Goblish Researcher (￣▽￣)ノ @nem-does-things - Tumblr Blog

*Nem sneaks up behind you and attempts to pick your pocket.*

ooc: OKAY HAIII IDK HOW I KEEP FINDING YOU hehe. in this one nem's just a random blue kingdom rogue :3

@nem-does-things

“4C, I swear-” *Owain turns around, then halts.*

“…You. I do not recognize your face. Identify yourself.”

"I'm Nem!" Nem giggles. They swipe a piece of gold out of Owain's pocket before tossing it back to him. "Doesn't that armor ever get sweaty?"

*Owain snatches back the gold from midair and eyes them suspiciously.*

“Perhaps. What’s it to you? And get out of my pockets! You’re as bad as 4C…”

"Curiosity!" she crows. "I remind you of 4C? I'll take that as a compliment!"

Despite that not, in fact, being a compliment, Nem preens while tossing Owain's farkle dice up and down in one hand.

“Give me that- Who taught you your manners? They did a poor job. Rifling through pockets and asking personal questions…”

"My manners are wonderful!" Nem darts around Owain, seemingly inspecting his armor. "Also, it's my job as a rogue, to... borrow things others probably don't need!"

She pokes at the Zweihänder, hefting it slightly. "Dang, how do you swing this? And how was it forged, it looks amazing!"

“You-! Unhand that, rogue!” *Owain snatches his zweihander back.*

“Your ‘job’ is to do no such thing. And this sword is not yours to take nor touch.”

Nem laughs giddily. "Fine, fine, I'm sorry... Here!"

They shove a bag of dice and a coinpurse, both absolutely covered in slime, into Owain's hands.

"I got this from the frog guy after throwing a water balloon at him!"

*Owain immediately drops the items, both confused and mildly disgusted.*

"I- I do not need these, why do you give them to me? And why are they covered in... whatever this is? It would seem you have neither manners nor self-respect, from your actions and mannerism..."

"I respect myself plenty much!" Nem says offendedly, hanging upside-down with her legs hooked around a tree branch.

"And what would be my job as a rogue, if not to borrow things, for an extended period of time, without asking? ...also are you a tsukumogami?"

"Your 'job' would be to protect, scout for, and serve your kingdom. Thievery and crime are not sanctioned professions." *He sighs quietly.*

"And- Pardon, but what did you ask if I am? I do not believe I'm familiar with the term."

Nem narrows their eyes. "I'm scouting where the Red Kingdom keeps their wealth, and I'm serving Blue by bringing back some of it."

She whips out a notebook, still upside-down. "A tsukumogami is an object that gains life after a hundred years. It's not my pet theory, but I can't help but wonder because I'm pretty sure nobody's seen your face."

They let out a small hmph as their pen falls to the ground. "I mean, I could go and ask Salem, but with all the travelers pestering him it feels like it would be in bad taste."

"I- A hundred years‽ You jest with the intent of rage, I see... No, I am a human being, and a am hardly older than twenty. Not that it is any of your business."

*Beneath his mask, he blushes.* "And I do not know why you think Salem would have seen my face any more than the rest of the kingdom."

Nem smirks, fails at suppressing a giggle, and falls out of the tree.

"You- oh you're serious. I can't believe it. Mighty lion of the blue kingdom, we have eyes. You're down bad. Head over heels. An entire tavern broke into cheers when you all started dating."

They flop dramatically onto the floor. "Even some of the Red Kingdom have caught on, at this point."

"That is- This- Whatever do you mean? How is this public news? If, if it were to be actual news, I mean- What do you mean, a whole tavern broke into cheers‽"

Nem breaks into full on wheezes of laughter, curling up into a ball.

"I- I- oh my- ha, you've been dancing around each other for- snrk- MONTHS, the Blue Kingdom notices, trust me..." She coughs, and finally wrestles the laughter under control.

"It was just like those desert plays... someone rushed in and literally shrieked 'They did it, they finally kissed.' It was the night everyone, and I mean everyone, went home drunk. I must ask, where did you think all the notes with pickup lines came from?"

They throw an arm over her eyes, shoulders shaking.

"We have not..."

*Owain blushes deeply under his armor, the air inside growing quite warm. He looks away.* "I have no idea what you talking abo- Wait, how did someone know about the kiss‽ I-I mean, what made them think there was a kiss at all?"

Nem, drinking from a flask to help their throat recover from the coughing fit, spits it out all over a poor flower. "How does anyone know anything in this kingdom? Eavesdropping. That means that you still don't have a confirmed face though, so the armor spirit thing isn't completely off the table."

She stares blankly into the sky. "By the way, do you want some of the gold I got from it? The betting pool I ran was particularly lucrative that day."

*Owain looks away, his face growing ever-hotter.*

"Nobody in this kingdom has any sense of privacy..."

"I- No, I don't need the money you won from betting on my- on Salem and I."

Nem shrugs. "Eh, your loss. You should stop by the various taverns more often, there's so much gossip floating around. People give out more information if they're drunk!"

They climb up the tree and backflip off of the trunk while continuing her pitch.

"Also the eight-way Farkle death match. That was pretty funny."

"I- That sounds- Concerning. I do not indulge in such behaviors, anyway. And- 'eight-way farkle death match'?"

"Trust me, it was just as insane as it sounds."

Nem sighs, sounding nostalgic. "There were at least five broken noses, two had to be sent to Cam. It was wonderful!"

She sounds entirely serious.

“That hardly sounds ‘wonderful.’” *His tone indicates that he might be questioning Nem’s sanity.*

“And- to Cam? As is the Red Kingdom mage? Were we not discussing a tavern of the Blue Kingdom?”

"Yes, someone actually had to pay Cam to treat people from the Blue Kingdom," Nem huffs, "it was that bad."

She smiles a little. "Though I paid him with his own coinpurse and he didn't notice, so it wasn't a horrible deal."

“I… See… And why did you not simply go to a Blue Kingdom mage instead?”

#chronicles of nem #ooc: i'm pulling so much out of my ass rn #ooc: lmao

Nem wrinkles their nose slightly. "Their face was caved in. I have the utmost respect for Scott and Shandrea but from what I know about magic, they have to set the bones before healing, and Cam knows more about anatomy."

death-flies-on-swift-wings

"What's being a corruption mage like?"

The question comes echoing from a girl sitting in the rafters, gaze pinned directly on you. Her tone only conveys curiosity as she shifts slightly.

@nem-does-things

*Osprey looks up, a little confused by her presence.*

“Me? I suppose it’s rather unique… I get a lot of scared and concerned faces made at me. With, ya’know.” *He gestures at his poison rot.*

“Mind me asking who I’m speaking to?”

#chronicles of nem #ooc: if you wonder about the replies not showing up it's cause i mess up and hit the reblog now button #ooc: instead of adding a response :/#endless energy #< ooc: this is nem right here. love your tags

"Oh, sorry!"

