friendlylocalwhumper's ocs

Lux, Kiara, Skylar, Marlow, and The Hunter

[friendlylocalocs]

I think your main was shadow banned. You're not showing up in any of the search results or anthing. Was that intentional

oh! thank you for the heads up. i think you're right. yikes! it was not intentional.

[friendlylocalocs]

“Yes, it is! It’s, ah, somewhat removed from time, so I’ve healed quite a bit.” Nadeem bows his head to the man with Willow. “Now that I have it back, I’m going to be in my vessel a while. I can come out if needed, but I wanted to be sure to thank you for helping me. And being very patient.”

The djinn makes sure that his magic feels steady and well before he speaks next. “Helping me like you did, it was selfless and good. I think you have honor, Willow, and you did me a great favor.” He doubts he has to explain quite so much for him, considering how he properly greeted Nadeem and showed respect that was apropos. “I grant you three wishes. You can use them now, if you like.” He smiles, clearly feeling more peace than he did even minutes ago.

[malfunctioning-ocs]

“Oh, truly?” Willow’s eyebrows shoot up, and he smiles and bows briefly. “Nadeem, I’m honored, thank you.” He looks over to his husband, who is regarding Nadeem with curiosity. “I think I’ll need to talk about some options with Grackle. Are you able to tell when we’re ready, somehow?”

[friendlylocalocs]

“I’ll know whenever you’re ready, no matter how far. I look forward to hearing what you decide on.” He smiles at the two of them, glad he decided to give Willow the wishes.

When he returns to his room, Nadeem sits back down on the bed gingerly. “You’ll keep my vessel with you?” He asks Phoebe, just making sure as he picks up the little bottle. “You can summon me anytime, it’s never a bother. For a wish, or if you’d like company - all you have to do is open it.”

[malfunctioning-ocs]

Phoebe nods. “I’ll keep it safer than the Wister family ink,” she says. “You’ve got nothing to fear when you’re with me, Nadeem.” She puffs her chest out a little.

Willow comes hurrying into the room with a little cloth bundle, which he offers to Nadeem. “Here–something for the road,” he says, smiling. “It’s a few almond m’hencha, something I learned to bake in my homeland. I hope you enjoy them, honored djinn.”

[friendlylocalocs]

Nadeem accepts the gift graciously. “Thank you, these smell wonderful! You don’t know how much it means to me to be treated with such respect after everything. And I’m sorry to leave so suddenly, I’m simply eager to truly rest.”

The djinn inclines his head to both Willow and Phoebe. “Honor to you both. I’ll see you again rather soon, I hope.” With that, he dissolves into mist, corked up into the bottle safe as sound. The vessel settles into a cloudy azure hue when it’s picked up by the Paladin, like a vibrant cloudless sky.

[friendlylocalocs]

“Yes, it is! It’s, ah, somewhat removed from time, so I’ve healed quite a bit.” Nadeem bows his head to the man with Willow. “Now that I have it back, I’m going to be in my vessel a while. I can come out if needed, but I wanted to be sure to thank you for helping me. And being very patient.”

The djinn makes sure that his magic feels steady and well before he speaks next. “Helping me like you did, it was selfless and good. I think you have honor, Willow, and you did me a great favor.” He doubts he has to explain quite so much for him, considering how he properly greeted Nadeem and showed respect that was apropos. “I grant you three wishes. You can use them now, if you like.” He smiles, clearly feeling more peace than he did even minutes ago.

[malfunctioning-ocs]

“Oh, truly?” Willow’s eyebrows shoot up, and he smiles and bows briefly. “Nadeem, I’m honored, thank you.” He looks over to his husband, who is regarding Nadeem with curiosity. “I think I’ll need to talk about some options with Grackle. Are you able to tell when we’re ready, somehow?”

[friendlylocalocs]

“I’ll know whenever you’re ready, no matter how far. I look forward to hearing what you decide on.” He smiles at the two of them, glad he decided to give Willow the wishes.

When he returns to his room, Nadeem sits back down on the bed gingerly. “You’ll keep my vessel with you?” He asks Phoebe, just making sure as he picks up the little bottle. “You can summon me anytime, it’s never a bother. For a wish, or if you’d like company - all you have to do is open it.”

[friendlylocalocs]

“Yes, it is! It’s, ah, somewhat removed from time, so I’ve healed quite a bit.” Nadeem bows his head to the man with Willow. “Now that I have it back, I’m going to be in my vessel a while. I can come out if needed, but I wanted to be sure to thank you for helping me. And being very patient.”

