[Open] April Catch-All

[thetaintedsorrow]

Who: Chuuya Nakahara (thetaintedsorrow) & you!
What: Event aftermath and various shenanigans
When: April
Where: Olympia
Warning(s): None yet, but NSFW will be marked if it happens



I. Bird is the Word

[To all those familiar with Chuuya, the news of the mystery egg he’d magically acquired finally hatching isn’t surprising, nor is the news that it’s a bird. However, what they may not know is that Apollo (a name carefully chosen for his precious child) has grown into something quite flashy in the past month. A royal flycatcher, to be precise, with beautiful plumage to rival any peacock. It’s quite fitting that Apollo is tiny and beautiful, considering who his mother is, but don’t tell Chuuya that.

He’s quite an energetic little thing, and Chuuya can be found out and about in town with the little guy perched on top of his hat, or in the mansion with Apollo perched on his shoulder.

Should anyone get close (within five feet) of Chuuya, they’ll find themselves with a faceful of feathers and an earful of chirps as Apollo checks them out, up close and personal. Of course Chuuya is amused.]

Looks like he likes you.

II. Shots, Shots, Shots

[Chuuya can also be found, sans Apollo, in one of the multitude of bars located around town. He’s currently nursing a glass of fireball whiskey, but anyone who approaches him for either company or simply to harass him will be abruptly challenged to a drinking contest. God bless your soul if you take him up on it.

Should they decline he’ll simply shrug and continue sipping at the amber liquid in his glass.

Either way, they’ll receive this greeting: ]

You here for booze or company?

III. Among the Stars

[Lastly, Chuuya will make a trip to Thesa Station to see all the newly awakened refugees. He can be found checking out the stasis pods, hanging around in one of the lounge areas, or simply indulging in a glass of wine at the mess hall.

He’ll have Apollo on his shoulder, but don’t be afraid. He won’t peck your eyes out. Chuuya may very well try it though, if you see fit to call him tiny. Otherwise he’ll be friendly enough, no matter where he’s approached on the station.]

How’s it going?

IV. Wildcard!

[Surprise me! Or plot things with me! I’m over at arcanestardust!]

Comments

II - Bang bang.

[cassus]

[ Late evenings have a way of seeping into every bar, no matter how airtight, draping them in an element of deep velveteen shadow. Not even the oily orange of scattered lights, flickering like dying suns on scattered tables, can do more than act as guideposts.

It'd be easier to believe Chuuya was born in a place like this, rising from a tryst between the weight of every dark corner's void and those man-made fireflies of illumination, melting together to be pale skin or the molten-colored waves that frame his face in sharp peaks like armor, plumage, or something a little more ethereal.

He knows this isn't the case. And those facts should change a person's perception. It ought to dull the gauzy flicker of bartop candles spotlighting Chuuya's face in a buttery yellow halo. It should dull his coat and pluck out all the flecks of dust gathered at the hem. Not make it echo of some panther-sleek second skin that Chuuya might slink into at the slightest provocation, transforming into something rightfully feral and fierce, the way people do in legends.

It's Dazai's place to be resilient, untrusting of any illusions which his eyes may create or believe in anything he can't calculate into cold hard facts. But knowing better has never once stopped him from setting his own cautious heart on fire and throwing it to the wind.

So he lets Chuuya's gravitational pull drag him in close enough to be registered as an approaching presence over one shoulder, but not yet recognized. Dazai gladly rectifies this by sliding into the bar-stool at Chuuya's right as he reaches between them to pluck Chuuya's whiskey from where it's just been pressed to his mouth for the sake of another sip. ]

It's so hard to choose, when both will give me an agonizing headache!

[ Dazai doesn't bother turning the lip of Chuuya's glass around to avoid the visible mouthed-marks where he's been drinking. Without pause he merely downs a mouthful of the contents with a brisk tilt of the glass. ]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[The lights reflect off the bottles of alcohol neatly shelved behind the bar, giving them a glittering, alluring appearance that has Chuuya licking his lips and pondering over the selection. A few free samples have been slid his way simply because he’s no stranger to the struggles of bartending in a place like this. A sympathetic ear, even one only half-listening, is more than your average server gets on any given day, and the prim and polished young man seems to appreciate Chuuya’s shared tips and tricks so much that he even lets him sample the top shelf selection.