They shift to be more in the light, with their purple hair and eyes, as well as green skin, being immediately apparent. "I'm Nem. It's nice to meet you!"

make no mistake if someone's a jerk i will absolutely throw down. doesn't matter if they're a knight or a royal or whatever. square up

#nem yaps

*Nem sneaks up behind you and attempts to pick your pocket.*

ooc: OKAY HAIII IDK HOW I KEEP FINDING YOU hehe. in this one nem's just a random blue kingdom rogue :3

@nem-does-things

“4C, I swear-” *Owain turns around, then halts.*

“…You. I do not recognize your face. Identify yourself.”

"I'm Nem!" Nem giggles. They swipe a piece of gold out of Owain's pocket before tossing it back to him. "Doesn't that armor ever get sweaty?"

*Owain snatches back the gold from midair and eyes them suspiciously.*

“Perhaps. What’s it to you? And get out of my pockets! You’re as bad as 4C…”

"Curiosity!" she crows. "I remind you of 4C? I'll take that as a compliment!"

Despite that not, in fact, being a compliment, Nem preens while tossing Owain's farkle dice up and down in one hand.

“Give me that- Who taught you your manners? They did a poor job. Rifling through pockets and asking personal questions…”

"My manners are wonderful!" Nem darts around Owain, seemingly inspecting his armor. "Also, it's my job as a rogue, to... borrow things others probably don't need!"

She pokes at the Zweihänder, hefting it slightly. "Dang, how do you swing this? And how was it forged, it looks amazing!"

“You-! Unhand that, rogue!” *Owain snatches his zweihander back.*

“Your ‘job’ is to do no such thing. And this sword is not yours to take nor touch.”

Nem laughs giddily. "Fine, fine, I'm sorry... Here!"

They shove a bag of dice and a coinpurse, both absolutely covered in slime, into Owain's hands.

"I got this from the frog guy after throwing a water balloon at him!"

*Owain immediately drops the items, both confused and mildly disgusted.*

"I- I do not need these, why do you give them to me? And why are they covered in... whatever this is? It would seem you have neither manners nor self-respect, from your actions and mannerism..."

"I respect myself plenty much!" Nem says offendedly, hanging upside-down with her legs hooked around a tree branch.

"And what would be my job as a rogue, if not to borrow things, for an extended period of time, without asking? ...also are you a tsukumogami?"

"Your 'job' would be to protect, scout for, and serve your kingdom. Thievery and crime are not sanctioned professions." *He sighs quietly.*

"And- Pardon, but what did you ask if I am? I do not believe I'm familiar with the term."

Nem narrows their eyes. "I'm scouting where the Red Kingdom keeps their wealth, and I'm serving Blue by bringing back some of it."

She whips out a notebook, still upside-down. "A tsukumogami is an object that gains life after a hundred years. It's not my pet theory, but I can't help but wonder because I'm pretty sure nobody's seen your face."

They let out a small hmph as their pen falls to the ground. "I mean, I could go and ask Salem, but with all the travelers pestering him it feels like it would be in bad taste."

"I- A hundred years‽ You jest with the intent of rage, I see... No, I am a human being, and a am hardly older than twenty. Not that it is any of your business."

*Beneath his mask, he blushes.* "And I do not know why you think Salem would have seen my face any more than the rest of the kingdom."

Nem smirks, fails at suppressing a giggle, and falls out of the tree.

"You- oh you're serious. I can't believe it. Mighty lion of the blue kingdom, we have eyes. You're down bad. Head over heels. An entire tavern broke into cheers when you all started dating."

They flop dramatically onto the floor. "Even some of the Red Kingdom have caught on, at this point."

"That is- This- Whatever do you mean? How is this public news? If, if it were to be actual news, I mean- What do you mean, a whole tavern broke into cheers‽"

Nem breaks into full on wheezes of laughter, curling up into a ball.

"I- I- oh my- ha, you've been dancing around each other for- snrk- MONTHS, the Blue Kingdom notices, trust me..." She coughs, and finally wrestles the laughter under control.

"It was just like those desert plays... someone rushed in and literally shrieked 'They did it, they finally kissed.' It was the night everyone, and I mean everyone, went home drunk. I must ask, where did you think all the notes with pickup lines came from?"

They throw an arm over her eyes, shoulders shaking.

"We have not..."

*Owain blushes deeply under his armor, the air inside growing quite warm. He looks away.* "I have no idea what you talking abo- Wait, how did someone know about the kiss‽ I-I mean, what made them think there was a kiss at all?"

Nem, drinking from a flask to help their throat recover from the coughing fit, spits it out all over a poor flower. "How does anyone know anything in this kingdom? Eavesdropping. That means that you still don't have a confirmed face though, so the armor spirit thing isn't completely off the table."

She stares blankly into the sky. "By the way, do you want some of the gold I got from it? The betting pool I ran was particularly lucrative that day."

*Owain looks away, his face growing ever-hotter.*

"Nobody in this kingdom has any sense of privacy..."

"I- No, I don't need the money you won from betting on my- on Salem and I."

Nem shrugs. "Eh, your loss. You should stop by the various taverns more often, there's so much gossip floating around. People give out more information if they're drunk!"

They climb up the tree and backflip off of the trunk while continuing her pitch.

"Also the eight-way Farkle death match. That was pretty funny."

"I- That sounds- Concerning. I do not indulge in such behaviors, anyway. And- 'eight-way farkle death match'?"

"Trust me, it was just as insane as it sounds."

Nem sighs, sounding nostalgic. "There were at least five broken noses, two had to be sent to Cam. It was wonderful!"

She sounds entirely serious.

“That hardly sounds ‘wonderful.’” *His tone indicates that he might be questioning Nem’s sanity.*

“And- to Cam? As is the Red Kingdom mage? Were we not discussing a tavern of the Blue Kingdom?”

#whimsical thief #ooc: nem robbed him and paid for the medical care #lmao

"Yes, someone actually had to pay Cam to treat people from the Blue Kingdom," Nem huffs, "it was that bad."

She smiles a little. "Though I paid him with his own coinpurse and he didn't notice, so it wasn't a horrible deal."

There's a table in the library, absolutely buried under piles and piles of books all pertaining to local mythos and cryptozoology. Nem pops out from behind one of the stacks.

"Hello! I've never met a half-siren before! Can I ask you some questions and can we be friends?"

@nem-does-things

*He yelps quietly in surprise, taking a few steps back.*

O-oh- Um, okay? S-sorry, you startled me is all... You're real, right?

Nem bounces up to the half-siren and gently ruffles his hair.

"I think I'm very real!"

They pause. "What's your name?"

One of the many teetering stacks of books gives up on life and collapses with a muffled thud.

*He shrinks away, mildly intimidated, and flinches when the books fall.*

I-I don't know... I never really knew my name...

...What's yours?

"I'm Nem!!" she chirps, with way too much energy for the situation.

"Hmmm... can I call you... Kai? Kai sounds like a lovely name. Also, as a half siren, can you breathe underwater?"

Somehow, an intimidating amount of books pertaining to ocean biology have emerged from the pile.

S-sure, you can call me that...

A-and yes? At least, I can for a little bit... I have gills...

*Kai eyes the pile of books with wariness.*

"Oh, so it's only a little bit of time, like with a turtle shell helmet... fascinating..." Nem flips through a book labeled A Field Guide to Sirens, then startles.

"Where are my manners? I'm so sorry, do you want to sit down? I can clear out a seat for you if you want."

