Event Log: Soulmates

[hadrielmods]

Who: All characters participating in the event
What: The event log for Soulmates event
Where: All over the city
When: February 14th-February 22nd
Warnings: None

Oh shit, what even happened last night? You're pretty sure you had a normal night, no crazy drunk antics (unless that is your normal night). But this morning you woke up with a brand new tattoo, and it's... a name?

Maybe it's a name you recognize, one of your good friends. Maybe it's a stranger. Maybe it's someone you can barely stand. No matter who it is, you kind of feel like you should look for them and figure out what's going on with this weird tattoo. And when you find them - well, they've got one too, except this one is your name. It would seem weird, except as soon as you see each other you kind of understand. Of course you'd have a tattoo with the name of the person you've found such an amazing connection with. You were meant to be together.

So enjoy your time with your newfound soulmate. Who knows, you might wake up tomorrow with a whole new name on your arm, a new connection, a new love. Make the most of it!

► This log covers February 14th-February 22nd
► Please tag headers of threads with content warnings where they apply
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!
► If you try to pull off a stupid stunt to impress your soulmate and fail so miserably you die, please let us know here.

Comments

cecily trevelyan ; ota

[closerift]

throughout the event

[ The Inquisitor is beginning her day as per usual on the 14th and doesn't notice the name until a few hours into her morning. Once the sleep wears off, the yawning Cecily raises a hand to cover her mouth and notices something written on her palm. It's so surprising that it ruins her yawn entirely, cutting her off and shifting her expression from slow and relaxed to sharp and on-edge. ]

What in Andraste's...? [ She peers suspiciously at it, trying to remember if she'd written that on her own hand the night before, but...no. Unless someone else is playing a prank on her (entirely possible), then this is something to do with the gods of Hadriel and the many, many changes that they see fit to make to their population.

She squints, curling her fingers against the palm in an unhappy fist. From there, she leaves Skyhold Mark II and heads out into the streets, occasionally glancing down at the offending hand and wondering...

Over the next two weeks, this isn't the only name that appears there. Sometimes it's someone she's met before, and others it's a complete stranger (another captive, she assumes). In any case, the name comes with a slew of confusingly strong feelings, and she leans in them just a little to ease some of that compulsion... ]


( ooc ; please include the date in your top level! )

the 19th

[toiletseat_girl]

[the name on George's wrist is vaguely familiar. she thinks she remembers Sharon mention her once? and she's pretty sure she's one of the many new people George was introduced to for Newt's creature hunt that has been ongoing.

apparently the gods of Hadriel felt they needed to get to know each other a little better.

fine, whatever. better to know someone you're gonna have to trust to have your back, right?

right.

so George finds Cecily's name in her phone and calls. when the other woman picks up, she says]

Hey. This is George. We've met like a couple of times. Wanna meet at the Speakeasy and hang out?

Closed to Alfred

[ragnarsson]

[Ivar hadn't been sure just what was written on his wrist. He couldn't read Old English, only Norse runes, so he didn't recognize it was spelling out Alfred's name. He supposed one of his two roommates would know. They were both educated nobles and likely knew how to read.

As he was limping out of his room, he ran into Alfred.]

Do you-- [He'd meant to ask Alfred if he knew what the name was, but then he completely forgot what he was going to say once he got a proper look at the English king. Suddenly, all those confusing feelings he'd been having over the past couple of months made perfect sense.]

[devilsandangels]

[ Oddly enough, Alfred had been looking for Ivar for much the same reason. There had suddenly shown up on his wrist a set of runes and he had no inkling as to what they could mean. When he and Ivar run into each other, his mouth had open to ask but something cut him short as he looked at Ivar.

He breathed out and there was a sense of clarity that seems to come out of nowhere. ]

Ivar.

Closed to Kain

[blessedmaiden]

[Every time she had to climb all the stairs to Kain's apartment Rydia always felt like yelling at the dragoon for choosing such an impratical place to live in: at least in the Feymarch they moved from floor to floor with teleports, she couldn't wrap her head around the fact that some people chose to deal with stairs to go home no matters how tired or wounded.

Still, she woke up with his name written on her wrist and a strange, unexplained feeling in her guts and realized she needed to see him. Was it some kind of sixth sense telling her he needed help? Who knew, the summoner just put on her clothes (a warm green hoodie and some dark green gym pants, so far from her usual style but she had to work with the things she could find in the shops) and started walking all the way up.

It didn't take long and after catching her breath a little she was already knocking at the door, hoping to find the dragoon at home.]

Kain? It's me, Rydia, can I come inside?

[dragonsgrasp]

[Kain has just gotten up himself, and hasn't even gotten his armor on yet. At the moment, he's pacing around and thinking. He'd noticed the name on his wrist as well, and is... more than a little bit confused about that. What could it mean? Rydia's from his home, so it might have to do with that connection. Maybe. But he has a feeling it's something else, something he isn't ready to admit to, given everything he's been through, and...]

[The knock at the door breaks up his brooding, and Kain gets up. He has a feeling he knows who it is just before she speaks up. Yes. It's her, it's Rydia, and for some reason... well, he really wants to see her right now, more than he'd realized.]

I'm coming.

[He heads over to get the door, beckoning her in.]

Rydia? I'm... believe it or not, I'm glad to see you. Come in.

Closed to Will

[blessedmaiden]

[Rydia didn't really have specific spots where to hang out in the city, sometimes she stopped at the speakeasy, other times she wandered around the housing areas listening around in case anyone was in danger, occasionally che checked the shops to search for more clothes (she didn't exactly arrive with a proper winter set)... to be honest, most of the time it was hard to tell where she could be found.

With her moving from place to place without a real pattern and paying attention to her surroundings in case of need it didn't take Rydia long to notice she was being followed. At first she shrugged it off as her own imagination, with Edge sneaking in the Feymarch she knew she tended to see things where there was none, but after a while it was clear that someone was clearly walking after her. Why? She didn't do much after returning to the city, nor she thought she angered anyone- the only thing out of the ordinary was that name tattoed on her wrist and one could only hope it didn't mean she had now a rival or someone to battle to death.]

