(open) this time i know

[sparsity]

Who: mikazuki augus (sparsity) & various & you!
What: january catch-all, open prompts/closed quests.
When: throughout the month.
Where: mostly wyver, a smidge of olympia.
Warning(s): none as of now!

I. WITHIN WYVER

A. ODD JOBS:
[ Calling Mikazuki a workaholic wouldn't be an understatement. He seems to sleep as little as he can possibly get away with and spends the rest of his time either training in the jungles or picking up odd jobs around the dense, vibrant marketplace. Constant movement comes to him easier than being inert, though no one would really figure him for a restless sort. Whatever the case is, he's been hefting deliveries for different shops, earning some silver and a snack or two along the way.

His current task, one that has him parked outside a café with a carved facade depicting a dragon and a few spartan teacups wreathed in steam, sees him cleaning up a pretty tenacious gnarl of plantlife. Foliage grows freely in Wyver, but overgrowth can be a nuisance. He doesn't seem to mind doing the job barehanded, peeling back vines and thorns from bright red blossoms. Luckily his hands are tough and show he's been at this a while as a result: dirt darkens his wrists, fingertips sticky with sap. At his side is very small deer who daintily steps over the carnage, picking up fallen leaves to chew on. With a flat look, he reaches up to push at its nose. ]

Cut it out. You'll get a stomach ache.

[ While most of the unruly vines have been snapped and put aside, there's a pile of flowers neatly laid out, separated from the bulk. Mikazuki sits back on his knees if approached, reaching up to wipe beneath his bangs with the back of his wrist. There is now dirt on his face. ]

Take them if you want them. [ He places another one down. ] It's a waste to throw them away.

B. FIELDS OF THE EXALTED:
[ Working with animals had taken some more getting used to. Mars had no animals to speak of; insects and birds were rare, strays and rodents a little less so. He'd never seen livestock or working animals, so the abundance of wildlife on El Nysa had been drastic change in pace. But Mikazuki seems to thrive on new things, even (or maybe... especially...) when they're wild, strident, and bloody. Which is why he's parked on an outcrop of rock in the fields where he has his main job babysitting dragons. He tends to be not so good with small or sick things, so he spends his time with the older beasts. They're a pretty cavalier bunch, proudly turning earth and whipping the air with their wings. Squabbling over the last sheep, things like that.

Right now, it's fairly peaceful as the early afternoon sun arcs overhead. Mikazuki lets his legs dangle from his perch and watches over the windswept fields below where the dragons come and go, some napping, others blustering about proudly. He's never really approached one, but he's patient. ]

I heard you could bond with one. [ Whether it's a coworker within earshot or a visitor come to sight-see, it's the same statement. ] Somehow.

[ Though he looks relaxed, he's pretty alert, considering where they are. ]

C. LHONGHA STABLES:
[ Things Mikazuki has done: knife fight moon-crazed wyverns in his underwear. Things Mikazuki has not done: actually ride a wyvern. He's interested in seeing more of the place he's chosen to live, but the insistence on it being done with mounts leaves him skeptical. Still, it was supposed to cost lots of money to do this normally, and maybe he won't get the chance to again. Not that this makes him look any more sure about it despite the calm lay of his features. He lingers outside one of the pens where a wyvern is lashed to its fence. It dips its head over the side and tries to take clips at the edges of his hair with its pointed snout.

He doesn't look nearly as alarmed as he should at being so close to an animal that could fit his whole head in its mouth. ]

It's not that I haven't flown before...

[ Just, you know. A talented pilot doesn't necessarily mean he'd be a talented rider. ]

D. LAGOONS:
[ Whatever or whoever convinced him to go, Mikazuki did in fact take to the wilds with a large reptile creature in tow. Whether he actually rode it or just walked it along with him isn't immediately apparent, but he's stopped by the lagoons for a spell. He's left it tethered to a tree where it idles with brief flexes of its pliant wings. For his part, he's, well. Poised over the edge of one of the cold springs, his head entirely underwater. It's a sight.

With some bubbling, he finally pops his head above water with a breath and a splash, not unlike a dog shaking off. Sorry if you get the brunt of that? Glancing over his shoulder, hair now dripping and mussed every which way, his gaze hones. ]

What? It's hot.

