Inbox: Aefenglom

[adventageous]

"Please leave a message, thank you."

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action | backdated to shortly after arrival

[sonnestark]

[She'd needed a couple of days to gather her wits before reaching out to Alice, to practice some of the things she might say. It seemed like a reasonable kindness to offer the other young woman, as well— she had been through a lot, even before coming here, and giving her some time to process all that only seemed polite before Karin herself potentially piled on simply by existing.

It would probably be fine, she tried to convince herself, but she couldn't help being anxious all the same. Alice had always been some distant, untouchable figure from Yuri's past, a person she was endlessly curious about and yet had realized early on that she would never measure up to. Things had changed since then, become both more and less complicated depending on what angle you looked at them from, but some apprehension remained, despite the fact that Karin had known for a long while that if they had ever had the chance to meet, she would like Alice herself very much.

Approaching her in person seemed the best course of action, and she had expressed her desire to meet with Alice on her own to Yuri, who had mentioned that she might find her around the Coven that afternoon. Karin herself had spent precious little time there, being a monster, but she was familiar enough, and summoning up all of her courage, she heads that way shortly after lunchtime, having left the rest of her day clear of any tasks or odd jobs.

She knew her when she saw her. It was from behind, in one of the Coven's many magic studies, but the dress the other young woman wore looked exactly like the replica she had seen made from one of Yuri's drawings. Softly, she clears her throat to get the other woman's attention, coming to stand just inside the door with her hands folded neatly in front of her.]

Alice?

[adventageous]

[From her conversations with Yuri, Alice is aware that he has a friend in the city who has been here awhile. She hasn't made any attempt to make contact, not least because she doesn't know much beyond the fact that the companion is a German woman named Karin. Since Yuri's been reeling from... well, everything... Alice hasn't made it a point to ask for an introduction. It's only been a few days, after all. Her own head has been spinning, and she's not dealing with 'my lover is back from the dead, kind of' like he has been on top of the rest of it.

For her part, Alice has been splitting her time between catching up with Yuri, getting to know the town, reconnecting with people she met in the dreamscape, and studying witch craft. She's determined to excel at Abjuration so that she can slip into a familiar supportive role with her magic, so that's where she's focused her studies. At present, she's nose deep in a few texts on beginning spells in the discipline.

A red-headed woman clearing her throat and identifying her by name is enough to snap her away from him. Her first thought is that she's overstayed her study room reservation, so she starts closing her books.]

Yes, that's me. Did you need something? Do I need to leave?

[The thought that this might be Karin introducing herself has clearly not occurred to her.]

[sonnestark]

[It makes sense, of course, that Alice wouldn't know who she is on sight, and Karin is quick to shake her head, discouraging the other young woman from excusing herself.]

No, no! Nothing like that. I actually came here to talk to you.

[Alright, good start, although she quickly realizes that introducing herself would probably serve her well.]

I'm Karin. I didn't want to trouble you while you were still settling in, but— I've wanted to meet you for some time now.

[adventageous]

[So this is the Karin Yuri had told her about. To be honest, that explanation makes a lot more sense than a harpy wanting a spot in the Coven study.

Alice give the other woman a warm smile.]

It's nice to be able to put a face to you. Yuri isn't exactly the best at describing things, but he did mention you and said you've been here for some time now. It's an honor to meet you.

[After all, a friend of Yuri's is a friend of hers.

Alice pauses for a moment, thoughtfully, then goes back to packing up her stuff. Her studies for the day are officially over--this is more important.]

Would you like to go out for tea or something? I think that'd be a nicer way to get to know each other than hiding in here.

[sonnestark]

[Her smile pulls a little to one side, nervous but able to find some amusement in how Yuri most likely tried to explain the situation to her. He was good at a lot of things, but eloquence wasn't usually one of them.]

It probably doesn't help that I'm not exactly how he remembers me. When we saw each other again, he asked me if I was a chicken.

[It had been pretty on-brand for their friendship, honestly.

Alice's offer takes her by surprise— something she almost immediately chides herself for, because it's not like she hadn't had something similar in mind. She nods, allowing herself to relax just a bit.]

I would love that— if you're not too busy. I'm sure you've had a lot on your plate since finding yourself here.

[adventageous]

A chicken? [Alice has to stop herself from laughing too openly, but a small chuckle does manage to escape her. Why is she in love with such a moron?]

Please tell me you were kind to him for that. I've seen him slapped for less.

[Something about her tone of voice makes it clear that even if Karin had slapped him, she wouldn't be upset about that fact. Alice will insist always and forever that there are many times where Yuri doesn't deserve the abuse he gets, but as a result of calling someone a chicken isn't one of them.

Regardless, it isn't long before Alice is fully packed up and ready to go.]

