realmofstories | open. Full moon is risin'

Entry tags:

open. Full moon is risin'

Characters: Velvet Crowe [Big Bad Wolf, Red Riding Hood]
Campaign: July-ish Break
Format: [ brackets ]
Open [Closed sections for Rokurou and Eizen]
Summary: A wolf has returned and wanders around to check how things may have changed - or perhaps how they haven't.

A - No use in hidin'

[ Once again Velvet finds herself in a different world, the same one as before. That much is obvious as she can just feel the wolf ears perched on the top of her head brushing against the hood of her cloak. Her tail is hidden in the massive blackness that is her hair so she isn't particularly worried about it being seen. Before her stands the Index, an odd mix of buildings that could only come from a fairytale. She sighs heavily but with resignation, checks her gear to ensure that the blade she had picked up last time is still with her before taking a step forward. ]

Time to go see what's changed, if anything.

B - Oh, you're never gonna find escape

[ Seeing as how her journal, medallion and key all appear to be the same Velvet doesn't bother searching for her house here. Even though she knows she's been gone at least a few months, chances are the stone building will be in the same place. It may even be dust-free. Or that could just be her hopeful thinking. As much as the daemon-turned-wolf enjoyed a good cleaning, Velvet isn't up for it at the moment. Tonight she'll either rough it out in the woods (it wouldn't be the first time), or crash at someone else's place if her own magically granted house is dirty.

What she can't ignore is the unending hunger that haunts her even here. Was it too much to ask that her bottomless pit of a stomach didn't transfer over into this new world? Apparently.

Rather than pay for a meal in town, Velvet heads out to the woods to do her own hunting. Not as a wolf because that's a bit dangerous to do without knowing who's around hunting them at this point. She has plenty of experience hunting as a regular human so it doesn't take long for her to catch a meal, skin it and start a fire to cook it over.

Should anyone happen upon her at her campsite, they'll find Velvet cleaning the blood from her blade as she sits by the fire. To most it may appear that a whole wild pig on the spit would be more than enough to feed a single person. Truthfully, she could eat that and more without ever feeling sastifyingly full.

All the same Velvet will gesture to a fallen log on the opposite side of the fire. ]

Care for a bite?

C - When the wolves come out to play! [Closed to Rokurou & Eizen]

[ Eventually Velvet goes to seek out the two people who she knew had been here the last time she'd been in this world. Her feet remember the way to their homes (or where their homes used to be, if they'd left) - not that the wolf gets lost in the woods. The first stop is Eizen's. His house appears in the trees and a small part in her eases a bit. Hopefully the man is still actually here and the house wasn't simply left to stand after his departure. Upon getting close, Velvet steps up to the door where she lifts a hand to knock loudly. ]

I'm giving it to the count of ten before I let myself in. [ It certainly smells as though Eizen has been in the structure recently. Whether he's actually home right now is a different story. ]

_________________________________

[ Visiting Rokurou's cabin is potentially more dangerous so Velvet is on-guard long before moving anywhere in his direction. Last time he'd attacked simply because there was a wolf nearby and she'd be pissed if he managed to accidentally hurt her because the damn Huntsman sensed danger. Chances are good that Rokurou will know when she enters his territory (or he comes home - whichever it may be) so Velvet doesn't bother heading to the front door. Instead she chooses to drop into one of the chairs on his porch and wait for him to come to her. Velvet doesn't even need to look to know when a familiar presence makes an appearance. ]

Hopefully you're still ridiculously stocked up on meat or I might attempt to eat you instead. [ Having had "dinner" earlier means nothing to this bottomless pit of a wolf. ]

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--Velvet?

[Eizen had been out back fishing (because of course he was), back door open so he could hear if someone knocked. He did not expect to hear someone call out for him, and especially didn't expect to hear Velvet. He reels in his line and comes around the house, staring at Velvet in shock.]

You're here?

[ Even from the opposite side of the house, Velvet can hear that his voice doesn't quite come from inside but out back. Of course he'd been fishing. His footsteps don't move through the structure so she turns her attention away from the door, gold eyes reaching the side just as he appears. ]

Back again, it seems, and you're still here. [ She moves towards him. ]

Aye. So's Rokurou.

[Eizen walks over, summoning a bottle of who knows what to hand.]

Still the wolf?

It's nice to know there are familiar faces about if the Storyteller is going to drag me back into this mess.

[ Seriously, was there no one better to pick over Velvet? She pulls off the hood to reveal the animal ears once again perched on her head. ]

Still the same wolf. If I'm remembering right, there were quite a few different versions.

[She was right to be wary—as he returned from his daily hunt, he immediately got the familiar feeling of a certain wolf within his domain. It may disgust his essence, but there's a thrill of excitement as well curiosity.

A curiosity that is answered when he walks up to his cabin and sees a familiar person waiting there.]

Heh, like to see you try. [And coming from Rokurou—that's both a joke and a serious statement.

That said, there's a bit of a light, amused grin as he stops just in front.]

But you're in luck. Got a fresh kill.

[Boar to be precise.]

At least they're consistent.