W-well I don't know how long I can go for, it could be a while... Um...

Oh, no, I think I'm alright...

...Are you sure you're not a ghost? You're very... bubbly. And unpredictable. Like some of them. ...I'm sorry, that was probably rude of me.

"No, no, you're completely fine!" Nem assures. "What's breakfast without an existential crisis or three?"

They reach out, then draw back. "Are you okay with physical touch? And is the horn part of being a siren, or something else?"

Um- It's- A normal breakfast?

I don't think I have existential crises on a day to day basis... a-and normal people, who don't see ghosts, I think they don't, either...

Um, yeah, that's okay. I just don't like it when ghosts touch me.

Yes, it's a siren thing... I used to have two, but when i was little, one broke off...

Nem tilts their head and looks slightly worried. "Okay then, Kai... I won't touch you, even if I'm pretty sure I'm not a ghost."

She wraps a fluffy blanket around the half-siren. "Uhm... I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but have you eaten today? I have some sweet berries, if you want them."

It's okay, really, I can't see the ghosts when the touch me, which is what frightens me... Or, if i can see them, then I don't feel it, and that's... I think the word is "trippy."

*He trills quietly in gratitude for the blanket.*

Um... Yeah, I think I ate something this morning... Sweet berries are nice, though.

Nem hums slightly and pulls out a bundle of berries. "Here you go! It's all I've got for now, unfortunately." They tilt their head slightly, elbow deep in another sea of books.

"If I may ask... how much do you know about siren culture? I'm pretty sure there's a journal in here about it somewhere..." She rummages through a deeper pile. "I haven't read it, though... too much of my reading list to get through..."

She pulls out an arm to gesture vaguely at the disaster around her.

Y-yeah, there's certainly a lot of books here...

Oh, yeah, I've read a bit about siren culture, but I never really knew my parents, and I'm half human anyway.

Besides... People usually just assume I'm a tiefling...

Nem drops a battered journal bound with string in front of Kai.

"Here it is! I found it because it smells like seawater." The rest of Kai's statement registers, and she sighs, annoyed not at Kai, but the situation.

"Well, you know what they say about assuming... just makes an arse out of you and me. Or them, in this case."

Nem's hand brushes against the half-siren's arm as she continues ranting about some random sea monster she read about in another dusty tome somewhere.

*Kai listens with mild confusion while he pokes at the journal, carefully paging through it.*

…Do you ever actually leave the library?

Nem places her newest book onto a stack titled Solunian Folklore as she chews on a fingernail.

"Uhh... yes...?" They sound rather unsure. "I go to the secret libraries, too. And also the kitchen, when I run out of coffee. Sometimes the gardens?"

She pulls a calendar from her pocket and points to a date Kai concerningly recognizes as a week ago. "This is when I last went to the kitchen." Another day, two months ago. "And the garden. I don't actually remember what day it is, do you know?"

*Kai looks a little horrified. He blinks, processing, then relays the date.*

…I mean, I knew my sleeping habits were bad, but you need to eat something and to get outside for, like… a few hours.

We can walk together for a bit? And get food from the market?

#<< tf!nem better be careful bc tief was not the character I intended to become a dad figure #< ooc: me neither tbh i'm sure she'll figure it out #also he needs to be adopted himself #this.#ooc: also have you got any ideas for nem's magic niche? i don't

Nem laughs and sets down another tome. "Alright, alright, I'll go. Walking with you sounds wonderful, actually. Do you have any recommendations from the market? I don't... really... go there..."

She sheepishly scratches the back of her neck and grabs a small leather satchel.

*Nem sneaks up behind you and attempts to pick your pocket.*

ooc: OKAY HAIII IDK HOW I KEEP FINDING YOU hehe. in this one nem's just a random blue kingdom rogue :3

@nem-does-things

“4C, I swear-” *Owain turns around, then halts.*

“…You. I do not recognize your face. Identify yourself.”

"I'm Nem!" Nem giggles. They swipe a piece of gold out of Owain's pocket before tossing it back to him. "Doesn't that armor ever get sweaty?"

*Owain snatches back the gold from midair and eyes them suspiciously.*

“Perhaps. What’s it to you? And get out of my pockets! You’re as bad as 4C…”

"Curiosity!" she crows. "I remind you of 4C? I'll take that as a compliment!"

Despite that not, in fact, being a compliment, Nem preens while tossing Owain's farkle dice up and down in one hand.

“Give me that- Who taught you your manners? They did a poor job. Rifling through pockets and asking personal questions…”

"My manners are wonderful!" Nem darts around Owain, seemingly inspecting his armor. "Also, it's my job as a rogue, to... borrow things others probably don't need!"

She pokes at the Zweihänder, hefting it slightly. "Dang, how do you swing this? And how was it forged, it looks amazing!"

“You-! Unhand that, rogue!” *Owain snatches his zweihander back.*

“Your ‘job’ is to do no such thing. And this sword is not yours to take nor touch.”

Nem laughs giddily. "Fine, fine, I'm sorry... Here!"

They shove a bag of dice and a coinpurse, both absolutely covered in slime, into Owain's hands.

"I got this from the frog guy after throwing a water balloon at him!"

*Owain immediately drops the items, both confused and mildly disgusted.*

"I- I do not need these, why do you give them to me? And why are they covered in... whatever this is? It would seem you have neither manners nor self-respect, from your actions and mannerism..."

"I respect myself plenty much!" Nem says offendedly, hanging upside-down with her legs hooked around a tree branch.

"And what would be my job as a rogue, if not to borrow things, for an extended period of time, without asking? ...also are you a tsukumogami?"

"Your 'job' would be to protect, scout for, and serve your kingdom. Thievery and crime are not sanctioned professions." *He sighs quietly.*

"And- Pardon, but what did you ask if I am? I do not believe I'm familiar with the term."

Nem narrows their eyes. "I'm scouting where the Red Kingdom keeps their wealth, and I'm serving Blue by bringing back some of it."

She whips out a notebook, still upside-down. "A tsukumogami is an object that gains life after a hundred years. It's not my pet theory, but I can't help but wonder because I'm pretty sure nobody's seen your face."

They let out a small hmph as their pen falls to the ground. "I mean, I could go and ask Salem, but with all the travelers pestering him it feels like it would be in bad taste."

"I- A hundred years‽ You jest with the intent of rage, I see... No, I am a human being, and a am hardly older than twenty. Not that it is any of your business."

*Beneath his mask, he blushes.* "And I do not know why you think Salem would have seen my face any more than the rest of the kingdom."

Nem smirks, fails at suppressing a giggle, and falls out of the tree.

"You- oh you're serious. I can't believe it. Mighty lion of the blue kingdom, we have eyes. You're down bad. Head over heels. An entire tavern broke into cheers when you all started dating."

They flop dramatically onto the floor. "Even some of the Red Kingdom have caught on, at this point."

"That is- This- Whatever do you mean? How is this public news? If, if it were to be actual news, I mean- What do you mean, a whole tavern broke into cheers‽"

Nem breaks into full on wheezes of laughter, curling up into a ball.

