Welcome to the Jungle [Open]

[thetaintedsorrow]

Who: Chuuya (thetaintedsorrow) & you!
What: May catch-all! Featuring adventures in Khalo village and Flona Cove.
When: May!
Where: Various!
Warning(s): Possible NSFW, but it’ll be marked.



I. Chuuya in Wonderland

[After hearing the news that Khalo Village had opened up to visitors for the first time in centuries, Chuuya had decided that it was something he definitely needed to see. Who knows if he’ll ever get another opportunity to explore the place? Visiting new places and experiencing the culture there is always fun, so he might as well go while he can!

Of course that means he’ll have to smoke fyrra, the weed that allows those who aren’t full-blood Khali to enter the village without falling into a deep slumber. It’s pretty much just fancy weed, and Chuuya feels slightly more relaxed after smoking it, but it’s definitely not as good as booze. It does, however, allow him to enter the area around the village, and so he does, not expecting anything to go awry.

So of course he ends up stepping on a large purple mushroom and shrinking down to the size of a thimble. Shit.

Luckily he’s still able to use his gravity manipulating ability, and he’ll climb up the nearest tall tree while waving his arms and shouting in a tiny voice to the first passer-by he sees.]

Oi! Over here! Hey!

II. Voulez-Vous Coucher Avec Moi? [Probably NSFW, Closed to CR]

[Once Chuuya actually reaches the village and obtains the antidote to return him to his normal size he’ll need a break to relax, and what better way to do so than to visit one of the many smoking lounges? According to the locals, regular fyrra is available here, as well a strain that causes “an even higher elevated mood, as well as increased sexual desire and heightened sensation.”

Sounds fun, right? Chuuya already has a head start, lounging on a rather plush looking couch in a black silk robe that resembles a kimono. He seems to be in a good mood.

Care to join him?]

III. Flying High

[Temporary flight potions are readily available in Khalo Village, and Chuuya will excitedly encourage anyone who comes along to drink one so that he can have a flying buddy at long last! Will you take him up on that offer?

Oops, he’s already tugging on your arm!]

C’mon! It’ll be a blast!

IV. Tame the Beast

[The Taming Fields are an area near the village where beasts that the Khali have tamed roam free. Chuuya can’t help but wander over to one of them, a rhinoceros-like creature covered in moss with flowers on its horns (called a Mossley by the Khali), and try his hand at petting it. The creature seems docile and friendly, and it leans into his touch.

According to the locals, Mossleys are drawn to two people with positive emotional bonds, and enjoy laying between them. Will you be one of those people? Or does Chuuya grate on your nerves?

Grinning, he waves over the nearest person to share in the experience.]

Ever seen anything like it?

V. Beach Episode

[When he returns from his excursion to Khalo Village Chuuya will be itching for a trip to the beach, and you can find him on the shore soaking up some sun, in the water swimming around, or enjoying a cocktail in the shade.

However, said cocktail isn’t your run of the mill booze; it’ll turn him into an exact copy of whoever approaches him! How bizarre!

Will you hang out with him on the beach or engage in some silly clone shenanigans?]

Wildcard!

[Have something you wanna plot with me? I’m over at arcanestardust! Don’t be shy!]

Comments

Kawaii

[thetaintedsorrow]

[The beast is the definition of a gentle giant, and it just so happens to be one of the few beasts Chuuya has met outside of egg babies that hasn’t been out for blood.

Too bad it’s too big to fit in the mansion.

Chuuya gives the creature a pat on the side of its neck, grinning all the while.]

It’s something all right.

[Dawww, that means it can sense the bond between Chuuya and Atsushi. That might just warm Chuuya’s heart. Just a little.]

The Khali said they enjoy having the flowers on their horns plucked. Guess it doesn’t hurt them.

[gekkajuu]

[It's not that Atsushi would ever have denied his bond with Chuuya, but still... There's a definite difference between knowing it's there, and having others (even animals!) notice it. Even if it's a very specific skill of these Mossleys, Atsushi finds himself blushing every bit as fiercely as if he'd had a sign pinned to his shirt that declared in bold letters how Chuuya and him had been intimate.]

It doesn't? [That's a little surprising. It sure seems like something that might hurt! Then again...] Maybe it's a little like clipping your nails..?

