July Catch All [Open] And [Closed]

[hammerbearer]

Character Name: Gaia

Who: Alucard, D, Others New/Old CR Welcome
What: Furniture Shopping, Meetings, Various Around Town, Event and Non-Event
When: Through July
Where: Various Locations (Willful Machine, Crenshaw, etc)

Content Warnings: Talk about blood, bloodletting, blood drinking. Vampires, man. Furniture Wars? Mildly descriptive combat gore (beheading, broken bones, etc). Further warnings may be at the top of each top comment.



I. General- Furniture Shopping (Before July Starts Getting Real)

It might be charitable to call the place a furniture store. Probably somewhere in the Willful Machine and maybe there's a lean toward more home furnishing items. But overall a spot where one can buy furniture at a reasonable price and with a reasonable expectation that it would not be problematic.

Like cursed. Or dangerously blood soaked. There might be some questions about the origins but at least some of it's legitimate. Also don't expect any matching sets without a larger price tag involved.

There's a teenager on a mission amongst the lanes of mix and match, 'gently used' items for purchase. Prospective buyers are given colored plaques where they can write an item's number down and then take the list to the shop clerks. Two straight-back chairs, a table and a rug are already on her list of hopeful grabs. Currently she's giving a critical eye to an electric floor lamp. There's no bulb and no way to test the wiring, but the design is simple and elegant.

It could be the price. She might be trying to decide if she really wants it. But the question might be asked: are there others with the same idea? Or could it be a much more tame encounter than a polite 'debate' on who saw the lamp first?

II. Outpost Haven - Guard Work

A couple of weeks into July, Gaia has started joining in the defense of those attempting to establish the expansion of the perimeter to the new outpost haven. It wouldn't be odd to see her in the field, often partnered with someone and plying magic, bow or... hammer? A seemingly surprising choice for a teenage girl that doesn't look like she is prone to being a front-liner. But here we are. As the month wears on, she'll be seen far more frequently. At her side is a well trained dog she calls Uri; a brindled breed bordering on the larger range of medium-sized canines and one that bears traits and signs of being of the ilk the Dog Keeper raises. That and an omen shaped like a crowntail betta that swims through the air and watches for approaching threats...

And unlike early in, there's often times she's spending the night in the shelters they've established...

a. Early July

The soft sound of an arrow whistling through the air. Or perhaps it was the sound of the string's twang as the projectile was unleashed. But the result is the pierced eye and brain of a very large sized rodent... thing. The creature was far from the largest threat and hadn't been directly impacting the shelter. But it was a sinister one; the type that would likely ambush while patrols are dealing with a larger threat and try to pick off an unlucky straggler.

Gaia had been fortunate enough to spy the creature while it was ambling in the open. And then she'd surprised herself by getting such a clean, single shot kill on it. Her skills as an archer weren't so developed that this was to be an expected thing. In fact she'd asked her partner of the day to make an attempt. At best she'd expected to hit the body before they needed to close in and finish it off. At worst she'd miss and they'd both have had a small problem on their hands. It had squealed briefly, but nothing seemed to be immediately answering its death cry.

"Ah... that was unexpected." It might have been an accidental kill. But she does look a bit pleased about it. "..I guess we should go take care of it?" The cleanup that is. Take care of the corpse, see if the arrow could be retrieved, make sure blood wasn't going to be a problem.

b. Mid July

Gaia had arrived near dusk, carrying more than the next day's gear and a simple change of clothes. Properly stored foods, extra incense and extra blankets; Uri's bedding.

She can be found setting up a spot that's clearly meant for more permanent habitation than the day trips she'd been making before. She doesn't look up from her work to see whoever might have approached, just keeps going. Though the tension in her shoulders and the prickly, waspish words fired over her shoulder show that she's aware someone's there.

"No, I don't want to talk about it." She probably thinks it's someone she knows. Gaia could well be wrong.


c. Late July

Though far away from the shores of the Pthumerian Ocean, the sound of waves and gulls often touches her dreams to the point Gaia often thinks she's hearing the sounds while awake. For a time she'd wondered if she'd been having trouble sleeping again- last month had been hard enough.

Days were spent working; fighting the monsters, helping shore the defenses and aiding others. Forcing politeness, though these days the influence of the moon has left her in a state that could be called charitably called 'prickly' at best. Anything and everything to try and prevent staying still and thinking overlong. A sole exception may be to catch her in the evenings, writing down the day and notations and thoughts in a thick journal she keeps close.

