April catch-all (OPEN)

[emet_sulk]

WHO: Emet-Selch and anyone
WHAT: Local Ascian tries to make up for his mistake with the Fisher King by leaning more heavily into his knightly duties. Also entertaining kids at the CameCon.
WHEN: April
WHERE: Around Camelot
WARNINGS: Nudity for the spa prompt, see individual threads for warnings


1. No R&R for the wicked 🗡️ (warning: nudity)

Disappearing guests seems like the lead-in to a banal sort of quest, but Emet-Selch figures that it may well be easy enough to complete for that same reason. He presents himself to the new spa at the Red Springs, using his totem to travel there quickly. But there is one thing he had not anticipated.

It is a nude spa.

Unfortunately, once he steps over the threshold, all his clothes simply whisk away without warning. He's left utterly bare-cheeked, and not even the towels he tries to grab to wrap around his waist stay for long. They, too, disappear into thin air.

So you may see him complaining angrily to the receptionist ("What do you mean my clothes are GONE?") or you may see him sitting sullenly in the corner of one of the baths. At least in the water, he doesn't have to worry about being ogled. In spite of his humiliation, he does try to keep an eye on the comings and goings of staff and guests. Like it or not, he's in dangerous territory now and he refuses to fall prey to the same fate as all the others.

2. CameCon

Whilst the convention hall is buzzing with activity, one may notice a man surrounded by younger children who seem to be alternately 'ooh'ing in awe and clamouring for his attention. Stepping closer reveals that these collective children are offering Emet-Selch their toys and figurines and begging him to animate them.

"Please!"
"Me next!"
"Mine too!"

He looks mildly stressed, yet he patiently takes each one and places it above a sigil drawn in chalk on the floor. A brief flash and the figurine begins to move of its own accord. The child it belongs to would gasp and the rest of them would crowd around to watch as their heroes mock-fought one another across the floor.

Emet-Selch tiredly sits back on his heels, taking advantage of the brief reprieve. Perhaps his eyes find yours. If they do, he looks away quickly, as if embarrassed to be caught entertaining children.

3. Wildcard - #KnightsofRound edition

Want to snap a picture of him for #KnightsofRound? Hit up my CR comment to hash something out. Emet can be bullied into doing good deeds if someone needs help.

Comments

2

[seasoflight]

Felih can't help but feel his heart melt. The warmth rises in his chest and he tries to slip through the crowds to sneak and sidle up against Hades' side where he sits, making himself comfortable- and curling his tail closely around himself to prevent it from getting stepped on.

For a few moments, he just watches the children and their animated toys, before he gives Hades a bright-eyed look.

"They're so happy," he eventually decides to say, purring noisily against his beloved. "How did this come about?"

[emet_sulk]

He hunches his shoulders and avoids looking at Felih at first, focusing pointedly on trying to animate yet another figure of King Arthur. A flash of light and the tiny man starts brandishing his sword valiantly, marching off with a very kingly air. The delighted child who owns it laughs and chases after it.

"There was a girl crying," he mutters. "One of the older boys had broken her toy. Her wailing was grating on my ears so I fixed it for her, and in the process the toy began to move of its own volition. Other children noticed and began clamouring for me to do the same to theirs."

[seasoflight]

Felih just cuddles closer to his side, purring still as he keeps his gaze on the giggling and delighted children all playing with their animated toys. He smiles softly at the sight, and tries to reach for one of Hades' hands, trying to lace their fingers together.

His mate is far too humble and reserved to accept praise for cheering the children up. Nonetheless, Felih's heart is warm with love, and he needs a way to express it- cuddling and reaching for his hand is the next best thing.

He's silent for a long moment, before he murmurs so very softly. "When I was a kit," he begins, "Sometimes the priestesses of our tribe would do something similar to entertain the kittens after a disaster. It... helped more than they might ever know."

[emet_sulk]

He grunts, hands balling on top of his lap. He can't hate children. They are so young, so vulnerable, and have yet to shed their bright curiosity about the world. Even if they are noisy and intrusive, who could ever be cruel to a child?

"I've no sympathy for those who would harm a child. None at all. They are to be cherished and loved..."

A young girl approaches this time, shyly holding out a figure of the knight Gawain.

"Mister, could you make mine move too?"

