Morgannis

Umbra Rose Condos

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Location: Building 1 Cafeteria|| Interactions: Iris @BunniesOfDoom, Khalid @Lugubrious
Time: Late Afternoon

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Alphonse was not expecting the bump to his hip. Eyes widening, the bug man stumbled before he righted himself, looking a tad more flustered when his black eyes once more found Iris. Her words were endearing, though, and as he composed himself, his eyes softened. “Thank you, Iris. I truly appreciate your companionship,” that was, after all, what he was here for. It was very refreshing to know that he had - dare he say - a friend in Iris.

“There will be lamb another day, I’m certain,” that was a problem, though, wasn’t it? Alphonse briefly wondered what the condo was going to do about the fact that there were hungry monsters in need of sustenance. A thought for later, or perhaps, not for him at all. His own primary objective, after all, wasn’t even food to begin with. It took him a moment to follow Iris towards the table, the woman already sitting down and having a conversation with the Shoggoth man by the time he sauntered over. He kept a fair bit of distance between himself and the table, though, both to give at least a small amount of privacy, but also for…the smell. His antennae began to droop as he stepped closer, and the mothman fought to hide any looks of displeasure from his face.

How could anyone stand it? Alphonse clasped all four hands behind his back, in front of his wings.

Listening intently to their conversation of therapy, Alphonse’s gaze went distant for a moment. It would do a lot of good, for a lot of different monsters here. Some were ancient, or like him, had lived long enough to see more horrors than they could count. Just the fact that a place like the Umbra Rose Condos exists, a haven for their kind against the hunters outside, would probably lead to at least some monsters benefiting from therapy.

“Does it matter where the therapy takes place?” Alphonse shifted a tad bit closer to the table. “Or the time?” Perhaps being outside would detract from the smell, and of course, being a man of the night, Alphonse would excel more at a later time. Gods knew he had a lot to talk about, even if it didn’t necessarily help. It would be nice to just talk.

Opening his mouth, perhaps to express possible interest in the therapy the Shoggoth was offering, the intercom crackled to life. Alphonse paused, turning his head up to look at the nearest speaker, his eyes widening. Gremlins? Oh. Joy. As Theria’s message died down, Alphonse turned his gaze back to the two at the table in front of him. “It seems we have a game to play tonight,” if they wanted to, that is. The mothman would be content to meander the halls at a more leisurely pace, and if he had found any gremlins, great! If not, it was no skin off of his back; although a new book would be a nice addition to his collection.

Umbra Rose Condos

For that sweet sweet post from our residential insect man

@BunniesOfDoom

So sorry, should be able to get my post up today! @ _ @ I work in a mall, so we're crazy right now..I come home and all I want to do is sleep

Bleach - Resonant Souls

Part Two of a Collab between @Letter Bee and [@Mogrannis].

Ouga’s Mechanics Shop

Suddenly, the young man was springing into action. Sword held low, he ran at Mikazuki with all of the speed he had. Closing the gap between them, his sword moved to thrust towards the chest of the other. Directly after the thrust, Mitsuaki put all of his strength into his attack, swinging upwards, and finishing up the Hirazuki skill that he had been taught in training. If he were lucky enough, one blow would be all that he needed to knock Mikazuki off of his feet and onto his back, winning him his makeshift game.

Mikazuki almost fell before the force of Mitsuaki’s blow; for a second, his feet lifted off the ground before the boy regained his footing. He smiled; his Miraculous Parry just barely held, but his exhalations showed that with his inferior amount of Reiyoku, Mitsuaki would eventually get the advantage.

But Miakzuki wasn’t in this to win, he was in this to give Mitsuaki a good time.

Tch, of course that didn’t work. Mitsuaki jumped back, his feet guiding him around Mikazuki, looking for any sort of opening that the other might give him. Lunging forward, the older male took swipe after swipe at the younger, just trying to break his defenses down for now. If he could wear Mikazuki out, maybe he could knock him down.

