deercountry | (closed) december catchall

[ Stop going in the woods, Mob?? At least Ezra was in them too (??? weird but ok).

But please don't be impressed, Mob. Robby hears the word build, and he's instantly making a face. ]

I don't know about building, but-- helping? Fixing up? That sounds closer to my level. I'm not going to be inventing anything, just -- knowing how things work.

[ And how you can add magic to everything. Hextech is so cool.... ]

But the guy who's showing me was making a portable heater. When he's got it down, I'll see if I can get you one.

[ There, it's easier to talk about the actual inventor guy, here. Even if Viktor should not be spoken about in Mob's presence, and vice versa.... ]

[sorry, still impressed. fixing is pretty cool too, you're doomed.]

That's a really good idea, everything's kind of broken here. [a shame he can never meet viktor or the world will implode, as rp law dictates. that meeting would just be viktor despairing over another wholeass child in the trench and mob zoning out so it's fine.]

Like a heating pad? Oh- [not. exactly. he rifles through his pockets a second to pull out a round, blue stone that he holds up to robby. it exudes a bit of heat, very good for keeping hands warm.] Miss Makima gave me this, because my hands get so cold. It's weird to think it was someone's blood.

[at least robby's necklace looks a little like blood, it's a little more translatable.]

[ This is the second person to go 'but you can use a stone for that'...!!

Except Robby gives a huff, amused. ] Right? It's fun to think about the different stuff you can do with blood too. ... even if it's blood, [ he appropriately adds, nose wrinkling. ]

Here, let me show you- [ Just, he needs to put up a finger for Mob to wait, and then he goes out into the entrance hall, taking just about ten seconds or so before he re-emerges. He's making a fist with one hand, which he places on the couch, leaving behind a flat stone with markings in black.

Then, he waves a finger at the seat. ] Try and lift it up.

[ You know. That whole-ass couch. Lift it, Mob. Does this smiling Robby face look like it's joking?

(once you stop being a coward it's going to be piss easy, boy!!) ]

A real heater would be nice though. The Trench is kind of drafty. [he has the mild anemia, too easy to get cold. he pockets his stone, jingling as he does.

then robby leaves and returns with a new type of stone he's never seen before. honestly? he's kind of glad people use these stones a lot instead of real blood. messy and gross, honestly. pretty rock is superior.

he looks from the couch to robby, confused. with his powers? no he seams to mean... himself??]

I couldn't do that... [but he can try. it's not like he'll get very far, as much as he wishes he could be Strong.

so even trying to lift it looks like he isn't expecting much, and should it come up easily. have the most baffled face the boy has made so far.]

[ Please, everyone, ignore the sight of Robby encouraging a fourteen-year-old to lift a couch...and succeed! Mob could lift it up higher, easier, but Robby will move to press his hand against the flat stone in case he tries with a 'whoa, not too much'.

Otherwise, the example is given. ]

Magic written with a little darkblood. [ So, still blood, but-! ] Saves using a whole stone, right? I use it in my bag.

[ Feels like he's wearing nothing at allll. He grabs the stone, sits down. ]

Want it? I've got another. [ Hah- ] Even if you can already lift everything like a champ.

[ Options are nice, right. And Mob doesn't always like using his own power. Why not use someone else's? ]

[lifting couches is basically american christmas, that's mob's opinion on the matter. which mob is still wide eyed about, just looking at the couch he's lifted a little, wondering if this is what having muscles would feel like.

his resolve to get stronger strengthens, but that's really not the point of this.

he puts the couch down, moving to get a better look at the stone.] That's really useful... bloodmagic is way more versatile than psychic powers are.

[being offered the stone has him pause, torn for a moment before he shakes his head.] Thank you, but I need to learn to do things without powers better. I wouldn't be so weak if I didn't rely on my powers so much when I was younger.

[he does sit on the couch though to glance at the stone again.] Did you make this? Or find it?

[ Robby actually respects the reason that Mob turns it down, maybe seen in how he nods his head, the lift in his brows. He holds the stone between forefinger and thumb, before eventually sitting it on Mob's knee when he asks about it. ]

Made it--it's a copy, but I've been learning. See this? [ He points to the markings on the stone - carvings, then filled in with a black-blue blood-ink, and lastly covered in a polish. ] It's a magic language. I've been learning it for a couple of months now, and I want to introduce them to the dojo someday. Let people carry extra protection so they can get out of trouble.

[ He knows it's not always enough (gear is meaningless if you're stripped of your belongings), but Robby refuses to let go of that ambition of helping the dojo. Helping people, like he wants to help himself. ]

I'm trying to make some stones you can throw and paralyse beasts with, or maybe a satchel? If I write the right thing, I can make the spell do whatever I want.

