"Hello! You've reached Even Immolzeth. I apologize for not answering right away; I'm sure I'm doing something terribly distracting. If it's not too much of an inconvenience, let me know who you are and leave a message?"
To be fair, I would bet good gold that quite a few people came away from the springs with some new troubles. Is that the nature of your less-than-perfect state?
[Oh god, there is nothing simple about this?! 'Suzaku is typing...' remains on-screen for like, fifteen whole minutes. Maybe half an hour.]
I think I must have transformed into some sort of creature, but I don't remember, and the person who would probably know is trying to convince me that it didn't happen. It's that kind of issue.
[In other words, Suzaku turned into a dragon, knotted his boyfriend, and now said boyfriend won't disclose this information to Suzaku who would, in all fairness, not handle the truth well. Simple.]
I can't shake the feeling that I did something awful to them.
[Okay, that. That sure does hit close to home. Closer than he'd like, considering both Oran and himself had fallen into similar pitfalls, and have been picking up the pieces bit by bit for days... of course other people would have fallen prey, too. Of course.]
Not at all. What I have are some clues, if you can call them that.
I have wounds all over my body in various places. On my stomach, on my back, on my legs. They look like claw and teeth marks, but I have no memory of how they got there.
That sounds as if it's good odds that you met a monster, perhaps, rather than became one. But it could be both I suppose.
Either way, I don't envy you the mystery.
[And then he gives into a moment of proper self-pity: his own sins have been haunting him essentially constantly since he got back.]
Though perhaps I envy you the lack of memory. Would it be better or worse if you recalled what you did, do you think? If it was as heinous as you're concerned it is?
There is nothing worse than not knowing. I would rather know the bitter truth than have it hidden from me.
I am not a good person, Even. I have done many terrible things in my life whether I'd intended to or not. Having no knowledge of those sins would make it impossible to atone for them.
I think it doesn't matter what the person who committed the transgression thinks. If you hurt someone, you can certainly try to atone, but what matters is whether the one you hurt will allow you to do so.
[More self-pity: he's been told as much, though not in so many words. And it hurt, and so he's left passing the pain along.]
We can just hope they want to forgive as much as we want to be forgiven.
[ That afternoon, as Even peeked out of his window in suspicion as he waited for Zechs' arrival ... well. The pilot anticipated his suspicion, and deployed one (1) ill tempered goose on the alley across from Oran and Even's apartment. ]
[ That goose did not want to be there. He was enjoying a nice nap! It was warm and sunny! And now he's outside, in early December, and in a foul temper. ]
[ Locating the nearest robot, the goose spread his wings to their full span and startled the machine - ] HONK HONK!
[In this case, being on guard for shenanigans is Even's undoing. The moment he hears a squawk in the alley he's sure that's going to be the route of the invasion, and he heads to their front window to gain a visual on the commotion.
Geese.
Narrowing his eyes, he heads to the front door, creaking it open carefully and peeking out. Getting a better angle, he spots the robot that the goose is harassing, which is now beeping and spinning and trying to scare the goose off without getting close, basically.
Zechs has got to be around here somewhere. He scoots out, peeking around the edge of the alley, looking for the blonde human. He must be in charge of that goose.]
[ Honestly, Even, you've made it too easy. Zechs was able to walk right inside of Even's apartment, and began looking over his selection of books. It'd be interesting to settle down with one right in front of the fire when his friend came back in. ]
[ Meanwhile. ]
[ There's someone new to torment. The goose stalked Even, wanting to maybe ... what was that thing swinging behind his back? Could he pull it? ]
[It's an amateur mistake, really, and he falls for it hook, line, and sinker. The books on the shelf seem to be encyclopedias, grimoires, bestiaries, herbals and the likes for a world called Toril, as well as at least one book written in a spidery language that Zechs can't read, even with the Augur's translation. They only take up a couple of the shelves, the others being populated by knickknacks and bits and pieces like playing cards, empty vials, bottles of wine and the likes.
