Catch-All

[wapples]

Who: Fat Billie (wapples) and you!
What: Open and Closed Prompts
When: Throughout April
Where: Around Trench, and at home

Content Warnings: Will mark threads as necessary



1. Around Town [Open]

[The dark doesn't do much to discourage Billie at all. The perpetual twilight caused by the Coronet in Crystal Bay doesn't seem like it was all that long ago, and this doesn't seem like it should be so different, except for the knowledge that it will likely only last for a month. He might be a small boy, but he's also a thief. He is not afraid of the dark.

Besides, he's even managed to make a new friend, who happens to be a very adorable fluffy looking moth, about the size of a housecat. It's hard to feel too grim or afraid in his comforting presence.

Billie will happily make friends with anyone who is even a little bit nice to him, so of course with Argonaut's trusting nature, the tiny halfling is more than willing to protect him and offer him rides on his back throughout Trench. They're probably quite a pair - The Pthumerian moth peering over the shoulder of a boy in a raccoon skin cape who isn't much bigger than he is, as Billie offers up bites of his croissant.

He greets both Sleepers he knows and strangers with a little wave and a 'hello!' and if he catches someone staring at one of the Moonlit butterflies, he'll try to help pull them away.]

2. Lunch Date [Closed to housemates]

[What else is one to do with their new pal who needs protecting from the dangerous things in the world, but bring them home for lunch? Besides, the tent and the house, as far as Billie is concerned, are both pretty safe places to hang out. The catch is, he's not entirely sure what Argonaut likes to eat, so instead of actually asking, he just tries a variety of foods. Everything from bowls of gravy, raw potatoes, croissants, crackers, and whatever sweets he can lay his hands on. There's the telltale signs of the pair getting into the house pantry as well, as a trail of dropped snacks can be found leading from the kitchen to the kitchen in tent.

Oops.

Billie has even taken it a step further and emptied out a second drawer onto the floor, and moved some of his fluffy bedding into it to share with the giant moth, so he has a place to rest as well. He has their smorgasbord of ill-gotten gains spread out on the counter between them, and is happily munching on a raw potato.]

I bet it's really cool being able to fly anywhere you wanna go.

Comments

1

[tealeafs]

[ Yes, that sure.. is a sight, isn't it?

Especially since Chizuru is still relatively new to this place. Or rather, she'd still call herself that way after having been in Trench for two months now, considering she's still consistently surprised each and every day by the things she spots while she's out on the street. Even though she told herself to hurry and get back home, since the darkness is kind of spooky, she can't help but stop and stare when she sees that boy and that Pthumerian moth on his back.

.. and maybe even moreso the way said boy seems totally unfazed by the situation. Chizuru blinks, her cheeks faintly lighting up with her paleblood blush in the dark. ]

H-Hello! [ She quickly says in return, bowing politely and then uprighting herself before she continues with: ] I-Is everything alright?

[wapples]

[Never has Billie ever been bowed to, so he just assumes that she must be bowing to the moth peering over his shoulder with big, black eyes.]

Yeah! Everything's fine.

[It's said in a clear tone of 'what do you mean it's not a normal every day occurrence to run into a two foot tall child and his Pthumerian moth buddy? Why would anything be wrong?']

Have you met Argonaut yet? He's really cool, and super nice.

[tealeafs]

.. N.. no, I hadn't.. before now..

[ Please forgive Chizuru for the breaks between her words, or for the way her voice trails off like that near the end. She's still a little baffled by this entire situation that's going on here, and even more so in the face of Billie being this calm about it.

Which is mostly just making Chizuru question whether she's the crazy one here or not. ]

I didn't know that he just.. um. [ How to even put this.

The last thing Chizuru wants to do is actively insult a Pthumerian while it's this close to her, thanks. ]

That he just.. sticks around with people like this. [ ???

IS SHE THE ONLY ONE WHO FINDS THIS WEIRD? P-Please, help?? She seems so flustered right now. ]

[wapples]

[Is she afraid of moths, or Pthumerians, or is it just because Argonaut? Billie still doesn't seem to think there's anything weird about this at all.]

It's okay, he won't hurt you. I promise. He's really nice. Just sometimes he gets really tired because he tries to help everyone and then he likes piggyback rides so he can rest a little.

