Video )

[faileas]

Name: Nerissa Bell (andernach) & Mhairi Ainsley (fearolc) Date: Septeril 1st Format: Video The video starts focused on a familiar face, close up until a differently familiar hand comes into the shot to set the watch down. Claws click on the outside of the surface, followed by both parties leaning back - then taking a proper step back to ensure both are in view. Miss Nessie looks as chipper as always, evidently still Delighted about this whole watch business, though there's a tightness around her eyes; Mhairi looks tense and decidedly displeased. It's more emotion than she's shown to the group at large, ears back and hackles raised, arms folded with a militant discipline behind her back. "Hello, dearests! We hope today finds you well." Nessie grins a little wider, though it softens after a lengthy pause. "While we'd love for this to be purely for pleasure - believe me, we both would - we've some things to discuss today, we do. After the full moon last month, a missive arrived from Morgie - that is, Morgana Drummond, the head of the Coven over there in Dorchacht - asking about our..." She pauses again, briefer this time, her lips thinning as she continues. "Our 'lost luggage,' as she so kindly put it." At her side, Mhairi's low voice outright growls, "After much back and forth, and discussions amongst Parliament, we've come to a decision that Drummond has... agreed to." Nessie's smile continues to wane, and she leans against Mhairi. "And we're quite glad that she has, considering conflict with Dorchacht is not exactly ideal at the present moment." With a deep breath, the Turnskin pulls back her disdain and focuses on the task at hand. "The Parliament has requested that the Coven send a group of dignitaries to Dorchacht to negotiate, and hopefully deescalate the situation. While we may not be able to immediately bring change, should things be as terrible in the waking world as it was in the dreamscape that you unfortunately faced, our best attempts will be made." She pauses, and displeasure is obvious in the way she lowers her gaze and turns her head to look at Nessie. "... your best attempts. Because we don't know what may happen, or what hand Drummond and the Coven of Dorchacht might turn, I will be remaining here. Those that wish to do the same are welcome to, and I will do my utmost best to assist you and answer any questions you may have." "While my lovely Mhairi does that, I'll be attending the meeting with Morgie - though I'm sure that's not a surprise at all, is it?" Nessie pulls away slightly, stepping forward in frame just a bit to spread her arms. "The dignitary group'll be handling all the real fun stuff - talking, seeing if there isn't anything to be done about this queer little situation that's come up, apologies when necessary, so on... I'd like to ask Morgie myself about how she's running her Coven, thinking on it," she pauses, then lowers her hands and steps back again. "And I know a few of you've been worried about it all, and wanting to help, so if any of you dearies would like to come along and play diplomat - show her things are right as rain and all, that we can all get along just fine even without what laws they seem to have in place - then I won't say no." She pauses again, tilting her head. "Might help, even." "Relations between Aefenglom and Dorchacht are... tense," Mhairi adds, wryly. "Per their insistence and refusal, there's no means of direct transport between the two cities, teleportation included. We've tried to get an alternative up and running, something that has been in the Coven's possession for quite some time. The device is a little too risky for us to consider, however, as it's theoretical in execution. Perhaps a project for the more technologically inclined of the mirrorbound at a later date." "I'd appreciate it, at least. That thing's one of our seven wonders in the Coven, it is." "On the fifth, any who wish to join Ness and a handful of our finest Witches should meet at the port." Mhairi reaches and, finally unfolding her arms, curls her hand at Nessie's elbow. "My best wishes, travelers. Be safe." Nessie returns the gesture, hand settling on Mhairi's; it's a little hard to tell, but she's rubbing the side of it gently. "Take care until next we speak, dearests." NOTE This post will NOT receive any responses from Nessie and Mhairi. You can, however, use this post to interact with one another in the meantime.

Comments

bless u,,,

[clothes]

...I can't help but wonder... But I mustn't give up. You're absolutely correct about that.

[ aww... henry seems like such a nice guy! totally well-adjusted, and his advice is super solid and super good! akutagawa doesn't return the smile, but he does nod in approval and gratitude. ]

My ability is called Rashoumon. To put it simply, I am able to manipulate the shape and form of the clothes I wear.

[ very neat, if he does say so himself!! ]

You're trying to regain your powers... In a roundabout way. I see. Are you perhaps a witch?

[ if any of the other monsters here could turn their clothes into weird stuff, akutagawa is certain he'd know by now. ]

And does that mean you were able to use magic in the world you came from?

[morbide]

Ehh...? Clothes...?

[Clothes... Manipulate? How was THAT useful to this guy Akutagawa's after? Does he like fashion? This is TRIPPING HIM UP. He rubs his cheek, contemplation knit into his features. Yeah, that must be it... If he thinks about having such a talent, he imagines his more fashion-minded comrades might have a deep appreciation for it. Henry contents himself with this assumption in order to keep up with the conversation, his confusion replaced with a certain nod.]

Yeah, I was a sorcerer. Dark magic, curses, hexes, dispelling... Ah, good times. It's the best! [He raises a pointer finger.] Since I find myself trying to whip out a sleeping hex here, a levitation spell there, or a good old-fashioned killing curse all the time, I think the best way to regain my footing is to get as much of it back as possible. So far I've found a good number of replacements among the various disciplines... But not the actual dark magic. Huge bummer.

So like me, I guess you could... master enchantment? Or illusion? To manipulate the appearance of your... clothes.

[He really can't fathom this "Rashoumon" beyond being a fashion statement of some kind.]

[clothes]

Yes. My clothes. My explanation doesn't do it justice. My capabilities with it are great, and grow even greater with each passing day... Or rather, they would.