Out in the street, Even puts his hands up as the goose begins to give him the hairy eyeball. That's a look he recognizes from when he's tangled with feathery bastards before, and he's not a fan.]
Good goose; stay there, just, don't... bite me...
Shoo!
[Flapping his hands, he tries to run the terrible thing off]
Edited (it's a tail, it was always a tail =A=) Date: 2020-12-13 12:34 am (UTC)
[ Apparently the goose doesn't want to be shooed! It'll wait until Even stops flapping his hands, before it ducked in to bite and tug the tail. ]
[ Well, if it can manage to grab it, anyway. ]
[ Failure or success, the goose recognized that it tempted its fate far too much - and would flee after, honking in commentary as it would make its way back home. Zechs didn't live far at all. ]
[ Zechs had found an encyclopedia about a world he'd never heard of before, so he grabbed a volume to page through as he sat by the fire, looking rather pleased with himself. ]
[Of course the goose would do the one thing Even explicitly chided him not to do. He yelps and dances backwards when the goose lunges and evades by a lucky margin. He huffs and backs off as the goose does, feeling about as ruffled as the robot in the alley seems to be.
He takes an extra moment to check for Zechs, but he's spotted neither hide nor hair of the man and so he's content to retreat.]
That's right, goose, you run away. I make a mean goose stew, don't you forget it.
[He's still mumbling something about roast goose when he gets back inside, closing the door behind him and heading back to check that the back door hasn't been broached in the meantime.
And, of course, he's stopped in his tracks. The gears tick away in his brain for a heartbeat and then, delighted and annoyed, he curses in infernal.]
Fftc, you did set the goose, didn't you! How?! I was right there, how did you get in behind me?
[ Zechs gave him a sly, smug little smirk, licked his fingers, and turned a page. ]
Really. If Short Goose was out on a stroll, and I hadn't been here? Just anyone could have come in and made off with your wine. It would've been a pity.
[ You challenged him, Even. Zechs had to try and win. ]
[Even's feeling that irritating fluster of competitiveness, of the discomfort of being bested. It's not a bad feeling on balance, except that he looks like a chump now. Unacceptable.
He puts his hands on his hips and scoffs, then approaches the armchair that Zechs has draped so comfortably in. He peers at the book -- and it's not like he's had much of a selection, but Even's still pleased at his choice of an encyclopedia.]
Gods all know what mischief you've already gotten up to; you look far too comfortable. Am I going to have to pat you down for pocketed bottles of wine?
[ Zechs watched Even as he approached, thinking that he looked more ruffled for being beaten than actually annoyed. Which would lead to future challenges and competitions in the future, even if they're silly ones. It's still fun. And Zechs really got so little of that outside of simulated mobile suit duels, lately. ]
[ Well. And other activities. His eyebrows raised as Even loomed over him, another challenge. ]
If you'd like.
But I'm wondering what you're exactly picturing if you believe I can fit a bottle of wine on my person with any secrecy.
[ ... Zechs wasn't even certain where that came from, except he always felt especially bold after a victory. Of any sort. ]
[That gets a snort from the tiefling, a genuinely surprised little laugh of a noise, and he leans back on his heels and grins. The look he gives Zechs is very much I know what you expect me to say here, and then doesn't take the low-hanging fruit... out loud, at least.]
Back home I know a woman who can smuggle a bottle of wine in each pant leg and still manage a casual walk. I trust no one I haven't gotten my hands on, sir.
[ Zechs wasn't planning on going this route this evening, but. Even was attractive, they had similar interests, and he had indulged such activities with people he liked far less. ]
[ He carefully set the book down, and stood, close to Even now, in his personal space. ]
There is nothing in the way Zechs comes up to him then that makes Even remotely inclined to back down, and now that his competitive spirit has been roused, in fact, he leans in just a little. In and up, really; the nearness drives home how tall Zechs is.
