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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“You’re right, I’d be despondent. Have to throw myself in the ocean if I spent too many nights staring at an empty window frame.” He responded, a touch dramatic with a little toss of his head. “Then I’d probably piss off the sharks, and they’d curse you for not keeping me out of their faces.”

He settled a moment later, pouring another glass of cider. “I’m glad for you though, this is definitely the kind of good that’s deserved. Especially lately around here.” The selkie huffed a little, now if he could just get someone else settled and looked after he could breathe a little easier himself.

Cursed by shocks. It was a hilarious thought and he chuckled.

"Poor sharks. I have to have pity on them."

Lately around here things were so... messed up. People had been ruined by the demon bear. He knows that. It makes him sad to even think about.

"What if he doesn't want me for more than sex, though?"

Caelan himself wouldn’t have had an issue with that himself, but the selkie was reasonably sure that was because he wasn’t interested in dealing with pesky things like feelings unless he absolutely had to. That said, it was hard to believe that was all this was. “If he just wanted you for that, I doubt he’d be going to such lengths to feed, help keep you out of taverns, or do such sweet things like getting you in on baking some cookies.”

Really, Nida, that was a lot of work for just some fun nights. At least to him it seemed it.

As it was... “Humans don’t generally have enough time to waste on all that if they aren’t interested in the whole ‘thing?’” Too little time. Life was short and the instinct to move faster than his kind was always apparent. “At least in my experience they don’t.”

Then again, there were those odd humans that made a game out of it. Make it seem serious, then drop the mark when they got what they wanted. Well, if that were the case, then he’d handle that himself. You don’t hurt people Caelan considered family, not without getting your comeuppance in a swift and unpleasant manner... Not that he’d ever admit that to Nida.

Except there had been no display of desire with the food or keeping him out of taverns before all of this. But confidence in romance wasn't... it wasn't something Nida was good at. For everything else he could claim confidence with, this was not one of the things.

But he might be interested in knowing that someone might get a shovel talk over him.

"My experience is sorta shitty."

“Doesn’t mean it’ll continue to be, right?” He responded, brows raising a little. It was almost strange to see Nida so lacking in confidence on something. Then again, he supposed that it was a good sign of just how serious this was already. “Did he ask to see you again? Like to make plans or something?”

His finger tapped the side of the glass, a little tick as his wheels started turning. Yeah, he definitely was going to have to have a look into this a little more closely. See if he couldn’t figure out if Ignis’ intentions were as pure as they sounded... Put the fear of the fae into him if he had to.

"With everything going wrong," Nida says, frowning, "there's so much going on. It's... awkward. I wish I could make plans."

But all of this could be weird. Still, he almost ached because he doesn't know where he stands. He wishes he could explain it, but he WANTS this.

And he hates the vulnerability that comes with wanting.

"I want to."

“Yeah, but you know...” He hummed a little, a small smile creeping onto his face. “There’s no reason why you couldn’t arrange to spend a little more time with the lad. Safety in numbers after all, and if he’s agreeable to it then you can use the time to get to know him a little better, right?”

Spend a few more meals together, they could keep an eye on each other... It could only help in the end, and it might help settle Nida’s nerves on the whole situation.

“I know the guard is probably keeping you busy with all this business with the bear, but a person has to eat and sleep too. You can’t always be on duty, that’ll make you sloppy.”

Edited 2020-10-18 02:26 (UTC)

Dammit Caelan, that would be fun, but he doesn't have the confidence to do that. The last two attempts were so horrible, left him... In the bottle. He doesn't know if he can handle that again.

"The bear has killed, Caelan. I found the body," Nida counters, sighing. "This thing is dangerous, and I'd rather him be safe and home."

“I’m not saying to take him out on the town, Nida. Well... Not at night anyway. I’m just saying keep him company once in a while, safe at home.” Besides, it would make Caelan feel better to know the guy was actually not running around after a bear. Apparently a killer bear. That hadn’t been in the report he’d read.

