[open] catch-all, Full Moon, quests
Who: Reno and you!
When: first half of Septeril
Where: Aefenglom
What: Full Moon, Quests
Warnings: NSFW in one of the Full Moon threads (feat.dragon)
FULL MOON
QUEST #1 Heliofonic Hospital; the peddler
QUEST #2 Under New Management; just checking it out
WILDCARD
When: first half of Septeril
Where: Aefenglom
What: Full Moon, Quests
Warnings: NSFW in one of the Full Moon threads (feat.dragon)
FULL MOON
[ The last Full Moon at least happened during celebrations. Drinks, merriments, and brawls were all but a normal thing to happen. But it somehow made this whole Full Moons deal a little easier to bear. It's now the third time it happens and Reno hates it a little more with each passing month. Figures, it will pass into a routine eventually, unless they get out of this place first. This time the Moons provide him with even more feathers, not just tufts here and there, his arms are slowly turning into wings Thickly feathered tonight, even if still not enough to fly up into the sky. The rusty red only a few notches more desaturated than his hair.
And given that... potential revelations that might have happened in the month prior... he is less likely to stay at the quietness of his apartment, wallowing in the misery. He hits the town, Entertainment District mainly. The brightness of the lights there causes a bright and hot irritation in him at first. Unsteady anger, pre-battle jitters, that quickly turn into weird neediness. He craves company, and it doesn't really matter if it's a peaceful and pleasant or involves ripping someone's face off. ]
A )
[ So eventually giving into that, Reno nearly pounces someone; hand occupied with a bottle of beer, smile almost jovial but a bit too sharp. No glint of recognition in his eyes at first, if he should happen upon a familiar face. His eyesight is going to shit at night, but no way he is going to mention that. ]
Lost? [ He points at the building that hosts both a pleasure house and a pub, depending on if you go up or down the stairs ] Do you wanna go try that together? I'm kinda curious how it looks like.
——Alternatively
B )
[ When his mood crashes, and it's probably the last moment of the night that doubles as the earliest hour of the morning, Reno can be found sitting on the fence, somewhere in Haven. Sun is literally about to rise, but he's yet to see if it helps his eyes in any way. Are you going early to work/classes? Running for fitness? Whatever it is, the redhead soon-to-be harpy waves you, cigarette in feathered hand— ]
Got any fire? [ It's almost pretty please. The matches are gone, and he doesn't have the nifty Witchy powers to just make a flame out of nowhere. ]
QUEST #1 Heliofonic Hospital; the peddler
[ The potions, no doubt having its origin in dubious places are a real catch from a business standpoint. He gets a hefty cut on each potion he sells, basically. Surprisingly clean for the shady scheme that it probably is, but not that Reno is going to bother asking questions. He doesn't really concern how they're made, or whether they're a placebo or have some actual effects beneficial effects. It seems like a dumb, but an easy job. And who knows what you can learn along the way. ]
A )
[ —so should he see Mirrorbound seemingly suffering from a headache, insomnia, or even simple Monster growing pains, (or just simply being tired) he will approach them with few stock phrases about a miracle cure, and a good deal before it hits the market— He's clearly repeating a memorized phrase, not trying to hide he's here to sell shit ]
B )
[ But now that a certain hospital makes a focused effort to crack the operation down, a suspicion that it's all more than just a ruse rises. So if someone calls him out on this he will be both willing to listen and discuss the issue.
Yeah he's— ]
Listen, I got only two bottles left on me. Buy them and you'll get bonus info" [ He's not above ratting the alchemist to the guards (getting chummy with them is a better investment in the long run), but he wants to make a coin on this still. ]
QUEST #2 Under New Management; just checking it out
[ The job at the factory last month was, he'd want to say, uneventful. But that ain't true. So when the word goes around that the orphanage itself changed hands and is now under new management... Reno does go to take a peek.
From afar.
