| you put a fever inside me

[for8000amonth]

▶ WHO: Adelis and you!
▶ WHAT: December open/Catch-all
▶ WHEN: Until January
▶ WHERE: All over
▶ WARNINGS: TBA


≫ The Hands-on Approach

[ he was hoping he'd be able to put off dealing with it for longer, but life is never kind, as he's come to learn the hard way. he's put a decent effort into the fields thus far, but as the days went on, it became harder to stand outside for long periods of time...especially under the blasted sun, which still made his eyes throb in pain. even it's warmth can't chase off the ice cold beneath his skin, which drains the color from adelis' features and leaving him pale as a ghost.

finally, he can't take it anymore. his pride be damned, he can't stand being nearly utterly useless. so he shoves that stupid card in his pocket, laces up his heels and attempts to make himself look presentable, and locks the door behind him on the way out.

maybe you're a neighbour, who's farm happens to be not too far. maybe you're passing by on errands, to and from town. or maybe you run into him in town itself, gaze latching onto the first tolerable(?) person to pass his vision. ]

...Pardon me.

[ he looks, well...not good. he's abnormally pale, circles dark under his eyes. while adelis holds himself up high, back straight and gaze sharp, there's an exhaustion clinging to his limbs that's easy to note. ]

I require your...assistance with something, if you've a moment to spare.

[ he's trying really hard to make it look like this isn't paining him to ask. ]

≫ Overdue

[ while not the sort you'd think to frequent the library, should you enter one day, you'll happen to see him with a rather tidy stack right next to him. the titles vary, all from various genres and tip sections, but judging by the scowl on his face, he's not having a particularly swell time.

there's an exasperated noise as he drops the one he was currently holding beside him, closed, with a soft thunk. ]

Useless. [ he isn't shouting it, but he isn't particularly keeping quiet, either, as he grumbles to himself. ] This would be far easier if I could parse half the bloody words they were using. 'Simple' my arse.

[ maybe he needs a dictionary. ]

≫ Wildcard

> want something in particular? want to fill out some bingo? shoot me a pm or dm and i'll write something asap.

Comments

CLOSED POSTS

[for8000amonth]

don't tag this onegai

OVERFLOW

[for8000amonth]

don't tag this either (pwease)

[ december overflow ☆ ]

[bluminescence]

[ continued from here (yell at me if this is in the wrong place?? ;D) ]

Then... what are your hobbies?

[ There's a mellow but sincere curiosity in his voice, even as it trails off once Kaspar catches the motion. It's not cold at all, which furrows his brow a little once again. He doesn't have anything to say about it quite yet. ]

[for8000amonth]

[ huh.

it feels like such an off-guard question that adelis is stunned for a brief moment, blinking a few times before he shifts his gaze. ]

...I rarely had time to entertain myself with things like that.

[ ...that sounds a little pathetic when he says it, though, and it's not like he doesn't. there's a pause before he finally exhales a breath, like he's exasperated at the notion, before a gloved hand is waved dismissively. ]

Cards. Playing or collecting sets.

[bluminescence]

[ Kaspar stays quiet through the first part, unsure if that was all he was going to say. At least what freedoms he did have allowed him some sports. And the notion of cards is yet another commonality that he wants to hold onto, though his experience is largely from a distance.

So he seems pleased, in his own way, to ask-- ]

What kinds of card games?

[for8000amonth]

[ what, indeed. it's been a while since he's last actually played, considering the circumstances- busy before that blasted job, and then run ragged off his feet after. there's a mild grimace, before he shakes it off. ]

Poker. Maiden's Misery. There's not a whole lot of variety in taverns, and playing with acquaintances tended to give me a headache.

[ it was either legba or mishka, and...he doesn't want to think about that right now. ]

me: figuring out if he should know of poker dhdh

[bluminescence]

...

[ Kaspar hums, hoping he can find some playing cards now. He knew some games of his own, more childish ones but learning poker sounds fun too.

He says the next part flatly, but breaks it after with a smile and a nod towards the task board where there is a task about friends. ]

Then, should we be friends instead?

overdue;

[feralheart]

[ If M-21's ever set foot in a library before being brought here, he doesn't remember it. But with his cellphone out of commission and exactly zero other clues where to find information of "how to not super murder plants," he's here semi-habitually.