[Not quite pleasant, but still a relief? It's worth a shot, regardless, so Atsushi reaches up to try it, very carefully. The flower comes loose with no effort at all, and as Atsushi is staring at it, considering how best to preserve it, there's suddenly a wet tongue in his face, and he sputters, turning around. He was not expecting that.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Chuuya isn’t exactly shy about the fact that they’ve banged, but the fact that the bond between them is noticeable enough for a Mossley to sense it might just make him doki a bit. He’s pretty good at hiding it though, not quite blushing but still feeling a little flutter in his chest whenever he thinks about it.]

Could be.

[Oh yeah, the licking thing. Chuuya had forgotten to mention that. He’s laughing it up as Atsushi gets a lick to the face, but then the Mossley turns and does the same to him, knocking his hat right off his head. Chuuya makes a little grossed out noise, but he’s not actually angry; how could he be when an animal is being this cute?]

That’s a thing, I guess.

[Chuuya wipes his face on his sleeve before bending down to pick up his hat.]

Are you gonna keep it?

[The flower, he means.]

[gekkajuu]

[... Okay, Atsushi is a little amused at Chuuya losing his hat. But only because it's not seriously damaged or anything!]

Oh... Yes, I think so. It seems a shame to throw it away. Besides...

[It wouldn't feel right. He'd list science as his reason, but he can't claim that that's honestly the reason he wants to preserve the flower.]

... it's a nice souvenir.

[Not of this trip, though, as his blush might vaguely hint. It's more like a souvenir - a reminder, and physical proof - of their bond.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Chuuya places his hat back on his head, and it seems like the Mossley is content enough to flop down on the ground between them like a large house cat. Cute...

Maybe Chuuya isn’t the most perceptive person when it comes to subtle cues or reading another person’s mood, but he can definitely tell that the flower is special to Atsushi for reasons other than looking nice. Atsushi’s little blush gets him smiling, a much softer one than his usual smirks and shit-eating grins.]

It is.

[And Chuuya will risk another lick to pluck one for himself, because it really is a nice little reminder of just how close they’ve grown.]

Looks like it wants us to get comfortable. Unless you had other plans to explore the town or something.

[gekkajuu]

Hm? Oh - no, I don't really have plans... It seems like we're allowed to stay here for a while, anyway.

[So no rush, as far as Atsushi is concerned. Yes, there are things he wants to see and do in Khalo, but there's still time. He's not about to rush himself.

Besides, the Mossley is really cute, even if it's determined to stay between them.]

If we lie down around his head, we can at least still see each other.

[thetaintedsorrow]

Good plan.

[Maybe Chuuya wasn’t big on letting himself lie around back home (too much to do), but here? He can take the time lie on his side, curled around the Mossley’s head with his top half still visible.]

Heh. We keep ending up in these romantic settings.

[It’s just an observation; the beach, and now this. The only thing that’s missing is a sky full of stars.

Chuuya thinks, anyway. What even is romance? What is waking up next to someone after a heated night? Chuuya has no idea how to do the whole lovey dovey thing, but he can get into the softer moments if it makes his heart feel this warm.]

S’nice.

[gekkajuu]

[Atsushi lies down on the other side of the Mossley, making himself comfortable. For all that the animal is between them, it feels more like an addition than a blockade this way.]

... It seems that way, doesn't it?

[It's all very cliche with the romance, but Atsushi for one doesn't mind. Even with his various relationships being fairly casual, they are so much more than he ever thought he'd have - and they've come to him so easily and naturally that he still doesn't understand how they happened.]

I know that it's silly to say, but... even if we've had some terrible things happen from time to time, sometimes I think we really are blessed by Thesa.

[So that's just silly make-believe, and the space station definitely isn't a goddess. What does it matter when the Natha are as good as gods, and Atsushi's life has improved impossibly since coming here?]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Chuuya has never believed in a higher power, and he knows damn well that the Natha aren’t gods, but they are incredibly powerful, and Chuuya can’t say he’s not grateful to have been saved from the Storm. He doesn’t like being in anyone’s debt, but at least he’s able to live as he likes here, which is both a blessing and a curse.

He sets his hat aside so that he can lie down easier, placing his flower inside of it. It’s convenient for storing things sometimes, okay? He can’t say he’s ever been one for picking flowers, but this one is obviously special.]