II. WILDCARD

[ what to do something else using the jan outline or unaffiliated quests? go for it! plotting comment here or hit me up at rivalry! ]

Comments

A

[notwagging]

Oh! What a cute little baby.

[ said to the deerling and not to the gardener, of course. with a toothy grin, he lowers himself down to the ground on his hands and knees, tail upright and ears pinned back. he even wiggles his behind as he stares at the animal, very much like a ready-to-pounce predator looking for a little snack before the larger and slightly dirtier meal.

except...

he's not that kind of animal? not that kind of shapeshifter, anyway, and instead leans in to give the tiny deer a bump with his nose. all play, no actual threat, and a playfulness reserved for times where no one else could see him.

but it's Mikazuki, so it's probably okay. ]

That's a lot of flowers. You're not going to take some with you?

[sparsity]

[ Given that a deer is still a deer, it doesn't look too sure about being approached by something with such big ears and a telltale... tail. However, it'd rather stay close to Mikazuki than it would run away, and only stutters on its thin legs for a moment following the bop of noses. Cautiously, it extends its neck to try and nibble at whatever it reaches first — clothes or rogue bits of hair.

Mikazuki's pretty confident Keaton won't actually eat his tagalong, so he continues with his work untangling and uprooting the invasive vines. ]

Maybe some. I don't need them all though.

[notwagging]

[ he's going to miss some of those hairs! they were his favorite? the ones he never actually touched, much like the rest of them. but it's cute, and he always swore he would never kill another beast, even though that thought isn't even close to the front of his mind. ]

Well. I probably could take a few off your hands... if that's okay.

[ with a thoughtful hum, he reaches out to pick one up and doesn't see the slightest, smallest thorn on it. not expecting a sharp prick, he winces. ]

Yikes! Dang, did it really go through my glove?

[sparsity]

Yeah, it's okay.

[ Content with the discovery that Keaton isn't food despite wild excess of fluff, the deer eventually backs off and tiptoes its way around Mikazuki's workspace in search of better things to chew on. Conversely, the cry has Mikazuki leaning forward on his knees to look at the damage, task stalled. Flowers weren't supposed to do that, though he supposes there's nothing for the thorns. He hadn't thought to shear them off. ]

Did it? I guess they're pretty sharp...

[ Before he can think twice about it, he's held his hand out expectantly, like he wants to see. ]

quest | preaching in a material world (closed to clair)

[sparsity]

[ Returning to Olympia hadn't been terribly high on his list of priorities. Actually, most things ranked higher, including visiting Falmi's Ring to fight that literal bullheaded fellow who was always in a bad mood. But after a brief exchange where he learned there were jobs available there too, among other very mysterious reasons, he figured he'd make a trip back while travel was still open. Going once couldn't hurt if there was money on the line for something so simple. He hopped a carriage for a silver piece so the trip up through the South Outpost wouldn't take so long, rolling over the dirt roads until the weather became cooler and less humid.

When it arrives in Olympia, it's hard to tell there had been any conflict at all. Not like the state of the streets when he left, thrown with fighting and illness. He doesn't linger very long on looking around though, tucking his passport into his pocket and venturing off to find the meeting place Clair gave him. Navigating is pretty painless given how long he'd patrolled with the Guard, more familiar for the bustling citizens and repaired buildings.

Reaching the spot, he raises his head to look around for a familiar face. ]

[cajolery]

[ Here is his familiar face, jumping up and waving when she sees him. Also, she has a pegasus with her. ]

Ho, Mikazuki!

[ She looks. So stoked. About this pegasus, one hand looped once in the reins as the other gently strokes its mane. This is the first time since being caught up in the Storm that she's going to have the chance to ride, and her enthusiasm for it shows in the sheer delight on her face. ]

Greetings! Did you fare well on your journey?

[sparsity]

[ Impossible to miss that sunny disposition, naturally. Though Mikazuki's gaze immediately jumps to the pegasus at her side as he approaches. ]

Hey. Everything went okay.

[ All in one piece. But more importantly: ]

What is that?

b

[catfident]

[ There are no dragons in Japan, nor in Soul Society. She's only seen them in pictures, heard of them in tales—until now. Impressive creatures, to be sure, though not fully living up to their fame just quite yet. (Then again, she hasn't seen them in action.)

