𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘳 𝘦𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘴𝘦

[llunarum]

                                  independent, semi-selective, oc multimuse! loved by maleficar (21+ & GMT -5)

ACTIVITY : low / slow restart LINKS : rules muses promo

[fatelied]

     There's no small amount of curiosity in Arashi's gaze as he peers at the stranger, all but shamelessly getting closer even with the subtle threat lurking in the other's frame. A grin accompanies his head tilt as he hears the question, demeanour brightening considerably. 

     "Not at all!" Arashi answers honestly, eagerly. Hands come together as wings flutter behind him, flapping fast enough to elevate him for a moment, though he sustains that momentum with absentminded magic. "Uh, I hope that's fine with you. I was bored. I don't really have much else to do, so... can I tag along?" Not that he'll listen if it's a no, but the stranger doesn't need to know that.

[llunarum]

No reason to be there, he didn't expect that. Especially not given as if it was something joyous. Eyebrows knitting together as he tries to process the reaction, just to be thrown off again by the question.

❝Tag along?❞

Confusion clear in his tone as he asks. A thin and faint dark mist beginning to trail off him as he raises his hand to scratch the back of his neck. He had never been asked that before by someone that wasn't a victim's loved one or the like.

❝I can't see how that would be entertaining. It's my job to kill people like you, even if I'm not on an active hunt, wouldn't that be scarring to see?❞

[the27percent]

"Healthy okay. I can .. see about what I can find. It makes sense that you wouldn't want anything that could make things worse for him."

Not their fault people often used metaphors when it came to the notion of the 'good' in terms of hearts. But they weren't going to dwell on it, they needed information and if that meant a healthy heart, that was what was required.

It's frustrating having to deal with this sort of situation, but they probably know a few with regenerating healthy.. hearts they could ask a favor of. Make a trade for a trade for a trade.

Wasn't the first or last time that this would happen.

"Alright. I will need a moment but is there any place you usually can be found so I can bring it to you?"

[llunarum]

So they would take the deal? How happy that made him to hear. The cold and stern expression on his face quickly melting away into a soft smile, eyes wide like a child being handed a new toy.

❝Healthy, good, hearts are tricky ones to find. I don't know where you could find them easily, but I know you won't find them in bars. Nor hospitals, they're often sickly. Churches are tricky, the more pious the source the more likely it is to be a toss up, the less pious the more likely the heart has been tainted.❞

So many places that gave bad things. He could go on and on, with his search having gone on for so long he knew just so many!

❝It is best to use your intuition.❞ Nodding as he speaks. ❝If you think it is good, then it might be good.❞

[cosmicdreamt]

Oh? What was this now? Was THE Alaire Solyn actually taking a moment to be open? And asking her to join him? Maybe she should come with him to Spain more often. It's not often he talks, well, not like this anyway.

The irony of winning over the selective mute who will refuse to shut up while alone in her company.

But for as much as they used to tease each other and the way they used to argue, they'd reached a point where they were trying to understand each other a little better. That's what you do when you love someone, right?

"What's on your mind?" As she sits down, Neff pulls her knees to her chest and wraps her arms around them, resting her cheek atop them to look his way. "I'd love to hear about it, if you'll let me."

[llunarum]

❝Thoughts-wise? Not much.❞

When was there ever? More of a "in the moment" kind of person, found if he did let his thoughts wander they'd end up tangled up. Messy, hard to deal with, hard to sort through, frustrating. Easier to keep his mind, relatively, empty.

Still, he's pointing at a lone tree in the middle of the yard. Close enough to the forest line to not stick out, but still separate. A worn-out old oak, nothing special, but very special at the same time.

❝That one used to be a tree swing. For a few years anyway, before I started to be more interested in learning than playing. Must've taken it down fully after my last visit, the ropes used to just hang there, kind of an eyesore- sentimental one, but still.❞

Probably didn't give the best idea to the few people that visited Rui either, an old hunter with rope hanging from a tree? Probably thought he used to hang people from there.

❝Used to sleep at the top when I was younger, any time I could avoid going with him to the other hunters and their families I was probably asleep up there.❞

[solarisligatus]

It'd be a rather interesting situation to say the least. Cordelia could heal and Ott's skin was thick enough to keep her from taking any real damage. Though, she'd really prefer not to get into that situation at all. Not with her at the very least. Suppose it's something else that could make another considered lucky. Lucky enough to stay off Ottilie's list of names.

"C'mon. Your luck and mine are two very different things."

Who could stand a chance against Fortune's favored like that?

"Honestly? I'd probably be too bored to just sit and watch. But you're the one who needs to let off steam."

[llunarum]

❝An assassin doesn't truly need luck, doesn't matter to me if mine is on the lower side. I have no interest in making deals with Fortune for my own personal desires. Now Time on the other hand...❞

Though she had only heard of the entity in passing during meetings with Fortune, anyone with a control on the passage of time was of interest. Just getting to know the length of time she had left would be helpful, would make it a lot easier to choose who followed her when the time came.

❝Anywho, that's not a matter to be dealt with- currently, anyway. This is my personal time,❞ Until they returned at least. ❝tell me of the poor soul who has crossed the line this time?❞

[llunarum]

hi ignore its been a month dfjhsfgj im gonna do REPLIES

[the27percent]

Atieno raises a little bit of an eyebrow, wondering what a heart, or a lack of one had to do with anything in this situation.

Then again, deals were always such peculiar and tricky situations and Atieno finds themself feeling a little exhausted just thinking about it. They probably could find a good heart with some effort.

"What do you define as a good heart though? There are simply so many ways that can be interpreted. "

[llunarum]

A definition ? What was hard to understand about "a good heart" ? It's a shame these people of late don't seem to understand, but such was to be expected for people who were new he supposed. It was easier with Mercury's regulars.

