Love 'em & Leave 'em

Fae.

[oscarxkam]

averynye:

While it was true Avery was shaken, mortified, and overall disturbed by what had happened, he couldn’t place the blame on Oscar for it. There had been someone responsible, and now that he was slowly but surely recovering, he wanted nothing more than to end them. For now, he didn’t want to look into Oscar’s eyes, just because he’d rather drink in his closeness and tangle with his familiar loving mind before meeting the eyes that had gazed upon him with a gleeful desire to kill. That wink…he so dearly loved when Oscar winked at him, and now, he didn’t think he could bear to see it anymore, not without remembering what had very nearly happened. 

Avery’s lungs were still burning, and every so often he would give a weak cough and grimace at the taste of salt in his mouth. His eyes were reddened and uncomfortable too. A lake that had brought him such peaceful solitude was now a place he greatly hated, and he no longer desired to come here. Damn the Mers too for that matter.

“Shh, you have no need to apologize to me.” Avery said immediately as he felt and heard the sobs finally tearing through. Oh when he found the one that decided it would be fun to toy with everyone’s bodies…

 “It was at no fault of your own. There was no way you could have recognized me, and no way for me to reach you as my telepathy was lost.” He felt so tired, and for what he wanted to drop into his bed and sleep for the next three days straight, he wanted even more to dig his blade into the flesh of his now most hated enemy. His drive urged him to return to the site of the party and demand answers, but Oscar was right, they needed to get out of these clothes else they would remain weak.

“I don’t think I can walk. And I really wish it was due to other activities that I would be saying that after a night with you.” Avery quipped, attempting a small joke in hopes of drying those tears and lifting that guilt, but he knew there would be a small cautious rift between them, at least for a little while. This wasn’t going to be something easy to forget or get passed. Oscar would mark the first that attempted to kill Avery and would receive no act of vengeance in return, but it was because of that love for him it would be all the harder to move forward. Trust, for a small while, was shaken. Even now as Oscar kept his arms around Avery, there were terrifying images of being dragged back into the water and forced under again–but while Avery knew this was ridiculous and that Oscar was once more himself–his position, training, and ingrained caution warned that this could happen again. 

“Let’s go home, love…” Avery said tiredly, wrapping his arms around Oscar’s neck and continuing to lean into him. “We have much to do after we get some rest.”

Oscar didn’t dare close his eyes, terrified of what might be on the underside of his lids, but the desire was there. This whole month had been exhausting and now this - this was a blow far too big for them to withstand currently. Part of him wished Avery’s knife had found his gut, had stopped him from ever being in a position to harm him again, but his ridiculously-too-good-for-him love was chiding him about apologizing and simultaneously fitting himself back into Oscar’s head. Hopefully, Avery could feel all the things Oscar couldn’t find words for and know just how deeply his very soul was entwined with Avery’s, how he’d be less than half a person with him gone.

“I have many needs to apologize to you,” Oscar countered petulantly. “But point taken for now. Let’s just get you home, okay?” This time Oscar didn’t think a hot bath would be so well received and would probably resort to leaving him a hot towel or two and leaving the room for him to clean himself and the very thought of it hurt. If Avery decided he was worth sticking around for then this would not break them, they would never allow such a thing, but it was certainly going to test them. Another flare of surprise went through him as Avery made a joke - about sex! with him! - and further lessened some of the panic Oscar’d been feeling.

“I wish it were too.” Oscar agreed, but the quip seemed to have taken the last of Avery’s strength so taking the arms around his neck as permission, he gently lifted Avery bridal style and called some warm gusts of wind to wrap around them, keeping him securely held in case his own strength began to fail. Then began the long trek back to the forts.

So help anyone who tried to stop or hinder their progress in any way - Oscar had no patience for it - but luckily for the forest dwellers, no one approached them until they got close to the Forts. Tightening his grip on his love, he hurried through the halls, ducking as many curious stares and half-asked questions as he could until he was safely depositing Avery back on his feet and leaving him briefly to find new clothes for the both of them. Awkwardly, he backed out to let Avery shower the salt off, kept busy preparing them both very strong drinks, before taking his own record quick shower and changing into something that felt like it wasn’t melting his skin off.

Freshly showered and with a wine glass in hand - he should have felt more like himself but truthfully had never felt less like himself. His skin felt wrong, his stomach was in knots and keeping him from even sipping at the glass as he struggled to wrap his head around what had happened and what was going to happen next. Taking a seat at the foot of the bed, he finally looked at Avery again and decided to lay the cards on the table. “I don’t want this to break us.” He stated calmly. “So, tell me how you want to proceed and please know you’re free to change what you want at any time. Do you want me to use my own rooms for awhile? Do you want to go extinguish the mer colony?” Falling silent for a moment, he stared down into his glass as he warred within himself before looking back at Avery. “Luca Marcello saved my life from a mer once and I owed him a life debt. I’m calling that debt repaid by refraining from killing his son tonight. I don’t know what, if any role, he played in tonight’s bullshit, but when I’m certain I won’t attack on sight, I’ll find out what spell it was, who knows it, and keep it from ever being used again. Unless, you get there first, of course. I’ll make no move to stop you.”

[oscarxkam]

averynye:

There was a moment the pain subsided and the most blissful peace came over Avery. No longer was he struggling to hold his breath underwater, but he felt now as if he was floating atop a cloud, all worries and troubles gone with some silent promise that it could all be over if he chose. It was tempting. He could be with his brother again, his mother as well, and leave the sorrows of Arain far behind him as he enjoyed an infinite life with no despair. Maybe he should have taken it when he had the chance, but when he heard the soft echo of Oscar’s voice pleading for him to come back, there was no choice in the matter. Avery longed for peace, but would there really be any for him if he left Oscar like this?

He felt a small pressure on his chest, a light somewhere in the distance coming towards him at a very rapid rate. Oscar’s voice grew louder, and Avery reached for it, clinging to it as he tried to pull himself back. The pressure increased, and as the light hit him, he opened his eyes wide–greeting himself back into a world of pain and his body’s demands for the emptying of the water in both his lungs and stomach. Avery rolled to the side and heaved, eyes watering from the burn of salt water forcing its way up his throat. He coughed and gagged, wheezing desperately as his lungs tried to refill with much needed air and oh he felt so weak. The salt water was certainly doing a wonderful job at draining his energy, as if it weren’t already drained enough with his near death experience, but he was at least able to relink his mind with Oscar’s–a weak connection but one that was there nonetheless.

“Never again…” The words were a gasp, Avery shutting his eyes tightly as he felt the urge to vomit water again, but suppressed it. “Never going in that damn lake again.” He turned so he was on his back, chest rising and falling with long drawn out breaths as he tried to recover, but his eyes were now on Oscar. It would be hard to forget that look…his lover’s eyes wanting for death, his death, even if he hadn’t known it was him. Avery never thought in a million years he would be on the receiving end of such a violent look from Oscar, and it was badly burned in his memory now. He wanted to be rid of it, but feared he may not easily be able to.