Okay...

[Rydia finally commented turning on her heels and placing both hands on her hips, she clearly saw something move behind a corner and that allowed her to pinpoint the exact location her stalker was. Now...]

Show yourself, You've been following me for a while and I've been patient for far too long.

[feelslikeimspilling]

[ When Will woke up this morning, the last thing on his mind was stalking some woman he didn't even know! Then again, when Will woke up this morning he hadn't expected to find someone's name engraved into the skin of his wrist.

Finding out who the name belonged to seemed to be the only thought in Will's mind, it consumed his every waking hour and no scenario he could muster up, offered him any answers. at first, Will assumed it was some kind of magical incantation, that in saying it, something might happen. This idea seemed null and void, as no matter how many times he spoke the name, nothing new happened.

Rydia took him by surprise though, as he was let his guard down while rounding a corner, taking a step out too far into the open before doubling back and withdrawing into hiding. As she addressed him, Will's heart started to pound, anxiety, fear and panic taking over. His dog, Winston gave out a curious bark, his tail wagged lightly and he padded out from the corner they were hiding in, trotting right up to the woman they'd tailed.

Will closed his eyes, swallowed the lump in his throat and called out from the cold shadows he'd retreated to. ]

I er, I'm not following you. I was er just- ... Em... Just trying to see your face?

[ Wincing at how strange that must have sounded but it was kind of true? He'd checked the name with those on his phone-device and just needed to see if she was the same Rydia. Perfectly honest. Totally not creepy at all! Right?... ]

Geralt of Rivia | 1. Closed to Kettara & 2. OTA

[thanks_bunches]

1. Closed to Kettara: Huntting Season.


[ The trembling of his Wolf amulet drapped around his neck was what woke him, it implied there was magic afoot, in this case, usually the work of the Hadriel Gods. Geralt grumbled a little, trying to ignore it was easier when he was occupied with something, a distraction was needed.

Sue, Geralt had seen the new ink, wasn't too impressed by it and for the most part the word Kettara was playing round and round in his mind. Surely it would make sense if it was something important, in the meantime maybe hunting some animals and monsters would take his thoughts away from it? It could also just be someone he met in a drunken stupor, who knows?

Geralt mount Roach and rode her out into the cold, harsh lands just on the crust of the civilized areas, he was unsure what, if any monsters he would encounter. Leaving the horse near a patch of grass, Geralt continued by foot. Concentrating, using his Witcher sense to find and track any footprints, scents or heat left in trails. There was one clear one. ]

Hmm, upright, two feet, must be tall or well as tall as a human due to how deep they set in the snow... Let's take a look.

[ As Geralt continued, the trail became easier to follow and the longer he tracked it, the more invested he became. It was strange like he knew he was searching for something or maybe even someone.

Drawing his bow and crouching down low, Geralt spotted something moving in the bushes up ahead. From behind it looked like some kind of Troll maybe? He crept a little closer, after a better look before he would make his move, ready himself a silver bomb just in case. ]

Alright you piece of filth, let's see what you are.


2. OTA

[ ooc: Wildcard! Feel free to have Geralt as your soulmate or platonic bro! If you want to plot just PM me or hit me up here feathersandwax ]

2.

[theladyofhighever]

[this time, the name on her wrist was one she knew and she knew where to find him.

however, this time she's not wearing her usual armor, she's wearing a white dress lined with snow white fur on the bodice and the openings of the sleeves.

not to say that she's foolish enough to go anywhere completely unarmed. she still has her sword and dagger strapped to her back.

she approaches calmly with the slightest of smiles on her face]

Hello, Geralt. How do you fare today?

Michael Munroe | Closed

[aroundthecoroner]

For Carlisle - Late Event

[At first, Michael thought he'd escaped the event this time. He didn't have one of those names on his wrist, didn't feel inexplicably drawn to anyone else. Which is a good thing, since he obviously doesn't want to betray his current relationship. What's not a good thing is that, toward the end of the event, he's fairly certain that Something didn't escape it with him.

It's almost like the Visitor has a new target, the way it pulls toward a particular someone. But there's no hate there, no need to destroy with extreme prejudice. It's a new feeling, almost alien in its strangeness and yet very familiar. It's a positive feeling, a need for contact rather than murder.

For a day, he holds it back, fearing the worst that might come of letting the monster follow its whims. But eventually, like always, it gets the better of him. Or, well, not exactly. It's mostly that he's fairly certain it means no harm, it just wants. And the curiosity there is what really gets the better of him.

He shows up at Carlisle's place feeling sheepish and nervous. This is going to horrify Carlisle, he's sure. Maybe best to start off simple. Maybe he could pretend it's him instead? A thousand thoughts go through his head before he even works up the courage to knock.]


For Pratt - Late Event

[By now he knows what's up. The Visitor is affected by the event, even though Michael isn't. It's a pain, but at least it's... well, relatively harmless? The trouble is convincing everyone else.

Today's Target- well, he shouldn't call them targets, except there's nothing better to call them- seems to be a certain deputy, a person that the monster can't stop focusing on, obsessing over like a stalker. Once again Michael thinks about resisting it like he usually does, but once again... well, it's not after him to kill him.

It's fine, right?

He tries to catch Pratt somewhere he might feel safe- his house. That'll make this easier. If it's possible to make this easier. He knocks on the door and waits for a response before rattling off his well-practiced line.]

Hey, uh, this is going to sound insane, but do you have the word "Visitor" on your arm?

[theweakhavepurpose]

[Pratt's been mostly sleeping since he got back from the expedition with Nate. He's more exhausted than he thought he would be, probably because he'd been stuck in a cage and starved for months before coming here and hasn't really done too much physical activity since.