❝A good heart. A healthy heart. One that I can use, one that will not reject or cause illness. Those are considered good. Any other traits that might be considered good are merely bonuses, I only care about the health. I will not give him something that causes trouble. If you can bring me something good, with proof it is healthy, I will give you whatever you might ask for.❞

[solarisligatus]

"If good relations are to be kept and your pretty face is to stay in one piece."

Not a threat, but a reminder. Cordelia is not the only one of the pair that can get violent. And Ott would truly rather keep from beating someone else into the pavement. At least, someone that she actually quite enjoyed.

"Let's go... you're a very lucky girl tonight, actually. I happen to have a... retrieval that I have to deal with. You can come with."

People who owed money and wouldn't pay were to be dealt with, after all. If she really required breaking or hurting something or someone... Ott would give that to her.

"It'll be fun. Maybe I can sit back and watch for once instead of having to do too much."

[llunarum]

The mention of her face being in the mix as well is laughable. Even if she were to get into a fight with the other woman she would heal fast enough, nothing wrong with having an injury for some time. Though, again, business relations were better kept in good standing. One of the few drawbacks of being the matriarch unfortunately, have to set a good example for the other members.

❝If I was very lucky I wouldn't be two steps away from imploding.❞

Two steps now ! Progress. Hands relaxing as she rises from her seat, brushing out her coat for a moment before gesturing for her to lead the way.

❝You wish to make me do all the dirty work then ? Tragic, but I suppose I wouldn't be too bothered. A shame to be lacking better poisons, hard to keep such delicate vials in a pretty coat. Custom tailoring for slots only ruin the idea of it.❞

[solarisligatus]

It's one thing to have repeated visits. It's another entirely when she can tell from even a distance that the other is exuding with a thinly veiled rage. Whether it's losing or the fact that time within the casino feels - and technically is - different, it's best to deal with it before it gets out of hand.

And here, she really hadn't expected for this to be the reaction one of the first times she sees Cordelia in the casino and not outside of it. Not merely passing each other between whatever the other has to deal with.

" Now you know I can't let you do that, right? Need to step outside? Take a break? I can walk with you. "

A luxury that is only afforded here. Only for her.

[llunarum]

❝It's really a shame, that I can't. At your request, and that good business relations are to be kept.❞

Surely Fortune could easily recreate such a place, but it wasn't her place to make it something that must be done. No matter how truly seething she was on the inside. Losing wasn't something she was used to, the money didn't matter, but the frustration- that was the real killer here.

❝Truly, something or someone must die before I explode.❞

A release, something to vent all that anger onto. Manicured hands slowly balling into fists as nails dig into her palms, rising from her chair after a moment.

❝I would always gladly take a walk with you, Ms. Moreau, but if that walk doesn't end up with me with a very large rock in hand... Well I'm just not entirely sure where I'll end up.❞

[llunarum]

Very few times did he encounter demons on their own, and fewer times at that when he wasn't actively on a hunt. It is... confusing, the action he must take a mystery. If one isn't actively causing harm, did they deserve his ire ? Part of him wishes to say yes, that it was his role to keep such things at bay, but if they were considered connected then they could say the same of him.

A near silent sigh as he allows himself to relax, just enough to come across as aggressive. Lowering his hand from it's forming position to his lap as he continues to stare at the stranger. Only relenting and blinking a few moments later, seconds that felt like eternity.

❝You have reason to be here ?❞

A vague question, but he does not elaborate, only wait.

@fatelied. s.

[llunarum]

❝I see no heart.❞

No heart that he could claim, not one that his creator would enjoy anyhow. Not one that might work even for his creator, mortal as he was despite best efforts.

❝I have little interest in making grand deals on my time and money if there is no heart. I will be fair, as is the nature, but if you would like a better deal- bring me a good heart.❞

@the27percent. s.

[llunarum]

do u think about my beautiful wife ever ?

[llunarum]

gotta do starters here ignore that i was gone for like............. a minute im gonna do em 🫵😤

[llunarum]

STARTER CALL !!

specify muse if you can please

[llunarum]

❝Huh.. ? Oh.❞

A mumbled "uhhh" barely louder than a whisper as he's moving to gather himself back up, hand pushing hair out of the way.

❝I should get up and help.❞

Not that it was a problem, helping his father look for stuff when he had been made to put the groceries up from earlier, but... it just felt nice right now. Sitting somewhere familiar without any rush in mind, getting to recall memories. It's that feeling that makes him stop in his efforts, instead brushing away the dirt from the step for her to sit down.

❝He won't die if I stay a little longer. He might get huffy, but Rui is sentimental at heart. Can't yell at me for feeling so myself.❞

Well, he absolutely could- and probably would- but it wouldn't be anything he would take to heart. Maybe a little complaining, but what visit home wasn't filled with those complaints ?

@cosmicdreamt. s.

[llunarum]

❝Learn.. ?❞

Suppose that could be nice, learning another alongside his other few. But... ah... could the now "normal" him bear to learn without lashing out towards the idea ? Could he live with the mistakes that came alongside it ? Or would he simply destroy whatever new instrument he decided to try like everything else he tried to work with.

❝I don't know, I'm scared of trying now.❞

The first time he had admitted to that feeling of fear in what... a few hundred years now ? Only last uttered when Marius had returned after so long. That fear was born of abandonment, this one was born of himself- and how does one come to cope with such a thing ?

❝I don't know how I would respond to it.❞

It was truly a tragic thing, to have lost control over one's own mind. To only have it in sparse and fleeting moments, only aided in memory by a sea of journals containing memories. Some he wanted to remember clearer, some he wanted to forget entirely, but to do so would be forgetting himself.

@solarisligatus. c.

[llunarum]

STARTER CALL !!

specify muse if you can please