aterat | Logs for October

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Logs for October

Who; Caelan and you!
What; Phone troubles, pillow forts, discussions on the weird goings on, and a seal in the tub
Where; Red building, and the docks.
When; End of September / Early October
Warnings; Mentions of nudity (Not descriptive, shape changing just doesn’t work with clothes), references to alcohol abuse (marked in thread with Nida), references to suicide (marked in thread with Nida)

What Do You Mean It’s Not Water Proof?

Caelan was experiencing some very obvious levels of confusion and frustration as he wandered up from the docks post swim that evening. His hair was still dripping and damp as he walked, eyes glued to the tell-phone that was looking rather... Less functional than it was meant to be. He hadn’t even bothered to button his shirt all the way, after the damn thing slipped out of his pockets and into the water when he was getting himself dressed and presentable by human standards.

At first, he’d only been annoyed because he’d had to stop what he was doing to fish it out of the water. Now he was doubly annoyed because the screen wasn’t lighting up. It was like the damn thing didn’t have any life in it...

Weird and very inconvenient if he had anything to say on the matter.

Which he was... At length, muttering under his breath and his accent growing a touch stronger than usual as he forgot himself. “The bleedin’ hell kind of joke is this? Really? Give the man who spends copious amounts of time near the water something that up and dies just because it gets a little wet. Can’t handle your drink at all, can yah? You finicky little box of nonsense.”

Speaking of a drink, he had a feeling he was going to need one very soon. Between that weird energy pulse a while back, the nightmares and now this? He was willing to admit he might need several.

A Fortress Fit for a Princess

Caelan wasn’t asleep when a mist slipped under his doorway, he’d come to expect at least one interruption a night since a few prior when something exploded somewhere and released a shockwave of mysterious energy. It had upset a whole lot of people (him included, for all he said he wasn’t bothered). Holly had become the most frequent guest, especially when the nightmares had begun.

Tonight he was ready though, and hoping to get the kid to talk a little more rather than the sullen insistence that she was completely fine and whatever other absurd excuses she came up with for her visit that night. Because honestly, she wasn’t the only one having nightmares, and he was starting to worry more about what they actually might have meant.

Hard to tell though if there were any connections or similarities if you weren’t talking.

Thus, tonight he was more than prepared for the visit. The living room space in his apartment had been entirely disrupted, cushions and pillows moved to the floor along with some of the chairs from the dining area, the sheets from his room and the pillows for good measure. All because he’d gotten it in his head that he was going to try one of those ‘Pillow Fort’ things that Holly had mentioned once or twice in one of her super-fact-filled-rambles.

When Holly materialized into a solid form again, she would be greeted by the sight of a very large, very chaotic looking fortress of pillows and blankets. If she ate food, there would have been all manner of sweets and snacks. Unfortunately, as happy as he was to make sure she could feed safely, he wasn’t confident in grabbing a random person off the street for her to snack on.

Someone would be bound to ask questions if they saw him lugging an unconscious body up and down the stairs... right?

So... No snacks, only a structure that was only slightly stable, but magnificent to behold (in his personal opinion).

Splish-splash

If there were any human creation that Caelan favoured over any other (aside from motor cars, they were fun) it was most decidedly the bathtub. A place to soak and relax at the end of a long day? A place where you could safely just splash around or doze off for a little nap without worrying about a predator?

It was brilliant. A private bath was practically a requirement when he was staying somewhere on a job. It wasn’t a replacement for the ocean by any means though, it did little to quiet the call in the back of his mind. It was, however, the nicest substitute on days when the call wasn’t loud, and he couldn’t be fussed with sneaking down to the shore.

Even the Lighthouse he’d purchased had a nice one installed, despite the fact that the ocean was just down the cliff side.

So after he’d finished a day busking in the market he hadn’t taken long to run a nice hot bath, grabbed his pelt, and slipped into the water like the delighted seal he was. It wasn’t as though he didn’t have the time, he wasn’t expecting any company for a while yet. Usually his visitors tended to show up slightly later.

Wildcard!
Have something you want the seal boy for in particular? Throw it at me! Also, if anyone wants something specific in a starter they should let me know. I can totally write one. <3

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“I might just have to try the other varieties then, but I get the feeling I might be partial to this one in particular for obvious reasons.” He responded, taking another bite and listening to the next question. “Such a sensible question, most folks who find out about me don’t ask that one.”

