Touched by Fingerwork

Just another soul pursuing their Heart's Desire in the Neath... ----------------------------------------------------- [[ RP blog/Character journal for a Fallen London character by the name of Shewa ]]

[prisonershoney-deactivated20160]

can we take a moment to appreciate the clothing descriptions in fallen london

[caseybanning]

lmfao, vincent eroticaaaaAAAAHHHHH

monster, regarding the frightening thought of erotica written about vincent (via caseybanning)

[intimateofdevils-blog]

Ugh.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

[Maybe it’s the foggy feeling of the hookah that’s letting xer mind wander or maybe it’s Casey’s words but it’s started and it won’t stop now whether xe talks about it or not.] It… it isn’t… Any…thing it isn’t anything don’t worry I… [Shewa shakes xer head a little violently. It doesn’t help much. Memories and headcolds are similar, xe finds, but not the same.] … Sorry.

[caseybanning]

(They look down-, staring hard at the intricate patterns of the cushions that they’re both sitting on; Casey is torn between concern and letting whatever was stirring up in Shewa’s head be. Eventually, they decide on some sort of middle ground.) Whatever it is, you could always drop in for a visit if you ever want to chat about it, and there’s no need for apologies! We… we all have troubles that need sorting out sometimes, it’s fine.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

[Xe bites xer lip and sinks back into the cushions. Shewa extends a hand, staring up at it for a second in strange contemplation. Xer breathing's slowed down a little now but xe feels weird and numb. It may be time to not think for a while.] Y... yes. I would like that, perhaps. Thank you. I.... Thank yo...u.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

Ugh.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

[Xe nods, it would be pretty fruitless to try to think of every outcome to a… situation. Past is past. Xe needs to remind xerself that.] … Eh..? [Xe makes eye contact with Casey for probably the first time since they’ve arrived at the lounge; with a vaguely deer-in-the-headlights look. The question caught xer off guard.] I… I don’t know. It…. makes me think. About things. [The answer isn’t very straightforward, but xe’s stumbling in the search for words now. Stand up straight. Make eye contact. Speak clearly, for God’s sake.]

[caseybanning]

(As Shewa gets more vague, Casey sits up and puts the hookah hose down. Something in xer expression feels startlingly familiar, but analyzing why would have to wait.) If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

[Maybe it's the foggy feeling of the hookah that's letting xer mind wander or maybe it's Casey's words but it's started and it won't stop now whether xe talks about it or not.] It... it isn't... Any...thing it isn't anything don't worry I... [Shewa shakes xer head a little violently. It doesn't help much. Memories and headcolds are similar, xe finds, but not the same.] ... Sorry.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

Ugh.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

[This is sounding less and less like a discussion of hookah experience and more like… something bigger.] …. I… I guess I’ve never wished to dwell much on it. [A few uncomfortable images. Funny. Xe thought xe’d forgotten about that. And that… And. Ahah. Shewa laughs out loud a little.] …N-no. Maybe more than a preference. I guess I’m too scared to imagine such a thing, most of the time. 

[caseybanning]

I suppose you could be right on not dwelling on things. (Casey shrugs a little.) ‘Cause its just about impossible to ever really know how things could have gone, you know? Unless you’re struck with a gut feeling about it, it’s… impossible, really. (They’re looking at Shewa again, this time with a softer expression.) What scares you about it, though?

[intimateofdevils-blog]

[Xe nods, it would be pretty fruitless to try to think of every outcome to a... situation. Past is past. Xe needs to remind xerself that.] ... Eh..? [Xe makes eye contact with Casey for probably the first time since they've arrived at the lounge; with a vaguely deer-in-the-headlights look. The question caught xer off guard.] I... I don't know. It.... makes me think. About things. [The answer isn't very straightforward, but xe's stumbling in the search for words now. Stand up straight. Make eye contact. Speak clearly, for God's sake.]

[intimateofdevils-blog]

Ugh.

[caseybanning]

(They almost seem as if they don’t know what they mean by their own statement, huffing out a little smoke contemplatively.) Well, I guess… (They look over at Shewa.) Have you ever caught yourself wondering about what could have been if you had done something differently? Or, to be more complicated, imagined yourself wondering what could have been if you never took an opportunity to begin with?