Look, it's not like he cares, okay? If he spots any face that he might have seen in Haven or identify from the network as a Mirrorbound he'll ask. ]
Hey, I heard there have been changes here. [ He starts and goes straight to the point ] Do ya know anything else about it? Word on the street says its owned by a Mirrobound
[ And that sounds like an incredibly curious thing, orphans aside. Because owning an orphange sounds like a big deal for a bunch of refugees. Also, are the kids still working oin the factory? ]
WILDCARD
「 ooc: Wildcard aka hit me with whatever. For plotting through plurkaetarna, PM, or discord 」
no subject
Funny, he thought, when the lecture on dragons turned to protectiveness and possessiveness to those they considered important. Ironic, perhaps. Rude already would give his life for Reno. What more could he possibly do to protect him?
Instead of following Archer's advice, however, Rude closed his eyes and refused to look at either of them. It was too much. Everything was suddenly overwhelming. He couldn't stand the sound of Archer's voice anymore, trying to coax him into accepting what he already knew he wanted but refused to take by force. He wanted the other dragon to shut up and get a move on. He wanted--
--well, it didn't matter what he wanted, he reminded himself. He was here for Reno and if his partner really was excited to have him here... and there were clear signs to say he was... then Rude was staying right where he was and doing whatever was wanted.
His hands relaxed again as he continued to easily hold Reno in place.]
no subject
Debating, debating— no, if he'd called it off right now, it would be taking a step too far. Rude chose to be here for him, just slapping it off could be like a lack of trust. Still, he squirms, eyes shooting open, pupils blown wide, wondering what now. He’s got it bad for Rude if there was any doubt— and the fear that maybe he's just throwing years of friendship down the drain with his erratic behavior is still somewhere there, buried under the Moons' song.
Fuck, how easier it would be if they were Bonded. The fine-tune of knowing whether his partner truly wants to be here (enjoys seeing him), or if it's the moment to pack up. ]
One doesn't need to be a dragon for all of that—
[ He breathes finally, with a chuckle at the end. Rude doesn't need scales and wings to be the wall and the shield that keeps his teammates safe. Who keeps him safe when the recklessness gets the better of him. Being a Turk is a dangerous job, and there really isn't that much of a long life expectancy— sometimes a mission just goes bad — but Reno knows he probably wouldn't be around, if not for Rude. And if Rude ever goes down, so does he. ]
You know nothing
[ Reno murmurs as if to drive the point home (you have no idea what's going on here) and yet, despite the annoyance, he still arches needily into the touch, wherever the hand follows his back raises from the surface trying to push the most skin into the contact. The tattoos covering the red dragon does not escape Reno, and he realizes they are the reason why the dragon smells of mana. Magic is etched directly into his skin, those are these spell-tattoos. ]
Slow, fast, I can adapt. You can mess me up, within reason.
[ It's the usual negotiation, but he feels dirty, exposed, and for the first time in years— flustered? Is that the right word? It's like Rude gets a side of him that he didn't get to witness yet— does it fulfill a darker desire for his partner? Or would he rather remain unaware? ]
Careful with claws, and no kissing tho— [ And that's where he puts on his best innocent face and provides a bullshit explanation on top of it. ] I'm particular about teeth brushing habits.
no subject
[Seems like it's been too much for the other Dragon. He should focus on the redhead for now. Besides he's sure it's what the other wants to hear— and to see.]
Some of the Dragons dislike seeing other's mark their partner. [Archer continues thoughtfully while he strokes and caresses lithe body, trying to find most sensitive spots. Keeps his touch light and teasing— then withdraws after a really intense reaction, moving to grab oil.]
no subject
Head still turned slightly away, Rude reluctantly opened his eyes and looked down at his partner. His grip shifted on Reno's wrists enough to let him rub his thumbs over the harpy's veins slowly in silent reply. Try as he might to keep his face stoic there were subtle signs that he was losing that battle for some reason. A softness to his features as he gazed at Reno. A slackness to his usually strong jaw. It wasn't quite sadness--something less perverted than pure lust but something along those lines of desire, of wanting something from the other.
It morphs into a fond smile at Reno's words about him. His partner knew him all too well. Of course Reno would agree that Rude was protective of his partner--there was nothing that Rude wouldn't put himself in front of to prevent harm reaching Reno. He'd taken more than one bullet for the redhead. Archer knew nothing, indeed, but Reno knew everything about him.
He closed his eyes again but kept his calm for now. He swallowed before working his tongue to answer.]
His show. I don't care.