[seasoflight]

"I agree," he murmurs quietly.

Felih lets Hades move their hands to his lap, giving his hand a gentle squeeze as he cuddles closer. He doesn't stop leaning against his side, though his ears perk up as he purrs quietly. For now, he watches the young girl approach his mate in hopes of a magical delight, and he smiles softly at her, before looking up at Hades.

It's not as if Hades needs another pair of hopeful eyes on him, but it couldn't hurt.

Wildcard

[dontgetintherobot]

[With the majority of his old wounds from before his arrival healed, Alfonse had to start worrying over the state of his scales. He honestly had never had to deal with so many coming in at once, which was apparently infuriatingly itchy, and many were coming in deformed or dry and easy to crack… which only served to make them more itchy. The few inquiries he’d made didn’t exactly inspire confidence that he wouldn’t be getting some treatment used on fish, and honestly he was starting to wonder if going back to the hot irons would be the preferable choice.

At least until he heard of an alchemy shop run by an Eorzean. He wasted no time hunting it down and wandering in. He saw nobody around at first, and decided to take a look at the wares out of idle curiosity. Surely the shopkeep would return soon.]

[emet_sulk]

[ To the side, an inky-coloured gwiber lifts her head. The dragon-like creature is curled up on the floor, having been napping before this newcomer set foot inside. She utters an odd bark and, after a moment, there's the sound of movement from the room behind the counter.

Emet-Selch steps past the door and closes it behind him, massaging a sore neck. ]

Yes? How may I help y--

[ He stops. Stares. ]

Oh, it's you, boy.

[dontgetintherobot]

[At the sounds of the voice he looked up, and once again, the sheer shock had him stumbling back in surprise and dropping everything in his hands. At least this time it was only a small notebook and some coin rather than a partially loaded gunblade.]

Seven hells I thought that was a dream!

[Ah. He said the quiet part out loud didn't he? Well he would just be kneeling back down, scrambling to pick up his things. Again. He'd just... clear his throat awkwardly. There was no saving grace this time.]

Pardon my outburst...

[emet_sulk]

[ He sighs (loudly) and takes a seat on the stool behind the main counter, propping his cheek in one hand. He looks...tired. ]

I hadn't realised you were present here in flesh and blood. I suppose I should have questioned why my subconscious invented a son of Baelsar's despite having never laid eyes upon you.

[dontgetintherobot]

[This is quite honestly more awkward than their first encounter, and while he honestly was happy to write all of that off as a dream for his own sanity, Solus might not. And he had sort of gone on a very angry and emotional personal (and embarrassing) tirade. He could understand if he was not exactly welcome.]

W-well, in light of everything... if you would rather I leave...

[Since he wasn't exactly sure where he stood with the former emperor, granted he hadn't been sure from the moment they started talking either. He figured the option was worth throwing out there.]

2

[judgementor]

"If you happen to have some paper on hand, I can offer you a short break."

Red Wine is not unknown to many of the children in Camelot, refugee and non-refugee alike, having taught many of them how to make paper cranes, boxes and other simple animals that can be produced via paper-folding over the last few months. He doesn't look the type to enjoy being around children any more than Emet-Selch does, but when one of them comes closer to greet him he gives the top of their head a gentle ruffle and smiles with a simple kindness devoid of his usual haughty pride.

As for the embarrassment... he doesn't comment on it. There's no need to make it worse.

"If not, I'm sure I can find some in short order."

[emet_sulk]

He wordlessly holds out a small sheet paper. What kind of alchemist would he be if he didn't carry such basic supplies on his person? He can even lend them the chalk if they need it.

"I have not eaten yet. If you would stay here for a few minutes, I would be glad to bring back something for you as well," he tells them with muted relief in his eyes.

[judgementor]

Not exactly what he had in mind, but he can probably work with it. He takes the offered paper with two fingers and his thumb and ushers a few of the kids in around himself. It should be enough to keep them entertained for a few minutes at least.

"You should go quickly while you have the opportunity," he tells the man with apparent amusement. "Don't give them the chance to rope you back in."

[emet_sulk]

He has several sheets and he'll set the rest on the floor before he rises to his feet, wincing at the pins and needles. "I will be back soon," he tells the other man, hurrying off towards the food area of the convention hall. Emet-Selch is a man of his word. He is only gone for as long as it takes to order and wait for the food to cook.