Caelan took a moment to think on it, before he shrugged lightly. “Nothing specific comes to mind though, obviously I eat a lot of seafood. I suppose some get a little put off to realize I eat it as is when I’m a seal?” As if he could be bothered to shift and learn how to cook, what nonsense. “I can eat just about anything, there are times when something might upset my stomach but there aren’t any lasting effects. Most people are like that, at least in my experience.”

Why would they not be smart enough to ask about things that could hurt or help people they hang out with? It's stupid.

"Maybe I think about it because I'm allergic to strawberries."

But he doesn't see a problem with raw fish. Nida likes sushi. Whatever. It's all the same. Prep time being cut out further is smart.

"Most people are. But I'm glad to know I should bribe you with good fish.'

‘Allergic,’ he knew that word! Holly had explained it to him, well... in a very Holly way... Caelan was still confident that he knew what Nida meant by the question. It was... actually kind of nice of the guy. Most people didn’t ask in his world because they got too hung up on the other random bits of lore and wanting to know what was true. “Allergic! Right, I get what you mean now.”

If it was allergies the guy was curious about, Caelan could definitely fill him in on that one. “The nearest thing I can say that I’m allergic to is irons. That’d be why I give the metal workers a wide berth unless I need to go down to the smithies. Makes my skin burn and blister, nasty sight. Probably would be worse if I ate the damned stuff.” He leaned back in his chair thoughtfully, “I’ll be sure to remember that about strawberries. Don’t eat them often myself, but I know they’re used in a lot of desserts.”

He chuckled a little at the idea of being bribed. “True, but I’m swayed by many things, Nida. Besides, I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to be figuring out how to bribe you, you did join the guard didn’t yah?”

Oh, iron. Interesting. Nida's heard of people allergic to gold, but never iron. But he'll do his best.

"I would never suggest eating raw metal. But I'll keep it in mind anyway. I guess my question is whether you can eat iron rich foods?"

It seemed weird, that Caelan could eat at all.

Soon he finds himself laughing over the bribery comment.

"I'm your liason officer. You don't get to bribe me."

“See that’s the interesting thing, you’d think I couldn’t eat anything with an allergy like that.” He rolled his shoulders into a large shrug, “It’s not something I think anyone’s ever been able to explain. I sometimes wonder if it has to do with the process when humans forge it into things, or if it’s just the concentration. Maybe there’s even something about other stuff in food that nullifies the effects naturally somehow.” He frowned a little, “I’m not a scientist though, and the ones who study that are generally not the sort a fae would want to be socializing with.”

Caelan picked a little more at the curry, “All I know is it fucking hurts, I was put in irons once when I got caught on a job. Wrists weren’t the same for ages after that. It’s not a lesson you want to learn twice, or at least not one you want to experience without being prepared for.” He was lucky he was on very good terms with his local sea witch, she gave him an excellent discount on an ointment for such injuries. Unfortunately, what came with him was a very limited supply now. He’d have to be careful...

“I don’t?” He responded, a dramatic little mock pout crossing his face. “Now where’s the fun in that?”

Forging is probably a good point. It’s about heat and effort and intent. Though maybe raw iron ore would also be an issue. Though Nida frankly can’t understand why one wouldn’t want to know. Except... how would you test it? That’s was the problem, wasn’t it? Can’t do that ethically.

“I think I’ll make sure any cuffs the guards have aren’t iron. Or if there are, we have another set or two made for those who might have problems with it.”

The bribery teasing just earns a little roll of the eyes.

Exactly, and the selkie isn't about to fill Nida's head with the various atrocities humans could commit when given the opportunity. They were having a nice dinner, and the conversation had shifted to something rather fun.

So instead, he smirked a little at the eye roll. That might’ve been that if it weren’t for the comment about the cuffs. “How kind of you Nida, making sure I’ll be comfortable in the event that I cause enough trouble to be put in them.”

No, he won't deny being a trouble maker. Just because Caelan hadn’t been given reason to cause mischief doesn’t mean he won't find a need for it in the future. There was a playful glint in his eye as he added a moment later, “You’d have to catch me first though, and I’ve gotten very good at getting away over the last hundred or so years since my last blunder.”

Oh, no, he could believe it. He was from Timber, and the people from there were used to suffering under Galbadian rule. They were just... tired of it. Really tired. But Nice dinners were nice.

"Must I remind you that the first time we met, we broken into a building?" Nida teases. Yes, he knows Caelan will cause trouble. He just doesn't think the Selkie would get CAUGHT.

"If someone does catch you, I don't want it to be me. Unless it's a far more fun version of that word."