[Not quite the truth; no, not at all. He cared more than he wanted to admit. But he wasn't going to ruin this night by denying either of them their fun simply because he didn't want to see Reno's flesh after biting and bruising from another's touch.
Rude shifted suddenly, as if to assert some sort of control over the situation, over himself really. It wasn't much though--he moved to lean down onto the table, placing him marginally closer to Reno as he leaned over his partner's upper half. He couldn't escape the thought of leaning down just a little further and claiming Reno's lips for his own, defying the redhead's proclamation that there was to be no kissing. He knew that rule wasn't meant, wasn't said for him but what would Reno actually do if he surprised his partner with a defiant kiss. How would Reno react to Rude trying to taste him.
He left well enough alone. He was afraid to break the rule. Afraid to overstep the boundaries still between them even after all the years together. Being here, this close, was pushing far enough for now. He wasn't ready to ruin a good thing while he had it.]
no subject
And then it hits him like a brick, or more like a cold shower. "His show." Rude was indulging him, at his worst, at his most selfish for this entire time— at his most rotten. And Reno truly was taking advantage of that. Of Rude wanting the best for him, even if he was the one bearing the cost.
They haven't got time to talk about it. Without an audience, without a mask. You know,
honestly.
Where they could set methods of communications in a setting like this. It's so like Reno to run forward and just drag Rude in— of course, Rude followed on his own choice, but he was also ridiculously selfless, and, fuck, in love. Isn't that the literal word he used?
Reno starts to laugh, a short breathless laugh, paused by a short hiccup when his head hits back the table. Part of him wants to continue, part of him wants to show Rude his feelings are misplaced— he knows what he is, and he knows what he deserves, and "love" isn't on the list. But that's just cowardice, an easy way out because it's not like he doesn't want that "more" that Rude is offering as a possibility. He doesn't know what to do with that "more", how to be worthy of it. And what to do if that "more" disappears one day. In a world where everyone can leave, die, or sell you out at every moment, opening your heart is a grave mistake, it's opening yourself for pain. So you close it, wrap it up in chains, put it in the box, throw away the key and forget about it — because you're just that damn scared of hurting and loss.
But then you give the box to someone for safe-keeping.
And that someone picks the lock—
And then— ah, where he is going with this dumb metaphor even? Either way, if he's essentially doing the equivalent of throwing that box out of the window, then it's a good time to stop. ]
Heey, that music plain' [ He starts with a grin, tone low, almost a whisper— bringing attention to the ambient sound of music somewhere, the floor below them. Probably on the bar floor. ] That's no good for a two-step, you think?
[ —for a thrilling fun they both could enjoy.
In the end, they have company in the form of a red dragon, and Reno keeps his game-face with the company. Smirking, little shit that he is. He can't just directly ask how Rude really feels about it, he can't ask if Rude is really being here because he wants himself to be, or just to protect Reno and indulge his desires.
But Reno can ask an approximation of it in a very roundabout way ]
no subject
He focuses on two small vials of oil he's holding, giving the two time to sort out whatever is between them. The wise thing is to shut up and let them think, but— ]
I used to think the same way, until my own brat returned one night with bite marks in several places. Had to mark him again until he's been grumbling something about being a dragon's chew toy.
[—look, he's the kind of guy that doesn't know when to shut up.]
no subject
For a moment though the words sparked something in Rude. There was something about them that made the wheels in his mind turn, slowly recognizing the playful words for what they truly were. He recognized them... some of Reno's favorite phrasing... the last time he had heard them... what they could possibly mean in this situation here and now. He listened to the music but it held no answers and despite the fact that he knew that wasn't the point of the message he still tried to discern its meaning out of the silence between them.
Until it was shattered by the interruption. Rude didn't get to fully process the moment between him and his partner as the other dragon's words filtered over the faint music, caught his attention, and snapped him away from that important message--causing him to miss it entirely for what it was. He reacted almost instantly to Archer though, an appalled look on his face despite himself.]
Reno isn't mine to chew on.
