aefenglom | text; alomar

She's also really damn cool. For the record.

Plus, will not scratch the couch to sharpen nails.

How are things Stiles?

A HUGE plus.
Pretty good. Really damn good, actually.
I'm seeing someone now. You should meet him, if you haven't already. Jonas?

How're you, Sheva?

The shedding does seem to have increased, however.
But no one needs to know that upfront.

I'm happy for you. Seems like just yesterday you were mourning your last person.

Still moving forward. Keeping with research as well as helping the underprivileged where I can. Just trying to keep busy.
My bond has picked up another bond it seems. So that's new.

I'll keep your secret.

Really? It feels like it's been an age. Hard to believe I've been here for over half a year already.

[ Not even the reminder of Malia can detract from the general happiness he feels dating Jonas now. He's moved on. ]

Does that have a big impact on you?

Maybe I've just been here too long. It's all blurring together.

[That and there's still some resistance to settling and entirely accepting this as permanent. She's begrudgingly surviving more than building a life here.]

I suppose we will see. I've heard that there is a suggested maximum number of bonds one should have though I'm not certain if that's a hard or fast rule.

Do you just have one Bond? How many does your Bonded have?
I’m at two, now.

What are your thoughts on morning people?

And bears.

[ Two entirely serious questions, given the pitch being made here in the first place. ]

I try to be one still, with moderate success.

No issues with particular species. Is the bear a jerk?

You do work fast.
I just have one bond. I've tried offering a few people temporary options, but I haven't heard from them since.

You keep bringing up timing. Is half a year that short to you?
Sounds like maybe they didn't need the temporary Bond then. Maybe that's for the best? Bonds are tricky, though I don't know too much about the effects of temporary ones.

Well, that's one mark in your favour from a fellow morning person.

The bear is very well behaved. Shedding a lot right now, though, different season here compared to where we came in from. Is that a problem?

Given how long it took me to properly bond with a witch, yes. I bonded with my BSAA partner quickly, but he was also monster. I didn't want to burden anyone with my memories and darkness. My partner already knew and understood. Those are my issues.
You misinterpreted my tone, I think. I am not judging negatively.
Like you said, bonds are tricky.
Temporary ones, at least for me, were a way to abate the feral condition and try the bond on without the emotional connection.

Maybe you'll be able to get me back on schedule. I miss running consistently before the sun rises.

It's an actual bear? Not a bear turnskin? How large is it?

But, I too shed, so I can't exactly complain.

[But does the bear poop in the house, or in the woods? That's the question, or a question.]

Potentially. My sleep schedule's been a bit off kilter as of late, but with a regular place to stay again..

Just your regular adult brown bear, who wears armor. Gives great massages. Not at all a turnskin.

Well, this sounds potentially good! I've got one of the houses they've given out that's at the edge of the district at present, though I may move later once I actually have some coin under my belt. [the downside of being a new arrival] Perhaps we should meet, see if we like each other, before making anything formal?

This place is an adjustment in every facet of life, including schedules.

In my world, regular adult brown bears don't wear armor, give massages, or generally act anywhere near as people to humans as you describe. Is he also house trained?

I agree.

[Though she's still mighty curious about the bear more than anything.]

The homes they provide aren't lacking, honestly. I just need to be around people more. I think it's the turnskin part of me.

So I heard when I was here a month or so ago. Given more time, adapting shouldn't be difficult.

Hah! I would be shocked if they were. He's my partner, I'm a ranger by trade, and the armor is to help keep him safe against the creatures that my group and I have found ourselves up against these days. He knows not to pee everywhere, so that need not be a concern.

I should be here all morning. Otherwise, I'll be down at the forge. I'll send you directions; its close enough to all the other residential homes that you should see plenty of Mirrorbound around, if nothing else.

In theory you are correct.

Then we should get along just fine. I was a special field operative back home, and for a while my partner was also here. I head out to the wildes quite a bit here as well.

