crescentview | December Open Post/Catch All/Overflow

December Open Post/Catch All/Overflow

Who: Van Zieks and whoever
What: General catch all for bingos and other effects
When: December
Where: Various
Warnings: TBA

Something has gone terribly wrong? (December 9th)
[You are just minding your own business, walking on the beach, or through the wood, when you hear what is certainly an unfamiliar laugh. If you look around, you'll soon attach it to... van Zieks? No, this can't be him. He's smiling. He's barefoot and covered in dirt. His hair isn't immaculately combed back and he's simply wearing a loose cotton shirt with his tight lawyer pants, though he does have a sword now hanging at his waist, which is new. This cannot be van Zieks. Even the cadence of his voice is lacking his normal ominous grit, but the voice is certainly his otherwise.]

Oh, come here! I have something to show you.
[Seriously who the hell is this and what did he do with the real van Zieks???]

Nevermind, Uncle has the Depression Again (December 10th)
[The following day, van Zieks is back in his austere best, looking more glowery and somber than ever before, like he's making up for the time he lost yesterday. You may find him at his usual haunt in the darkest corner of the winery, OR if you're wandering around in the woods, you might find him surveying the plot of land on his farm, or rather, the chaos that the him of the day before wreaked, which is to say, something was done to the plots, but it's hard to tell if it was anything constructive because they're upturned earth everywhere. Van Zieks is leaning heavily on the shovel he's holding, looking tired.]

Let me know if you have something specific in mind for bingo
[Hit me up on discord or on plurk

agentmaine]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Sylvando's working in the field of his beach farm when he hears that laugh... That's van Zieks, isn't it? It's nice to hear him in a good mood, but Sylvando would be lying if he said he didn't expect that man's laugh to be more...foreboding?

Oh! He's coming over...and he's smiling?! Okay, Sylvando can't hide how dumbstruck he is by this whole display. Is this how van Zieks felt when they first met?? He opens his mouth to respond, but he's too caught off guard to find any words for a moment.]

Ah- [Okay, deep breath as he approaches.] W-What is it, darling?

[Whoops, slipped with the pet name again.]

[Sylvando's expectations are normally correct, if van Zieks laughs at all it's curt and mirthless. But that's normally. Today is markedly abnormal. He doesn't even complain about the pet name, but then again, his demeanor right now seems far more suited for it anyway.]

I found something interesting! But it's a surprise.
[Van Zieks doesn't seem like he'd be one for surprises normally, but right now he seems excited.]

[Sylvando isn't sure if he should be excited for what van Zieks considers to be a surprise, but you know what? He's going to choose to go along with it! If van Zieks is in a rare good mood, he wants to keep it up!

His once wavering demeanor starts to dissipate and he puts on his best smile.]

All right! Lead the way, honey!

[Everyone else van Zieks has led into some sort of weird trap, but Sylvando lucks out!! Because this time he actually did find something cool. He's led Sylvando to some tidal pools, and stops next to one, pointing into the shallow water at a jaunty yellow crab.]

Look! I've never seen a crab this big in the wild before.
[He is very jazzed about this crab.]

[Sylvando would be utterly mortified for days if he managed to walk himself right into a trap, so this is truly the best outcome. Because really, a crab is way more fun.

He breaks into a grin at the sight of this absolute unit.]

Oh wow! He is pretty big, isn't he? What a cutie!

[He crouches down to watch the crab go for a bit.]

He's so colorful and flashy, too! I bet he has to be creative with how he hides from prey.

[van Zieks hums in agreement.]

Maybe he bosses the smaller crabs around and makes them bring him food? Maybe he's the king of the crabs.

[Surely crabs have such a level of society.]

[They probably do in Erdrea lbr, so Sylvando takes this speculation in magnificent stride.]

Oooh, I think you're onto something, Barry darling! He certainly has the size and color to match, doesn't he? All he's missing is a stunning, regal crown!

[Damn ur right they ABSOLUTELY got King crabs over there.]

That's true... Though I've heard that in other countries they have different things to mark royalty aside from crowns. Maybe crabs are the same way?

[He brings a hand to his chin, tapping it gently...]

That's a good point. Maybe it's just the first two qualities that make him kingly enough!

[He turns back toward van Zieks with a wink.]

But I think you can never be too flashy.

[He looks up from the crab to Sylvando at that, and laughs a little.]

One can certainly tell that simply from being in your presence for a few seconds. It's not a talent I've ever particularly possessed. My older brother always stood out more than me.

Am I that obvious?

[He's joking, of course.

Once he returns to his full height, he crosses his arms and smiles at van Zieks.]

You know, we may have very different styles of dress, but I find you to be very flashy in your own way! Now if you just smiled like you have been today more often, you'd look less like a dour creature of the night in your full regalia and more like a dashing knight with a K!

[He knows van Zieks is a lawyer, but no lawyer he knows dresses like that. And they certainly don't wield swords!]

Your brother sounds wonderful that little tidbit alone, though! Brighter is always better, in my opinion!

[Oh Sylvando, if you only knew how flashy this vampire lawyer truly was. van Zieks remains crouched next to the tide pool, uncharacteristically casual as he is.]

Mm, well, Klint was definitely someone who fit that description. As far as everyone saw, anyway.
[Pouting a little.]

But being a knight of the courts wasn't what was asked of me. When the rumor of the Reaper of the Old Bailey began to reduce crime rates, I had no choice but to play that part. It was super lame.
[Just being way more petulant than he normally would be.]