After taking a shower so long his fingers and toes were raisins for hours afterward, he'd gone to bed and slept for twelve hours straight. Consequently he looks a little disheveled when he answers the door, he'd run his fingers through his hair to smooth it down, but he'd obviously slept in his clothes, and he squints at Michael.]

Do I what?

[he is not awake enough for this. The only thing keeping him from shutting the door and going back to bed is a really weird feeling of... contentment? Maybe? He's not actually sure what this sensation is.]

Charles Yvry | OTA

[coyoteking]

[Charles thinks this event is bullshit, but he's also kind of curious. Whoever's name is written on his wrist, it has to mean something, right? If nothing else, he should at least meet them and figure out what their deal is. Knowing peoples' deals is a good thing.

It's not like he's actually interested in them or whatever.

He's not entirely familiar with who lives where, so for now he's stuck just kind of wandering until suddenly he sees them. And he knows. It's like he's always known who they are. Like, of course it'd be them. Who else would it be?

So he approaches, of course.]

Hey. I'm guessin' you're with me. You know what we're supposed to be doing?

[evocation]

[Kyna's face lights up when she sees Charles, which, in hindsight, will likely seem a little weird. She holds up her wrist as though offering proof that they match, not that that's necessary. She can feel it, and it's the most natural thing in the world.]

Uh, I dunno. Being awesome? Isn't having someone's name tattooed on you sort of trashy?

[And with that, she links her arm through his.]

Starscream | ota

[traitory]

Throughout event

[ So Starscream is obviously not paying any attention to whatever nonsense is happening in Hadriel. It's ridiculous and he's quite honestly just annoyed about pretty much everything nowadays.

He's just simply going about his day when he finally notices something etched into his plating on his arm. He'll peer at it with a scowl before finally letting out an iconic growl as he clenches his fists in anger. He is so damn annoyed right now it's not even funny, ruining his finish like this, how dare?! ]

What in the name of the Allspark is this?!

[ He's so not happy right now he's definitely not one for good company at the best of times, so, have at it if you want?!

ooc; I'm open towards Starscream having multiple soulmates, but mostly platonic. You can ping me on pathogenic if you wanna plan or ask me stuff! ]

[outofthefire]

[when Laura woke up with Starscream's name on her arm, she rolled her eyes so hard, she's amazed that they didn't pop out of their sockets and go rolling across the room.

damn those fake gods. this was not cool.

so she's in A Mood as she goes stomping about Hadriel, looking for him. maybe he's got some idea why they were paired in this latest bout of fake god fuckery. or maybe he'll just be annoying.

she's betting on the latter.

when she finds him, she pushes her coat and sweater sleeve back to display his name]

Any idea why I got stuck with you?

[ closed to hux ]

[forcer]

[ Finding Hux's name tattooed on his arm was alarming, to say the least. Kylo has spent the last five years actively disliking Hux, forced to work with him and only cooperating because the Supreme Leader told him he needed to, so why would his name be tattooed on his wrist? It didn't make any sense to Kylo; he could hardly stand the man, so his name had no business being a permanent fixture on his body. It served no purpose other than being a constant reminder that he was never going to be free of this thorn in his side. But, stars, he knew the moment he laid eyes on Hux that morning that they were meant to be together, that Hux's name was meant to be on his wrist. And he was relieved when Hux showed the same tattoo - of Kylo's name - on his own wrist.

They spent the entire day together, enjoying each other's company. Actually enjoying each other's company. Kylo can't remember a time when he ever enjoyed Hux's company; he has never wanted to be in his man's company... before today. And when faced with the thought of actually leaving him? Kylo didn't want to. They were meant to be together in every sense of the word as far as Kylo was concerned. ]

My bed is large enough to fit two adults.

[ Smooth. ]

[therewillbeorder]

[When he saw Kylo's name on his skin he instantly decided it was Kylo's fault. Especially when he felt a draw to want to be around him, to be close to him. It was meant to be in a way that he didn't understand.

Everything that had bothered him about Kylo didn't seem to matter anymore. He wanted to spend every moment with Kylo and to be close to him. And strangest of all, it wasn't unpleasant. He almost found himself reaching for Kylo and it took every bit of self-discipline not to do so. He wasn't really into physical affection so this impulse was strange but oddly compelling.

He wasn't sure how he was going to handle being apart from Kylo for the night but before he could ask, Kylo brought it up first.]

Alright.

[Even though his thoughts had already gone there despite his best efforts. No matter how drawn he was to Kylo, he decided that he could control himself.]

Let me grab my clothes real quick.

[Such a simple thing would take him away from Kylo and that seemed nearly impossible.]

Kettara Bloodthirst | OTA

[oldtonew]

[ After all her long meditations and her solitude, the spirts have given Kettara a sign. There is a name on her wrist, clearly marked though she has suffered no blow and has not applied any tattoo there. There is no explanation to accompany the name, but she is thorough in her doings and seeks out the individual on her own.

After watching them from a distance, Kettara has come to a conclusion: the individual whose name she has been gifted is honorable and worthy.

Therefore, she will present them with a gift.

A short time later, Kettara will approach her target with a bright grin and the severed head of the largest monster she could find in her arms. There's gore everywhere. ]

My friend! I have killed this in your honor!

[unphase]

[and Tinya awoke to find Kettara's name on her wrist. odd, but not unwelcome. probably the doing of the aliens, but whatever. it's been too long since she got to spend much time with her friend, so she'll take it.

but Kettara herself seems to be impossible to find. she's done flyovers of the town in search of her, but she seems to have hidden herself. so, she goes about her day, doing her patrol for the Guard (on her own, thank grife!) by day and going to the Speakeasy to dance to the jukebox's music when she's off duty. she doesn't care if anyone else joins her, she's always loved dancing.

she's on her way home when Kettara appears with--what's that in her arms?

oh. oh wow. this is. unexpected?

she summons her best smile]

You have? Well--thank you! What is, or I mean was it?