Not peeing everywhere is generally a tremendous plus as far as I'm concerned.

I know where the forges are located. Beyond that, just toss me more specific directions and a physical description and I should be able to find you easily.

Dare I ask if you know how to fashion firearms in the forges? Or something similar.

Remind me what BSAA is? I don’t think I have it written down in my notes.

[ At least, he’s flipped through several notebooks worth of material frantically, trying to locate his information on Sheva’s world. ]

Not judging negatively, but maybe judging nonetheless? ;)
It just makes me a little uncomfortable, like I’m taking things too fast.

[ But considering he lost his virginity with a girl he’d literally only properly met the day before, then became her boyfriend after the fact… Stiles likes to think he’s doing things right this time with Jonas and Sasuke. Bonding with Sasuke was important, for both their health. ]

Do you think you need more than one Bond still? I started to feel that way too. Have the full moons been rough for you?

Only practice will tell true, I suppose.

I am fortunate enough to have one friend who has been here some time. But I have found most people here to be quite welcoming, thus far anyway. And I'll be happy to hear anything you're willing to share about the Wildes.

I'm not a smith myself. My aforementioned friend is one, and works in partnership with another. He has some knowledge of firearms. In the very least, he can make shot if you need it, but I would not presume to speak for him. You'd want to seek out Percival de Rolo for that.

[ An address is sent in a separate, private text; no point sharing with all and sundry, after all. ]

Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance. More importantly, you keep notes on people?

[It doesn't surprise her as she used to be better about that, but there was that more difficult chunk of time where efforts were far less substantial than when she'd first arrived. It's something that might serve her well to pick back up.]

Maybe, but that is a me issue. If you think you and your partner moved at the correct speed, that is what matters.
I can also be a little jealous. I still miss what I thought I had with others here before they disappeared.

[The lack of definitive resolutions on the matter of both their disappearances over a short time has never quite sat well with her.]

I like to think they went home, but one disappeared during the kidnappings. The other a bit after.

I am uncertain. Last full moon felt easier for monsters, and others I spoke with agreed. I worry that my bond has too many monsters stacked through direct bonds and connections. I think it would be safer to find another, but it seems I befriend more monsters than witches unintentionally.

Usually, no. [ But without proper ADHD medication, his memory wasn't as reliable as it once was. Stiles doesn't get into that, however. ] It was useful to compare notes about everyone's different worlds, back when I was trying to find a common thread about why we were all chosen.

What do you mean, what you thought you had? It's not like them disappearing changes whether or not those relationships were real. You had them. They're just long distance now.

I wonder if there are more Monsters than Witches to begin with.

[ A survey would be good...but such a thing could be abused so easily. Stiles doesn't think he'd want to volunteer his information. ]

It certainly does. I fell out of that habit. Might be good to get back into given the new massive influx of Mirrorbound. Did you have any solid, working theories?

[And even though she’s going to fight it a bit, what Stiles said hits home more than she likes to admit.]

Across universes and without memory of me. What if they were given the option to leave?

Thinking of doing a Mirrorbound census? Might make sense if the ratio’s skewed.

That’s the truth of it.

They are, and I’m happy to introduce you to the good ones I’ve found over the months too. It’s good to have a bit of a network here as people tend to come and go.

I met him once, briefly and neither of us followed up on it. Perhaps it’s time to rectify that.

And got it. I’ll see you shortly?

No. The more information I gathered, the more everything fell apart under scrutiny, you know? If there's a pattern here, I'm not seeing it. I still think taking notes is useful, though. And it's not like notebooks are that expensive.

[ Unless you go through as many as he does.

Sensing this second topic is an issue for Sheva, he abandons the third topic in favor of giving it more attention. ]

You know these people. Would they have left without saying goodbye if they had the choice? Probably not, right? Even if they don't remember what they shared with you, it doesn't make it any less real. At least, it shouldn't.

I'd like that. You can never have too many contacts, and you never know when someone might be able to help with something. Especially in a place like this.