Maybe.

[He glances over at Atsushi. Chuuya really has formed so many good relationships here, more than he ever had back home. He can’t help but wonder if he’s actually still asleep in the pod and dreaming all this up sometimes...]

Or maybe it’s just luck.

[And maybe that luck will run out, so he might as well make the most of the time he has, right?

It’s silly, but Chuuya finds himself craving physical contact much more often these days, and maybe he’ll just reach out and very subtly brush gloved fingers over Atsushi’s arm.]

Either way, the good is worth all the bad shit we’ve gone through, right? Plus you’ve got those healing powers now.

[gekkajuu]

I don't think I could possibly have this much luck.

[Which reflects his opinion on Chuuya and everyone else as much as it says about Atsushi's self-image. This really is a lot to get thrown in his lap, though! Friends, intimate relationships, a good job (several, even!), a house...]

Yes... Sometimes I think I should use them more, because it seems a shame not to - but there are other healers, and the Royal Guard can use me, too...

[He no longer overdoes everything, he doesn't think, but he sure does keep busy. That makes him happy, though. It's just strange when he manages to accomplish more than he used to, with less time and effort.

Chuuya's gloved fingers give Atsushi goosebumps, and he strains to leans in for a quick kiss. The Mossley is probably going to demand attention right after, though: how could it not, with this positive bond being expressed?]

[thetaintedsorrow]

Maybe your luck has changed since you got here.

[Whether it be luck or blessings, Chuuya can’t say he minds all of this. His only true lament is the loss of the Mafia and a purpose driving him, but maybe another purpose has been hiding in plain sight this entire time.]

They came in handy.

[Chuuya would’ve been in pretty terrible shape by the time he’d have been able to make it to another healer that night, so he’s definitely a fan of those powers.

The kiss comes as a complete surprise, and the Mossley does indeed make a happy little sound for them. Chuuya, meanwhile, is blushing ever so slightly, because little displays of affection like that are far more likely to fluster him than anything sexual.]

...do that again.

[It’s oddly thrilling to have Atsushi make the first move, and Chuuya definitely likes it.]

[gekkajuu]

[For a split second, Atsushi wonders if he's made a mistake. He's not used to Chuuya blushing, even if he's seen it before; if Chuuya's face is red, he tends to presume other reasons for it, like alcohol.

But Chuuya asks him to do it again, so it can't have been a bad thing, can it? With a smile - to work up his courage more than anything else; the sheer boldness of it has his heart flutter - Atsushi leans in again, making the kiss last a little longer this time.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Definitely not a bad thing. In fact Atsushi now has one surefire way to get Chuuya riled up (in a good way) by making the first move on him. Of course Chuuya won’t expect that all the time, but this kind of surprise every now and then would definitely be welcomed.

Right now though he returns the kiss, pressing back insistently before it breaks again. It’s nice, doing the kissing thing. It’s not something Chuuya has really focused on before, but times sure are changing.

It’s dumb, but Chuuya really wouldn’t mind laying here like this for the rest of the day. The thought gets a little smile out of him.]

Guess we should come here more often.

[gekkajuu]

[Atsushi isn't normally greedy, but when the kiss breaks, he still feels like he wants more. It really is just childishly greedy, he thinks, he same way he'll add some sugar to his coffee even if he doesn't mind the taste of it without: there are a lot of things he lacked growing up that part of him really wants to compensate for now that he can have them.

But it's still a little scary, taking anything at all. He never knows how much is okay; he never had the luxury of finding out.]

... That would be nice.

I do miss Yokohama, but... everywhere on this planet is so nice.

[Wyver less so, but that was mostly due to the circumstances of ending up there.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Atsushi really should learn to be selfish and greedy sometimes. That’s what makes life truly fun, after all; when you take what you want and enjoy it. It’s not who he is, Chuuya knows, but that doesn’t mean that he can’t have a selfish moment or two every now and then. Maybe Chuuya can serve as the little devil on his shoulder on occasion.]

Everywhere except Murkwell Hollow.

[Fuck that place.

Chuuya gets another unexpected lick from the Mossley, and he huffs as he pats the creature’s head.]

I wonder if it’ll let us ride it.