"I- I- oh my- ha, you've been dancing around each other for- snrk- MONTHS, the Blue Kingdom notices, trust me..." She coughs, and finally wrestles the laughter under control.

"It was just like those desert plays... someone rushed in and literally shrieked 'They did it, they finally kissed.' It was the night everyone, and I mean everyone, went home drunk. I must ask, where did you think all the notes with pickup lines came from?"

They throw an arm over her eyes, shoulders shaking.

"We have not..."

*Owain blushes deeply under his armor, the air inside growing quite warm. He looks away.* "I have no idea what you talking abo- Wait, how did someone know about the kiss‽ I-I mean, what made them think there was a kiss at all?"

Nem, drinking from a flask to help their throat recover from the coughing fit, spits it out all over a poor flower. "How does anyone know anything in this kingdom? Eavesdropping. That means that you still don't have a confirmed face though, so the armor spirit thing isn't completely off the table."

She stares blankly into the sky. "By the way, do you want some of the gold I got from it? The betting pool I ran was particularly lucrative that day."

*Owain looks away, his face growing ever-hotter.*

"Nobody in this kingdom has any sense of privacy..."

"I- No, I don't need the money you won from betting on my- on Salem and I."

Nem shrugs. "Eh, your loss. You should stop by the various taverns more often, there's so much gossip floating around. People give out more information if they're drunk!"

They climb up the tree and backflip off of the trunk while continuing her pitch.

"Also the eight-way Farkle death match. That was pretty funny."

"I- That sounds- Concerning. I do not indulge in such behaviors, anyway. And- 'eight-way farkle death match'?"

"Trust me, it was just as insane as it sounds."

Nem sighs, sounding nostalgic. "There were at least five broken noses, two had to be sent to Cam. It was wonderful!"

She sounds entirely serious.

#chronicles of nem

There's a table in the library, absolutely buried under piles and piles of books all pertaining to local mythos and cryptozoology. Nem pops out from behind one of the stacks.

"Hello! I've never met a half-siren before! Can I ask you some questions and can we be friends?"

@nem-does-things

*He yelps quietly in surprise, taking a few steps back.*

O-oh- Um, okay? S-sorry, you startled me is all... You're real, right?

Nem bounces up to the half-siren and gently ruffles his hair.

"I think I'm very real!"

They pause. "What's your name?"

One of the many teetering stacks of books gives up on life and collapses with a muffled thud.

*He shrinks away, mildly intimidated, and flinches when the books fall.*

I-I don't know... I never really knew my name...

...What's yours?

"I'm Nem!!" she chirps, with way too much energy for the situation.

"Hmmm... can I call you... Kai? Kai sounds like a lovely name. Also, as a half siren, can you breathe underwater?"

Somehow, an intimidating amount of books pertaining to ocean biology have emerged from the pile.

S-sure, you can call me that...

A-and yes? At least, I can for a little bit... I have gills...

*Kai eyes the pile of books with wariness.*

"Oh, so it's only a little bit of time, like with a turtle shell helmet... fascinating..." Nem flips through a book labeled A Field Guide to Sirens, then startles.

"Where are my manners? I'm so sorry, do you want to sit down? I can clear out a seat for you if you want."

W-well I don't know how long I can go for, it could be a while... Um...

Oh, no, I think I'm alright...

...Are you sure you're not a ghost? You're very... bubbly. And unpredictable. Like some of them. ...I'm sorry, that was probably rude of me.

"No, no, you're completely fine!" Nem assures. "What's breakfast without an existential crisis or three?"

They reach out, then draw back. "Are you okay with physical touch? And is the horn part of being a siren, or something else?"

Um- It's- A normal breakfast?

I don't think I have existential crises on a day to day basis... a-and normal people, who don't see ghosts, I think they don't, either...

Um, yeah, that's okay. I just don't like it when ghosts touch me.

Yes, it's a siren thing... I used to have two, but when i was little, one broke off...

Nem tilts their head and looks slightly worried. "Okay then, Kai... I won't touch you, even if I'm pretty sure I'm not a ghost."

She wraps a fluffy blanket around the half-siren. "Uhm... I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but have you eaten today? I have some sweet berries, if you want them."

It's okay, really, I can't see the ghosts when the touch me, which is what frightens me... Or, if i can see them, then I don't feel it, and that's... I think the word is "trippy."

*He trills quietly in gratitude for the blanket.*

Um... Yeah, I think I ate something this morning... Sweet berries are nice, though.

Nem hums slightly and pulls out a bundle of berries. "Here you go! It's all I've got for now, unfortunately." They tilt their head slightly, elbow deep in another sea of books.

"If I may ask... how much do you know about siren culture? I'm pretty sure there's a journal in here about it somewhere..." She rummages through a deeper pile. "I haven't read it, though... too much of my reading list to get through..."

She pulls out an arm to gesture vaguely at the disaster around her.

Y-yeah, there's certainly a lot of books here...

Oh, yeah, I've read a bit about siren culture, but I never really knew my parents, and I'm half human anyway.

Besides... People usually just assume I'm a tiefling...

Nem drops a battered journal bound with string in front of Kai.

"Here it is! I found it because it smells like seawater." The rest of Kai's statement registers, and she sighs, annoyed not at Kai, but the situation.

"Well, you know what they say about assuming... just makes an arse out of you and me. Or them, in this case."

Nem's hand brushes against the half-siren's arm as she continues ranting about some random sea monster she read about in another dusty tome somewhere.

*Kai listens with mild confusion while he pokes at the journal, carefully paging through it.*

…Do you ever actually leave the library?

#<< oh thaaaaat?? :3 #< ooc: yes the trauma #ooc: tf!nem is NOT healthy #ooc: tf!nem has a vitamin D deficiency

Nem places her newest book onto a stack titled Solunian Folklore as she chews on a fingernail.

"Uhh... yes...?" They sound rather unsure. "I go to the secret libraries, too. And also the kitchen, when I run out of coffee. Sometimes the gardens?"

She pulls a calendar from her pocket and points to a date Kai concerningly recognizes as a week ago. "This is when I last went to the kitchen." Another day, two months ago. "And the garden. I don't actually remember what day it is, do you know?"

*Nem sneaks up behind you and attempts to pick your pocket.*

ooc: OKAY HAIII IDK HOW I KEEP FINDING YOU hehe. in this one nem's just a random blue kingdom rogue :3

@nem-does-things

“4C, I swear-” *Owain turns around, then halts.*

“…You. I do not recognize your face. Identify yourself.”

"I'm Nem!" Nem giggles. They swipe a piece of gold out of Owain's pocket before tossing it back to him. "Doesn't that armor ever get sweaty?"

*Owain snatches back the gold from midair and eyes them suspiciously.*

“Perhaps. What’s it to you? And get out of my pockets! You’re as bad as 4C…”

"Curiosity!" she crows. "I remind you of 4C? I'll take that as a compliment!"

Despite that not, in fact, being a compliment, Nem preens while tossing Owain's farkle dice up and down in one hand.

“Give me that- Who taught you your manners? They did a poor job. Rifling through pockets and asking personal questions…”

"My manners are wonderful!" Nem darts around Owain, seemingly inspecting his armor. "Also, it's my job as a rogue, to... borrow things others probably don't need!"

