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Somnus Lucis Caelum ([personal profile] luciing) wrote in [community profile] isleofavalon2021-02-01 12:19 pm

[open] SOMNUS & YOU, catch-all feb

đź§™ WHO: Somnus and YOU
⚔️️ WHAT: Open quests, TDM prompts, etc.
đź•’ WHEN: around feb
🗺️ WHERE: errwhere
⚠️ WARNINGS: none

Cupid's Arrow Beta Testing
[ What is the purpose of such quests? An enchantment to cause another to fall is reckless, dangerous, even. But that doesn't mean he won't be watching as the arrows are distributed. Eventually, and with a solemn mien not fit for any feelings of affection (enchanted or otherwise), he decides to take up the quest with explicit intention to not fulfil it. Taking a potentially enchanted arrow from the quest-giver means one less another might use against someone.

Now he stands and walks with an arrow in hand down one of the cobblestone streets, his eyes keen on its sharp, spell-doused tip.

Enter you, at an ill-advised moment or angle-- perhaps a carriage is rushing down the street, too, or a man wheelbarrowing a stack of hay shouts for you to move out of the way and into Somnus' path. Somnus deftly side-steps the encounter, nimbly twirling the shaft of the arrow between his fingers to prevent it from harming you-- only to be pricked by it himself....

When the commotion ends, Somnus stands still. His free hand rises up, slowly, to press his palm to the slight-left of his upper chest. It's a tender motion, self-steadying as if something suddenly weighs upon him, but delicate as if he’s holding something fragile within. He looks at you, ashen and solemn. For once, emotion flickers across his normally stony expression.

This. This is a great, incomprehensible, and terrible pain. ]


Training Grounds:
[ Ever since his arrival, he's been cut off from the birthright-magic of of his Line. As such, he has neither pocket-dimension armory nor Armiger. Unable to house it within the metaphysical space of crystalline, divine magic. and Somnus has still yet to find a proper sheath for his blade. Which means... he might as well exercise his new, kinetic magic with it.

Find him wielding his sword remotely through kinesis, practicing various forms as if if a specter were swinging it only meters from where he stands. Occasionally, he'll attempt to kinetically lift another weapon into his practice. ]


Sync or Swim
A: [ He trusts those insofar who are interested at exploring the potential and boundaries of their magic, and so if you are a like-minded professional and should you have agreed to accompany him, he enters the ritual tent with you. On his part, it appears he's neither flighty nor awkward, but grim and serious as usual. He's fought many battles with men he's known for less than a month before-- and when presented with a common goal (whether that of defeating daemons or this), he knows that success can be possible just with that.

He also has known for some time that one is never strongest when alone.

With the paint applied, they are ready to commence the dance. Somnus holds up his hand to you, his pale, calloused palm facing outward and awaiting yours to join it, prepared for the first touch and the initiating circle. The dim lighting of the tent casts shadows, accenting the severity of his expression, yet the amber glow of the candles seems to simultaneously soften the normally sharp blue of his gaze. His voice, strong and deep, announces, ]
Let us begin.

[ (Note that if new CR, assume names have been exchanged!) ]

B: [ Whether success or failure, Somnus can be found after any attempts at the ritual by the prismatic bonfire afterward, looking upon the fire with a complex expression. The flames flicker, dancing in his eyes. Perhaps they even cast a nostalgic light. ]


Save a Beast, Kill a Man
[ He looks upon the quest board app with some amount of interest for the last one. (Thankfully, he's read up on what selkies are.) To anyone who also happens to be randomly standing nearby also reading the latest update on their quests: ] Are such unions lawful in this realm?

[ Not only does it seem to be a marriage between a fae-creature and man, it's obviously one of forced marriage where the requester is openly asking for murder. Is that also not frowned upon? ]


Wildcard
[ Wildcard any of the above prompts here, DM me Jade294#6977 or PP me at [plurk.com profile] drinksteapots! I'm okay with repeating multiple prompts. ]
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14585996)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2021-02-04 11:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[She can't even pry a smile out of him. Somnus is one tough audience. Before she can make any additional attempts, however, one vendor privy to their slightly awkward exchange catches her attention.