[gekkajuu]

Hmm, I suppose that's not the best place...

[Atsushi still doesn't mind it, though. It's impressive, if nothing else.

He has to laugh a little when the Mossley licks Chuuya again - but that surge of fond happiness earns him a lick of his own.]

Ride..? It does seem friendly, but even so...

[Should they..? Maybe they should, at that.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

Then let’s do it.

[Looks like Chuuya is just gonna go for it, and he climbs up on the Mossley’s back with a little help from his ability. The creature doesn’t seem to mind in the slightest, probably used to Khali children climbing all over it when they can.

Chuuya seats himself right on its back and offers Atsushi a hand up. So far so good.]

Looks like it doesn’t mind.

[Whether it’ll actually move once Atsushi climbs up on top of it as well remains to be seen.]

[gekkajuu]

[... Well... it's true that the Mossley doesn't seem to mind - but does it really not mind, or can it just not express itself? Atsushi isn't so sure, but with no reaction from the animal at all, he hopes it's the former.

With Chuuya's aid, he can climb up without so much as transforming, and he settles on the Mossley's back. What now..? He really doesn't want to kick the animal to get it moving, but gentler treatment may not get through its thick skin...

Still, gentler treatment is all Atsushi allows himself, giving the Mossley a barely-there pat.]

There, there...

[... That's not really a command?!? But, lo and behold, the Mossley starts moving. Very, very slowly, as is its way.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Chuuya is just gonna go with it doesn’t mind, because he’s certain those horns could be used for more than just growing flowers.]

Heh. It’s in no hurry, looks like.

[Chuuya wonders if he could speed it up by making the animal lighter, but then it might freak out, so he’ll stick with this for now.]

You worked at the stables, right? Does that mean you rode unicorns and shit?

[Chuuya pls.]

[gekkajuu]

I didn't ride the animals all that much... Apart from anything else, I wasn't used to that.

[He just did your basic feeding and mucking them out, for the most part. He hoped to learn to ride properly eventually, but he never got that far before his unexpected career switch to the Royal Guard.]

This is kind of nice, though, isn't it? [Maybe the Mossley isn't going that fast, but Atsushi is bubbling over with excitement all the same.] I've been meaning to learn the taming magic here, if the Khali will teach me. I'm sure that it will come in handy!

[thetaintedsorrow]

Well now you’re more used to it, right? Riding, that is.

[Yeah, Chuuya just made a dirty joke. What about it? ]

It’s not bad.

[Chuuya would rather race around on something, but this is kinda nice.]

It could come in handy. Riding a dragon would be badass. If they weren’t all smaller than a housecat now.

[gekkajuu]

... A little, yes.

[That went right over his head, Chuuya, sorry. Anyway, weren't you the one who did the riding?!]

Maybe they could be trained to fly in formation... Look - like huskies!

[ATSUSHI, PLEASE! He'll realize how silly this is in about two seconds, but until then, he's stupidly excited about the mental image.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Oh Atsushi, you sweet summer child...]

Yeah, sure. [A chuckle.] I was thinking more along the lines of training them to use in a fight. Just in case.

[Not for fun or sport, but self-defense.]

I rode on a pegasus once. You should try it sometime, if you haven’t.

[The Mossley seems to be going wherever it likes, and surprisingly another one comes up to it and rubs its horns against the one they’re currently mounted on.]

These guys are just gentle giants, looks like.

[gekkajuu]

I'm sure their size could be an advantage in a fight as well.... but then, they're probably not bred for their fighting skills.

[How likely is it that the ones breathing too much fire got put on a sideline after repeatedly setting houses on fire?]

Truth be told, I'm not that confident with anything that flies. Not that I haven't considered it.

[Ohno the Mossleys loving on each other... Too cute.]

They're adorable. And to think they grow flowers!

[thetaintedsorrow]

Guess it’s different when you have an ability like mine.

[Heights have never bothered him, because he can always effectively break his fall as long as he reacts in time. This pays off in the form of being able to pull of neat stunts without breaking a sweat.]

Heh. Maybe we should let them do their thing.

[They seem to be acquainted with one another, snorting and gently rubbing their horns together until a shower of petals falls at their feet.

Chuuya pats the Mossley’s side.]

Daifuku would have a blast climbing on these guys.