[van Zieks saying "it was super lame" took me tf out--

Ah... Sylvando catches onto the past tense when referring to Klint. Oh no. :c He does the respectful thing and doesn't press any further on it for now.]

The Reaper...?

[So there really is something to the demeanor that van Zieks puts on.]

Well, there's no need to play it here, is there? Think of this as a little vacation from your reaping roleplay!

[As it should. Wrong van Zieks is dissonant in that way.]

More like a retirement, thankfully the true culprit has been arrested. But it wasn't until I woke up today that it suddenly occurred to me; it's all over now, so shouldn't I be as un-reaper-like as posible?

[He picks up a piece of seaweed and dangles it into the tide pool, a little somber, trying to get the crab to clamp onto it.]

The Reaper's curse was thus; anyone who stood in court against Barok van Zieks and escaped conviction would inevitably die in an accident within the month. I could hardly comport myself like a "knight" with the sort of rumors that generated.

[And then he jumps to his feet.]

But nevermind that! Am I to understand from your casual reference that you come from somewhere that knights are still something commonplace?
[Looking at Sylvando intently. Lets talk about cool knight stuff.]

[Honey, you can't just drop a bombshell like that and try to change the subject.

The moment van Zieks gets up and looks over, Sylvando steps forward to take one of van Zieks' hands in his own.]

Oh Barry darling, that sounds absolutely awful! I'm so sorry that you had to put up with such horrible rumors. You're right, though! If the curse has been lifted once and for all, then you must make the most of this new lease on life.

[He gives van Zieks' hand a little squeeze.]

There's nothing stopping you from being what you truly want to be now. Believe me, I've seen all sorts of people successfully turn over a new leaf!

[With that said and done, he will actually humor the question now.]

Knights are very much commonplace, yes. You're even looking at one, as you should know from your little questionnaire.

[Wrong van Zieks can do whatever he wants!!! He can't be controlled!! That said, that also means no repressing feelings whatsoever. He's caught off guard by the overflowing sympathy and reassurance, but after a moment of plain surprise, tears actually prick the corners of his eyes, a luxury he hasn't afforded himself in almost a decade. He returns that squeeze with interest.]

Oh, it was awful! As if I wasn't miserable enough with what had already had happened!
[He sniffs, biting his lip. Anyway since normal van Zieks is always thinking way too much, wrong van Zieks doesn't think about much of anything at all, so he absolutely does not remember but will accept this claim. Because why not.]

It's fallen out of practice in my London. I can't help but wonder if things could have been different if we still had kind and honorable knights like you around, Mr Sylvando.
[Somehow this feels like a hairs breadth away from flirting???]

[God. If Sylvando only knew the full gravity of what has just happened here. Seeing van Zieks overcome with emotion brings out his strongest protective instincts- something he definitely didn't expect to happen with van Zieks of all people. His smile softens and he briefly lets go of van Zieks' hand to reach up and gently brush those budding tears away.]

It sounds like you have truly been put through the wringer. But it's all right now. You're here now, away from all of that doom and gloom. Your London may not have knights in smiling armor, but you have one right here who will happily look after you for as long as he is able.

[He'll find out when van Zieks ambiguously but intently threatens him next they meet to speak of this to no one. For now, however, van Zieks sniffles a bit more, but is starting to regain his composure.]

Really? You'd do that after I was so rude to you before?

[There's no need for threats!! His lips are sealed!!]

Of course I would. That's all water under the bridge at this point! It's very clear to me that you've been through a great deal, and that can make even the strongest people a little bit cynical toward the world.

[Goodness knows even he isn't infallible when worn down enough.

His hand returns to van Zieks'.]

Please, don't hesitate to come to me whenever you need to talk. I'd even be happy to regale you with my knightly adventures! They might be a little different from what you may be expecting, but they're no less exciting!

[Doesn't matter they're happening anyway. He needs to be extra vicious to dispell Sylvando's memory of this version of himself.]

I'd definitely like to hear about them, unexpected or otherwise...
[He pauses, expression settled into more of a pout, childish again rather than actively upset, as he extricates one hand to trail it further up Sylvando's arm.]

But what if I need more comfort than just talking?

[Van Zieks might be able to catch the moment that Sylvando's brain comes to a screeching halt for half a second.

He's not averse to flirting! Quite the opposite! But this feels like a massive whiplash that even he can't take with ease.]

Ah-

[He verbally stumbles, reaching up to stop van Zieks' advance. LIKE. VAN ZIEKS IS HOT, BUT THIS FEELS WEIRD.]

Honey, I want to make sure of something first. You hadn't been drinking prior to this, had you?

[van Zieks pouts a little. Why do people keep acting like his current behavior is something to be concerned about??? Gosh. People tell him to lighten up and when he does they still complain.]

What, in the middle of the day? Of course not.
[HMPH!!]

[There's lightening up and there's suddenly doing a complete 180, so Wrong van Zieks will simply have to forgive Sylvando for being cautious.

This isn't how he expected his day to go at all, but after a moment of contemplation, he chooses to believe van Zieks. To show this, he not only lets van Zieks continue, but he even guides that hand upward to his shoulder.]

Tell me, then: What sort of comfort are you seeking?

[I was told to go maximum chaos and this is where it led us. This is all Ath's fault. He's accept that suggestion of movement, while stepping in to close the distance between them.]

Mmm... It's been a long time since anyone has comforted me... I'll take whatever you're willing to give. Maybe we could take care of one of those tasks in the process?

december 9th oh my god

mods really handed me this insane uno reverse card

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1/2

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this is the most cursed van Zieks tag I've ever written

jesus christ

he can't help us here

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