Which is how he’d chosen this whiskey, and how he’d planned out each set of shots in his head for anyone who wants to join him.

Only when a familiar, annoyingly nice irritating voice addresses him does Chuuya snap out of his thoughts, and he immediately bristles like a particular pissy cat when his booze is snatched away.]

What the fuck?? Give it back, you bastard!

[Ugh. There goes some of his delicious fireball whiskey, right down Dazai’s stupid throat. What a fucking waste.

Whatever, he’ll just order another. Who wants that bastard’s cooties?]

What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be off chasing skirts or whatever bullshit you get up to when you’re not trying to off yourself?

[cassus]

...That's really cute, Chuuya. It almost sounds like you've missed me.

[ Except that Dazai utters the word between them in the tone of a secret worth sharing. As if the concept of longing lies somewhere along a spectrum of the obscene, halfway between a profane declaration and a sexual invitation.

Chuuya's stolen glass is still in one hand, yet it does little to hide the hitch of a grin that's nearing wolfish satisfaction. It hovers at his lips, patiently awaiting another kiss of Dazai's mouth until he finally obliges it's insistence on attention. The entirety of that long hard swallow plays out with their eyes locked, the whole moment reading like a continued discussion without any need for words.

The scene tonight overlays like thin vellum atop too many with the same theme, varied in every way except their paired presence amid shot glasses and tongues tinged in liquor. This was of course before Odasaku or that single irreversible shot which sent their trajectories spinning outward. The death of one man caused Soukoku's unified orbits to careen away at light speed, and ironically it wasn't either of their own.

It's dangerously easy to let the years apart slough off like leaves from seasons already spent, revealing the bare branches that tangle and knot them together. And why not? Nostalgia is a good enough excuse to simply coexist for a moment. Even if it's torture to resist ruffling Chuuya's feathers purely for the sake of making him scream Dazai's name, red-faced and breathless in a way that shouldn't remind him of Chuuya on top of him, yet always does. ]

Who says I'm not chasing something?

[ The words coil out, all smoke and dark promises, sounding less like he's correcting Chuuya's assumption and nearer to that of a cautionary warning Chuuya has never heeded until it's too late.

Dazai leans in close enough for it to read as a threat or some conspiratorial discussion, as though he's bestowing his prior partner with some time-honored lesson about courtship. Not that either of them need it. Everything there is to know about sex was learned ages ago, long before his partner could hold his liquor well or stumbled home with anyone but the man at his side.

Reflecting only the flicker of candlelight and amber hues dancing along the wall of caramel-colored bottles, Dazai's eyes shunt out all other light, losing their tawny tones in place of something brackish, edging just this side of red. ]

Isn't a bar the perfect place for that?

[thetaintedsorrow]

Cute my fucking ass.

[Thank god for the alcohol that’s already in his system, or Chuuya might actually be irritated right now. It’s not Dazai’s presence that grates on him (not tonight, anyway), nor is it the taunting words that spill from wicked lips that Chuuya is all too familiar with. No, Chuuya’s annoyance is based solely on the unknown; where the hell has Dazai been, and why is he here tonight? Sex could very well be the endgame, but Chuuya sincerely doubts that Dazai would seek him out solely for physical pleasure. Unless, of course, their meeting is purely a coincidence.

As fucking if.]

If you came here to get laid then you’re gonna have to fucking wait. I’m not done drinking.

[Chuuya takes a drink of his whiskey for emphasis, the amber liquid burning his throat like hot coals, and yet that’s exactly what Chuuya needs right now. Too much shit has happened for him not to want to drown it all in booze for a night. The riots, the kidnappings, the PTSD, the inevitable threat of war looming on the horizon; why the hell wouldn’t Chuuya want to get wasted on the daily?

At least back home he had a purpose. Now? He’s got far too much freedom and no idea what to do with it.]

This planet is no fucking better than where we came from. Some paradise.