“How could I forget our first meeting? You saving me from being spotted by the night watchmen, snooped around the office with such expert attention to detail.” He raised a brow, “Described this delicious dish and then disappeared into the night, leaving me wanting.” Another little teasing grin, he knows how he sounds. “It was very memorable.”

He took a bite of curry, lingering on it for a moment before he laughed a little. “A game of chase is always fun, and I do so love a challenge.” Nida was right in thinking that the selkie probably wouldn’t be caught easily. It wasn’t a 0% chance though, not at all, there were quite a few variables to consider.

How much of an idiot he was being, if he was too caught up in having fun to realize he was getting careless, how far he was from the canals or the harbour, the list went on a bit.

Awww, how cute. Nida chuckles at the summary given to him. What a good boy. They can be good boys together.

"My job was attention to detail."

And now it was protecting people. That worked too.

Good boys on their best behaviour, no mischief in sight.

Ha!

Caelan nodded though, “It showed, pity we didn’t manage to find anything that night though.” He had found other things since, though most of it was irrelevant until there were seaworthy vessels for people to go out on.

With a little tilt of his head, he continued a moment later. “So... Got any more sensible questions? Or even the less sensible ones, I’m your open book for the evening.” At least until he got bored, or he decided that a question was a little too close to things he’d rather not talk about.

“Are your eyes always that big?” Nida asks. “They were pretty.”

Like, people can drown in them. Or perhaps had.

“Oh, and your music. Is it magic?”

That got an amused grin, and don’t mind him if he bats his big eyes at you a little for good measure, Nida. “Why thank you, though you might find them off-putting in the evenings. Eye-shine is apparently a wee bit creepy.”

And no, he certainly had nothing to do with any drownings. Of course, that was only because the one bastard he’d consider drowning had died two years prior to him figuring out where the man was. It had been quite vexing...

Setting his utensils down for a moment, Caelan raised a webbed hand and gestured at his face. “They are always that big though, I am always as you see me now. I just use fae enchantments called glamour to mask them when I’m moving among normal people so I can blend in. Couldn’t make it very far from shore without people knowing what I am otherwise, right?”

Returning to the dish, he hummed a couple notes before answering. “Yes, and no. If anyone feels drawn to my violin music, it’s because they’re curious and not from any enchantment.” Even if it seemed that way sometimes... “That’s not to say it’s all normal, it’s just not magical in the way you expect. There are a few pieces I play that I learned from my friend, for instance. He’s a nix, another kind of water fae. Music composed by a nix is slightly cursed. Humans who try to play it sort of develop an obsession. Can’t stop playing it and eventually go mad.” Which was why he was quite strict about people asking to learn them, only people who deserved it got that sort of lesson.

“If we’re talking vocal song, that is magical.” Not that it was anything particularly impressive by most other fae standards, “Now, I’m no siren. My songs can’t lure people to their doom or anything like that. Instead, it can be used to enchant fish? Makes them easier to catch, or gather however I wish. Big schools can make excellent cover now and again if there’s something in the water I’d rather avoid. I still haven’t tried it on the giant sharks off the coast of this place though, tempting as it is.” Oh, yeah... Nida, there are fucking huge sharks and other aquatic life the further you get from shore here. Fun!

Eye shine was something he was used to from monsters so yes, that would be disturbing. He's attentive while Caelan talks, eating slowly and letting Siren laugh in his mind. Yes, of course she'd be happy to be considered better than that. But when she hears 'doom' she bristles and Nida has to giggle at how she felt like a fluffed up bird in his head.

"Siren would like you to know she does not pull people to their dooms, she merely makes them sleep."

“Siren, I beg your pardon for the unintentional slight. You’re a fair bit different from those that live in my world though.” He grinned, though was quite honest in his apology.

“The ones in my world use their songs to tempt sailors to them with their alluring music, then it’s dinner time.” He gestured at their meal for dramatic effect, “Not particularly pleasant, but even they have to eat like the rest of us. Though I will say they’re usually principled about the sort of sailor they hunt, usually go after the ones that deserve it. Those that don’t respect the sea or their fellow person.”

Again Siren balked in horror in Nida's mind. Which made him cringe in extension of her displeasure.

"She wants you to know she doesn't think humans would taste good. Clearly your Sirens are uncultured. Her words, not mine."

Caelan laughed at that, “I believe by comparison to you, dear Siren, they are.” Not that he could really judge those in his own world for doing what came naturally. Not any more than he could judge a certain small vampire for using the locals here as ‘juice boxes’ as she put it.

