January/Summer catch-all

[feralheart]

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


i. message in a bottle (beginning of month)

[ M-21 can be found at the memo board leaving his incredibly compelling self-advertisement-slash-transparent attempt at cheating. He's also lingering a little over the response to another one before he takes it with him. Catch him in the act, or take him up on his proposition!

Threads using the "compelled to speak the truth" event happen before Jan 7. ]

ii. rain on the beach (Jan 10)

[ Possibly M-21 did not understand the assignment to exercise with a partner. Possibly he's just getting in his laps industriously, proving why he counts for the "works out five times a week" scavenger hunt option. Either way, a little rain isn't going to slow him down any. He's jogging contentedly along the beach with absolutely no regard to how annoying running in sand is, or the rain that should be soaking him.

Probably because there's a localized sunbeam around just him. The smugger he gets about this, the brighter it seems to shine. Does this mean the goddess made up with him? He has no idea, but he's going to bask in it while it lasts. Anyone approaching will get a relatively good-natured nod. ]

You coming?

iii. wildcard

[ Catch me on my planning/PM/discord if you want a starter! ]

Comments

i truth or truth let's go

[yourlenore]

( Mishka checks up on the memo board whenever he passes by, just because it's a delightful little artifact - like a bounty board back at headquarters, but less murderous.

Still, he recognizes two things: firstly, that the handwriting across the bingo buddy/scavenger buddy notices are similar; and, second, that his suggestion had earned a response. He reads over it with a slight smile before he glances at the guy namenapping his suggestion. )

Oh? Were you the one who sought help naming this cat?

[feralheart]

[ M-21 pauses and glances over at the stranger, looking like he's considering denying it outright.

The note is still in his hand. ]

...Yeah. I've got one now. [ He lifts the piece of paper he just picked up. ] This yours?

[yourlenore]

That would be me. Avolyn.

( He says this with a slight accent, suggesting the native pronunciation. )

I'm quite glad you like it - I don't often find myself in a position to name cats. I'm Mishka, by the by.

[feralheart]

"Avolyn."

[ Maybe not quite there, but it's clear M-21 wanted to get this one right. He looks kind of pleased with himself. ]

M-21. How'd you know he was trouble just from the picture?

[ He didn't even draw paws... ]

[yourlenore]

Very good!

( He respects the effort, perfection or no. )

Hmmm... I suppose it's the eyes? You have a talent for capturing a creature's essence on paper, I'd argue.

( A compliment! )

Your name's a curious one - any particular reason for it?

[feralheart]

[ That's definitely mockery, right? But if his art was that easy to interpret, maybe not? While M-21 is in the process of pondering this greater mystery, he answers casually: ]

I guess. It's my experiment serial number.

[ ...And blinks once in mild surprise. He really has been getting lax here. ]

Why, what's "Mishka" mean?

[yourlenore]

( My, such a blasé answer - not that Mishka minds, of course. He's fairly flippant about certain grave affairs that pertain to himself, as well.

He holds onto this experiment thought for a moment. )

Hmmm... If I recall correctly, it originally meant "A gift unto God." In time, the name came to mean "Sacrifice."

( In Mishka's case, the etymology of his name is more trivia than anything - fitting given his previous station in the church, of course, but nothing so poignant compared to being a human experiment.

He looks the gentleman before him up and town quick, then glances again at the other notice M-21 put up. )

You needed someone to help you with your bingo, yes? If you help me with mine I'd be happy to help you with yours. Mine happens to be a child's game - truth or dare.

[feralheart]

[ M-21 lets out a tiny breath of relief when the subject changes naturally, not nearly as subtle as he thinks he is. Honestly... well, one momentary slip isn't that dangerous here. Hell, half the people here aren't even human to start with. ]

Huh. That one's kinda ominous.

[ If he finds his name and it's something like that, maybe he'd choose a different one. But he looks over at the board when Mishka does as if reminded. He does need bingo partners. ]

I've got that one too, actually. Even easier. You just have to answer a question or do something, right?

[ "Amnesiac lab experiment" isn't the most robust qualification for understanding kids' games, but he's had time to look up most of these since arrival. ]

[yourlenore]

Ah, how lucky. You're right - as far as I know it, we take turns asking, "Truth or dare?" and the other picks which they'd rather do. I've heard children like to ask one another to do amusing things, like admit the name of their crush.

( Not that Mishka had much of a childhood by normal standards, but he knows enough to know little things like this. Noble children have the luxury, if it could be called such, to play these things, and nobility were their best employers - their requests come often and frivolous and their pockets run deep. )

Then, would you prefer to start us, or would you rather I do?

( The only difference is who has to pick truth or dare first, but Mishka doesn't really care either way if he's the first one up to bat. )

[feralheart]

[ Thanks for the suggestion, Mishka. If he can't think of anything else to ask he's absolutely going with that. Pleased by the explanation, M-21 gives a little nod.

If nothing else... it doesn't sound like Mishka knows the game that much better than he does. They can both improvise. ]

Easy enough. I'll start. Truth or dare?

