bow down your strong heads to taste the water [OPEN]

[democratically]

Who: Padmé + various
What: Catch-all event + various prompts
When: May
Where: Various locations

Content Warnings: Body transformation, bugs, possible violence, blood, vine infestation

PROMPT 1: SELF EVALUATION

PROMPT 2: HUMMING IN THE SKIN

PROMPT 3: IMPOSTERS

[ooc: will match any format. can wildcard a scenario too if you prefer something different]

Comments

PROMPT 1: SELF EVALUATION (body transformation)

[democratically]

(1) The hunger is always there, no matter what Padmé tries. Day in and day out, it gnaws at her, leaving her to scrounge around for anything that she can find. While she may have had a fright in the beginning, she has come to learn that it is simply what Warmbloods go through this month. It doesn't make it any better but at least it is manageable. She doesn't flinch or hiss at touch like she had the first month she had been here. Rather, she has taken to carrying random staples of food around with her, lest the urge get too much, and something that she might not otherwise eat be munched upon.

Case in point, she had gone to the bakery, which already knows Padmé's name. With another two dozen treats in a brown bag, it should be able to last her until tomorrow. It's then that she makes her way back towards the residence that she shares with Sabé, or at least that had been her intention.

She's halfway there when a wave of pain flashes over her, intense enough to have her leaning against the wall, as it strikes again. The bag is dropped even as she gasps, voice cracking from the agony that has her wrapping her arms around her stomach. Yet even as she falls to her knees, it's enough to make her teeter, darkness caressing against her mind, before the world seems to spin and change.

Yet it's not the world that has altered, but rather her. Not that she quite understands it at first as she moves to put an arm out, only to have a black furred hoof splay out. It's a snort that comes out is one of surprise, as the body suddenly heaves, coming to all fours. Even then she teeters still, uncertain, legs unsteady as she works on the new balance. An ear swivels at a sound, head swinging startled by someone's approach, and while Padmé may try to talk, it's a squeal that comes out, and unfortunately she doesn't exactly look the most approachable. A tacky pitch black, with a mangled forelock, mane and tail, water drips from her, smelling of bog and decay, eyes an eerie white. She snorts again, head flipping up, as her hooves scatter against the rocks. Words are apparently a no go.

(2) Padmé would be wont to admit it, but after setting about how her body seemed to work, the hunger had come back. She had debated, standing where she had dropped her bag, before picking it up gingerly with her teeth. It doesn't work too well, as the bag seems to tear now and then from the water that still drips ever constant from her form. Perhaps someone come across her with her not quite so elegant equine walk with a bag in her teeth, or as she drops it. Later still, she can't ignore the hunger, and roots around at it, munching on the pastries within.

Of course she does attempt to make her way home, although she's not entirely certain what to do then. It's slow going, the perspective changed, and she finds that she easily spooks when someone seemingly appears within her blind-spot. There's a dance then, legs side-stepping as she gives an almost polite bob of her head in apology.

2

[facultative]

Anakin goes looking for Padmé when he hears she's out. The wet footprints he encounters as he tries to locate her is concerning, but when he finds the wet horse rooting around a bag he relaxes. If this was anything dangerous it's unlikely to want to eat some abandoned pastries.

Despite his strength in the Force, he doesn't have a natural affinity for animals so he's more cautious as he approaches.

"Uhh hey there. I don't think those are good for you."

[democratically]

There's that flicker of an ear that swivels in his direction, noting the approach of someone, although she's a bit more focused on the food. At least until it gets a little closer, and when she hears him speak? Well, the head shoots up and she calls out his name.

Or tries too.

It's a gargled whicker, slightly muffled by pastry crumbs as she lurches towards him with a squishy clomp of hooves.

[facultative]

Well it seems friendly enough? He pets its nose as he bends down to pick up the wet bag. It's tattered, but somehow still manages to keep the remaining food inside. After a moments thought he pulls out a half-eaten bun and puts that in his mouth. Waste not, want not.

"This is human food. I'll see if I can find something else for you. And maybe a towel to dry you off. Did you fall in a swamp or something?"

[democratically]

There may be a hopeful hint in those milky eyes, at least until the pat comes to her nose, to which the equine form stills in surprise. It's a quizzical shifting of her ears as she gives a small snort. She may have forgotten about the bag in the moment, but her focus is back when he picks it up.

It's not until he takes a bite out of her food that Padmé gives a nudge against him, with perhaps slightly more force than intended. Not that she is trying to injure or harm, but rather regain her items. She'd share.... But she's nipping towards taking the bag back. Hers, thank you very much.

