realmofstories | open. my granny, what big teeth you have

Entry tags:

open. my granny, what big teeth you have

Characters: Velvet Crowe [Big Bad Wolf (RRH)]
Campaign: January Break
Format: [ brackets ] (but I'm open to prose)
Open
Summary: There's a new Wolf about and she's not entirely happy to be here. Also Side Story stuff.

Option A: Arrival

[ A new arrival has come to the Index and she's just shown up in a fairly busy area, a shopping district. Considering what this world is like, it isn't really that big of a deal. What is odd is the pair of black wolf ears perched on top of her equally dark hair and the fuzzy black tail hidden in the long tresses. Oh, and her clothing. In the dream-verse of being sealed away with Innominat, Velvet had been a regular villager again.

Now she looks like she slaughtered and skinned a multitude of animals, then through it on as extra clothing. Unfortunately, Velvet is lacking in her normal blade but never underestimate a Wolf by the lack of visible weapons. This is one woman who looks like she might eat a person. The slight glare on her face doesn't help matters. ]

Couldn't the Storyteller have picked someone better to come help out here?

[ Velvet's had her journey, it was over and done with. She has no idea how long it's been since she sealed herself away, now the therion has been thrown into another world altogether. ]

Option B: Forest Homes

[ Eventually Velvet makes her way out of the main city, already knowing that her home wouldn't be in there with all those people. Just a few steps into the woods makes her relax a bit and a little less irritated. Of course, she almost expects there to be some kind of monster lurking about so she can't let her guard down entirely but even after her "dream life", sometimes the therion is better with creatures over people.

So her pace is slow going through the woods to her new house, alert for danger but hardly giving people much of a second glance. If anyone wants to have a chat, they'll have to catch up to her. ]

Option C: House of Candy

[ While she may not like being here, Velvet figures she might as well try out one of these little quests to see just what she's gotten herself into. As it turns out, she's somehow landed herself in the role of Witch in the Hansel and Gretel tale. Which means she has herself a brand new costume and a house made entirely out of sweets. ]

This is what happens when that witch isn't around. This would have been perfect for Magilou. [ Arms cross over her chest as she stares at her gingerbread door, waiting for whatever is supposed to happen next.

Poor Velvet doesn't know Earth-based fairytales so here's hoping the stove doesn't turn on. ]

Option D: Wildcard

[ Catch Velvet around town in the days following her arrival or request another side story option! ]

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[ With everything accounted for, she turns back to the task of finding her house. The conversation continues so it's obviously an offer to come along with her. ]

Hard to say how long I was asleep, it was like I was dreaming the entire time. In the dream, years passed by. [ And she is very aware it was a dream. ] The dream is how the Storyteller got me here.

[He's used to following her, so this isn't really any different. Plus he would have tagged along anyway until she shooed him away.]

...Huh. Interesting. Did you know about the attacks happening around the world?

[ Her head is extremely fuzzy because it feels like yesterday since Rokurou's been there, traveling at her side and yet not at the same time. Perhaps a full-night's sleep will help with that. ]

Not at all. Likely due the fact that it wasn't real. I knew nothing about what was happening in the world until the book showed up. Then it was almost as if the book brought the attacks into the dream. Or simply made me aware of them so the thought was in my head.

[ Because of course Velvet avoided volunteering for this new duty. ]

I see. And then you were pulled in here. [Yeah, he can definitely see Velvet not exactly volunteering for this. Not without a good enough reason, anyway.

A small pause as he looks over at her. It's strange since although it hadn't been too long for him, it was still long enough to feel a bit weird walking and talking with her again.]

What was it like? Just dreaming with your brother?

Then I woke up here. [ Because that's what it felt like -- waking up from an eternal dream. Somewhat disorienting to be in a strange city with wolf ears and a tail.

Rokurou's question has Velvet silent for a long period of time, almost as if she's not going to answer it at all. When she does speak, her voice is barely above a whisper. ]

It was the perfect life we could never have. We traveled the world just the way Laphi always wanted. The people of Aball were still alive and when we went home -- Arthur, Celica and our nephew were waiting for us.