An earnest "sorry" later and Aerith finally decides on larkspur seeds, lily of the valley, and primroses, showing each to Somnus, though not expecting him to give her any grand input. (It does not seem to her that he knows much about flowers.) And as added accent, she is set on the triumvirate plant bed. It's a good start and each should provide at the very least something colourful.

She can always come back for more pots later.]


I think this is a good start.

[She claims triumphantly, looking them over while she readies her phone for payment processing, and decently pleased that she got enough that she won't have an excess to carry. In truth, her purchasing has taken this into consideration. She'll have to return them to her place, in the end.]

Do you see anything you like or want?

[Aerith looks over to Somnus before choosing to finalise. He's come this way with her. It'd be unfair not to offer him something as a 'thank you.']
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14586012)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2021-02-05 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
[He responds cryptically. As she thinks about it, his behaviour since the moment their paths crossed has been a bit strange. Not necessarily bad, just odd when it comes down to how she normally thinks of him. But he's humoured her thus far. Aerith sees no reason she shouldn't do the same for him.

He plays the navigator, but wherever his interests lie, they aren't in the hustle and bustle of people or the busy ambience that embraces them. So she follows him as he weaves them a path from the market.

As she follows after, she brightens up with a thought.]


I can grow you some flowers, too. Then you can have something at your place that reminds you of me. When these start growing, you'll have to come take a look at them and you can pick one. It'll be on the house.
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14586014)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2021-02-05 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
[She smiles. That's kind of him. He's remembered her saying that she specifically wanted to grow some larkspur for King Arthur. Somnus might not seem the most openly kind person on the outside, but that he remembered implies something she wanted was something he perceived as important.

It's a warming thought, really.]


Welllll... I have quite a few seeds, so I don't think I'll be giving away all of them right away. I think I can spare one or two plants for you. But if it's because you don't like flowers, you can just say that, too. You don't have to be nice.

[And she wouldn't judge him much if he wasn't either. Everyone is the way they are and usually it's for a reason. She doesn't have to agree and sometimes she doesn't. But maybe that just comes with the territory of being so remarkably easy-going.]
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14586023)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2021-02-05 03:45 am (UTC)(link)
[It is cold. A hold of the season in the midst of its beauty. The further away they get from people, the more aware of it she becomes. That almost makes sense, actually. When people are together, there's a certain warmth present. The absence of that makes everything else a bit more pronounced.

There he goes again.

Healer.

Why is he allergic to her name? She begins to correct him just once more and after some consideration, she pauses. Maybe he's been doing that intentionally all along? Not necessarily to get under her skin, but because he knows she'll correct him. Maybe he likes that she corrects him. Before she can determine how to proceed past that line, whatever line it might be, she plays catch up.]


You were kind to me. Why shouldn't I be kind to you? Even if you hadn't been, I still would be.

[Aerith shakes her head and after a moment, she brings her gaze off of him and looks around indicatively. Not to their immediate surroundings, but to Camelot. She means the region, the world in its entirety.]

People like you and me get brought here, not necessarily understanding why we specifically were chosen. There's nothing easy about that. Some people miss their homes, their loved ones. I'm not sure being unpleasant would accomplish anything. Why make things harder for anyone? That's not what I want to do.

[She shakes her head and as she tips up her chin to rest her gaze on him again, Aerith continues.]

I'm just doing what I think is right.
Edited (Oops, I missed a word!) 2021-02-05 03:45 (UTC)
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14586020)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2021-02-05 04:26 am (UTC)(link)
[For several lengthy moments, she simply stares at him. As if she can get all of the answers to her unasked questions by simply looking at him. The changes in his expression, like many things about Somnus are subtle, near inconspicuous things. It would be very easy to miss them if someone failed to be more observant.