She pokes at the Zweihänder, hefting it slightly. "Dang, how do you swing this? And how was it forged, it looks amazing!"

“You-! Unhand that, rogue!” *Owain snatches his zweihander back.*

“Your ‘job’ is to do no such thing. And this sword is not yours to take nor touch.”

Nem laughs giddily. "Fine, fine, I'm sorry... Here!"

They shove a bag of dice and a coinpurse, both absolutely covered in slime, into Owain's hands.

"I got this from the frog guy after throwing a water balloon at him!"

*Owain immediately drops the items, both confused and mildly disgusted.*

"I- I do not need these, why do you give them to me? And why are they covered in... whatever this is? It would seem you have neither manners nor self-respect, from your actions and mannerism..."

"I respect myself plenty much!" Nem says offendedly, hanging upside-down with her legs hooked around a tree branch.

"And what would be my job as a rogue, if not to borrow things, for an extended period of time, without asking? ...also are you a tsukumogami?"

"Your 'job' would be to protect, scout for, and serve your kingdom. Thievery and crime are not sanctioned professions." *He sighs quietly.*

"And- Pardon, but what did you ask if I am? I do not believe I'm familiar with the term."

Nem narrows their eyes. "I'm scouting where the Red Kingdom keeps their wealth, and I'm serving Blue by bringing back some of it."

She whips out a notebook, still upside-down. "A tsukumogami is an object that gains life after a hundred years. It's not my pet theory, but I can't help but wonder because I'm pretty sure nobody's seen your face."

They let out a small hmph as their pen falls to the ground. "I mean, I could go and ask Salem, but with all the travelers pestering him it feels like it would be in bad taste."

"I- A hundred years‽ You jest with the intent of rage, I see... No, I am a human being, and a am hardly older than twenty. Not that it is any of your business."

*Beneath his mask, he blushes.* "And I do not know why you think Salem would have seen my face any more than the rest of the kingdom."

Nem smirks, fails at suppressing a giggle, and falls out of the tree.

"You- oh you're serious. I can't believe it. Mighty lion of the blue kingdom, we have eyes. You're down bad. Head over heels. An entire tavern broke into cheers when you all started dating."

They flop dramatically onto the floor. "Even some of the Red Kingdom have caught on, at this point."

"That is- This- Whatever do you mean? How is this public news? If, if it were to be actual news, I mean- What do you mean, a whole tavern broke into cheers‽"

Nem breaks into full on wheezes of laughter, curling up into a ball.

"I- I- oh my- ha, you've been dancing around each other for- snrk- MONTHS, the Blue Kingdom notices, trust me..." She coughs, and finally wrestles the laughter under control.

"It was just like those desert plays... someone rushed in and literally shrieked 'They did it, they finally kissed.' It was the night everyone, and I mean everyone, went home drunk. I must ask, where did you think all the notes with pickup lines came from?"

They throw an arm over her eyes, shoulders shaking.

"We have not..."

*Owain blushes deeply under his armor, the air inside growing quite warm. He looks away.* "I have no idea what you talking abo- Wait, how did someone know about the kiss‽ I-I mean, what made them think there was a kiss at all?"

Nem, drinking from a flask to help their throat recover from the coughing fit, spits it out all over a poor flower. "How does anyone know anything in this kingdom? Eavesdropping. That means that you still don't have a confirmed face though, so the armor spirit thing isn't completely off the table."

She stares blankly into the sky. "By the way, do you want some of the gold I got from it? The betting pool I ran was particularly lucrative that day."

*Owain looks away, his face growing ever-hotter.*

"Nobody in this kingdom has any sense of privacy..."

"I- No, I don't need the money you won from betting on my- on Salem and I."

Nem shrugs. "Eh, your loss. You should stop by the various taverns more often, there's so much gossip floating around. People give out more information if they're drunk!"

They climb up the tree and backflip off of the trunk while continuing her pitch.

"Also the eight-way Farkle death match. That was pretty funny."

#chronicles of nem

There's a table in the library, absolutely buried under piles and piles of books all pertaining to local mythos and cryptozoology. Nem pops out from behind one of the stacks.

"Hello! I've never met a half-siren before! Can I ask you some questions and can we be friends?"

@nem-does-things

*He yelps quietly in surprise, taking a few steps back.*

O-oh- Um, okay? S-sorry, you startled me is all... You're real, right?

Nem bounces up to the half-siren and gently ruffles his hair.

"I think I'm very real!"

They pause. "What's your name?"

One of the many teetering stacks of books gives up on life and collapses with a muffled thud.

*He shrinks away, mildly intimidated, and flinches when the books fall.*

I-I don't know... I never really knew my name...

...What's yours?

"I'm Nem!!" she chirps, with way too much energy for the situation.

"Hmmm... can I call you... Kai? Kai sounds like a lovely name. Also, as a half siren, can you breathe underwater?"

Somehow, an intimidating amount of books pertaining to ocean biology have emerged from the pile.

S-sure, you can call me that...

A-and yes? At least, I can for a little bit... I have gills...

*Kai eyes the pile of books with wariness.*

"Oh, so it's only a little bit of time, like with a turtle shell helmet... fascinating..." Nem flips through a book labeled A Field Guide to Sirens, then startles.

"Where are my manners? I'm so sorry, do you want to sit down? I can clear out a seat for you if you want."

W-well I don't know how long I can go for, it could be a while... Um...

Oh, no, I think I'm alright...

...Are you sure you're not a ghost? You're very... bubbly. And unpredictable. Like some of them. ...I'm sorry, that was probably rude of me.

"No, no, you're completely fine!" Nem assures. "What's breakfast without an existential crisis or three?"

They reach out, then draw back. "Are you okay with physical touch? And is the horn part of being a siren, or something else?"

Um- It's- A normal breakfast?

I don't think I have existential crises on a day to day basis... a-and normal people, who don't see ghosts, I think they don't, either...

Um, yeah, that's okay. I just don't like it when ghosts touch me.

Yes, it's a siren thing... I used to have two, but when i was little, one broke off...

Nem tilts their head and looks slightly worried. "Okay then, Kai... I won't touch you, even if I'm pretty sure I'm not a ghost."

She wraps a fluffy blanket around the half-siren. "Uhm... I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but have you eaten today? I have some sweet berries, if you want them."

It's okay, really, I can't see the ghosts when the touch me, which is what frightens me... Or, if i can see them, then I don't feel it, and that's... I think the word is "trippy."

*He trills quietly in gratitude for the blanket.*

Um... Yeah, I think I ate something this morning... Sweet berries are nice, though.

Nem hums slightly and pulls out a bundle of berries. "Here you go! It's all I've got for now, unfortunately." They tilt their head slightly, elbow deep in another sea of books.

"If I may ask... how much do you know about siren culture? I'm pretty sure there's a journal in here about it somewhere..." She rummages through a deeper pile. "I haven't read it, though... too much of my reading list to get through..."

She pulls out an arm to gesture vaguely at the disaster around her.

Y-yeah, there's certainly a lot of books here...

Oh, yeah, I've read a bit about siren culture, but I never really knew my parents, and I'm half human anyway.

Besides... People usually just assume I'm a tiefling...