But she's not particularly good with animals and animals have never really liked her - why would they, when she's not quite alive but not quite dead - and so she keeps her distance, stays on the fringes. The concept of bonding with one doesn't appeal to her in the least, but— ]

Are you interested?

[ No doubt bonding with a dragon is up someone's alley. ]

[sparsity]

I don't know yet.

[ A fairly honest and sure answer — he hadn't really needed to think about it. He's not the most logical thinker around, but he also knows that there are people out there who'd probably want to attain a dragon's power. He'd known men like that. Beasts like that too.

I wonder what you have to do.

[ Presumably at least be able to get close without it wanting to dismember you, if he had to take a guess. ]

[catfident]

[ She purses her lips, thoughtful. A legitimate question, one worth knowing the answers to, even if she'll likely never put those answers to good use. ]

Wouldn't know. Probably by proving your strength over them, but while treating them as a partner instead of a lesser being.

[ Much like how any rational and sentient creature would want to be treated, she imagines. Of course, standing your ground and proving your strength against something five times your size might be an impossible first bar to reach. She crouches down nearby, a smile toying at her lips. ]

You could always go out there and try it out.

[ It's not a serious suggestion, but there's always the off-chance he'll take her up on it. ]

c

[eaudevamp]

[ Being able to travel on mounds was infinitely better than just walking. Heck, flying would be the most excellent mode of travel. But it was best to start small. Reign had checked out Olympia's stables before, and decided to see how Wyver's was like. Besides, he'd heard that refugees were given a chance to have trial versions of certain mounds. Not that he had flew on one before, and the closest he'd come to was during that test flight on that space ship.

So here Reign was, perusing the pens where wyverns and flying serpents were kept, wondering which he should give a try. He spotted a young man by one of the pens and decided to see which creature had caught the other's interest. ]

I doubt most of us have ever rode on these before.

[ Reign was keeping a careful distance though, just shy of the wyvern's snout. ]

[sparsity]

[ His gaze cuts aside to the newcomer, a clear, curious blue. ]

That's true.

[ Mikazuki can answer swiftly enough though he doesn't know the speaker, not really needing to think about it. Plenty of people were coming to and from the stables with such coveted animals being available for free. Though he hasn't taken one up yet, he learns by doing, and sometimes just has to feel things out.

So he reaches up to place his palm against the curved nose of the wyvern. It gives a staggered shuffle of air through its scaly throat, nostrils flaring. Its green eyes reminds him of his machine. Absently, he rubs the creature a little. ]

Are you going to try it?

[eaudevamp]

[ Such a clear blue gaze, slightly different compared to Reign's pale blue ones. There was also so much conviction in the young man's voice, giving off an aura that there was nothing the man fear. A kind of confidence, Reign noted.

For a brief moment, Reign feared the wyvern would snap the other's hand off, or nipped at his fingers. But he watched in awe when the wyvern allowed the petting. ]

Who, me? I don't know. Aren't they dangerous to ride on?

A

[chickenhearted]

[ Waver is one to pick up random odd jobs too, though not any that require a lot of physical strength. Because he has none of that. He happens to be on a break from one of these jobs however, enjoying a drink at that cafe, when he overhears a familiar voice scolding ... a deer? It's enough to get Waver to turn his head and look.

Not so much at the deer. He can take or leave that, but at Mikazuki. He definitely remembers him. Blushing a little at the memory of their intimate little talk, he recalls that it's Mikazuki's fault that he now believes Rider can come back to life in one of those little pods. That he's here, waiting to be woken up. Yes, it's all his fault.

And he blinks as he failed to notice he'd been staring, and suddenly he's being offered the flowers of those plants and he quickly shakes his head. ]

N-no, I don't need them! I don't know what I would do with them...

[sparsity]

[ There are some instincts that can't be suppressed in him, no matter how heavy the air is with peace. Or about as peaceful as it can be in Wyver's streets, where lunchtime sees about as many street brawls as a rowdy bar at midnight. One of those instincts is knowing when eyes are on him, drawing his attention aside to the table where Waver is. Realizing who he is doesn't bring up much emotion in him, though recognition is there all the same.