[facultative]

Anakin has to take a few steps forward to avoid getting pushed to the ground by the wet horse. "Hey, hey, hey. Easy there. I said I'll feed you. Just not this. Unless I see my wife. Then I might get distracted. But it'll happen eventually."

He keeps a hand against its nose despite the damp sinking into his gloves. He'll take a fussy horse over some monster any day.

1

[survivalthroughhate]

When Maul sees the frankly cursed-looking horse, his first thought goes to Will and his Omen Marshmallow. The rather spooky horse-like creature has more than a passing resemblance to this one right in front of him, though they aren't quite identical. He glances around all the same to see if Will or Marshmallow is thereabouts.

He doesn't see either, so Maul stays a cautious distance away from Padm&ecute;, waiting to see if the horse will try to attack or possibly eat him. Considering he's seen Marshmallow eat things that shouldn't have been edible for 90% of most creatures, he doesn't put anything or anyone past being looked at as possible food right now.

[democratically]

While there is a lingering hunger, Padmé cannot say that she has suddenly gotten a strange craving for anything weird. Not that she knows exactly what the future may hold, but at the moment he doesn't look appealing for a snack. In fact, the equine creature seems to regard him with a dubious glance, ears swiveling.

Her weight shifts, side to side, recalling the information that she has learned. She hadn't appreciated learning of this bond between Anakin and he (amongst all the other information that had come), yet at the same time Maul had not done anything untoward to her. She side steps a little, moving as if to try to pick up her bag of food again, although she doesn't let him leave her sight either.

[survivalthroughhate]

He watches and waits to see what the horse will do but they appear to be more interested in the bag of food on the ground than looking at him like a potential meal. Still, he doesn't come much close. What can Maul say? Between dealing with Marshmallow and that Nightmare Steed which had tried to take a chunk out of him more than once, he's a bit wary of horse-like creatures in this city.

Still, after he's observed for a few minutes and Padmé doesn't seem intent on luring him in any closer to bite off his hand, he decides maybe its appearance is just coincidental. Maybe, like himself, the beast only looks intimidating and really isn't all that bad. He comes closer and uses his powers to lift one of the bakery treats out of the bag.

[democratically]

It's more the history and what has transpired here that makes Padmé wary. Then again, her power has never been in the physical realm, but in words and compassion. She tends to be a target for different reasons.

Those translucent eyes trail him, although neither of them seem to be making any sort of a movement against the other. Then again, there's not much that Padmé could do, or at least she doesn't think towards hooves or teeth. Violence isn't her go to.

An ear pivots as he steps closer, although both dart forward as the treat starts to rise out of the bag. There's a noise of protest, coming out as a snort, and she steps forward, moving to nip at her baked good.

[survivalthroughhate]

Seeing the horse-like creature go for the pastry does help to quell some of Maul's suspicions. "Ah, so you eat bread. That is good to know." Granted, that didn't mean the creature still couldn't eat meat if it wanted to, but the priorities seemed to be on the bag of baked goods rather than taking a chunk out of him instead.

He begins to relax a little. Maul is very fond of animals, at least when they're not something that might try to eat him. They don't judge him nearly as harshly as sentient beings tend to do. No one blames an animal for killing. Generally, they do it out of hunger or to protect themselves, while Maul did so for far more complicated reasons, but still he felt more a kinship to wild things sometimes then his fellow Sleepers here in the city.

2

[simplegestures]

He has been exploring the different sections. Mindful, obviously, of any dangers. Going there through the day, keeping his blaster at his hip. Not that he is a soldier but he could at least hit the broadside of a barn. He does find that he likes the Willful Machine. It is true that it could use a clean up and the citizens a lesson in garbage cans but overall the vibe suits him.

He has been looking for buildings that aren't too hard pressed for work. He can manage the basics but beyond that? It is rustling that catches his attention and Bail slows. Half expecting a rat, he sees instead some manner of horse-like creature. He freezes, uncertain as to the creature's nature. "Oh. Hello."

Calm words. Soft tones. No need to spook.

[democratically]

Far bigger than a rat, Padmé gives a small start at the sudden appearance of a person, although the tension resides a moment later. Bail. There's a whuffled noise from her, as if trying to give a greeting in return, but right, she can't.

If there is an easy answer to return to her actual shape, Padmé doesn't know of it. It could be a time thing, it could be something else all together. He is still in his own shape, so perhaps that is a small blessing. Her head nods up and down several times, before swinging in the direction of where she lives. It's a fair bit away though, and Padmé doesn't expect him to make the jump to a conclusion, but she's not going to hurt him, or anyone.

[simplegestures]

It doesn't charge or attack. Bail takes that as a good sign. Not that he is going to jump on its back and ride off into the sunset. He glances in the direction that the horse motions. He's not sure if it means something or just a horse being a horse.

