lasergrenades: (determined)
lasergrenades ([personal profile] lasergrenades) wrote in [community profile] ioduanlogs2018-06-07 06:49 pm

Weather told me get inside | June Catch-all

Characters: Pepper Potts, Devin Parker, and you!
Date: Throughout June
Location: Around Keeliai
Situation: Devin is making himself extremely scarce, while Pepper is getting into the Tourney excitement.
Warnings/Rating: Probably some mentions of past violence and torture, possible mentions of murder. Will add as needed.


A. [Pepper] Commerce 3 | Mid June | Open

Since first arriving in Aifaran when Pepper saw them being used as accessories in a fashion show, she's been fascinated by the selys. They're waaay too expensive to purchase one for herself, but they're too beautiful to altogether ignore. This particular visit to a shop where they're sold was on a whim, and now the breeder is insisting that she take one of the shimmering creatures or it will be Very Sad. "I, uh, sort of already have a snake… they probably wouldn't get along," Pepper says in an attempt to dissuade the woman; the selys is investigating her hair. "Seriously. Separate tanks wouldn't even work."

B. [Pepper] The Townhouse | Backdated to late May | Bakura

After at least two months of anticipation and excited daydreaming about interior decorating, Pepper and Bakura finally moved out of the Dreaming Bridge and into a modest townhouse in a quieter area of the city. Not quite the outskirts, but far enough out of the downtown core that the bustle and noise doesn't drive Bakura nuts. They don't have a lot of possessions yet, so there's not much to move from the Bridge. New furniture, however, has to be acquired so they can do things like sleep in a bed and eat on a table.

"My kingdom for Ikea," Pepper bemoaned - mostly in jest - as they navigated getting part of the disassembled bed frame upstairs. "Someone should seriously introduce flatpack to Aifaran."

C. [Pepper] Arts 3 | Before June 5 | Open

Pepper definitely didn't volunteer to put up decorations for the upcoming Tourney. She's been roped into it somehow anyway, and the harried manager who had shoved bunting at the redhead had insisted work begin right then despite Pepper's work shift. Fortunately, Pepper is good at being persuasive, so she's managed to convince her supervisor that the decorations are double duty - goodwill is earned for the Sentry for having one of their own involved, and she can get a different angle on any potential security risks while she untangles five different spools of ribbon.

D. [Pepper] City Outskirts | Early June | Yato

After the accidental encounter with Vee and learning more about Pepper's magic as well as her training, Yato had expressed interest in sparring with the ka. Pepper was similarly enthusiastic about the idea, but cautioned him about how the nature of dueling magic might come into play. It would probably limit her more than Yato, if things went that direction, but he might not be immune to the effects, either. Still, it promised to be fun, and they found a suitably open area to meet up. Unlike their first meeting, Vee had shown up today in her reduced size, which she and Pepper had worked on the previous year. The Knight was taller than average, but no longer towered ten feet high.

E. [Devin] City Outskirts | Mid June | Bakura

Finding himself both agitated and of the mind to avoid the people he knew well after the incident with X, Devin had considered locating a gym or somewhere similar that he could try to vent some of what he was feeling into physical action. Unfortunately, he was concerned about breaking equipment that didn't belong to him, and going for long runs didn't satisfy anything. He recalled his brief conversation with Bakura on the network, about summoned creatures that could, in fact, keep up with the strength and speed of a vampire. The idea grew moderately appealing, and after getting in touch, they arranged to meet. The vampire acquired himself another beater sword in the meantime.

"So, how is this supposed to work?" Devin had never sparred with magical monsters before.

F. [Devin] Aifaran and surrounding area | After June 3 | Open

X's accidental call on the network had not explicitly identified Devin or Valdis as the intended recipients, and therefore the subject of his obvious agony and near-insanity. That does not change the fact that Devin heard a reflection of himself in his worst moment - the fear, the betrayal, and the bone-crushing pain. He has tried so hard not to think about the night X was recalling, tried to banish it for a decade, and now he feels like a raw nerve exposed to cold. As a result, he cuts off what little social engagement he has, takes refuge in the apartment no one knows the address of, changes his work schedule, and generally attempts to make himself difficult to locate.

He does still have to work at the library, however, and anyone who seeks peace and quiet may stumble upon him outside the city in a forested area or occasionally at the turtle's head. He may not be the most receptive to conversation.

(OOC: Let me know if you want a starter, or feel free to make your own!)
ilda: (08.)

C

[personal profile] ilda 2018-06-08 03:05 pm (UTC)(link)
“You too, huh?”