He’d been trying hard enough to balance his time between a few people. Syeira who was an ever growing concern, her grip on reality slipping... Then there was Holly who he was pretty sure he was going to have to move in on a permanent basis, who was usually a high level concern on a good day what with her need to drink blood. Group that in with trying to make time to stop himself from getting twitchy over the need to return to the sea, and he would definitely rather know Nida was at least doing something that made him happy sometimes. He’s only got two hands to juggle, and sometimes he doesn’t even have hands!

“That said, the report Khannar posted only mentioned having reason to think it was dangerous. Never said anything about a killing, not that I’m surprised. Bears do kill when given reason.” Putting the glass down on the table, he knitted his fingers together and leaned forward. “Unless his official broadcast was different, I missed that. Phone’s still a useless lump.”

Caelan, he's a guard. Chasing a killer bear is SO his job. And it's not like it's a dragon. He can probably deal with that. Probably.

"The Captain is trying to prevent a panic," NIda admits. He knows more than even that. Things that are bad. Things that happened the night of the magic pulse. "We're all doing our best. And the curio shop is doing BRISK business. Man's trying to make a fortune off the panic. What an ass."

“I can understand that... But people might take it more seriously if they knew what they were dealing with.” As if knowing any of this would keep Caelan inside at night. What was one bear at night compared to an unknowable amount of people during the day?

He risked a little over Raimon. He liked the guy well enough for getting him his violin but... “Keeping track of stupid inhabitants trying to spend money that isn’t going anywhere can’t be easy. I think Yuna is volunteering to pitch in though? I would, but my hands are a bit full at the moment.” And he was pretty sure he couldn’t sweet-talk a bear to standing down like he could a mark.

He fixed Nida with a curious look, “Anything else I should know?” Because he’s not an idiot. If the captain was trying to keep the death quiet, there were probably other things.

"I don't disagree," Nida sighs. But he doesn't have the authority to do much. He's a GUARD. If this was the Village he'd work with the boss to take things down. To protect people. And he's not getting that chance.

"Nothing I can tell you," he says. "Well, nothing I can confirm. But there was some sorta magic and psychic pulse the other day. And it HURT."

“No? That’s no fun, Nida.” He frowned a little, though there’s not as much of a joke in his tone over this situation. He had a little vampire duckling that wanted answers... This was definitely not any sort of answer she’d be happy with.

“I felt the pulse, it was bloody annoying... Had a feeling there was something magic afoot though, especially when dreams got a little more unpleasant than usual.” Caelan tapped a foot lightly, thinking back over the last few weeks. “I’d say I’m glad that they at least make sense now, but I’d rather it have just been dreams.”

"I'd rather that too. Though I guess the bad dreams got me a few days in Ignis's arms, so I can't FULLY complain. But I also have a few weapons, so I'm probably going hunting so."

He definitely intends to find and kill the thing.

“Well, when this is all said and done? I certainly hope that you’ll get more than a few.” He tilted his head, taking another sip of cider before he grinned. “Smitten is a good colour on you.” He paused, the grin turned a little more mischievous, “You should wear it more often.” He wiggled his brows lightly before he fell silent again.

Caelan glanced down at the glass, tone a little more serious as he finally continued. “You better be careful though, Nida. A build up like this isn’t generally normal, not for a run-of-the-mill bear. I’m guessing it’s worse than you can tell me.” His frown deepened slightly, “I know you’re used to dealing with things like this, but I’ll have a fit if you go getting yourself hurt.”

Well... Nida smiles and pulls a key out of his pocket. Oh yeah, one to Ignis’s place.

“I think I’ll probably get more than a few. And wow, smitten isn’t a color you pest.”

Still, he was afraid of being smitten. Can he afford to be smitten, come to love the person, lose them, and still be strong? He doesn’t know. He doesn’t know anything anymore.

“It’s bad, Caelan. Please don’t go out and get yourself hurt, please. If I get hurt, I have magic.”

“I’m a creative soul, Nida. Anything is a colour when you’re trying to be artistic. And I’m not a pest! Seals aren’t pests, rats and bugs are pests.” He grinned cheekily, but his smile softened a little at the sight of the key. Good... Another decent sign that this might go somewhere good for his friend.