Or looking eastward to the unseen ocean. It's a blessing she's nowhere near the sea currently. But it's clear the month's wearing thin on her senses and she's showing no signs of recognizing it in herself.

III. Any Time

[ hmu if there's CR to be had, new or old! ]

Comments

Closed to Alucard, D

[hammerbearer]

Crenshaw is a district of many townhouses placed near together, full of families and people who are the weakest against the threats Trench manifests- which is why the Watch Tower is so vigilant. The common area mentioned a little south of the lamp location is a bit of an open greenery 'common space' with small paths. Typical of any urbanized attempt to bring a little of nature in to look at, however sparse that may be.

About forty-five minutes after the omni 'call' had ended, Gaia approaches that common area. Did this conversation happen during the day? Night? Neither were particularly better; the weather was muggy, humid without relenting and almost unbearably warm. Well, for people who were still human enough anyway. Gaia wasn't particularly fond of the conditions outside but she'd endure it.

And it hadn't stopped her from wearing clothing suited to Trench outdoors.

The fabric is summer weight but is long in the sleeve and leg. Gloves are in place, an outer-wear made arranged from the robe she'd been given on arrival many months ago. Goggles are hanging around her neck and she doesn't have anything on her head, but the way the folds of the cloth around her neck lie suggest that's a matter of pulling it up into place. Raven colored hair is firmly braided in a french style. The curve of an archer's bow is strapped to her back. A precaution because Trench is dangerous but far from readied; she's not here to fight. Thigh-high leather boots with practical heels and probably a few pieces of hardened leather here and there are offering more protection than just cloth. But there could be a bit that's hidden under the robe bit.

The crow omen with the scar that had been seen in the video call is still sitting on her shoulder. But there's another omen 'swimming' in the air nearby. A crowntail betta about the size of a medium dog drifts through the air in a scouting manner. Mostly black in coloration, there's a dusting of blue on the edges of scales and a more intense presence of the same color in in the membrane between spiked fin tips. One is probably hers. The other...

Well, it's probably not hard to take an educated guess, even if D isn't anywhere in the immediate proximity. ('I'll be a half a minute's sprint away.' and Gaia can well imagine how far away that will actually be but it is somewhat reassuring nonetheless.) While she walks openly, it is not blindly. Despite her teenage looks, she's definitely on high alert. If not for Alucard's presence, than any threat that might lurk in the shadows.

[ananym]

[ alucard, for his part, has shed his coat. he's only wearing his white shirt and long black pants. he moves with a grace that's certainly unnatural and garners the attention of others. his own omen, a white wolf, pads behind him silently.

he spots her in the distance and approaches tentatively. ]

[hammerbearer]

[ She remains out in the open, easily spotted. And with two omens on the watch and Alucard's own open approach it's probably no surprise she's able to spot him quickly in return. ]

Alucard, is it? Thank you for agreeing to meet up. You can call me Gaia.

[ The introductions make sense given network usernames and all. It seems the teen uses her own common name on the Omni as well. While she might be on the alert, she is willing to offer a faint smile with her greeting. Briefly her gaze drops to the wolf omen. She gestures first at the fish omen swimming closer to her, then points at the crow. ]

This is my omen, Arte. And this one is my friend's.

[ No name is attached to the crow's. ]

[ananym]

[ his eyes narrow at the crow. ]

What business do your friend have here?

[hammerbearer]

[ At least Gaia doesn't seem about to show typical signs of teenage impatience at the suspicion. While she does look around just to be sure there's no one else nearby, she's not going to hedge around the details once it looks certain there's no one eavesdropping. ]

He's the one who asked me to talk to you about options regarding blood. Since I came to meet you in person I imagine he wanted to make sure I didn't feel like I was on my own. But also in case I get the details he wanted to convey wrong, his omen will be able to relay them.

[ Gaia takes the opportunity to cross her arms before looking Alucard up and down. ]

Before you get distracted though, I want to answer the last question you asked. As you can probably tell, I'm hume. [ Basically. ] Or 'human' as most people call us here. But my friend has given me a fairly thorough lecture on vampires and... well, dhampirs.