[mob carefully picks it up, looking over the work. whoa.] You're like a wizard.

[this is some wizard ass shit, to be fair. he turns it over a few times before putting it flat on his palm between them.] How did you learn all this? It sounds like a lot of work.

[shocking no one he's impressed again. so this is what robby meant before, about looking into things. he definitely had to do some Ghost Talking.]

[ Okay, getting called a wizard? Makes Robby laugh. Not what he ever thought, but thinking about it now? ] --Yeah, okay.

[ yer a wizard, robby. It's got him tickled, smiling as they continue on. ]

I'm learning from a girl, Saeri. If you ever see a house on wheels in Willful Machine? That's hers. She came from a guild where people do this and make tattoos to help people. Better health, helping the people around them out? She even makes these tiny comfort pals based on golems. [ He shows his palm. ] They can fit in your hand, this big. And they're cute -- I should show you one, I was thinking about it when you said Jun was ill.

[ Robby has a lot of respect for what Saeri can do, and he doesn't hide it. But he wonders, sitting there, looking from the rune to Mob. ]

You ever thought about talking to people and their powers? I know your power comes from you, and, it's not the same, [ not really, ] but maybe hearing the way people use their powers might be worth it.

[he does have the staff and everything. maybe not a proper wizard one but close enough, probably.

it takes him a moment before he nods in realization. yes, he has seen that in passing, and it did look like some mystical stuff.] Yeah, I've seen it. I didn't know it did tattoos, though it did look pretty magical. [magic tattoos... trench is wild.] I'd like to see one. Are you learning to make those too?

[ah, talking to people about powers. he considers that for his typical beat of figuring out what to say, then nods.] Maybe I should. Just- people get kind of competitive, in my world at least. People here are a lot nicer though.

I help Saeri clean them up, but I wouldn't know what to do with them, [ he admits, but with a little shrug. ] But they're nice. Kinda playful - would've been a hit back home if they were around.

[ Like a semi-alive furby....or something. But the next part gets a small scoff out of Robby. ]

If anyone gets competitive here, they need better hobbies. You just want a better way of using them's that doesn't feel bad, right? [ Plus- ] Talking about them in a place where nobody bats an eye at magic powers might be a nice change. No one getting weird about them?

[ Make Mob feel extraordinarily normal. ]

You could learn, you're really smart. [absolutely no doubt in this, just said like you know, an easy aside.] I'd like to see one. Getting one for Jun sounds like a nice idea too.

[time for a trip to see the cool wizard cart one day. no tattoos though, his mom would kill him.

that's a good point though-] A lot of people were weird about them because they were rare. [he admits. so maybe it would be different. normal.] I guess I could make a post about it.

[though he immediately looks like he has a case of nerves at that idea. public stuff? kind of scary, he froze up. text posts were a little easier, but even his last one was just following a guide and hoping it worked.]

[ Mob just dishing out compliments like it's a part of breathing.

But don't think Robby misses that unsure face! Even if it's on the most placid face ever -- which is exactly how it's recognisable. ]

It doesn't need to be big. You could even do it anonymously [ a beat ] or I could do it.

[ You know, whatever's worrisome about it. It wouldn't be the first time Robby's made a post for someone nervous!! ]

[oh no, somehow his incredibly obvious discomfort was obvious. he glances to the side, a little embarrassed at being caught, though he's quick to look back at robby.]

I'm just um, not very good at talking in front of a lot of people. [understatement.] I guess text wouldn't be so bad, or maybe anonymous... The last one is how I met you though.

[that might not have happened if anonymous. he considers it all seriously for a moment before an idea occurs to him. a little embarrassing still, but... there's nothing wrong asking for help sometimes, he reminds himself.] Would it be okay if I made it with you around? I think it'd be a lot easier that way.

[ He could still contact people after the fact, Robby thinks, but the idea - or plan - Mob comes up with is a good one. Robby nods, and reaches over to put a hand on his shoulder. ]

Sure, absolutely. We can throw some ideas around together. You've got a power that can do this and this, you like doing this with it, is there anything I can do to help out? Has anyone else come from a place where people do have many powers like this, and-

Has anyone been scared of their powers?

[ Robby goes through the list slow, heading tipping at first with each point. Until he gets to the last one, a pause before he thinks to say it. His lips, not curving into a smile, but -- there's something reassuring there in his look. ]

[he eases a little, already feeling a bit better about it. not so daunting of an idea if he could talk it out a little first. robby even thinks of things he wouldn't have considered- offering to help in ways he can sounds nice.

do people need exorcisms here, he wonders? those were usually really easy. when robby offers the last question he could ask mob can't help but look down at his hand.

he wants to know. he also doesn't want to put it to words so openly, even anonymously. but part of changing and being better was doing things you might not want to do at first. hard things. and maybe it would help someone else...

basically a long moment of thinking quietly, aside from the slight jingle whenever he moved even a little. a glance to robby- yeah, it would be a lot easier if robby was there. it's already a little easier to plan, at the very least.]