Ilda walks up to Pepper, with even more spools of ribbons, all bundled and tangled up in her arms, some parts of them resting like colored snakes on her head. She’s grinning, glad to see her friend, although there’s also that unmistakable helpless look of someone who’d obviously gotten roped into something she didn’t sign up for.
denyamenti: (ancient dramatist of eminence)

B.

[personal profile] denyamenti 2018-06-08 06:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"Should I even ask what that is?" Bakura raised an eyebrow. "The latter term. I know what Ikea is. We probably could have hired people if we wanted to feel lazy about it."
denyamenti: (displays the deepest knowledge of mind)

E.

[personal profile] denyamenti 2018-06-08 06:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"It depends on what you want," Bakura answered. He'd worn the Ring out, resting atop his shirt today, gleaming in the sunlight. "Speed? Brute strength? Something dumb and mountain-like that you can beat on with no consequence?"
minorgod: (019)

D.

[personal profile] minorgod 2018-06-09 06:55 am (UTC)(link)
Yato was more eager for this chance than he'd expected that he'd be, but in retrospect perhaps that made sense. The Far Shore provided a steady stream of Phantoms that he often faced head to head, and it was rare that he and Yukine didn't encounter them on a near-nightly basis. Lacking that in Aifaran had left him feeling-- not rusty, but any stretch, but oddly out of sorts.

The significantly smaller Knight was surprising, but he greeted them with a wave and a bright smile. "Yo!"
annihilist: (Considering)

[personal profile] annihilist 2018-06-09 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Having options was both good and bad - Devin could choose what he was more interested in, but he would also have to decide what that was. The Ring had naturally drawn his attention, but he'd opted not to ask, for now.

"Speed," he decided after a moment. "Something challenging enough to require a lot of focus."

He would like to not think of other things for a while.
minorgod: (024)

[personal profile] minorgod 2018-06-09 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
(Tracksuits, and his fluffy-fluff scarf, are cool!!)

"I'm counting on it," the god returned easily. "Thanks for offering this, by the way."

Then he looked at Vee. "That must be handy, being able to change like that..."
denyamenti: (Default)

[personal profile] denyamenti 2018-06-09 11:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"Speed it is," the thief replied, mentally running over a few options before deciding on the first contender. "I call D.D. Assailant, sign of attack."

The silver and black clad figure materialized in the space between Bakura and Devin, crouched in its habitual pose. The fighter's gender was obscured by the fitted armor and mask, but it watched Devin alertly.
annihilist: (Studying)

[personal profile] annihilist 2018-06-11 12:08 am (UTC)(link)
Having never seen a display of this kind of magic before, Devin was briefly distracted by that alone. He will have to inquire more later to satisfy his curiosity - though carefully. What little he knew of Bakura did not suggest he was the most easy-going or open of people, not unlike Devin himself.

"Well, you're just full of surprises, aren't you," the vampire remarked dryly. The size of the Assailant's weapon garnered some calculation and thought. It would be unwise to assume that the fighter was strictly bound by the rules of physics; this was unfamiliar magic, and Devin would have to learn it's limits - as well as his - as they went.

Rather than go all out from the start, Devin began as he had with Kratos. He readied his sword and darted forward, faster than a human but not his top speed. It would be worth finding out just how quickly Bakura's summon could move, and what other tricks it might have up it's sleeve.
minorgod: (029)

[personal profile] minorgod 2018-06-11 12:33 am (UTC)(link)
"So instead of an indoor voice and an outdoor voice, you've got an indoor height and an outdoor height," Yato joked, grinning like it was the cleverest thing he'd ever pronounced.

He accepts the sword after only a brief hesitation, good etiquette of swordsmanship making him automatically deferential to accepting another's personal weapon. Pepper had mentioned that they'd take care of the weaponry for today's bout, true, but that was still unexpected. Yato withdraws the blade from its sheath carefully, holding it upright to admire the craftsmanship, and lets gravity take its point to spin in a slow circle in his hand, familiarizing himself with its weight.

It's an image of incongruity to be sure, and yet it doesn't look wrong. Yato takes a few testing swings with Vee's sword, learning it. It might not feel as natural to him as swords like katana or wakizashi, but handling blades is like breathing.

"No," he says belatedly, realizing Pepper had made that offer for an alternative. "This is fine."
Edited 2018-06-11 00:34 (UTC)
redlightgreenlight: (cocky)

F-ish

[personal profile] redlightgreenlight 2018-06-11 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
After her disastrous text conversation with Devin concerning X, Valdis had largely avoided contact with him, trying to give him space, hoping he would talk to her eventually. She did know better, however, than to trust that he would, so after ten days, she went looking for his unique soul signature, finding his new place far easier than she would ever admit to him, though it still took another day. Despite the lack of current need, he was as good at hiding as she was.