On the matter of the bear, he rolled his shoulders and lifted his arms in a vaguely dramatic shrug. “Believe me, Nida. I don’t intend to. If I didn’t let a kelpie built like a Clydesdale kill me, I’m not going to let some random bear catch me off guard. Besides, this city has plenty of canals I can dive into. Not much can keep up with me if I can get to the water, even if I don’t shift.” He added with a more confident, reassuring expression.

Now if only Nida would make use of the free access he had been given. It was too weird for him though. They’d been caught up in each other for a glorious weekend, that didn’t feel like a ‘here’s a key to my place’ step.

“Well, if you’re sure,” he says, tired and worried on the bear thing. “My world doesn’t have bears anymore. I don’t know if they can swim.”

“Of course I’m sure, I’ve been informed that I’m frustratingly difficult to pin down.” He added, with a touch of pride in his voice. Said like someone who has been very annoying for a lot of people for a very long time. Even if he got caught once in a while, he always wiggled out.

A seal’s best qualities were their wiggles, after all.

Even if he’d deny that with his dying breath...

“Bears can swim, but not as fast as me. You haven’t seen me in the water yet, but it’s my element, Nida.” He added, grabbing the bottle of cider and pouring out a little more for his friend. “So don’t go worrying that pretty little head of yours about me. I’m almost... two hundred? That’s life experience that’s gotta count for something.” Something more than the ridiculous title of geriatric, fossil, antique and whatever else Holly had called him thus far. “Just focus on not getting hurt yourself, yeah?”

Unless, of course, Ignis would be up to playing bedside nurse for a few days while the guy recovered.

Two hundred is pretty intense. And Nida looks... a bit shocked by that. It’s a lot more than he would have expected. He’d figure thirties at the outside.

“I’m a combat badass. I’ll be fine. It’s you I worry about.”

But he didn’t doubt that Ignis would nurse him. Which would be silly, because Nida was the one with magic.

The shocked expression gets a small, amused giggle out of him. “I know, I’m pretty spry for my age. Won’t be breaking my hip anytime soon.” Really, it was always fun when people reacted like that, better than reminding him that he needed to start acting his age. Which might make sense by human standards, but he really wasn’t that old by fae standards.

“Well, Mr. Combat Badass, you need to realign your priorities a little there. If you’ve got time to be worrying about me, you’ve got time to be finishing this cider and tell me more about this Ignis fellow of yours.” Because, really, Caelan was pretty sure he had this all well in hand. He’d been avoiding people while he was sneaking back and forth to the docks for months now. Surely a bear in the city was going to be easier to avoid. Why waste time when they could talk about more fun things?

For humans this was absolutely an insane age. So yeah, give him a break. You’re almost ten times his age.

“I mean, what do you want me to say about him? He’s kind. I... told him why I drank.”

Something he hadn’t even fully detailed for Caelan.

Which, if Nida pointed that out, Caelan would be quick to inform him that meant that he was ten times the man’s elder and he should listen to him. Which is not true, no one should ever listen to the Selkie. Not unless he was running a heist, and actually in a more serious and capable mode.

The mention of why Nida drank, or didn’t he supposed, was one that gave him pause. Head tilting slightly, definitely more than a little curious. “Did you...? Can’t say I know that one myself.” Not that he’d felt like he needed to press, he just respected that Nida didn’t want to be around alcohol for serious reasons. So when he was around, the whisky bottle was tucked away.

A pretty big deal, considering Caelan was prone to drinking often. Though this was more because he enjoyed the flavour. He couldn’t really get drunk off the stuff, not without far more than the bottle sitting in his cupboard. Human alcohol wasn’t as strong as that which was fae made.

“Do you want to?” Nida asks. Having one person to fall back on, even if things go sideways, is good. One person who knows the story, who will know when to look out for Nida. A second, though... would probably be better. Back in the last two worlds he’d had a few. Now, without his brothers and the boss, he didn’t know.

“Would be a lie to say I haven’t been wondering about it.” He responded, leaning back in his seat and getting settled in for what he presumed was going to be a bit of a long one. “Not that you have to, but if you wanted...? I’d be interested in knowing.”

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