"From the stables, are you?" It seems a logical conclusion. Not that he has seen it's like. It also doesn't seem to have any halter or bridge or anything on it.

[democratically]

It would indeed be a logical conclusion, but in this case, it isn't. Padmé had forgotten about the stables, as she's only walked by them a few times. Otherwise, she had no real reason to be there. There's a shake of her head though, as if understanding the question and responding. She gives a flip of her head again, before turning to start in the direction that she's been motioning. A few steps in, and she halts, glancing back towards him.

HUMMING IN THE SKIN (bugs, possibly others infected with bugs or violence)

[democratically]

(a) Padmé can say that there are many things that one cannot do with four legs. Stairs, for starters, had been rather difficult, and door knobs a definite no. Clothes had been a moot point, and sometimes there had been a place that she just couldn't quite reach. Reading, as well, as hooves lack the ability to turn the page, and generally just fitting somewhere without bumping into things, knocking them over and being unable to pick them up. It is why she is thankful to have her own body back, although there's that small shift within. A realization and an understanding, one that Padmé had not been facing.

She isn't usually one to shy away from a problem, but it's a problem that has no easy answer. Piece after piece has fallen into place, although she had kept the information tucked away, not certain what to do with it. Padmé isn't certain if it was just bad timing or if it had been on purpose that things had transpired as they had. There are times when Naboo seems to far away, and she longs to return to squid form, to just float listlessly in the water, with no pressing matters of the galactic scale. But, she does as she always does, which is keep busy, spending long hours at the School of Mutter. She's on her way back to the Willful Machine, when she pauses, listens. That had been one good thing about before, her hearing had been rather good. "Do you hear that buzzing?"

(b) Whereas last month had been moths, insects of a general variety seem to be on the rise. It could be in part due to the nicer weather, although Padmé isn't certain that's a factor in this place. She tries to be mindful, leaving them be, although more than once she has had a run in with some bees, crossing paths and getting tangled in her hair or lost in the ruffles of her clothes. Nothing overly untoward, but enough that she keeps an eye out and her hair bound tight to her head.

It makes her itch a little, although Padmé knows that it is all in her head. There's nothing there. She's finished up her task for the morning and is on her way back home when she pauses, squinting. Bees do fly by, dropping here and there, drawn to something, but thankfully not her. She can remember accidentally disturbing some insects on Naboo that had chased her sister and her until they had found refuge. Even then, they had heard them batting against the window for a time before they had gone off. Yet, it is a person that catches her glance, and Padmé slowly approaches. "Are you alright?"

[ooc; for b, I am fine with violence against Padmé, or Padmé coming across someone who has run into trouble, or is just scratching at bees... idk. free rein]

PROMPT 3: IMPOSTERS (blood, vine infestation)

[democratically]

(a) Padmé is by no means a florist. She enjoys flowers, but overall, she can't really tell a flower from a weed. Of course, one might argue that depending on the situation, a flower can sometimes be a weed if it is somewhere it is not supposed to be, but that is besides the point. What she has been trying to do is continue to tidy up their residence. Little by little the inside of the house in The Willful Machine is coming together, and today Padmé had been puttering away on the outside.

While the flowers that are sprouting at pretty, they aren't exactly in the right location, poking up on the walk and in between the stones. She's pulled a few already, laying them in a basket to bring inside later. Nothing back there, at least not until she pulls the most recent one. It looks exactly the same, or else Padmé just hadn't been paying the proper attention. It isn't the same, not by a long shot, and it takes a moment for her brain to register what is going on.

One moment she is pulling it free, and the next there is a warmth across her skin. There's plenty that goes on in her mind in those few seconds. A puddle...? Had something peed on it? Left over dew? But it's red and- she gives a surprised yelp, which has her tossing the flower through the air. A small arch of blood rainbows, although the root seems to still be pumping, before the flower lands. She doesn't exactly notice where, too busy at rising and backing away, although there's splatters of blood across her clothing and her face. The squirt slowly dies out, and she stands there, shocked.

[ooc; welcome to get hit by a flower, or just witness the spectacle.]

(b) Padmé hadn't noticed it, although why would she think to look on her own person? She had very carefully gone about gardening, although after another two flowers that had ended up bleeding all over, Padmé had called it a day. She could see no rhyme or reason as to how they worked, or why they were there, which had prompted her to all it a day.

It isn't obvious at first, although she's more driven by the hunger that remains than noticing the vine that's gotten lost at the nape of her neck. That she starts to feel a little woozy she chalks up to the added food intake, attempting to draw out the snacking. Yet that sluggishness remains, day in and day out. She finds it hard to focus, eyes blinking owlishly and scrunching, although she waves off anyone who asks after it.