#<< what gave it away? :3 #< the trauma #chronicles of nem #ooc: nem's talking about the loch ness monster btw :3 #ooc: tf!nem is a library shut in. no lore no angst only RESEARCH #i don't need sleep i need answers

Nem drops a battered journal bound with string in front of Kai.

"Here it is! I found it because it smells like seawater." The rest of Kai's statement registers, and she sighs, annoyed not at Kai, but the situation.

"Well, you know what they say about assuming... just makes an arse out of you and me. Or them, in this case."

Nem's hand brushes against the half-siren's arm as she continues ranting about some random sea monster she read about in another dusty tome somewhere.

*Nem sneaks up behind you and attempts to pick your pocket.*

ooc: OKAY HAIII IDK HOW I KEEP FINDING YOU hehe. in this one nem's just a random blue kingdom rogue :3

@nem-does-things

“4C, I swear-” *Owain turns around, then halts.*

“…You. I do not recognize your face. Identify yourself.”

"I'm Nem!" Nem giggles. They swipe a piece of gold out of Owain's pocket before tossing it back to him. "Doesn't that armor ever get sweaty?"

*Owain snatches back the gold from midair and eyes them suspiciously.*

“Perhaps. What’s it to you? And get out of my pockets! You’re as bad as 4C…”

"Curiosity!" she crows. "I remind you of 4C? I'll take that as a compliment!"

Despite that not, in fact, being a compliment, Nem preens while tossing Owain's farkle dice up and down in one hand.

“Give me that- Who taught you your manners? They did a poor job. Rifling through pockets and asking personal questions…”

"My manners are wonderful!" Nem darts around Owain, seemingly inspecting his armor. "Also, it's my job as a rogue, to... borrow things others probably don't need!"

She pokes at the Zweihänder, hefting it slightly. "Dang, how do you swing this? And how was it forged, it looks amazing!"

“You-! Unhand that, rogue!” *Owain snatches his zweihander back.*

“Your ‘job’ is to do no such thing. And this sword is not yours to take nor touch.”

Nem laughs giddily. "Fine, fine, I'm sorry... Here!"

They shove a bag of dice and a coinpurse, both absolutely covered in slime, into Owain's hands.

"I got this from the frog guy after throwing a water balloon at him!"

*Owain immediately drops the items, both confused and mildly disgusted.*

"I- I do not need these, why do you give them to me? And why are they covered in... whatever this is? It would seem you have neither manners nor self-respect, from your actions and mannerism..."

"I respect myself plenty much!" Nem says offendedly, hanging upside-down with her legs hooked around a tree branch.

"And what would be my job as a rogue, if not to borrow things, for an extended period of time, without asking? ...also are you a tsukumogami?"

"Your 'job' would be to protect, scout for, and serve your kingdom. Thievery and crime are not sanctioned professions." *He sighs quietly.*

"And- Pardon, but what did you ask if I am? I do not believe I'm familiar with the term."

Nem narrows their eyes. "I'm scouting where the Red Kingdom keeps their wealth, and I'm serving Blue by bringing back some of it."

She whips out a notebook, still upside-down. "A tsukumogami is an object that gains life after a hundred years. It's not my pet theory, but I can't help but wonder because I'm pretty sure nobody's seen your face."

They let out a small hmph as their pen falls to the ground. "I mean, I could go and ask Salem, but with all the travelers pestering him it feels like it would be in bad taste."

"I- A hundred years‽ You jest with the intent of rage, I see... No, I am a human being, and a am hardly older than twenty. Not that it is any of your business."

*Beneath his mask, he blushes.* "And I do not know why you think Salem would have seen my face any more than the rest of the kingdom."

Nem smirks, fails at suppressing a giggle, and falls out of the tree.

"You- oh you're serious. I can't believe it. Mighty lion of the blue kingdom, we have eyes. You're down bad. Head over heels. An entire tavern broke into cheers when you all started dating."

They flop dramatically onto the floor. "Even some of the Red Kingdom have caught on, at this point."

"That is- This- Whatever do you mean? How is this public news? If, if it were to be actual news, I mean- What do you mean, a whole tavern broke into cheers‽"

Nem breaks into full on wheezes of laughter, curling up into a ball.

"I- I- oh my- ha, you've been dancing around each other for- snrk- MONTHS, the Blue Kingdom notices, trust me..." She coughs, and finally wrestles the laughter under control.

"It was just like those desert plays... someone rushed in and literally shrieked 'They did it, they finally kissed.' It was the night everyone, and I mean everyone, went home drunk. I must ask, where did you think all the notes with pickup lines came from?"

They throw an arm over her eyes, shoulders shaking.

"We have not..."

*Owain blushes deeply under his armor, the air inside growing quite warm. He looks away.* "I have no idea what you talking abo- Wait, how did someone know about the kiss‽ I-I mean, what made them think there was a kiss at all?"

#chronicles of nem #we love old punctuation on this blog :3 #< ooc: yes we do :3 #<< omg im dying XD #< ooc: so is owain i can only imagine

Nem, drinking from a flask to help their throat recover from the coughing fit, spits it out all over a poor flower. "How does anyone know anything in this kingdom? Eavesdropping. That means that you still don't have a confirmed face though, so the armor spirit thing isn't completely off the table."

She stares blankly into the sky. "By the way, do you want some of the gold I got from it? The betting pool I ran was particularly lucrative that day."

There's a table in the library, absolutely buried under piles and piles of books all pertaining to local mythos and cryptozoology. Nem pops out from behind one of the stacks.

"Hello! I've never met a half-siren before! Can I ask you some questions and can we be friends?"

@nem-does-things

*He yelps quietly in surprise, taking a few steps back.*

O-oh- Um, okay? S-sorry, you startled me is all... You're real, right?

Nem bounces up to the half-siren and gently ruffles his hair.

"I think I'm very real!"

They pause. "What's your name?"

One of the many teetering stacks of books gives up on life and collapses with a muffled thud.

*He shrinks away, mildly intimidated, and flinches when the books fall.*

I-I don't know... I never really knew my name...

...What's yours?

"I'm Nem!!" she chirps, with way too much energy for the situation.

"Hmmm... can I call you... Kai? Kai sounds like a lovely name. Also, as a half siren, can you breathe underwater?"

Somehow, an intimidating amount of books pertaining to ocean biology have emerged from the pile.

S-sure, you can call me that...

A-and yes? At least, I can for a little bit... I have gills...

*Kai eyes the pile of books with wariness.*

"Oh, so it's only a little bit of time, like with a turtle shell helmet... fascinating..." Nem flips through a book labeled A Field Guide to Sirens, then startles.

"Where are my manners? I'm so sorry, do you want to sit down? I can clear out a seat for you if you want."

W-well I don't know how long I can go for, it could be a while... Um...

Oh, no, I think I'm alright...

...Are you sure you're not a ghost? You're very... bubbly. And unpredictable. Like some of them. ...I'm sorry, that was probably rude of me.

"No, no, you're completely fine!" Nem assures. "What's breakfast without an existential crisis or three?"

They reach out, then draw back. "Are you okay with physical touch? And is the horn part of being a siren, or something else?"