I can put in a word for you, if you like. We worked together back home, and I've known him a long time. He's an excellent tinkerer.

Shortly works. See you soon. :)

[ The address is a simple one: part of the Haven, its one of the "cottages" that lie closest to the Bright Wall - though to Vex's mind, this isn't at all a cottage at all. The fanciful spiral stairs lead from comfortable downstairs area to upper private rooms, and the roof space had clearly been intended as an open outdoor garden of some sort - neglected and abandoned now, but potentially useful to future occupants. Though not tallest house in this section of the district, a high walled fence cordons off a front yard with space enough that no one need worry about a bear taking a nap in public. Or a lion, as the case may be.

Only someone with Money would think this 'rustic' look reflected such a thing. Far too big and too many rooms (for all there were fewer than in the bigger houses). But it suited Vex's needs when she found it, at least in the short term. And it might be nice to have some company.

Watch device set aside once her invite has been extended, Vex'ahlia sits outside, waiting for her guest. The front gate is open, though there's no lock set to keep it closed for long, anyway.

Before her, an adult brown bear is happily sprawled and receiving thorough attention in the form of a stiff bristle brush stroking across his fur. His armor (made of strange grey plating) is carefully set aside, stacked next to the front door of the house. ]

Maybe it is random. A proverbial shotgun shot to into the universes.

Well I know what to get you for the holidays then.

[At least part of her has accepted this as a long term situation, as much as she hates it.

There's a long pause after that second text.]

My partner from home wouldn't have left me behind.

[She's not certain about Bucky, what with how far the transformation had gone it had definitely taken its toll on him beyond what she could help.]

I'd like to think they wouldn't, that what you're saying is correct.

But you're right, about it not changing the past.

It totally could be, but the skeptic in me refuses to believe it. There’s got to be something I’m missing. But dude, I will gladly take any new notebooks. I’ve building a Jenga tower of them in my room.

It changes how you feel, though. If your partner wouldn’t have left without you, he wasn’t given a choice about it. Three people from my world disappeared without saying goodbye to me – and two of them would have definitely said something. So we should assume they can’t control when or how they leave.

I agree. Not everyone here is permanent either, which is the unfortunate nature of this place I think.

I would appreciate that. I do miss having firearms that are useful here. The type I have from home don’t work against creatures of magic.

[Sheva’s been around this city long enough to know most of the ins and outs, taking long, restless walks and personal scouting expeditions to know how best to get from one point to another during a normal day (it depends on the hour) or in the midst of a crisis. It’s also why she’s regularly armed, today with knives and a magitech bow with arrows, courtesy of one Tony Stark once upon a time.

She dresses comfortably as a male ranger might, her hair up in braids and tail ever present and ever in motion as she chooses to approach the address indirectly rather than via the main path. It’s not that she’s trying to sneak up on the other woman, but she does want to have a few moments to scope out the home and person before having to socialize with them. To get her bearings, as it were.

As someone who never really had money, at least not to the levels where something of this nature would be considered a lesser home. Sure it’s in need of repair, but it has some good bones to it. The garden especially would pique her interests. It’s definitely an upgrade.

Before she rounds the corner and is provided a visual, Sheva absently chides herself for not obtaining a visual description of the other woman, nor providing a description beyond her turnskin animal herself.

But in the end, the bear sprawled out receiving a brushing is the only identifying feature the lioness requires. Once Sheva’s spotted by either, she offers a quiet wave, reserving the speaking for when she’s closer.]

I don’t think we exchanged names properly. I’m Sheva Alomar.

The connection could just be people not from this world you know. An important aside, pictures of this Jenga tower please.

We often don’t get the closure we want, and I’m sorry you’ve lost people here. Even if going home might be better for them, it’s still a loss. Thank you Stiles, for a much needed perspective.

[Stiles is right, though. It’s just easier to shift her focus to him a bit. Gosh she misses just being able to go to the gun range and work through some of her frustrations. Archery just isn’t the same energy. Which reminds her.]