“Hi.” Avery whispered, managing a small meek smile. “It is certainly good to see you as yourself again.” His voice was scratchy, throat still raw from both swallowing, and heaving water. Avery tried to slowly sit up, and somehow succeeded, only to slouch heavily against Oscar.

It was hard to keep a close eye on Avery’s chest and face when every few seconds the world would go blurry until he blinked away the moisture. Guilt was there, pressing in from all sides, but momentarily held at bay by pure terror. Oscar didn’t know if he’d take a breath of his own ever again and the suspense of it was keeping him from entirely falling apart. And then a miracle happened. Avery’s eyes opened and everything in the world stopped for a split second as Oscar’s brain struggled to comprehend that. Was he hallucinating? Was he wishing so hard for this to happen that he was seeing something - no. Avery’s body turned then, water and sound leaving it with no small amount of difficulty and abruptly air returned to Oscar’s own lungs as he matched Avery’s ragged inhales and exhales.

Avery was breathing. He was alive.

Drained, he fell back on his heels and tried to swallow back a sob as he felt Avery’s mind in his own again. Oh, his love. Oscar’s hands were wringing themselves raw as he fought every instinct he had to reach out, to comfort, to soothe, to somehow make this better but he’d lost the privilege to touch. The words raw and painful sounding made him flinch for a moment, certain that never again meant Oscar being in any position of closeness to Avery and it took a moment to place the ‘lake’ part of that. Stunned, Oscar looked briefly towards the damned body of water before glancing down at his weakened love who was managing a smile and a greeting and that broke the last bit of Oscar’s resolve and he crumpled into sobs.

“I’m so sorry. I don’t understand how - I - Oh, Avery.” He was still afraid to touch, but his hands shot out anyway, even if they hovered as Avery tried to move until he was a warm solid weight against Oscar’s body. Did that mean it was okay to touch? Why was he not running screaming from Oscar? “It’s good to see you awake and breathing.” Oscar returned quietly, dropping his head to press a soft kiss to Avery’s hair and pretend like the violent shaking in his body was from the cold and not at all from his nightmares becoming a reality. Over and over he’d pictured terrible things happening to Avery in the 24 hours they’d been separated by an unknown force, and then learning he was stuck in ice and cold had colored his dreams for some time, but now he knew. He knew exactly what Avery would look like when he died and how could he ever forgive himself for creating that knowledge? How could Avery stand to be in his presence? “Can I get you home?” Oscar asked quietly. “You won’t have to walk. I’ll magick you there if that’s okay. Gotta get us outta these clothes.” They were drying now, but salt encrusted and doing them no favors. “I’m so sorry. I - the words don’t do a thing - but it’s all I can say. I’m sorry.” He was horrified with himself, angry with mers for existing at all, and determined to launch a war on the ones who did this to them and almost made him responsible for the end of his lover's life. Someone was going to dearly pay and then he’d deal with himself. 

[oscarxkam]

maevetuath:

It seemed that the two of the former fae shared a sense of understanding. Maeve couldn’t identify the reason behind his lack of voice – from what she could recall, it wasn’t much like a mischievous fae to be mute. Then again, this was far from a particular evening, so she found herself ignoring his silence. In fact, it was almost refreshing compared to the constant chatter of her heedless councilors and subjects. She would let herself believe that as the very least of his intentions, he was granting her respect, though who knew? Perhaps he was just a silent one. It would make sense, given that he was the preferred company of a telepathic. Hm…she mused. That’s almost poetic.

However, as she took notice of his inquisitive glances, she realized that he was remaining quiet for her sake. She shot him a look, one brow raised, finding some annoyance at not being formally addressed. However, the lack of conversation provided the fuel for intensive thought, and a realization soon dawned on her. He’s a mer now…the blasted fish have that siren’s song. Her expression softened and she nodded to him. “Thank you for cautioning your…abilities around me. It took me a moment, but I understand now.” She let out one small, brief chuckle and shrugged. “I don’t think I’d taste quite good now, anyways. Meat’s not sweet enough, or so i’m told.” She rolled her eyes before quickly disregarding her digression. “But I haven’t lived this long without learning how to commune with those less fortunate, as Queens do. Tell me – Oscar, yes? Do you know how to speak with hand gestures? I think they call it Sign Language, now.”

As they rounded towards the GRF, her pathetic, human heart beat wildly in her chest. She was chock full of excitement, knowing that she would no longer be unable to enter the facility in her new state. She inhaled deeply, and though she knew her human nose would be a sad comparison to the power of her fae nose, she was relieved to find that there was no bitter, acidic scent hanging in the air, no hairs standing up at the nape of her neck. Maeve refused to use weakness as a form of judgement, however, finding that everything about this cursed form was weakened. She turned to Oscar and gave him a wicked grin. “Perhaps, dear Oscar, you can help me make a different kind of splash tonight. What say you, my friend?” She said, her voice thick with the velvety edge of mischief. 

Being mute was becoming somewhat of a learning experience. It forced Oscar to stay aware of his own and other’s body languages, glances, every nonverbal cue to communicate and as such, he found the flickering emotions on the Queen’s face somewhat entertaining. But it was still a rather large burden off his shoulders once she figured it out and couldn’t misconstrue his silence for disrespect. He really really didn’t want to be on her bad side. Shoulders falling with relief, he gave another small bow at the expression of gratitude and understanding. She was sharp, Oscar had to give her that, and just like that, this Queen had earned more of his respect than her sister ever had bothered to. Avery’d done well to succeed in this Court, especially when she displayed that her sense of humor was quite in tact.

Despite his nose wrinkling in distaste, his eyes twinkled with amusement at the jest about not tasting good and if Oscar had his way, he’d continue his regular diet that did not include any race that he might have friends (or enemies) in, thank you very much. He didn’t dare attempt a laugh though - if his tears could become lures - why not his joy as well? Why hadn’t the species of the world banned together to exterminate this damned race anyway? No one race should have the power to enthrall and eat everyone. It was just greedy. And impractical. Could he talk with his hands? He gave a nod as she pulled his name out from some knowledge she had about him, presumedly from Avery, confirming his identity before her question took him back to years long forgotten.

Oscar’d never considered himself to be less fortunate but certainly bullied within the young community of the Seelie Court. His magick was not one they found useful, he’d struggled to control it, and found that his personality and disposition was not at all in line with the lessons trying to be instilled in him. He’d talked back, asked questions, raised challenges, and been punished both formally and socially for it — but there’d been a few here and there that would take pity on him. That would take it upon themselves to try and chide him back to the right bath, to be the saviors of the outcast boy, and he’d resisted all attempts until someone passed him a note that they agreed and appreciated his speaking out. An unlikely friendship occurred, based on a complicated system of hand gestures flashed across detention rooms and behind teacher’s backs and slipped notes but Oscar didn’t know if the gestures he’d learned then were the same as what she was referring to now and hesitantly tried to recall.