“The point is, I’m not capable of such things. Which tends to be something of a blanket concern where sea fae go. There’re even stories that my sort have a particular magical effect on people who lack particular... satisfaction in their lives. That, among other things, is utter rubbish.” Not a selkie’s fault that people are so damned thirsty after their sweethearts leave them behind for some needless voyage or journey for months on end.

“So if you ever want a returned demonstration on the subject of music, I’d be happy to oblige. You did show me how your magic worked, after all.”

"I've barely shown you anything of what I can do," Nida laughs. "But yes, I should try and bribe you to get some more magic for my reserves, and in return I can give you the best I can."

There is only so much he can do.

“Oh yeah?” He responded with a curious tone, leaning back in his seat a bit. “Then we’ll have to both enjoy a little demonstration next time your near the shoreline.”

Taking another bite of curry, he shook his head a little. “You can get more magic whenever you like, it’s not as though I am lacking in the stuff. Most of what I use in the day to day is rather low level parlour tricks as far as most fae are concerned anyway.” Honestly, aside from fishing, his abilities couldn’t even really help anyone out here. At least not until there were ships that meant anyone would need him for it.

Well... He probably would need to let more people know about him in that case too. A bridge to cross when he came to it. “I was a little afraid that it might mess with my glamour enchantments when you did it the first time, but it all worked out.”

"We might have to go out further if we can find a row boat. Just because Siren kicks up a lot of water," Nida admits, smiling to himself.

"I don't think when I pull my magic from you, it affects yours. But we should be careful about it I suppose. For your safety."

“Yeah, there might be a small dinghy or something that’s sea worthy. I’d say we could just swim out, but most humans have a hard time keeping up in the water.” Not that he’d let a human drown, especially one he liked. “I’ll take a gander next time I’m down at the docks. Maybe see if any of them would do with a quick patch job. I definitely would have an easier time showing you myself, not enough fish next to shore to do anything particularly impressive.”

And really, Caelan was a show off at heart. If he was going to do something, he was going to at least make it interesting.

A small part of him is touched by the thoughtfulness of his own safety, and it shows a little on his face. “You know most humans take a look at a selkie or any other fae, and just want to take what isn’t theirs? No thought or cares beyond that.” He grinned a little, “Seems like you’re a rare exception. Like I said though, it didn’t mess with me. I was paying attention, so you should be safe to do it whenever you need.”

"Yes, I can see how a sea-creature would swim better than a human," Nida laughs.

Of course it sounds like the man is a bit of a showman, which Nida is amused by. But the suggestion that people would just take earns a sneer from Nida.

"I only take what isn't mine when I'm hired to do work like that. And frankly, I prefer not to do that."

Caelan was always a showman, it was one of the things that made his group so successful. Keeping the mark’s attention where they needed to be instead of where it should have been to prevent the crime.

Which was why he smiled at the man’s frankness over not taking what didn’t belong to him. “Yeah? Well, it’s refreshing. Half my time back home is spent taking back things that humans helped themselves to. It’s a mess... More of a mess than I thought when I started, but now I’m here so.” He shrugged in an exaggerated motion, dramatic and more than a little put out. “If more people would be like you, then I’d be out of a job but...”

But his life would probably have turned out very different very early on.

Edited 2020-10-08 00:08 (UTC)

"If more people were like me, I would be out of a job," Nida agrees, grinning.

Don't mind him, he really enjoyed his own joke. And, with his own food finished, he picks up the dishes to go and clean them.

"People are a weird thing to process, aren't they? You can rarely expect what they will be."

The joke gets an easy laugh out of him, “Then you’d need to find a new one, whatever would you do?”

He does fall silent for a moment as Nida moved away from the table, turning in his seat to watch. People were weird things to process. Human and fae alike. After so much time, the only thing he’d figured that neither were particularly better than the other. Both were capable of good and bad at the same time, oftentimes from the very same person.

“You got that right, they never cease to surprise. Which is probably not entirely a bad thing, I’d get bored otherwise?” That said... “But there are things about them that are safer to wary of... I think it goes without saying, you’re a smart lad, but you know you can’t tell anyone about this, yeah? You’re currently one of two people who knows about me properly.”

Just you and the twelve-year-old vampire, Nida. A couple people knew he wasn’t human, but not this much. So he was trusting the guy. Maybe he didn’t have much of a say in it now, but the point that he was going to trust him remained. “There are... certain rules that go along with being what I am, and it’d a problem if people who were more familiar with selkie-lore found out about me. Worse than the iron ‘allergy’ anyway.”

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