He shoots a glance over his farming book at the irritable guy across from him. It's not like this is going brilliantly for him, but at least he can't say it's the words that are the problem. ]

...I thought we all read the language now.

[for8000amonth]

I can read the language just fine.

[ he's not salty. he's a little salty. ]

I mean that over half this terminology is garbage. The bingo card was bad enough, but I fail to see how they expect people to get by when I have no idea what half these are supposed to mean.

[ he taps a gloved finger on the worn cover of one of the pile, looking particularly sour. ]

I don't suppose you have any clue what a 'phone' or a 'television' is?

[feralheart]

[ He looks a lot salty. But M-21's face is permanently stuck Like This so he can't really comment. ]

You're another one. [ Another what... ] Yeah, I know what those are. Better than this place does, anyway.

[ Is he still a little unimpressed by the CRT TV? Maybe. He digs in his pocket to pull out his cellphone, currently turned off, and shows it over. ]

A phone's like this. Or those blocky things back at the house. You use them to talk to other people with one.

[for8000amonth]

Another ignorant fool, you mean.

[ it's matter-of-fact and yet sarcastic, but he's fully aware he's not the only one here lost- he's spoken to a few of them, which would explain why he's still in the dark. 'better than this place', though....he files that away for later.

there's a beat before he approaches a few steps with the click of heels, leaning over with his arms crossed to properly examine what he's being shown....and as expected, by the scrunch of his brow, it doesn't ring any bells. ]

...So they're for communication. Like a sending stone? [ not that he has much experience with those, considering how rare and scarce they are within the borders, but at least that's something he knows. ] You're referring to the things with the strange curled wires. I've yet to bother with even touching them.

[feralheart]

[ Even M-21 wouldn't have put it that harshly, but he gives a little huff of amusement. It's not wrong, per se. But he's got the leeway to be a little charitable this time. ]

Someone who's not part of the society I'm used to. [ A beat, and a little more grudgingly, because this hasn't stopped being weird yet: ] Or from earth.

[ Which makes explaining a little more tricky, but he's gotten some practice. His brow furrows too as he tucks the phone safely away again. ]

A sending stone? That some kind of magic? If it's for talking, then... close enough. That's all you can use those old models for. You need the number for whoever you want to call, because it doesn't remember it for you. [ If he'd ever used one in his life before the memory loss, it would be very convenient to be able to recall that now. Well, how complicated could it be? ]

Hands-On

[chronosynthesis]

[He is a neighbor who, thankfully, already happens to be out and about. Syrlya stops with an immediately double take at Adelis, brows immediately raising in concern. He looks awful.]

It's no trouble. What do you need? [A medic??]

[for8000amonth]

[ an...interesting neighbor, certainly. adelis seems to be eyeballing the other with all the caution a person used to nothing but humans and undead would, but really, beggars can't be choosers here.

there's a pause as he seems to take a moment to brace himself. ]

...If possible, I need you to hold my hand for a while.

[ ugh. ]

I have an...affliction, of sorts, that can't be fixed without contact, and this is the most painless method. I'll return the favor however you'd prefer.

[chronosynthesis]

[The request is much simpler than he anticipates, but he recovers from the surprise quickly with a small, reassuring smile.]

You needn't worry about that. [He probably doesn't mean for six hours or something, right? This is too small to need anything in return.

Syrlya holds his hand in offering. It is gloved--he hasn't considered if it might need to be skin contact yet.] If it will help, here.

[for8000amonth]

[ that was simpler than expected, thank the scales. he wasn't in the mood for any prodding or rapid-fire questioning, so adelis'll take what he can get. ]

Well. Thank you for your generosity.

[ whether or not that's genuine is another question, but he seems to be putting on enough of a believable face.

the hand, though, he gives his head a shake at as he lifts up his own to peel the black leather off his fingers. his skin is so pale, you can see the abnormally clear outline of blue veins juxtaposed against the flesh. ]

I'm afraid it has to be skin contact. Otherwise, it's worthless.

[ if he could light a certain benefactor on fire right now, he'd certainly be doing it. ]

[chronosynthesis]

[That's a color that's usually sickly on humans, isn't it?]

Oh! Of course. [He looks back down and tugs his glove off similarly. Over the pale grey-green skin is a splotchy teal pattern that goes from the tips of his fingers and up into his sleeve.