The GRF seemed…less impressive than Oscar remembered from initial first curious glances and he shot a wary look around them, trying to catalog movement. Hunters were probably not ones to partake in forest-wide parties but perhaps the magick was widely cast and could penetrate far beyond the cabin. It’s possible the hunters were distracted by their new states and so he just turned back to the Queen as she broke the silence and easier returned her grin before holding two thumbs up before sticking his tongue out at her for that awful pun. Again, why was he a mer? Why did the universe hate him so much? But at the very least, he could - oh no. Glancing around, he shook himself, before taking out a silk pocket square from his jacket and delicately ripping it in two and rolling them into little balls with tails before holding them out to the Queen. With his free hand he mimed that he wanted her to put them in her ears at the first sign of his singing. If he needed to draw people away from them, well, it wouldn’t do to draw her too.

[oscarxkam]

irisofwolves:

She had picked up a mask, seeing as that had seemed like it was the polite thing to do. It was delicate and incredibly elaborate, stones and threads catching what little light was left in the area. Iris shook her head, putting it on, trying to figure out where she had lost Camila again. It was at moments like these that she wished one of the less rambunctious wolves were around. She continued to walk around, trying to find at least somebody she knew, although to no avail. 

And now she felt incredibly parched. She picked up a glass of water, downing it in one go, but it did nothing for her. Iris shook her head. And god— there’s a lot of people here. Maybe she should take a walk? Or take a swim? It was warmer now, and the idea of taking a swim just felt so appealing. Iris started walking towards the Lake, her legs breaking out into a sprint before she had even realized what had happened. Before she knew it, she had jumped into the water, and she could only watch in horror and fascination as her legs turned into a fin and gills appeared from nowhere. She spun around, flailing a little in confusion and panic. How the— What in— The fish were talking? 

Fish could talk?

Maybe Disney wasn’t that far off the mark then.

Conquering her panic took some time, but the longer Iris spent in the water, getting comfortable with her new body, the easier the transition from panic to wonder became. She was still immensely confused, and a part of her wanted to rage at this happening, but for now she would enjoy this experience. After all, who knew how long it would take for this to go sour?

Iris swam between the fish and the animals and the plants, smirking at the snippets of conversations she could hear. Out of nowhere, a hand tapped her shoulder, accompanied by a familiar voice in her mind. She couldn’t help the startled laugh she let out as she gave chase, bobbing and weaving through everything around them to get to the Fae. It didn’t feel so different from playing tag as a wolf— just different muscles. And a completely different terrain. Finally she reached forward, jabbing her finger at his ribs. “You’re it again. Also, do you know how we are here?” she asked.

Oscar wasn’t truly sure what to expect once he’d found the other not-mer-mer but he knew he liked her for a reason. She didn’t even hesitate to laugh and join right in and then they were flying through the depths of the lake, smashing through schools of fish and ducking around rocks and generally just letting go and having fun. Innocent fun. Not murdery fun, though, the second the thought crossed his mind, he did peer up at the surface to see if he could detect some poor fool wandering too close and that ended up being his downfall as he felt fingers brush his ribs. Ugh, rude.

Before he could dart after her though, she’d paused and phrased a question that until now, Oscar hadn’t really been focused enough to consider. How the hell was he a merperson now? Given their clothes were gone, and being a fae - he drank nothing but what he brought to events - it couldn’t be clothes or drink. He hadn’t eaten anything, hell, he’d barely had a chance to look at the buffet table before he was dragged unwillingly to the lake via dehydration and some mesmerizing charm. But looking at them now, all weirdly lit strange looking skin, gills, and scales, there was one thing that hadn’t changed.

So he reached out, touching her mask before grinning. Magick. he thought simply before adding a triumphant Gotcha and darting back through the water, pretending like his soul wasn’t reaching new heights of happiness and contentment as he swam through the depths until he realized he wasn’t swimming alone. A sleek grey shape was keeping pace with him and Oscar couldn’t help the startled smile as he got distracted and started interacting with the seal, forgetting he was being tag-hunted as they spun in place and did loop de loops and claps - all to his complete delight.

[oscarxkam]

averynye:

Avery immediately writhed as he was grabbed, paws digging into mud before they shockingly met nothing but deep water. He struggled, kicking furiously as he snapped his teeth and twisted his head, trying to grasp his attacker and free himself as water poured into his mouth. Snarls ripped through him, but they quieted as he was brought to the surface long enough to catch that grin and wink.

That face. He knew that face.

Snarls became a mix between a mournful howl and a whine, Avery attempting one last plea for his beloved to recognize him, but it was too late. He went under again and no no no, he was going to die. Ironically by the person he trusted most with his life. Avery tried to reach out to Oscar with his telepathy as he was pulled deeper, water invading his lungs, but remembered with dismay that his powers were not available to him. This was it…and he wondered then if Oscar would ever know…or if he would simply come to think Avery had abandoned him…maybe met some ill fate and over time be forgotten. It broke him to think as such.

While emotional agony tore his heart in two, searing pain consumed his chest and throat as water finally flooded his nose and mouth in one final assault. Avery felt his body convulse as he instinctively breathed in, further dooming himself. His world was turning black, vision blurring as he caught sight of the last glimmer of sun he knew he would ever see. It peaked through the trees, making the water seem red near the surface, warm even–but Avery’s body only grew colder as he was dragged deeper, and eventually, he stopped breathing altogether.

The transformation was sudden as the spell broke with the sunrise’s arrival. What was once a sleek red wolf was now back to his lithe and slender fae self, but he was unresponsive, and it would become clear as the water’s movement finally pulled away that damned mask and revealed who he truly was. By then, Avery was no longer conscious to the world and its many problems. In his head, he’d screamed Oscar’s name, only to be met with silence, and now there was nothing left as his magick was reignited. No thoughts, no feelings, no lively link. Avery was dying, and all he could manage now was one weak squeeze on Oscar’s arm, before that too went limp and lifeless.

Oscar had to hand it to the wolf - they did try - and it made things interesting for awhile. But then howls and whines started getting him a headache and he stopped pulling the wolf up, letting the water take the brunt of the noise while he waited for the life to drain out of the magnificent animal. The fight was nearly as interesting anymore and he had half a mind to let go, let him try to make a break for it before bringing him back, but he was kind of over the whole thing. Better to just finish this and then move on.

With all the splashing and drama, he’d not noticed the sun getting lighter but it brought a small smile to his face to see the sun start peaking over the horizon. Oh, good. The ocean would start to wake up. And it did - all around Oscar in a painful burn as he came back to himself surrounded by salt water. “Wha- ?” He moved to drag himself out and realized there was something in his hands under the surface. Something heavy. Part of him thought to just let it go and get the hell out of the nasty water but a larger part of him decided to bring it with and once he spotted a familiar lock of red hair - he was grateful for that instinct.