[ There's a nod here. Gaia has definitely been informed of Alucard's (presumed?) status by someone. ]

I've been here long enough to know how potent blood is here. So that about covers it. Whether it's enough to get you to listen to me, that's for you to decide.

[ There's... more to the story. But Gaia isn't going to tell the whole extent of her knowledge and experience to a person she's just met. But it might be clear she's glossing over the fine details anyway. ]

[ananym]

[ d is really starting to irritate him. it's clear he has some connection to vampires and dracula, but alucard is not interested in pursuing what that might be. ]

I'm willing to listen but that's as far as I'll go.

[hammerbearer]

[ Gaia would no doubt be understanding about Alucard's thoughts regarding D. Even if the man means well. ]

Listening is all I'm asking.

[ What Alucard does after is on him. ]

Before I start though, what have you learned about Trench? Particularly about blood magic and blood corruption. Is there anything like it where you come from?

[ananym]

I have been given extensive notes and detail. I have yet to fully peruse them but I am fairly aware of the logistics.

[hammerbearer]

[ Gaia begins to wonder privately if there's some rule that dhampirs have to be aloof and brief. Well their lives are no doubt difficult wherever they come from. ]

Alright. Now, I don't want you to take this as me assuming how things work for you personally. I just get the impression you don't want to go into details about drinking blood.

[ Gaia is quite frank about the wording isn't she? Crossing her arms the teen continues. ]

But if I were you, I'd expect any desires to be more intense. Or your impulses might become harder to control. Even if they aren't right now, there might be months where it does suddenly become a problem. Moods and manners change, particularly based on the type of blood you've now got.

[ Gaia is going to pause here to make sure that's absorbed. ]

Closed to D, Nara'a

[hammerbearer]

CW: Vampiric Biting, Probable Violence, Mental Manipulation/Brainwashing (control through the bite), copious amounts of glitter(blood).

Trench had gotten to a point of being openly antagonistic to Sleepers, beyond the general malaise of quick to anger that hung in the air. But it had also spread to Feed... or had always been there but with less population to incite one another, it'd taken longer to notice.

Gaia had... decided to spend the majority of her overnights at the Outpost Haven by that point, both to remove her own temperamental nature and to avoid the feeling of resentment and dismay the cold regard of formerly friendly natives. Perhaps it would pass, like many a monthly phase. In the lulls of resentment for the attitude they'd taken with her, she'd truly hoped it would.

Yet even if a lot of her focus was far from Trench, she still had ties to that house. To make sure no one came around and had caused trouble, to take care of the garden, keep it weed free and... well, water might not be needed with the frequent thunderstorms of July but it was always best to check. And the fresh produce she could bring back to the outpost was probably very welcome indeed.

Tonight was one of those nights where she intended to travel back to Feed. Gaia had packed her things and told the right people; her fellow partners and D, of course, were given notice that she was doing her regular trip and not somehow lost amongst the latest combatants. And off to the lamp she went, to the Waystation, then the trip back to her place.

It was with a sigh of relief that she settled in- after making sure of locks on windows, doors, the general safety of the house and lighting incense. Running lights and the cool breeze of the fan stirring the humid air was absolutely welcome. How Gaia did miss the conveniences, for all she coped when they weren't present. Her choice of rooms is the common room. The fire remains unlit, but with lunar-powered lamps it's not necessary and would only add to the heat she's trying to disperse.

Here she could change to lighter clothes, shorter shelves and comfortable pants and do the equivalent of relaxing for the evening. There was tea in a mug- she had this time chosen cream and sweetner- and one of her journals in hand. Tonight she reads it, going over notes about Trench, comparing it to recent information she's learned and musing. Uri lays at her feet, likewise enjoying the moment of relaxation. Arte is for once not summoned externally. She really isn't expecting trouble in her own home.

And yes, Nara'a was sent a message around when she'd started brewing the tea, telling him that she absolutely did expect him to join her later this evening before bedtime and there would be no arguing it. But the time for his expected arrival is generous; particularly as there's still no direct lamp to Gaia's location. The Warrior of Light can be on his way, just starting out when he got the call or even leaving a little later.

[distant_one]

It was the time of day when D could usually be found in the staging point, but he'd left his omen in charge of it so he could check in on Gaia. While he was extremely busy, he did care for her a great deal and made it a point to stop in frequently whether she was there or not. The house was important to her, after all, with all the work she'd put into it.