[Here, have that drink.]

Welcome back.

[ Velvet never bothered to ask if various kinds of wolves gave him a different sensation. If actual wolves put out a distinct vibe in comparison to the human-like wolves such as her. Whether Rokurou could pick her out against any other potential Big Bad Wolves that might come through. Maybe she'll question it later.

Surely no other wolf would dare get this close to a Huntsman's house unless they were a friend. ]

If I did manage to eat you, would I gain your strength while in these forms? [ Would it be like one daemon devouring another back home? Suppose it was good thing that she doesn't feel the need to get strong enough to seek revenge anymore.

Velvet doesn't quite move from her claimed seat yet. ]

As much as I appreciate a bloody meal, I suppose it would be best to cook it at least a little.

[ He hunted it, she'll cook it. ]

I'll be grateful I didn't end up stuck as a cat this time around.

[ She takes it without fuss. ]

Thanks. So anything important happen while I was away? [ Velvet will start heading to the back of the house so Eizen can continue his fishing. ]

Remember that story you vanished in the middle of? Rokurou got to be the princess.

[If she does ask him, he'll actually be able to answer now that she's shown up twice, technically third for the Wolf in specific, and there are a couple of other wolves now running around.]

That's an interesting question...too bad you probably won't ever find out.

[And from his smirk, he's more implying that in answer to that "what if," he's going ahead and saying she won't manage. Still, it's a friendly one as opposed to hostile.]

But a return dinner, huh? Sounds fine with me. The door's unlocked, but you can follow me around the back if you want. I have to cut this up first since part of it is actually for a customer.

[He then turns to walk around to the other side of the house.]

Should I call up Eizen or have you met him already?

[ ... Now that has her laughing lightly in amusement. ]

I'm really disappointed I missed out on seeing that. Though I should tell you it wasn't his first time playing the princess in a story.

[ She might get around to it, eventually. If she doesn't forget. Or Velvet may just end up noticing. ]

Doesn't mean it won't be entertaining trying.

[ If it didn't feel like she'd been tossed around, now could be one of those attempts but things have seemed so chaotic lately. Sealed away with Innominat, stuck in fairytale land, on a boat with Eizen, a trip "home", then whisked back here. Months have gone by for the boys but Velvet couldn't tell either of them how long she was home for. It was as if no time and yet an eternity had passed.

Rather than responding about her next move, she gets up from the chair and follows after him. ]

Knowing you, you have more stocked inside.

[ Once they reach their destination, Velvet leans up against a wall then proceeds to cross her arms over her chest. Not offering to help cut the meat up but willing to do so if asked. ]

I went by his place first considering I disappeared on him mid-boat trip.

I'd have to be careful not to kill you so you can keep trying.

[Who's the villain in this duo now? Wasn't she supposed to be? But he just laughs, and she's right—he has a whole shed for stocking his meat. They don't stay there for too long of course, just long enough for any that are preserved to be well seasoned and dried before taking them to town. At some point he should consider investing in a freezer of some kind, but given the season, fresh is still best and more in demand.

Upon reaching the chopping table, which is kept fairly clean and well maintained he hefts the boar up and starts preparing, gathering all the necessary tools needed.]

Fair enough. I was almost disappointed I couldn't see your attempts to try and "win the princess's favor." Almost.

[Because he was said princess at the time.

He's taking off his coat, setting it to the side before he rolls up his sleeves, washes his hands from a nearby spigot, dons some gloves, and picks from one of the many axes, blades, and knives before getting to work. Chop chop piggy.]

So what did happen, anyway? Did you just like...disappear and return back to whatever void you were in before?

[Just a curious look over as he talks while working. He won't ask her for help out of courtesy, but he might later.]

We wouldn't want our story to end the way it does in the fairytale.

[ Technically it was his role to kill the Big Bad Wolf so he'd just be doing his job, right? Though personally Velvet would prefer a more filling meal than some old granny and a kid. As she peers around his shed, she has to wonder just how he hasn't hunted the forest clean yet. Could simply be "magic" that keeps it replenished with animals.

Don't mind her, Velvet will just be chilling here not lending a hand. ]

Not as disappointed as I was when I heard you ended up being the princess again and I missed it. Maybe I'll ask Eizen to paint me a picture.

[ Eizen was all over telling her about that.

The nuturing sister in her is pleased to see him taking care to carve up this boar properly and cleanly. As cleanly as it can get cutting into a being that was once alive.

A sigh. ] One minute I was on the boat with Eizen and the next I was with Innominat again. Couldn't tell if any of what happened here was just another dream or not. I don't know how much time passed when I was there, only that the stupid book found me once more.

[ Honestly, if he weren't doing such a good job then Velvet might have insisted on doing it herself. ]

[....Ugh.

This is the face of someone who plans to punch a certain pirate later, and a subsequent loud CHOP to go with it. For real Eizen why did you have to go and blab about unnecessary thing??? So just a bit of grumbling as he continues and listens to her.

But just randomly disappeared and found again, huh? He'll just. Focus on that topic instead of calling any further attention to his time as princess.]