The djinn makes sure that his magic feels steady and well before he speaks next. “Helping me like you did, it was selfless and good. I think you have honor, Willow, and you did me a great favor.” He doubts he has to explain quite so much for him, considering how he properly greeted Nadeem and showed respect that was apropos. “I grant you three wishes. You can use them now, if you like.” He smiles, clearly feeling more peace than he did even minutes ago.

[friendlylocalocs]

“I think so!” He still grips his vessel tight - he’ll never let it go again. “Even if I couldn’t, my vessel is all I need. Thank you, Phoebe. I’ve never been outside of it this long. I could stay in my vessel until I fully healed, just rest and rest… if it were safe.” He looks down at the bottle pensively. “I’m not sure if I should, though. Anyone could find it and summon me. Again.”

[malfunctioning-ocs]

Phoebe recalls the words of the man she spoke with not hours before. His claims that he would have Nadeem again–she finds that a far too lofty ambition for him to manage twice, but still…

“What if you travel with me?” she offers. “There aren’t many places safer than at a Paladin’s side.”

[friendlylocalocs]

“Oh!” Nadeem tilts his head to the side in thought. He can’t think of anyone he’s ever trusted so quickly, and Phoebe seems truly capable. Not to mention, truly good. “That way, I could stay in my vessel, and know I wouldn’t be summoned by anyone untoward. That’s perfect, it sounds wonderful - if it’s no trouble for you. I would never want to disrupt a Paladin’s work.” He feels his weak but lively powers stirring deep in him at the thought of going home, of being safe in his vessel and under the protection of someone kind.

[malfunctioning-ocs]

“I think it’ll be fine,” Phoebe says. “It’s not unheard of for one of us to travel with a companion–I think someone has actually picked up a squire recently?” she adds thoughtfully. “But anyway, I’m happy to have you along. It can get a little lonely with just myself and Dancer. What do you say?”

[friendlylocalocs]

Holding his vessel close to his chest, Nadeem nods. “Yes. Yes, it would be an honor to travel with you. Maybe I could come out sometimes, for your fireside cooking. And to see Dancer. I’m sure I’ll be healed in no time.”

The djinn leans over a bit to look out of the room. “I’d like to say goodbye to Willow before I go back in my vessel for a while. He’s been kind.”

[friendlylocalocs]

“I think so!” He still grips his vessel tight - he’ll never let it go again. “Even if I couldn’t, my vessel is all I need. Thank you, Phoebe. I’ve never been outside of it this long. I could stay in my vessel until I fully healed, just rest and rest… if it were safe.” He looks down at the bottle pensively. “I’m not sure if I should, though. Anyone could find it and summon me. Again.”

[malfunctioning-ocs]

Phoebe recalls the words of the man she spoke with not hours before. His claims that he would have Nadeem again–she finds that a far too lofty ambition for him to manage twice, but still…

“What if you travel with me?” she offers. “There aren’t many places safer than at a Paladin’s side.”

[friendlylocalocs]

“Oh!” Nadeem tilts his head to the side in thought. He can’t think of anyone he’s ever trusted so quickly, and Phoebe seems truly capable. Not to mention, truly good. “That way, I could stay in my vessel, and know I wouldn’t be summoned by anyone untoward. That’s perfect, it sounds wonderful - if it’s no trouble for you. I would never want to disrupt a Paladin’s work.” He feels his weak but lively powers stirring deep in him at the thought of going home, of being safe in his vessel and under the protection of someone kind.

[friendlylocalocs]

“I think so!” He still grips his vessel tight - he’ll never let it go again. “Even if I couldn’t, my vessel is all I need. Thank you, Phoebe. I’ve never been outside of it this long. I could stay in my vessel until I fully healed, just rest and rest… if it were safe.” He looks down at the bottle pensively. “I’m not sure if I should, though. Anyone could find it and summon me. Again.”

[friendlylocalocs]

Nadeem is asleep when she returns, breathing a little easier thanks to the pain medicine and the tea that he was given by Willow. The doctor wakes him by calling his name a few times, knowing not to touch him. Upon hearing that Phoebe has returned, the djinn pulls himself up.

Something feels different. Nadeem’s face lights up, feeling a pull at his core. It’s familiar. It’s impossible, improbable, he doesn’t dare even think it until the Paladin confirms his fervent hope.