Maybe if there are other people like that we can help each other? With making sure things don't go wrong. [then a tiny nod.] A lot of people told me helping each other is the best way to make do here. Like you do for me.

[ Robby doesn't pressure Mob, letting him think about it. He can nudge him or speak up if he thinks it's going on too long, but - even though Robby can't know what this is like for the guy; his powers, the struggle of them - he can figure it's something that needs a bit of thought.

Trench changes your life, and you never feel sure about it. Maybe one day, but even Robby isn't there yet. Not close. ]

I know it makes me feel good. [ A nudge of a smile. Just being there for Mob is nice, even if he has a power that could kick his ass? But, whatever. ] But it sounds like a good idea to me. We'll check anyone out first, [ make sure they don't give creep vibes, ] but after that -- there's always good people out there, somewhere. And everyone can do with help once in a while.

[ So Robby learnt himself. ]

[between the people helping him mob can easily nod to that.] I appreciate it. It'd be really nice to see if I can help someone too though, I've been getting so much help myself.

[but there is one extremely important question he has to ask, that he's been putting off.] Can we do another one of those um, crackers I think they're called? The ones that pop.

[that's a great part of this whole christmas thing in his humble opinion.]

[ Aha. Robby grins at that request. ] Sure, but that hat's mine if there's one in here. Let's see if the joke's any better a second time round.

[ Robby gets up with that, giving far too much credit to Christmas cracker jokes. There's a bowl with them set inside, right next to the snacks, because snacking and cracking is how you have a party.

He could take out one, but he gives Mob a funny look. ]

Pick the one you have a good feeling about.

[ Does that ever mean anything with more serious choices? It's joking anyway, here, fun--let's see what Mob's luck is like! ]

[ah, the important decision here. as always mob seems to take this duty seriously, mulling over the lot of them as he walks over to the bowl. perhaps this is some attempt at psychic nonsense to pick the one with the best prize? nope, not at all, just him mostly thinking they're so pretty it's almost a shame to pop them.

he picks one up after this important moment, holding onto one end and holding the other out for robby.] I'd like to see if the joke can even be worse.

[so rude to the joke before but so true. he is ready to pull when you are robby! maybe you'll get one of those puzzle ring sets, or an ugly plastic ring that doesn't fit!]

[ Robby doesn't really think the guy is using his psychic powers for the task, but it is funny in its own way to watch Mob. He's seen him shopping before...look at him, so serious-faced.

He takes the other end as it's offered, raising his brows with the comment. ] Bad joke lover? I'll remember that next Christmas.

[ And with that -- a pop! goes with their pull, and Robby gets the winning side. He laughs with a 'heeey!', turning it for a peek, and grabbing out the hat inside. ]

Told you, this one's mine. [ And it's a green one! He'll hold out the rest of the cracker to Mob ('here, I gotta put this on'), where inside waits a very beautiful joke... and a very cheap plastic orange t-rex. ]

[ah, off it goes. his lips quirk more when robby gets the winning side, as though it really mattered at all. that crown is robby's, probably less crumpled than mob's red paper crown he fumbled a bit with.]

Congratulations. [there's something maybe a little joking there, if you squint. he empties the other end to see what robby won- ok cool dinosaur? it gets special consideration before he's looking at the joke.

oh boy.] What do elves learn at school?

[he covers the answer and actually considers this himself without looking. nope, nothing.]

[ Robby can't squint that much, but he throws Mob a playful grin as he looks between him and the hat. Unfolding it piece by piece, until it's unravelled enough for him to put on top of his head.

In time for the question. And- ] God, it's a pun. [ What's an elf pun? ] Elfery...? Elvelating subjects?

[ He's nowhere close, is he. Look at him wincing at himself for this level of pun. ]

The Elfabet.

[just said with no tone whatsoever. even if he wasn't like this normally the joke would deserve this delivery.]

You were pretty close. [is this something to be proud of though....]

Oh, come on! [ No, no!!! Look at this faux outrage!! He's waving his hands!! ] That's bad!

[ Is it bad because it's bad, or because Robby didn't get it? He does seem to want to continue talking about why it's bad, but can't come up with the words.

(It should've been elfery!! Like archery!!!) ]

This is why the pop and the crowns are the best part. Cracker people don't know how to write a good joke.

(closed) december catchall

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