The one where they're both gonna get drunk

[meinwaifu]

Oh? Are you implying I can only choose one or the other?

[Mephisto sits in the seat next to Chuuya, the gold brooch given to him by the city in plain sight -- which might just explain the bartender sliding a drink over his way before he even has a chance to make an order, calling out that it's on the house.]

[It's actually been a while since Mephisto has gone out -- wary as he is about just who might be tracking his activity this time. It wasn't that long ago that he was kidnapped after a night of boozing with a familiar face. But so long as he keeps his guard up and avoids actually leaving with anyone through means other than his teleportation, he should be fine.]

I would think a man who comes to a bar seeking only booze must be a rather lonely creature... so, what about your, Mr. Nakahara? What are you looking for tonight?

God bless

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Chuuya had been so focused on the selection of booze behind the counter, pondering what to order next, that he’d only given the person sitting next to him a sidelong glance at first. Shots need to be carefully planned out to avoid getting too drunk too quickly after all, and Chuuya is a master mixologist himself. There’s quite a selection of booze, a lot of which he’s never even heard of (this being a different planet and all), but not even that can distract him from the familiar voice addressing him now.

And lo and behold, he turns on his barstool to see none other than Mephisto (or Johann, as Chuuya knows him), looking smug as he gets a free drink passed his way.]

It’s you.

[There’s no disdain in his voice, but he does look a little surprised. He hasn’t seen Mephisto since their first meeting, and here he is, with a shiny gold broach that almost blinds Chuuya when it catches the light.]

You a hero or something?

[He knows what they’re for; Dylas and Atsushi had received theirs as well. God, is he the only one in the goddamn city that hadn’t been involved??

He snorts at the question before turning his attention back to his whiskey.]

Fuck if I know. It’s just a good night for a drink is all.

Re: God bless

[meinwaifu]

[He gives a little wave when he's finally noticed, snickering at Chuuya's question-- and his answer.]

It would appear so! And I must say, I certainly don't mind the attention, even if it feels a bit silly in the face of all that happened.

[Of course, he's not going to be making it clear whether be was one of the taken or one of the rescuers -- or at least, certainly not yet.]

Ah, but to that, I'd have to agree! Though I would sooner say any night is a good one for a drink or two... say, I know!

Seeing as it would be such a shame to let my newfound fame go to waste, why don't we play a little game? Stick close with me, and I'm sure you'll find yourself getting plenty of free drinks as well.

I

[notwagging]

[ he's not a huge fan of Olympia, but there he is. he's got friends in the area, allies that he wants to check in on--- despite the glances at his fluffy listeners and that tail that swings side to side happily as he walks around only receiving a few hard looks in return.

but when he passes by Chuuya, he receives an earful of chirps and feathers, and he winces. ]

H-hey! What's going on?!

[ growl. ]

[thetaintedsorrow]

Hm?

[Chuuya has to do a double take when he sees the guy with...ears...and a tail...

Okay. Maybe he shouldn’t be so surprised. Unicorns exist here, after all.]

Oi. Apollo. Back off.

[Judging by that growl, whoever this is doesn’t appreciate a bird in his face, and he’d rather not have his precious pet get chomped. Apollo obeys and flits back over to Chuuya’s shoulder, eying the stranger warily.]

Who’re you?

[notwagging]

[ there will always be at least one guy with ears and a tail, somewhere. in this universe or another. just like unicorns. maybe. ]

I'm Keaton. [ he points to himself with a thumb, still eyeing the bird with narrowed eyes... the bird is pretty. it would totally look good in his house/cave, and he licks his lips petulantly. ]

Is the bird your pet? Or are you the bird's pet?

[ then almost like a light switch is flicked on, he grins. ]

I

[gekkajuu]

[Going out wearing that brooch was a mistake. All the attention Atsushi got was just too much, and with all the free samples, he felt obligated to buy something at least some of the time. Even if he got everything at a reasonable price, and even if he can afford it right now, he simply bought too much! Atsushi finds himself absolutely exhausted by the experience - and that was before dragging everything home. He really should have accepted the one store's offer to deliver everything, but he felt awkward enough already.

