In your hands, there's a touch that can heal | September Catch-all

[lasergrenades]

Characters: Pepper Potts, Devin Parker, and you!
Date: Throughout September
Location: Around Aifaran
Situation: Pepper starts off having a very bad month that quickly improves, and Devin is trying to learn how to deal with emotions.
Warnings/Rating: None yet, will add as needed.


A. [Pepper] Commerce 3 | Before September 5 | Open

No matter how devastated Pepper may be that Bakura is gone, she also can't put her life on hold forever. At some point, she has to go back to work and spend time away from the townhouse again. As in many things, Pepper takes after her father when it comes to dealing with grief. She does more than go back to work - she throws herself into it with near abandon, even doing daily evening patrols in the Rescue armor once she's off duty. At night she can be found on rooftops or in the air, and when she's not at work or at home it might be possible to catch her at a cafe near the townhouse, looking tired and much more subdued than her normal self. The cafe owner has been treating her to free refills, and sometimes Pepper will sit there for hours watching people go by, or staring off into the distance.

B. [Pepper] September 5 | Bakura

[watch this space]

C. [Pepper] Around Aifaran | After September 5 | Open

Once Bakura returns and is his normal self, Pepper's entire demeanor becomes brighter. She smiles a lot, makes conversation, and is clearly energized. This means she's not just going to work and coming home; she'll stay nearer home for the first little while, but before long she's shopping and exploring again. Her nightly Rescue patrols don't stop entirely, but now it's for the joy of flying rather than for distraction.

It may also be possible to find her in a park with open space sparring against her ka or one of the other Shadow monsters she's capable of summoning.

C. [Pepper] Verdant Sentry | Mid September | Valdis

Despite working for the same organization, Pepper and Valdis don't get to see each other at work all that much. They were in separate units that catered to their particular skill sets as Dreamfolk - though Valdis could probably work just about anywhere they needed her. The recent incident with the Narrakra had definitely fed into Pepper's tendencies to investigate things outside her purview, and she was fairly certain that Valdis was intent on much the same given her network post. She'd asked her friend to meet her for lunch where they could Discuss, and a cafe near the central Verdant Sentry building seemed fitting. Pepper claimed a table and waited for Valdis to arrive.

D. [Devin] Apartment | September 2 | X

After an intense conversation with the Fool, Devin has been going in circles about what to do. He's simultaneously convinced that any attempt at a relationship is a terrible, impossible idea; and yet can't make the decision to forever cut that tie. Normally, he would never bring this to anyone because it would be too much vulnerability for him to be comfortable with. But X has already born witness to that, and since he's read Devin he can also understand what's happening without needing to be told all the details. Devin bites the bullet and texts X to ask him to come to the apartment to discuss something important.

E. [Devin] Die Rose Tulpa | September 8 | The Fool

So. X and Devin had a long conversation, and after a few more days of ruminating Devin makes a tentative - but deeply significant - decision. He shoves down the nerves and heads to Klaus' cafe to see if the Fool is there selling his carvings or in his apartment. And it seems he comes bearing gifts; Devin has a small paper bag with him that swings like it has something weighty in it. When he doesn't spot the Fool in the cafe proper, Devin takes a deep breath and cautiously heads upstairs. A full minute goes by in which he simply stares at the door before finally knocking.

F. [Devin] Meta 3/General | Throughout September | Open

Devin is out and about a little more than he has been over the past few months, the turmoil finally beginning to die down (at least on some fronts). Valdis' brief devolvement into her ten-year-old self forced him back into the city and demanded he set aside some of his misery to ensure her safety and well-being. When out on a purposeless walk in the early evening, Devin finds himself at an outdoor market that's closing up. He comes away from one merchant's table with a serrated knife and stops on the sidewalk to examine it closely.

It starts living on his belt after that, hidden mostly from view. Devin also returns to a more normal work schedule this month after doing his best to have the most erratic pattern of employment possible. He can be found most days in the Academy's largest library, helping to maintain the organization of shelves or doing the careful work of archive management.

(OOC note: Feel free to let me know if you'd like a starter or make up your own!)

Comments

C

[redlightgreenlight]

The request had come as a pleasant surprise, not that Valdis didn't miss Pepper, but they had all been busy in their own way. She had somewhat thrown herself back into her work, trying to regain some sort of foothold in the Sentry. Right now she was mostly stuck in interrogations, a fact which had led to a small row which left her even more stuck in interrogations. Her break couldn't have come soon enough and she eagerly met Pepper at the cafe, happy to leave the office for awhile.