[ he's used to the skepticism. truthfully, akutagawa spent a lot of time thinking his ability was useless and weird too, little more than cute and nifty for simple, daily living. he knows he shouldn't use it for anything beyond that, that dazai's demands have made his already frail body even weaker over time, but god.

whatever. even akutagawa will admit, being some kind of cursed eldritch dark mage-sorcerer-thing is a thousand times cooler than rashoumon could ever hope to be. ]

That sounds...unbelievably fantastic.

[ despite the high praise, his tone is deadpan, because of course. ]

There are abilities similar to such dark arts where I am from, but no human could possibly be so versatile. Being able to do even one of those spells would signify a powerful user. Especially if they were capable of killing curses... Yes, fantastic indeed.

[ if only he could take henry back with him to yokohama and recruit him into the port mafia... ]

But I wonder, what would it take to regain so much power... Even my being robbed of Rashoumon has affected my physical body. Will this place allow it?

[ maybe if henry was bonded, but then again, akutagawa is bonded and it hasn't done jack shit for him. granted, the one he's bonded to is a total gODDAMNED ASSHOLE THAT HE BORDERLINE DESPISES-- but still. ]

As for me, unfortunately I am no witch. I seem to be turning into a prehistoric killer wolf of some kind.

[morbide]

Ehh...?! A wolf?! Aw, man. I'm so jealous...

[He's leaning closer to the lens out of intrigue, before he collapses back with a huff. Pretty much EVERYBODY he meets was given the privilege of turning into a Monster but him! It's his dream to turn into something other than himself, in a fashion... But this certainly means that Akutagawa's got a unique set of challenges set before him, if he wants to follow Henry's example.]

I guess that blows my idea out of the water, doesn't it? You can't really attend those boring magic classes and get anything out of it, if you can't even be a Witch. Monsters have it so much cooler, anyway, with all of your innate powers, and soft fur, and stuff... We Witches have a bunch of boring classes they have to go to before we can do anything worthwhile. [Somebody was just a self-taught prodigy before.]

But if you're really hellbent on trying to achieve something close to your old talents, so that you can prove yourself to your Bonded...

[He jabs a finger against his jaw.]

Do you think it's anything a Witch like me could help you with?

[clothes]

[ a shrug. ]

I have yet to transform completely, so your speculation on how "cool" it is is just as good as mine. Perhaps when the time comes, I will show you my final form. I'm sure I'll retain the ability to speak, on account of my already-great strength, but just in case-- you will know it's me when you find yourself awed by my magnificent form.

[ akutagawa is so sure that he's going to become anything but a mangey housepet, it's almost as if he's convincing himself. the big, flopped-over ears aren't exactly direwolf-like, after all... but let him have this, alright. ]

I assure you, spontaneously growing fur, and feeling your bones literally distort inside your body all at once is nowhere near as thrilling as you imagine. It is painful. For some more than others,

[ he hums in thought, contemplating the transformation progress of others he's seen-- namely dazai, who has been suffering tremendously in spite of being bonded to two separate people. ]

At any rate, I would prefer to be in a boring classroom any day. Education of any kind is a gift. Surely, there is something you can learn from those classes?

[ smh akutagawa knows henry's type. he's probably one of those spoiled gifted kids who think they know everything just because mommy and daddy pay their way through school-- something like that.

indeed though, can a nerdy witch like him do anything to help in his journey to greater heights? being bonded to a witch would be quite the boon-- especially in maintaining control of himself, in a way dazai is currently incapable of. not only that, but who knows what else he could gain from this? his first full moon passed without too much of a fuss, but next time...

...but does he really want to be stuck with this knucklehead??? ]

...There is indeed. But I doubt it would interest you, and it is not something that should be agreed upon lightly.

[ looks like it's time to act contrary and play hard-to-get, is what akutagawa would say if he knew he was Like This. (aka annoying) ]

[morbide]

[oh my god... listen to him. Henry can only listen with a goofy smile because for as ridiculous as he is, he can see OTHER BRANDS of ridiculous when it stares him back in the face and this is it. He really thinks turning into a Monster is going to distort him so much beyond recognition... but at least he owns it, right? Calls it magnificent and everything. He laughs with a nod.]

I'm all about the bone-twisting and limb distortion! Oooh, sounds gruesome... [He sighs, fantasy-bound.] Sounds AWESOME. You're doing nothing to dissuade me from my far-fetched wishes! But maybe not so much the painful part. Hm.

[He wonders if he could come up with a spell to relieve the target of pain, the way he could curse his victims before becoming a Witch. More practice will be involved: fate really is drawing him toward healing magic, to some end...]

Hey, I like to help out! I have a lot of interests, but being helpful's one of the few things I can do. [Henry presses his lips together for a moment, thinking about what to say next. Something that shouldn't be agreed upon lightly... something that wouldn't interest him? It sounds like maybe Akutagawa doesn't wanna tell him, so Henry shrugs.] I'm not gonna force it outta you, though. So if you don't wanna tell me, then I guess I can't help you out...?

[clothes]

[ why is this guy so crazy??? ]

A pity we can't trade abilities, then. I would much rather be a witch, myself.

[ then he wouldn't be trapped working all these weird odd jobs and could actually go to school, and that library at the university... dang... what a life that would be!!

a pensive hum. ]

...Seeing as how you are a witch, and a capable on at that, I see no harm in sharing what's on my mind. Tell me, how are you doing in the way of bonds? Personally, I am only partnered with one person, a fellow monster as it were. Apparently, this is not the most ideal or powerful combination.