open

[notwagging]

Who: Keaton (notwagging) & others.
What: Feb catch-all, including intro stuff in Wyver and quests.
When: All throughout the month.
Where: Wyver & quest locations.
Warning(s): Anything can happen, so will try to edit appropriately. Potential NSFW.



I. Party Fouls

[ what's there not to like about Keaton? the way his tongue normally pokes out between his lips, his fluffy hair that normally goes ungroomed but somehow ends up looking perfect every time he wakes up in the morning? or is it the way his ears twitch at every unique sound, his tail twitching in kind as he walks through the festival with a curious look in his eye?

well.

others also become curious, emboldened by drink, and before Keaton realizes it? he's surrounded by men, some clearly tipsy while others red-faced in some kind of irrational anger. ]

Sorry, my fur isn't for petting. I can think of someone else who wouldn't mind it, but I don't know any of you.

[ and as he tries to push through the ring of men, Keaton is pushed right back into the center of it. someone, please stop the bullying? ]


IIa. Festive Spirit - Paints (could lead to NSFW)

[ he could easily be found inside one of the private painting booths, sticking an ungloved finger into one of the jars of white paint, and slowly bringing it up to his face for a sniff. but he won't lick it yet, as undoubtedly he will be interrupted by someone entering--- either by accident or on purpose, and his reaction is a wide-eyed stare and slowly reddening cheeks. ]

Hey. Don't... uh, it's very crowded out there. I just wanted to see what this was all about.

[ not to mention seeing some of the other paint participants seemed very thrilled to be putting it all over themselves, so. there has to be a reason, right? ]


IIb. Festive Spirit - Desserts (could lead to NSFW)

[ it's not meat, but hey. free food is free food and he doesn't have to get his hands messy in order to get it. so when he's handed a slice from the cake in the shape of a knot, complete with a few berries and a sneaky smile from the one who cut it, he's... not too suspicious? yeah, so maybe the last thing he ate (some candy canes) from an event like this didn't really turn out to be the experience he was looking for, but it certainly left an impression!

but he doesn't think he can eat it. it's not a terribly large slice, but he also isn't a big sweets eater. ]

Hey. Want to share it? [ and he even has an extra fork! ] Here, we can just... divide it into halves.

[ and the berries will go to the other person. ]

---

[ want something else with Keaton? PM me and we can set something up! also, closed quest starters can be found below. ]

Comments

Preaching in a Material World - closed to Akira

[notwagging]

[ look. the last time he did this, he had to endure the pain and suffering of swimming. yes, swimming. that's basically a more active bath, which is incredibly demoralizing and also--- who likes wet fur? no one does, including Keaton. so this is why a cave sounds much more his speed. it's a cave! he loves caves. even if they're full of monsters and gems and require him to do a little heavy lifting, at least he's not getting wet.

maybe.

still. he's pretty sure he won't be going alone. the allure of treasure and danger probably has someone interested, so... leaning at the cave's entrance with his eyes closed but his ears alert, he waits patiently. ]

[larsenist]

[ This 'interested someone' happens to be Keaton's partner for this particular assignment. They'd only met once, and briefly at the posting, though it's pretty hard for Akira to forget those ears and tail. ...Definitely hasn't met a wolfskin before.

(He arrives in his phantom wardrobe, sans the mask, if only because it's the easiest to maintain by virtue of being magic.) ]

...Keaton, right.

[ Seems like he's gotten somewhat of a head start. ]

Leave anything for me?

[notwagging]

Oh!

[ both eyes open quickly and widely as he beams at Akira, one pointy eyetooth pressing against his bottom lip. he even looks cooler than he remembered... he looks closer to some kind of mage than a rogue, but honestly he could fit either of those pretty well. maybe it's the quiet confidence that makes those distinctions? ]

I haven't even gone in yet. I... well, I'm not used to doing things by myself. Not that I can't, but working with humans for so long, it's hard to imagine otherwise.

[ the camaraderie! the support conversations! having someone watch his back, and vice-versa! no benefits to flying solo. ]

I was told there might be some monsters in there. Not sure what kind though. Think you can handle them?

[ he wouldn't be asking if he didn't feel that Akira couldn't. ]

[larsenist]

[ (Keaton thinks Akira looks cool... wipes a tear, what a good...) Akira, on the other hand, isn't quite sure what to make of his companion. He's seen some curious-looking fellas around Thesa, though actual interactions have been sparse.

—And, it's odd to be referred to as a 'human'. Other than the obvious canine features, Keaton walks and talks like a regular guy himself. (Akira's got to wonder if he's got the typical traits in the fiction he's read... heightened sense of smell, that kinda thing... though, he tries not to get too distracted from their objective.) ]

More the merrier. [ He tugs up his gloves, lips turning into a half-smile. ] ...Guess we'll find out.