"It's good to actually see you, Pepper," she said, taking a seat at the table, "It's been awhile since we could do more than wave across the room."

[lasergrenades]

While Pepper was not always one to follow the rules, she was less inclined to be disruptive when already inside a system like the Sentry. She spent about half her time in armor and the other half in uniform, with thankfully only a bare minimum of paperwork.

She greeted Valdis with a broad smile; it really had been a while since they'd had some one-on-one time. "Yeah, it's been really busy lately with everything the Dreaming has been throwing at people. That's kind of what I wanted to talk about, actually, if you've got time for it over lunch," Pepper said, getting right to the point. Was this what power lunches were all about? "Seems like you've been getting into some extracurricular activities."

[redlightgreenlight]

"Busy is an understatement," Valdis sighs, "If not sleeping didn't have less than desirable side effects, I'd probably shrug it off for a bit."

She arched a brow at Pepper. Her only extracurricular, aside from aggravating her supervising officer, was her work with researching the Death Plane and the events of the Narrakra. Valdis hadn't yet gone after the religious groups in depth, though she planned to target Ban Om first.

"If you mean my unsanctioned investigation into the religious groups, then I've got time."

[lasergrenades]

"One of those undesirable effects being me scolding you a lot," Pepper teased lightly. Valdis was her elder in many ways, but that didn't mean Pepper wouldn't try to make her take care of herself. Most of her favorite people had a tendency to overwork themselves.

"That's part of it," she said with a small nod. "I know the Sentry has an investigation about the ship still going on, but they're obviously keeping it pretty secret. I'm not sure if it's just because they don't know much and don't want to confuse people, or if there's actually something to hide."

Pepper had few illusions that an organization like the Sentry would be completely black and white - she'd idealized SHIELD and learned a hard lesson about that. She believe the Sentry was good at it's core, at the very least, or she wouldn't be working for them.

"I've been thinking about trying to talk to the crew, if I can find them," she admitted. "As far as I can tell there isn't, like, a bar against it, but I think it's worth attacking a few sides of the problem at once."

[redlightgreenlight]

Valdis laughed, "You wouldn't be the only one, but don't worry, I'm doing my best to not give any of me lesser traits an edge."

She had little knowledge of the investigation being done by the Sentry. The crew was in a secure location and she hadn't tried to pry the information from anyone. She hadn't wanted to stir the waters too much.

"I'm inclined to think there's something to hide," she said more solemnly, "But I'm not a trusting person."

Something most people from before knew.

"Talking would be the easiest route, but if they don't want to tell us, then we'd need to do what I'm already planning anyway."

[lasergrenades]

"Good." Pepper's expression has all the hallmarks of someone sticking their tongue out without her tongue actually appearing.

Most organizations like the Sentry hid information. Sometimes this was necessary, and sometimes that was just an excuse to cover their asses.

"I'll ask around anyway, just to test the waters. See if I get push-back. What are thinking of doing?" She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial tone, an impish gleam in her eyes as she leaned forward. "Does it involve breaking into something?"

E!

[afoolsgold]

In the full minute it takes for Devin to make up his mind about whether to knock, he's treated to the muted sound of wind chimes clinking melodically against each other in the gentle summer breeze, and the hum of the radio. The latter clicks off after he knocks, and it is only the space of a few more moments until footfalls can be heard on the opposite side of the door. The latch turns, and the Fool opens the door wearing a look of polite curiosity that quickly transforms itself into surprise when he sees who his guest is.

"Devin," he starts, the corners of his mouth quirking into an uncertain smile that nevertheless manages to brighten his amber eyes. (Is he blushing, or still a bit flush from the bath? His braided hair is damp enough for it to be plausible.) A moment later and he seems to remember that he's blocking the door, and so takes a step back so that he can gesture Devin in with one hand. "Please, come in."

At his tiny work station near the window, his carving tools have been laid out for today's commission, and a few beginning cuts have been made into a block of wood. A cup of tea is steaming nearby; it seems he's just getting started for the day.

[annihilist]

Devin had considered texting in advance of his arrival, but had been torn about it. On the one hand, it would have created an obligation which he couldn't escape and force him to actually pick up his feet and move. On the other, if he got cold feet he wouldn't be able to get out of it without lying.

