un; crowhunter

[crowsfeat]

Name: Eileen the Crow
Date: Feb 2nd
Format: voice

[ The first sound heard is a small, almost breathless chuckle, one that didn't even seem to be particularly directed at anything, and sounded neither purposeful or nervous. Strange, really. But eventually, after some breathing, a voice spoke... ]

Clever little device... The Arcane can work some truly ingenious things, even under a different blanket of stars as I find myself beneath...

Leads one to wonder just what sort of power fuels it. Well... Almost, anyways.

[ There was that chuckle again. Nothing she said was particularly amusing, not even to herself, and once more, it felt just... oddly instantaneous, inspired by nothing. ]

I suppose I've just two questions, curiosities, to ask then.

The first; where can a Hunter find work?

The second; I'd rather not lose my head to beasthood, but a bond seems a bit much to ask for the moment. Are there any particularly effective sedatives in this town? Or those willing to create them?

Comments

un; harmonia

[digiorno]

I'm sure I could find a hammer somewhere.

What kind of hunting? [How many of these people are there?]

[crowsfeat]

A Hunter only has one sort of skill, no matter their marks. All aims towards a single end. You can draw your own conclusions from there.

[digiorno]

[opens mouth]

[closes mouth]

Okay, rephrasing, what kinds of marks do you specialize in? [Good gracious, Eileen.]

[crowsfeat]

An unfortunate one, given the apparent laws of this land.

[ This time the chuckle sounds more intended, if mirthless. ]

I specialize in Hunting other Hunters.

[digiorno]

[. . . Hm. Well, if that doesn't complete the set.]

I don't think there are many job openings for that position, no. I imagine the closest thing here would be a police officer, which . . . [Bad.] Not the best fit, maybe.

[crowsfeat]

I can't say I've had the pleasure of working with a functional constabulary before, but I doubt I'd make the grade, regardless.

That and I doubt they'd be fond of the mask.

[digiorno]

[Wow, what nightmarish implications? Maybe he shouldn't ask?]

[He has to ask.]

What . . . kind of mask.

[crowsfeat]

Oh, nothing too garish, I assure you.

A simple beak mask. Old doctors used to wear them, or so I've been told.

[digiorno]

[Dryly:] You're going to frighten all the children.

[Also, the adults. Also, everyone.]

[crowsfeat]

It's a good thing I've no intention of working with children, I suppose. [ Another laugh, this time definitely intended. ]

[digiorno]

Why, do you eat them? Or just diagnose them with the plague?

[crowsfeat]

I gobble them up like the old crow I am. [ Another chuckle. ]

One whole gulp. Just like that.

Un: Lady Maria, to completely take the surprise out of everything

[whomthebelltolls]

Hunting, hm? There is always working with the Wilders to clear the Wildes and the Cwyld. The Monsters here don't much appreciate the reminder of what happens if they lose themselves, if that is more your game of choice.

[crowsfeat]

I'd heard tell of it. But I wonder if this old woman can still hunt beasts the way I did in my youth. In my last several years, I'd become much more adept pursuing a different sort of prey...

[whomthebelltolls]

Something less dangerous? I've not had much issue with the beasts and Shades in the Wilde. They're dangerous, surely, but they don't tend to get so

big. As what I'm used to.

[crowsfeat]

I never said less dangerous. Simply different.

A Hunter of Hunters, is what they've called me.

[whomthebelltolls]

[She wrinkles her nose. Ah, there's a tickling at the back of her mind - she recalls talking to one of those in a dream. So... they did come through to this side of the Mirrors.

How unfortunate.] In some cases, I'd argue more dangerous. Beasts are at least predictable. Humans will try to be your friends before they kill you. Do you recall your dreams, Hunter?

[crowsfeat]

[ Yeah, this person was starting to seem familiar, despite the text-only interactions... ]

I should hope so. It's been so long since last I dreamed before then, that the one I had before arriving here certainly is memorable.

[whomthebelltolls]

You remember the Fae encampment, then? And the pit for fighting the Monsters there? The ones they call chimeras.

[crowsfeat]

Ah... [ Another chuckle. ] Lady Maria, then, was it? Well met.

We've still some questions for one another, I'm sure.

[whomthebelltolls]

Yes, that would be me.

Well, I suppose we will, and now that you are here, we will have plenty of time to ponder them, as well.

To answer your second question... there are, but the Coven is the best place to ask for things to stave off the effects of the moon on the Monsters. They have several tools that are... more safe than what you'd find in the black markets.

[crowsfeat]

Coven or no, you'll forgive me if my trust for institutions such as that is a little...

[ Another chuckle, but this time it was again quiet, more like a nervous tick. ] Strained...

[whomthebelltolls]

Well, you shouldn't trust them with everything, but it's them or it's the stalls that pop up one day and disappear the next in the Black Market, and even more likely unsavory sources of ingredients for those particular wares.

It's that, or it's Bonding. It's your choice as to what seems the lesser of many evils, but at least this Coven hasn't shown itself to use Witches as batteries for a control spell over the whole town yet.