Once uncovered He holds his hand out in offering again, allowing Adelis to make the first move. His hand is slightly cool to the touch, completely absent of any internal heat, and the texture is smooth and slightly waxy. Rather like touching grass wrapped around a stem.]

overdue

[exiguous]

[ Mona enters the library and makes note of the man with a large pile of books beside him. She's content to leave him be and go about her business, but then she hears a rather audible thunk – something hitting the ground, obviously – and she turns her head towards the sound. There's grumbling and a whole lot of discontent.

What's more interesting, however, is what he's complaining about. She's curious. Mona takes her chances and approaches. ]

Oh? What sort of language are they using that's making it such a difficult read?

[for8000amonth]

[ mona gets a dubious side-eye for a moment, like he's sizing her up before bothering to offer an answer, before he finally lets out a small scoff. ]

Not the language- I can read that just bleedin' fine.

[ a bit of his accent slips out before he clicks his tongue in irritation, as if it never happened. ]

It's the terminology. I've seen nary a mention of any of these things in the most obscure of tomes back home.

[ a sharp blue gaze finally looks back at her, before he lifts up the book he'd just dropped unceremoniously and holds it out with a raised brow. well, since she's here, he might as well ask... ]

If you're capable of giving a proper explanation of what a paddleboat or a VCR is, then by all means.

[exiguous]

[ She seems mildly offended that he needs to inspect her before getting an answer. She looks just fine, thank you very much!! Anyway, she won't comment on it and listen to his grumbling. She can't say she's familiar with his way of talking, ironically, but she can make sense of it.

A paddleboat? A VCR? She'll take the book and give it a look, first. She hums thoughtfully for a few moments, before she answers: ]

I'm afraid I can't be of much help here. These are things that are also foreign to me, but I'll read a bit more and see if I can make sense of any of this.

[ Hm. Is this a book about VCRs, or are they just mentioned here and there? ]

[for8000amonth]

[ don't pay it personally. there isn't a person alive he wouldn't give the eyeball to at first- it's habit.

he gives her a grace period as she examines it, but when the answer is a negative, he offers an exasperated sigh- like he was expecting it, somehow. there seems to be more people here ignorant on the topic than there are learned... ]

There's hardly an explanation in there- I've already skimmed it well enough. But by all means, suit yourself.

[ but hey, give it a go. unfortunately, it's just a passing mention, like with most things. ]

I was hoping to get some more clarification on the damnable cards she's hoisted upon us, but it's more of a chore than it's worth.

hands-on.... arrives 3 weeks late with starbucks

[passthrough]

[He's definitely hard to miss, given he's one of the tallest people occupying the farms. He's on his way back, a book from the library in tow along with one of the run-down tools from his own farm, but he easily stops at the raised voice, a curious look over his shoulder--

--that quickly twists with concern the longer he looks at this guy. Oof...]

Eh?

Uh... Yeah, sure. I can't guarantee I'm going to be able to do much, but... I'll try.

Is everything alright?

[for8000amonth]

[ Yes, thank you, he's fully aware he looks pitiful. He shovels down the grimace at that look, instead opting to simply shift his feet. ]

Nothing that isn't fixable.

[ Temporarily, anyway. He already dislikes how he has to crane his neck to look at this guy, but he's already here, so he has little room to snipe and grouse now. ]

Could you possibly lend me your hand for a short while? I've an affliction that gives me undue grief without the touch of another, and I tire of testing my limits.

[passthrough]

[why is everyone on this island so grumpy... still, he can't complain. It kind of reminds him of Doudanuki a little, if Doudanuki spoke with more flowery words...

His look of confusion doesn't lift, but he hoists his tool up over his shoulder with one arm and holds out a hand, palm up, without much hesitation. Sure, that was easy enough... but how was that supposed to fix anything?]

An affliction? You mean like... an illness? Or a curse of some kind?

[for8000amonth]

[ Ah. Maybe this one is smarter than Adelis gives him credit for- he's the first person to guess correctly. It doesn't please him to be sussed out so quickly, but he lets out the exasperated breath he was holding all the same. ]

...A curse, yes. [ By the way he nearly spits out the word, it's clear he's not very fond of his circumstances. ] One I've yet to find a way to rid myself of.

[ Since he's offering so readily, Adelis up and tugs off a black leather glove- black tattoo on the back of his hand visible as he reaches to grasp Otegine's. As if the pallor of his skin wasn't enough, the touch will reveal his skin is cold, more like that of a corpse than someone living and breathing. ]