Latching onto his magick with both hands, he used powerful gusts of wind to get Avery up out of the water and rushed the two of them to the bank as fast as he could with a scream of rage and grief far stronger than any siren song. It was as much a warning as a dare to come within feet of them. Laying Avery carefully in the sand, he tried to use magick first to force the water out of his body but quickly became frustrated when that didn’t immediately work. He tried to use his hands to force the water out and immediately had to turn and gag himself because the thought of his hands doing any more damage was too much - but he couldn’t lose Avery. Not like this. Think, Oscar, think.

Air, he needed air. Scrambling, he tilted his head back, blowing air into his lungs and using magick to try and clear up and out any water or debris in the way before replacing it with more exhaled air. Wait, exhales weren’t oxygen. Fuck. Magick in, magick out then. Pull the water out and replace it with small careful bursts of oxygen and pray like you’ve never prayed before. Please, please, please don’t take him from me now. I need him. He needs me. I can’t have his blood on my hands. Please, please, please. The slightest sound from the lake had him shooting out a hand and sending a lightning bolt directly into the being that dared to break the surface of the lake in their presence but his eyes never left Avery’s chest. “Come on, breathe.” He whispered. “Love, if you can hear me, come back. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Don’t leave me yet. I- please.”

[oscarxkam]

sorinvikare:

The night air was cool on Sorin’s skin, the outdoors a welcome reprieve from the chaos inside the cabin. Most of the time the busier a place was, the better, in his opinion, but this… being human again so suddenly- it was just a lot. It was a concept he’d obsessed over for years, something he’d yearned for ever since he’d lost it, but now that he had it back he wasn’t exactly sure what it meant. He’d learned from listening in and asking around that a sudden change in species was a widespread thing and that some believed it to be a side- effect of the masks. It made sense, he supposed, considering that nobody could take theirs off once they’d put it on. 

He had so very many questions that it was hard to know where to begin asking them, even just to himself. The biggest one was a question of how long it would last. If it wasn’t permanent, could it be? Did he have the option of being a human once more? If he did, what did that mean for his place amongst the Strix? If they were no longer a clan of vampires, would they even stay together? Had all of his clanmates turned human? He knew there were those that had chosen vampirism. Would they find some way to return to it? Would they have any use for him if he didn’t? The fresh air allowed him the chance to unwind just a bit, begin trying to organize his tangled thoughts, but it held no answers. In all likelihood, the ones that had done this to begin with were the only ones who did, and he had no idea how to identify them unless he started asking around, trying to hunt down anyone that had started the night as a cabin enchanter. A good chunk of his life had been spent trying to locate people, after all. Lost in thought, he’d apparently managed to wander near the lake. It was beautiful at night, in a way, with the gentle ripples and the reflection of the moon. Water hadn’t been his friend in a long time, but he could remember a time when he’d loved it dearly, back when he’d been human the first time. Looking at it brought up a sick feeling of nostalgia as much as it did one of dread, and he turned, intending to head back to the party and not allow his thoughts to drift down that path any more than they already had. Except instead of leaving, he was captivated by what was possibly the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard- something that drew him in, something he desperately wanted to follow to the source. In that moment, everything else ceased to matter, and all he could do was follow the call, the rest of the world fading away as he walked closer and closer to the lake. Then the sound stopped, and awareness began creeping back. He stopped, looking around himself- he was in the sand, now, and it wasn’t that he had no memory of moving here, it was more like… more like it hadn’t been him that had done so, and instead he’d been watching it happen through someone else’s eyes. “Oscar?” He asked, disoriented, shaking his head as if to clear the fog from his brain. “What- um, what’s wrong?” He took another few steps forward, his own confusion taking a backseat as he grew concerned for his friend. “Are you alright?”

Oh, no. Why was he coming closer? Oscar’d hoped for a minute that Sorin had gotten the message once his feet had stopped their advance and he’d shaken his head but no. Here he was still coming closer and causing the vile creature inside to shiver with glee and murder. It was fine. This was fine. Oscar could ignore it. In fact the eye roll and petulant look he shot the other was purely Oscar. No, he was perfectly not alright! If vampires knew anything about fae besides they were tasty, they’d know how perfectly not alright it was for Oscar to be in this disgusting lake.

Why was Sorin even here? Oscar would have thought the vampires would have some resistance to the call, how fun could it be to kill already dead things anyway, but then…he didn’t smell dead. Curiosity killed the cat but Oscar couldn’t help but move closer himself, wide eyes moving over Sorin’s body, studying him like he could figure out what was going on. Gently, he reached out to touch his chest, flattening his palm, and causing both his eyebrows to shoot up when he felt the study beat under his hand.

What was this? Magick that could turn the dead alive, the fae into fish…his heart seized in his chest, suddenly himself enough to worry. Where was Avery? What was Avery? And his lil ragtag family of misfits - what had happened to them? If the vampires were human - who were the vampires now? No. No. The Coven wouldn’t be that stupid. Likely, there was no vampires at all right now and what a thought that was. If only they’d done the same with terrible fish people. Oscar was going to have more than one word with Dhviti once he had his proper body back.

Distracted by his own thoughts, he didn’t realize his hand had crept from chest to neck and that he’d begun to circle around Sorin until he was already nearly behind him and ready to pounce. No, no. Stop this. OSCAR. Biting his tongue so hard it bled did nothing to stop his body from leaning forward, nuzzling against his shoulder and then he was gone again. The mer’d taken over and how could he really blame it when prey walked right into his hands all trusting and willing? “Sorin, my dear Sorin.” Oscar sang softly. “Come for a swim with me. The water’ll feel so nice against your newly heated skin. Come along lovely. Just a couple steps more…” Nobody remembered the drop off and truly, Oscar’d found they nearly drowned themselves once he got them past that point and well it wasn’t as fun per se - it was amusing and that’s all his mer really wanted. Amusement.

[oscarxkam]

maevetuath:

This was a nightmare.

Or so it seemed to Maeve. Perhaps some insolent dolt thought it amusing to curse a vengeful queen, or perhaps she was stuck in a restless slumber, dreaming of weakness, of mortality, of the burden of the mundane. Surely, it would come to pass, and leave her as she shook herself awake. The light of the moon would pierce her vision, taunting her as it often did when she awoke from such hateful sleep. But this was no dream. Small, reddening crescent-shaped indents blossomed upon her arms where she had tried to pinch herself awake. No such luck. Her veins pulsated faster, her skin feeling heavy upon her lithe form. However, it was the sensation of her heart nearly stilling as the magick was stripped from her being that truly hinted at her new, human form. Nothing had changed – no spare piece of food had been consumed, no article of clothing changed, except…oh no. 