Valdis picked the lock to his apartment, going inside and locking the door again. He'd probably figure out someone was in here, he wasn't stupid, but considering how he'd acted when he invaded her privacy, she didn't care. She had come to apologize for her hysterics and talk about a game plan for X.
annihilist: (Stare)

[personal profile] annihilist 2018-06-11 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
Devin did indeed notice that his apartment was more inhabited than it ought to be as he approached the door. He ran down the list of likely culprits; it was not very long. Whether the person in question had extrasensory abilities or not, Devin took care not to slow down or appear to notice the intrusion as he slotted the key into the lock - absently noting to add more security - and went inside.

One hand had settled on the grip of a knife at his belt, but as soon as he realized it was Valdis, he let go. The tension in him remained, though he turned his back to her to flip on the lights in the main living space; there was only one small bedroom and a bathroom in addition. No decoration adorned the apartment, with the exception of a climbing tree and a few other playthings for Luthien. It seemed more of the apartment was dedicated to her than the vampire. What spoke of Devin were the books. He had already acquired enough to fill two and a half shelves in a floor-to-ceiling bookcase, and for the time being he used an empty shelf for liquor. A few battered but comfortable chairs and a table made up the rest of the furnishings.

For a time, it seemed as though he planned to ignore her presence entirely and focus instead on the inan weaving through his feet and chirping at him. Devin stooped to pick the creature up, and Luthien took this opportunity to lick his face in greeting. "I should have known you would not make a good guard dog," he told her dryly. His eyes flicked to Valdis, watching her coldly. "Didn't anyone ever teach you that breaking and entering is illegal? Perhaps a badge doesn't suit you after all."
redlightgreenlight: (skeptical)

[personal profile] redlightgreenlight 2018-06-11 04:05 am (UTC)(link)
Valdis had settled herself among the Inan's toys, playing with the fairy-like creature until Devin arrived. She knew a moment sooner than Devin's pet that the Vampire was approaching, tuned as they both apparently were to him. The Inan bounced over to the door, but she stayed on the floor, still holding a small ball in her hand. She set it on the floor when he turned on the lights, quiet until he saw fit to decide whether or not he was going to speak to her. She rolled her eyes when he finally did.

"I figured it was better to ask forgiveness than permission," she replied, "And since I was coming to apologize anyway, I figured I'd just tack this on." She rolled the ball across the ground, watching the Inan closely.
ilda: (08.)

[personal profile] ilda 2018-06-11 06:01 am (UTC)(link)
Ilda laughs along, imagining how silly she must look with all the ribbons, and realizing how stubborn the things are, because even with Pepper helping to clear them out they still wouldn't budge.

Then an idea occurs to her.

"Pepper Pepper," she says excitedly. "Can you take a picture of me? The Tourney's not even started and we're already in danger! Behold, the Decor Monster!"

Yup, the answer to your question will have to wait.
annihilist: (Are you serious right now)

[personal profile] annihilist 2018-06-12 02:05 am (UTC)(link)
They seemed to be making a lot of apologies to each other since arriving in Aifaran. As incredibly invasive as breaking into his apartment was, Devin could recognize that it had been done with approximately good intentions. It did not improve his mood much, but that could be blamed as much on the situation as anything else.

Luthien wriggled in Devin's arms and he let her go to the floor. The inan scurried after the ball and nearly somersaulted over it, evidently unaware of the tension in the room. Her antics drew fondness from him that he did not make visible to Valdis, but he knew she would feel regardless.

"That is not usually how apologies work," he complained pointlessly, and sighed. Devin crossed to the bookcase, skirting around the inan who was thoroughly engrossed in attacking the ball, and opened one of the bottles. "Care for a drink, since you've invited yourself in?"
redlightgreenlight: (Over shoulder 2)

[personal profile] redlightgreenlight 2018-06-12 02:31 am (UTC)(link)
His mood had definitely not improved with time, but Valdis hadn't really expected anything differently. The trauma of having your life revealed to a complete stranger wasn't easy to get over, and his was far more fresh than any of hers. His pet seemed to balance him out a bit, her antics drawing a sense of affection as she chased after the ball. Valdis still didn't rise, watching Luthien with curiosity as the inan played. The creature was almost a cross between a dog and a cat, a safer thing to care for than another humanoid at least.

Valdis did have a reply for his complaint, but she kept it to herself, stretching out her legs and leaning back against the wall. "No, this isn't..."