"Oh, is that the real reason you stole into my house?" He hadn't exactly anticipated this, but really, on the island it's not that much of a shock, either. It may not have been necessarily premeditated on Zechs's part but it seems that way to Even, who grins. "What, is there a wine-theft square that needs filling?
"Alright, then, off with the overjacket." He reaches up to get to work on those buttons, focus sliding from Zechs's face to his coat as he does. If there's a bit of colour to his cheeks, it's not enough of a fluster to put him off at all. "There's a lot you can hide behind a good jacket."
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text.
Date: 2020-10-26 03:50 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-10-26 11:09 pm (UTC)Well enough. The last month has been challenging.
It has been too long. I hope you've been well?
(no subject)
Date: 2020-10-28 02:24 am (UTC)As for me... I've been worse, but I suppose that isn't reassuring either.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-10-29 03:24 am (UTC)To be fair, I would bet good gold that quite a few people came away from the springs with some new troubles. Is that the nature of your less-than-perfect state?
(no subject)
Date: 2020-10-30 02:46 am (UTC)[Oh god, there is nothing simple about this?! 'Suzaku is typing...' remains on-screen for like, fifteen whole minutes. Maybe half an hour.]
I think I must have transformed into some sort of creature, but I don't remember, and the person who would probably know is trying to convince me that it didn't happen. It's that kind of issue.
[In other words, Suzaku turned into a dragon, knotted his boyfriend, and now said boyfriend won't disclose this information to Suzaku who would, in all fairness, not handle the truth well. Simple.]
I can't shake the feeling that I did something awful to them.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-10-30 03:31 am (UTC)[Okay, that. That sure does hit close to home. Closer than he'd like, considering both Oran and himself had fallen into similar pitfalls, and have been picking up the pieces bit by bit for days... of course other people would have fallen prey, too. Of course.]
I'm sorry.
You don't have any recollection at all?
(no subject)
Date: 2020-10-30 03:38 am (UTC)I have wounds all over my body in various places. On my stomach, on my back, on my legs. They look like claw and teeth marks, but I have no memory of how they got there.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-10-30 04:15 am (UTC)Either way, I don't envy you the mystery.
[And then he gives into a moment of proper self-pity: his own sins have been haunting him essentially constantly since he got back.]
Though perhaps I envy you the lack of memory. Would it be better or worse if you recalled what you did, do you think? If it was as heinous as you're concerned it is?
(no subject)
Date: 2020-10-30 04:34 am (UTC)I am not a good person, Even. I have done many terrible things in my life whether I'd intended to or not. Having no knowledge of those sins would make it impossible to atone for them.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-10-30 08:15 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-10-31 01:15 am (UTC)Do you disagree?
(no subject)
Date: 2020-10-31 01:21 am (UTC)[More self-pity: he's been told as much, though not in so many words. And it hurt, and so he's left passing the pain along.]
We can just hope they want to forgive as much as we want to be forgiven.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-10-31 01:28 am (UTC)(no subject)
From:(no subject)
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From:[ Action ]
Date: 2020-12-12 05:43 am (UTC)[ That afternoon, as Even peeked out of his window in suspicion as he waited for Zechs' arrival ... well. The pilot anticipated his suspicion, and deployed one (1) ill tempered goose on the alley across from Oran and Even's apartment. ]
[ That goose did not want to be there. He was enjoying a nice nap! It was warm and sunny! And now he's outside, in early December, and in a foul temper. ]
[ Locating the nearest robot, the goose spread his wings to their full span and startled the machine - ] HONK HONK!
Re: [ Action ]
Date: 2020-12-12 10:21 pm (UTC)Geese.
Narrowing his eyes, he heads to the front door, creaking it open carefully and peeking out. Getting a better angle, he spots the robot that the goose is harassing, which is now beeping and spinning and trying to scare the goose off without getting close, basically.
Zechs has got to be around here somewhere. He scoots out, peeking around the edge of the alley, looking for the blonde human. He must be in charge of that goose.]