Terrence Ephemera | OTA

[requiemshark]

[ So, this is happening.

Ephemera is no stranger to either weird ass shit getting sprung on him or tattoos, though the one currently on his wrist isn't of his own design and apparently just appeared in the middle of the night. Back in the day he might have elected to ignore the entire thing and go about his work, or try scrubbing the offending ink off with acid or a very sharp razor. He's since mellowed and considers his options for a while before deciding to do the mature thing and just shoot a text over to the owner of the name.

Then he introduces himself and invites them over for coffee. Might as well have coffee when looking through weird ass shit, right?

He's in the middle of working on a new painting - on an actual canvas this time - when he hears the knock on the door. He answers it with a stripe of paint across his cheek, looking tired but not actively pissed off. ]

Yo. Figured we should talk.

[theladyofhighever]

[it is indeed happening.

she was greatly perturbed to wake up with someone's name etched onto her wrist. Ferelden has tattoos aplenty, but those tend to be facial tattoos to emphasize one feature or another.

frankly, the never saw the appeal.

so she is taken by surprise when she receives a phone call from a man identifying himself as the Ephemera on her wrist and inviting her over for coffee. what's coffee? but she feels the oddest urge to do as he asks, so she dresses herself in a white gown edged with white fur at the bodice and sleeves instead of her usual armor. but she's not so foolish as to go completely unarmed. her usual dagger in a wrist sheath.

when she knocks hesitantly at the door and is greeted, the smear of paint is. . . rather endearing. so she smiles at him shyly]

Yes, I suppose we should. I may come in?

kate / ota

[dedikated]

— general;
( The tattoos on Kate's hand change every day, to names she might know or not. Whatever the games of the gods are this time, they come with the urge to find this person, as though she was seeking out her best friend for talks over coffee or drinks in the evening.

But, with only a name to go on, Kate can do nothing about it but keep her eyes open as she goes about her day, skipping from one rooftop to another, looking through the notes from the experiments on The Door in the laboratory, combing through shops and empty buildings to pick up a suspicious amount of wood. Or metal. Or any sort of plank or sheet which could maybe cover a window.

(Or the broken-glass space where a window was.)

If you're in her vicinity, restless and searching, she'll glance at any bare skin, searching out the sign of a name, and nod her head in greeting. )

Who're you looking for?

( She might just know them. Maybe. )

— note / wildcard;
( platonic soulmatery only, please! and note a date or something in the subject line for reference.
telepathy: a totally optional effect of being soulmated with her, a bond which will last as long as the soulmate link does. if you wanna play with this, or hash anything else out, contact me at isanghae#8071, PM, or forethought. )

[toiletseat_girl]

[so she's not on the nautilus hunt everyday. just most days. she's there long enough to get caught up in the stupid gods' bullshit, though.

so she sees Kate's name on her arm and is like "okay, sure" because she thinks they're friends? granted, they haven't been spending as much time together since Kate left the Clinic, but maybe this is the gods' 2x4 upside the head to get back in touch?

fine. she can do that.

so she takes to the streets in her usual outfit of a sweater, dark skinny jeans, and ratty Converse, looking for Kate. shouldn't be hard, that pink hair does stand out.

but Kate finds her first and she's kind of knocked off-balance]

Uh. Yeah. You, actually?

steak / ota

[battlebound]

— general;
( Steak, for the most part, is too busy with the plan to capture a Nautilus to really notice the tattoos that appear on him, or if he does, he regards them (and his curiosity regarding it) a distraction from the more important goal.

He always was hard-headed. But it makes him pretty easy to find — if he isn't building the cages with the rest of the misfit group, he's outside the city, looking for monsters to fight. Or, sometimes, at the Colosseum, using the space there to practice his combat techniques.

The best time to find him, if you're not too into the whole idea of dragging a Food Soul away from his swords, is in the evenings, when he takes a stroll around the city, or finds himself at the speakeasy, nursing a drink or two and easily dragged into competitions. Or arguments. Most likely both.

Whatever the case, he's nearly six feet of solid muscle, still wearing a crop top despite the weather, with bright red hair and eyes, horns and two swords. He's... pretty eye-catching, so it's understandable if his appearance attracts attention. At least, it is to everyone who isn't Steak. )

Do you need something?

( But at least he's trying to be polite. )

— wildcard;
( for anything else, feel free to start something or message me at isanghae#8071, PM, or at forethought! again, please note a date or something in the subject for reference, and if you don't mind a complete disaster, I'm not opposed to one-off romantic soulmate stuff. )

text -> log hopefully

[nascere]

hey, are you steak?

Feb. 14 - closed to Jo

[abyssalarcana]

[These strange effects left by the false gods always strike at the strangest times for someone who never sleeps. One moment Caedra is practicing the Spanish that Nate has been teaching her with lines of delicate calligraphy, rendering some of the words unrecognizable but distinctly more beautiful. The next, a word appears on her own arm.

No, not a word. A name. It takes her a moment to realize. That's right, Jo - that young woman she met ages ago and promptly began to tease since she could tell Jo hated it. Where is she? How has she been?

Abruptly curious, she sets down her pen, pulls on her coat, and sets out into the city in search of Jo, compelled by a strange curiosity. She's not sure where to start, but perhaps this pull she feels will guide her.]

Re: Feb. 14 - closed to Jo

[knifecollecting]

[At some point, Jo should get used to waking up with something going on. Sometimes she does expect something, but today she wasn't. She had plans for a simple day.

Opening her bedroom door is what finally helps her notice the new body art. A name.

...Caedra? Usually even thinking of the demon makes Jo mad, but today she's curious about how Caedra is after being back from the ice.

It doesn't take her long to get ready to leave the house. She doesn't know where Caedra spends her time, but if she walks around enough she might find someone who does.

At least it's a nice enough day, and she's just letting her mind wander as she wanders as well.]