Whatever the stranger ends up doing to entertain the children, Emet-Selch returns with four kebabs. Two for himself and two for them, if they desire to eat.

[judgementor]

When Emet-Selch returns he'll find most of the children now gathered around where Red Wine is sitting while he guides them carefully through making a rabbit out of paper. A few of the youngsters have elected to continue playing with their toys, but Red Wine discovered a while ago that paper-folding is something many children here are not familiar with and it rarely fails to grab their attention.

He glances up with a quick nod when the man returns, and tilts his head towards the paper that is still sitting beside him.

"You can join in if you like."

1

[omnicrafter]

It doesn't take long for Irhya to pick up on the sound of his voice, but she decides not to guide him away from the desk just yet. Instead, she crosses her arms, equally as bereft of clothing as he, and cocks her head at him.

"Come, now, none of it's anything you haven't seen before. Why not just go enjoy it for a while and not chew the poor receptionist's head off?"

While they can, rather. Because things will probably not stay peaceful for long if this trip is at all fruitful.

[emet_sulk]

He shoots a glare her way that very noticeably begins to slide down before abruptly veering aside. He also turns his body away so she can't stare at his front. It's not that he's embarrassed, it's just--

Well, no matter how many centuries pass, he cannot grow used to such wanton displays of the flesh.

"How can you not feel any sort of shame? In front of strangers, no less!"

[omnicrafter]

Irhya sighs fondly, smoothing a hand over her hair. "I come from a society that doesn't really make a big deal of individuality, remember? Come on, maybe you'll loosen up once you get into the water."

This time, she goes directly for his hand, attempting to steer him towards the shower rooms and out of earshot of anyone who works here. Some hangups die hard, she supposes.

[emet_sulk]

Since he sees no point in making a further scene out here in the reception area, he follows her with one last dark look at anyone who happens to be staring. Once inside the shower room proper, he turns his frown on Irhya instead.

"I'm only putting up with this for the mission," he says stiffly.

[omnicrafter]

"I know," Irhya replies, not fazed by the attempt to preserve his dignity. "Too bad I could never get you to take a bath with me beyond circumstances like this, huh?"

She smiles at him pointedly to set the bait, turning one of the shower heads on to clean herself and smoothing the soap over her skin. Plucking the head from its stand, she goes over her entire body to rinse, then sets it back up and turns the water off once she's done.

"Go on, get yourself showered. It'll be nice, I promise," she says with an angelic grin.

2/3

[tantailizing]

Well, well, well, what was this?

While Emet is occupied with the kids and animating a toy, Zidane will sneakily snap a photo, slipping his phone back away after a few pictures. Couldn't say he was expecting that after getting the grumpy guy's ire a few times (his own fault really), but he was just that personality type, huh?

Catching his eye, he waves with a wink. Zidane's probably the last person he wanted to catch him being nice to kids.

[emet_sulk]

He immediately looks away, as if ignoring Zidane can somehow erase the fact that he's been seen playing nice with kids. It's pointless, of course. The children are insistent, needy, and he cannot bring himself to refuse.

He ends up glancing at Zidane again, to see if the younger man has left yet. But nope they're still there. "What are you smirking about?" he calls out grumpily.

[tantailizing]

"Eh, am I smirking?"

He didn't think he is... but he winked. Sometimes those two things go together. Standing next to him now, he's still beaming. "Anyway, I'm 'smirking' just 'cause you're not as bad as your grump let's on. But I guess it's hard to be too mean to kids."

Which, yeah, sometimes there's the occasional little snot, but generally, kids were fun to be around.

[emet_sulk]

"Hmph. They're children. They do not know any better."

He watches the kids engage in a mock fight between some of the knights. Apart from Arthur, he isn't sure who is who.

A sudden idea strikes him and he smirks at Zidane. "If you have a toy of your own, I can animate it for you."

[tantailizing]

"Hehe, fair. Let them be kids a little longer."

Worlds already gotta be not so fun places sometimes... Oh well, he watches the fight, not too sure who the knights are either.

But then, Emet's question makes him blink. "Huh? Ah, nope, I don't have any toys with me."