December/spring catch-all

[feralheart]

WHO: M-21 and anyone!
WHAT: Open + catchall
WHEN: All spring
WHERE: All over the island
WARNINGS: none, TBA if needed. Plotting here!


i. what do you mean 'consequences'

[ On one specific, highly cursed day this month, M-21 can be found lurking forlornly outside the island's little clinic. An internal war seems to be going on; he takes a grudging step towards the doors, then stalks away again. As if unaware he's doing it, he reaches down to rub irritably at his lower back. Maybe someone's a little less suited for farm work than everyone else? ]

This is so stupid.

[ He shoots a mutinous look up at the sky like he'd like to direct a complaint right to the management but doesn't quite dare. Then he's back to his pacing, with an occasional sideways glance thrown in towards the vet. Or he can be found draped somewhat pathetically over the nearest fence-shaped thing he can find, apparently no longer willing to move.

Help. ]

ii. like herding cats

[ On days when the weather is sunny and cooperative, despite all complaints, M-21 is hard at work in his fields. Reluctant concessions to farmcore have been made to spare what's left of his suit, and a sturdy pair of farming gloves covering his hands well past the wrist spare what's left of his palms from the sub-par farming tools. Things are coming in pretty nicely, especially the new stand of trees. They're full-grown and leafy and already showing a crop of... one fluffy orange kitten with oversized paws perched on a branch, chirruping furiously. ]

You got yourself up there.

[ Rescue? Or wait another few seconds to catch M-21 sighing and stripping off his gloves as he goes to climb a tree for what appears to be the five hundredth time that day. ]

iii. wildcard

[ Catch me on my planning link or PM if you want a starter! I welcome any and all bingos or just chaos. Or just hit me with anything, he'll be Around. ]

Comments

[feralheart]

[ M-21 doesn't have much concept of it, but Kaspar may be a saint. No "what did you do to piss her off," as valid as that would be. No scolding. Just settling him down on a nice soft couch that M-21 sinks into with a sigh.

This is ridiculous. He takes worse injuries than this all the time and it's never done much more than make him angry. But somehow, hurting for no reason and with no sign of it stopping is so much worse than hurting because he's been stabbed by someone again. He reaches out to tug the pillow near his head closer so he can get himself settled by burying his face in it. ]

Thanks. Why're you going through all this trouble, anyway?

[ The words have more of a flicker of guilt than his characteristic suspicion. No one gets anything out of getting him to lower his guard here, as far as he can see. But he feels bad putting a stranger to this much effort. ]

[bluminescence]

You were distracting.

[ Kaspar answers simply, voice trailing off airily as he leaves for the kitchen. He doesn't sound put off by the question in the least. M-21 was messing up the aesthetics of his walking path first, before the worry came. But now it is here for them both to deal with.

There is no further explanation, only Kaspar's quiet steps ruined by upgraded but still very wooden flooring. Around the kitchen, down the hall, until eventually Kaspar returns again. ]

Do you... like tea?

[ With no further warning, he moves to settle a hot towel over M-21's back. ]

[feralheart]

[ ...

That's a very Frankenstein answer, actually. It's a good enough reason. M-21 muffles a snort into his arms as he pillows his head on them and... well, pillow. He tracks the sound of footsteps with half his attention, enough that he lifts his head a little at the sound of Kaspar's return. ]

Tea? Yeah, it's go--ahhh.

[ All processes that can make words are shortcircuited for a little while the second the towel descends. Warmth might not make the pain go away, but for a little bit it sort of feels like it. At least he's feeling something that's not just hurt. ]

[bluminescence]

[ Kaspar lets the hot towel sit a moment before pulling down the blanket to trap the heat. He presses a palm down, tentatively, into a soothing circular motion as he goes on as if discussing the weather. ]

... chamomile and lemon?

[feralheart]

[ He has melted. He has died? Doesn't matter. Nothing matters except the fact that he definitely owes Kaspar some kind of life debt from this. He makes an incoherent mumbling noise into his arms and attempts to turn even more boneless. It's incredibly strange to be touched like this and he doesn't even care. ]

Those're good. Anything's good. [ ... ] Make it up to you when I can move again.

