[OPEN] Where are you now?

[restinglichface]

Who: Lup and you!
What: Catch-all for Lup in May! Lup is reviving on the 24th from being killed during the last event, so she needs to catch up with some of her friends.
Where: All over Hadriel, both pre-and post-move.
When: May 25th to May 31st!
Warnings: No warnings as of yet!



May 25th; Speakeasy

[She's been back for nearly twenty-four hours now, but Lup doesn't feel at home in her body quite yet.

Maybe it's the guilt that's eating her, the fact she'd actually lost all control in her lich form, actually lashed out and hurt people she cares most about. She's spent the last thirty years proclaiming over and over how 'good' of a lich she is, that she'd never lose her emotional anchors, never fall to the thrall of that dark magic and go the way of every other lich she'd ever heard about.

Lup always thought herself above that, that by the strength of her powerful will alone she'd always be better than them.

But Hadriel proved her wrong. And that's a difficult thought to shake.

So she can be found at the bar, drowning her sorrows in liquor, coming up with the best plan of attack to fix what she's made wrong.]

May 28th-31st; Any island

[True to form, a few days are all she needs to bounce back.

The world around them changes, but Lup, like most of her magically-inclined friends, doesn't have any problem navigating between the islands. She spends the days after the move making her rounds, exploring each island and familiar landmark, checking in with her various friends to make sure that everyone is safe.]

Wildcard; Hit me with anything!

[PM or hit me up on plurk if you wanna plot! meyggy]

Comments

25th, of course

[dedikated]

( A week blind does a lot to a woman whose entire identity relies on the fact that she can not only see, but see better than most. She can pick out every little fluctuating colour that lies beneath the surface of a person with a blink and all of that disappeared as easily as she wakes up.

The city revealed secrets to her that she'd never seen before when her sight came back, but even that doesn't do enough to rid her of nightmares of all too familiar all-encompassing darkness. Of not knowing what sounds are friend and which are for.

Drinking helps. Drinking usually helps. She makes her way to the Speakeasy as she often does and drinks longer than necessary to try to and make sleep come easier.

But it takes a few days until she sees Lup, looking about as good as Kate felt the first morning after her sight returned. )

Won't ask if you just want to drink.

( That sounds like a good way to spend a night, right? )

[restinglichface]

Well look who it is.

[Lup isn't too far into her first drink when Kate comes into view, and even if there's the slightest droop to her usually strong shoulders, the woman's ears perk up at the sight of her friend, quickly waving her close. There's an empty seat right next to her with Kate's name on it.]

Hey, chickadee. Drinking with pals is always way better than drinking alone, so I guess you're stuck with me tonight.

[There's no escape now.]

What dragged you here?

[dedikated]

( Kate can live with that. Drinking with others is always better than drinking alone, and she signals for a glass of something strong and cold as she sits down. )

Can't sleep lately. ( She can't say she's ever been particularly good at sleeping - always wanting to be awake as soon as possible, to do as much as she can. But Fear's attempt at grabbing power resurfaced nightmares she's been free of for a while.

Kate knocks back a sizeable gulp of her drink before continuing. ) Spent a week blind.

[restinglichface]

[Blind. The corners of Lup's mouth twitch downward, just as she reaches up with her glass to tip it in Kate's direction before taking a drink, letting the liquor settle on her tongue. Just so that she can think.

Lup's never been blind, outside of a few status effect spells slung her way in combat, but she did spend a dozen years trapped in a dark umbrella, so she can kinda understand the whole sensation of it. It's certainly not something she talks about to anyone, but since then, she's gained a definite fear of the dark, the stillness that comes with it. But being sightless in a small, enclosed space is a hell of a lot different than having to live your life blind.]

That fuckin' sucks.

[Eloquent as always.]

How'd you manage?

[dedikated]

( Eloquent, and exactly how Kate would have reacted hearing the news herself. The idea used to linger in the very corners of her mind, dismissed because she didn't have time for it. Wondering how she could possibly cope when everything in her life revolves so fixatedly around being able to see, and then to see better than most.

Wondering how different it is to the darkness of the Underground, when the few occasions she'd been down there without any chance of seeing through the blackness shook her to her core. )

Hid in the clinic for a week.

( What else could she do? Another drink, a long one designed more to fill the silence than anything else. )

Your turn. What happened?

( If she's reliving this shit, she isn't doing it alone. )

25th, Speakeasy

[outofthefire]

[it's Laura's evening shift at the Speakeasy and she's already refilled Lup's glass a few times. she's bad at this emotional attachment stuff, but Lup is one of the people she's most emotionally attached to, so she can't help but worry. every inch of the elf screams dejection.

she can only refill a glass so many times before she has to ask]

Just so you know, there's a long tradition of bartenders being the ones to listen to people's sorrows, so if you wanna talk about it. . .?

[restinglichface]

[It's so very very small, but the corner of the elf's mouth twitches upward at that, just a touch of appreciation for Laura shining through on her face.]