The mask, which Maeve had found as much a part of her now as her skin, must have been the culprit. She yanked and yanked, hiding in the shadows of the forest as she rushed out of the cabin, tugging at the infernal decoration as if it were engulfed in fire.After a fair bit of time sulking and a long stream of colorful curses, Maeve had calmed her now-feeble heart down. Rational thought kicked in, and inspired a thought within her cunning mind. What is it that humans possess which fae are barred from? Iron. Excitement rushed through her as she nearly ran in the direction of the GRF, hastily concocting a plan for breaking in. It would be difficult without her magick, for as a fae, she could simply take the form of a shadow and slip in without detection, had it not been for the curse of iron. She huffed, her chest heavy, not realizing that a figure had materialized before her. 

He was familiar, though many faces came and went through the forest. Oscar, her mind reminded her. He was one of Avery’s favorites, and rumored to possess an affinity for her court’s ways. She was thankful to find a familiar face, and even more thankful when he offered her the respect of a bow. It was curious that he refused to speak, though not unheard of. Many spoke their mind to her, but others would follow conduct and not speak unless spoken to. However, Maeve could care less, and instead took his arm, nodding in acknowledgement. So it was everyone experiencing this, then? She felt the words slip past her lips. “Human. The bastards.”

Human. It took in inhumane amount of self-control to not crack a smile at that because if anyone was having a worse day than he was - it was the Queen. Then again, she didn’t need fae magick or a siren song to talk someone to their deaths so perhaps any and all of the random species regenerations would have suited her just fine. He hadn’t the slightest clue where she’d been headed or where they were going now and had no way of asking, but it was pleasant enough to just walk. It wasn’t often he found himself alone with royalty and had he been his full self, he may have been tripping over himself with nerves and pressures, but tonight had an air of shared misery and that was a far better bond than any witty words.

It was only once they passed by the area his doomed Holiday party had taken place that he turned towards her with an impressed raise of an eyebrow. GRF, then? Oscar didn’t know what if any protections they’d taken against merfolk but he would find out shortly. On the other, if the vampires were no longer vampires, well, there wouldn’t be much standing in one humans way, now would there? It was damn clever, brave, and reckless. Oscar had no idea how long he’d been a mer or how long it’d last, but he was hoping against all hope that it wasn’t permanent which meant that at any point during this foolhardy mission, they could switch back and get trapped but then, his loyal lover and her advisor would come looking for the two of them - with plenty of sharp things and back up so - worry free, he continued on and just tried to think of what he knew as far as points of entry and egress before realizing he could relate none of it to her anyway and gave up to go return to his first point.

Just enjoy a misery-loves-company walk.

[oscarxkam]

@maevetuath

Apparently, his half-baked plan had worked. Giving in to the underwater creature for a time, chasing sea-life and playing tag had granted him temporary use of his legs again. He’d scrambled as far away from the lake as he could get before running into someone else. His hand immediately rose to cover his mouth as he took in the Unseelie Queen and her…somehow rather diminished presentation. He still gave her a proper bow and tried not to pry into what had happened to her which was made easier by all attempts to not speak. He didn’t trust the song to not come out.

So he just offered an arm to her and motioned his other arm out in a request to join her on her walk. Truly, he should start keeping a pad and paper next to his flask because apparently, that could be useful in this damned forest. But he did feel awkward not saying anything when his personality was mostly what he was known for so he built up the courage and scrunched up his face before spitting out one carefully rehearsed-in-his-head, “Mer.” complete with a full body shudder. But it didn’t sound musical to his own ears and he shot a careful look at his companion to make sure the whole glaze-y eyes thing didn’t happen and then relaxed into his stroll. Crisis averted. For now.

[oscarxkam]

averynye:

Avery was reaching his peak with this forest. He could no longer tolerate it, or its unpredictable nature, and so during the party when he felt himself becoming feverish, he’d been only slightly suspicious until he fell to his hands and knees and succumbed to the ripping agony that shape shifted him into the beast he currently was now. To be fair, he was a beautiful wolf, slim with sleek bright red fur, and his green eyes were all the brighter, but he was far from within his own control, unable to clearly think or reach out to anyone. There was nothing more than the desire to run, and above all, hunt.

Avery spent hours darting through the trees, teeth bared as he occasionally broke into a different direction and snatched a small animal into his jaws only to crush it and thrill himself on the taste of blood. There was an earthy scent in the air that beckoned him to others like him, but still an ever present alienation that reminded him this wasn’t right. That he needed to get back to those he loved and act on the responsibilities he had. Instinct had a way of overruling rationality though, and so he continued running and doing as his wolf pleased, because he didn’t have the slightest control of it.

It as the song that slowed him and finally brought him to a halt. There was the smell of water, a tinge of salt to it, and something more, but an already confused and rageful mind was clouded over further, and paw after paw Avery found himself heading in the direction of the song. It drank him in, made him forget, made his fur lay flat against his back and the annoyance of the mask still clinging around the top of his head fade away. 

His first paw stepped into the water, but he didn’t mind the cold of it, and he only bared his teeth briefly at the sight of the one responsible for the singing. A low growl emitted from his throat, but another paw went into the shallows, as he could not stop himself from coming closer. 

Oh, a wolf. It was such a beautiful thing seeing such a creature being drawn away from its own hunt and becoming someone else’s prey. Oscar kept the tune going, watching the wolf’s fur and its slow and steady approach. He was far too busy studying its physiology and the best way to trap and overpower it to recognize the mask it bore. He added a tone of warmth to his song as paws hit the surf and teeth were momentarily bared, but the wolf kept approaching anyway. Step by step…just a little bit further. The advantage of the lake was there was an abrupt steep drop off if he just got the wolf to…

There.

Grinning, Oscar pounced, the song still pouring out of his lips until he had both hands tangled strategically in the fur in the best places to not get bit and to shove the canine under the waves. His whole body came alive, once he was submerged, his tail squishing happily to keep pushing him up and increase his leverage on the struggling wolf. Pleased so far, another song came out of his mouth, but this one was war — angry, vicious, and smug with certain victory.

The spider’d caught its prey and now was time to play.

Bringing the wolf up for a moment, Oscar grinned down at it, adding a wink to let them know which mer had bested them before shoving them down away only, he hadn’t been expecting the wolf to change and it caught him off guard momentarily but regardless, skin or fur, it going down. Down, down, down into the belly of the lake where maybe it’d please the King or maybe just become fishbait.

He didn’t care.

[oscarxkam]

@irisofwolves

After making sure Sorin had gotten out of the water and safely on his way, Oscar trusted himself nowhere near the surface of the water. Certainly, he wanted to get help and wanted this to reverse itself somehow, but first, he needed to trust himself enough to walk back to the Cabin. And that wasn’t going so well for him topside. So, he dove down and down and down, half-braced for the moment the salt would attack his fae skin or start to burn his eyes or lungs, but the comfort only increased the deeper he went.