Did he ever go to Thesa like he does, he wonders.

Pausing in his work, he puts his back straight again, dirty palms rested on his thighs. He guesses no one would look twice a flower when they grew so freely in the streets, but still. ]

Keep them until they die, I guess.

[chickenhearted]

[ He did go to Thesa, to search for that one person, just one time. He sort of psyched himself out about it and chickened out though. But he still searches for that person, still wants to believe that he's there, sleeping in one of those pods, waiting to be woken up again. He wants it, so badly...

But that's neither here nor there. Right now, he focuses his attention on Mikazuki and his little gardening project. And he lets his gaze wander to the pile of flowers just sitting there, unwanted.

It kinda makes him feel a little guilty. ]

When you say it like that, it's kind of sad...

wildcardin' it bc i do what I want

[braidedwonder]

[ It had been years since Duo Maxwell had been forced, or chosen to, sit down and actually read a book. Sure, he'd looked at mobile suit schematics, looked at plans that had come out before the Doctors had been killed for upgrading his weapons systems, making his controls faster, better, more reactive, all these things that he would have had to put in to motion on his own had the war carried on. But reading, actual fiction or things that weren't plans and mathematics? Not usually Duo's bag. Former gundam pilot didn't necessarily mean book smart, after all.

He'd leave that kind of scholarly study to Wufei or Heero - they were more the types to read for fun or for education.

Meeting Mika, and finding out he was still learning to read? It put a few things in to perspective. Had he never been unfortunate enough to be caught out stealing bread, had he never been forced to go to the orphanage, stayed long enough to be sent to school (despite his less than graceful expulsion) - he'd be in the same boat. Hell, maybe even worse, considering he didn't know how he would've handled things like math either. Howard and the Doctor had helped him with all of that, smoothing out the edges that made him more noticeable, helping to quash those bits of L2 that made him a little too obvious in a crowd. The way he spoke, the way he tends to cut short words and sentences, all tell tale of a kid from the streets and, well.. apt to be a bit more judged, if they're honest.

Which was why he'd offered to help. Not to change him - hell, Mika could be whoever the hell he wanted so far as Duo was concerned - but to make sure that he could at least help himself as much as he wanted to. It seemed... right.

So here he comes with a local Wyver newspaper tucked under arm, waving slightly to catch his attention. ]

Hey man.. good day so far?

[sparsity]

[ Mikazuki is sitting with his spoils from that day's work hanging out of his mouth — half a sandwich, and a bag of fresh fruit at his side, something small and velvety, berry-like. It's the plus side about working here and there in the marketplace besides the ease of manual labor. He rarely ever goes hungry while out and about, though with the way he eats, it might as well be a permanent state of being for him. Plus, with his body whole and functioning, being able to lift things and walk and run and see with his own two eyes, he's aware more than ever of the way his body burns its energy, every nerve full of it.

Whatever the case though, it's a simple and efficient way to pass the time and earn his keep in the gruff, grey streets of Old City. A far cry from the burgeoning empire Tekkadan once owned, but he's not among that network of lives arranged into the semblance of family, a success long destroyed. He'd started over in a place bigger and freer, where earnings came easily.

Where people are more willing to help, however much Duo warned about sticking his neck out. With a quiet mmph noise, he takes a bite and chews, glancing aside. ]

Yeah, so far. It's the same.

[ Mellow, by Wyver's standards. Finally: ]

Hey.

[braidedwonder]

Same sounds good right about now. With all the posturing and shit going on between Wyver and Olympia. [ Duo is unimpressed with all of it, to say the least. He hadn't come here to get back in to fighting and all of that mess, hadn't intended upon ever entering in to it again if he could possibly help it. At least not wars. Skirmishes, intel gathering, whoever and whatever needed his set of skills could have them for the right amount of silver in his accounts. Making strong allegiances just wasn't his bag if he wasn't, you know, swearing himself to the Colonies again. He'd do that over and over without any regrets about it, but here...