Yeah, yeah. I get it. I'm hoggin' up all of yer bar space an' you want me to get over shit an' hit the road, right? [In a mood or not, Lup still teases. It's just in her nature.]

Nothing's wrong. [A lie, but maybe one Lup's too deep in to realize isn't true.] I'm just feeling thoughtful. Y'know, drinkin' an' thinkin'.

[outofthefire]

[she notices and smiles back at her, glad to see her back to normal.

she gives a short laugh] Hardly. As far as I'm concerned, you can stay there all night if you wanna. [and that makes Laura a little hopeful for her friend]

We all get in those moods. If you wanna share what you're thinkin'... [she trails off]

[restinglichface]

[Lup considers all of her options.

Normally, she'd be content in keeping everything in, in withdrawing into herself until it became a non-issue or she finally confided in her brother or her husband when she hit her limit. But talking intimately with others outside of her small family is still difficult. It makes Lup feel vulnerable in a way that sets her on edge, after a century of keeping herself closed off, it's hard to just let that go.

But Laura is a friend and well-meaning enough. She isn't a danger and, as far as Lup knows, if it hasn't yet, the word will get out eventually.]

I thought the whole lich thing last week was gonna be real chill, but guess they had other plans for me.

[outofthefire]

[Laura honestly wants to help and Lup has offered to be there for her before, to listen to Laura's story. someday, she'll tell it. but today has to be about being there for Lup. so she listens, making a point to keep her expression as non-judgemental as possible]

...yeah? The gods. They got to you somehow?

llllets go with about the 31st, one of the coastlines idk

[pocketspa]

[True to form, Taako is loving this.

One tree stealing and a few casts of Fabricate later, Taako is back on his island bullshit and has acquired a brand new surfboard. Which means he's also spent the last two or three days figuring out how to get back into the swing of things. Like, it's been nearly a hundred years, but-- it's like riding a bike, right? You never forget.

So the next time Lup is on the coastline, a familiar figure can be seen coming in from the waves, hair braided behind him and clad only in shorts and a tight fitting tank top as he wobbles only a little and yells.]

Lulu! Hey! I stole a tree! Fucking check it!

[restinglichface]

[The weather may be a little dicer than before, but island time is already way better than their few months out in the constant desert heat. And naturally, all of it is better than being stuck in that crappy cave. They may still be just as trapped as they were there, limited by an endless sea instead of thick rock wall, but it feels freer and that makes all of the difference.

It's been almost a full century since she last caught sight of her brother out there riding the waves, but the familiar image leaves her grinning, Lup stepping closer to the shore, bare toes dipping into the freezing water. She spent so much of that year watching her brother cut through the ocean like a pro, it's nice to think that somewhere back in that other world that they can afford to spend as much time at the beach as they like. Now that the Hunger is gone, they really do have all the time in the world.

She shouts back, without missing a beat:] Sick, bro! Think you can get Barold out on killer waves like this?

[pocketspa]

[He laughs as he angles himself, taking the board in with the wave. It's not perfectly finessed- the surf isn't so smooth here, and it's been a fuck long of a time since he's done this. But he got some practice in before he came to find her, so he looks cool and not super dumb.]

Depends! You think Barold is gonna be scared of the cold and sharks and shit? Cuz I'm down to clown on Beach Planet Part 2, It's Rocks This Time.

[He pulls himself close to the rocks, stumbling only a little onto the edge. There's no sand here, and that's dumb, but he's making do.]

[restinglichface]

[Eh, maybe just a little bit dumb, but that's only because he's her brother.]

Mm, good point! Maybe you should be givin' me some sick lessons instead.

[Surfing isn't much Lup's thing. It sure gives the thrill she craves, but it requires a lot of patience, a lot of connecting with your board and learning to move it like a new muscle, an extension of your body. And tons and tons of practice. Lup would much rather just dive into the ocean and look for a shark to fight or something with a little more immediate gratification, but she can at least make another attempt at lessons.

Maybe for a few minutes before she looks for entertainment elsewhere.

Taako stumbles and Lup's there in a flash, grabbing his arm and keeping him upright. The sibling part of her brain wants to push him into the water, but she refrains. For now.]

Or what about Ango? That kid needs all the cool points that he can rack up.

[pocketspa]

[It's the interesting thing about them. Taako likes being good at something naturally, of course-- but there's an incredible satisfaction in honing something into a skill, into having confidence and strength and the knowledge that he's fucking good. Where Lup can be more impulsive, a little extra confidence burned into her bones, Taako wants to be good at what he does in a way no one can deny. After a childhood of external forces, of being told he's nothing-- well, he likes to have receipts.]

Oh man, can you imagine Angus out there? I'd have to get him somethin' smaller, cuz uh, this one's mine and if he drowns with it I'm gonna be super pissed.

[He reaches up, carding a hand through his bangs to push them back on his head.]

Also, it's fucking freezing out there. Like, it's not gonna stop me, but oof. Liches couldn't even get me some sands after months of sun? What've you been doin' to uh, to settle?