The intricacies of the Fool's reaction stir all sorts of second-guessing, but then again that's been happening the entire walk over here. The prospect of being alone in the privacy of the apartment is somewhat intimidating, yet in he goes. Something in Devin's posture is unnaturally timid despite the steadiness of his movements; he is clearly uncertain as well. At least he made it across the threshold. The state of the apartment makes him wonder if he shouldn't have come later, since he might very well disrupt the Fool's entire day.

"Sorry to drop by unannounced," he begins, pivoting on his heel to face the Fool. Devin holds out the bag; inside, there is a knot of pale green leaves emerging from a small clay pot. "Here. For your indoor garden. They're similar to spider plants where I'm from and very easy to take care of."

It is not nearly the magnitude of the carving the Fool gave him, and it's not quite an olive branch, either. But it is somewhere to start, perhaps the beginning of a bridge, when Devin finds it so difficult to express himself in words.

[afoolsgold]

Devin steps across the threshold and into the Fool's apartment almost as timidly as a dormouse, and the Fool peers after him in questioning silence as he turns to close the door behind him. Whatever questions he may have about this visit (and a thousand different ones assail him at once) are derailed when Devin turns to offer that bag out to him.

"Here. For your indoor garden. They're similar to spider plants where I'm from and very easy to take care of."

"Oh," the Fool exclaims softly, astonishment easy to read on his face. He reaches a careful hand into the bag and removes the plant from it, mindful not to let the long leaves catch; his expression makes an easy, relaxed transition into a warm, delighted smile, and he lifts up the plant to admire it, turning it first this way and then that to see the variegations in its leaves. "Oh, how lovely," he sighs--then, catching on the last part of Devin's sentence, turns an almost sly eye towards him.

"'Easy to take care of'? I don't suppose Klaus told you how I nearly destroyed all of his flowers during his brief absence from Aifaran?" He laughs quietly, already turning to carry the plant to the windowsill, where he sets it down amongst the others. A gentle nudge to coax it into the morning light, and then he turns to peer back at Devin again. "Thank you, Devin," he tells him softly, "this was very kind of you."

Kind, and unexpected, for in truth the Fool wasn't certain he would ever have occasion to see Devin alone again, after their last conversation.

[annihilist]

The very gentle needling is better than the both of them walking on eggshells around each other, and more like their usual interactions. Devin consciously reminds himself not to fidget, instead shoving hands into his pockets. He can't just smother his emotions here like he normally would, like all of his instincts are telling him to, because that is exactly opposite the point.

"He didn't, but indoor plants can be finicky enough when they're from the same world as you, much less when they aren't," Devin replies, not quite smiling. "I've a bit of a green thumb if you're having any trouble with these, though," he adds, gesturing to the window.

It's an innocent enough offer to help, but also a good potential reason to come back (ignoring the fact that the Fool could obviously walk downstairs and ask Klaus for help, too). He hesitates; there really is no natural segue from there to 'so those Feelings that've been happening.' Maybe it would be worth not looking for an easy transition; Devin might just as easily look for a way to avoid bringing up the most important reason for his presence.

"Honestly, I think I needed to give myself an excuse to visit," he admits, a bit chagrined with himself. "I'm... rusty with people, even after being here for over a year." Including his time in Keeliai, anyway.

[afoolsgold]

His not-quite-smile is nevertheless a welcome change from the look of stricken pain that he'd worn when they'd last parted ways, and the sight of it is heartening. The Fool's own wry smile at that offer quirks up the corners of his lips knowingly; if he's having trouble? the look might as well say. Devin has eyes--surely he can see the pitiful state of the plants for himself.

Then he gets to the meat of the matter, and what choice does the Fool have but to grow still, though he can hardly call himself surprised by the development. He drops his eyes from Devin's to consider the plant that has been gifted to him, touches one of the leaves with gentle fondness once, then steps away from the window and towards the kitchenette.

"Rusty or no," he allows, "I am always glad for your company. Tea?" Already he has removed the tin from one of the cupboards, as well as two cups, when he glances back to Devin again; it is far easier to go through the motions of something so simple and familiar than to wait motionless for words that might break his heart.

[annihilist]

For all that the Fool said he wanted nothing that Devin wasn't prepared to give (and Devin is willing to believe him), it would be cruel to hedge around the subject any longer, especially alone like this. The Fool deserves honesty.

"Please," he says with a small nod.

Hesitation again. This is uncharted territory.

"I've been thinking a great deal about what you said." They probably both have; Devin is grateful that the turmoil of recent events let up enough to actually give him space for it. He stares anywhere but at the Fool, most often at the floor. "You were right that-- I shouldn't take the choice away from you."