That idea may actually work; Mikazuki was using fancy footwork to try and evade Mitsuaki’s swipes, but he was worried that the latter may not be enjoying the fight, and that wore him down more than just the physical efforts of continuing to avoid his opponent’s blows - No, don’t get distracted, Mikazuki, just don’t!

A blow connected and was barely parried by the boy’s training blade. Mikazuki, to conceal his distraction, counterattacked with a flurry of cuts and slashes, still not knowing if Mitsuaki was enjoying this…

When the other counterattacked, Mitsuaki raised his blade to deflect, before he hopped backwards twice to avoid the rest of the attack. His face was full of nothing but concentration, giving no insight into his true feelings or thoughts. If anything, there may have been a flicker of frustration in his eyes, but it was gone in a second as attack was launched with his body lunging back towards Mikazuki.

Blade positioned to the left, Mitsuaki made it look like that was where he was going to attack from the left, before quickly darting right in an attempt to confuse the other boy.

Mikazuki would not normally have fallen for such a cheap trick, but his head was no longer in the game, and so this time, he was knocked back, flat on his back. His tactic of using a constant flow of Healing Arts on himself worked to clear up any bruises and pain, but right now, it was obvious to anyone that he was confused, lost, and just did not know what to do and how to continue.

He believed that he failed - Mitsukai seemed to be more annoyed than ever.

“Hell yeah!” Mitsuaki threw his arms up, sword held high in the air, as Mikazuki landed on the ground. “I won!” Even if he hadn’t proclaimed the rules aloud, he had, indeed, won. A wide smirk was worn on his face, gray eyes full of triumph.

Slowly, his arms lowered down to his sides, and he sauntered over towards the kid. “Good fight, Mikazuki,” a hand was held out, offered towards the other to pick him up from the ground.

Mikazuki’s look of confusion changed to a smile as he let Mitsuaki lift him up, his frustration changing into happiness when he saw that for now, Mitsuaki was happier.

He gave a short bow to the older youth, just… happy - Happy he had helped.

“You don’t…Need to be so formal,” Mitsuaki rubbed the back of his neck, looking away from Mikazuki, before he waved it off. Really, they were comrades now, right? “Anyways, I’m going back in,” without waiting for the other, he moved back towards the shop, very much done with their spar.

It was a nice distraction, for sure, and he was a firm believer that practice was the key to success. They wouldn’t be able to grow strong and protect anyone they cared for if they just sat on their asses all day.

Plus, it did help release at least a little bit of steam.

Umbra Rose Condos

I had to get a new keyboard, mine turned into absolute garbage. Hoping that I can get a reply in within the next few days.

The Elder Scrolls: Before the Great War

I'm interested!
Will hopefully have a CS up for you to look over in a few days. :)

Umbra Rose Condos

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Location: Building 1 Cafeteria|| Interactions: Iris @BunniesOfDoom
Time: Late Afternoon

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“No need for apologies,” a soft smile curled up on the mothman’s face, shown by how his eyes curved slightly upwards from the bottoms. Iris had gotten to the door first; it made sense, seeing as Alphonse had been behind her. He hadn’t been fast enough, it seemed. Ah well. “Ah, soup would be quite nice tonight. It is getting a bit chilly out,” maybe Borkus would be kind enough to heat up some nectar for him, if he did decide to eat.

Four hands clasped behind his back as he stepped into the cafeteria, a soft thank you leaving given to Iris as she held the door for him. Gaze gliding across the room, he noted each figure he knew, and those that he didn’t. Velvet, a fellow nocturnal, who he had spoken to on occasion while most of the world slept. Qaymu, the dragon who resided only a few doors down from him; he liked Qaymu, although he knew better than to approach the dragon’s door. Max was extremely kind, for a human. One of the only ones that Alphonse felt understood the plight of the monsters, and even though he was afraid, he did his duty. Truly admirable.