28th ish - I know I'm way behind on the other one but c'mon, girlfriends

[storyseeker]

[It's been an eventful few weeks. The latest god-effect, the move, a hundred little things set off by both in a cascading chain of events. It hasn't been boring, and that's made it easier to keep her mind off some things.

But easier isn't the same as easy, so when Elena opens the door to see her friend standing there—alive and well—immense relief washes over her and she throws her arms around her without a second's hesitation.]

Lup, oh my god. You're okay.

YOU ARE FINE gimme that good girlfriend content

[restinglichface]

Elena!

[The two women speak each other's names at the same time, but it's Elena who charges forward first and throws her arms around the elf, Lup frozen in place for the briefest of moments before she's returning the touch, arms looping affectionately around the other's shoulders. Even if she might not deserve this kindness, Lup's far too selfish to push her best friend away, pressing closer and accepting the warmth Elena's closeness lights within her.]

Me? Are you crazy?

[Her grip loosens only so she can place a hand on Elena's shoulder and push her away enough to get a better look at the other woman's face, just to make sure she really is alright. That there's no scorch marks or new shiny burns leftover from their encounter a week earlier.] You're okay! I'm friggin' relieved, babe.

rises from the FUCKING DEAD

[storyseeker]

[It's not selfishness at all. Elena wants to know Lup is all right, here and alive and herself again, able to hug and not hurt. If anyone, she's the selfish one for not being able to let go under Lup does.]

I'm fine—perfectly fine. But you.

[She gives Lup a mock glare that lasts for all of a half second before it melts away into a relieved smile.]

You scared the shit out of me.

*CHEFS KISS*

[restinglichface]

[Mock glare or not, there's a touch of guilt that lingers against the elven woman's expression, in the way both of her long ears droop downwards. Though she attacked so many others, Elena's relationship with her has always been so important. It's her opinion that Lup cares the most for.]

Gonna be totally honest, but I kinda scared the shit outta myself too. Sorry for, well, losin' myself back there. It wasn't intentional.

[storyseeker]

[Normally, Elena is pretty good with words, but she knows immediately that she's chosen the wrong ones. She makes a small, unhappy sound before punching Lup lightly in the shoulder. Not hard; it won't hurt. But it gets the point across.]

Not because of that, dummy. I was scared you wouldn't come back.

[After she'd been dead...er. Dead again. More dead than on an average day.]

Wink wink

[abbatis]

When you're a monster that preys upon the living the closet environment naturally isn't the most comfortable. The city had been quite inconvenient but this small, crowed island was whole new level and enough to make anyone feel claustrophobic.

Edgar tried his best not to get irritation or anxiety to get and spend most of his time outside, exploring and watching the sun to rise and set. It could be worse, he supposes.

One of the few times that he's actually returning to his chambers in the Spires he notices a familiar face near the doorstep. When he says familiar he means someone he knows of. From the very beginning he had made it his business to know just who lived near him even if they didn't pay any attention to him (which really worked for him on the end). It had been quite easy as the elf twins seemed to love make noise about themselves.

"Greetings," he nods at the woman politely once he reaches her, just like good neighbors do.

wonk wonk

[restinglichface]

It's just a part of their brand. Lup and Taako spent a childhood tossed around between family members that didn't want to take care of them, after being abandoned by parents who just straight out didn't want them, so what better way to grow up than to make sure they were the most seen and beloved elves around? They thrive under any attention, good or bad, and since it's never really not worked out for them, why even bother changing up their routine?

It works.

Lup's just returning from another round of island-hopping when she's interrupted by Edgar. He's not familiar to her, hasn't been too active enough on her radar, but she greets his nod with a quick one of her own.

"Hey, neighbor," Lup chirps back with a grin. At least she assumes he's a neighbor. Most of the folks in this place haven't figured out how to hop between islands yet, so she's betting it's a fair assumption. "Come to borrow a cup of sugar?"

[abbatis]

"Hello," he greets again, the corners of his lips curling up even into a wider smile when hearing her voice. She certainly is a lively one. Just like he expected her to be.

His so-called father had made sure that he understood importance of cautiousness when it came to staying in populated unknown places. The less people know or see him the better the safer -- and Edgar had took those lessons to his heart, even if little bit too late to be frank, and applied them to his stay at Hadriel. While he didn't confide himself inside four walls he never showed his face on the network nor left marks or signs behind him. He was quite sure that he had also managed to stay out of his neighbours' radar. But who knows, maybe they truly were wizards and made of magic.

"I could come if you have some?"

[restinglichface]

Her and her brother are more alike than just the physical. They both thrive under attention, love to be watched and admired, crave to be under the big spotlight. So it's only natural they act as attention grabbing as possible, dress big and bold, always striving to leave an impression.

"Guess I could spare a cup or two." For a price. "Planning on a doin' a spot of baking?"

[abbatis]

"Maybe." No, he won't. There's absolutely nothing he would need sugar for. It's not even like he can taste the sweetness of it or anything, leaving out only the texture to be dealt with and well.. he could as well be eating sand.

But if by pretending he could get an invitation to wizards' house it might just be worth the trouble.

"I'm Edgar by the way, what is your name?"