The singular word he offers her only leaves her with more questions. Is it what she's said that he finds beautiful? To her, it's decency. It seems so common sense that it might as well be as simple as merely breathing. But that is just how Aerith is. She has been, undoubtedly, shaped by her past. Perhaps as a child she might not have understood this.

Or maybe it's because she's a Cetra. Where others may have only had one or two voices in her life, Aerith has heard no shortage of them. There is almost certainly a different kind of upbringing when that is involved, that ever deep connection with the planet and what gives it life.]


Well... So is everyone. And everything. Hm... Here.

[She moves a bit closer to him, not to cause him any deliberate discomfort, but to point to the distance. The landscape really, which is little more than a bunch of powdered snow everywhere.]

It might sound a little silly, but everything around us is beautiful. Sometimes we just don't always see it and sometimes it's not always easy to see. The same goes for you too, you know. You might be a little complicated, but that's okay, too. It's just who you are.
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14586036)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2021-02-05 05:12 am (UTC)(link)
[He doesn't get it? It's so hard to attempt getting into his head, to try and understand him. But there's something thrilling about that challenge. Aerith is no coward. Adversity has never exactly frightened her, and even in the past when she has been uncertain, pressing through those hardships has also formed her to the way she is now in this moment with him, this unwavering pillar of strength that she, at times, may even underestimate.

In short, there is nothing in his demeanour that would turn her away, she thinks. Only that he is a mystery to unravel and she expects that to take time. In Camelot, it often seems they have no shortage of that. Why not spend it with him, trying to understand him a little more? She could easily spend days doing that, most likely. Even more so when he continues.

His hand touches hers and though she's not stirred to pull away or withdraw, considering she's never exactly been the sort to seem unwelcoming or uninviting, she's puzzled by the gift he presses along her palm. It is a secure piece, solid, and when she gets the opportunity to marvel at it, it makes her think a little of the glamorous things that could be found in Wall Market. Madam M, really. It makes her think of Madam M and all of that.

Oh. So when he was speaking of beautiful things before, he meant...

Oh.]


You got this for me? [It seems like such a silly, ridiculous question, especially when she knows the answer. Yes, obviously he got it for her because if he hadn't, he wouldn't giving it to her now. She just doesn't get it, though.] I'm pretty sure it should be the other way around. You're the one who was accompanying me, so I should have gotten something for you. What's this for?

[Aerith's admiring it again, lifting her free hand to feel about the way her hair is pulled back. Where can she tuck it? On a side in front of where the ribbon of pink is looped around her hair...

Maybe he has a better idea.]
Edited (Just missed a [/small]) 2021-02-05 05:13 (UTC)
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14586018)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2021-02-05 06:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[He doesn't answer. Rather, he doesn't answer in the way that she expects him to. Her befuddlement is transparent, clear as day, but the proverbial gears in her head spin rapidly.

What is it that she has done or been to be deserving of presents? The only answer she can come to is that he may be so unfamiliar with kindness that hers has caught him by surprise. She could believe that. Aerith knows if she asks him something so pointed, he likely won't answer. Somnus only seems to answer what he chooses to. Most people probably operate the same way. Just because she is a largely open individual doesn't mean she can make the same expectations of others.

When he offers to put it in for her, she pauses for several long moments and then concedes. She raises her hand, open palm, so he might take the hair pin at his discretion and she turns just so that he can better examine her hair. It's only then that a subtle shade of pink falls over her.

For a very long time, she has only ever worn the very specific ribbon in her hair from a man who has long since been gone, yet remained imprinted upon her heart. She can't really picture herself without it. And beneath it, the white materia gifted from her mother. There is weight in this moment, a weight that Aerith is reluctant to share or speak of.

Yet it is there and palpable.]