[intimateofdevils-blog]

[This is sounding less and less like a discussion of hookah experience and more like... something bigger.] .... I... I guess I've never wished to dwell much on it. [A few uncomfortable images. Funny. Xe thought xe'd forgotten about that. And that... And. Ahah. Shewa laughs out loud a little.] ...N-no. Maybe more than a preference. I guess I'm too scared to imagine such a thing, most of the time. 

[intimateofdevils-blog]

Ugh.

[caseybanning]

(Casey looks up from the hookah, having just started to reach for a second hose when Shewa handed xer’s over.) Oh! Right. Thank you. Yes… when I heard they had this little lounge set-up for the Feast, I had to come down and try it straight away. (They pause to try the apple-tobacco, carefully blowing the smoke away from Shewa’s face before continuing.) I never did anything like this on the Surface. Here—(Casey hands the hose back to Shewa and starts to put in a second one)—how come you didn’t come here before, if you wanted to try it?

[intimateofdevils-blog]

[Xe takes another puff, an almost comfortable haze slowly setting in xer mind.] … Mmm? Me? … I guess inexperience, you know? The… The opportunity never arose. [Leans back a little and blinks.] It’s… More convenient when presented for a… a special event.

[caseybanning]

(They’re more relaxed by the hookah now, and take a moment or two to contemplate their response.) The opportunity never arose, or it did and you just weren’t sure if you should jump in and try it? ‘Cause sometimes it can feel like opportunities don’t happen, but other times… I don’t know, it feels like they do and you just have to grab it when you can.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

[Xe furrows xer eyebrows up a bit, something about that statement makes xer feel... Uncomfortable? Touchy? No use brooding over it.] I... Maybe, maybe both...  What exactly do you mean?

[intimateofdevils-blog]

[[FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN THE FORGOTTEN QUARTER INVESTIGATION]]

[[Yes, the one I started months ago. Sorry for the inactivity, but I've been thinking that I'd rather conduct this RP through a chat client. Skype, preferably, if that works for everyone...? 

Tumblr rp works for one-on-one, but the Forgotten Quarter Expedition gained quite a bit more attention than I'd expected, and so rping out the plot would probablyyyy end up as a trainwreck if we tried to do it via tumblr. So! If your character was involved in the original post/would like to be part of the archaeological dig, if you could either reply to this post or inbox me your skype, and I could make a group chat for plotting and eventually for RP sessions, that would be lovely.

We'll probably have to organize sessions at specific times and dates, and then after that session ends I'll post a recap here. It'll take a bit of premeditation but it should work...!!

Anyway, hope to hear from you all and hopefully I can stay on top of this this time-! Thank you!! :"^D;; ]]

[intimateofdevils-blog]

Ugh.

[caseybanning]

I haven’t really formed a preference yet. (They shrug, scooping some of the apple-scented tobacco into the hookah’s bowl before securing it with some gauze.) This is really only the second time I’ve been here… figured it would be more enjoyable with some company. (Casey grins distantly as they use a pair of tongs to pull a small piece of coal out of a pot positioned over a small flame, putting the coal on top of the gauze. While waiting for the smouldering to cease, they pass a hose to Shewa.)

[intimateofdevils-blog]

[Shewa stares at the thing for a second before taking it in xer hands. Xe supposes this is the part that you smoke? The little bit at the end has a small amount of aroma coming through it, and that seems to be what the others in the lounge are doing, so—] Ah, well I am glad you chose me as company. I’ve been wanting to try this for some time. Thank you. [Xe inhales a puff of smoke and places xer finger over the tip of the hose, handing it to Casey.]

[caseybanning]

(Casey looks up from the hookah, having just started to reach for a second hose when Shewa handed xer’s over.) Oh! Right. Thank you. Yes… when I heard they had this little lounge set-up for the Feast, I had to come down and try it straight away. (They pause to try the apple-tobacco, carefully blowing the smoke away from Shewa’s face before continuing.) I never did anything like this on the Surface. Here—(Casey hands the hose back to Shewa and starts to put in a second one)—how come you didn’t come here before, if you wanted to try it?