So here he is, returning home at last - and he's barely closed the door behind him before getting a face full of feathery fluttering. With both his hands occupied by shopping bags, Atsushi yelps and jumps back, pressing himself against the door as if he might blend seamlessly into that background if he just presses hard enough.

Only then does he carefully open an eye to check what's going on.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Lucky for Atsushi Apollo is simply curious, and instead of a peck on the head, the tiny bird lands on top of it, making himself at home in Atsushi’s hair with a few whistles and peeps. Meanwhile Chuuya is busy play-fighting with a very enthusiastic Daifuku. Listen, he’ll get a job soon; he’s just pet sitting right now, that’s all.

He glances up when the door opens, chuckling at Apollo’s complete disregard for Atsushi’s personal space.]

He figured out how to fly pretty damn quick.

[Chuuya glances at the bags in Atsushi’s hands.]

Go on a shopping spree?

[gekkajuu]

[Cue Atsushi trying to look cross-eyed up at his own hair. Of course - Chuuya's bird! Atsushi didn't think it'd fly so quickly. Putting the bags down, he reaches up to carefully pick Apollo out of his hair.]

Hm? Oh... I didn't mean to, but... everyone was very impressed by that brooch I was given. One thing led to another, and... suffice to say, I got enough free samples that I could skip lunch. But I had to buy things at least once in a while...

i'm not sorry

[colorature]

<sub>[Ever since Diva snuck into Atsushi's room one night it hasn't been a one off occurrence. This time though, mid sleep, she's decided to leave Atsushi's sleepy self behind and wander off for a late, midnight snack. It's not exactly like she's quiet when she reaches the kitchen, rooting through the fridge in the dark, the light from the fridge illuminating her white dressed, barefooted figure. So far she's found the carton of eggs in said fridge, having pulled them out to set them on the counter.

Popping open the carton she wastes no time stuffing a whole egg into her mouth, followed by another...so she's rocking this bizarre fanged chipmunk look. If she hears anyone approaching she'll turn in the direction, mouth still stuffed. It's not like she doesn't know Atsushi has housemates...but she hasn't met them yet.

Maybe this isn't exactly the best time for an introduction, huh...oh well.]</sub>

DIVA PLS

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Atsushi and the others are in no way obligated to inform Chuuya when they have company, but it would be really fucking nice if they would to avoid situations like this. Chuuya had just wanted a nice glass of wine to help him unwind for the evening, and yet the second he enters the kitchen he sees a strange woman rummaging around in their fridge like she owns the place. He immediately goes into defense mode, thinking he’s going to have to chase off an intruder.]

Oi! Who the hell are you???

[And why is this lady stuffing her face with whole, raw eggs?? What??]

[colorature]

_{[Well...she can't exactly answer with her mouth full of eggs, can she? There's suddenly a sickening crack as she crushes both eggs with her jaws, awkwardly swallowing what begins to ooze and pile up inside her mouth. A little bit of yolk slips past her lips, dribbling down her chin, a hand raising up to wipe it away. Just...give her a moment, okay?]}

I'm Diva.

_{[She says her name in the most casual way possible, looking completely at ease, a stark contrast to the stiffness that seems to grip Chuuya.]}

Atsushi and I were sleeping together...but I got hungry. Who are you?

_{[Maybe she could've phrased that better...er...]}

IV.

[sullenstallion]

[One day, the scent of breakfast isn't there; there's no one there to cook right at seven in the morning, not with Dylas gone.

But then one day, the scent is back. Whether it's the scent of the salmon eggs benedict that brings Chuuya downstairs, he's already awake, or he's coming home after a long night out drinking...Dylas is there. He's standing in the kitchen. The familiar periwinkle fur of his tail swishes idly just centimeters off the floor. As he moves from sink to stove, there's the familiar bounce of his ears and the fur that tufts beneath them.

He can hear Chuuya. Hell, he can smell Chuuya, but he's not going to say anything. He's going to make enough breakfast for himself (a stark contrast—he often leaves enough for everyone in the fridge) and head out to work.