I have a question. Did you still wish to train? To learn to shoot a bow?

[ A picture of the corner of his bedroom is sent; true to word, a sizable stack of used notebooks has been piled in the likeness of a Jenga tower. ]

Anytime, Sheva.

My Bonded has been teaching me archery, but I wouldn’t mind picking up some other skills. Hand to hand, maybe. Or even the basics about guns. If I ever join the FBI, I’ll have to get used to them.

And here I thought you might be exaggerating. Well done.

Hand to hand I can definitely teach. If you can find ammunition, then I can teach you to shoot. Until then, I can just teach you how to handle each weapon safely and properly. Fair?

[ The bear lifts his head when there's movement at the entrance to their new accomodations. (Vex can't bring herself to call it 'home' yet.)

The bow, Vex will certainly be interested in taking a look at. Later. First, there are initial impressions in person to be had, and there's an appraising look given to the woman walking through the front gates. Not judging - though it's clear from her expression that she can and probably will if given incentive to do so. Instead, there's a very slight nod, taking in the full picture and filing away details, before Vex stands and sets the brush down on the stool she was using. ]

I keep forgetting these devices don't always share such information. [she's picking up use quickly, but it's still unfamiliar] I'm Vex'ahlia. [she extends a hand towards Sheva - the one that hadn't been using the brush] And this is Trinket.

I hope the route description wasn't too hard to follow?

Moi? Exaggerate? Never.

More than fair. It's a deal. I'm usually asleep during the day, so if we can time this around late afternoon that'd be ideal. Sound good?

[Sheva still finds it difficult to call this place home. It was starting to feel like one for a brief moment, then nearly everything had been demolished to the basics of rubble, figuratively, so it never quite felt the same. At least now she’s actively trying to change that.

It’s a pretty neat one, the bow. Designed to be used in close combat as well as at a distance, and unlike her firearms from home, it can be used against magic here so long as the appropriate arrows are fired. She does need to purchase more of those from the market, or find a better supplier that has a bit more creativity.

It’s in her nature to do much the same as the other woman, taking the measure of her quietly as someone who, despite now being a lion monster, prefers to keep her and hers alive and protected. Thankfully, she’s more likely to trust another Mirrorbound here than say a local witch or someone from Dorscht.]

It’s both a blessing and, for those of us who like to be as informed as possible, a curse. Technology here... Leaves much to be desired given what I was accustomed to using back home.

[So if there are questions regarding the watches, Sheva likely can answer them.

She offers a firm shake for a female, but that’s relatively normal for a soldier, eyebrows lifting at the name of the bear, glancing towards him.] I feel like there’s a story behind that name. [And she would love to hear it.]

Not at all. I’m fairly familiar with the city. I made a point to know the ins and outs in case of emergency or attack. This is a good location.

You sound so sincere. It’s adorable.

You’ve shifted sleep schedules too? It’s rather frustrating. Wanting to nap in the sun is all well in good but I miss a consistent, normal human sleep schedule.

I’m eighteen now. It’s illegal to call me adorable. I’m calling the cops as we speak.

It hasn’t been too bad for me. I kinda was up at all hours of the night back home too, so not too much has changed there. At least I don’t have to worry about sleeping through school hours.

I didn’t realize you’d have a nocturnal sleeping schedule though. I figured cats…well, they just sleep constantly, don’t they?

What you're really doing is proving my point on the matter. So, good luck with that Mr. Adorable.

That worked out well for you then. I was an early riser and an inconsistent sleeper due to nightmares.

That's the problem. I don't want to sleep constantly it's annoying and makes being productive difficult. Now I feel lazy frequently.

>:(

That's definitely an issue. You a coffee person? Tea? Has anything helped you stay awake?

I'm used to enchantments that can allow communication over some distances. But these 'watches' are something else entirely. [And that's putting it mildly; Vex may not be from a place that is quite so advance in many respects, but she does catch on quite quickly] How does it differ compared to what you are used to?