[ Although he took the initiative decisively, M-21 is mentally paging through what he could even dare. Nothing that would get someone killed by the goddess, constraint number one. This guy gave him a good cat name. ]

[yourlenore]

( Heck yes... Good karma accumulated from helping someone name his cat... Mishka taps his chin. )

Well, why don't we start off with something fun? I'll pick dare.

[feralheart]

[ What kind of things do the kids get up to usually... Those weird games where they flick each other? M-21 can't flick a human, he'd put a hole in him. ]

Got it. Show me the most ridiculous dance you know.

[yourlenore]

( Ridiculous, hmmm... )

Ah, a challenge. My home isn't quite known for its silliness, but if I might replicate some a step I've known nobles to engage in...

( With a deft step he'll slip back to gain some space, and he'll take to replicating this ballroom dance with a fair bit of accuracy! He exaggerates it to add a bit of extra bounce to the movement, because, why not! )

[feralheart]

[ ...Okay, that's pretty silly. M-21 snickers a little and offers some only half-sarcastic applause. ]

Huh. So nobles always have time for silliness. Not bad.

[ This is only funnier to him since "nobles" means "vampires" in his current experience. ]

[yourlenore]

( He bows! Thank you, thank you, he'll be here all summer. )

It must be because they live in a bubble - they've no one willing to tell them it's silly, or recognize it as such at all.

( He adjusts his broad sunhat, which probably came a bit undone with that bit of shenanigans. )

Very well, then. Truth or dare, then?

[feralheart]

Guess that's what being a noble's about.

[ M-21 opens his mouth to fearlessly say 'dare.' He pauses as he takes in Mishka's cheerful expression. He wouldn't want retribution for that dance, right?

M-21 doesn't know any dances. Maybe he'll take the coward's road this once. ]

Truth.

[yourlenore]

( Listen. M-21 asked him for a silly little dance. Mishka should be decent and keep to the pace his new acquaintance has set and keep it light-hearted. It's what a decent person would do.

Alas, Mishka is not decent, and he is quite curious. )

If you'll indulge me... What was that about being an experiment, and having a serial number?

1/2

[feralheart]

[ ...Well, considering what he let slip earlier, this shouldn't be a surprise. M-21 does the only sane thing in the circumstances, and opens his mouth to lie blandly. ]

M-series experiment. A failure to create humans with enhanced power by splicing them with other creatures. I don't know how they got their hands on the werewolf heart they put in me, but--

2/2

[feralheart]

[ And his jaw snaps shut again as he processes what he just said. He doesn't feel mind control, but he glares at Mishka for good measure. ]

What the hell?

[yourlenore]

( Werewolf heart? Now this has certainly taken a turn - his eyebrow raises. Still, when M-21 glares at him, he just looks at him like :)? )

Oh? Was that a slip of the tongue, perhaps? I would have taken any answer you gave me, I assure you, but I appreciate your honesty.

( Mishka can't really, like, know for sure there's something weird going on, but his instincts tell him there might be foul play afoot. And, as a rogue, he certainly loves foul play. )

If I may - does that make you a werewolf, then, or simply one who wields the faux power of one?

[feralheart]

It was honesty. You're not welcome.

[ ...Alright, attempt "lie to smooth it over" went about as well as he could've expected. And while Mishka has the least trustworthy smile M-21's ever seen... he's not new to the goddess's curses. Like, nya.

He clicks his tongue in annoyance and raises his hand. Claws are out now -- literally, since his nails transform into several inches of sharp and nicely polished-looking claw. ]

That enough of an answer? I wouldn't know. I've never seen a werewolf.

[yourlenore]

( Oho! A whistle escapes his lips, impressed. )

Those certainly look fit to kill. Have you?

( He studies the claws for some moments, as if gauging whether they might be deadlier than his knives - more violent, certainly. )

I have, though - seen a werewolf, I mean. They're brutal creatures. Can you shift your shape and take on a more bestial look the way they do, I wonder?

[feralheart]

Are you looking to get eaten for a dare?

[ ...So he can say misleading things if they're not lies? Good to know. Also good to know that the claws have zero intimidation factor. He puts them away again and folds his arms sulkily. ]

Yeah. [ To which? Yes. And while he's saying true things: ] Damn, you're nosy.

[yourlenore]

( kya )

Ah, it's been some time since someone's been in the position to tell me such freely.

( Only one person nags him these days - given his station, very few have the nerve to disparage him freely otherwise. )

I've lost some number of men to werewolves, if you must understand my fascination. Granted - I've lost some number of men to a great variety of creatures, so your kind - if, perhaps, the natural strain - is not a particular foe in that regard.

( He says this without thick malice - not because he doesn't care, but because tragedy, when oft repeated, becomes commonplace. )

[feralheart]

[ Don't you 'kya' him??? ]

It's not a problem if you don't surround yourself with spineless people.

[ Days since M-21 has checked if something or someone was out of his weight class before trash-talking: once again (always) zero. But as grumpy as he is about spilling all the werewolf beans, that's probably not Mishka's fault. So he gives a little grunt of acknowledgment even if his eyes narrow minutely at "your kind." ]

I don't pick fights with humans, if that's what you want to know. I do my job and I settle my debts. Anyway, your turn for truth. What do you mean, lost men?

[ Does he care that that's not how the game is played? Apparently not, it is now. ]