The fact that she'd given up on staying there to move into the less than safe outpost was extremely worrying. Between the corruption and constant risk of attack even with the shelter and the magical barriers set up, he had a lot of reason to worry about her.

He arrived as silent as a shadow to join her in the kitchen, without the sound of hoofbeats or even footsteps to announce his approach. "I can have some protections added here if you're worried about sleeping in your house." It would be worth it to keep her safe and ease the worry about how much time she's been spending around the corruption and blood pollution of the outpost. The blood-drinking roses are growing at an alarming rate but they can't keep up with all the bloodshed taking place.

[hammerbearer]

While it was a little strange to have D show up as frequently as he has of late, Gaia isn't aware of just how many times the dhampir has checked on her house. Particularly once she spent most of her time throwing herself into the defense and construction of the staging point.

She might have mentioned her reasonings in passing but it's true her move should probably be considered a little extreme and Gaia's attitude was breezy and vague on top of that, hiding the truth depths of her upset. Yet she proved herself capable of defending herself and willing to work for her place. And she did occasionally swing back by to upkeep the garden and the like. So it was fine, right?

More like she wasn't entirely willing to abandon it, no matter how determined she was to keep out of sight and out of mind of the native members.

Gaia starts a little in her seat as D makes his presence known. Most of the time she half expects he's lurking around without her knowledge but the recently thorough check of the house caused her to be caught off-guard. Not to mention how on edge she feels and that she certainly hasn't shaken off the much needed alertness for threat that the staging point needs.

"D! You gave me a start." She's relieved to see it's him, closing the book and offering a half smile. "Weren't you at the outpost?" The teen thought he had been. His offer filters through her shock finally and tilting her head, Gaia considers the offer.

"I certainly wouldn't be against more protections here," she admits candidly. The wry look that follows as she centers her focus on the dhampir seems a touch rueful as well. "I suppose it would depend on what you have in mind. And whether I could afford it."

In matters such as this one, their relationship had so often been about fair trade after all. It shouldn't be any different now.

[distant_one]

"The sun isn't fully set just yet," D explains to dismiss his presence here rather than at the outpost. Being so far away from Trench weakens them all, and the added strength D has at night is useful as well as the fact that he's better suited to fighting at night than most others.

"It won't cost much, they might even do it for free. Then you could go back to sleeping here."

Having Gaia asleep at the outpost is distracting at night when D is there to hear her breathing safely and even worse when she's there during the day and he's somewhere else. He let corruption get the best of him the month before, and D knows he has to pace himself or even his considerable stamina could fail at a terrible moment.

[hammerbearer]

"I see," Gaia answers. The teen doesn't have anything to say about D being wherever he wants to be. Nothing particularly out of the ordinary and as if to prove this, she's already reaching for the nearby table. There is a tray and the tea kettle and a second mug. She had been expecting company after all, even if Nara'a might not be there for a while yet. Well when (he better) he showed up, she'll just have to grab another mug.

"Tea?" she offers. Naturally the dhampir is welcome to decline. Gaia looks thoughtful. Though this expression changes to ruefulness at the suggestion she could sleep easily in her own home again with these protections.

"If you could pass along my interest and contact information, that would be wonderful. I can only imagine they may be busy though. And I'm managing well enough between here and the outpost."

Gaia looks down at her own mug; by this time the matter of offering tea should be settled. Though her expression seems to be staying strong, she doesn't look like she wants to meet D's eyes directly.

"It might be uncomfortable and it's certainly not going to be a long term solution. But even if I get protections in place quickly, it's probably better to spend most of my time there." She looks up at the tall man and offers a half smile.

"Best to be out of sight of the neighbors." Most of her neighbors are native Trench. And the cold (at best) behavior toward Sleepers would be something anyone not living in denial would have noticed by now.

"Though I have no intention of being completely chased out of this place. Not after coming so far with it."

Gaia's manner suggests she's hiding more distress than anger or rage; though no doubt she's been observed to have a flare of temper beyond her usual attitude. Still she's not exactly a stranger to Sanctuary visits and thus has staved off some of the darker emotions running through this month.

[distant_one]

D accepts the tea more out of politeness and habit than any real desire for it. His upper jaw aches in an almost familiar way even though his fangs are remain short and hidden away.