It's not the first time he's been told that, both here and in his home world. Perhaps it's been said enough times in recent memory that it's beginning to sink in, although Devin still thinks it has a certain amount of logic to it. He cannot let go of habits so ingrained that quickly.

Devin sighs. "I've spent most of my life doing exactly that, giving people reason to dislike me so they wouldn't become targets." He sounds regretful. It usually works when he isn't stationary for long periods. Every time he has been, he finds it harder and harder to be cruel to people as he gets to know them better. And the death of strangers weighed on him heavily, too. He will never be able to protect everyone. "But it's well past the point where I can try to use that as an excuse with you." Devin pauses once more, the volume of his voice dropping. "I can't pretend you don't-- matter as much as you do."

F! earlier rather than later september

[rutility]

Rutile's been trying to lie low for the last couple of weeks; not because they've done anything particularly, explicitly wrong, but rather because they've felt rather sheepish about their actions and have an increasingly nagging feeling that they'll be facing consequences sooner rather than later.

That means a lot of being holed up and very deliberately not sneaking into places where they don't belong. Rather than sit around all day - restless hands are the devil's tools, after all - Rutile takes themselves down to the Academy library to camp out among the tomes.

Though Rutile is known for their meticulous record-keeping, books have never really held their interest. Wandering the stacks, they find that even if they had, it wouldn't have been of help: the numbers listed on the spines must have some sort of order, and one that Rutile can't decipher. They wander through mathematics and agriculture and underwater basket-weaving until finally, they seek out someone who looks like he works there, and they ask quite pointedly:

"Pardon my intrusion. I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the organization here. Can you point me toward books on the three Planes?"

[annihilist]

Devin is logging a pile of returned books, recording any changes in condition and sorting them onto a cart to be reshelved. He raises his head at Rutile's approach - like the other gem he's had occasion to meet, they don't have the sensory signature he's accustomed to (no heartbeat, no real scent, just the noise of movement).

He arches a brow and quirks a slight smile. "That's a very broad topic; you may want to narrow your focus a little bit if you don't want to spend the next year reading through everything in the catalog." Devin puts a ribbon in the log to mark the page before closing it. "Do you need a basic overview to build from?"

[rutility]

To be fair, Rutile's gait is pretty unmistakeable; it's not every day you hear stone walking across stone, though they try to keep silent out of respect for the library atmosphere.

"I have a great deal of time on my hands," Rutile points out, tongue in cheek, "but I am glad of the suggestion. A basic overview would be helpful. My particular interest is in the Dreaming, which I'm sure is quite common for Dreamfolk."

In fact, the librarian seems to be Dreamfolk as well; it took only a little while to realize that humans are not the dominant species in Aifaran.

[annihilist]

"Many of us want to better understand the magic that brought us here, yes," Devin confirms, coming around the desk and gesturing towards one end of the library. He gives the gem a sly glance. "As long as you don't start calling me 'little one', you're welcome to take all the time you want here."

That had been Padparadscha's most annoying habit when they were at the Bridge.

"The Aisling Tower also has a fair bit of research, but it's not available to the public most of the time," he continues.

[rutility]

Rutile's somewhat confused by Devin's single request until they realize that he must have met Padparadscha first, and then they're just amused, a true smile taking over their features. "I had no intention of doing so," they reply. "I'm sure you have a name that suits you much better. If that puts me in your good graces, then it's the least I can do."

They follow Devin wherever he leads, down tangled corridors of books more extensive than a forest. "Public availability is the problem I've run into in other facilities," Rutile notes. "I don't have the qualifications to access most of what I actually want to know."

And they haven't really given anyone a reason to sneak them in, either.

[annihilist]

"Devin," he supplies promptly. This gem is undoubtedly older than him, but he has a poor track record with nicknames.

"It takes time to build a reputation here," Devin acknowledges, checking the numbered signs on the shelves as they get closer. "And we don't always stick around long enough to suffice. Fortunately, one of academia's best qualities is the insistence on preserving and sharing knowledge. Here."

He indicates down one of the long rows and then does something slightly odd. Rather than checking numbers, Devin brushes his fingers along the spines of the books until he finds what he's looking for several yards in. "Most of the rest of this row is related to the planes," Devin elaborates with both amusement and fondness, pulling a moderately thick tome from the shelf. "So information shouldn't be in short supply."