Um- It's- A normal breakfast?

I don't think I have existential crises on a day to day basis... a-and normal people, who don't see ghosts, I think they don't, either...

Um, yeah, that's okay. I just don't like it when ghosts touch me.

Yes, it's a siren thing... I used to have two, but when i was little, one broke off...

Nem tilts their head and looks slightly worried. "Okay then, Kai... I won't touch you, even if I'm pretty sure I'm not a ghost."

She wraps a fluffy blanket around the half-siren. "Uhm... I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but have you eaten today? I have some sweet berries, if you want them."

It's okay, really, I can't see the ghosts when the touch me, which is what frightens me... Or, if i can see them, then I don't feel it, and that's... I think the word is "trippy."

*He trills quietly in gratitude for the blanket.*

Um... Yeah, I think I ate something this morning... Sweet berries are nice, though.

#chronicles of nem #<< yay :D pls do the poor baby needs a parental figure lol #< ooc: i could tell xD #questions AND adoption maybe? :3 #< ooc: now THERE'S an idea

Nem hums slightly and pulls out a bundle of berries. "Here you go! It's all I've got for now, unfortunately." They tilt their head slightly, elbow deep in another sea of books.

"If I may ask... how much do you know about siren culture? I'm pretty sure there's a journal in here about it somewhere..." She rummages through a deeper pile. "I haven't read it, though... too much of my reading list to get through..."

She pulls out an arm to gesture vaguely at the disaster around her.

*Nem sneaks up behind you and attempts to pick your pocket.*

ooc: OKAY HAIII IDK HOW I KEEP FINDING YOU hehe. in this one nem's just a random blue kingdom rogue :3

@nem-does-things

“4C, I swear-” *Owain turns around, then halts.*

“…You. I do not recognize your face. Identify yourself.”

"I'm Nem!" Nem giggles. They swipe a piece of gold out of Owain's pocket before tossing it back to him. "Doesn't that armor ever get sweaty?"

*Owain snatches back the gold from midair and eyes them suspiciously.*

“Perhaps. What’s it to you? And get out of my pockets! You’re as bad as 4C…”

"Curiosity!" she crows. "I remind you of 4C? I'll take that as a compliment!"

Despite that not, in fact, being a compliment, Nem preens while tossing Owain's farkle dice up and down in one hand.

“Give me that- Who taught you your manners? They did a poor job. Rifling through pockets and asking personal questions…”

"My manners are wonderful!" Nem darts around Owain, seemingly inspecting his armor. "Also, it's my job as a rogue, to... borrow things others probably don't need!"

She pokes at the Zweihänder, hefting it slightly. "Dang, how do you swing this? And how was it forged, it looks amazing!"

“You-! Unhand that, rogue!” *Owain snatches his zweihander back.*

“Your ‘job’ is to do no such thing. And this sword is not yours to take nor touch.”

Nem laughs giddily. "Fine, fine, I'm sorry... Here!"

They shove a bag of dice and a coinpurse, both absolutely covered in slime, into Owain's hands.

"I got this from the frog guy after throwing a water balloon at him!"

*Owain immediately drops the items, both confused and mildly disgusted.*

"I- I do not need these, why do you give them to me? And why are they covered in... whatever this is? It would seem you have neither manners nor self-respect, from your actions and mannerism..."

"I respect myself plenty much!" Nem says offendedly, hanging upside-down with her legs hooked around a tree branch.

"And what would be my job as a rogue, if not to borrow things, for an extended period of time, without asking? ...also are you a tsukumogami?"

"Your 'job' would be to protect, scout for, and serve your kingdom. Thievery and crime are not sanctioned professions." *He sighs quietly.*

"And- Pardon, but what did you ask if I am? I do not believe I'm familiar with the term."

Nem narrows their eyes. "I'm scouting where the Red Kingdom keeps their wealth, and I'm serving Blue by bringing back some of it."

She whips out a notebook, still upside-down. "A tsukumogami is an object that gains life after a hundred years. It's not my pet theory, but I can't help but wonder because I'm pretty sure nobody's seen your face."

They let out a small hmph as their pen falls to the ground. "I mean, I could go and ask Salem, but with all the travelers pestering him it feels like it would be in bad taste."

"I- A hundred years‽ You jest with the intent of rage, I see... No, I am a human being, and a am hardly older than twenty. Not that it is any of your business."

*Beneath his mask, he blushes.* "And I do not know why you think Salem would have seen my face any more than the rest of the kingdom."

Nem smirks, fails at suppressing a giggle, and falls out of the tree.

"You- oh you're serious. I can't believe it. Mighty lion of the blue kingdom, we have eyes. You're down bad. Head over heels. An entire tavern broke into cheers when you all started dating."

They flop dramatically onto the floor. "Even some of the Red Kingdom have caught on, at this point."

"That is- This- Whatever do you mean? How is this public news? If, if it were to be actual news, I mean- What do you mean, a whole tavern broke into cheers‽"

#chronicles of nem #i got so much gold that day from the betting pool i was running #ooc: you know those wild west saloon movies where someone looms at the door? that.#ooc: the interrobang is doing so much work #ooc: it's a fun symbol :)

Nem breaks into full on wheezes of laughter, curling up into a ball.

"I- I- oh my- ha, you've been dancing around each other for- snrk- MONTHS, the Blue Kingdom notices, trust me..." She coughs, and finally wrestles the laughter under control.

"It was just like those desert plays... someone rushed in and literally shrieked 'They did it, they finally kissed.' It was the night everyone, and I mean everyone, went home drunk. I must ask, where did you think all the notes with pickup lines came from?"

They throw an arm over her eyes, shoulders shaking.

There's a table in the library, absolutely buried under piles and piles of books all pertaining to local mythos and cryptozoology. Nem pops out from behind one of the stacks.

"Hello! I've never met a half-siren before! Can I ask you some questions and can we be friends?"

@nem-does-things

*He yelps quietly in surprise, taking a few steps back.*

O-oh- Um, okay? S-sorry, you startled me is all... You're real, right?

Nem bounces up to the half-siren and gently ruffles his hair.

"I think I'm very real!"

They pause. "What's your name?"

One of the many teetering stacks of books gives up on life and collapses with a muffled thud.

*He shrinks away, mildly intimidated, and flinches when the books fall.*

I-I don't know... I never really knew my name...

...What's yours?

"I'm Nem!!" she chirps, with way too much energy for the situation.

"Hmmm... can I call you... Kai? Kai sounds like a lovely name. Also, as a half siren, can you breathe underwater?"

Somehow, an intimidating amount of books pertaining to ocean biology have emerged from the pile.

S-sure, you can call me that...

A-and yes? At least, I can for a little bit... I have gills...

*Kai eyes the pile of books with wariness.*

"Oh, so it's only a little bit of time, like with a turtle shell helmet... fascinating..." Nem flips through a book labeled A Field Guide to Sirens, then startles.

"Where are my manners? I'm so sorry, do you want to sit down? I can clear out a seat for you if you want."

W-well I don't know how long I can go for, it could be a while... Um...

Oh, no, I think I'm alright...

...Are you sure you're not a ghost? You're very... bubbly. And unpredictable. Like some of them. ...I'm sorry, that was probably rude of me.