[It came out too quickly, clearly indignant and feeling offended--too late he realized it was a telling response to his true feelings. He growled at the air between himself and the other dragon while trying not to make eye contact with him. He thought he might lose it if he did. Why-- no, he didn't really need to ask why. They'd already talked about it and now it was stuck in his head. He was suddenly feeling an overwhelming heat in all his limbs, a slow dangerous burn that threatened to consume him. A possessiveness like he had never felt before. No matter how many times he'd come to Reno's aid in battle because he couldn't stand the sight of Reno coming to harm; no matter how many times he'd flew into a violent whirlwind because someone thought they could try and get the drop on him by using his partner against him. He'd never felt so suddenly vindictive of such casually said words in his life before now. In the past, despite his extreme physical reaction to danger to his partner, he had always remained calm on the inside. Now, he was having the opposite happen. While he was deathly still on the outside it was only because he was fighting the unfamiliar rage on the inside.
He didn't care how playful the words were spoken or how casually informative the other dragon was simply attempting to be for their supposed benefit--Rude felt provoked by them for some stupid reason he couldn't handle. His frame bent forward further over Reno's body--whether to shield or claim possession was up for debate--as he met the eyes of his partner for a quick moment and felt the usual calm flood rush over him almost instantly in that one swift glance.
He glared at Archer and, surprisingly, managed to keep from going for the other's throat.]
I don't care what Reno does, what happens to him-- [wait for it] --because no matter his choices I'm not going to mark him like some possession that gets thrown in a closet and forgotten.
[A low growl, and the crack of the table beneath Rude's hands as they pressed around Reno's wrists without too much pressure, for it was all carefully placed on the table beneath his fingertips instead.]
I'll be too busy pummeling the vitals out of who- or whatever idiotic thing that had the audacity to touch him.
no subject
As he bends forward for a moment the indomitable presence that is Rude covers the entirety of Reno's vision. The first few words of the next sentence could be enough to run someone else's blood cold, but as they echoes in the room, Reno does wait— and his trust confirmed with the rest of the sentence.
Really, there is just no one else. There is no one else like Rude, and—
He might be floored, and a kind of a mess, but he can read what's going on. All this overthinking, overloading simply put aside for a second. His entire fear based on the fact that they already had a perfect thing going on, and he doesn't want to be the factor that breaks it, suddenly seems... childish. Pointless. Irrational. Because that's right, they always had this perfect thing, this perfect symmetry, trust, and understanding, as well as willingness to work their shit out.
If Rude is losing it, it is simply his time to step in, it's just that easy, that's the symmetry. They got each other's back. Though no lie, the darker part of him thinks that the image of Rude beating the shit out of someone for his sake is, quite hot ]
Piss off— So that's all you've got. [ He raises his leg, which up till now rested easily down the table— knee almost up to his chest, so he can put his heel on Archer's hip and then put enough pressure to separate their bodies. His voice growing louder, consistently firm and dismissive ] No one fucking asked you for a shitty lecture or life story, you either play by our rules, or you get the hell out of here.
[ Archer just wanted to help, but unfortunately struck a nerve (though funnily - unfunnily, enough his little stunt did give the foul-mouthed redhead a realization he needed. And while Rude has the ability to take that into consideration, Reno is— Reno just isn't that generous. He allows all the earlier small annoyances to swell right back into spite. ]
You better do the latter.
[ Maybe later, he'll rewind what happened here, and realize that, against all odds, that little stunt Archer pulled actually worked exactly as the main intended. Maybe not. Right now he's entirely focused on Rude. ]
no subject
Of course Archer's aware there's always a possibility of Monster going feral. Dragons are possessive; one not fully turned has their emotions and instincts go wild. With the Full Moons shining bright—
Archer closes his eyes and stills. Being so close to another, feral Dragon almost makes him lose his temper. Almost. He focuses on his Bond, letting the presence of his Witches anchor him, not allowing him to get lost within his emotions. It takes him a long moment to get himself under control and not growl at the other or spread his wings menacingly. Dumb reptile brain.]
My apologies.
[A breath.]
You two have a very strong bond.
no subject
[Came the immediate response, growled out low between clenched teeth. Of course, that might not have been the point. But Rude wasn't entirely in a thoughtful state of mind at the moment and he wanted to snap at the other dragon more than anything else. However, his anger stayed focused on growling and posturing. For now.