Allura | Closed to Lucretia

[quintessent]

[The second time a name appears on her arm, it's not one that she recognizes. No matter how she twists and turns her arm, the name doesn't ring any bells. Lucretia.

So it's with a vague sense of loss and loneliness that Allura goes about her day, (made especially poignant by the fact that Lance was now giving Keith the sort of soft looks that she'd grown used to seeing directed towards her. Things are complicated.) But there is plenty to keep busy with, since she has only just arrived, places to see, and she still hasn't found a sufficient amount of clothes to keep her warm in these chilly months.

It's while she's out that something catches her eye. By chance, (or by fate?) but the moment she does it catches her so entirely by surprise that she immediately drops what she's doing — quite literally, in the form of a box of cookies she'd gathered for home that clatters to the ground, and she wheels around to face the stranger.]

That writing on your arm- it's in Altean!

[madamdirector]

[ This is the first name that Lucretia's had appear on her own skin, and she hadn't even recognized it as a name when it did. The script had been unfamiliar, even after all of her travels, and she'd stared at it curiously, brushing her fingers lightly over her skin.

It hadn't taken take long to connect this with what had apparently been happening across the city. Lucretia herself hadn't had a soulmate on day one, and honestly, it had been something of a relief. The whole thing had seemed potentially very messy, and she'd been just as glad to be sitting this one out.

Or apparently not. At least nothing's attacking her this time.

She'd shrugged, with nothing to do about it but go about her day, and she's busily doing just that when the stranger walking past suddenly drops her groceries and calls out to her. Lucreita looks back at her in surprise, holding her arm out to better exhibit the letters. ]

You...know what it says?

daenerys targaryen ; mostly ota

[lemontree]

2/14 - closed to jon

[ The morning light gradually rouses the young queen, and as she shifts, silver hair spills over her limbs and around her bare form. Dany breathes deeply as she comes to consciousness, eyes fluttering. Stifling a yawn with her hand.

...Hmm?

It takes a while, but eventually Dany notices that there is something on her hand that isn't usually there. As she settles back against Jon's slumbering form, she's coaxed to a laugh by the writing on her palm. ]

What is this? [ She questions, amused, turning the hand to give him a better view. ] I'm afraid I'm firmly against being considered anyone's property, yours included.

[ As he well knows. As far as jokes go, this isn't one within Jon's "style."

(Neither of them are much for joking.) ]


2/18-2/22 open

[ One morning, Jon's name is gone. The few more-blissful-than-normal days she'd spent in his company aren't really gone, but the honeymoon feeling of them has faded. It may have everything to do with the fact that it isn't his name on her hand anymore, and that it's instead another person's. Maybe someone in Hadriel.

Dany is surprised again by this, and more wary of the pull toward the name's owner than she'd been on the 14th. All the same, she's drawn out of the house and into the city, curiously hunting for the man or woman who ought to bear her name in return.

Throughout the rest of Love's influence, she makes a point of finding those people. Even without the compulsion, it's an opportunity to learn a bit more about the other captives within Hadriel, and there doesn't seem to be any harm in it... ]


( ooc ; please include the date in your comment! )

21st

[theladyofhighever]

[this has all been a terribly peculiar experience for Mariane, but. it's forced her to be a bit more social, to try to reach out to them a little more. a very difficult proposition for a girl as shy and plagued by melancholy as she is. she misses Alistair (and Morrigan) and her Blight companions terribly, but . . . the people here seem pleasant enough.

perhaps it wouldn't hurt to make a few friends?

so she sees the name, "Daenerys Targaryen," and knows immediately it's not someone from Thedas.

she goes in search of the unknown woman, but is found first by a beautiful young woman with silvery hair and striking eyes. the other woman's beauty makes her temporarily tongue-tied]

H--hello? Daenerys Targaryen, I assume?

Lucretia | closed

[madamdirector]

For Taako

[ Lucretia wakes up in the morning and immediately knows she's been wasting her time.

This is all so stupid. She and Taako have known each other for decades. They'd saved each other's lives, laughed and cried together. He'd taught her how to cook. Been her best resource when she'd gotten writer's block, helped her get their story down in the best way possible. They'd saved worlds together.

Yes, she'd screwed up, but...after all, she's lost twenty years. She just doesn't have forever anymore. And all of a sudden, she's not willing to wait any longer. He's her friend. She loves him. She misses him. Everything else is secondary.

She's up and dressed in record time, and less than ten minutes later, she's knocking on the front door of Horny House, nervous but determined. This is too important to let even Taako's stubbornness stand in the way.

She doesn't even think to check her arm, or wonder where this is all coming from so suddenly.

For Nate

[ By now, the prospect of a name on her arm is a familiar one. At least this one is in a language she recognizes. Lucretia sighs, rubbing her head, trying to figure out where she might know the name Nathan Drake from. Well, whoever he is, at least any potential fallout from this can't be nearly as bad as Taako's will be, right?

Taako. Shit. No, she's not thinking about that right now. Actually, no, she's not thinking about any of this. As long as she doesn't meet this guy, maybe she can just ride out the rest of this little gift from the liches without any further problems.

Unfortunately, hiding out inside for who knows how long isn't an option, either. For one thing, grocery shopping hasn't exactly been a priority the past few days. But one little run into town can't hurt, right?

She's just turning away from the coffee cart, a much-needed hot drink clasped in both hands, when she runs straight into the most handsome man she's ever seen, stumbling back and gaping just a little. ]

Oh - excuse me.

MMMM

[pocketspa]

[Taako and Lup had made it back from the expiditon the night before. He expected it to be harrowing, rough even- you don't spend nearly 3 weeks in the tundra, even with the Pocket Spa, to be incredibly pleasant. But what they found was sickening and difficult, and by the time he makes it back, he wants it to be out of his head.