Months of having someone in his head had given him some experience in adjusting the knobs, so to speak, and before long he was able to block out the majority of the din and begin to pick out and focus on one conversation or another. It shocked him greatly to realize these were the creatures of the water conversing - fish gossiping to other fish - jellyfish being snooty assholes, turtles sighing about dumb mers. If he wasn’t so disgusted by the mer way of life - he might have been amazed.

Ok, he was amazed.

There was no use holding his distaste of merfolk over fishes heads. It wasn’t their fault they had to share an ocean with such terrible things and he felt perfectly justified in admiring their beauty for a little. His body seemed to know how to move without his direction and he was able to spend some time following and darting in and out of schools of brilliantly colored fish before realizing currents could be ridden and lost some time there before spotting a familiar looking flash out of the corner of his eye.

HIs first thought was Lilith but no - she wouldn’t be so coy. So he swam over, deciding a game of Tag might be fun and shot a wink at the familiar not-so-wolfy-girl, tapping her shoulder before darting off with a telepathic “You’re it.”

[oscarxkam]

@sorinvikare

Oscar didn’t know why he was here of all places. Anywhere his traitor feet could have taken him after leaving the cabin…here was the last place he expected. But something in his soul did calm as he looked over the lake’s dark waters, soothed as much by scent as by sound, and he allowed his eyes to close for a moment, just taking it in. It felt like home. But no - that wasn’t right. Home was a person, home was his heart, rapidly blinking his eyes open, he shook his head as if to clear the thought completely and took a heavy step back. What the fuck was going on? He couldn’t feel Avery in his head anymore, he couldn’t feel the magick that was as much part of him as any blood vessel or muscle, and it was terrifying. He should be wherever his love was finding out what the fuck was messing with them now and vowing to destroy it and yet here he was.

Toeing off his shoes and pants before ever making the conscious decision to do so. Vainly, he tried to stop his body, to get back into his clothes, but he’d apparently lost control of it until he was throwing himself into the salty terrible waters of the lake.

No, no, no.

His muscles tensed, eyes slamming shut, completely braced for the burning horrible terrible…none of that happened. The water felt like a welcome embrace, a soft warm blanket folding you in at night, or a dinner by a fireplace or something and what the fuck? His eyes opened at the first brush of something by him and to his complete shock, everything was crystal clear and nothing hurt.

There was so much more down under the surface than he’d expected and all at once it slammed into his mind, shocking him to the surface, and he managed to pull his traitorous body out to the sand and only then realized…he had a tail.

In absolute shock, he watched the scales blend and disappear back into his legs and then promptly turned to gag up the last drinks he’d had because clearly he was on the receiving end of a terrible fae joke and needed it to end now. He would not remain in this vile creature a second longer.

Pushing up to his feet, he intended to head back to the party, grab the first Enchanter he came across and demand his body back but he spotted a familiar tuft of hair instead. “Sorin!! Hey. I need your help…” Or at least, those were the words he intended to say but notes dripped out of his mouth instead, dancing and twirling their way towards his friend and oh, no. This was bad. Very bad. Slamming a hand over his own mouth, he waved frantically to go back the other way and cursed himself for even opening his mouth. Stupid traitor body.

[oscarxkam]

@averynye

To his complete and utter horror, Oscar found that even his cries came out melodic and still drew creatures his way. Why was the world so cruel as to not even allow him the ability to sob properly? For a moment, he eyed the depths of the lake he had not yet explored — dipping too deep down and losing contact with land would make this all too real and a large part of him was rather scared to run into Lilith again.

This had to be part of her plan. Steal away his magick and grow him a tail he had no idea how to use and he’d be easy pickings once again. If he wasn’t so pissed, he might be a little impressed — it wasn’t a terrible plan.

His distraught cries originally brought Sorin to him and Oscar’d nearly killed him before recognizing him and now that only upset him further which seemed to be bringing all sorts of lifeforms drifting his way for easy destruction. Or eating? He was weirdly hungry and was trying hard not to look too closely at it. He’d tried to pull himself up out of the lake and stubbornly wait on land but his skin felt so wrong that he hadn’t been able to stand it being so close to the lake and not in its beautiful waters. And wasn’t that a disturbing thought all on its own? Grumpy, he splashed the water hard with his tail which admittedly was pretty and shiny under the moonlight, but he felt so lost.

He wanted his love, he wanted his legs, he wanted his magick back. None of this was going as it should and while part of him was seething in furious anger, he couldn’t take the whole mer kingdom on by himself — not when half of his soul would be waiting on his return and that part of his soul was crying the loudest. He needed Avery back in his head, in his arms, to fan the flames in his chest and point him in the right direction, and fight right there by his side so he could be certain they’d both rise out of the blood (or water) together.

Realizing his tears had turned directly into a seductive mournful song, he quickly clapped both hands over his mouth and scooted further off the rock to slip into the depths of the water and take his chances with Lilith before he … but it was too late. There was a rustling coming from the banks and this was larger - this was human-sized - and he could already feel his traitor mer heart beginning to beat faster, his system going into pure hunt mode, and as instinct took over thoughts of Avery got pushed out of his head.

His new sleek form slipped soundlessly into the water, just enough of his head still above the surface to continue the mesmerizing call and bring his prey close enough to drown. Wicked delight filled his heart, already picturing the splash and the struggle and the rush before the satisfaction of another stilled body would tide him over long enough to go find something to eat.

[oscarxkam]

averynye:

“Oh I very much love this side of you.” Avery purred. He could feel the anger sweep through him, drinking it in like a drug as his heart and mind echoed it right back. Oscar was protective, fierce as well, and there was no doubt that the two of them could crush whatever opponent they faced together. “Not to say that I don’t love every side of you, because I do, but while there’s no hiding my thirst for blood, it’s certainly good to see you come out of your shell a bit.” He took Oscar’s hand and pulled it to his chest, adoringly holding it to him as he thought to himself.

“Have you given any thought to joining the Unseelie Court?” Avery asked. “I know you couldn’t have felt you really belonged with the Seelie, and given my influence and connection with the Queen, the transition would be a smooth one. No one would question your loyalties, not at my side.” This time he did connect their lips, and he drew back just a touch so that he could level his eyes with Oscar’s. “Despite the alliance there is a division, there always has been and always will be. The last thing I want is our Courts using us against each other, or if something in Arain decides to commit another heinous act that separates us, our Courts being unwilling to help. I can name a quite extensive list of Seelies who would have preferred me not coming back alive today. That being besides the point, I want you to be safe and protected by this side of the forts, not looked at with skepticism or with a target on your back.”

Asking Oscar to switch alliances had been something Avery worried on for several days now, but he was only pushing the matter because of the unpredictable nature of the forest. More threats were coming in, and not all of them could be fought against. If something were to happen to Avery, he would at least know others of the Court would look after Oscar, and if the battle should be reignited between the Seelie and Unseelie, it wouldn’t strain their relationship. “You don’t have to make that decision now of course, I just want you to think on it.”