...Perhaps it said even more, though, that they weren't Bonded by this world's standards but shared such a close connection anyway. They were already so close, knew each other so well, and worked together so perfectly without some mystical, magical Bond tying them together on another level. They already had that kind of bond without it.
His low growl began to peter out slowly. The tension remained until he finally felt the amount of pressure he was putting onto the table beneath him and, aware that Reno was there, finally allowed himself to get distracted by looking down. He saw Reno there, all of him, and felt a pull in a different direction. His hands flattened out, less pressure as he felt Reno's wrists in his grasp once more and before he knew it he had run his hands up the length of Reno's arms.
One of his hands ran up the length of Reno's neck until it stopped under the redhead's chin and lifted it gently to make Reno look up at him. His thumb caressed the soft skin between the jaw bone once, twice. His breath was slow and weighted as he stared into Reno's eyes as if he was downing in them.]
We've been partners for a long time. [Rude was surprised to hear his own voice continue his former train of thought.] We've lived through a lot together. Always the two of us against everything that heads our way. Nothing will ever change that.
[Maybe those words were more for Reno's benefit, or Rude's own, than for the other dragon in the room. They certainly held a heavy weight to them, a deepness to their meaning stronger than the simple phrasing suggested.]
no subject
No one ever should.
But that's nothing compared to how Rude snapped before, and thus his attention focuses entirely on his partner. Fuck Bonds, and the magic mumbo jumbo, compared to those contracts, what they always had is a real deal— but that connection could have been very useful right now.
Reno's expression softens along change of tone in Rude's voice, along the touch sliding down his arms. From sharp angles, angry glare, and clenched jaw, his forehead smooths and brows relax as his gaze shifts from Archer to Rude.
When his partner's strong hand caresses his neck Reno's breath catches audibly. He leans into the touch and tilts his head back baring his throat. It's impossible to miss the way he shifts, offering himself without reservation. As impossible as missing the meaning hidden in his partner's words. Such a gentle touch— Yeah, the two of them could take on the world, that's the truth. ]
You can stick that apology up your ass. [ Well, yeah, the harpy here is still seething. The fact that he still focuses on Rude distills the venom. His hand is now on Rude's wrist, keeping it where it is, when he says to him ] Let's get out of here.
no subject
I'm not talking about this world's version of bonds. [he says softly as he reaches for his discarded shirt.] What you have is very rare. The ability to read each other's mood and communicate without words is uncanny.
[Archer pauses for a moment. In all honesty he's a bit envious of the closeness and understanding. There's no doubt they've seen as many battlefields as he did, and survived. It's a testament of their skills and their connection.]
When a Monster goes feral the only person able to stop them is their Bonded. Feral Dragons are most dangerous— yet all it took was awareness of your partner to snap out of it.
no subject
That didn't mean the nearly feral dragon had to agree with the words despite their truth. The irrationality of it was ridiculous but the calm words still angered him for whatever reason.
His eyes snapped up to glare at Archer.]
If you're so good at reading the moods of others, why haven't you taken the hint? [And left. Was the red dragon still expecting something to happen after all that? Fat chance. The moment was gone.
A pity, perhaps. Something beautiful could have happened here if more confidence and certainty were already in place. But it was all too new and unfamiliar territory for certain members of the current party.
Now all that was left was the fleeting rush of adrenaline and aftermath of rage, leaving at least one of the Turks in a state of confused emotional overload. He wasn't quite certain how he felt, truth be told. The outburst had been silly and yet he'd come to learn something from it and that was Reno was still with him. He feared that he had ruined something and yet was reassured by the touch of his partner.
Speaking of which, the hand on his wrist brought his attention back to Reno. He nodded. He should have just ignored the other dragon now that they were done with him. Though he was oddly reluctant to move, he did so--standing up straight and pulling Reno along with him till his partner could slide easily off the back side of the table and stand next to Rude. It was like he didn't want the physical connection between them to break; though the gentle caress had been broken in the movement, he kept a hand around Reno's waist now instead. It would have been innocent enough if it didn't seem so possessive in front of the other dragon.
His attention was on Reno though. It was best kept that way. It kept him calm even if he was still a bit nonplussed with what was happening. How did the night turn out like this.]
Yeah. Ready when you are.