[It's totally not weird at all! Honest!]

[tealeafs]

[ Well, now Chizuru is definitely feeling embarrassed. She can't quite tell how old the other is, but judging by his appearance, he's obviously younger than her - still a child, while Chizuru is technically an adult by now.

And yet she's the one here who's fussing and worrying. Ah, how embarrassing.. Still, she can't quite get rid of the blush on her face because of it. ]

I.. didn't know he helps out everyone. People said some really scary things about.. [ About the Pthumerians, she means, but Chizuru can't ever fully remember the name. Not yet, anyway. ] Um, about those beings. I didn't know that some of them did good things..

2

[eudaimonikos]

[Of all the housemates here, Michael's the one least invested in the general food supply. All he cares for is the stock of raw meat for Eleanor, and people don't generally get into that. Still, the trail of food from kitchen to tent is...curious.]

Hey, you got enough food in there?

[wapples]

Huh? Yeah! Come join us, we probably got enough for you too!

[Billie has no idea he's left a trail behind, he was far too intent on Argonaut at the time of his pantry raid. Oops. He intended to put back whatever they didn't use anyway.

He slides a cracker across to the moth, perched in the drawer beside his.]

Here, try that in the gravy, it's really good.

[eudaimonikos]

Oh, I don't really...

[Well, he doesn't need to eat, but he's not opposed to it or anything like that. Michael folds up and crawls into the tent, blinking in surprise at Argonaut's presence.]

Oh, hey, man. [As a demon, he's always sort of felt like the Pthumerians were equals - regardless of what they or anyone else may think.]

[wapples]

He looked really tired.

[It's said as though it explains everything, both about why Argonaut is nestled comfortably into the drawer next to Billie's, and the theft of the food. It's all for a good cause, at least.]

And hungry.

[eudaimonikos]

[Eh, good enough explanation for Michael!]

I didn't realize they ate. Pthumerians, I mean. I hardly ever do.

[But then, though they may be similar, they're pretty clearly not the same sort of being.]

1. Around Town

[nothinglikea]

[Rose was drawn to the giant, green butterflies, but she didn't let herself stare at them too long (not yet, anyway.

she saw Argonaut first. she was rather of mixed feelings about having Argonaut as her patron because she suspected it had something to do with a date which was fast in approach and one she'd rather not relive under any circumstances. but then she notices the cap and recognizes it as Billie, so she hastened her stride to catch up with him]

Hello! It's been a while, are you well?

[wapples]

[Billie grins when he notices Rose and gives her a wave. He remembers her from his network introduction to the town. Luckily, he has Argonaut with him to keep him from getting too interested in the butterflies himself. His moth friend is way cooler.]

Hi! Yeah, we're doing okay. Kinda weird with it being night all the time, but I guess moths like the dark better anyway?

[nothinglikea]

[Rose grins warmly and waves back. he'd be impossible to forget, even outside their brief exchange on the network. she makes a point to note those she likes and try to follow with them when she can. and who knows, today may be both of their lucky days?]

They certainly seem to. I've had a devil of a time getting them out of my sweater drawer, but I think they've learned their lesson! Mostly that sweaters aren't for nom-noms.

[wapples]

So I guess it makes sense? Argonaut probably likes the dark better too.

[It is his month after all, but whether he's out more due to the dark, or due to wanting to bring hope to the Sleepers, Billie has no idea. He glances over his shoulder at the moth.]

Do you hear that? No eating sweaters.

[nothinglikea]

I would assume so? How is he doing, by the way? He looks very cute.

[she was initially irked that April 14th was her Blessed Day, but it's hard to hold a grudge against a Pthumerian when he's so...darn...cute]

Yes, there has to be something else to eat out there. What do moths eat, anyway? Maybe we can help him find some.

1

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ By this point in the month, the lingering symptoms of beasthood have receded enough that Orpheus can be out and about without too much fuss. He's still got two tiny little bumps just above his temples and the skin on his shins and forearms is still a bit scaly, but they're hidden by his hair and his clothes respectively, so it's fine. Perhaps more importantly, he's feeling just the slightest bit more stable and capable of facing the world, and by some stroke of fortune he manages not to get that stolen from him by any giant butterflies.