This has a double edged effect. First, he hasn't been thinking about Lucretia while he was gone, because he was obviously preoccupied. Second, he is suddenly thinking about Lucretia a lot once he gets home.

It's weird the way she worms into his thoughts, in ways he's writing off as old memory from the ship. He got back from a mission- instincts say he has to give her the brief, make sure it's recorded. But he's thinking of those memories particularly fondly now, almost nostalgic for their presence, and even recalling her is sending something warm into his chest.

What the fuck is going on. What the hell. Every Love event Taako's been subjected to have been people he already cares about- time with Kravitz, laughing with Lup, and being forced to feel something is incredibly foreign to him, to the point of when she knocks he hopes it's her.

He doesn't expect to be right, and he stands in the doorway, blinking at her presence. He's not formally dressed, in a plain pair of jeans and a graphic tee covered in stars, certainly not ready to handle whatever the hell this is.]

What are you doing here?

[Probably the nicest thing he's said to her since she arrived. The weirdest thing of all.]

rey. | ota

[circumitus]

14th-18th.

Brands are never a good sign. If it's anything that Rey has learned over the years, it's that. While nothing like a barcode or serial number, the very visible name on her left forearm does little to distract her from that distinction.

"Better than an 'I heart Mom', at least," Rey mutters to herself as she ventures out of her home that day to seek out the owner of the name now etched into her skin. It doesn't take her too long, though -- she has been around long enough to navigate the city and recognize the usual haunts of those who show themselves often.

Upon finding the other half of her brand, Rey just casts them a deadpan look, holding up her arm to reveal the name.

"Don't suppose you'd know anything about this, would you?"

God. Please don't tell her she drank too much the night before that she doesn't even remember drinking at all -- or that this is going to be permanent. Knowing the gods, it's probably one of their gimmicks, and depending on how this encounter goes, she can hazard a few guesses as to which one is responsible.

[ooc: Please include the date in the subject line. As stated in my OOC comment for the event, Rey will be leaving the city a few days after the event to go bunker-diving so keep that in mind when figuring out timelines!]

14th (cw: internalized homophobia)

[outofthefire]

[when Laura woke up that morning to find Rey's name on her wrist, and felt the swell of warm emotions that came with it, Laura had only one thing to say:

"...oh, shit."

Not that it was bad finding Rey's name on her wrist. exactly. in fact, it was a little too good. Rey was easily one of her best friends here, the first person she trusted enough to share the truth about Laura Palmer (even if it was thanks to another god thing. Rey had found out her most closely guarded secret and didn't push her away, didn't consider her dirty or tainted, that meant more than Laura could possibly say}.

and, yeah, Rey was attractive. wait, strike that, she was hot. and Laura had noticed. and promptly squished down that information into a little ball she kept closely guarded and out of view. she knew better than to fall for a best friend, she'd already experienced that particular brand of pain with Donna Hayward and she wasn't about to say anything to Rey any more than she'd said anything to Donna.

after all, wasn't that one of BOB's favorite taunts for her? LESBIAN.

she wasn't a lesbian. couldn't be a lesbian. it would've broken her mother's heart.

so she'd had sex with other women. so she liked it. it didn't have to mean anything? did it? she'd had plenty of sex with men, too, and liked that well enough. so she couldn't be a lesbian.

but you never felt for Bobby or James what you felt for Donna whispered a little voice in her mind. or what you could feel for Rey.

she raked her hand through her hair and closed her eyes, momentarily pausing on her way to the Bakery. fuck, she was gonna be useless today. she hoped Delmar didn't mind. or maybe sent her home early, where she could hide and maybe call in sick for her shift at the Speakeasy.

but she forced herself to continue on the path to the Bakery where, as she expected, she was useless. she couldn't fucking concentrate on anything but the name on her wrist.

so when she walked out of the back room of the Bakery with a tray of cupcakes in hand, nearly dropping them when she saw who exactly was waiting for her in the shop itself.

she gaped like a fish for a moment, then forced a smile and a shake of the head no as she set the tray of cupcakes on the counter]

No. No. No idea, It's gotta be god stuff, right?

[and she tried to ignore the swell of affection at actually seeing Rey in person]

Sansa Stark ; Open & Lady Maria

[stonebird]

(Open)

(Love is an uncomfortable topic for Sansa - once bitten, twice shy - so it really is no wonder that she is so skittish when she feels the need to seek out someone of such importance to her. Why are they important again? Why does her heart ache to see them? She takes time, preparing herself for a possible meeting, slipping into a dress she had sewn long ago. The make was Elven - not Westerosi - and she lets her hair tumble free around her shoulders save for a few, simple braids.

Touching the name engraved on her hand, she pulls on her fur cloak and slips out into the cold to search...

She is certain once she sees their face, she will know them.)

(Lady Maria)

(A woman's name appears on her skin - a name she does not know. Yet Sansa isn't afraid to search for her. Perhaps they can solve this puzzle together. Still, she makes sure she is armed with the sword forged for her by none other than Maedhros Fëanorian himself. Thus he is with her, shadowing her steps and protecting her. She could really use his advice now - or the advice of any of her Elven kin.

Is she ready to feel this way for someone again? Can she risk it? The cold wind batters at her face, reddening her cheeks and she can't help but think she is a little foolish. Why should she feel this way for a woman when she never has before? Is it safer to love a woman?)

[unfortunateimmortal]

[ Maria didn't recognize the name embedded in her skin, nor did she recognize the swelling emotions that came along with it. It was questionable if Maria had ever been in love, sure, she was loyal, devoted even but she had always been naive with it.

She pondered the name, read it over and over, running it through her mind like an incantation, it's charm warming her chest and sparking electricity through her veins. There was something strange about how she felt, almost selfish in a way. Wanting to drop everything and reach out, make contact - much like how the Healing Church longed to reach out and communicate with the Great Ones.