[ He's doesn't seem particularly worried, though it doesn't mean he won't be careful. Despite his carefree words, he's mindful of his teammates' wellbeing. (That's one thing they have in common; he's used to working in parties, too.) ]

Shall we?

[notwagging]

[ he's a little awestruck! who wouldn't be tbh

oh... they both wear gloves. he didn't really notice it at first! but those red gloves are so bright compared to the rest of what his partner is wearing. a vivid and attention-grabbing hue that makes him to continue looking as he shakes his head quickly from side to side. ]

... yeah. Let's go.

[ not that he's the one to normally take charge, but this is a cave and if anyone loves a good cave, it IS Keaton. besides, he's had to clear a few out before though none had any kind of danger attached to them. if anything, he added to it with piles and piles of bones, wide assortments of teeth and organs, all sorts of things--- ]

It might be a little dark inside, so if you need to... just hold my hand or something, okay?

[ if they're both wearing gloves, it's fine.

taking a few small steps at first, he quickly becomes comfortable again. the walls have assorted sparkling bits, though nothing seems obvious enough to be considered 'treasure' to him. not yet, anyway. ]

Have you been in many caves before?

[larsenist]

[ ........that doesn't sound like serial killer behavior at all.........

Akira doesn't mind following along (after having his curfew dictated by a talking cat for so many months), checking their rear while Keaton takes the lead. —He blinks over when offered a hand to hold, nodding cordially to acknowledge the gesture—even if he doesn't quite need it. ]

Thanks. [ (That's pretty cute of him. And yeah, nbd, doesn't count if it's not skin-to-skin contact.)

...It'll be hard for either of them to move around though, tethered together, so Akira keeps both hands free to pick up crystals and punch cave monsters. ]

Just a few times. You?

[ Caves weren't prominent in the Metaverse back home, locations of interest all built off human cognition and resulting in man-made constructions. In Nysa, though, he's had a few experiences. He focuses for a moment, trying to note any shapes or colors of interest in their surroundings, though it's still a bit of a walk before they come across anything that seems harvestable. (Following a fork in the main tunnel leads them to a colorful cluster of crystals, nestled away in a crook of the cavern.) ]

Think these might be it.

[ They look familiar, albeit unprocessed. ]

[notwagging]

[ he had to offer, at least. human eyes aren't exactly the best, and as far as Keaton knows, Akira is just a nice normal boy wearing neat clothes. the kind of stuff that reminded him, more or less, of royalty. or at least of someone who might be in the court.

like a Joker. ha. ]

I've lived in caves all my life. [ he's proud of it, too? even though his people are very Not Human and very Different. then again, he does sport an oddly fluffy tail and those slightly askew ears. ] But nothing smells... like this. It smells too fresh.

[ like someone was pumping in outside air. but they're deep enough where it shouldn't be like that at all. even coming to that sparkling formation, he's still confused enough to wear a puzzled expression. ]

It's coming from...

[ green lights, long and wispy, appear around the Wolfskin and it's all he can do but leap forward, colliding with a nearby wall. and with it, a loud burst of wind accompanies it. something that would've torn him up if he stayed in it. ]

... yikes! What was that?

[larsenist]

[ 'Fresh'...? He hadn't even thought to notice the quality of the air inside the cavern, but now that it's brought to his attention he realizes it hasn't really changed since they stepped foot inside.

—Not much longer after this belated awareness, his quest partner leaps straight for the wall, a sudden torrent closing in on the space he'd been standing on. It's powerful enough of a gale that Akira has to shield his face with an arm, and he returns a look of bewilderment when it passes. ]

...You okay?

[ His stance drops, knife slipping into his hand as he tries to search for this undetermined threat. (It's a bit too cramped to be calling Arsene out...)

The lights begin again, this time targeting him, and he doesn't manage to spring entirely clear before the energy releases. He's blown well away from both crystals and Keaton, back into the main tunnel. He picks himself up with a grimace, attention snapping ahead as his ears pick up a strange, sudden chittering in the darkness. (Almost sounds like... laughing.) ]

(( lmk if i should change/add anything! i wasn't sure if you had a preference re: what kinda creature they run into, i'm down for anything!! ))

[notwagging]

[ the sound is notably sinister, something that makes his ears twitch in irritation. the kind of laugh that has him feeling like whatever could control the wind like that, could be something very dangerous. it's only then that the lights take a more obvious shape, separating themselves from the crystals... ]

... what are these?

[ balls of light that quiver as he gets closer, and they suddenly flee the scene. will-o-wisps, whose sudden disappearance make Keaton's eyes ache as they brush past what looks to be humans and immediately leave the cave. several of them, wearing nasty smirks, and one with a particularly rusted over pickaxe.