Well, he just hadn't been around long enough to care bout assigning himself to one side or another. It seemed stupid to do anyways. Duo settles in next to Mika regardless, feet perching so that his knees give enough of a place where he can lay the paper across his knees, reading the latest and greatest about why they were meant to fight with Olympia today, or whatever was there. ]

Been trying to keep up with it with the papers, but, you know, you gotta kinda read between the lines no matter who you're askin'. Normal stuff.

preaching in a material world

[respired]

[ Koltira's always looking for something to do. Some distraction from himself; from his pain and his impulses. Yet he knows he must be cautious here: war is in the offing, and this time he won't be trapped blindly fighting for one side over another. So he thinks, anyway.

As such, he is consciously trying not to build much favor either way. This work is simply a distraction. Something to help keep him on the level. Collecting gems seems like a relatively inoffensive task, and it's close to the place he's been haunting since arrival, so it's an obvious choice. He stands by the designated cave, dressed fully in his dreadplate, Byfrost in one hand. He's waiting here, waiting for the man he met some time ago. He has that book still, tucked in the pouches at his belt. It's been useful. Perhaps this man will be useful, too. ]

[sparsity]

[ Put plainly, he's in it for money. It's not so impersonal a thing to him, but a basic necessity needed to make his way through whatever life he could carve out, tooth and bone. Wyver was a bit baser in the way it did business but no less receptive to the idea of a profit, and Mikazuki is the same way. This may have been Olympian in origin, but he'd be filling his own pockets at the end of the day.

Practicality. Which might be one of the only ways he demonstrates it, if the way he shows up is anything to go by. In no such armor, no such weapons on his person but his own two hands (and a pistol tucked into his back waistline —), clothing plain and simply layered.

He's explored Edrathe, but never inside the caves. If he's ill-prepared, he'll have to figure it out as it comes, nothing more or less than that. ]

You spent all your time out here?

[ "After all" being the unspoken tail end of his question. ]

[respired]

Not all. I have traveled to the other kingdom.

[ But staying in a jungle reminds him too much of home, and he cannot stay in Wyver proper, of course. That would be just as foolhardy as taking up residence in Olympia. So, ultimately, at the end of most weeks, he returns to his camp here in the ruins. ]

But for the most part.

[ He gestures for Mikazuki to follow as he steps into the cave. ]

Are you still ferrying things about in the city?

i want the d

[gekkajuu]

[It's funny how Atsushi seems to just attract certain scenes... Having come out here to see if he could find some crystal drops, it's the huge reptile that attracts his attention first, but it soon becomes obvious that the creature is pretty harmless. Or at least it must belong to someone, if it's tethered to a tree like that...

... and then Atsushi sees the owner in question just. Sitting there with their head underwater. Just sitting like that. It probably doesn't take more than a second or two, but to Atsushi, it seems like an eternity. Is the person still alive..? No, they have to be, right? And if they did this on purpose, he definitely shouldn't try to help them... right?!

He walks up, trying not to disturb the person (how could he even disturb someone with their head underwater?!), and just as he considers very carefully tapping their shoulder, they emerge.

And Atsushi gets wet. Sigh... Well, it's warmer here than Olympia, fortunately.]

It... is, isn't it? [He feels like he should have recognized Mikazuki from just his ass, which probably isn't very realistic. Still, it's nice to see him.

His face. To see his face.]

Hi! It's been a while.

as you do my friend

[sparsity]

[ Now that his hair is plastered all over in some sort of unfortunate cowlick situation, Mikazuki cranes his neck over his shoulder to see who got caught in the crossfire. If his expression is anything to go by, he doesn't seem worried that he's unwittingly shared the wealth.

Both with the water and the view. Hi, Sushi. ]

Yeah, been a while. [ He shifts on his knees to climb to his feet. ] What are you doing out here?

[ The implication: it's pretty close to Wyver. ]

[gekkajuu]

[Theme music screeches to a halt as the tekkadoge shakes everything but the booty.

Trying to subtly wipe some drops from his face, Atsushi hovers a little awkwardly. He likes Mikazuki; he considers them friends. But it would feel weird to Atsushi if Mikazuki didn't feel bad for getting him wet, and it might feel weird to Mikazuki if he realized he got Atsushi wet, so it's much better all around to just pretend nothing happened, probably.]

I came here to look for crystal drops. Someone in Olympia is interested in buying them, and I know I found one in this area before...