She was interrupted by a sharp mew from the hallway and a scratching sound at Devin's door. It seemed Anani had also found them. That cat was far more intelligent than he should be. Valdis was quite inclined to ignore him for now.
annihilist: (Do we have to do this now)

[personal profile] annihilist 2018-06-12 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
An inan had definitely been a good choice on Leo's part; Devin would have had more trouble with something that actually required feeding. Luthien made it difficult for him to take things too seriously around her, and she demanded nothing that he was not able to give. It had been a surprisingly beneficial arrangement.

He scowled, recognizing the sound of the only cat in Aifaran. Luthien immediately abandoned the ball, ears pricking towards the door. Cautiously, she trotted over and sniffed at the threshold. By the time Devin had actually poured himself some liquor and recorked the bottle, she was poking a paw underneath the door. "At least the cat is knocking, after a fashion," the vampire griped.

He anticipated that Anani would not cease to beg for entry until granted it, so Devin went to open it for him.
redlightgreenlight: (mysterious)

[personal profile] redlightgreenlight 2018-06-12 03:14 am (UTC)(link)
Valdis watched the shadows beneath the door shift as Luthian began to investigate, it seemed Anani was as curious about the inan as she was him. Valdis rolled her eyes at Devin's comment.

"Please, if he had thumbs he would have gotten in the exact same way I did, or have you forgotten how he figured out the doors at the Dreaming Bridge?"

Again, the cat was too smart for his own good. The fluffy creature slipped through the crack as soon as Devin started to open the door, ignoring Luthien entirely in favor of investigating her toys. Valdis hoped the animals got along better than their owners did, or Devin would be kicking both her and her cat out.
annihilist: (Am I supposed to care?)

[personal profile] annihilist 2018-06-12 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
Fortunately, Luthien was affectionate and playful by nature; Anani was a new presence, but not unwelcome. She'd gotten along quite well with most of the bibiru she'd encountered. The inan joined Anani, trilling at him like she was asking a question and flicking her tail.

"He does not have thumbs, so it's something of a moot point," Devin replied tartly. He took a sip from his glass. "Would you get to yours, or do you plan on making inanities about your cat all night?"
redlightgreenlight: (Unsure)

[personal profile] redlightgreenlight 2018-06-12 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
Anani seemed slightly taken aback by the trilling, but he continued to investigate the toys, batting at a feather with one paw. Meanwhile, Valdis had fixed Devin with a forcefully neutral expression, which unfortunately meant she had to look up at him, a fact which she hated, because she still sat on the floor. He was making it very hard to be nice and apologize like she had planned. She still owed him some sort of payback for moving her out of his way last month, but now was not the time. Luckily she had a long memory.

"I'm sorry I called you an asshole and was insensitive concerning your feelings," she said. The words came quite easily, and while she could have added a 'but', or tacked on some sort of logical excuse, she didn't.
annihilist: (Sigh)

[personal profile] annihilist 2018-06-12 05:22 am (UTC)(link)
It did strike Devin as rather odd that Valdis remained seated on the floor, rather than perhaps taking a chair. She wasn't being as confrontational as she could have been, nor even as she had in the past. The apology she offered without condition, and Devin studied her silently, as if expecting more.

When nothing else was said, he dropped his gaze to the pets, who were having a much better time than their owners. The corner of his mouth twitched up. "So, is that what you called me? Fitting." He swirled the liquor around in his glass, watching Luthien try to engage Anani in play with her, rather than the toys. Devin fell quiet again, and it wasn't long before his shoulders sagged. "I don't imagine either of us were thinking particularly clearly at the time," he allowed. "We aren't often the best around each other in those situations, I've noticed."
redlightgreenlight: (calm 4)

[personal profile] redlightgreenlight 2018-06-12 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Anani continued to ignore Luthien's attempts to play with him, now investigating the ball that Valdis had been using earlier. He blinked slowly and then batted it down the hallway, turning to look at the inan as if he expected her to go after it. Valdis was constantly surprised by her cat and how he acted, but she wasn't here to promote friendship between the two animals.

"I'm fairly good at names," she replied dully, "Yet I still should have known better than to try rationality after having every single secret in my life revealed."

It didn't help that she suspected X's reading of her memories had had more impact than she anticipated, and not necessarily in the emotional sense. She had known he would sleep eventually, so she shouldn't have been nearly as shocked by it.

"I don't even know how we put up with each other most of the time."

Aside from what the fragment had told her, Aifaran was so different from where they had been that she was surprised they even interacted. Valdis didn't even know if the angel's words were still even true.

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