[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

[notwagging]

Close.

[ though his tail definitely swishes in confirmation. ]

And what're you? Some kind of human?

[ again, he steals another peek at Apollo and... licks his chops. ]

[thetaintedsorrow]

Human, yeah.

[Chuuya immediately glares daggers at Keaton when he licks his lips while looking very intently at Apollo.]

What did I just say??

[He should really kick this guy’s ass, but...]

If you want food I was on my way to the market anyway. What do you even eat?

[notwagging]

[ his tail goes still, then droops. it's not that he was SERIOUSLY considering eating Chuuya's bird! it doesn't even look that tasty. or filling. or both. still, that scathing look definitely makes him a little nervous. ]

Nothing! I'm good, I'm good. I promise.

[ and then he rubs his forehead. whew. ]

Oh! I eat anything. Except for birds. [ sweat. ] I love meat. Isn't that obvious?

[thetaintedsorrow]

Yeah?

[It’s not like Chuuya couldn’t immediately kick Keaton’s ass if he tried anything, so why not allow his company? For now, anyway.

Chuuya shrugs and starts heading towards the market. If Keaton wants to possibly get free food, he’d better follow.]

You come to Olympia often?

[notwagging]

Nah. [ a bit of a shrug, as his tail starts to swing. ] I don't come here because I'm... you know, not exactly normal.

[ even though Olympia isn't like his world, he can still feel unwelcome gazes as he matches Chuuya's stride. ]

Wyver is a lot more like home to me. But it's the forests that make me the happiest. Does that make sense?

[thetaintedsorrow]

Join the club.

[Maybe Chuuya isn’t as outwardly different looking as some others, but being a human experiment as a child isn’t exactly “normal”.]

Are the forests like where you came from?

[Dog person living in the forest sounds about right.

They come upon several food stands, and Chuuya has to scold Apollo for trying to snatch some sunflower seeds.]

I don’t care if you’re from Wyver, by the way. No skin off my nose.

[notwagging]

[ it's okay, Apollo. Keaton's got your birdy-back, as he quietly sneaks a few sunflower seeds into his hand and holds them behind his back. ]

They're not similar at all! Otherwise, I'd be able to find my way. It's really easy to get lost when you've never been somewhere before. Sometimes, there are some animals or bugs I've never seen before, so I guess it's worth it.

[ says captain obvious. but that's whatever. ]

What's your favorite kind of food?

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Apollo social link acquired. He happily pecks at the seeds, with Chuuya distracted by looking around the market area.]

I haven’t been to Wyver yet. Heard it’s hot as fuck.

[There goes Chuuya’s foul mouth.]

Huh? Uh...

[That takes him a minute. He can answer his favorite drink in the blink of an eye, but favorite food?]

Sushi, I guess. Or steak.

[notwagging]

Steak! That's a good choice. Sushi has fish in it, doesn't it?

[ he's not Hoshidan, but he's heard of the food from them anyway. he wiggles his ears before looking back down at the stand they're at, not spotting much in the meat department. ]

It's not that bad in Wyver. You have to get used to your surroundings. Adapt! Things like that.

[ then, turning his head, he sniffs the air. ]

... meat. Over there.

[thetaintedsorrow]

Yeah, stuff like tuna and salmon.

[Chuuya makes a noise of agreement. Boy does Chuuya know about adapting and surviving.

Chuuya raises an eyebrow, copying Keaton in sniffing the air.]

Yeah? You can smell it?

[Dog person with super smell. Makes sense.]

Lead the way. Maybe there’s something worth buying.

[notwagging]

Mmm. I rather have something a little heartier than fish.

[ not that he dislikes it, but fish don't drip with blood like beef does. ]

Just follow me.

[ and so he goes, following his nose. his tail swishes back and forth as Keaton follows the invisible trail, all the way to someone butchering some kind of creature. ]

Here it is. A bird, I think? Whatever it is. I bet it tastes super good as is!

[thetaintedsorrow]

Suit yourself.