Khalid and Rebecca were viewed with a cocked head and slight blinks. He would have to introduce himself to these two, eventually. Rebecca was a complete enigma, and Alphonse wondered briefly how long she had been in the Umbra Rose. Khalid, on the other hand, did look vaguely familiar, although the mothman didn’t remember if they had ever actually spoken two words to each other. That should change, really. Alphonse needed to stop hiding himself away, and actually make some friends.

“To be honest, I came in search of company more than food,” Alphonse removed his gaze from the room around him, head swiveling back to Iris as his antenna twitched atop his head. Even socially avoidant people, from time to time, needed to do something social to fight the loneliness that could consume them. “I was not expecting this many people here, though,” a light, somewhat nervous chuckle left him.

The commotion from the kitchen pulled Alphonse’s attention away from Iris. “It looks like there’s a problem…” All twenty of his fingers steepled together in front of him, gaze somewhat concerned. There was always the garden, if he grew hungry enough, but what of the other residents? If they lost their food supply for very long, there could be dire consequences. Alphonse wasn’t aware that that very thing happened earlier in the day.

Bleach - Resonant Souls

Sagamiyama

Saturday - Midday

Interactions: Bokuto @BladeSS4 || Tony @McNephelim || Ouga @Sho Minazuki

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Mindless wandering had driven him towards the bike shop, his mind in another realm entirely. Mitsuaki felt eyes on him at one point, head raising for a moment to scan the area, but the feeling was gone before he found the culprit. It was probably just his boss, cursing him from the cafe he hated.

Maybe he could get a job at that video store down the street; he’d probably have to work late though, if he worked there, and that wouldn’t do. That was the reason the cafe was so promising, the early morning hours being better suited for his extra-curricular activities. Then again, if he overslept and missed his shift, it would be just as bad as having to run out on a night job. Maybe getting a job with Ouga or Shouko would be possible; would they care if he were late for a shift, seeing as how they knew what could possibly go on in the lives of Substitute Shinigami’s.

A voice, practically screaming, pulled him from his thoughts. Jolting, Mitsuaki stood on edge as his eyes swirled around, looking for the man who it came from. Finding Tony, the young man blinked, his eyes shifted to quickly find Bokuto as well, decked out in all of his Shinigami glory.

Had there been a call? Was there a hollow around, were they supposed to be training at this hour? Mitsuaki didn’t remember any sort of training schedule for today.

Either way, the situation needed to be dealt with, before Tony did something that he would regret.

“Hey, Dingus!” Mitsuaki drew closer to Tony, hissing out. “Quiet down,” eyes narrowing, he glanced towards Bokuto as he stepped up closer to his substitute comrade, the one currently in a real body. “You know people can’t see him, right?” A hand raised to motion towards Bokuto, a slight wave that would look natural to people watching them; his voice was quiet enough now with the distance he was from Tony that only his two comrades would be able to hear him. Although there weren’t as many people around as say, if they were in Tokyo, there were still enough that this was becoming a scene.

“Go inside before someone calls the police on you,” not like he really cared what happened to the American. Mitsuaki stepped around Tony then, hand grabbing for the door into the bike shop, pulling it open and stepping inside. He had given his opinion, told Tony what he should do, but that was all he would offer. Ouga was probably already aware of what was going on outside; it wasn’t like they could just hide themselves from the stronger Shinigami, or that the man was deaf. The man would take control, if needed, and Mitsuaki wasn’t about to stand in his way of doing that.

Umbra Rose Condos

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Location: Alphonse’s Bedroom → Building 1 Cafeteria|| Interactions: Max @LupusIntus, Iris @BunniesOfDoom
Time: Late Afternoon

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The moth sat up with a start. A cold chill had seeped into his room, the familiar feeling causing a surge of nostalgia to hit him like a truck. Eyes swarmed, almost desperate, around the room only to land on a single black rose sitting inside of a thin clear vase. ”Death,” one of Alphonse’s four arms came up to grip at his chest, directly over his heart. His creator hadn’t even bothered to wake him or come to him in a dream. Busy, perhaps? Too busy to even…

Standing up, Alphonse moved to the flower, staring at it. Reaching tentative hand, he felt the silky petals beneath his fingers, a sigh coming from him. Perhaps next time Death was around, they could have a nice chat. About old times. New times? About…anything at all.