[intimateofdevils-blog]

[Xe takes another puff, an almost comfortable haze slowly setting in xer mind.] ... Mmm? Me? ... I guess inexperience, you know? The... The opportunity never arose. [Leans back a little and blinks.] It's... More convenient when presented for a... a special event.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

Ugh.

[caseybanning]

I haven’t really formed a preference yet. (They shrug, scooping some of the apple-scented tobacco into the hookah’s bowl before securing it with some gauze.) This is really only the second time I’ve been here… figured it would be more enjoyable with some company. (Casey grins distantly as they use a pair of tongs to pull a small piece of coal out of a pot positioned over a small flame, putting the coal on top of the gauze. While waiting for the smouldering to cease, they pass a hose to Shewa.)

[intimateofdevils-blog]

[Shewa stares at the thing for a second before taking it in xer hands. Xe supposes this is the part that you smoke? The little bit at the end has a small amount of aroma coming through it, and that seems to be what the others in the lounge are doing, so--] Ah, well I am glad you chose me as company. I've been wanting to try this for some time. Thank you. [Xe inhales a puff of smoke and places xer finger over the tip of the hose, handing it to Casey.]

[intimateofdevils-blog]

Ugh.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

Ah..! Splendid… 

[Xe ducks under the tent curtain, peering around at the dim room and waiting for Casey before proceeding. It certainly does look relaxed. The assorted people lounging amidst the smoke cringe at the light, but go back to their business sluggishly. Shewa has an admitted lack of experience with these substances, and glances back at Casey before proceeding. Honey, xe can do. But hookah is still a rather unexplored field. Perhaps the scent brought back recollections of the surface and drove xer away. It did have a nostalgic tang to it. Whatever the cause, Shewa plays off the uncertainty for the moment and disguises it in a casual courtesy, waiting for xer companion.]

[caseybanning]

(Once they were both inside the tent, Casey hesitates for a moment before spotting a pipe that isn’t in use. Small jars are lined up nearby, presumably with different flavors of tobacco. They throw Shewa a grin before brushing some ash off of a pillow and patting it, sitting down.) There’s a few different flavors here… regular tobacco, some with more of a fruity scent, whatever you’re in the mood for. It all usually ends up feeling relaxing in the end, so… (They get sidetracked by picking up a jar and sniffing it, catching a whiff of apple. Their eyebrows go up and they hold it out to Shewa.) When was the last time you smelled something like this since comin’ to the Neath?

[intimateofdevils-blog]

[Xe sits down crosslegged beside Casey, smiling at them with a little tingle of anticipation. Relaxation isn't something Shewa has found easy to come by. This may prove to be pleasant.] Ah, wh... whichever you prefer, I suppose... [In truth, xe would prefer something not-tobacco scented--it strikes an off-chord somewhere in xer mind. But what place does xe have to tell that to Casey? Xe keeps quie and inhales the tangy apple smell, lips twitching] ... I... I can't say I have smelled anything like it. Quite unique....! 

[intimateofdevils-blog]

Ugh.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

[Xe giggles at their resolve, and nods admiringly. It’s nice not to care for a day, actually.] Amen to that. Today is for the sumptuary. I’ve no intention… to let gossip ruin it. Now, which did you say is the hookah lounge….?

[caseybanning]

Right. It’s just this way.

(Casey walks with Shewa in the direction of Mrs. Plenty’s Pleasure-Garden set up. Various bands of people were milling about, a few sampling suspicious-looking snacks, others holding scraps of paper with small poems printed on the surface. They happen upon on a lounge that is more elaborate-tent-setup than lounge, but it does the trick. When Casey opens the curtains to let Shewa go in first, the smoke starts to filter out.)

Here we are.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

Ah..! Splendid... 

[Xe ducks under the tent curtain, peering around at the dim room and waiting for Casey before proceeding. It certainly does look relaxed. The assorted people lounging amidst the smoke cringe at the light, but go back to their business sluggishly. Shewa has an admitted lack of experience with these substances, and glances back at Casey before proceeding. Honey, xe can do. But hookah is still a rather unexplored field. Perhaps the scent brought back recollections of the surface and drove xer away. It did have a nostalgic tang to it. Whatever the cause, Shewa plays off the uncertainty for the moment and disguises it in a casual courtesy, waiting for xer companion.]