A

[highprofilerichkid]

The Dreaming, true to form, has seen fit to return Tony – only to snatch away Bakura instead. Tony was never all that close to him, honestly, but his heart aches for Pepper, and it kills him that she and Gene have both had to go through this. He's used to the indifferent whims of the Dreaming by now, but it still sucks.

And when life sucks, what's the front line treatment? That's right: ice cream. (And emotional support. He's less certain of his skills in that area. He can definitely do ice cream, though, so let's start there.)

Tony hasn't gotten around to building a new liquid nitrogen generator, but it turns out freezing technology is easier to come by in Aifaran than it was in Keeliai. So he'd made a batch of what had been the household favorite back when they'd all been living together, and begged a favor off of one of the restaurants with the appropriate equipment to churn it up for him.

Now he's standing outside Pepper's townhouse with the insulated tub under his arm. He knows she's been overworking herself – so has he, though for different reasons – but he's pretty sure she'll be home right now. He didn't tell her he'd be coming, hoping that she might enjoy the surprise. He knocks.

the most appropriate icon i have

[lasergrenades]

Pepper is indeed home, sitting on the couch and wondering what to do with herself when there's a knock. Most of the visitors she's had lately have been friends coming to check on her or bring food, but they've usually let her know ahead of time if they were going to show up. There are faint dark circles starting to form under her eyes and she has a bearing of grim determination about her.

She unfolds herself from the couch and goes to the door. Her eyes widen when she sees Tony standing there, and she darts forward to pull him into a tight hug. Despite the pit of grief in her stomach, Pepper is smiling, too. "Oh my god, I'm so glad you're back," she says in a rush, and a sound that's half-laugh, half-sob escapes her.

D!

[psituational]

Something important, the text says. The text does not specify what the important thing is. With Devin's entire life at X's disposal, it doesn't take very long to work out what he wants to talk about, since there's only one possible thing he'd want to discuss specifically with X in private. So, within minutes, X knocks at Devin's front door, and the moment Devin answers it, he smiles.

"This is about the Fool, isn't it?"

It's a sincere smile, lightly teasing, with no hint of exasperation. The conversation may go very serious places, but X is determined to enjoy romantic affection wherever he finds it for as long as he can, no matter what.

[annihilist]

The speed with which X arrives would almost be surprising if Devin didn't know how improbable reaching out was in the first place. Call it growth - or, pessimistically, desperation. X's greeting is met with an eyebrow arched in annoyance.

"I can't decide if your powers of deduction are useful or incredibly irritating," he complains, stepping back to let X in. It's an exceptionally private matter they're going to talk about, and he sincerely hopes it isn't that obvious to everyone else.

Once the door is shut, Devin crosses to his tiny kitchen and starts filling up a kettle with water. There is no sense in being truly inhospitable when X is here to help. "Would you like some tea?"

[psituational]

"I decided on 'useful' a long time ago," X says as he walks inside. "Besides, when you're in my situation, it's a little difficult to miss."

That is, feeling the feelings in question, and being very confused by it. Unless Devin directly asks, though, X won't get quite that specific -- the memory is awkward enough without making it Devin's burden as well. He has his feelings well-organised and under his own control by now.

"Tea," X repeats thoughtfully, and then he shrugs. "If there's no slime in it, why not?"

Let's just say his experiences with tea before reaching Aifaran left a lot to be desired.

[annihilist]

Devin gives X a bemused look over his shoulder, arching an eyebrow. "I think I would lose my citizenship if I served tea with slime," he remarks, placing the kettle on the stove and turning on the heat. "I assume there's a story in there somewhere."

Which could easily provide a distraction from the thorny subject of this meeting. He knows deflection is his first instinct.

"I did wonder if you would be able to... sort that out," Devin continues after a moment, referring to the aforementioned feelings. His back is to X as he collects mugs and measures out tea leaves. "Given that I hadn't really done that for myself when you read me."

[psituational]

"There is," X confirms with a smile. "It involves a wizened old woman taking advantage of an ignorant young man who'd never had tea before. But -- it's not what you asked me here to talk about, is it? I'm sorry."

He can't see Devin's face, but he wouldn't need to see any expression to know the turmoil underneath Devin's thoughts. He swallows, choosing his next words carefully. "Not at first," X admits. "I think you were so eager to believe no feelings existed that I had no idea they were yours. Time has helped. So has meditation."

So did the knowledge both X's husband and wife would only laugh if they ever heard what happened.

"Does that phrasing mean you've sorted it out for yourself now?" X asks the back of Devin's head.