've been given. Just been a bit busy, you know. Studying up on the medical techniques here, helping those outside the Bright Wall, all of that. I'll get to it.
[Though that's part of the problem, really. Having thrown himself so wholeheartedly into work, and spending most of his spare evenings in the Taverns getting to know local Monsters...he may have somewhat neglected the 'getting to know Mirrorbound Witches he could potentially bond with' part of the equation.]
No doubt it's a hard thing to adjust to. Let's hope your stay is a relatively short one, eh? No easy thing, being separated from your heart's desire.
[Something he does, in fact, know rather a lot about. Something he's just had to learn to live with.]
And whilst we're at it, not to derail the conversation or anything, but what are all those shapes on the ends of your sentences?
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Since we're helping the Wilders I'm sure they won't begrudge a temp bond potion here or there since they usually hand them out for out of the city stuff anyway~~
But even with things being busy, you can't neglect self-care!!
[It's probably a good thing harpies only detect lies, not astronomical levels of "do as I say, not as I do".]
Mmm, we all have people we're missing, so I'm trying to focus on other things or help people out with theirs （。＞ω＜）。
And then I'm sure the time will pass quicker!
We call them kaomoji where I come from
They're meant to look like faces or emotions
Like maybe I'm really excited!!!! ＼（ ● ⌒ ∇ ⌒ ● ）／
Or maybe I'm upset ｡･ﾟﾟ･(>д<)･ﾟﾟ･｡
[He's had to explain kaomoji to enough people to understand that it can be kind of a crapshoot even with examples and he's contented himself with that fact.]
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[A willful kind of forgetfulness, but ho hum.]
Anyway, we'll see. I have it all in hand for now.
And that's true enough. If we focus on the task at hand, try to solve the problems we've likely been brought here to solve, surely we'll get to return that little bit faster. Until then, there's plenty to busy oneself with!
And I see. I think. The second one is crying?
[He really has no idea what that other one is meant to look like, despite the explanation.]
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I'm good at looking after people, I can send you reminders ╭( ･ㅂ･)و )))
And then show up at your house if that doesn't work |ω`)
[Which sounds vaguely threatening. But Momo is decidedly also a person who deals with his problems by ignoring them and dealing with other people's problems instead. It's much easier.]
Yes! So you got that one right
The other one's a bit stretched out anyway...
And I'm usually more sparkly when I'm excited (ﾉ^ヮ^)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧
[Momo's logic is that if he keeps using them, either people will get used to them being there or they'll have enough exposure therapy to start being able to see the faces. Clearly a win/win.]
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[Just ignore the fact that he is the kind of man who forgets to eat or even sleep without someone to push him into it.]
And yes, I think I see this one. Arms in the air, throwing sparkles?
[Kinda reminds him of someone, actually...]
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I had to keep track of way more people back home ✧*｡٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و✧*｡
[Momo may just end up doing this anyway, because that's an awfully familiar kind of take.]
That's right~!
Sparkles make everything more exciting
[Source: fireworks exist.]
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[Unless coffee or rum counts as regular meals? He doesn't tend to forget about those.]
And I suppose sparkles do add a little something, don't they? I know at least one person back home who certainly thought so.
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Messing around with meals is a worse idea than it seems!!!
[Or bad meals. Momo still remembers how much weight he lost when he and Yuki didn't have enough money for proper food more often than not.]
Sounds like they have good taste! .+:｡(ﾉ･ω･)ﾉﾞ
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[He's a sociable birb, he likes company.]
And, well. I suppose he does, yes.
[Enough good taste to dump him, anyway.]
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[Momo is both sociable and a busybody about other people's health, so it's a good combination for this sort of thing.]
That sounds like you're not sure...
[It's hard to tell the difference between certain tones in text.]
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And no, I do mean it. He probably has the right idea, most of the time. We have a bit of a history, that's all.
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Is this the sordid kind of history or just awkward complicated history? ( -_・)?
[Or both.]
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And my darling, if I'm involved, you can guarantee it'll be sordid.
[Though both is, of course, the proper answer.]
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I guess I have a new and saucy topic for next time we're out drinking~~
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And if it's saucy topics you like, then you've come to precisely the right place! I have more stories than you could shake a stick at.
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Oh good~
I'm not allowed to have relationships back home because of my job but I love hearing about everyone else's saucy tales (*>艸<)
It's a fun little window into that kind of life
["Like fireworks on a work day", as Momo once put it, a rare spectacle you can watch but not participate in.]
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But you really weren't allowed to have relationships because of your job? What kind of job could possibly enforce something like that? I realise I've strayed rather far from the original topic, and you can always wait to tell me in person if you prefer. It just sounds so outlandish. A job that dictates your relationships!
[He's never heard of such a horrifying thing!]
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[You'd think he'd get more used to this sort of thing after years of working with someone he openly thinks is hot, but no.]
No it's fine, it's not a secret or anything~~
I'm an idol (ﾉ´ヮ´)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧
Or more accurately, my partner and I are an idol duo
An idol is basically a kind of entertainer that does dancing and singing and acting and everything, but we're also marketed for our personalities and as people, you could say
And also as a kind of "dream" that anyone can reach out for and be part of if they want to .｡ﾟ+.ヽ| ゝ∀・*|ﾉ｡+.ﾟ
So our fans can love us wholeheartedly and feel closer to us, we can't have relationships because that can cause drama
It's something we know we're giving up going into the job, but there's a lot to love about it too, so to me it's a little sacrifice for a really fun and amazing job and getting to make lots of people happy! ( •⌄• ू )✧
[But also he's trained himself to just not really think about romance besides teasing people about it these days, so that helps.]
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[And he isn't terribly sure he understands the concept of being an idol, there's nothing even remotely comparable in his old-fashioned world, but--]
Well, the dancing and singing sounds like a fine time. And what's more admirable than a job that encourages people to reach for their dreams?
Not sure I'd want to give up on the sordid affairs and midnight trysts, myself. What discipline!
[Not that he knows a lot about true romance, about deep and enduring love. Trysts and flings and back-alley fucks are more his forte. The one time he's ever really loved someone wholeheartedly, utterly...it didn't exactly end well.]
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