"No, no, you're completely fine!" Nem assures. "What's breakfast without an existential crisis or three?"

They reach out, then draw back. "Are you okay with physical touch? And is the horn part of being a siren, or something else?"

Um- It's- A normal breakfast?

I don't think I have existential crises on a day to day basis... a-and normal people, who don't see ghosts, I think they don't, either...

Um, yeah, that's okay. I just don't like it when ghosts touch me.

Yes, it's a siren thing... I used to have two, but when i was little, one broke off...

#chronicles of nem #pause on the questions #ima adopt this poor child

Nem tilts their head and looks slightly worried. "Okay then, Kai... I won't touch you, even if I'm pretty sure I'm not a ghost."

She wraps a fluffy blanket around the half-siren. "Uhm... I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but have you eaten today? I have some sweet berries, if you want them."

There's a table in the library, absolutely buried under piles and piles of books all pertaining to local mythos and cryptozoology. Nem pops out from behind one of the stacks.

"Hello! I've never met a half-siren before! Can I ask you some questions and can we be friends?"

@nem-does-things

*He yelps quietly in surprise, taking a few steps back.*

O-oh- Um, okay? S-sorry, you startled me is all... You're real, right?

Nem bounces up to the half-siren and gently ruffles his hair.

"I think I'm very real!"

They pause. "What's your name?"

One of the many teetering stacks of books gives up on life and collapses with a muffled thud.

*He shrinks away, mildly intimidated, and flinches when the books fall.*

I-I don't know... I never really knew my name...

...What's yours?

"I'm Nem!!" she chirps, with way too much energy for the situation.

"Hmmm... can I call you... Kai? Kai sounds like a lovely name. Also, as a half siren, can you breathe underwater?"

Somehow, an intimidating amount of books pertaining to ocean biology have emerged from the pile.

S-sure, you can call me that...

A-and yes? At least, I can for a little bit... I have gills...

*Kai eyes the pile of books with wariness.*

"Oh, so it's only a little bit of time, like with a turtle shell helmet... fascinating..." Nem flips through a book labeled A Field Guide to Sirens, then startles.

"Where are my manners? I'm so sorry, do you want to sit down? I can clear out a seat for you if you want."

W-well I don't know how long I can go for, it could be a while... Um...

Oh, no, I think I'm alright...

...Are you sure you're not a ghost? You're very... bubbly. And unpredictable. Like some of them. ...I'm sorry, that was probably rude of me.

"No, no, you're completely fine!" Nem assures. "What's breakfast without an existential crisis or three?"

They reach out, then draw back. "Are you okay with physical touch? And is the horn part of being a siren, or something else?"

#chronicles of nem

*Nem sneaks up behind you and attempts to pick your pocket.*

ooc: OKAY HAIII IDK HOW I KEEP FINDING YOU hehe. in this one nem's just a random blue kingdom rogue :3

@nem-does-things

“4C, I swear-” *Owain turns around, then halts.*

“…You. I do not recognize your face. Identify yourself.”

"I'm Nem!" Nem giggles. They swipe a piece of gold out of Owain's pocket before tossing it back to him. "Doesn't that armor ever get sweaty?"

*Owain snatches back the gold from midair and eyes them suspiciously.*

“Perhaps. What’s it to you? And get out of my pockets! You’re as bad as 4C…”

"Curiosity!" she crows. "I remind you of 4C? I'll take that as a compliment!"

Despite that not, in fact, being a compliment, Nem preens while tossing Owain's farkle dice up and down in one hand.

“Give me that- Who taught you your manners? They did a poor job. Rifling through pockets and asking personal questions…”

"My manners are wonderful!" Nem darts around Owain, seemingly inspecting his armor. "Also, it's my job as a rogue, to... borrow things others probably don't need!"

She pokes at the Zweihänder, hefting it slightly. "Dang, how do you swing this? And how was it forged, it looks amazing!"

“You-! Unhand that, rogue!” *Owain snatches his zweihander back.*

“Your ‘job’ is to do no such thing. And this sword is not yours to take nor touch.”

Nem laughs giddily. "Fine, fine, I'm sorry... Here!"

They shove a bag of dice and a coinpurse, both absolutely covered in slime, into Owain's hands.

"I got this from the frog guy after throwing a water balloon at him!"

*Owain immediately drops the items, both confused and mildly disgusted.*

"I- I do not need these, why do you give them to me? And why are they covered in... whatever this is? It would seem you have neither manners nor self-respect, from your actions and mannerism..."

"I respect myself plenty much!" Nem says offendedly, hanging upside-down with her legs hooked around a tree branch.

"And what would be my job as a rogue, if not to borrow things, for an extended period of time, without asking? ...also are you a tsukumogami?"

"Your 'job' would be to protect, scout for, and serve your kingdom. Thievery and crime are not sanctioned professions." *He sighs quietly.*

"And- Pardon, but what did you ask if I am? I do not believe I'm familiar with the term."

Nem narrows their eyes. "I'm scouting where the Red Kingdom keeps their wealth, and I'm serving Blue by bringing back some of it."

She whips out a notebook, still upside-down. "A tsukumogami is an object that gains life after a hundred years. It's not my pet theory, but I can't help but wonder because I'm pretty sure nobody's seen your face."

They let out a small hmph as their pen falls to the ground. "I mean, I could go and ask Salem, but with all the travelers pestering him it feels like it would be in bad taste."

"I- A hundred years‽ You jest with the intent of rage, I see... No, I am a human being, and a am hardly older than twenty. Not that it is any of your business."

*Beneath his mask, he blushes.* "And I do not know why you think Salem would have seen my face any more than the rest of the kingdom."

#chronicles of nem #i am the master ragebaiter

Nem smirks, fails at suppressing a giggle, and falls out of the tree.

"You- oh you're serious. I can't believe it. Mighty lion of the blue kingdom, we have eyes. You're down bad. Head over heels. An entire tavern broke into cheers when you all started dating."

They flop dramatically onto the floor. "Even some of the Red Kingdom have caught on, at this point."

There's a table in the library, absolutely buried under piles and piles of books all pertaining to local mythos and cryptozoology. Nem pops out from behind one of the stacks.

"Hello! I've never met a half-siren before! Can I ask you some questions and can we be friends?"

@nem-does-things

*He yelps quietly in surprise, taking a few steps back.*

O-oh- Um, okay? S-sorry, you startled me is all... You're real, right?

Nem bounces up to the half-siren and gently ruffles his hair.

"I think I'm very real!"

They pause. "What's your name?"

One of the many teetering stacks of books gives up on life and collapses with a muffled thud.

*He shrinks away, mildly intimidated, and flinches when the books fall.*

I-I don't know... I never really knew my name...

...What's yours?

"I'm Nem!!" she chirps, with way too much energy for the situation.

"Hmmm... can I call you... Kai? Kai sounds like a lovely name. Also, as a half siren, can you breathe underwater?"

Somehow, an intimidating amount of books pertaining to ocean biology have emerged from the pile.

S-sure, you can call me that...

A-and yes? At least, I can for a little bit... I have gills...

*Kai eyes the pile of books with wariness.*