So there she stood, her cavalry pelisse coat fluttering in the breeze from where it hung, drapped over one shoulder. The raven back ribbon that held her alabaster waves back from her face and under her tricorn hat, bounced lightly, threatening to untangle from the wind. Maria was most suited for the weather, it mimicked that of Cainhurst, her homeland, all snow and ice for as far as the eye could see.

She felt the other females presence first, as she stood there at the edge of the cove, the harsh white landscape playing backdrop to her lean silhouette. Sansa was not the only one armed, Lady Maria kept her Rakuyo sword and pistol, Evelyn strapped to her sides, out of habit and practicality really, harming the other woman was the last thing on her mind. ]

Ah... So you have found me first? The secrets written in flesh beckoned you too I see? Sansa.

[ Turning her head to glance over a shoulder, Maria's sombre, pale face meeting with Sansa's. A slight smile glinted in her grey eyes though he lips did not move. ]

Closed to Carlisle

[onlyanautomaton]

[Oscar sets out early that morning to attend to his duties, unaware of the fine lettering debossed on his chassis that is concealed beneath the hem of his right sleeve.

It is not long before the sky begins to darken. Daylight is becoming more limited with every week that passes. He was able to finish his tasks for the day, at least.

He knows well now the obvious, telltale signs that they are due for heavy snowfall soon. He must avoid exposing himself to it more than necessary. As he does not wish to be confined to the fire station overnight, Oscar makes haste to shut and securely fasten the doors of the vehicle shed before navigating his way back to his dwelling through the snow that has already fallen. If this region of the planet sees cold like the deep winter months of the Far North did, he is going to have to confer with Ms. Margaery about the possibility of additional woollen wear being woven for him.

He has almost reached the safety of Spire Two. The snow is light for the moment. But when he notices a man moving toward him, he feels oddly compelled to stray from his intended path. He is overcome by an inordinate sense of familiarity that only seems to grow with proximity.

It is this man's name that is inscribed on his wrist. He is the same man who once took fright at his appearance.]

Good day.

[tongueamok]

[That overbearing sense of discomfort that had driven Carlisle to make his way toward his old home of Spire Two dissipates as he nears the figure in the distance, only to realize as he gets closer it's the construct that had terrified him on principle alone. The lifelessness of constructs has always disturbed him, especially those that, despite their artificial nature, seem almost alive -- this one certainly had when he'd been missing his hands. Carlisle hadn't been able to speak to him then, his own comprehension of languages lost to the gods' machinations; that does not seem to be the case now.

He finds a response escapes him before he can stop himself.]

G- good day.

[But despite his natural fear, there is also... curiosity. A fondness of some sort he didn't feel before. A desire to be near this automaton and, perhaps, learn something about him. He hasn't seen the name on his own wrist, his arms covered by a long glove on one side and an ink-stained bandage on the other. This isn't due to the gods, he reassures himself. It's a chance meeting, one he feels better about simply because he is better, his hair redder, skin bearing more color than it has in some time. He has been given a second chance, and... perhaps he should give others a second chance, as well.

He feels more confident in that prospect with every passing second, a smile creeping onto him.]

I- I failed to- I mean, I was unable to introduce myself last time, and ah. It's been some time, and I should have come by and said something, and here you are anyway. No, er. Time like the present, I suppose. Carlisle Longinmouth.

[He doesn't offer his hand to shake; even the gods' schemes are unable to fully break his usual habits.]

Anytime! | OTA

[dragonsgrasp]

I've been looking all over for you. Do you care to explain... this?

[He shoves his wrist out so that the name is plainly visible. Kain may or may not even recognize the person who he's confronting, but somehow he just knows that they're the one. They're the person who's been maddeningly on his mind all day, who he can't get out of his head... The name that's right on his wrist at the moment. Yet even if he's a bit gruff in his approach, there's... a certain look in his eyes as he stares at this other person. He's filled with such feelings, feelings he'd never thought he'd hold toward someone else again...]

Will Graham | Closed to Pell / Closed to Tinya & OTA

[feelslikeimspilling]

( Pell )

[ When Will woke up and saw the name tattooed onto his wrist, his first reaction was a deep, perplexed frown. Since when did Hadrial have a tattoo studio and since when was Will interested in getting one?! Anyway's if he had been interested in tattoos, he wasn't exactly the type of man to just get someone's name done, surely it would have been something a little more imaginative than that.

After examining it, trying to wash it off, even considering cutting it and seeing if the ink would bleed out, Will decided it was time to find out why he had this on his skin. Getting dressed, Will noticed an urgency in his actions, fumbling to get his shirt and trousers on, only grabbing a quick bite to eat before ambling out of the apartment and on his way to Pell's place.

The closer he got to the others home, the more he felt like he was being guided there, pulled in by some kind of invisible beam. As he arrived, Will suddenly became overwhelmed with panic, anxiety he was used to, only he knew Pell, why would he be so nervous about seeing him? Before he could gather himself, Will was knocking on the door. ]


( Tinya )

Tinya?

[ Will uttered, tipping and tilting his head as he glanced down at his arm. He didn't recognize the name but he recognized the feeling it radiated in him. It was a curious feeling like he knew the person the name belonged to already, though he was uncertain if he truly did.

After his morning had started, Will headed into town. Trying to distract himself, though he was already too distracted by the tattoo to find a distraction from that! He repeatedly uttered her name just under his breath as he wandered around the stores, passed the Speakeasy and the coffee stall. Mindlessly ambling as he tried to work out why he felt the need to seek out Tinya.

It wasn't until he realized he was standing on the ice of a frozen over river, whispering her name over and over, that he noticed he might be in danger. Ice lightly cracking in veins under his feet. How did he end up here of all places!? ]

Tinya! Wait- What am I say-...

[ Calling out her name instead of a plea for help, it was like she was all he could think about, even in a moment like this. ]

( OTA / Wildcard)

[ ooc: Feel free to hit me up with whatever you like! ]

[unphase]

Will?