I'm not too busy at all. To be honest, I've mostly been splitting time between the place I'm staying and the Coven. It'll be nice to get some fresh air.

[sonnestark]

He got off with a light scolding, this time.

[She can't help but laugh a little in reply— well, of course Alice would have no illusions about who Yuri is. Karin definitely has slapped him in the past, but she tries not to make a habit out of it. He got her back when she needed it most, at least, so they were even.]

Well, in that case, I'd be more than happy to be your excuse to get out and about for awhile. Unless you have somewhere in mind already, I know a pastry shop that also has excellent tea?

[Not to mention her Bonded works there, so the service should be pretty good.]

I'm not sure if you have a sweet tooth or not, but I definitely do.

[adventageous]

[Alice laughs again.]

I see. I'll have to keep an eye on him to make sure he behaves himself in the future.

[It's a good sign that she's already feeling at ease in Karin's company. Alice had to admit that part of her was nervous, not knowing what the other woman knew or thought of her.
Or anything beyond 'she's Yuri's friend who helped him a lot,' really.]

Pastries sound lovely. It's good to treat yourself every now and again.

[Yes, she has a sweet tooth.]

[sonnestark]

I don't know that he's ever behaved himself, no matter how closely someone was watching— but I think if anyone could make it happen, it would have to be you.

[Alice has been such a large presence in her life even without them ever having met. Her opinion of the other woman is already largely well-formed, to be honest, but Karin is looking forward to getting to talk to her rather than to simply hear about her. Yuri was a little too buttoned-up about his feelings to tell her certain things, but she'd always been good at reading between the lines.

She smiles warmly, gesturing towards the door in a motion that is politely human despite the talons it displays.]

Whenever you're ready, then. And it's my treat. Sort of a welcome to the city?

[adventageous]

[Karin's comment gives Alice a moment of pause. Yeah, she's right. Yuri will do what Yuri will do--the best Alice can do is nudge him in the right direction. She loves him, but...]

Are you sure? I've earned a bit of money in the short time I've been here if you want me to contribute.

[She can't help but let politeness take over, even in the face of friendship and kindness.]

But, either way: thank you.

A Modranicht delivery

[prettyrocks]

[ Tsutha remembers where Alice lives from her time seeing her put up decorations earlier in the month, and so on the first day of Modranicht there is a small package delivered to Alice's door, wrapped in simple brown paper. Inside, are some figurines of festive carolers, along with a note written in a careful, if clumsy hand. ]

modranicht

[tothemetal]

[happy holidays, partner! Styx leaves his gift for Alice in their shared office, such that it is, too shy to present it in person. it's a simple thing, really - a small pouch of jam cookies from a local bakery and a handsomely bound book detailing the most famous ghost stories in Aefenglom.

...well, there's also a card. it's been hand-drawn by someone who clearly has no experience with art, but Alice may recognize the figure on its front: the same ghostly creature riding a sawblade motorcycle that the drummer had suggested for their logo, now decked out in a Santa hat and streaking across a snowy Modranicht sky. what a masterpiece.]

modranicht

[magisterium]

[Alice's gift from Dorian comes wrapped in over-the-top gold paper and far too much ribbon, but when she opens the box, she'll find a number of hair ribbons that are similar in style to the one she wears most frequently, but in a variety of different fabrics and patterns. Most of them are decidedly blue, since she seems to favor it, though he's snuck one silky white and one black ribbon in as well for variety. There is also a small bottle of very light and tasteful perfume, as well as a small box of highly decorative chocolates.]

Happy Modranicht to a truly remarkable young lady.

- Dorian

Modranicht gift

[thejoyrider]

[On the day of the holiday, a plate of homemade cookies and a sample of herbal tea mysteriously appears on her doorstep. The wrapping is decorated with a fresh lily flower (actually a Fae magic product, designed to fade away from existence in a few hours) and a ribbon. The attached handwritten note reads as follows:]

Happy Modranicht! Let’s have another great year here in Aefenglom!

M⚜️

modranicht

[sonnestark]

[Though they're still getting to know one another, there's no denying that Alice is an important figure in Karin's life, her presence far larger than her small stature might suggest. It goes without saying that Karin wants to give her something to help make her feel welcome and mark the season, and so among other gifts that Alice will find left on her doorstep, there's also a small package in bright red wrapping with gold ribbons.

Inside is a leather-bound journal along with a little box of seasonally decorated sugar cookies from Karen's Patisserie, tucked into the journal's leather tie is a fountain pen.]

Alice,

Happy Modranicht! May these help you as you continue to study with the coven. I look forward to getting to know you better in the coming year.

- Karin

[voice] - backdated to late-ish May?