[Chuuya shrugs and follows along, because why not? He’s got nothing better to do right now.

The butchering doesn’t bug him in the slightest, but poor Apollo...

Apparently doesn’t care either with the way he’s going to town on a nearby discarded piece of fruit.]

You want it? Doesn’t look too expensive.

[notwagging]

[ ugh, the bird has the right idea. if only they could all live on discarded food!--- actually Keaton probably could, but that's a whole other thing all together. ]

... what, you mean I can't just take it?

[ he wiggles his gloved fingers, smiling mischievously. ]

[thetaintedsorrow]

Hm.

[Well...you know, Chuuya was part of a gang once, and then the Mafia...it might feel kind of good to do something shady...

He pretends to turn a blind eye, occupying the butcher with a couple of questions to give Keaton an opening to snatch the bird. Apollo joins in, fanning out his head feathers to show off. What a good little helper.]

[notwagging]

[ oh! wow, Chuuya seems... pretty nice in this regard, offering a distraction of sorts as Keaton easily plucks one of the already prepared birds away from the butcher, turning promptly on his heels once he has it secured in his arms. whistling, he peeks over his shoulder to make sure his partner in crime sees him walking away?

but then...

...

he turns around, goes right up to the butcher, and presents the coins for the bird.

THEN he walks away. ]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Okay, Chuuya is awfully confused right now. He thought stealing was the endgame here, and yet there goes Keaton, being honest. Maybe there’s more to this guy than meets the eye.

Chuuya follows after him, looking curious.]

What was that about?

[notwagging]

For all the things humans try to take away from me and my people, meat seems to be... really petty.

[ and then he clicks his tongue, staring down at the meat. ]

Also, I think I could do a better job. Still looks tasty. [ a beat: ] You want some? You humans can't eat this stuff raw, right? So I guess I'd have to drop it in a fire or something?

[thetaintedsorrow]

No thanks, I’m good.

[He’d had a nice breakfast that morning, and honestly roasting up a meal right now just sounds tedious.]

Sounds like humans have been shitty to you.

[Honestly humans just suck as a species. They’re greedy and destructive, and Chuuya will never deny that.

As they walk along Chuuya glances at those furry ears, once again tempted to pet them.]

You ever let anyone touch your ears?

[Asking for science.]

[notwagging]

They haven't been great, but for the most part they're easily outmatched.

[ the normal humans, of course. anyone who can actually wield a weapon with some proficiency will always get treated differently. ]

Not usually. [ blink. ] Why? You're not gonna try to... take them, are you?

[thetaintedsorrow]

What?

[Chuuya looks incredibly confused. Why is that the first thing that pops into Keaton’s mind? Unless...

God, humans really are fucked up.]

No, I just wanted to feel them. They look soft.

[notwagging]

Well... I guess you can touch them, if you want. But I warn you! They might not be as soft as you think.

[ though, his tail is certainly lively even though his words aren't as confident. and those ears of his are very fluffy. ]

[thetaintedsorrow]

Only one way to find out.

[Chuuya slips off his gloves and reaches up to very gently stroke one of those soft, fluffy ears.]

Oh my god, they’re so soft...

[notwagging]

[ he just... kind of stares off into space as Chuuya does what he must do. ]

Oh. Really? [ is he disappointed? hard to tell. ] I thought they'd be sticky. Or hard. But does it... uh, do you like them that way? Soft, I mean.

[thetaintedsorrow]

...sticky?

[What even? Oh well, at least Chuuya gets to continue rubbing Keaton’s ears. It’s therapeutic, honestly.]

I mean, yeah. Soft things are nicer to pet than sticky things.

[notwagging]

Yeah. I can't remember the last time I took a bath.

[ it was pretty recent, but other than that? the number of baths he takes is usually equal to the number of complaints. it's not that he smells bad (which he doesn't) or looks dirty (also, he doesn't).

he just... hates baths. ]

Ugh. When will I find someone who likes sticky stuff?