It was hard to admit there was a pang of longing in his chest. Death was his creator - his father and mother. Was it too much to ask for a simple verbal hello?

“Get yourself together, Alphonse,” two hands drew up towards his face, rubbing over it, trying to reset his thoughts. Dressing himself in a fresh pair of clothes, the mothman folded wings delicately against his back, and stepped out of his room into the hall. Being alone, right now, maybe wasn’t the best thing for him to do. Maybe, for once, he should go and find comfort in the revelry of others. If Death had come by, after all, there might be someone in the complex who needed someone to talk to. Someone who might have been a bit more intimate with Death.

Checking the Cafeteria in building 2 first, he didn’t figure anyone would be here; building 1’s food service hall was much more frequented, after all. Moving outside the building, Alphonse directed his compound eyes up to the sky, the sun almost finally set for the day. It would be a lovely night, one where a walk around the grounds would be very refreshing.

Taking the direct route to the first residential building, Alphonse stepped inside and paid no mind to the minotaur behind the counter. A quick glance at the corkboard in reception caused his steps to falter; a few new bulletins caught his eye, drawing him to the board with a few swift movements. Scanning over each and every one, giving them the dedication that all deserved, one caused him pause. Shoggoth Therapy? It was an interesting, if not extraordinary idea. A monster offering up therapy to other monsters, in the comfort of their own Umbra Rose Condos; therapy was something that Alphonse had never even thought twice about, but with the option actually available to him. Perhaps he’d have to meet this Al-Azif.

Making a quick note of the other bulletins, Alphonse backtracked away from the board, and finally swept his eyes over the rest of the room. A lone woman caught his gaze (had she been here when he arrived? He wasn’t sure.); he recognized her vaguely, knowing that she lived on the first floor of the same building, and her name came to him immediately; Iris. A strong flower, that, one that stood for faith, courage, compassion, hope and wisdom among other things. Vibrant and bright, they were one of Alphonse’s many favorite flowers (although he had too many to count).

“Good evening, Iris,” he wasn’t far behind her as he made his way towards the cafeteria. Maybe they could go in together. He could even hold the door open for her, like the gentlemen he was. He could even hold the door open for Max, the human coming into view as Alphonse drew closer to the cafeteria, but only if he was fast enough.

Bleach - Resonant Souls

Sagamiyama

Saturday - Midday

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The coffee shop was still packed to the brim when Mitsuaki stepped out into the somewhat warm air of the spring day. Black apron firmly tied around his waist, he just needed a break; a simple five minutes to recuperate, catch his breath and his bearings, and then get back to work. Sure. Why did he even have this job?

To try to have some semblance of a normal life. Right.

It had been a month and a half, if his counts were correct. A month and a half since he had almost died, swallowed up by that monster. Ever since, his life was truly anything but normal. Training, learning how to fight and to defend others, with his newly granted shinigami powers. It had been too much at first, but now, Mitsuaki thought he was finally starting to settle into his new life. His double life. As soon as he had some semblance of hope, though, that he was finally beginning to learn how to live in this new light…

“Why’d it have to be me, Juno? Why couldn’t we have just switched places…” His voice spoke out to no one but the air, doubt clouding every word. Juno would have been perfect for this, he would have excelled at it, Mitsuaki thought. Here he was, struggling to still just grasp the situation of what had happened to him, even when the writing was on the wall everywhere he looked. Hitting his fist against the wall, he regretted it almost immediately.

“Hey!” Mitsuaki jumped as the door banged open, a rather large, angry looking man stepping out. “Mitsuaki! Get your ass back to work!”

“I’m uh…not feeling very good,” Mitsu rubbed at his sore, aching hand.

“Don’t care, get back inside!”

“Think I’d rather throw up,” he hated this job. He hated his boss. He hated the people that came in to get their vanilla latte’s, no whip, extra shots. Why couldn’t they just make coffee at their own damn houses.