As it is, he's on his way from his home in Crenshaw to Ariadne's garden in Willful Machine when a small boy waves to him. Smiling, he waves back, before noticing the Pthumerian on his shoulder. ]

Oh! You've got Argonaut with you! [ he says, brightly, with clear fondness for the moth. Seems like they're already acquainted. ]

[wapples]

[Billie has heard of Orpheus and his brush with beasthood through Vyng, but he never did encounter him first hand himself.]

Yeah! He seemed really tired, so I was gonna take him home for lunch.

[As though giving piggyback rides to giant Pthumerian moths and inviting them over for lunch is the most normal thing in the world. What does Argonaut even eat? Billie has no idea, but they'll figure it out. It's fine.]

[themuseabandonsyou]

That's really nice of you, [ says Orpheus, beaming. Seems normal enough to him, as someone who's gone drinking with two of the most powerful gods of his world countless times in the past. Even gods and Pthumerians need some hospitality sometimes. ]

I'm Orpheus, by the way. It's good to meet you! Oh, but don't let me keep you, if you're in a hurry.

[wapples]

He's my friend. You gotta help your friends, right?

[He is absolutely declaring the moth his friend instantly upon meeting him. Look at that face - how could anyone not?]

I'm Fat Billie.

[Hang on. Orpheus? He knows that name.]

You know Vyng!

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ Orpheus just nods, seeing absolutely nothing wrong with that. Argonaut is undeniably friend-shaped, it's true. ]

I do! Oh, you must be his son! He's mentioned you to me before.

[ Only in passing, really, but enough that Orpheus knows his name. ]

2

[spiritwalks]

[The chaos trail leading through the house and tent isn't anything new. The moth friend, however, is. And Vyng can't quite tell whether Billie's trying to feed Argonaut, or if the kid is just feeling especially ravenous today.

In any case, he lays out a bowl covered with a plate in front of their guest. With a flourish of his hand, he lifts the plate and reveals what's for lunch: Tattered wool. The finest delicacy a moth could ask for.]

There you are, my good sir. Bon appétit.

[At that comment, though, he looks over at Billie and curiously asks:]

Did you wanna fly somewhere, Billo?

[wapples]

[Billie watches critically as Argonaut digs into the wool happily. Seriously? Gravy is way better... isn't it? He looks down at the fluff lining his drawer for a moment as though really contemplating shoving some in his mouth, before looking back to Vyng.]

No... I just think it'd be cool! [After a beat, he adds:] Although I guess your arms would get tired.

[He flaps his arms experimentally. Yeah, no. Maybe flying wouldn't be so great. He gives into his original theory and grabs a piece of fluff and shoves it into his mouth.]

Ppppbbbttt!

[NOPE. Wool might be good for moths, but it is not acceptable for halflings. He wipes the fiber from his mouth with his hands, and sucks back a big gulp of gravy to wash the rest of it away, before looking to Argonaut.]

That tastes weird. How do you eat that stuff?

[spiritwalks]

Billie, no—

[He and Tuck have been trying to put up a united front in discouraging their son from putting random shit in his mouth. Clearly with mixed results, because he's still going for the wool. But hey! Sometimes experience is the greatest teacher. So Vyng doesn't get too fussed about it once the moment passes.

Argonaut looks up, his lil wispy fronds gently swaying with the movement...and gives Billie a tiny shrug.

Vyng, meanwhile, chuckles.]

Hah. Cute.

[But then a thought occurs to him:]

Can you still turn stuff into food, Billo?

[wapples]

[Billie will never not try eating anything new if someone else is trying it first. If you don't try, you never know what you could be missing out on.

He's still contemplating judging Argonaut for his taste in food when Vyng distracts him with the question.]

Huh? Yeah, I can still turn stuff into food. How come? We already got lots to eat.

[spiritwalks]

Just wondering. Plenty of people woke up here with new powers...but then you've got people like Perell. There doesn't seem to be any real rhyme or reason to it.

[Then again, Mariana is responsible for their birth in the Waking World. Throwing weird wrenches into the mix at random seems pretty appropriate for the Patron Pthumerian of chaos. And out-of-the-box Billie is a source of chaos.]