[malfunctioning-ocs]

Phoebe steps into Nadeem’s room, smiling, and pulls the little glass bottle out of her pouch. “I think it’s the right one,” she says, handing it over. “He had it in a small box. You’d better try it out, I guess, to be certain? I can go back and look more if it isn’t, but I think it is.”

[friendlylocalocs]

Wordlessly, the djinn reaches out with both hands to take his vessel. He crosses his legs and wraps his fingers around the cool glass.

“I’ll only be gone a moment,” He says, glancing up at Phoebe with a grin before he looks back down at the bottle. His eyes close. In the span of three seconds, he dissolves into blue mist that slips into the bottle, the glass stopper lifting for him and closing after him. The vessel is deeper blue, now, lying on the bed like nothing more than a vial of perfume.

When he materializes again, the difference is obvious. Still sitting cross-legged, his head is tipped back as he breathes in through his nose. He doesn’t wheeze, he breathes.

Nadeem opens his eyes, far calmer than he’s been in his short time with the Paladin. He’s not fully healed, not halfway either, but he feels a bit more like his old self. “This is my vessel,” He confirms needlessly. It’s wonderful just saying it. “You found it.”

[friendlylocalocs]

Nadeem is asleep when she returns, breathing a little easier thanks to the pain medicine and the tea that he was given by Willow. The doctor wakes him by calling his name a few times, knowing not to touch him. Upon hearing that Phoebe has returned, the djinn pulls himself up.

Something feels different. Nadeem’s face lights up, feeling a pull at his core. It’s familiar. It’s impossible, improbable, he doesn’t dare even think it until the Paladin confirms his fervent hope.

[friendlylocalocs]

He sets the box down first, then moves to the end table to place the vessel reverently. “He’s different now. So sweet. Have you met a djinn before? Powerful. Almost untouchable, especially with how they can travel, how easily they can call upon their powers.”

The Hunter moves back to where he first stood, across the room from the vessel. “I made him scream. Nearly made him human. I’m not bragging, you understand - simply explaining why I will have him again. It’s only a matter of time. Because if I can break a djinn, I can best a djinn’s magic.”

[malfunctioning-ocs]

Phoebe watches him steadily for a moment, taking in his words. Coming to a conclusion about this man.

“Hm.” She taps her chin thoughtfully, then goes to pick up the vessel, because she can’t help herself from saying her next words and she doesn’t want this man to try snatching it back. “Do you know how easy it was to undo that little brand you had on him? He’s gotten a lot of sleep since I carried him out of your cellar. He’s still able to grant wishes, clearly, and he’s been in fairly good spirits. I don’t think you really got close to whatever little thing you were trying to do.”

[friendlylocalocs]

The Hunter’s cool calm slips away at that. A dangerous glint shines in his eye, though he doesn’t move from where he stands. Weeks of work, of beating the djinn into submission, making him weep in terror and beg for each breath… and this Paladin let him sleep, let him use his magic. If the Hunter could get his hands on Nadeem now, the djinn would be howling for mercy once more.

“You’ve gotten what you came for,” He says lowly. “You should go. He’ll be very eager to have his home back.”

[friendlylocalocs]

He sets the box down first, then moves to the end table to place the vessel reverently. “He’s different now. So sweet. Have you met a djinn before? Powerful. Almost untouchable, especially with how they can travel, how easily they can call upon their powers.”

The Hunter moves back to where he first stood, across the room from the vessel. “I made him scream. Nearly made him human. I’m not bragging, you understand - simply explaining why I will have him again. It’s only a matter of time. Because if I can break a djinn, I can best a djinn’s magic.”

[friendlylocalocs]

“You return,” The Hunter says, sitting in the darkness. “The thief that took my little djinn.”

He stands, movements measured. Crosses his arms. “I felt the magic as soon as it bound me. It felt like him. So soon out of his chains and he can already grant a wish. I wonder, whose was it?” He makes no advance on the Paladin, aware that he’s at a strategic disadvantage.

[malfunctioning-ocs]

“Ah, so you’re the one,” Phoebe says, though she seems to only be halfway paying attention, instead scanning the selves of knick-knacks and trinkets he has lining the walls. “I think it doesn’t make much of a difference if you know who wished it or not, seeing as how you shouldn’t be able to do much about it anyway. Have you got a little blue bottle here, somewhere? I’m sure I can find it myself but you could save me some time.”