But he can't help but risk one peek over his shoulder. Whether or not he's caught, he turns his head back to the task at hand. Approach at your own risk, runt.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Dylas’ presence in the house had become so normal, so expected and familiar, that the first day without him bustling about in the kitchen had been rather odd. Of course, each of them are free to come and go as they please, and Chuuya hadn’t thought much of Dylas’ absence. But then news of the kidnappings had surfaced...

And the news that Dylas was dead.

Chuuya is no stranger to death; he’s seen it countless times, nearly experienced it himself as well, but still, it’s not something he’s ever gotten completely used to. What he has gotten used to is the finality of it all, and so when he comes downstairs to see Dylas in the kitchen he can’t help but think he’s either drunk or dreaming.]

...you’re back.

[That’s all he can think to say as he does indeed approach at his own risk.]

[sullenstallion]

['No, go away.' That's the first thought that comes to Dylas. He hates it when people pay attention to him unless he's in the mood for such attention. He might compare himself to a cat in that way, but since no one's ever compared him to anything other than an ass or a horse, well. Here he is.

He focuses on the food in front of him, but his brow furrows when he sees that his hands are shakier than before. He sets down the knife and whirls around, suddenly facing Chuuya.

His tail twirls with him and slams against the door to the oven which, you know, hurts a little, but Dylas tries to ignore that he forgot where his tail was.]

Yep. What do you want?

I

[rosebyanyother]

[One minute, he's minding his own business. The next, Peter has a new friend. It's startling to have a bird perched suddenly on his shoulder but he barely startles. ]

So he does. [A smile, as if he doesn't mind at all. Peter turns his head to properly look at Apollo, and then looks back at Chuuya.] He's a very impressive bird for something so small.

[...He better not poop on Peter's shoulder.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

Oi, Apollo, back off.

[The little guy tends to be quite curious, and Chuuya is honestly surprised that he hasn’t gotten himself eaten yet. At least this stranger doesn’t seem to mind the intrusion.]

Thanks. He knows it.

[He’s very well trained; if Apollo poops on you, you done goofed.]

Don’t think we’ve met before. I’m Chuuya.

[rosebyanyother]

Oh, he can stay if he wants. Though I do understand not wanting to reinforce bad behavior.

[Peter is entirely unruffled. After all, it's not as if this small bird is a slobbering dog. And he can't shed on him. As long as Apollo is well-behaved, Peter will be too.

The introduction gets a slightly broader smile.]

Alexander Noble. It's a pleasure to meet you.

i - welp this is so late

[eaudevamp]

[ This was so weird! Reign wasn't the most popular vampire around back in his world, not unless it had to do with the perfumes he sold. Then again, he wasn't entirely popular here either, didn't see a point in his popularity much less all the hoo-ha. But he did kind of enjoy the free gifts or special services due to the brooch he wore. It was quite eye-opening, though Reign had a feeling he wasn't going to wear it too often. He didn't want to draw too much attention to himself.

Reign was just leaving a store selling small glass bottles, intending to head back home so he could put those perfume into the bottles when he turned a corner and spotted Chuuya. He raised his hand, intending to wave and greet his friend when he was suddenly under the attack of a chirping red bird. ]

W-what? Hey, hey!

[ Oh no. If Reign wasn't careful, he was going to drop the bag of glass bottles. That would be such a waste of silvers. ]

No worries!

[thetaintedsorrow]

Oi, Apollo, back off.

[Poor Reign! At least Apollo obeys Chuuya’s orders...sort of. He lands on Reign’s shoulder with a happy whistle, looking content to simply sit there as long as he’s allowed. The glass bottles are safe...for now.

Chuuya draws closer, eying the brooch on Reign’s shirt. He huffs; everyone but him has one of those, huh?]

Need help carrying stuff?

[eaudevamp]

[ The familiar name registered in Reign, and he realised that this was the same pet bird that Chuuya hatched. Well, not hatched, but... Egg mom and stuffs. ]

Ah, nice to meet you, Apollo.

[ Reign giggled as his hand moved to Apollo's head, before noting that plummage on his head and shifting to pat his body instead. He didn't want to ruin that beautiful crown. ]

No, it's all right. I can handle it. I see your bird has grown into a fine specimen. So pretty~