Given your situation, I was wondering how it would work. So guess it might not be impossible for you to just randomly disappear and reappear again.

[ It was literally the first thing out of Eizen's mouth when Velvet asked if anything important happened while she was gone. Besides, she's seen Rokurou dressed as a princess before so why was this time any different?

Still, she can't help but make an amused snort at his grumbling and sulking. Here's hoping he knows that there's no way Velvet will leave this alone that easily. ]

I'm sure you were just as pretty of a princess in that story as you were in the other one.

[ Absolutely teasing him even if it means she won't be able to crash on his couch because of his surly mood. Worth it. ]

Hopefully it doesn't happen a lot. The whole process is extremely disorienting.

[Because it was more than once!!! One time was already one time too many!!! And he knows she won't leave this alone, ugh. He has such terrible friends. But could be worse. Magilou could be there.

And yeah he is definitely shooting her a look before he just flicks his butcher's knife at her to spray her with some blood and guts. Yeah. He went there. (But she can handle it.)]

Starting to think I might have been better off with you back there.

[HE'S KIDDING.........]

[ Is he really upset about being a princess or just missing out on the action part of the story? Clearly Eizen needed someone to share in his enjoyment as Rokurou is such a grump about it.

When the attack comes, Velvet lifts an arm to block the bits from ending up in her hair at least. Had he been anyone else then she would have licked the blood clean just to freak them out but it's Rokurou and hardly anything has managed to get that reaction - even when she devoured other daemons. ]

I'd leave again if I didn't think I would just end up here eventually.

[ PARTIALLY A JOKE. And also not. ]

[He's pretty cavalier about a lot of things, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have his pride. And yeah okay even he jokes about it, but still!

He'll just continue to give her a bit of a dry look before he just spins the knife around in his hands for a couple of revolutions before returning back to work.]

That good of a dream, huh?

[ A warrior has to do what they must - even if it means sitting around in a pretty dress waiting for others to accomplish it. Still she knows Rokurou prefers to be out there actually doing something.

Her gaze drifts away from him as he goes back to chopping that pig up. Last time Velvet told him that being sealed away with Innominat was like a dream but never went into details about what she saw. For a long moment, she lets silence and the sound of his knife fill the air around them. ]

It was a life I can't ever have. [ People who were dead, humanity that was never lost. ] All of you were there in some way or another.

[He notices how long she's taking, but he doesn't pry. Just like before, he's not really looking into details nor would he really bother her for it. If anything he might have been expecting a vague answer. So when she does give that answer, there's just the smallest of pauses on an upswing before there's the heavy thud of the blade cutting through bone and hitting wood.]

From what I hear from Eizen, you're not really missing much in terms of how things develop back home. So maybe you really are better off in there.

[Like he thought before, even if it's a dream and not reality, it was her choice. And hey, if she's happy in there...

After finishing cutting through the legs, he takes a small break to sling his arms over the main body of the carcass, crossing them as he looks over at her.]

Still, like I said to you the first time—it's good to see you again, Velvet.

[There's a touch of warmth in the grin he gives her before he straightens back up to resume his work.]

[ To most people, such a short sentence wouldn't give them much to go off of but Rokurour and the rest of their band of misfits know the weight behind those words. They know pretty much everything that happened to her - her life put on display by Innominat, Artorius and even Melchior. Even if she can never have that, her dreams can at least be pleasant enough. ]

Glad to know the world keeps going without the Lord of Calamity hanging around.

[ It was her choice. For herself, for Phi and for whatever was left of Laphi. Maybe not the choice the others would have picked but hey, she admitted to being selfish.

After another long minute, she looks back at him. Giving him the faintest but soft smile - ones usually reserved for Phi. ]

Thanks. [ A short pause. ] I hate to admit this but I may have missed our adventures.

It still has it's bumps and turns, but the world keeps spinning in its own crazy way.

[As far as he understands it, anyway. And to him, the changes to come really do sound crazy, but that's life.

At her mention of missing their adventures, however, he glances at her and there's one of his more usual carefree, good humored grins.]

Oh yeah? Guess one good thing about this place is you'll have another crack at it here. And then when you go back, you'll have more stories to tell your brother.

Edited 2019-07-02 07:36 (UTC)

Isn't that what we wanted, though?

[ A world that had the bad with the good and not the "perfect world" Artorius tried to achieve. They'd seen what it could be like without those bumps and rebelled against it so hard.

Truthfully the three of them should probably not be alone together without their morale compasses but what can they do about it? Nothing could possibly go wrong. Still, she smirks back at him. ]

We'll have to see if this adventure is as chaotic as our last one was. Though I'll be sure to tell him how pretty you are in a dress.

[ LAST SHOT for the time being. ]

And we wouldn't want it any other way.

[Okay, he could do with some more strong fights. It's going to get boring as the decades and centuries go by if no one is able to kill him before then.

But really Velvet. —Okay, he actually expected that and she is definitely getting a look. But then there's a laugh.]

Hey. I wasn't just pretty, I was gorgeous. A sight you'll never see again—what a pity.

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