'Looks like our trap worked,' one exclaims as the other two laugh callously. the laughers split up, one going for Keaton while the other stomps his way toward Akira. ]

Hey, let's make this a game! I bet I can knock this guy out faster than you can knock yours out!

party fouls

[sparsity]

[ For once, it's not him causing trouble. But it seems like Mikazuki is drawn to it like a moth to flame, not really minding if the dull colors of his wings get burned off in the process. Which is why he has no problem coming up on the group of men once he sees a familiar face (and tail...) in the middle of it. Though he stands a good head shorter than most of them, he lashes a hand out to grab the arm of the closest man, giving him a solid yank.

He doesn't look too pleased about that greeting, but Mikazuki looks even less pleased. ]

Hey. What is this?

cw: blood

[notwagging]

[ the man's response is slurred, but regardless the message is clear:

"we just want some of this man's fur! what's wrong with that?"

but it's Keaton whose expression turns sour, baring his teeth and his tail twitching angrily. for once, both sources of expression match each other in a very direct manner--- irritation, anger, but a somewhat subdued response. the growing need to transform and smash every aggressive human around him makes him tremble with indignation. ]

My fur isn't anyone's but my own.

[ and with that, he feels a hand barely graze his tail. whipping around, Keaton defensively strikes the intruder, whose face receives a palm directly to the nose, sending the stranger back with blood clearly making an appearance. ]

Don't touch me, or you'll regret it.

[ which gets taken as a challenge, and not as a threat. ]

[sparsity]

[ Blood gets his heart going. Keaton's single movement breaks the surface of the tension, and that's all the cue he needs to do similarly. Wordlessly, he snaps his grip backwards on the man he'd addressed without actually looking for an excuse or an answer. With an angry shout, he attempts to twist and topple into Mikazuki, but he has a perfect sync on how he moves, and his lower center of gravity pitches to knock the guy to the ground with a sweep of his leg. He collides with the pavement as the next lunges over him. Mikazuki's eyes flash and he slides backwards, ducking a punch.

His attention fans to Keaton's situation with the others also, but he just has to trust him to have his back like Mikazuki has his — he has to think that those teeth of his aren't just for show. ]

[notwagging]

[ like a still pond, the waves of one man's stupid action are now being felt by every non-Mikazuki in his area. his fangs bared, the sight of blood intensifies every little action. every breath being taken and every slight movement drives Keaton's senses wild, something much more familiar than the festival that held his attention merely moments ago.

he can feel Mikazuki paying attention to him--- and in a way, it keeps him from truly going to berserk. being in such a familiar situation, of someone working in sync to protect him, doing much to alleviate the rising heat in his veins.

but it doesn't keep Keaton from taking the next attacker, whose doubts are clear as his fist trembles before lunging to strike, from clamping his teeth down onto the man's arm. a wet crunch follows after, then a yell of surprise and pain.

they aren't just for show. ]

[sparsity]

[ That's the price of hesitation when there are jaws upon on you. Mikazuki learned that early, even for how young he already is. The guy's lucky it's just an arm. Once that sickening noise rises above the scuffle, Mikazuki feels his heart jump in his chest. A quick smile flicks across his mouth like he can taste what Keaton tastes just then — crushed muscle, weak bone. With the punch that was meant for him sailing over his head, he ducks beneath the man's reach to deliver a solid hit to his middle, then finishes the movement by meeting his doubling over with another crack to his jaw.

But it's really the yowling of the man Keaton has his teeth that gets the rest thinking twice about continuing. There's already spit and blood on the ground, though no one seems to look twice in a place like Wyver. With a panicked motion, the least injured of the bunch backs off.

Mikazuki's left alone, face furrowed with an expression more menacing than it ought to be for how calm he is. Only when they all start retreating does he look over to Keaton. ]

[notwagging]

[ it's a good feeling, one that he hasn't had in a long time. he's drawn blood before here, but not like this. there's a stark difference when being on the defensive and being on the offensive, when using his abilities to help someone rather than just... well, fight. fighting feels great, even better when the coppery taste of human blood is sweet on his tongue, though there is no bloodlust. no, this is not real combat. he's not going for a kill, but reminding those who see him that he is not just a dog. he's a wolf. with strong jaws and sharp fangs.

but they're gone now, and he's left with Mikazuki who he immediately turns to look at while wiping his chin and lips. ]

... they weren't going to offer a real challenge. Coward's blood, but blood all the same. Better than nothing.

[ and then he leans in, gives Mikazuki's hair another snuffle, just like before. ]

Are you okay? They didn't hurt you, right? [ a snort. ] Probably couldn't, you could snap them into pieces.

[ with his heartbeat slowly relaxing, his tail starts to wag again. once again, the cheery pup. ]

[sparsity]

[ Good pup. ]

I'm not hurt. Did they get any?