A flash of amusement went through Oscar but did little to tone down the fire currently burning in his veins. He hated that something was able to infiltrate their very bedroom and rip his love away without either of them even being aware and he’d be damned if it happened again. The same fire was a familiar feeling in his lover and he didn’t have an ounce of shame as Avery began to praise him for it. His eyes followed the movement of their hands before flicking back up to Avery’s face in some surprise. The thought certainly had left his lips. He’d sworn to Anthony that he’d defect in a moment if Avery asked…and yet, somehow Avery actually asking came as somewhat of a surprise. His free hand moved to Avery’s hip, gently stroking the skin there as Avery immediately launched into his pitch, despite having to know that Oscar had already been sold.

But who was he to interrupt such a pitch, especially when it included Avery’s mouth against his own? Happily, he kissed back until Avery was pulling back, still all business and he couldn’t help but bristle slightly at the mention of anyone daring to pit them against each other. For all his dalliances and pranks — Oscar couldn’t actually name anyone who wanted him dead. Well, outside of the Mer, but that didn’t count. His anger flared down to a simmer as Avery continued and once the words finally ceased, with an actual out offered, he leaned forward again to connect their lips and savor another long moment that Avery had survived and was back with him.

“Yes.” Oscar breathed, barely separating their mouths. “As soon as I realized I was falling for you, I questioned my own loyalties. I’d thought you’d have already known the answer when I swore of having no home before you.” Pulling back farther, he gently squeezed Avery’s hand again to make up for it, “I have no ties to the Seelie Court. My name, my family, their legacy can all burn for eternity — I do not care. If your Queen and Court will have me, I’ll happily swear my loyalty to her and she can trust that I will remain true, even if the unspeakable were to happen to you. She can look in my head and see that my skin never fit, that the Queen had little use of me, and most notably that my soul is not a Seelie soul and it was well-known from a child’s age, leading to much torment. I have thought and already made my choice, I was merely waiting for your invitation. I’d be honored to join the ranks of the Unseelie.”

[oscarxkam]

guidingguardian:

Aeres was at her cairn, watching. Waiting. Keeping guard. Warmed by the fur that covered her familiar form. A white rabbit. The children were either just enthralled by a rabbit and wanted to play with her. Or they thought they were going to Wonderland. It made it easier- as easy as it could be she supposed. She always liked to make them comfortable. As best as she could.

However, today she was tucked away under the roots of a nearby tree. The snow melting but enough that she still was able to keep out of view. Watching the cairn, unassuming. Quiet. Warmed by the fur covering her. 

She hopped out as she watched someone approach. Wondering what they were doing. She didn’t go up to them but she made herself visible. Curious. Most knew of the guardians. Most knew they were being watched… so she waited to see their reaction.

Oscar had been on one his couldn’t-sleep-must-wander kicks that had blessedly begun to lessen. For the most part, Avery was the perfect balm to his soul and could slacken or drown out the darker impulses he’d had of late, but sometimes Oscar feared staying would do more harm than good, and it wasn’t like a walk in the woods was particularly dangerous. He’d run into the feared vampires more than once and found them to be rather pleasant company, the weres were a bit...wild sure, but none had ever sought to harm him. As long as he stayed away from the lake, he feared nothing from the forest.

So when he felt he was being watched, he just stopped at a log and sat down, bringing out his flask and finally turning sharp eyes to the rabbit that was hopping nearly blended into the snow and watching him. “Would you care for a drink, Guardian?” He hadn’t realized he’d wandered towards a cairn again, but his last talk with the species hadn’t gone poorly, and while he knew they were sworn enemies of his love, it never hurt to make allies of those that guarded the way out. 

“Nice night, isn’t it?” he continued. “I, for one, can’t wait for summer but there is something soothing about a brisk winter night.” 

[oscarxkam]

averynye:

The effort of shifting his weight forward to make room for Oscar was shockingly difficult, but once his lover settled in with him, Avery allowed himself to sink back against the firm body he’d come to know so well. Being enveloped like this brought more comfort and safety than he’d dared felt in years, and the flowing touch of Oscar’s fingers rounded him more and more, echoing in his still fear glazed mind that this was reality and that everything he held dear was safe. 

Oscar’s words pulled at an already aching heart, and when he felt the muscles in his lover’s arm tighten, he brought his hands up to gently rest on the balled fists tucked at his sides. “I was in nothing more than a state of panic.” He admitted softly. “And I can certainly relate to the horrors of what terrible things the brain can conjure up.” The question of talking about it made Avery immediately shake his head. He was done with it–the cold, the worrying, the hopelessness. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to bury his face against Oscar’s chest and try his best to mend the heavy heart he could feel so closely tie to his own. It was difficult to comfort someone in the same state he was in, but he was hellbent on trying his best. “Home.” He breathed. “The word means nothing to me unless you’re there. Oscar, my love, you’ve become such a part of me. I can’t even fathom the thought of losing you.”

Avery pulled away only to turn around and settle himself, legs on either side of Oscar as he brought their faces close, lips barely ghosting against each other. “Do you understand that I would gladly die for you? That I would take the life of anyone that threatened you? I cannot lose you. What you mean to me has never been made more clear, and it’s not something I will ever forget.” He thumbed away the wetness on Oscar’s cheeks and offered a smile, something that came naturally despite the toll of the day. 

It felt like a rather large piece of Oscar’s soul settled back into place once Avery was safely wrapped up in his arms and pressed as close as they could get. How anyone expected them to ever leave this bathtub was beyond him, but he’d deal with that later. For now he just made a soft noise as he felt Avery’s hands on his fists and tried to pull him closer as he admitted to being in a constant state of panic. He couldn’t imagine what it’d have been like on the other side to fear for everyone’s safety and your own in some kind of winter hell-land. He dropped another few kisses along Avery’s head and neck as he felt the firm shake to shut down talks like somehow his mouth could offer some relief to the horrors he was seeing.

With some effort, he lifted his head up again as Avery echoed the word that’d for so long been just that - a four letter word - but now meant more than he could put words to. But Avery was the better wordsmith between them and didn’t let Oscar down now, quietly swearing that the word was useless unless they were together and yes, yes, all of that, exactly. His mouth opened to say as much but drew quickly into a frown as Avery started to move. “Wh-“ He couldn’t get a full word out before Avery was back and this time closer and muscles Oscar hadn’t even realized were tight began to loosen as he brought his arms back up to close Avery in as much as he could. The other had done the same, being close enough Oscar could almost taste him, and saying the words that managed to both yank at the painful bits of his soul and heal them at the same time.

