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

[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?

[Goodness. This poor, poor man. Sylvando figures it's probably been a long time since van Zieks has experienced any sort of proper affection, so when he's given the so-called reins, he knows exactly what to do with them.]

Oh, you mean from the bingo cards? That could be fun!

[As van Zieks draws close, Sylvando expertly shifts to entwine their arms.]

Do you have yours with you?

[He's not wrong, unfortunately, even if van Zieks was speaking in innuendo there. He was fully gunning to enter his slut era but at the same time, he really would just... Benefit from any sort of attention. It takes a bit of finaglin, but he does extricate his bingo card from his pocket without leaving this embrace.]

Here. Compare it with yours?
[They are at the beach and do both have skinnydipping.....]

[The innuendo was not lost on him! While he doesn't have any of the more salacious tasks on his own bingo board, they do have one in common that is surely to provide some great comfort!]

Hmmm~ I see something fun to cross off your board, but I want to make it a surprise. Would you like to join me back at my house? It's just me there, so privacy is guaranteed.

[...if this is going to get salacious, he doesn't want salty seawater involved.]

[A surprise! Van Zieks hates surprises. Which means THIS van Zieks thinks they are grand. And besidesz the suggestion of going somewhere more private seems like things are going along with his intentions. So he nods, perfectly eager.]

Of course. A knight's honor, isn't it? You couldn't decieve me without breaking your oath.
[It is possible that as a child, van Zieks read many a book about dashing knights.]

[A sweet laugh escapes Sylvando at that, and he tugs van Zieks along so they can return quickly.]

That's right! See, darling? You already have the makings of a knight yourself!

[He tips his head upward to smile at van Zieks.]

I'm not your conventional knight, but I have always taken the oath very seriously. You have my word that I only wish to help you.

[I think the funniest part of all of this is how Sylvando is definitely shorter and probably younger than van Zieks. In any case, despite that, van Zieks is perfectly content to let Sylvando lead the way.]

I trust you. [Said with surprising sincerity.]
My father told me once that when Britain still had the knighthood, our family was a part of it. And my brother said that studying law was the best we could strive for as far as the modern equivalent.

[He frowns a little, but doesn't elaborate further.]

You're certainly far from conventional but at least your good intentions are immediately apparent.

[Sylvando's smile brightens even further. Van Zieks' trust means a lot to him!]

We have something in common, then! Knighthood has been a part of my own family for generations- my papi even trains fledgling knights to-be.

[While talking about his father would be something of a sore spot not too long ago, their recent reconciliation has him speaking with the utmost pride.]

I can see why your brother would view law practice in a similar light. You are serving justice in your own way, are you not?

[It's admittedly not something he has a lot of experience with himself. Law is probably a lot more primitive in Erdrea anyway.]

Edited 2022-12-21 23:09 (UTC)

That is what I set out to do. To rid the streets of London of crine. But...

[He sighs loudly.]

This is a terrible topic of conversation!
[He has had ENOUGH. Wrong van Zieks is not a wallower.]

What do your duties as a knight entail, exactly?

[...but the curse of the reaper happened, Sylvando inwardly guesses. He wouldn't want van Zieks to have to talk about that dark road anyway, so he easily obliges with the change of topic.

He does give van Zieks' hand another squeeze before he gets into it, though.]

Well, I'm an unconventional knight in a number of ways. I'm not part of a military company, so I don't have the typical sort of responsibilities that you would expect from such a role. My way of protecting the people comes from protecting their smiles!

[It probably sounds a little corny at first blush, but:]

That is to say, I do whatever I can to bring light to the darkest of corners. Whether it's putting on a performance under a circus tent or rescuing a citizen from certain doom...as long as I can bring joy to others, there is nothing I won't do to make it happen.

Mm. I do recall you saying something of that extraction in the profile you filled out. I thought it ridiculous at the time, but...

[Well, even if he was his normal self... that explanation would almost have sold him. Wrong van Zieks, however.]

Well, it's certainly unconventional! But the world really can be so dark and dreary. I could never play such a role, but I can see the value in it.

See! You do get it!

[Sylvando can hardly believe it, but he loves surprises like this.]

I've had my fair share of nay-sayers, but I've never let it get me down. Every smile that I can bring to someone's face reminds me of how absolutely worth it this path I've chosen is.

[He swoops van Zieks' hand in a playful swing.]

That includes your own, you know.

[He blushes a little.]

Well... Until recently, of course, I wasn't much given to smiling, because of the path I chose, the mantle I chose to bear...
[of the Reaper. But he huffs.]

But is it really worth it? All that effort, all that hardship... Why do I have to suffer for the sake of the rest of London? You seem to be perfectly happy while still serving the people.

[And the reaper is the exact problem here!]

You shouldn't have to suffer. Protecting others should bring you joy, not misery!

[Let him make that painfully clear.]

From my understanding, that mantle was more thrust upon you than anything, was it not? I think that is where the biggest difference lies, and I find it very unfair that you had to be burdened with such an existence, no matter how much safer it made the streets of London. There was surely a better way!

... The better way would have been to uncover the real culprit. But of course I wasn't able to do that.

[Ugh!!! But again, this is lame to talk about.]

It's fine. It's been dealt with now. I just... I just want to focus on myself here. Is that wrong of me?
[Pouting again.]

Oh, honey...

[He does come down from that bout of indignation at van Zieks' request, though.]

Of course it's not wrong of you. I'm sorry, I just get so angry when I think about it. No one should be forced into something like that.

[The gloomy, pessimistic van Zieks that is NORMALLY in control wouls say he deserved it. He'd let anger cloud his judgment, and thus the forces at play pull the wool over his eyes, make him a pawn in their scheme. If he'd only been better, more exacting, like he is now, seen the inconsistencies... then there would never have been a reaper in the first place.

But he's NOT in control right now so Wrong Van Zieks dismisses the thought.]

What are you angry for? It doesn't have anything to do with you.

That may be true, but I'm angry on your behalf.

[...and he would also know a thing or two about being forced into a role that he didn't see himself fitting into. Almost, at any rate.]

Because you feel sorry for me? I know I strike a miserable figure, normally.

[Hmph!!! He didn't ask for pity!!!]

Ah-

[That kind of smacks him right in the face. After a moment of silence, he lets out a sigh and shakes his head.]

I'm sorry, honey. You caught me red-handed. It's, ah... It's not an unfamiliar subject to me, is all. But it's not fair for me to compare our experiences either.

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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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HELP I MISSED THIS TAG

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