Curiosity more than anything made Evie stroll into the bookstore. Not her usual place but eh, she heard the owner was hot, so maybe she wanted to see for herself. What she didn’t expect was for books to fall around her, one nearly landing on her foot and she pulled it back quick, raising a brow, “You always that graceful, pup?” She wondered, pulling the sunglasses up and using it as a bit of a headband as she looked the man over, easily able to sense he was a hound.
Valetudo flinched at how she had to move her foot to avoid getting hit, his protective instinct having to be tampered slightly. He straightened and he internally fought between fixing the books and wanting to be close to her. Easily though, he scooped the books up and placed them gently on the table. It was then he strode over to her, his head slightly lowered.
"No ma'am. I'm usually... much more graceful." He faltered. His instinct to serve was still very sharp and he wished to serve her in some way.
The guardian took the offered cup with a nod, eyeing the red collar before setting the cup down before him instead. He’d had enough run ins with the red collared to give their offerings a second guess. “Not as productively as I would have liked, that was merely a resting of my eyes before I return home to attempt a proper sleeping state.” he admitted, pushing his long hair back. “It’s likely best that you did, I couldn’t stay here. It wouldn’t be a good look at all. Are you working?” He wondered, having been almost surprised that he wasn’t being served by one of the familiars he was used to seeing.
Valetudo noticed the traveling eyes, as many first saw the collar that was fiery red. It didn't necessarily bother him anymore — it acted almost like a mark on how valuable he could be, how resourceful. But what he didn't like it was the nervousness that always seemed to surround him.
"No sir." He said respectfully. "I was also getting food for myself before heading home. I assume you were also looking to get food? If coffee counts as food." he said with a slight smile.
Valetudo was shelving the newly returned books when he heard the ringing of the door opening. However, when he turned towards the door, he also bumped down a neatly stacked pile of books, causing them to fall on the floor. His face flushed but he still smiled somewhat graciously to the person who had walked in.
Whilst Chiara had adapted herself to land over the decades, she still found herself torn between her human form and her mermaid form. She was proud of her mermaid self and it was one that her children recognized most. Altair was always busy with her success and the Fashion Designer needed her breaks, small moments that allowed her to reconnect with her true self. Chiara had stolen a small spot down the docks for an early evening swim. The best time for the activity after the water had been steadily warmed throughout the day by the Summer sun.
The superior pulled herself out of the water effortlessly, pushing back her wet glossy hair, so long that it trailed down her back and covered most of her bare chest for some form of modesty. Her brilliant red fish tail shimmered as it caught the light, the tail flexing slowly as she perched herself on a lower dock. The woman simply watched the sun that readied to set. She almost looked like a creature that had escaped a fantasy novel.
Chiara relaxed herself with a slow exhale, her gills retreating back into the skin behind her ears and almost appearing like they had never been there. The woman gave a smile at the sunset and turned her head slightly having been aware of someone elses presence, having already spotted them when she was in the water. “It’s beautiful isn’t it?”
@firebrandstarters
Valetudo did not have a lot of time to himself but on occasion he changed his course of walking after work so that he could see the different places that the city had to offer. Today he had traveled to the docks and saw the beauty of the sky. He enjoyed the black inkiness of the night more but there was still something about it that made him pause and watch the sun set.
He had noticed the merperson arrive below him and had become tense after seeing the tail. He still did remain slightly tense but couldn't deny the scenery. "Yes, it truly is. Do you enjoy the sunset frequently?"
Asriel had really been working overtime with the madness in the city and it was beginning to take it’s toll on the Guardian. He was badly in need of a break, so much so he had found himself drifting off after his shift at a table, whilst waiting for his coffee in the diner. The guardian blinked awake when he felt a tap on his arm, looking around and then fixing his gaze on someone stood at his table “My apologies, I was merely resting my eyes. It helps me process the day far better?” He offered.
@firebrandstarters
Valetudo's eyes which before were looking at the man curiously shifted down as eye contact was attempted. There was something almost regal about him even though he had been asleep just a moment before.
"Your coffee." Valetudo cleared his throat. "The person at the diner asked me to give this to you." He carefully placed the coffee on the table. "I see though that you were using your sleep...productively." He smiled softly. "I'm sorry for interrupting your process."
MINSEOK ‘VALETUDO’ is a UNKNOWN year old PANSEXUAL, MALE, HE/HIM, here in Firebrand City. People say they look a lot like LEE DONG WOOK. They are PRECISE but can be APATHETIC. They are a HELLHOUND TRAITOR in Firebrand and they work as a COUNTER ATTENDANT for BLESSED CORNER BOOK STORE.
— valetudo does not remember anything before he was taken away besides the name the name ‘Minseok’ that his parents called him. his memories of their faces, their mannerisms, their names are all gone, shifting in the void, but the name has always been a constant memory.
— after training, when he was set to work for Hell and those who ran it, he was well liked due to his charm and precision in addition to his fierceness and athleticism. he was happy to serve and they were happy to be obeyed.
— however, as time went by something particular happened. his master started undergoing misfortunes by random encounters. the same thing happened when he was loaned to another demon master. while the idea of superstition was typically laughed at, there was something particular going on. soon, valetudo was frequently traded around amongst demon masters.
— valetudo still loved serving but orders were now done carefully, cautiously. he yearned for more like it was a drug. even more, he wished for a master to stick by his side, but was disappointed frequently. while he followed every command, there was still a layer of caution, of apathy, with every demon as he expected them to go away eventually.
— when the war started the commands got even more sparse as he was treated as dangerous to order when every. he was slowly growing insane and when he somehow wandered onto enemy ground, he found turned demons who were content to order him around
— eventually as the war ended he was captured, but the damage was done. he was labeled a traitor and given a collar for his violent actions. however, even in the city he was prone to violent actions and could only be controlled by a strong superior, typically demon. after he ended up murdering a superior, he was eventually given a red collar.