[she murmurs to herself and sets out in search of him. she feels like he needs her, urgently needs her and she's not about to let him down.

she's not in her Legion uniform, instead in a fluffy white sweater, black skinny jeans, and black knee boots as she flies across Hadriel in search of him.

she tries the Speakeasy, the Bakery, the moped lots, the hot springs, and the lake, to no avail and she wants to scream in frustration. she needs him, he needs her, surely this should be easy?

but it's not and she's left flying over Hadriel frantically trying to find him. finally, she comes across a partially iced-over river with a man standing before it, an expression of utter loss on his face.

she dives down out of the sky and lands between him and the river, smiling warmly, happily, as this feels right]

Will? You're Will, aren't you?

Closed to DiMA

[onlyanautomaton]

[The previous engraving has been removed. A different name has appeared in its place.

It doesn't bother him as much as it should.

The sight brings with it an agitated sensation, a compulsion to contact Mr. DiMA as soon as possible. However, Oscar manages to resist it, adamant that he must first fulfil his obligations with the Clinic and Fire Brigade.

It is midday by the time he has done so. There is only the occasional flurry today, so Oscar decides to take the opportunity to spend a little more time outside, shoveling a light layer of snow from the path leading out from the fire station's garage. Then--not for the first time--he inspects its roof with folded arms. He should attempt to remove the snow from it again soon; the shed has remained structurally sound thus far, but he presumes it wasn't designed to bear a heavy load across its entire surface. It is so cold now that the snow that falls on it is more likely to stay frozen where it lands for a longer amount of time. He can't have it building up.

An hour passes. The ladder truck is parked under cover and turned off. The shed is closed once more. Oscar looks back at its cleared roof with a nod.

Now it is time to see Mr. DiMA.

He would normally make a call on his device if he wished to arrange a meeting with someone. On this occasion, he feels confident--somehow--that he already knows where to go to find him.

They cross paths on a beaten trail through the snow.]

Ah! Good afternoon, Mr. DiMA.

Re: Closed to DiMA

[offloaded]

[ DiMA hasn't noticed his engraving, as small as it's required to be to fit on one of the slim metal pieces that make up his hands. What he has noticed is a strange longing for companionship, though for who escapes him at first. He doesn't even realize this feeling is the doing of the gods until he's visited a few friends and it hasn't abated -- Oscar isn't on his mental list of people dear to him, not yet, so it hasn't clicked. He's on his way to visit Nick next when he crosses paths with the other robot, and then it does.

It's like fog breaking, the realization that Oscar is the one he's been longing to see. DiMA smiles broadly, his skeletal feet stilling in the snow as raises a hand in greeting. (After the unfortunate incident with the animate items in the shops, he still does not have anything by way of clothing. He's only wearing his slicker again to keep the snow off.) ]

Oscar. What a pleasure to see you -- I've had the strangest feeling all day that there was someone I needed to visit and it seems... well. Do you have the time to spare?

kravitz | closed to taako | 21st

[knockthemdead]

[So his first thought, upon seeing Taako's name scrawled over his wrist, isn't that some weird fuck shit must be going on, or even 'I'm not a real person how is this even a thing'.

No, it's 'wow, I really wouldn't put it past my boyfriend to do this in my sleep.' In all honesty, he's only surprised that it's just his name, and not something like 'Property of Taako' or 'Big Dick Has Arrived'. Maybe he should be grateful.

He rolls over, ready to smooch Taako's cheek and demand an explanation with fond exasperation when in reality he's already adjusted to this-- but seeing Taako's face changes something. Kravitz instead just lays there in stunned silence.

The worst part is, it's not the first time he's done this.]

<3 <3

[pocketspa]

[Look, just because your boyfriend has woken up before you, written 'TAAKO'S TOP BITCH' across your forehead, and waited until someone told you to lose his shit, does not mean it's always his fault. Come on! He's as innocent as he can be, just look at that gently sleeping face. And for once, he's actually sleeping- after spending nearly three weeks out of the city, keeping on edge and meditating only when necessary, it feels good to let his guard down enough to fully pass out.

It's not much longer before Taako cracks an eye open, blinking once before his vision finds it's way over to see Kravitz just staring at him. He hasn't yet noticed the matching name on his wrist, still coming to consciousness and puzzling out the information presented to him.]

Are you watching me sleep again, goobus?

[Every time, with this. Every time.]

Jo Harvelle | Open & Closed

[knifecollecting]

Closed to Drake:
[After her experience with Caedra's name on her wrist, when Drake's name replaces it, she's almost relieved. Drake isn't a demon. He's good. (She wouldn't even say "for a zombie", because she's only met him and not other zombies.)

She doesn't know where he spends most of his time, but that can be fixed with a message.]

Hey, you busy? Meet me at the Speakeasy.


Open?
[Another day, another name on her skin. It's been nice to talk to people more. Jo won't complain too much about it. (For now.)]

[braveoff]

[ Drake has been having a busy week. He doesn't object to any of the names that wind up emblazoned on his skin, but that's also sort of the problem. The feelings this particular game is eliciting could make things complicated in the long run -- but when he looks at his wrist this morning it's less of an issue in that way. Mostly he just wants to see her, he thinks, like joining an old buddy for drinks after work. It's still complicated, don't get him wrong, it probably always will be with someone whose brain you ate and are still awkward with. And that's why he doesn't seek her out first in case she'd rather ignore it... but when she messages him, well. If she's up for it he'll indulge the mark. Have a few drinks, get to know her more on her terms. ]

I'm free. Be right there.

[ He appears about ten minutes later, still wearing his Guard sash -- must've just gotten off patrol -- and smiles broadly when he spots Jo. He can't help it, silly as it feels. At this point in the week they know damn well what's going on but it's still affecting him.

Or maybe just feeding into his existing opinions. He's always liked Jo. Either way, he comes over and takes a seat beside her. ]

Hey. What're you having?