“You get back inside or I’m writing you up!” His boss was steaming.

“‘Kay,” Mitsuaki went the exact opposite direction. He didn’t need this job. He could find another job; a job that paid more and didn’t have a horrible boss, or equally horrible customers. The tips weren’t even that good. Steaming, throwing out one curse after the other, Mitsuaki couldn’t help but break into a wide grin when his boss slammed the door behind him as he headed back inside. Leaving the apron on the garbage can, he was free to spend the rest of his day doing anything other than work. Maybe he’d roam around, hit the arcade, or see if anyone he knew was around. Anything but sit in his own head, and wallow in what could have been.

Death's End (Fetzen/Morgannis)

The Elegant Stag

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“Gods! The skies opened up like there’s no tomorrow!” A dwarf of a man stomped into the Elegant Stag Tavern, his beard shaking droplets of water from his face. Fire roaring in the background, he labored over towards it, yelling for a pint of beer from the barkeep as he did. As he walked, he paid no mind to the elf that leaned over the bar, even as mismatched eyes were watching him with mild interest.

“Margaret!” The man gave a smile to the wench that served him his drink. “Mighty fine of ya, lass! What’s the news, then?”
“Old Dan’s been trying to find someone to fill that job for you, Noor,” the woman snorted as she looked down at the man. “Think there are a few here to see you.”

As if on queue, the elf that had been eyeing the dwarf pushed off of the bar, a wide smile on his face as he made his way over to the seat the man had taken. “Hey! I mean, uh, hi,” a hand was extended towards the Dwarf, who only eyed it warily. “Uh. Nifft, at your service,” the elf let the hand drop. It moved to his side, then to the hem of his shirt to play with a string. Beady eyes scanned up and down his body; thin, small, half the size of normal elves.

“Just you?” The dwarf waved a hand, dismissing him. “Don’t need some kid running off to be a hero. Scat, now, I’m looking for someone with promise.”
“Wha– I have promise!” Blue and gray eye narrowed slightly, a huff coming from the young man. “I’ve been on plenty of jobs, and all of them were succ–”
“I’ll take it,” a voice from a nearby table cut through Nifft’s speech, the elf snapping to attention as another, larger elf stood from the table.

Black hair was shaved on the sides, swept back and long. Tattoos littered so much of the man’s pale skin, it was hard to tell just how pale he was against the black lines. Dark eyes pierced through Nifft, breath catching as they glared at him. “Jango,” the man introduced himself to the dwarf, who clapped him in a handshake when the hand was extended.
“See kid, this is someone with promise. You can go,” the man shooed Nifft away, who bristled, hands clenched into fists. Crossing those arms over his chest, Nifft stayed exactly where he was.

Noor shook his head, turning to Jango and fully ignoring Nifft now. The pair discussed the job; a group of bandits had taken over a nearby mine, one that Noor needed up and running as soon as possible. They were driving away his men, and in turn, ruining any and all business the dwarf had stake in. It was a simple request, really, and a job that should only require one person as long as they were seasoned. The bandits were rowdy, but they were just bandits. Simple. Dumb. Easy to kill.

A price was agreed upon, and Jango stood from the table he and Noor shared. “I’ll be back before nightfall,” it was a promise. With sweeping movements, the elf shouldered a rather large shield unto his back, and headed to the door and out into the pouring rain. Nifft, still lingering to listen to the job, turned and raced after him.

“Hey!”
“This job’s mine.”
“Yeah, yeah, that’s fine! Let me come with you, though,” breathing out, Nifft pulled his hood over his head to protect against the downpour that covered them instantly. Lucky for them, it was just a bit of rain and dark clouds. No lightning to be seen, no thunder to be heard. “I need to prove to that guy that I can handle this!”

Just shaking his head, Jango began to walk, heeding the directions given to him by the dwarf. Not about to fight with the other elf, if he wanted to tag along, Jango wasn’t going to stop him. If he got in the way, though, that would be a whole other story in the end.