[crowsfeat]

[ Well. That's an interesting segue, Maria. ]

That seems an awfully specific evil.

[whomthebelltolls]

Formerly the plight of the city Dorchacht. Not that things can't still be just as sinister otherwise while being less... dramatic, but all in all, Aefenglom is a place that I frequently describe as "soft". Far softer than anything from home.

They bend themselves over backwards to figure out how to live in harmony with their Beasts here, after all. But these Beasts are also far gentler than the ones I am used to Hunting, even at their worst. [And to think, the Beasts just got worse and more numerous after Maria died, and she barely knows the half of it.]

[crowsfeat]

[ A small 'hmph' ]

I suppose the universe is determined to assure my retirement. A shame, that.

Ennui will be the death of me here before anything else.

[ But there's a certain... lack of sincerity in her words, as well. As changed as she was in this realm, she couldn't help but feel some relief to finally be away from the Hunt... even if she knew how to do little else. ]

[whomthebelltolls]

It beats against you at every moment, trying to soften you. The Wildes will at least keep your old skills sharp, if you wish to pursue that.

Otherwise, there's plenty of opportunity to become a shopkeep, or something like that.

un: ma - voice

[stopfen]

[At first there's noise. Just noises, no words and clicking.

Then the recording cuts out with nothing.

Not long later there's another attempt.]

-ot as easy as the phones.

I don't think they eat much wild game here. The market seems to be doing well. [But more importantly.]

That doesn't sound like a good idea. The sedatives I've seen were...

[Normally incapacitating for a while.]

[crowsfeat]

Oh, I'm no Hunter of game, I'm afraid. My marks tend to be those that are dangerous to others...

[ A hum. ]

But that's good to know about the sedatives.

[stopfen]

[A returned hum. They could probably have a conversation of those.]

There seems to be that as well. Outside the city. [The infection.]

I've not seen any here but the ones from home were...unreliable.

[crowsfeat]

The Cwyld certainly seems a grave matter. Hunting infected beasts is old work, for me. I'd moved on to a different sort of mark, but I suppose there's not as much need for the latter here. [ Another laugh, another... really strange, seemingly inappropriate laugh, kept quiet, away from the receiver. ]

Good.

[stopfen]

I'm used to larger than wild animals... [Titans. But she pauses for the laugh and... It's like first meeting the Commander for the first time again. Laughing about grim things, like stories about cannibals.]

How is that good?

[She can't help but ask. Given most the drugs they had for knocking people out all carried a risk of killing them.]

[crowsfeat]

While I do admit it's where my specialty lies, I'd prefer to remain retired from the Hunting of men... and for the need to not arise.

[stopfen]

I think everyone would prefer that.

[It's short, clipped. Because Mikasa didn't like being so good at ending lives herself.]

[crowsfeat]

The closest thing would be working with the local constabulary, and I've never been one for such formality or structure.

... But other than joining the Wilders, there's not many other good places for an old woman like me.

[ A huff. ]

[stopfen]

If you're old then that means you're good.

[It's just as blunt. Because life expectancy is kinda low where she's from.]

[crowsfeat]

[ A chuckle, an intended one by the sound of it. ]

Flatterer. But that is true... Old Hunters are rare. But while that may be a testament to my ability to survive, it also means these old bones won't be able to keep up with younger Hunters forever.

[stopfen]

That depends on how old you are. But they say if you survive an expedition more than once you'll be able to die of old age.

[crowsfeat]

If I should be so fortunate. [ Huff. ]

Sadly, as much as I complain, I don't have enough sense to simply retire.

[stopfen]

That seems to be a common occurrence... They always seem to be short.

[People just die a lot. ]

[crowsfeat]

Well, if I wind up dying in this world, it's probably fine. I'd already passed on my creed to another back home. All that's left for me is to find a place here.

The Wilders may be it.

[stopfen]

I'd rather die at home.

[That's all she has to say to that.]

[crowsfeat]

A noble inclination, to be sure. As for me, I haven't that same attachment.

[ And boy was that a Fucking Complicated subject to have to think about. ]

Settling in well, are you? Despite that sentiment, I mean.

[stopfen]

[Yeah... Mikasa was going to skip that as well because she wasn't sure if she still had one now. There's a huff of air.]

I guess. I have somewhere to live. I need a job before the festival ends though. I don't think people will be as generous after that.

[crowsfeat]

I am at least used to not having a roof over me. I imagine I'll do well enough here, for the time being.

[ At least until that 'nesting' instinct kicks in, that she dreads. ]

If you can find work, put in a good word for this old woman, would you?

[stopfen]

I've been outside this time of year before. It's not... [People were lost to the cold. But the woman had been well dressed.]

I will. But I don't think they'll be anything like what you've asked for in the city.

[crowsfeat]

I aim to not be the sort of person you have to worry about. [ A chuckle, about Mikasa's comments on the weather. Trust her, girl, she's seen well worse. Cainhurst is hell on the joints. ]

And you may be right about my skills not being very useful. Sadly, conventional employment is.... difficult, for someone like me.

[stopfen]

[Mikasa just hums back.]

I'll let you know.

[And that's it.]