[ Vex is, seemingly, unarmed. Then again, when your companion is a grown adult brown bear, what better weapon than sharp claws, pounds of muscle and two rows of very sharp teeth? Said bear is watching curiously, but makes no effort to get to his feet; he's quite comfortable, even if his mother isn't grooming him right now. ]

My brother was a pickpocket in his youth. Used to always bring back little knickknacks he'd 'found' when out and about town. One day, I came across a band of poachers, and decided I wanted a trinket of my very own. [the words are easy; Vex does not lie, but it is by no means the whole story.] Let me tell you, keeping a teen-aged male and a bear cub well fed on the road was one hell of a learning experience. [totally worth it, though.]

Good. [her smile widens] I'm aware they more or less threw out the old owners, and depending on how long we're here, maybe they'll even get it back some day. But it's an advantageous spot. I'm surprised no one else had claimed it yet. [speaking of why they're both here:] Before you wander the house, I'd like to know more about what you expect from house sharing. And not just the relegation of chores.

Oh text emojis then?

:3

Coffee helps sometimes. I mostly just try and minimize my naps rather than try maintaining my previous sleep schedule. Some days are just more of a struggle. Are you a coffee or tea person?

For one, magic doesn’t exist in my world. Not that anyone’s publicly aware of at least. [She adds the caveat as an afterthought, not wanting to think of the possibility that people could do feats of magic and yet they haven’t joined the fight against bioterrorism.] So we have technology. Communication with radio waves and the internet, the ability to send data files, videos, you name it across the globe almost instantaneously. If you have the appropriate equipment of course.

[It’s understood that resources and technology, be it from what she’s accustomed to or magic, tend to become less available in the poorer areas of any land.

As for the story, Sheva’s glad to hear it. Not only is it an interesting story steeped with information spoken and unspoken about the other woman, but she enjoys how it’s told, and finds a smile playing over her features, a note of understanding at the effort it must take feeding the additional pair. There’s more not told, like how exactly she handled the poachers, but the lioness can piece together enough to appreciate Vex further.]

I can imagine. How much does Trinket tend to eat? I tend to spend quite a bit of time in the Wilde, and I hunt.

[Which is stated as an open offer to assist in bringing food for the lot of them. Cleaning and butchering might not be her favorite activity, but fresh hunted meat sure did hit the spot.

There’s a low hum at the mention of how the previous owners were handled, and it’s clear that there’s some disapproval on the turnskin’s end. There’s also understanding. They were sick and a danger to the tightly packed inhabitants of the city. Something had to be done.

While she expected some sort of questioning, Sheva hasn’t exactly prepared a scripted answer or pitch.]

That we act like responsible adults, we have our own spaces, common spaces, and we take care of both. I’m not particularly nosy or prudish and believe most issues can be solved by communicating. [She could go on, but might as well cut right to the chase.] Is there anything in particular you’re concerned about, or would like to ask me?

Neither. I can't have caffeine. Messes me up.

But some guy I know recently introduced me to decaf tea. I like ginger. It's pretty good.

I gotta head off, Sheva. Got a work shift soon. Talk to you soon? :)

I've heard a few others mention a lack of magic. Not everyone has it at home, but it's common knowledge that it exists, as do the Gods. None of what you describe - though that sounds like the.. "internet"? [prompto told her about that] I was told that the watch devices are akin to a lesser version of that sort of thing.

[ She certainly values them as a form of communication; it is an improvement over the earring of whispers.

Sheva doesn't push about her story, and immediately talks about her bear and care for him. That's immediately two points in their favour! ]

Since Trinket accompanies me, he doesn't follow regular hibernation patterns. He eats meat, and fish if its available. He'll also eat nuts, berries, fruit, leaves, and roots. If I can purchase it, I will, but I can hunt and prepare and treat meat accordingly. Ranger by trade. [she certainly recognises the open offer, however, which earns a smile.] If you're familiar with creatures to hunt here, then I'd appreciate accompanying you to learn their paths.