Here. [She begins somewhat quieter and thoughtful.] Maybe in front of my ponytail? I'll let you decide where it looks best.
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[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2021-02-06 03:54 am (UTC)(link)
[As he takes his time in placing her new hairpiece, Aerith folds her hands together patiently, knowing very well that she will most likely always hold onto it. It's a gift that she doesn't fully understand the weight of, but contrary to what others may think of her, she puts investment in such things.

It is emotionally charged, even if she isn't entirely aware of it.

When he moves, she turns to face him. Tilting her head, she's smiling, the tinge of pink still touching her cheeks.]


Thanks!

[Her hands lift and she motions to her face.] What do you think? I might have to go clothes shopping too to pick out an outfit that'll match it.

[After a moment's consideration, the flicker of a frown passed across her face.] I should have gotten you something. Are you sure there isn't something else you'd like? Maybe... something to eat? Or... No. [Looking him over from head to toe, her head tilts as she taps at her chin.] Should probably do something fancier? What kinds of things do you like?
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14586019)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2021-02-06 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
Surr...

[She begins to respond, as if she doesn't get what he means. The pause that ensues brings her no closer to the question she has yet to ask. It sits on the tip of her tongue and for a non-descript amount of time (time that seems longer than it likely truly is), she wears the same smile that she ordinarily has in his presence.

Her head tilts and she finds her voice once more.]


Hm... Surrender. I guess it might depend on what you're surrendering to, but to surrender might not be the worst thing, right? Are you in trouble, maybe? If you tell me, I might be able to help.

[Her smile grows.] I'd like to help you. If you'd let me.
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14586048)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2021-02-06 05:17 am (UTC)(link)
Well—

[Aerith isn't convinced. It is a passing, fleeting happenstance where concern reflects in her gaze. He's so complicated. It's hard to know where she can push and what's 'too hard.' She had thought he was like Cloud before, but... no. The more she converses with him and observes him, she finds that there are some differences between the two.]

I don't know about that. [She decides to play nonchalant.] I think I could. I think you just don't want to let me. Are you always so stubborn?

[Her gaze moves off of him as she thinks carefully about how she should proceed.] Everyone needs someone, you know. [Herself included. Aerith is so accustomed to handling many things on her own. Having Tifa and the others was an adjustment process. Even then, she still doesn't rely on them fully. Maybe she's being hypocritical...] We weren't made to carry everything alone. You don't have to say 'yes' right here or right now, or even to me, but... I hope that you can find an opportunity to release some of your burdens.
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14586010)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2021-02-06 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, so that's what it is. You're afraid of imposing.

[That's a little more difficult to work around, isn't it? She can't actually change how he sees something and in truth, she wouldn't want to. Aerith wants him to be honest with himself and she wants him to feel like he can be himself without judgement. He deserves that, and likely more.

She moves closer to him and in a show of something that seems incredibly casual, but accompanied with an undeniable friendliness and reassurance in only a way Aerith can, she bumps affectionately right against him by way of the hip. Well. Her hip. Their height difference implies it's probably not his hip she's knocking herself into intentionally.]


I can't speak for anyone else, but you're not an imposition to me.
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[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2021-02-06 05:59 am (UTC)(link)
[Catching him off balance is almost a blessing. It puts a break into that icy facade of his. In the same moment that he's keeping himself upright, she's offering her hands to help steady him. He uses her, but not exactly the way she's expecting. But she doesn't shake him off.

To her, it's not an ordeal. She has never been shy about being close to others. It's simply that at a point, others have been rendered uncomfortable by her strange and sometimes eerie abilities. In this new world, very few people know of them, the truth of them, and Aerith intends to keep it that way.]


Hey.

[She begins, simple and quiet as she looks up to him. Consideration passes and her hands lift to help straighten out the way his fanciful garb sits upon him.]

You don't get to decide that for me. I get a say, don't I? I don't think you're a burden, so you aren't one.

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[personal profile] inemeraldfaith - 2021-02-06 06:19 (UTC) - Expand