[cointosser]

[It's taken a bit of gumption to get to this point, because his new transformation has been, to put it a bit nicely, a real storm of a thing. It's taken him more than a week to even feel somewhat comfortable about it, and it may have been a bit obvious he was, er, avoiding certain people and situations, but honestly, he's been doing that for a while after the Circle, too.

This is simply... hard. In a way he was not prepared for, considering he's never had to admit something like this before.

Not that he thinks badly of Alice at all. But there are certain qualities Jaskier has always been quite proud of, and his appearance is one of them. He knows he's adorable. Of course he is. He takes care of his hair, he bathes frequently, and he crafted his own perfumed oils.

Now he's --

Blue.]

Ah, hello, my darling Alice. I hope you're doing well. [He pauses. This is not a formal letter, but his voice is a bit unsure.] Something has... er... there's been a change with me, I fear, and it may shift things for us --

[Oh gods, that sounds awful!] Nothing dire! [He wilts.] I think. I simply -- perhaps it would be easier if we were to meet. I'm... a bit different, and I think it's fair that... er, you're quite aware of this.

[Aefenglom's complete acceptance of monster-kind has, for some reason, not made this any easier.]

[voice]

[adventageous]

[If Jaskier had hoped not to worry her with this message, he's about to be sorely disappointed. Alice's reply comes quickly and with no small amount of urgency.

(At least being called "darling" is nice to hear.)]

Hello, Jaskier.

Of course I can meet with you. Are you at home? Do you need me to bring you anything? Tea? Medicine? A talisman?

[She's not ruling out any possibility here.]

[voice]

[cointosser]

[Which means it's going swimmingly?

Shit. He can definitely hear he's managed to bungle this already, but to be fair, he is blue and that's. Uncomfortable. To explain. He imagines she'll understand, yet --

He clears his throat.]

To be honest, I'm not sure what the talisman is for. I'm not haunted, if that's what you mean. [Tea does sound nice... but that's not the point!] I'm not sick, Alice, I'm -- [Why is this so hard to mention?] I'm home, if you wouldn't mind. I'm not opposed to meeting somewhere, of course. I hate to have you walk all the way here for me.

[voice]

[adventageous]

Oh.

[Her voice is both sheepish and relieved. Assuming he isn't lying to her--and she very much doubts that he is--he's well and unpossessed, if still evasive. Whatever is bothering him is something personal, then. Not wonderful, of course, but at least he's not in immediate danger.

They can sort things out when she gets there.]

It's no trouble at all, and even if it were you're worth a few extra steps. I'll be there soon.

[Message sent, she tucks away her watch and prepares to head out.

It isn't too long before she's at the home Jaskier shares with his Bonded, knocking on the front door and steeling herself for whatever is about to be discussed.]

voice -> action

[cointosser]

[At least that response sounds relieved, not eager. His smile makes his voice soft.] I appreciate it.

[Knowing she's coming by does nothing to assuage this flurry of insects in his stomach. It's not that he's grown hideous, exactly. Of course not. And there's nothing wrong with being a Monster (and especially an Aeternae, he thinks a bit selfishly, because their entire being seems dedicated to having fun.) He pokes at the horn on his head and winces slightly. Still tender, after all this time. The Coven has warned him to be quite wary of them snagging or breaking, which is especially worrisome when they look like crystals. Easily breakable.

Like many other things.

Still, he's told her for a reason. And there's no way to hide the fact he has three horns growing crooked out of his head like antlers, or that his skin has taken on a rather deep blue hue. Or, unfortunately, that his eyes are all blue, which is probably the most startling part.

One gets quite used to looking into one's own human eyes.

Or the tail. The tail is very hard to get used to, a whip of a thing with a tuft of his own dark brown hair at the end. He still can't control it, and it tends to drag behind him unless he holds it in his hands.

Which he is doing now as he steps downstairs, passing a window that beamed in sunlight, draped in a soft, lounging robe that draped over as much skin as it could. There was a certain degree of relief to find the wings on his back had disappeared after the full moon, and now only two ridges along his shoulder blades were evidence of their existence. And his nails were rounded (though that had taken some effort from himself.)

It's much easier to do this on a non-full-moon. He hopes. With a deep breath, he opens the door, attempting to keep his now sharp teeth hidden.]

Hello, Alice. I suppose I needn't explain much more why I called on you, should I?

[adventageous]

...Jaskier?

[The questioning tone comes from surprise, not doubt, and is accompanied by a wide-eyed stare. It's clearly Jaskier standing before her--his features, his voice. But he's very, very different from last she saw him. The possibilities she had braced herself for didn't include this. The need for a double-take practically goes without saying.

Alice bites back the "how" question, giving herself time to come up with the answer herself. The way in which some Mirrorbound have changed species recently has been the talk of the Coven, both professionally and in gossip. It seems pretty obvious that's what has happened here.