[intimateofdevils-blog]

[[oh my god okay I reALLY need to get some cosplay work done.

I'll reply to more RP things tomorrow, aahhhh but for now I'm most definitely signing off..!!! Sorry for not joining you all in the skype chat tonight; I wanted to but I honestly have stuff to do so. OTL;; obligations why. ANYWHO it was a fun and neat Feast and I really enjoyed it! Thanks all!! :"^] <33 talk to you tomorrow]]

[intimateofdevils-blog]

Ugh.

*grumble grumble* I don’t even know why I… bought this stupid mask…. *mumble mutter* …. what a silly concept in its entirety…. *ugh* … Who even buys into these stupid… sentimental… contrivances-? 

I should have slept through this whole d—ned feast. 

[chaucermilling]

A letter is brought to Shewa, through dubious means - dropped off at the front stoop, delivered by a shifty urchin, appearing unnoticed at the same outdoor table. Whatever the method of arrival, the envelope is a vibrant red, sealed in black wax, and is unlabeled on the exterior.

There’s a short and jovial letter inside!

“I’ve seen you at a distance, and thought you might like a small token of the Feast’s festivities - I hope that’s not too presumptuous, but you had the look of one who might need a kind gesture.

With affection,

C.M.”

[intimateofdevils-blog]

"....?"

Xe opens the letter carefully, blinking in a short moment of confusion before a small smile creeps its way onto xer face. Shewa is sure that xe hardly has a clue who this enigmatic C.M. could be [which is a shame--they seem pleasant.], but xe pockets the card and turns back to xer desk in a quite improved mood. What a pleasant surprise. Xe will have to find SOME way to return the favor, eventually.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

Ugh.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

Eheheh, you make a valid point… [relaxes a little at this] it’s a nice break from all the worry of sc…andal, yes.

[caseybanning]

(What could be seen of Casey’s expression behind their mask is knowing, almost bashful.) Ooh, the scandal is always… a bit awkward. One never quite gets used to it, hm?

To Hell with it. Let them talk.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

[Xe giggles at their resolve, and nods admiringly. It's nice not to care for a day, actually.] Amen to that. Today is for the sumptuary. I've no intention... to let gossip ruin it. Now, which did you say is the hookah lounge....?

[intimateofdevils-blog]

Ugh.

[caseybanning]

Oh, not at all! (Casey crooks their arm out to Shewa, giving the overcoat one last glance as they step out.)

Probably a good idea. The hookah lounge is a bit warm.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

Ah, good…. I, uh… Suppose I wouldn’t wish to inconvenience you….! [smiles smoothly and takes Casey’s arm. Xe twitches a little at mention of the overcoat, but xer grin remains the same—if not growing, at least a little.]

O-oh…. Yes, of course. I figured as much, eheh… And it is a ho…liday after all… Less… Conservative, I suppose…? 

[caseybanning]

Well, if there is any time of year to be less conservative about things, the Feast is certainly it. (Grins) The masks add an element of mystery, which deadens the gossip just a bit.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

Eheheh, you make a valid point... [relaxes a little at this] it's a nice break from all the worry of sc...andal, yes.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

Ugh.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

I… err…. Yes, lovely…! S-sounds lovely..!! 

[Xe fiddles with xer mask of organic greens and purples, before setting aside xer hat and putting the mask on. For once, xe drops the overcoat. Maybe with a mask on, there won’t be a need for it. Maybe. Xe won’t deny, xe’s excited to at least get out of the house. Casey is welcome company. Xe opens the door and offers for them to lead on.]  I hope I’m not…. not interrupting anything, ah…!

[caseybanning]

Oh, not at all! (Casey crooks their arm out to Shewa, giving the overcoat one last glance as they step out.)

Probably a good idea. The hookah lounge is a bit warm.

[intimateofdevils-blog]

Ah, good.... I, uh... Suppose I wouldn't wish to inconvenience you....! [smiles smoothly and takes Casey's arm. Xe twitches a little at mention of the overcoat, but xer grin remains the same--if not growing, at least a little.]

O-oh.... Yes, of course. I figured as much, eheh... And it is a ho...liday after all... Less... Conservative, I suppose...?