It's mid-afternoon, and Padmé is trying to make her way back home. She needs a nap. A nap would be nice. Just lay her head down. Yet she staggers again, wobbling, steadying herself against a wall, or what she thinks is a wall. Padmé doesn't really care. There are words though, and her eyes slowly crack open, but it's not the typical eloquent words from the Senator, but a slurred, "Huh?" that is given.

A.

[psychopepsquad]

The flower landed in a splatter near Tara's feet. The sprinkle of blood caught the light and her attention, but hadn't stained her clothes and skin the way it had apparently hurt this other woman. Maybe she shouldn't be surprised by a plant filled with blood, but it still makes her heart seize a little at the strangeness and natural horror there.

She took a few steps back, not about to toe the plant in case it moved and wrapped around her, or latched on like a leech or suddenly changed into a giant monster. There were way too many possibilities there and her paranoia after Sunnydale was in full gear.

"Did it hurt you?" She asked Padme, less because of the blood and more because of the sudden shock that made her toss the plant.

[democratically]

Padmé wasn't even certain what to do in that moment. Try to stomp the flower? Clean her hands? Try to grab it and put it back? She had never seen anything like this so far here. Sure, there had been those blood blisters, but it wasn't like it had popped on her or anything.

With her hands still poised slightly elevated, Padmé glance towards the voice, surprised. And oh- oh. "I'm so sorry!"

She gave a flick of her fingers, trying to remove some of the blood, although it didn't do too much. Pausing, she glanced about, before rubbing it on the grass and she rose, with a shake of her head. "No. It- no. It just... Well, surprised me more than anything. I, hmm, was not expecting that. None of the blood is actually mine."

[psychopepsquad]

"Oh," that was a relief. That much blood had to hurt, but it was another of the strange occurrences in this place. Glancing back down at the flower, Tara knelt, careful to keep her distance, but carefully turning it with a stick to get a better look. "Strange, it looks like the rest of the flowers."

She had seen them, but never suspected there might be something sinister. It was unnerving, an indication that things might be becoming dangerous again. As though that ever stopped in Trench.

"Don't worry about it. It's not the first time that I've gotten blood on my clothes. I think I'm pretty good now at getting it out." She smirked, looking over to Padme. "You haven't seen others like this?"

[democratically]

"It did... At least until-" She made a little motion towards the area that now looked like there had been a massacre around. Bother... Well, at least there was water in the area although it did put a damper on her mood to continue to try to garden.

There was a quizzical glance given her way, although Padmé didn't automatically go to somewhere nefarious with that statement. For a Senator, she had seen her fair share as well, as least when put into that context. She offered a shake of her head.

"No. That was the first. I'd hope the last, but..." This place did not seem to do things in a singular manner.

b

[makingthetime]

Leon has been running around pulling flowers out all day. He's had a run-in with something like this before, although those were mushrooms growing out of his skin, and he's learned to recognize the signs this time around. He catches the woman quickly, uneasily makes note of the vine at the nape of her neck, and says, "Hey, miss, you okay?"

...well, that "huh" answers it.

"I was asking if you were okay," he says, a little slower now for her benefit. "Do you know where you are? Do you know your way home?"

[democratically]

"Oh... Mm. I'm very okay." There's that tittered laugh that comes with it as she seeks to straighten herself again, although she fails for the most part. Her head is swimming, leaving that almost weightless feeling within, that seems to send her thoughts spiraling.

She looks about, before she does finally focus on him, or as much as she can. One eyes is slightly squinted. "I would appear to be in your company. Hello!"

[makingthetime]

Ah, shit.

“Yeah, you’re in my company,” Leon says, before offering a hand for her to take. “Here, lean on me. You drink a little too much lately?”

It’s a lie, he knows damn well what this is. This woman needs to get home immediately, but she doesn’t need Leon telling her she might die if she doesn’t get help soon. He’ll make her panic that way, he’s sure.

“Where do you live? I’ll take you there. Or I can call someone for you.” In her state, he highly doubts she can hit the keys on her Omni.

[democratically]

Padmé gives a glance towards the hand, before she does take it, yet she twirls herself around instead with a soft giggle. "What? Me? I most certainly have not!"

Which, appearances aside, is the truth. Of course Padmé doesn't help her own case by stumbling again. "I've a house, but shh. We like to be sneaky, not that anyone's really tried to kill me here, so I don't think Sabé will be too upset."

She had been Padmé's shadow for the longest time. Heck, they could have been one person at times, adapting that middle ground between the two of them so that they could intermingle. "You know, the Willful Machine is quite like my planet, save it's far filthier than Naboo."