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-12 10:28 pm (UTC)[ Meanwhile. ]
[ There's someone new to torment. The goose stalked Even, wanting to maybe ... what was that thing swinging behind his back? Could he pull it? ]
6: his Athletics is -1 and I rolled a 7. 9___9
Date: 2020-12-12 11:07 pm (UTC)Out in the street, Even puts his hands up as the goose begins to give him the hairy eyeball. That's a look he recognizes from when he's tangled with feathery bastards before, and he's not a fan.]
Good goose; stay there, just, don't... bite me...
Shoo!
[Flapping his hands, he tries to run the terrible thing off]
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-13 12:47 am (UTC)[ Apparently the goose doesn't want to be shooed! It'll wait until Even stops flapping his hands, before it ducked in to bite and tug the tail. ]
[ Well, if it can manage to grab it, anyway. ]
[ Failure or success, the goose recognized that it tempted its fate far too much - and would flee after, honking in commentary as it would make its way back home. Zechs didn't live far at all. ]
[ Zechs had found an encyclopedia about a world he'd never heard of before, so he grabbed a volume to page through as he sat by the fire, looking rather pleased with himself. ]
rolled a 19 on Dex, plus 1 for a dirty 20
Date: 2020-12-13 01:40 am (UTC)He takes an extra moment to check for Zechs, but he's spotted neither hide nor hair of the man and so he's content to retreat.]
That's right, goose, you run away. I make a mean goose stew, don't you forget it.
[He's still mumbling something about roast goose when he gets back inside, closing the door behind him and heading back to check that the back door hasn't been broached in the meantime.
And, of course, he's stopped in his tracks. The gears tick away in his brain for a heartbeat and then, delighted and annoyed, he curses in infernal.]
Fftc, you did set the goose, didn't you! How?! I was right there, how did you get in behind me?
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-13 02:03 am (UTC)[ Zechs gave him a sly, smug little smirk, licked his fingers, and turned a page. ]
Really. If Short Goose was out on a stroll, and I hadn't been here? Just anyone could have come in and made off with your wine. It would've been a pity.
[ You challenged him, Even. Zechs had to try and win. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-13 02:17 am (UTC)[Even's feeling that irritating fluster of competitiveness, of the discomfort of being bested. It's not a bad feeling on balance, except that he looks like a chump now. Unacceptable.
He puts his hands on his hips and scoffs, then approaches the armchair that Zechs has draped so comfortably in. He peers at the book -- and it's not like he's had much of a selection, but Even's still pleased at his choice of an encyclopedia.]
Gods all know what mischief you've already gotten up to; you look far too comfortable. Am I going to have to pat you down for pocketed bottles of wine?
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-13 02:49 am (UTC)[ Well. And other activities. His eyebrows raised as Even loomed over him, another challenge. ]
If you'd like.
But I'm wondering what you're exactly picturing if you believe I can fit a bottle of wine on my person with any secrecy.
[ ... Zechs wasn't even certain where that came from, except he always felt especially bold after a victory. Of any sort. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-13 05:05 am (UTC)Back home I know a woman who can smuggle a bottle of wine in each pant leg and still manage a casual walk. I trust no one I haven't gotten my hands on, sir.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-13 05:33 am (UTC)[ Zechs wasn't planning on going this route this evening, but. Even was attractive, they had similar interests, and he had indulged such activities with people he liked far less. ]
[ He carefully set the book down, and stood, close to Even now, in his personal space. ]
Do as you will with your hands.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-13 07:43 am (UTC)"Oh, is that the real reason you stole into my house?" He hadn't exactly anticipated this, but really, on the island it's not that much of a shock, either. It may not have been necessarily premeditated on Zechs's part but it seems that way to Even, who grins. "What, is there a wine-theft square that needs filling?
"Alright, then, off with the overjacket." He reaches up to get to work on those buttons, focus sliding from Zechs's face to his coat as he does. If there's a bit of colour to his cheeks, it's not enough of a fluster to put him off at all. "There's a lot you can hide behind a good jacket."
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