The mention of the neighbors and their hostility only makes the sensation worse, but his eyes remain dark with no sign of a red glow in them. "With that kind of protection up, you'd be much safer staying here."

He can't just lock her up, that won't work to keep her safe, not in the long term. But he also just can't let her keep sleeping at the outpost. For all that there's a Dark in her that's as ancient as he is Gaia's physical form is only slightly more durable than that of a human. And that only due to being a sleeper rather than a true human.

"Sleep here once it's done." Even the thought of Gaia going back to spend most of her time at the outpost, as unfinished and corrupted as it is, is incredibly distracting. D won't be able to focus on fighting while he's worrying about her.

[hammerbearer]

The first half seems to go over well. Gaia allows a nod for the practical notion that yes, more protections would make it safe from both monsters and non-monster threats, depending on what these defenses are. And she does naturally believe D to know the difference. The teen also knows that her choice of sleeping at the outpost is a bit.... extreme.

But better the monsters and corruption that are something she can be angry at or combat, than to see the faces of people she's become quite fond of contorting in disdain and hatred at the sight of her.

The second half though, when the dhampir effectively gives an order, seems to ruffle Gaia's feathers. She freezes momentarily, pausing mid-sip of tea and looking at him keenly over the rim of the mug. Finishing the motion, she primly sets the drink down, crosses her arms and gives him a critical look.

"Well you're unusually insistent." And it's clear that while she might be wondering what's behind this, Gaia is also not exactly happy about it being phrased as an order.

"Care to tell me why you're being so pushy all of a sudden?" She's not saying it's an unreasonable idea. Or that she wouldn't have followed it. But stubborn pride has her speaking in a way that makes Gaia seem resistant to the notion if only for the fact that someone was trying to tell her what to do.

[distant_one]

"Mariana may have been calmed, but there are still people suffering from coming back wrong. Or worse, if you become a beast while out there and end up running off we may never find you," D says. The second is a larger concern with all the corruption and the higher number of people turning into beasts.

But there is something he could do that would protect against Gaia becoming a beast; or rather, act as a failsafe if she did become one. It would help keep her from getting killed as well with the added ability to recover and increased strength and endurance.

And if she happened to react poorly to the bite, he could put her somewhere safe until death was a safe option once more.

Return What Was Lost [closed to Nico]

[hammerbearer]

Even the closest lamp that isn't a Sleeper's personal 'friend'. The Way Station in Trenchwood a short journey through the woods into Feed. D probably would have been able to tell Nico that Gaia doesn't have her own lamp set down.

The necklace had been found in the tower. If Nico can understand its nature, it is a shard of ice eternally frozen. Within is light, but an element of power in and of itself. Something that holds it in its perpetual stasis. And yet there is a warmth in holding it. Ice it may be but it's not cold.

D would have known whom it belonged to. The girl, Gaia, he'd brought to the tower and may have mentioned to the demi-god. However a discussion about it may have panned out, Nico may have found himself asked to return it, with directions given on how to find her home. There's a small garden, the house itself has a strong contrast of freshly built and old work; it's clear restorations had been extensive and recent.

The scent of monster warding incense lingers in the air whether it's day or night. Lunar-powered lamplight can be seen through windows during night, but there's still the scent of woodfire. Maybe not all is 'electronic' quite yet. But finding all those modern appliances will take time. This is the place Nico would come to and it's almost peaceful and idyllic, were one not to recall where they all are.

[umbraportation]

Even though his powers over temperature aren't as strong as they could be, he can understand this necklace. It isn't freezing his hand to hold it, but he still knew that it was ice.

As for having to walk from the nearest lamp location, Nico doesn't mind that either. Taking every opportunity he can to not pull on his ability to shadow travel for the times when it became absolutely necessary for it. Walking is good for him, gave him the opportunity to check out the surrounding area.

When he reached the house, he mentally made a note to steer clear of the garden as much as possible. Idly thinking that he didn't want to accidentally kill the plants there. Her house looked a lot better than the places D had put his coffin down to rest, put together and actually inhabitable for someone who needed proper shelter.

Nico approached the front door without hesitation, raising a hand to knock on the door solidly. Then tucked it back into his pocket as he waited for someone to answer the door.