[bluminescence]

[ Actually, now this kind of fun, in the innocently curious sort of way. He hadn't expected him to relax and mumble like that, or to be so appreciative. Gratitude, M-21 and Lucia are swiftly teaching him, are easy keys to his long repressed helpfulness. Practical things, easier done in action over words.

That is to say, both hands are involved in trying to soothe the soreness between layers of cloth and leather. But the touch remains respectful, following any reaction instinctively. He goes on casually, since deciphering stick figures is not especially difficult for him-- ]

... is your name M-21?

[feralheart]

[ Probably, sometime before the haze of lost memories, someone had touched him to soothe him before. A friend, or family when he was a child. Something like that. But as far as he's concerned this is the first. There's something gentle and patient about Kaspar's touch, and it's just... nice. He's too achey to go tense, and too at peace for a few moments to really want to. It might not be able to make the pain go away, but it's enough to make it go out of focus. ]

Yeah. That's me. [ Must be easy, when he's the only one with a face scar? He gives a little sigh. ] Don't remember your name. Sorry.

[bluminescence]

Kaspar.

[ He introduces himself easily. It is easy to keep up the attention now that it's been accepted. Fit even before having farm work to do, he could probably massage his back all day if the the tedium wouldn't get to him first.

But silences are comfortable for Kaspar. So unless M-21 breaks it, he is content to let this be a moment; soft and unspoken, broken only by the wind in the forest, the shifting of his hands, and the familiar sounds of the forest.

Either way, the TV across from the couch sleeps on, unloved. The potted plants atop it have even been arranged to fall slightly over its screen. ]

[feralheart]

[ M-21 definitely has to draw a line somewhere and say it's good enough. He can't impose that outrageously after already letting this guy carry him here. And fuss over him. And temporarily drive the pain away. And lull him half into sleep with his hypnotic hands and the soothing sounds of the forest.

It's still a very long silence before M-21 turns his head a little to half-unmuffle from the pillow. ]

'S a nice name.

[ Inane. He's saying complete nonsense now. Even the TV plants are judging him. ]

[bluminescence]

[ Kaspar blinks down at him over that one, taking him out of his own reverie with a smile. One of his hand strays to pat M-21 on the head idly, in thanks, and brushing strands out of his face before it returns to his back. There is only a short pause this time, palms up to his shoulders. ]

... it's okay to sleep, if you like.

[feralheart]

[ M-21 makes a little noise of negation and moves to push himself up before he slouches back again with a groan. That's right, that's why he wasn't moving. ]

Maybe a little. [ And with heroic effort: ] You don't have to do that.

[ If he dozes a little, Kaspar won't feel obligated. And he warmth is nice. ]

[bluminescence]

[ Kaspar doesn't stop him from trying to rise, hands lifting away until M-21 settles down again. He breathes a little laugh, but it's almost as warm as his hands. He'll try to stay until the other man drifts off, at least. Kaspar is easily fooled though, being eager for lunch and tea. ]

[feralheart]

[ Warm... warm and nice. M-21 tries dimly to think of when he's met anyone this soft before coming here. This town is strange.

He's only half faking the doze when he closes his eyes and lets himself relax the rest of the way. He'll wake up again at the first sign of movement, but there's no need to advertise it. ]

[bluminescence]

[ Kaspar's touch slows over his back, until he believes M-21 to be asleep. Eventually, it stops as he pulls away to return to the kitchen. There is an attempt to be quiet, as he makes tea. And something else, by the careful yet unavoidable sound of bowls, utensils, and the stove. ]

[feralheart]

[ They're peaceful noises too, and M-21 listens drowsily as he stretches out even more. If he got up maybe he could actually learn how to make something properly from Kaspar... but that doesn't sound like causing any less trouble for him than lounging here does. That's definitely the only reason he stays stretched out like the dead for long enough to let Kaspar cook. It isn't until he thinks the footsteps are approaching the couch again that he pushes himself up after a little bit, one hand on the towel to keep it there. ]

[bluminescence]

[ Kaspar, empty handed, pauses halfway to the couch to check on his guest when he sees him awake already awake. ]

... want soup?

[ He doesn't say what kind, but the smell wafting from the kitchen is vaguely meat like, with the heat of chicken broth and seasonings.