[ While not pre-prepared, the slight nods given are followed by a grin. ]

Thank the Gods. You'd be surprised by how many people don't even consider most of that. I'm not about to police any guests you have, staying over or otherwise, so long as they're not rude when here. And I'm sure we can work out solutions for any other issues as they arise. Do you have any needs? Or would you like to look around the house first, and then discuss that?

[ She points up, to the first floor. ]

There's four rooms, each with their own bathing area. I've claimed the one with the blue door.

Magic exists here, and I’m fairly certain that if God or gods exist back home, that they’ve left humanity to reap what their actions have sown. [But that’s a darker topic for another time. Sheva’s world is full of humans who thought to become gods themselves and create a master race through a biological weapon that killed the weak and undesirable. On a global scale. She’s a bit more jaded than most given that parting situation.

Best stick to talking about the internet?]

The internet is what allows for instantaneous communication over great distances, however.

[The lioness listens to the Trinket rundown. It’s fascinating from both the fact that he’s a bear, but also because he’s a unique bear in a world of monsters that include the likes of turnskin bears. She seems pleased by what she hears regardless, having someone else to help with hunting and managing preparing food and stores sounds like a both a relief and a good social activity for her turnskin brain.]

I’d be happy to take you out, though I imagine you might teach me as much, if not more, than what I can teach you if you’re a ranger.

[Well that’s not quite the reaction that Sheva expected, but she finds herself chuckling after the brief moment of surprise dampens away. She appears more relieved than anything when she understands that this might work out well for them both.] I would like to see inside, and we can chat while walking.

[As for guests, she might as well warn Vex about Ozymandias right now.]

The main guest that will be over will be my Bond. He talks quite a bit and is often loud, but he’s respectful. [He drinks his respect women juice. There’s a devious and fond smirk that follows.] I harass him as a rule because he is Very Kingly even here. His name is Ozymandias.

[Humming at the layout options, she glances at the home.] Is there one close to the garden?

The curse of free will, or whatever?

[ Still, that earns a raised eyebrow. The divine pantheon and the betrayer gods have their own uses for humanity, but Vex had never heard of gods - singular or plural - outright abandoning. That must be one heck of a world. ]

So I've been told. Is it really accessible anywhere?

We'll just have to trade skills. You'll know more about the local terrain and wildlife. Though is hunting the only means to get meat here? I admit, I've not looked too closely into things.

[ There's a nod, then Vex moves towards the door. Trinket rolls onto his side and..remains. Vex will return and finish grooming him later. He doesn't need a tour, and he's comfortable.

The front entrance has a single door of solid wood, with vine patterns around the edge. With a shove of her shoulder, Vex pushes it open; inside, she indicates the lock, but since she has the key and was home, hardly needed! A short entrance way has two side doors, one left and one right, while the main corridor leads further in to a large open living space. In the right corner upon entry, a spiral staircase leads upwards; a twin to the external one. The kitchen resides to the back, open to the main room, with access to a pantry tucked off at the rear. Two more doors, red wood to left and silver grey to the right, are also visible. ]

He sounds like quite the character. I've met a few royals in my time. [and is in fact titled herself - but that sort of thing can wait until later. Perhaps when introductions are made..] I don't have a Bonded yet, but Percival de Rolo is from the same world as me. We've been friends many years, he may stop by from time to time if he doesn't get too caught up at the Forge.

I was planning on using one of the downstairs rooms as an office, and one for general armory use. Storing cleaning and repair kits, any tools I don't plan to immediately use, that sort of thing. [there's a nod for that last question:] Yes. If you head up, the room with the red door is nearest to the stairs to the roof. Feel free to look where you like.

text; alomar

text; network name: "Stiles"

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perma-private

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text; un: bearoness

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move to action here?

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Works for me! Text; -> Action;

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sorry for the delay! life has been something

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Its ALL good! Life sure is a Thing That Is Happening All The Time rn

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