[hammerbearer]

No one that lived here (or would just randomly show up in the attic from time to time) would actually knock. But visitors had been regular, particularly during all the reconstruction. Still even if it's evening, the answer is more prompt than it would have been during the day.

"Coming!" Definitely a female voice. Nico may hear the soft yet recognizable whine of a dog as footsteps draw near. In a much more cautious tone, the voice calls out again from the other side of the door.

"Who is it?" It's clear she values caution, even in the safety of her home. Especially currently.

[umbraportation]

While he could technically just show up in the attic at random, that's a little too creepy. Maybe if they knew each other better, he'd just let himself in, but for now... knocking.

Nico shifts on the porch, hearing the voice drawing closer. Not much to do but wait as the woman comes to the door.

"Nico. D said you'd left something at his place, I'm giving it back." Caution is good, and he respects that. He often lives in the land where most things are a trap.

[hammerbearer]

It's true, Nico would be received very differently if he were to just walk down from the attic or appear in the middle of the kitchen. Knocking was the best way to go.

There's brief hesitation when the visitor states his business or at least a moment of silence. This is followed shortly after by the sound of locks being undone and a bolt sliding back; another sensible precaution in Trench even when there's plenty of things out there that don't worry about things like... well, physical barriers.

The door partly opens, revealing a teenage girl with dark hair. Her clothes are a simple long sleeved shirt and pants and there's a black scarf arranged around her neck. Once Nico doesn't appear to be ready to jump at her and try to strongarm his way into the house, the door opens further.

At this point it'd be easy to see the canine behind her. The dog doesn't look happy at all but loyalty compels him to remain near Gaia in the event things go soul.

"D sent you?" Gaia sounds surprised at first, though moments later she seems to dispel her confusion with a shake of her head. There's a small, anxious tension in her manner. And maybe there still is caution.

"What is it?"

[umbraportation]

Maybe they'll reach a stage in their relationship where he can just appear in her place, somewhere in the public areas if he can manage it.

When the door opens, after many locks sliding open, the fifteen year old teen just stands there on the porch like he had been. There isn't any sign of a weapon in his hands, and while he might look like walking death, his expression is more one of curiosity.

Nico looks down at the dog, and has a sort of longing look while also being apologetic. Sorry that he smells like death to animals.

"Yeah." The demigod had been the one to find it, so he'd been the one sent to return it.

At the other question, Nico slowly pulls one hand out of his pocket and holds out the necklace. Offering it to be taken back if she wants to make this a quick interaction. "He said this was yours."

[hammerbearer]

Plenty of public areas at least. The kitchen, the common room. Both take up pretty much the whole first floor. Anyway that's neither here nor there (for now).

Gaia seems to be aware of the silent interaction between Nico and the dog behind her. The canine is obviously reacting in a similar manner he would to D, though this doesn't mean Nico is a dhampir either. And the look on the demigod's face is enough to tell that he's aware of the effect. The teen's expression softens a trifle toward the sympathetic. She didn't want to keep either in distress overlong, so she initially decides to make this a quick exchange.

That is until she catches sight of what he pulls out of his pocket. Recognition, yes. But shock quickly follows. For a split second, Gaia acts as if she can't believe her eyes, followed by quickly touching the front of her clothes and then lifting her sleeves to show the wrists. When both reveal nothing, the teen swiftly reaches out to all but snatch the necklace.

"Yes, it is. How... where did you find it? Or was it D?" Distress is clearly written on her features and her question seems demanding. Once it's in her possession again, the way she clasps tightly to it and her general reaction all go a long way to emphasizing how important the necklace is to her.

[umbraportation]

Nico has been trying to save shadow travel for emergencies as it tends to drain his batteries. Which this doesn't count as.

A short interaction would likely be for the best to allow the dog to not have to deal with him. Unlike D, he radiates more death than darkness, something animals are keen to pick up on. Even the undead ones don't tend to like him. The giant hellhound, Mrs. O'Leary, was the only one to truly like him.

It's clear that this is something important to her, the way she pats herself down to look for the necklace despite it being in his hand. That she has to check that it isn't a copy intending to trick her. Nico doesn't mind when her hand comes out to take it quickly upon realizing that it's the real one.

"It was in D's coffin. I found it, he told me to return it." Upon finding it, it had become his responsibility to return it. At least that's how he figured D saw it. "He told me how to get to your place."