Edited 2019-01-20 06:39 (UTC)

[Not knowing what she could have experienced, he wasn't sure if she would answer his question or how. When she's silent, he started to think that she wasn't going to answer at all and he wasn't going to press into it, just leaving it as it is. So he's actually caught off guard when she does answer and how quiet her voice is.

Knowing what he did of her past and everything she had been through... Clearly he touched something like a landmine. But more than that, it was just so weird to see her show this vulnerable, almost weak side. She's had her moments, but not like this.

He almost reaches out to her, hand starting to lift, but he stops himself and just glances away, that hand going to the rub the back of his neck instead.]

Sorry. But even though it's just a dream... It's still a good one to be lost in.

[One that she at least deserved, fake or not.]

[ Had this been a virtual stranger Velvet would have never offered this information up. Hell, she might not even tell this to certain friends they both share. But with Rokurou who's been there ever since they escaped prison, Rokurou who stood by her ready to help her get revenge, who understood the feelings that were intense enough to create daemons out of humans. Rokuro, who she trusts.

Instead of letting it sit and fester inside of her, Velvet decides to share it. Though chances of getting more information about this dream world out of her will be extremely slim. It hurts but part of her is aware that when they're done here, she'll go right back to that fake life.

Which may or may not be a good thing. Hard to say considering how it had crushed her after that illusion Melchior had used on her. She didn't break then so Velvet's determined not to break now. ]

After everything I've done, it feels like it might be too good.

[ Velvet the human might deserve it, she's not sure the Lord of Calamity does. ]

Probably. [Hey, can't really deny that part. Living a good life for a daemon? Yeeeah.] That's where it being a dream comes in. [Since it is fake instead of real.

He looks over at her, studying her for a moment.]

But given what you've been through? I think it's fair enough. It's not like you just woke up one day and just chose to do what you did. [Sure, she did ultimately choose to take on the Lord of Calamity mantle, but that was because she was practically forced and driven into it. Had none of that happened, her dream would have been real.]

Besides, it could have been a lot worse.

[ Another thing she prefers about sharing with Rokurou, he doesn't really try to change her mind like other members of their group would have. He agrees with her for the most part and accepts all of the things she's done without hesitation.

Rather, he keeps things realistic. ] Even if I didn't choose what I became, the path I walked was one I picked for myself. The way my story ended was my choice.

[ Laphicet and all of the other therions got to live their lives... though Velvet doesn't know they became human again. ]

[That's indeed how he rolls. Besides, he knows she's not one who wants things sugarcoated, preferring the realistic views. Which is why he won't try to argue whether or not her ending is a "good" or "bad" one—that's all subjective, either way, and it probably falls into "neutral," anyway. Personally he thinks it's fine all things considered, but he doesn't really fault her or think her way wrong, either.

It does make him pause and muse for a moment.]

And are you satisfied with that choice?

[ Over the course of their journey, Velvet did come to appreciate that about him. Someone to add to the realist perspective of the group when she sometimes became blinded. As for what sort of ending she got - it was likely for the best. The world doesn't need someone like her around.

If she has any regret at all, it would be leaving Phi behind. But... he became his own person before that - he found his own path and Velvet can be satisfied with that. ]

Yes, I am. Given the chance to do it over, I would do the exact same.

Then that's all that matters. [A light grin forms.] Still, it's good to see you again, Velvet. Even if we're somewhat on opposing sides this time.

[He chuckles a little at that since it's still kind of weird and crazy, but hey. Now things are interesting.]

It's nice to see a familiar, somewhat friendly face here in this new world. Even if you have this urge to end my life.

[ Ally or enemy - she considers him a friend even here. One of the few she has left in the world.

About now, they step out into a small clearing and in the center of it is an extremely large rock with a door. ]

Suppose this is better than a wolf den.

[If she actually called him her friend he might wonder what the hell kind of experience that dream state gave her and be floored. But as it is, he just laughs.]

Just makes things more interesting. [And given what kind of daemon he is—yeah, seems like par for the course.