[friendlylocalocs]

“Of course.” The man raises a finger in a gesture for her to wait a moment. Calmly, he crosses to the shelves. Reaching behind a few items, he pulls a box from the bottom left shelf. It’s ornately carved silver with golden swirls; a simple latch is on the front. Deceptively well-protected. The human mutters a spell to unlock the wards binding the metal together at the seams, and the lid opens easily. Out from the box he lifts the precious vessel.

“Here.” The Hunter holds the bottle out for the Paladin, smiling amicably. “He must miss it terribly. I’ve kept it safe for him.”

[friendlylocalocs]

“You return,” The Hunter says, sitting in the darkness. “The thief that took my little djinn.”

He stands, movements measured. Crosses his arms. “I felt the magic as soon as it bound me. It felt like him. So soon out of his chains and he can already grant a wish. I wonder, whose was it?” He makes no advance on the Paladin, aware that he’s at a strategic disadvantage.

[friendlylocalocs]

“It’s a glass bottle,” The djinn answers, recalling it fondly. “Appears to be such, anyway. It cannot be broken like glass. Blue like the sky, transparent, with a glass stopper. It’s simple, no designs on its face, but it catches light as water would. If you held it in your palm and closed your hand, your fingertips would just meet.” He used to carry it with him on a loop attached to the clothing at his hip, or sometimes on a string about his neck, close and safe. “It’s been many things. Changes every century or so. The magic from it tastes like springwater and herbs.”

[malfunctioning-ocs]

Phoebe pictures it, holds the description in her mind. Smallish glass bottle, sky blue. “I’ll find it,” she says, conviction apparent in her voice. “I don’t want you to be without something so important.” And she knows just the place to start looking.

[friendlylocalocs]

There’s that dangerous hope again, clear as day in Nadeem’s eyes. If anyone else said it, it might mean very little, but a Paladin? “That would be…” His only home in all the realms. He can have it back, maybe. “There could be no greater gift.”

[friendlylocalocs]

“It’s a glass bottle,” The djinn answers, recalling it fondly. “Appears to be such, anyway. It cannot be broken like glass. Blue like the sky, transparent, with a glass stopper. It’s simple, no designs on its face, but it catches light as water would. If you held it in your palm and closed your hand, your fingertips would just meet.” He used to carry it with him on a loop attached to the clothing at his hip, or sometimes on a string about his neck, close and safe. “It’s been many things. Changes every century or so. The magic from it tastes like springwater and herbs.”

[friendlylocalocs]

Nadeem finds that he doesn’t take well to being touched, not even by someone he’s been assured he can trust. Willow is gentle and patient with each wince and the worsening tremors; Nadeem forces himself to stay in place like he’s holding his hand over a flame.

When Willow seems to only grow more worried at how badly he’s reacting, the djinn apologizes and assures him it’s not his fault. “You can keep going, it’s alright, I just… I know it’s safe, but I don’t think my body does.”

[malfunctioning-ocs]

Willow nods. “I understand; it’s like that for a lot of people who come through here, and a djinn’s probably not very used to it regardless,” he says, giving Nadeem a respite from the exam. “I’m just about done though, I promise.”

After a few moments to let Nadeem rest, Willow finishes up the examination and notes down the rest of his observations. “Your ribs are the worst injury you have, and those just need to heal on their own,” he says. “Some of your wounds should be cleaned, and I’ll wrap up your wrists if that won’t bother you, but luckily nothing needs stitches at this time.” He looks back up at him, smiling gently. “Mostly, you need a lot of rest, and probably a lot of pain medicine.”

He pauses, hesitant, then continues. “I mean no disrespect, but, do you still have your vessel?”

[friendlylocalocs]

The djinn feels a terrible pull at his heart. “No, it’s… I believe it’s been destroyed. Or hidden very well. The, ah, the human who kept me… he said I’d never need it again.” A fetid bitterness weighs on him as he stares down at his hands absently. He’ll be in this place, with pain and fear and needs, forever. “He has great magic. I can’t sense it anymore, it must be gone.”

[friendlylocalocs]

Nadeem finds that he doesn’t take well to being touched, not even by someone he’s been assured he can trust. Willow is gentle and patient with each wince and the worsening tremors; Nadeem forces himself to stay in place like he’s holding his hand over a flame.

When Willow seems to only grow more worried at how badly he’s reacting, the djinn apologizes and assures him it’s not his fault. “You can keep going, it’s alright, I just… I know it’s safe, but I don’t think my body does.”