[ Fur, that is. Mikazuki unconsciously moves into the snuffling to check, not reading the gesture as weird. It's not he and normal people ever really worked out how to greet one another as it is. Though it'd been a short row, not enough to really get him going, there's a definite tang of blood and adrenaline in the air, just enough to be noticeable. Just enough to weigh on his tongue.

It's similar, he thinks. That instinct to fight and chase. ]

[notwagging]

[ only a good-er pup knows a good pup. ]

No. If they did, I would've smashed every last one of them. And their families, too.

[ Mikazuki seems safe. this pleases Keaton immensely, because if he had somehow gotten hurt because of something that didn't involve him, he would've flipped out. he would've gotten so angry. not that Keaton would do it for any human but Mikazuki... he's special! he's a treasure. ]

I'm glad you came. [ as a way to check himself before he wrecked himself. wanton murder was probably the last thing that anyone needed, and Mikazuki's presence did keep Keaton from making a potentially fatal mistake. ]

IIb, I'm sorry

[abyssalflame]

[Sid wrinkles his nose a bit, turning his head. To be truthful, he has nothing against sweets. It's just... embarrassing. Not that anyone needs to know that.

Still, he thinks on it for a moment before making the knee-jerk denial, shifting slightly.]

...Just the one?

[notwagging]

[ both eyes widen in curiosity as Sid responds, and it takes all of the Wolfskin's energy to keep his tail from going a mile-a-minute. honestly, he'd probably be reaching for those patches on his face and trying to touch them.

instead, the cake is offered with both hands as he holds it out to the man. ]

Yeah. I'll have the other piece, so don't worry... nothing will go to waste. I think it's cake, though this looks tastier than what I'm used to.

[ AKA, 'attempts at cake'. ]

[abyssalflame]

[It going to waste is a fair point, too, now that it's already been cut and everything. Sid's lips twitch for a moment before he accepts it with a small shake of his head.]

...If not for that, I probably wouldn't bother.

[Cake is a luxury for the poor of Ishgard, though, one he can only rarely afford to give Rielle on things like namedays, much less have any for himself. Even if he could, though, it'd probably be... in private, without anyone to comment on how bizarre it must look for a surly looking man like him to be taking sweets.

It does look bizarre. He only stares at the slice for a long while before his eyes snap up again.]

You first.

[notwagging]

[ well. he can totally take a bite first, which he does so with gusto: fork slicing into his half, cutting off what looks to be a small bite before he stabs into the larger remaining chunk and unceremoniously shoves it into his open mouth.

and then he chews thoughtfully... only opening his maw back up to speak with crumbs trying to escape. ]

It's pretty tasty. [ which makes it easier to swallow down, trying to savor the taste as best as he can. ] And it's sweet. I guess it's good.

[ despite his relatively lukewarm reaction, Keaton's tail accelerates, clearly happy with his culinary decision. the tingling sensation after he then pops the remainder of the food into his mouth? clearly just a reaction to how delicious it was!!!

or something else. ]

[abyssalflame]

[Sid's own tail does a quick curl, and, after a lengthy hesitation, he bites into his own piece, trying not to let the face he likes it show too much on his face.]

...I suppose.

[But he can't tear his eyes away from Keaton's tail; not even Miqo'te do that sort of rapid-fire wagging. That's usually reserved for... well, canines. The way he points it out is sort of dry, with just a little bit of interest.]

Does your kind typically have problems with being easy to read, I wonder?

[notwagging]

[ he takes a moment to think before responding, that sensation from earlier starting to spread outward from his stomach, out to his shoulders and knees in short pulses. not an uncomfortable feeling, but something more akin to the need to stretch--- except the desire to do that is not there. ]

I don't have any words on me unless you put them there, so it's probably hard to read when there's nothing there.

[ in more ways than one. sort of. but he finds Sid's tail to be equally interesting, how... unusual it looks. he tries his best to take a tiny step forward, closing the distance between them, in order to get a better look. ]

[abyssalflame]

[Something uncomfortable passes over Sid's features, but not in the usual way. Normally there'd be some sort of wise remark in response to Keaton's obliviousness, but now he's just... tensing, robbed of words for a moment.

He may or may not be blushing, just a little.]

Wh-- What?

[This is... awkward. People have ogled him before, but rarely to positive results.]

Come now, is it really that strange?

[notwagging]

It's not strange at all! [ from curious to nervous in a heartbeat. ] No, it's... it's really cool. It's like a lizard's! I've never seen one on a person before.

[ and while the blush doesn't immediately catch his attention, the stutter surely does. his fingers twitch, as his tail starts to swish to and fro. shorter but quicker, something akin to a creature about to pounce onto something. ]

Would you... allow me to touch it? Just once! And I'll let you touch mine. Even trade.

[ it's not just his normal curiosity that's piqued, but an unconscious and lowkey desire that's been building since eating the cake. ]