“Home.” Oscar repeated for the third time, but this time awed. “You are the first and only to gift me with such a place.” he whispered. “As it is for you, it is for me. The word is just that unless it means you here with me, safe and sound.” His eyes closed, forehead coming to rest against Avery’s with just the slightest brush of lips against lips once his tears had been wiped away. “For a long time,” Oscar began, “I was a dormant fae but no longer. I will destroy whoever it was who dared to take you from my arms and make such an example of them that it will take a very special kind of fool to attempt to do so again. You are mine as I am yours and our home is not to be messed with. I understand what lengths you would go for me and for us and I swear to you, I will match them. …I would give up everything I’ve seen, done, collected, or enjoyed over my lifetime to get just one more minute with you. You are worth so much more than everything else - how can they not see it? Not honor that?” Rage was a new emotion for Oscar, but in a way, it felt very similar to love. “No. You and I will send a message. The whole forest will know to tread very carefully.” 

[oscarxkam]

erasmusrowe:

Another laugh and Erasmus was almost tempted to play along with this, maybe even tease a bit and cut loose like he’d done those few times in college. Only alcohol had been involved, and he certainly had none now. So, as tempting as it was, he wouldn’t. He would keep his distance, find himself lacking a cunning response to pretty much everything Oscar had to say in regards to him, and focus on other aspects of the conversation. Like this makeover thing. Why would he need to change any of this? Maybe his mood could use a bit of boost, but Erasmus didn’t think he lacked self-confidence…though that depended entirely on the context of it.

“Do I really seem like I need a change?” Why did he bother asking that? He was inviting something he really didn’t want. Going shopping and prettying himself up didn’t sound like fun at all, not to mention the market was a dangerous place for him–and by him he meant others. One small scratch and he would make a scene, as already proven when he tried to attack a child recently. Thankfully Amalia had been there to keep anything bad from happening, but the reminder of the risk was always there. “I only ever go to the market to hunt. Can’t say I’ve actually stopped to take interest in anything there.” He probably should have tacked on the ‘And I don’t care to’ bit, but maybe he’d give Oscar a chance to persuade him. He had nothing else going on after all. 

“Do you really have some kind of massive wardrobe?” Erasmus asked, though as he looked over Oscar and noted his taste in fashion, he decided that, yes, more than likely the fae did. “What’s the point? It’s not like there’s really anything in this forest worth getting dressed up for.”

Oscar quite liked that the grumpy vampire was giving in to a lighter side and allowing his levels of ridiculousness to bring some amusement to him. It wasn’t much, and it wasn’t even a particularly useful skillset, but Oscar felt a little less…helpless in the forest if he could bring someone a bit of unexpected joy. Especially for someone so heavily burdened as this vampire seemed to be. Did the vampire really want him to answer that? His soul felt like a heavy overcast cloud settled over it whenever the vampire was near but fearing the vampire would avoid him if he said as much, he refrained. Look at that, he was learning tact after all.

“You seem like you have an afternoon to fill and a wardrobe that’s never had a fae’s touch.” Oscar said delicately. It wasn’t as if he was a terrible dresser and it was probably practical to favor certain fabrics and colors being a predator and all but still. One didn’t have to look quite so dreary all the time, did they? It couldn’t be helping the rainclouds-feeling any. His mood dipped slightly when the other pointed out the market was a hunting ground, not a shopping ground, and right. Well, ok. Think Oscar, think.

His eyes twinkled as Erasmus asked after his own wardrobe and he gave a small shrug. “Look, we all have to find the things that make our souls happy. Mine happens to like fine things — whether that’s people, wines, or exotic fashions, I have an appreciation for well made things. So, yes. My wardrobe extends through more than one room in the Forts here, but I have lived for some time and carefully curated my collections. It’s not just any old thing that ends up there.”

Pausing, he considered the vampire a moment. “I would so love to dress you in greens and maybe a dark orange, or muted red - it’ll make your eyes pop, you see?” What’s the point? “The point is when shit sucks - you need a distraction. You need to break routine. So, instead of pulling on the same old shit and doing the same old shit - you change it up. New shirt, new chance at making today different, and sure it’s not gonna open the cairns or truly fix a damn thing, but it makes a little easier to get to the next day and the one after that and maybe one of those days will bring our freedom back or at least bring with it some way of making our current fate easier to bear.” Toying with his lip but being careful to not break skin, he motioned behind him. “How about you take care of our…friend and I’ll go raid my collection, and we can meet at the first place we met. I know someone who is an expert tailor - so if i can find a fabric or color or style you like - I can take your measurements and then get your picks, and a few of my own, to you?”

[oscarxkam]

dunhamconnor:

Connor’s journal, and all the valuable information within he’d gathered over the last few hours, was plucked from his hands with ease. He managed to catch his falling pen, but otherwise merely watched with worry as his findings fell into the hands of this stranger. “A hunter? I’m not a hunter, I’m a scientist, and that’s actually my journal, which I would really appreciate it if you returned it to me.” It was actually a good thing the real hunters weren’t here, else they might attack this person without a second thought, and as frustrating as he was already being, Connor didn’t wish harm on him.

“It’s observations mostly.” He went on to explain, hoping it would be boring enough for it to be simply handed back to him without further delay or taunting. “Some behavioral, but most of it things I found interesting and rather exclusive per individual. Magick is not only mysterious, but I’ve also found it very beautiful.” And seeing as how this man was not someone Connor knew from the facility, it was easy enough to assume he was one of the forest dwellers. “And what are you?” He asked curiously, going through a mental checklist of known traits per species. He had fluid movements, well-built, but not gruff in appearance, and obviously one who cared for his appearance. An enchanter maybe, perhaps a fae? If he had been a Mer he would have likely stuck to the safety of the water, and he didn’t seem like what Connor would take for a werewolf.

The book plucked easily from the man’s clumsy fingers and given how he didn’t even take a step towards Oscar, he felt no need to scurry up the tree after the squirrel and instead just leaned against it as he pursued. The pages were, as promised, full of notes and hand-drawn recreations and though he had no use for the funny word ‘scientist’, he suspected it was just another branch of hunters. Like a doctor arguing they were not a Doctor but that they were a Veterinarian. Tomato, tomato. The book did not carry in it anything particularly scandalous, nor were the faces reflected back at him any of his family. Which was almost a let down, really. Oscar was itching for a fight.

His eyes did narrow slightly as the human declared he found magick to be beautiful and if only that were the case for all humans, hmm? But it wasn’t enough for them to just be aware of it, or even appreciate it, no, they’d want it for themselves and he was certain that was the actual purpose of the book and had half a mind to burn it to a crisp right there. But that was petty, even for him, so he just rolled his eyes as he tossed the book back. “If you have to ask, than your observation skills surely do require you to take lengthy notes and build up the practice.” Oscar had no interest in making life easy for him, nor to put a bullseye on his own back. ”Those are rather rudimentary. Was coming here and experiencing us your first taste of magick, then? What does a…scientist need with a bunch of magicks anyway, if you mean us no harm?”