How okay is M-21 with a lunch that is more than edible and tasty but whose ingredients were partly found in the woods... ? ]

[feralheart]

[ M-21 is robust and lives dependent on the kindness of others. He has less than no complaints about the provenance of his food, especially when it smells that nice. ]

Put you to a lot of trouble. ...It smells good.

[ One way or another, he's determined to stand long enough to wash the dishes after this. He has one thing to offer, so he can do it determinedly. ]

[bluminescence]

[ Kaspar shakes his head and leaves again. This time, he has soup. One bowl, one spoons. He forgets to tell him this is for a square just yet.

It's still hot, but not overwhelmingly so, when Kaspar leans (or squats, wherever M-21's head is right now), and holds the spoon up to his mouth. He sort of remembers to explain. ]

If you say "Ah", then we will be even, I think.

[feralheart]

[ M-21 blinks in surprise, but his expression eases at the explanation. That's right... that was definitely a bingo square of his, on top of what he already owes Kaspar. He can make enough of a guess at the implication, even though he doesn't have that one. ]

One of those bingo squares? I can do that much.

[ This would normally be incredibly embarrassing. But never let it be said he's not cognizant of a debt. He leans forward to take a very obedient spoonful of worm soup. ]

[bluminescence]

[ Kaspar nods, glad for the understanding. Though witnessing M-21's willing obedience, his warm smile says 'good boy' without saying it out loud. Feeding someone like this by mutual choice is a new thing, and the novelty of it makes it fun for Kaspar. So he is content to quietly and patiently spoon feed M-21 this whole bowl of worm soup if he lets him. ]

[feralheart]

[ That look is making it incrementally more embarrassing, somehow. But at the same time, M-21 rather likes praise. He'll cooperate for about half the bowl before he finally leans back, rubbing the back of his hand sheepishly over his mouth. ]

That, uh. Was that enough to count? You don't have to...

[ He could take positive attention for a while longer, but being an inconvenience is a little tougher. ]

[bluminescence]

Perhaps.

[ Kaspar's smile evens out, though it is no less pleased. He leaves the spoon to rest in the bowl while using his newly freed hand to retrieve his bingo card. He looks first, and then happily shows M-21 that the square has, indeed, been marked. Of course, it also shows off the rest of his very incomplete card.

(Pretend I marked the handholding and spoon feeding already, and probably one of the date ones who knows). ]

Are you, still hungry?

[feralheart]

[ That smile before was... kind of nice, actually. Not that the current one isn't also nice, in its own way. M-21 burrows a little back into the couch while he tries not to think about this too hard.

Which kind of leaves him thinking of the bingo card instead, which isn't as helpful as he might hope. ]

You need to eat too. [ Which is half a 'yes' but he's trying to be a courteous guest, to the limit of his manners. ] ...You're a good cook.

[bluminescence]

[ Without missing a beat, he sets his bingo card aside only to pick up the same spoon and take a bite with it. He already had some in the kitchen, but he indulges himself with a little hum because he is indeed still hungry.

Lightly flushing, the compliment earns M-21 another happy look whether he sees it or not. Yet it is still in that subdued way of his. Maybe it's the helplessness, or the way he burrows away from him, but something about the whole situation has Kaspar's playfulness quietly rising to the surface. ]

... You're a good patient.

[ He almost calls him a grateful one, though maybe Kaspar's eyes do anyway if M-21 looks over and accidentally summons the next offering of the spoon. ]

[feralheart]

[ If Kaspar isn't going without food for him, then he probably doesn't have to feel sheepish about accepting it. M-21 relaxes marginally, his eyes flicking to Kaspar's face again. He reminds him, unexpectedly, of a more expressive Rai. It's not hard to read approval there, which has M-21 perking up a little in turn. He's not used to being able to make someone else look like that. ]

I've got some practice at it. That's all.

[ But he's also very trainable, because if Kaspar offers another spoonful of soup, M-21 will absolutely take it. He's got a werewolf's appetite and shouldn't be blamed for this.

He should probably be blamed for the way he freezes in surprise a moment later. Was that what the teenagers call an indirect kiss? ]