But seeing her home... ...Uh. Well. That's sure a.....home...?]

Might should wait until you take a look on the inside.

[ Oh hell no. She'd never say that term outloud but does think it from time-to-time, perhaps it'll be more often now that they no longer have that debt hanging between them. ]

Surely we didn't need these roles to accomplish that. [ Surely they would have ended up clashing blades eventually.

She shrugs off the appearance of her house. ]

One upside is that there aren't any bars. Most everything else can be changed. [ Velvet moves to open the door and step in, leaving the door open as a silent invitation for Rokurou. Inside is a lot more cozy, with plush furniture and a nice kitchen. A loft sits above the kitchen that has a large window that lets in a lot of light. ]

Haha, fair enough. [A laugh as he follows her in, recognizing that open invitation. Although, he probably would have poked his head in, anyway.

Taking in her comment as he walks further in and noting the coziness of the place, a thought does strike him.]

Been a while since you've had a place to yourself, huh?

[ Since they first met, they've been sharing a living space - whether it be on the ship, at an inn or in their hideaway. She doesn't think anything odd about him following her in now.

Parts of it remind her of the prison cell but there's more than enough comfort and sunlight to wash that memory clean. ]

There's only been one place that I've had to myself and even then I had unexpected visitors dropping by regularly. This will certainly be... new. [ Possibly unpleasant, even if Rokurou (and Eizen) come visit often. ]

[He knows she's referring to her old prison cell, and he just glances at her as he stops to look out the window to see what kind of view she had.]

I know, it was weird for me, too. I just travel around back home so I just stayed in inns or camped out.

[For a daemon always out for the next hunt, really isn't much of a point. One day he might get a cabin or something, maybe even "haunt" his old home estate, whatever is left of it, but for a while he was enjoying being a wanderer. But he's really just talking about himself more as a distraction.]

Gonna do any redecorating?

[ Lots of trees and shrubbery, though if he can make it out there is a slight view of a river in the far distance. Not a neighbor in sight. ]

The cities were always so loud after having grown up in a small town. Not to mention Magilou or Eleanor were always sleeping a few feet away.

[ Even if she'd gone on living after the final fight, Velvet wouldn't have gone back to Aball. It wasn't home anymore. At his question, she shrugs. ]

Maybe. In a place like this it could always use more comfortable items. I'll have to organize the kitchen the way I want and give the place a good cleaning.

[He laughs at her last remark.]

Oh yeah, that's right! You really like to clean. Well if you need help for anything, I don't really have much to do, so. Could also help stock your food stores.

[Because Huntsman.]

[ A huff. ]

It's more that I feel better knowing everything is cleaned the way I like it. [ Normally she prefers to do it all herself but Velvet might take advantage of his offer. Her expression shifts to one of amusement. ] Don't complain when you spend all day moving the furniture around. [ When - not if. ]

Or I could go along with you and collect my own meat. [ Hunting is something she's been good at and Velvet would feel better contributing at least a little. ] We could make an afternoon of it.

Hey, I wouldn't offer if I didn't expect that much. [Just a wry grin in return. Yeah, he knows what he's getting into. ...Maybe.] But if you get ridiculous and make me push something back and forth several times on purpose, I will complain. [Just saying.]

As for hunting together, sure. I haven't really been in this area, so we'd both be learning your territory.

Damn, you figured out my plan. [ The corner of her lip curls up slightly. Really it hadn't been her plan but there certainly will be furniture moving - possibly rearranging. ] After we clean, I'll cook up something for us. Since Phi isn't around, you'll have to serve as my taste-tester.

Just so long as we don't hunt every animal in the area.

I'm onto you, Miss Wolf. [Just a smirk.] But I'm fine with taste testing. ...On the other hand, it's been how many years since you last really cooked? Maybe I should be more careful.

I'll have to be more stealthy next time. [ Moving to the cupboards to see how well the kitchen is stocked. ] The first time I went to Aball, I cooked a meal. It's not my fault you and Eizen wandered off and missed the chance.

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rokubro - 2019-02-17 00:21 (UTC) - Expand

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