She takes a step back and gives him a good once-over, taking inventory of the changes. It seems he's one of the Aeternae now, based on what she can see of him. He's blue, for starters, and has a few extra appendages. His eyes are piercing and almost alien, all one hue.

(She wonders, briefly, about changes she can't see and quickly scolds herself. He's having an identity crisis. Now is not the time for those kinds of thoughts.)

He's still plenty attractive in her eyes, and somehow more alluring than before, but she can understand why he'd be so unsure about it. In his position, she imagines she'd feel much the same way. Alice finally gives him a smile once she's done looking him over, her brow furrowed slightly with sympathy.]

No, there's no need to explain. It's all pretty self-evident.

[She re-closes the distance between them, taking one of his hands in hers.]

You really cannot catch a break lately, can you?

[cointosser]

[Oh, dear. Being asked his name was not a good sign. He's always been taken to never sitting still, his hands waving, fingers rubbing together, and now, apparently, this has all centered on the way he worries his tail between his hands, as if it's helping the whole image rather than bringing attention to --

He could laugh at the idea. As if any of it needs bringing attention to.

It takes far too long for any reaction, but he's being patient, despite his thrumming heart. It's almost as bad as with Geralt, but at least Geralt was just... well, an ass about it. And Jaskier was not actively, er, romancing him.

He clears his throat. But, finally, she does smile.

He drops his tail, his fingers folding between hers.] Imagine my surprise when I spotted myself in a looking-glass. [It had been a similar reaction, but he does not mention the part where he attempted to break off the horns. It was not exactly a shining moment for him.

He snorts a laugh.] No. I suppose not. But this is better than other things. [He pauses.] I know it is far too much to take in. I hope you understand when I say I didn't have much choice in it.

[adventageous]

[For as long as it took Alice to initially respond to the change in Jaskier's appearance, she's relaxing into it fairly easily now that her brain has processed the bulk of it. She gives his hand a small squeeze when he twines his fingers with hers.]

I'm pretty sure I would have fallen over with shock, if it had been me.

[It's a pretty major difference--one can hardly blame him (or her, hypothetically) for any drastic responses to seeing oneself so differently for the first time. Jaskier doesn't have experience with this sort of transformation, and especially so suddenly like this. Even if he had, that's no guarantee of anything. Yuri tranformed near-constantly when they were out in the field together, and it still bothered him every time it happened.]

It is a lot to take in, and it will definitely take some adjustment. But for what it's worth, I still think you're every bit as handsome as you were when I last saw you. Just different.

[Another squeeze, and her smile grows.]

I know it's easier for me to accept, since I'm not the one dealing with the changes, but I hope that helps put you at some ease.

[cointosser]

Er... [He pauses. No, he really shouldn't admit the horn thing.] Let's say I did similar.

[And possibly have a small fit over it. It was all rather terrifying, actually, until he'd talked to Geralt about it. Until there was someone to remind him that it was impossible for the Cwyld infecting him to cause this. And look at people like Killua, Roxas: they had not turned into monsters. (Yet.)

Adjustment. Right. That's reasonable. It very much is, but a bit of him is -- well, worried, to be honest. This thing between them is very new and, he imagines, fragile. As all new things are.

The squeeze helps. He smiles back, keeping his sharp teeth hidden behind his lips. One step at a time.] It does help me immensely. How could I feel anything but handsome after that? [He can't help how his tail whips the ground at the tip with such a sorely-needed compliment.] Well, you've come so far. Shall I make you some tea? Give you some time to... get used to it.

[adventageous]

[Alice also has no shortage of worries and insecurities about this new and fragile thing they share. This change in Jaskier is not among them. In a way, it neatly slots him in among all of the other strange supernatural experiences that have been a part of her life since before she even can remember. He's not the first lover she's had that's tranformed, and what Yuri's fusions lacked in permanance they more than made up for in strangeness compared to this. He's not even even the only Monster she's become romantically entangled with in her time in Aefenglom.

(She still needs to tell him about how the Bond between her and Karin has changed. That inevitable conversation concerns her far more. The last thing she wants to do is wound Jaskier just as their relationship is beginning, and there's a lingering Catholic guilt over the lack of faithful monogamy.)

All said and done, his appearance strikes her as more strange than monstrous--he lacks the Malice for it to truly become warped into something horrific. And would still lack it, she's sure, if Malice were even an aspect of this world.

Hopefully it won't take too long to truly convince him of it.]

Tea and your company sound lovely, thank you. It's been too long since we've gotten to spend some time together.

[Neither of their lives have been conducive to this sort of thing lately, so it's good to take the opportunity now as it's presented itself. Plus, it will give her the chance to update him on... well, everything. When she gets up the nerve for it.]